§. Sect. 3 Of the meanes whereby we may attaine vnto fulnesse of perswasion.
And these are the meanes of begetting and confirming of our faith, that it may not only assent vnto the truth of Gods promises, but also apply and apprehend them to our owne particular vse. Now, that from these two first degrees we may grow vnto fulnesse of perswasion, which, in assu∣rance of our perseuerance in the fruition of Gods loue, doth make vs, with the Apostle, to triumph ouer all difficulties and dangers, there are diuers other things required. As first, that we esteeme faith our chiefe riches; and this will make vs spiritually couetous, and carefull by all meanes to adde vnto this treasure. Secondly, we cannot come to this fulnesse of fayth, but by often experience of Gods loue, shining in the riches of his mercies, es∣pecially in things appertaining to grace and eternall glory. To which purpose we must bee sensible of Gods goodnesse, and diligently obserue his fauours towards vs, and so by induction of particulars (that seeing so often and many wayes he hath bin gracious, and hath giuen vnto vs such innumerable testimonies and pledges of his loue, hence) we may gather an experimentall conclusion, that being immutable in his goodnesse, wee shall liue and dye in his fauour, and nothing shall be able to separate vs from it. Thirdly, we attayne vnto this fulnesse of perswasion, by becom∣ming more and more acquainted with God in the vse of his holy ordi∣nances, as prayer, hearing the Word, receiuing the Sacrament of the Sup∣per, and meditation; for hereby our communion and acquaintance with God is increased; and the better we know him, the more firmely will we trust and beleeue in him, tasting hereby the sweetenesse of his goodnes, and the infallibility of his mercy and truth. Fourthly, we attaine vnto certaine and full assurance of Gods loue toward vs, by our often testifying and ap∣prouing of our loue towards God, in our care to keepe all his Commande∣ments, that thereby we may glorify his Name, by hauing the light of our holy conuersation shining before men: seeing we could not possibly loue him, if he had not loued vs first: and whom he loueth, to the end he loueth them. Finally, we attaine vnto it by continuall exercizing our selues in good workes, and by the dayly practice of Christian duties, and leading of a godly life. For as faith iustifying vs, by applying Christs righteousnesse, doth cause a good conscience, after we haue peace with God; so when we keepe our consciences, purged with Christs blood, cleare and vnspotted of any knowne, willing and grosse sinne, it doth maruailously confirme