CHAPTER V.
OTHER EXERCISES OF THE PRINCIPAL VIRTUES.
From the "Way of Eternal Life."
I. EXERCISE
Of lively Faith.
O Truth, O Goodness, who art here and every where most present with me, I believe thee, and I believe that this N., and whatever else has been written, done, and said by thee, is for my instruction, and in the presence of thy court I profess that it is all most certainly true, and that I have no excuse if I do not believe this, and, by thy grace, show not my belief in my conduct.
Thou art most mighty, most wise, and most good, and shall I not believe thee, and embrace these evidences of thy will? They indubitably demand all my belief and my love, whether I listen to reason and the wise, or look into the nature of things. Would that I had ever listened to thee, and had never offended thee, who art all good. Would that I had honoured thee by my life, and by my patience had shown my faith!
But henceforth,in deed and in truth, I will believe thee and love thee for ever. Do with me for ever what seems good to thee, and I, out of the depth of my love for thee, will, by thy grace, do what I know to be thy will, and embrace whatsoever thou hast revealed for my salvation, and all that is thy will, O my life and all my good! Amen.
II. EXERCISE
Of Hope.
Thou knowest, my God, thou knowest that we are not sufficient to do any thing of ourselves, and therefore not this, N., as of ourselves. I, therefore, that am dust and ashes, have recourse to thee, that through thee, and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, I may have hope, and hoping in thee may not be confounded. For can it be, O Goodness! that thou callest me thus, and yet wilt reject me? Can be it that thou invitest me thus, and drawest me to follow thee, and yet wilt suffer me to faint in the way?
I know, O Lord, that though unworthy of thy grace (for I find in my members a law that is fighting against the law of my mind), yet by hoping in thee, I shall never be confounded. But,
