In respect of thy self: thou art ignorant, there is no understanding of GOD but by saith, Esa. 1. The vulgar reads; Nisi credideritis non intelligetis; unlesse ye believe, ye shall not understand. Quomodo capitur Trinitas, how the Trinity may be comprehended in understanding, thou askest well: quomodo creditur Trinitas, how the Trinity may be believed in faith, thou askest not well. Ideo benè creditur, quia citò non capitur, Augu. It is therefore to be believed, because it cannot be understood. Thou art originally corrupt, naturally hateful to God: nothing canst thou do to please him, till thy self be first made pleasing to him. The doer is not acceptable for the deed, but the deed is acceptable for the doer. Hadst thou all the succeeding graces, and not this foundation of faith; whereby thy person is made accepted in the Beloved; when thou art judged, thou couldst not be saved. Nature may do works to glorify our selves, faith doth works to glorify God. We are not justified by the works of the Law, but by Grace, say we. But are not the works of the Law, the works of grace? yes, every good work of the Law is a work of grace; as every sin is a breach of the Law. Grace and the Law are not thus opposed, but grace and nature. In the root of a tree appears no beauty, no show of leaves or fruits: yet Quicquid in arbore pulchritudinis est ex illa procedit: what beauty so ever is visible in the tree proceeds from the root. So in the humility of faith we find small lustre, no pleasure discernible to the eye of man: yet whatsoever lustre or grace fullness shines in our works, is derived from that root. Thus Faith is the Queen that ⟨p. 110⟩shall speed: let Ahasuerus be never so angry, to his Esther he will hold out his golden sceptre. To this faith God allows entrance;m Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. As Adoniah to Bathsheba, nI know the king will deny thee nothing. The Eunuch to Philip, Acts 8.38. See here is water, what hinders me to be baptised. Believest thou? yes; then nothing hinders. Upon the knowledge of my faith, I ask, what hinders me to be loved, what hinders me to be blessed, what hinders me to be saved? now as Philip to the Eunuch, so CHRIST answers us; Nothing, Fiat tibi secundum fidem tuam: be it unto thee according to thy faith. Look we a little further into the necessity of Faith:
In respect of thy selfe: thou art ignorant, there is no understanding of GOD but by saith, Esa. 1. The vulgar reads; Nisi credideritis non intelligetis; unlesse yee beleeve, yee shall not understand. Quomodo capitur Trinitas, how the Trinitie may be comprehended in understanding, thou askest well: quomodo creditur Trinitas, how the Trinitie may be beleeved in faith, thou askest not wel. Ideo benè creditur, quia citò non capitur, Augu. It is therefore to be beleeved, because it cannot be understood. Thou art originally co•rupt, naturally hatefull to God: nothing canst thou doe to please him, till thy selfe be first made pleasing to him. The doer is not acceptable for the deed, but the deed is acceptable for the doer. Hadst thou all the succeeding graces, and not this foundation of faith; whereby thy person is made accepted in the Beloved; when thou art judged, thou couldst not be saved. Nature may doe works to glorifie our selves, faith doth workes to glorifie God. We are not justified by the workes of the Law, but by Grace, say we. But are not the workes of the Law, the workes of grace? yes, every good worke of the Law is a worke of grace; as every sin is a breach of the Law. Grace and the Law are not thus opposed, but grace and nature. In the roote of a tree appeares no beautie, no shew of leaves or fruits: yet Quicquid in arbore pulchritudinis est ex illa procedit: what beauty so ever is visible in the tree proceeds from the roote. So in the humility of faith wee find small lustre, no pleasure discernable to the eye of man: yet whatsoever lustre or grace fulnesse shines in our workes, is derived from that roote. Thus Faith is the Queene that ⟨p. 110⟩shall speed: let Ahasuerus be never so angry, to his Esther he will hold out his golden scepter. To this faith God allowes entrance;m Let us draw neere with a true heart in full assurance of faith. As Adoniah to Bethshabe, nI know the king will deny thee nothing. The Eunuch to Philip, Acts 8.38. See here is water, what hinders me to be baptised. Beleevest thou? yes; then nothing hinders. Vpon the knowledge of my faith, I aske, what hinders me to be loved, what hinders me to be blessed, what hinders me to be saved? now as Philip to the Eunuch, so CHRIST answers us; Nothing, Fiat tibi secundum fidem tuam: be it unto thee according to thy faith. Looke wee a little further into the necessitie of Faith:
- mHeb. 10.22.
- n1 King. 2.13
