1From hence then may we learn how to try and examine the sincerity, and the soundness of our Faith. cTry your selves, saith the Apostle, whether you be in the Faith: whether you be sound or dunsound. (The word would not be translated reprobates, as we commonly use that term.) Here is a Touchstone to try it by. If our Faith and Confidence in Christ be accompanied with fidelity and faithfulness unto Christ: if we be careful as well to observe what he requireth of us, as to expect what he promiseth. It is ethe Nature of Faith, saith Chrysostom, to single out God; to make him as Thomas speaketh, fMy Lord, and my God: and as to single out God himself, so to apply his promises in particular to the faithful party: gWho hath loved me, saith the Apostle, and given himself for me. But we must know withal, that true Faith is careful as well to apply Gods *precepts, as his ⟨p. 7⟩“promises. hWhen thou sayest, Seek my face; my soul answereth thee again, Thy Face, Lord, will I seek. Yea, to that end saith Chrysostom, doth the Apostle make that particular application of Gods grace and goodness to himself, *to imply thereby his own particular engagement to God for it. And it is no true Faith that regardeth not the one as well as the other. Hence it is, that it is said of some, that gthey became obedient to the faith: and of the Romans, that hthey had from the very heart obeyed the form of Doctrine delivered unto them: or (if you will) ithat they were bound unto. Who are commended also more than once for their kobedience of faith, or their faithful obedience. Which faithful obedience is a sure note of sound faith; nor can it be true faith where such obedience is wanting. Then may we know our Faith to be sound and sincere, when our faith in Christ breedeth and produceth in us a faithfulness unto Christ, a carefulness to please him, la willingness to obey him, to be guided and ruled by him.
1From hence then may wee learne how to trie and examine the sinceritie, and the soundnesse of our Faith. cTrie your selues, saith the Apostle, whether you be in the Faith: whether you bee sound or dvnsound. (The word would not be translated reprobates, as we commonly vse that tearme.) Here is a Touchstone to trie it by. If our Faith and Confidence in Christ be accompanied with fidelitie and faithfulnesse vnto Christ: if we be carefull as well to obserue what hee requireth of vs, as to expect what he promiseth. It is ethe Nature of Faith, saith Chrysostome, to single out God; to make him as Thomas speaketh, fMy Lord, and my God: and as to single out God himselfe, so to apply his promises in particular to the faithfull partie: gWho hath loued me, saith the Apostle, and giuen himselfe for me. But wee must know withall, that true Faith is carefull as well to apply Gods *precepts, as his ⟨p. 7⟩“promises. hWhen thou saist, Seeke my face; my soule answereth thee againe, Thy Face, Lord, will I seeke. Yea, to that end saith Chrysostome, doth the Apostle make that particular application of Gods grace and goodnesse to himselfe, *to imply thereby his owne particular engagement to God for it. And it is no true Faith that regardeth not the one as well as the other. Hence it is, that it is said of some, that gthey became obedient to the faith: and of the Romanes, that hthey had from the very heart obeyed the forme of Doctrine deliuered vnto them: or (if you will) i
- 1Use 1. Examination.Vse 1. Examination.
- c2 Cor. 13.5.
- d[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- e[Greek or Hebrew]. Chrysostom. in 1. Cor. hom. 2. Fides Deum individuat.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Chrysostom. in 1. Cor. hom. 2. Fides Deum indiuiduat.
- fJohn 20.28.Iohn 20.28.
- gGalat. 2.20.
- *[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- “[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- hPsal. 27.8.
- *[Greek or Hebrew]. Chrysost. ad Stelech. & in Gen. hom. 34.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Chrysost. ad Stelech. & in Gen. hom. 34.
- g[Greek or Hebrew]. Act. 6.7.〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
