But alas,1 how many will be found, to have no true faith, who yet make profession of Faith, if they be brought to this Touchstone, if they come to this trial. Every one is ready to say with him in the Gospel, mI believe, Lord. But, nAll men, saith the Apostle, have not faith. No: all have not Faith, that make profession of Faith. How appeareth that, may some say? Surely, because as the same Apostle saith else-where, oAll obey not the Gospel: pall observe not the rules of it. For how many profess the faith of Christ, that yet are wholly qestranged from the life of Christ? How many ⟨p. 8⟩thousands (millions, I might say) be there, that having given up their names unto Christ, and made solemn vows and covenants in Baptism with him, never so much as once think on (much less have any care of performing or making good) those solemn vows and promises that then they made, the bonds they entered into in their Baptism? And how are they Christians that keep no faith with Christ? And yet will such be counted Christians as well as the best: and are ready enough to vaunt of, and presume on their Christendom, as if rin regard thereof they were sure to do well. But, to omit that this their confidence, is like that before touched upon of the Jews, which sthe Prophet telleth them, should never stand them in stead: I would gladly know of some such, what it is that maketh him a Christian. My faith, peradventure thou wilt say,9 in Christ. Yea, but that Faith, as hath been showed, that is not accompanied with faithfulness, is no true, it is but a false and a counterfeit faith: Nor can a false and a counterfeit faith make (at the best, and the most) but a counterfeit Christian; ta Christian in Name, but not in deed.
But alas,1 how many will bee found, to haue no true faith, who yet make profession of Faith, if they be brought to this Touchstone, if they come to this triall. Euery one is ready to say with him in the Gospell, mI beleeue, Lord. But, nAll men, saith the Apostle, haue not faith. No: all haue not Faith, that make profession of Faith. How appeareth that, may some say? Surely, because as the same Apostle saith else-where, oAll obey not the Gospell: pall obserue not the rules of it. For how many professe the faith of Christ, that yet are wholly qestranged from the life of Christ? How many ⟨p. 8⟩thousands (millions, I might say) bee there, that hauing giuen vp their names vnto Christ, and made solemne vowes and couenants in Baptisme with him, neuer so much as once thinke on (much lesse haue any care of performing or making good) those solemne vowes and promises that then they made, the bonds they entred into in their Baptisme? And how are they Christians that keepe no faith with Christ? And yet will such be counted Christians as well as the best: and are readie enough to vaunt of, and presume on their Christendome, as if rin regard thereof they were sure to doe well. But, to omit that this their confidence, is like that before touched vpon of the Iewes, which sthe Prophet telleth them, should neuer stand them in stead: I would gladly know of some such, what it is that maketh him a Christian. My faith, peraduenture thou wilt say,9 in Christ. Yea, but that Faith, as hath beene shewed, that is not accompanied with faithfulnesse, is no true, it is but a false and a counterfeit faith: Nor can a false and a counterfeit faith make (at the best, and the most) but a counterfeit Christian; t
- 1Use 2. Conviction.Vse 2. Conuiction.
- mMark. 6.24.
- n2 Thess. 3.2.
- oRom. 10.17.
- p2 Thess. 1.8.
- qEphes. 4.18. Philip. 3.18, 19. Rom. 16.18. Christum l•ngua si crepat, cum vita neget, non est fides, sed hypocrisis. Cypriani nomine de dupl. martyr.
- rIta quidam omnibus fidem Christianam etiam cum mala vita tenentibus salutem promittebant: teste Aug. de Civit. l. 21. c. 21.Ita quidam omnibus fidem Christianam etiam cum mala vita tenentibus salutem promittebāt: teste Aug. de Ciuit. l. 21. c. 21.
- sJerem. 7.8.Ierem. 7.8.
- 9Use 3. Admonition.Vse 3. Admonition.
- tChristiani nomine, non vita, non moribus. Aug. in Psal. 30.
