A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

In the Scriptures, confidence is oft put for faith, and trust expounded by belief;^c as where the Old Testament commandeth trust, the New Testament requireth faith: and in the New Testament the same things are attributed to faith and believers, which in the Old Testament are attributed to confidence, and them that trust in the Lord. In the New^d Testament Faith and Belief are put for trust and affiance: and to believe is not only to assent, but to rest upon and embrace. The phrase which the Holy Ghost most commonly useth to express Believing in Christ, is neither in the Greek Translation of the Old Testament, nor [for ought hath been yet observed] in any Greek Author whatsoever, except those that did write since, and took it from the Scripture. To believe in God or in Christ, is for substance and sense, to trust to God or Christ, and this kind of speech is usual amongst Greek Writers: To help us in the understanding of this matter, the seventy in their Greek afford another phrase marvellous significant,³ To believe on or upon God. This the Holy Ghost useth often: but withal he becomes the Author of a new^e phrase himself, to make us the more easily and fully understand, what faith he meaneth in the matter of our Justification. And though the^f phrase be sometimes used, when true and lively confidence is not understood, yet it is more then probable, that the Holy Ghost by that new manner of speech, would propound somewhat more then bare assenting to the truth of what was promised. And if we consider the passages of Scripture, wherein the phrase is used, it will be plain and evident. To him that worketh not, ⁶but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. What is this, Believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly? no more, but believeth those things to be true, which he affirmeth, who justifieth the ungodly? that is not probable.⁷