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 respect of spiritual life faith is the most necessary, upon which love hath necessary dependence: but otherwise to love is more then to believe, because it necessarily includes belief; as to taste meat •n respect of life is of more use then to love it, though absolutely to love meat be more then to taste it, because it presupposeth taste. If we respect latitude of use, charity is more excellent then saith, as which is extended every way to God and Men, and by which all the gifts of God which he bestoweth upon us, are made profitable to other men. But if we consider man privately in himself, and for his own use, faith is more excellent then charity, as whereby we are radically united unto Christ, and wherein standeth originally our fellowship and communion with him;¹ by which Christ dwelleth in our hearts, and we receive the promised spirit; into which as a hand, God putteth all the riches of his grace of our salvation, & by which all acts of grace are quickened; we feed upon Christ for the strengthening and nourishment of the soul, and whatsoever is in us is commended unto God. If we respect length of time and continuance, charity is to be preferred before faith. For faith is but for a time, and when the promise of God, which is the matter and subject of it, shall be fully accomplished, the use of it shall cease. When faith passeth into an open knowledge and revealed sight of the thing present, it changeth both his nature and kind. But love abideth for ever, and shall continue betwixt God and us an everlasting bond: it shall be greater and more vehement, but shall still retain the ⟨p. 45⟩same nature and substance, albeit some works which now it exerciseth shall cease. The end of our faith is charity: but the foundation and director of love is faith: faith also is the victory whereby we overcome the world. To save a man faith is the greater: in Man being saved love is the greater. Till faith have finished our salvation love must yield to faith: when faith hath fully saved us, it shall have an end, for knowledge of sight takes away faith, but love shall abide for ever. Absolutely love is greater then faith, but when we speak of the means of Justification, and attainment of that salvation, whereto perfect charity and righteousness doth belong, then faith must be preferred as •he greater & more excellent. Faith only beareth sway therein: