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…

As we judge of the cause by the effects, and by the proportion of the effects the efficacy and force of the cause may seem to be increased or diminished, every thing is acknowledged to be perfect when it worketh, and is esteemed so much the more perfect, by how much the more it worketh; as we say the goodness of a tree is perfect, when it hath brought forth some excellent good fruit. Thus Philosophers teach, that the form is not perfect, when it is considered as the first act, but when it is taken as the second act: for by working it putteth forth it force and declareth it self. And so faith is perfected by works, not that the nature of faith receiveth complement or perfection from works, but because it doth declare and manifest it self by love and good works, and is esteemed by so much the more perfect, as the works produced are the more excellent. Yea, as the exercise of outward members increaseth internal ⟨p. 47⟩vigour and strength, and refresheth the spirits by which we move; so doth the exercise of grace and virtue rightly employed perfect faith, not imparting the perfection of works unto it, but stirring up exercising and intending it own vigour and perfection. Sense and motion is the effect, not the cause of life in the body; but yet the body without them is dead, and perfected by them. Works are the effects, not the life of faith, but faith without works is dead, and by works it is perfected.

As we iudge of the cause by the effects, and by the proportion of the effects the efficacie and force of the cause may seeme to be increased or diminished, euery thing is acknowledged to bee perfect when it worketh, and is esteemed so much the more perfect, by how much the more it worketh; as wee say the goodnesse of a tree is perfect, when it hath brought forth some excellent good fruite. Thus Phylosophers teach, that the forme is not perfect, when it is considered as the first act, but when it is taken as the second act: for by working it putteth forth it force and declareth it selfe. And so faith is perfected by workes, not that the nature of faith receiueth complement or perfection from workes, but because it doth declare and manifest it selfe by loue and good workes, and is esteemed by so much the more perfect, as the workes produced are the more excellent. Yea, as the exercise of outward members increaseth internall ⟨p. 47⟩