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…

Justifying faith is discerned from the other kinds, not by this, that it receiveth the promises which they do not: but it receiveth them in another manner and degree, with firmer radication in the heart, which is the seat of the affections, that it might season them, and subject earthly desires to the affectation of heavenly things. Amongst the chief Rulers of the Jews, many believed in Christ, ¹saith the Evangelist, who yet confessed him not, because of the Pharisees, least they should be cast out of the Synagogue. But John sometime following the Hebrew phrase ⟨p. 52⟩useth the term of believing in Christ, for believing Christ, applying it to them, who by the miracles of Christ, and his manifest declaration of the truth, were convicted in conscience to acknowledge him to be of God, or did believe in him for a time, but did not in sincerity submit themselves unto him. And thus it might be said of some of those chief Rulers,² that they b lieved in Christ, that is, were persuaded in their minds that he spake the truth, but yet preferring their credit and reputation with men, gave no regard unto it. The very reason, which the Evangelist gives, why they did not confess Christ, makes it manifest, that their faith was not true and lively rooted in the heart. For (saith he) they loved the praise of men, ³more then the praise of God: which who so doth, his faith is not become such as lays sure hold on the promises of life.⁴ How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour which cometh from God only? They might have some beginnings and dispositions to true faith, but very weak and feeble, and they might be endued with some degree of love, but weak and feeble as their faith was. Their faith and love was too much tied and entangled in the nets and snares of carnal respects: but, admitting the least degree of faith, there is no ground, to affirm, they had no love.⁵ Indeed perfect love casteth out all fear, and perfect faith overcometh the world, and breedeth perfect love: but there is a beginning of faith and love, which being yet little and weak, and huing not as ye over-mstered all worldly and carnal respects, is for a time timorous and fearful to confess Christ, but groweth to strength by little and little, till it resolve to cleave to him with loss of all other things.