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…

Such was the saith of Nicodemus, ¹and Joseph of Arimathea, yea, of the Apostles themselves, Pete not excepted, who were ever and anon affrighted, and at his last sufferings, some denied▪ all forsook our Saviour and fled. And thus it may be ⟨p. 53⟩these Rulers believed, but their faith was very weak, and their love was according to their faith: till increase of faith brought forth further strength of love, and they had learned by the strength of faith and love to prefer the service of Christ before all the glory of the world, and to adhere to the glory that comes from God alone, as so much better then that we receive of men, that the later did seem as nothing in comparison of the former. That which is added by the Evangelist, that they durst not confess him, doth no more derogate from their love, then from their faith: for if they had believed firmly with the heart unto righteousness, ²they had confessed with the mouth unto salvation: and in that they confessed not the truth with their mouths, it argueth they believed but weakly with their heart. For the faith which bringeth forth sincere confession is coupled with love, but confession it self is an effect of faith. I believed, ³and therefore have I spoken: we also believe, and therefore speak. The man that came to the wedding,⁴ not having on the wedding garment, had faith (as our Adversaries object) but wanted charity and good works. How may it appear that he had faith? Forsooth, because he was admitted to that Table, which are the Sacraments. Not to question that exposition for the present, was no man ever admitted to the Sacraments, that made show of faith, when indeed he had none? Many hypocrites are in the Church, that have not so much as a persuasion of the truth of the Scripture, and so absolutely want their marriage garment. And men are admitted to the Sacrament by men, and admitted for profession of faith, when they that admit them cannot tell whether they have faith or not. For many pretend that which is not in them, and with the mouth make profession of faith, when their heart is barren and empty of grace. Further this man might assent unto truths divine, and acknowledge them as true, but not from a sound and sincere ground: