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…

§. 2. Justifying faith is considered,¹ either according to it most eminent effect, which is to justify; or according to it full and adequate act. For that faith which justifieth, doth embrace the Commandments, believe the threatenings, look to all the promises of God made in Jesus Christ concerning this life or the life to come, and receive the good things promised: it sustaineth in adversities, worketh by love as an instrument conjoined with it, guideth all our actions, and giveth firm assent unto every article of faith and every part of divine truth; but as it justifieth, it is conversant about Christ obeying to death, that we may find righteousness and forgiveness of sins to life in him, or it cleaveth un•o Gods mercies manifested in that eternal sacrifice, always breathing out life to men, renouncing all trust and confidence, even in such graces as we have received from God. The trueth, mercy, fidelity and power of God, with all benefits past and to come, which it pleaseth God to bestow upon his people in Jesus Christ, are the matter about which faith is exercised: but as it justifieth Christ is the full and adequate object of belief; as our reasonable soul doth see in the eye, hear in the ear, digest in the stomach, but doth not reason as it doth these things, but only as it conceiveth and discourseth within us.² So that, according to the twofold consideration of justifying faith, the object of it is twofold, General and Special 1. The General object is the whole truth of God ⟨p. 62⟩revealed unto us in his word, containing all Histories, Doctrines, Commands, Threatenings, promises of what kind soever.³ True faith respects all this, and only this. Only this, because divine revelations only be of certain and infallible truth, which cannot deceive, and whereunto men can safely give unlimited and absolute credit: All this, because every part of divine inspired truth is worthy of all Belief and reverence: and so there is nothing contained in Scriptures, threatening, promise, precept, admonition, exhortation, prophecy, or history, which falls not in some degree or other within the compass of saving Faith. God who cannot lie, hath propounded to men for truth and to be believed, whatsoever is delivered in Scriptures, and so it is a matter of faith;