A03064:158
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…
A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the second, the life of faith. ... By John Ball.A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the second, the life of faith. ... By Iohn Ball.
London: printed by William Stansby for Edward Brewster, 1631
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Abraham then believing the remission of sins in and through Jesus Christ of necessity it will follow, that his faith was directed unto and exercised about the special mercy of God in Jesus Christ. How then doth the Apostle set out Abraham's full belief ⟨p. 76⟩in this, that he was assured that he who had promised was able also to do it? 1Not because Abraham's faith did justify him as he did believe the power of God; but because his justifying faith which was fixed upon the gracious promise, did sustain it self by the consideration of Gods power in time of trial between the promise and the execution. Abraham had a promise of seed; but the execution is deferred, whereupon his faith is assailed thus: Abraham thy body is dead, thy wife hopeless that way which things foiled Sarah for a time. Now when Abraham's faith on the promises is thus set upon,2 against these arguments of unbelief, faith opposeth the all sufficient power of God, and sustaineth it self with this consideration, God is able. As another time, when he was tempted to offer up his son in sacrifice, he verily believed he should receive him again,3 because God was able to raise him up again. Belief of Gods power is not the act of justifying faith, as it justifies, but the consideration of Gods power is a prop and stay to faith against manifold temptations. And so we shall find, the Almighty power of God often alleged to confirm the weak and wavering heart. As for Sarahs laughing, thinking it impossible to have a child, the Lord said to Abraham,4 Is any thing hard or impossible to God. And again to Moses objecting, whether all the fish in the sea should be gathered for food for Israel in the wilderness; The Lord answered, Is the Lords hand waxed short, 5thou shalt see whether my word shall come to pass or not. And to the virgin Mary desiring to be further conformed touching the promise of God, the Angel makes answer,