A03064:167
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.
Justifying faith is a particular and certain confidence, resting upon the mercy of God in Christ for pardon and forgiveness, not an assured persuasion that our sins be already pardon d and forgiven.
Iustifying faith is a particular and certaine confidence, resting vpon the mercie of God in Christ for pardon and forgiuenesse, not an assured perswasion that our sinnes be alreadie pardon d and forgiuen.
1§. 1 Just fying faith doth not only believe the promise of mercy in general; as that there is forgiveness for them that lay hold upon it: but it relieth upon the promise for our own particular, and depends wholly thereupon, looking after no other help. For trust or confidence importeth the application of some good to him, that trusteth: and so he that casteth himself upon the promises of mercy, draws near unto Christ, throws himself into his arms, and grasps about him with all his might. Look how the poor Infant affrighted with the apprehension of some danger, clings close to the parent for succour and defence: or a man in danger of drowning lays hold upon some willow that grows upon the bank, and hangs thereon for safety: so doth the soul pursued by the terrors of the Law, and affrighted with the ugly sight of sin, fly with speed unto Jesus Christ as he is held forth in the Gospel hang upon him, and to die for it will never loose his hold. For in him it apprehends plentiful redemption, and out of him it knows no succour ⟨p. 83⟩is to be •ound. In this sense, faith applieth the promise of grace to a mans self in particular, that is, it particularly relieth upon the grace of God in Jesus Christ to obtain pardon and forgiveness.2 Even as they that were stung with the fiery Serpents, did come and look to the brazen Serpent, believing to find the healing of those deadly stings that were fastened in them: Thus a soul stung with sin and fear of damnation, cometh by faith to Christ, relying on him, trusting to find in and through him, cure of those deadly evils wherewith it is wounded.