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…

¹§. 1. The Schoolmen divide the object of faith into the material object, and into the formal. The material are the Articles or things believed. The formal is the foundation and last main principle whereupon faith relieth, or that whereinto the assent, which yieldeth unto the matter believed, is resolved. In which sense, the object of faith is all one with the foundation or ground work of it. But howsoever we understand it, whether for the main reason & last resolution of assent or for that whereupon our confidence leaneth, relieth, resteth, the authority of the Church cannot be the ground, nor the Saints triumphant the object of faith divine.² We believe that God hath his Church: but we neither believe in the Saints militant nor triumphant. The ground or foundation of faith must be some thing, which is purely and simply divine, admixt with no error, yea subject to no error; the indubitate word and revelation of Christ, the divine and prime verity revealed by inspiration. But the word of God alone is purely and simply divine admixt with no error, the Church is subject to error, neither hath it any truth immediately or by divine inspiration,³ but by second means: the authority of the Church is a thing create, distinct from the first verity. The immortal seed whereby we are regenerate and made faithful, is the only formal principle or ground of faith. The word of God alone is that immortal seed. Therefore the word of God alone,⁴ is the only formal principle of ⟨p. 129⟩faith. And even as in Husbandry, although divers instruments and means be requisite and necessary; to wit, ploughing, sowing, &c. yet the seed is the beginning and sole immediate cause of the grain springing up: even so in the spiritual plantation of faith, in which our souls are living fields, the immortal seed which the Apostles first preached, and afterwards committed to writing, produceth faith as the sole principle, immediate motive, and formal object of faith: as the ministry, authority and calling of the Church, produce the same as the adjuvant and instrumental cause, or as the means of applying the word and seals thereof, but not as the first principle. Whatsoever credit the Church hath, it receiveth the same from the Scriptures, as is acknowledged by some of our principal Adversaries, and confirmed by the Apostle, who saith;