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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…

Name: A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…
Author: John Ball

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.

John Ball 1585–1640London: printed by William Stansby for Edward Brewster, 1631

[48], 440 p. · 167k words · STC 1319 · ESTC S100833

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PAge 4. de prae. r. in prae. p. 5. Acts 6. r. Acts 9. ibid r. preposition [Greek or Hebrew] ibid. r. particle [Greek or Hebrew] p. 13. Heb. r. Hab. p. 34. Mat. r. Mal. p. 50 r. §. Sanctus Augustinus. p. 133. John r. Jonah. p. 139. r. 1. Pet. 1.5 p. 144. John 24 r. Luke 24. ibid. Psal. 10. r. Psal. 119.11. p. 147. & 4.29 r. & 4.18.19. p. 157. Mat. 3.17. r. Mal. 3.17. p. 241. Psal. 52.2. r. Psal. 51.1.2. p. 243. profit. r. comfort. p. 252. discomfort. r. thraldom. p. 328. Psal. 60. r. Psal. 68. p. 358.

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Title as printed: 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.
Author: John Ball 1585–1640
Place: London
Printer: William Stansby
Bookseller: Edward Brewster
Year: 1631
Size: [48], 440 p.
Words: 167,005
Catalogue: STC 1319 · ESTC S100833
Text: EEBO-TCP A03064

Passages: 733
Sections: 33

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John Ball 1585–1640

PuritansEngland

Author of A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace.

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:61p. 1–2

IT is expedient and necessary that all Christians should acquaint themselves with the doctrine of Faith:¹ because the safety of all Christian Religion doth depend upon the right understanding of this matte: and Satan with his subtleties hath ever endeavoured to obscure this doctrine by the mists of Sophisms, or to weaken it some other ways, that he might rob God of his glory, and the Church of the certainty of her salvation. And if the necessity of a thing known and acknowledged stir up to ⟨p. 2⟩enquire into it, and labour after it, this also may provoke us to search and enquire what faith is. §11. Faith is of the number of those necessary things, which are necessarily required to the obtaining of others; and not of those which are wrought by compulsion, or by any necessary cause compelling.² As if a man would see, he must open his eyes, and yet he is not by external violence forced thereunto. §22. No unbeliever can please God: for how should he, who is incredulous and divided from God, please him who is most true and faithful?³ Salvation is in the pleasure and power of God, which he dispenseth according to his own, not our will. But he accepteth none as righteous to life, but them that believe. §33. The quality of this present life and our habitation,⁴ in which we are absent from the Lord, doth evidence the necessity of faith: As a son that lives from the presence of his Father must believe his letters and messengers sent unto him. §44. The quality of things necessary to be known for the obtaining of salvation is such, that they cannot be apprehended or received without it: As in humane things the quality, of Arts and Sciences is such, that they require understanding,⁵ because they cannot be conceived without it: so in things divine faith is requisite, without which we can never comprehend the mysteries of salvation. §55. The gifts which God bestoweth upon his children, the graces which the Holy Ghost doth work in their hearts, do necessarily require faith by the ordinance and determination of the Lord.

IT is expedient and necessarie that all Christians should acquaint themselues with the doctrine of Faith:¹ because the safetie of all Christian Religion doth depend vpon the right vnderstanding of this matte: and Satan with his subtleties hath euer endeauoured to obscure this doctrine by the mists of Sophismes, or to weaken it some other wayes, that he might rob God of his glorie, and the Church of the certaintie of her saluation. And if the necessitie of a thing knowne and acknowledged stirre vp to ⟨p. 2⟩enquire into it, and labour after it, this also may prouoke vs to search and enquire what faith is. §11. Faith is of the number of those necessary things, which are necessarily required to the obtaining of others; and not of those which are wrought by compulsion, or by any necessary cause compelling.² As if a man would see, he must open his eyes, and yet he is not by externall violence forced thereunto. §22. No vnbelieuer can please God: for how should hee, who is incredulous and diuided from God, please him who is most true and faithfull?³ Saluation is in the pleasure and power of God, which he dispenseth according to his owne, not our will. But he accepteth none as righteous to life, but them that belieue. §33. The qualitie of this present life and our habitation,⁴ in which we are absent from the Lord, doth euidence the necessitie of faith: As a sonne that liues from the presence of his Father must belieue his letters and messengers sent vnto him. §44. The qualitie of things necessary to bee knowne for the obtaining of saluation is such, that they cannot bee apprehended or receiued without it: As in humane things the qualitie, of Arts and Sciences is such, that they require vnderstanding,⁵ because they cannot bee conceiued without it: so in things diuine faith is requisite, without which wee can neuer comprehend the mysteries of saluation. §55. The gifts which God bestoweth vpon his children, the graces which the Holy Ghost doth worke in their hearts, doe necessarily require faith by the ordinance and determination of the Lord.

1§. 1. The necessity of Faith.§. 1. The necessitie of Faith.
2Heb. 11.6.
3Joh. 3.16, 18, 36 Rom. 3.28. 1. Cor. 1.•1.Ioh. 3.16, 18, 36 Rom. 3.28. 1. Cor. 1.•1.
41. Cor. 5.6, 7.
5Acts 15.9. Rom. •.28. Ephes. 1.13, 14.

:62p. 2–3¶2

¹²§. 2. The word Faith in Scripture is taken diversly §11. It is put for truth, fidelity or faithfulness, constancy and justice in word and action, promise or accomplishment §22. By faith sometimes true Christian knowledge and persuasion,³ or the measure thereof is to be understood, specially the sound knowledge of Christian liberty in Jesus Christ. §33. It noteth a sure testimony, or firm demonstration of a thing to come.⁴ §44. It signifieth the doctrine of the Gospel, and so Christ the subject of the Scripture, which ⟨p. 3⟩preacheth salvation to be no otherwise but by faith in Christ: and this is called by Divines,⁵ faith which is believed. §55. It is taken for belief of the Gospel, the habit being implied in the act, the gift in the exercise: which is the faith whereby we believe. And this is expressed by the phrases of Believing God, ⁶Believing on God, Believing on Christ, Believing the Prophets. §66. Faith is put for unfeigned profession joined with fervent desire, to further Christian Religion, and a godly life.⁷

¹²§. 2. The word Faith in Scripture is taken diuersly §11. It is put for truth, fidelitie or faithfulnesse, constancie and iustice in word and action, promise or accomplishment §22. By faith sometimes true Christian knowledge and perswasion,³ or the measure thereof is to be vnderstood, specially the sound knowledge of Christian libertie in Iesus Christ. §33. It noteth a sure testimonie, or firme demonstration of a thing to come.⁴ §44. It signifieth the doctrine of the Gospell, and so Christ the subiect of the Scripture, which ⟨p. 3⟩preacheth saluation to bee no otherwise but by faith in Christ: and this is called by Diuines,⁵ faith which is belieued. §55. It is taken for beliefe of the Gospell, the habite being implyed in the act, the gift in the exercise: which is the faith whereby wee beleeue. And this is expressed by the phrases of Belieuing God, ⁶Belieuing on God, Belieuing on Christ, Belieuing the Prophets. §66. Faith is put for vnfained profession ioyned with feruent desire, to further Christian Religion, and a godly life.⁷

1§. 2. Divers acceptations of the word faith.§. 2. Diuers acceptations of the word faith.
2Math. 23.23. Rom. 3.3. Gal. 5.22. Titus 2.10.
3Rom. 12.3 . & 14.1.22.
4Acts 17.31.
5Acts 6.7 . & 13.8. Gal. 1.23 . & 3.2.5. Gal. 3.23, 24.
6John 5.46, 47. John 2.22, 23. Luke 24.25. Acts 26.27.Iohn 5.46, 47. Iohn 2.22, 23. Luke 24.25. Acts 26.27.
7Rom. 1.8. Gal. 6.10.

:63p. 3–4¶3

§. 3. Faith signifying belief is used to note. 1. An ordinary knowledge and bare assent to the historical truth of Scripture, grounded upon the authority and truth of the Speaker, though sometimes holpen by experiments,¹ and other inducements, and probabilities of the things: and this is called faith Historical,² that is, a naked,³ imperfect, dead assent, without trust or confidence in the mercies of God, or adherence to the Commandments. Howbeit we must not imagine, that faith is reputed unsound, or not salvifical, because historical (rather it is oftentimes §1unsufficient to save, because it is not so fully historical as it might be) but the name of historical faith arose hence, that some are said to believe, who did never embrace Christ as their only Saviour withal their hearts, nor confidently rely upon the promises of mercy: otherwise faith justifying doth more certainly believe the truth of the history of the Gospel, and so is more historical than the faith called historical. 2. It is taken for an affiance §2of heart embracing the word as good;⁴ which in respect of the object may be distinguished into Miraculous or Ordinary. For the object of faith is,⁵ either some special and singular promise, for the doing of some extraordinary effect, wherein we trust by a miraculous active faith:⁶ or it is some special promise for the obtaining of some spiritual or bodily good thing after an extraordinary manner, whereon we trust by a miraculous passive ⟨p. 4⟩faith, as it is called: or else faith doth respect the general and common promises, which are made in the word of life, and made good to them that believe, whereon we rest by faith ordinary. But faith Miraculous and Ordinary are not divers graces, but the same grace exercised about divers objects. The grounds of faith are different,⁷ and so are the effects and adjuncts that flow from thence: but the grace it self one and the same. As the Fathers believed special revelations and extraordinary promises made to them, by the same ordinary faith, by which we believe the common promises of salvation revealed in the Word: so the singular promises of God made to some Believers concerning the working of miracles, were embraced by the same faith, by which they did adhere to the general promises of mercy, or were raised up to the doing of acts of love.

§. 3. Faith signifying beliefe is vsed to note. 1. An ordinarie knowledge and bare assent to the historicall truth of Scripture, grounded vpon the authoritie and truth of the Speaker, though sometimes holpen by experiments,¹ and other inducements, and probabilities of the things: and this is called faith Historicall,² that is, a naked,³ imperfect, dead assent, without trust or confidence in the mercies of God, or adherence to the Commandements. Howbeit we must not imagine, that faith is reputed vnsound, or not saluificall, because historicall (rather it is oftentimes §1vnsufficient to saue, because it is not so fully historicall as it might be) but the name of historicall faith arose hence, that some are said to belieue, who did neuer embrace Christ as their only Sauiour withall their hearts, nor confidently relie vpon the promises of mercie: otherwise faith iustifying doth more certainly belieue the truth of the historie of the Gospell, and so is more historicall than the faith called historicall. 2. It is taken for an affiance §2of heart embracing the word as good;⁴ which in respect of the obiect may be distinguished into Miraculous or Ordinarie. For the obiect of faith is,⁵ either some speciall and singular promise, for the doing of some extraordinarie effect, wherein wee trust by a miraculous actiue faith:⁶ or it is some speciall promise for the obtayning of some spirituall or bodily good thing after an extraordinarie manner, whereon wee trust by a miraculous passiue ⟨p. 4⟩faith, as it is called: or else faith doth respect the generall and common promises, which are made in the word of life, and made good to them that belieue, whereon wee rest by faith ordinarie. But faith Miraculous and Ordinary are not diuers graces, but the same grace exercised about diuers obiects. The grounds of faith are different,⁷ and so are the effects and adiuncts that flow from thence: but the grace it selfe one and the same. As the Fathers belieued speciall reuelations and extraordinary promises made to them, by the same ordinary faith, by which wee belieue the common promises of saluation reuealed in the Word: so the singular promises of God made to some Belieuers concerning the working of miracles, were embraced by the same faith, by which they did adhere to the generall promises of mercy, or were raised vp to the doing of acts of loue.

1§. 3. Sorts of Faith.
2Historical faith.Historicall faith.
3Jam. 2.19, 24. Acts 26.27.Iam. 2.19, 24. Acts 26.27.
4Faith Miraculous.
51. Cor. 13.2. Matth. 21.21 . & 7.22.
6Mark 9.23. Acts 14.9. Luke 17.19.Marke 9.23. Acts 14.9. Luke 17.19.
7Zanch. de redempt. lib. 1. c. 12. de prae. 1. Sect. de Fide Thes. 2.

:64p. 4–5¶3

For that faith which doth receive the more excellent promises (as are they concerning spiritual life and salvation) can much more lay hold upon other promises of an inferior nature, if they be made and certified unto us.¹ That faith which is carried to the general promises, is either a confidence vanishing, uncertain not-rooted, called faith Temporary:² or an affiance certain, well-planted, constant, known by the name of Justifying or saving faith,³ so called from the principal effect. For to justify is not the full effect of this confidence or affiance,⁴ beyond which the efficiency of it doth not extend: but because this is the principal thing wherein the force of true faith is occupied,⁵ it is so called. Justifying faith believeth the history, purifieth the heart, sticketh to the Commandments, receiveth the temporal promises, worketh by love: but it is called Justifying from the principal effect; as the soul is called reasonable from the power it hath to invent, judge and discourse, not that these are her only faculties. In the Scriptures of the New Testament this faith is unfolded in these and such like phrases: To believe ⟨p. 5⟩God; To believe in or upon God: ⁶To believe in or upon Jesus Christ, To receive him, To receive the testimony of God; To believe the Gospel, To receive the Word of God. To believe God signifies no more but to assent to that which the Lord speaketh: but believing, as it belongs to the understanding is the root and foundation from which confidence of the heart doth spring and flow: such a belief in the mind is signified in this and all other phrases, as is always necessarily accompanied with trusting in God, for that which we believe he can and will bring to pass. And the other of trusting to or relying upon is implied, whensoever we find that ascribed to believing, which cannot be obtained without faith in Christ. And if we search the Scriptures, we shall find these phrases, To believe^a God, and to believe in God, to import one and the same thing. A preposition^b is added to believe, when nothing but assent of mind is signified: and it is put without a^c preposition when trust or confidence is implied.¹⁰ ^dMoreover, we read sometimes the Faith of Christ, and faith which is by Christ: sometimes faith on Christ, and sometimes faith in Christ;

For that faith which doth receiue the more excellent promises (as are they concerning spirituall life and saluation) can much more lay hold vpon other promises of an inferiour nature, if they be made and certified vnto vs.¹ That faith which is carried to the generall promises, is either a confidence vanishing, vncertaine not-rooted, called faith Temporary:² or an affiance certaine, wel-planted, constant, knowne by the name of Iustifying or sauing faith,³ so called from the principall effect. For to iustifie is not the full effect of this confidence or affiance,⁴ beyond which the efficiencie of it doth not extend: but because this is the principall thing wherein the force of true faith is occupied,⁵ it is so called. Iustifying faith belieueth the historie, purifieth the heart, sticketh to the Commandements, receiueth the temporall promises, worketh by loue: but it is called Iustifying from the principall effect; as the soule is called reasonable from the power it hath to inuent, iudge and discourse, not that these are her only faculties. In the Scriptures of the New Testament this faith is vnfolded in these and such like phrases: To belieue ⟨p. 5⟩God; To belieue in or vpon God: ⁶To belieue in or vpon Iesus Christ, To receiue him, To receiue the testimonie of God; To belieue the Gospell, To receiue the Word of God. To belieue God signifies no more but to assent to that which the Lord speaketh: but belieuing, as it belongs to the vnderstanding is the roote and foundation from which confidence of the heart doth spring and flow: such a beliefe in the minde is signified in this and all other phrases, as is alwayes necessarily accompanied with trusting in God, for that which wee belieue hee can and will bring to passe. And the other of trusting to or relying vpon is implied, whensoeuer wee find that ascribed to belieuing, which cannot bee obtained without faith in Christ. And if wee search the Scriptures, wee shall find these phrases, To belieue^a God, and to belieue in God, to import one and the same thing. A preposition

1Faith temporary.Faith temporarie.
2Mat. 13.20, 21. Luke 8.13, 14.
3Justifying faithIustifying faith
4Luke 8.13. Matth. 13.23.
5Acts 24.14. Acts 15.9. Psal. 119.66. Acts 27.25. Gal. 5.6.
6Rom. 4.3. John 5.24. Acts 16.34 . & 18.8. John 14.1. Rom. 9.33. Acts 6.42. Acts 16.31. John 2.11 . & 3.16. Jo. 1.12. & 3.33 Mark 1.15. Acts 11.1 . & 2.41. 1. Cor. 2.14.Rom. 4.

:66p. 6–7¶4

¹§. 4. But evermore when faith is required, it is not the faculty, whereby we are apt, and furnished to believe, but the act and exercise of that habit, whereby we execute the function of believing, which is to be understood. For this is that which God commandeth in the Scriptures, not that our souls be adorned with the habit of faith though that be necessary, but that we believe in him. Believe in the Lord your God. Repent ye and believe the Gospel. ²If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. But as many as received him, to them he gave right to become the sons of God; even to them that believe on his Name. Ye believe in God, believe also in me. ³He that believeth on him is not condemned. If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, ⁴to every one that believeth. This is his Commandment, that ye should believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ. ⁵We are saved by faith, ⁶is all one with that, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. We are justified by faith, ⁷is all one with that, By him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses. Whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. ⁸Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness. And therefore the Israelites are reprehended, that they believed not in the Lord:⁹ A fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel. Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation. None but ⟨p. 7⟩those believers are praised; Blessed is she that believed, ¹⁰Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; blessed are they which have not seen, and yet have believed. Whosoever believeth on him, shall not be ashamed.

¹§. 4. But euermore when faith is required, it is not the facultie, whereby wee are apt, and furnished to belieue, but the act and exercise of that habite, whereby we execute the function of belieuing, which is to be vnderstood. For this is that which God commandeth in the Scriptures, not that our soules be adorned with the habit of faith though that be necessarie, but that we belieue in him. Belieue in the Lord your God. Repent yee and belieue the Gospell. ²If thou canst beleeue, all things are possible to him that belieueth. But as many as receiued him, to them he gaue right to become the sonnes of God; euen to them that belieue on his Name. Yee belieue in God, belieue also in me. ³He that belieueth on him is not condemned. If thou belieuest with all thine heart, thou mayest. The Gospell is the power of God vnto saluation, ⁴to euery one that belieueth. This is his Commandement, that yee should belieue on the Name of his Sonne Iesus Christ. ⁵We are saued by faith, ⁶is all one with that, Belieue on the Lord I•sus Christ, and thou shalt be saued. We are iustified by faith, ⁷is all one with that, By him all that beleeue are iustified from all things, from which yee could not be iustified by the Law of Moses. Whosoeuer beleeueth in him shall receiue remission of sinnes. ⁸Abraham belieued God, and it was imputed to him for righteousnesse. And therefore the Israelites are reprehended, that they belieued not in the Lord:⁹ A fire was kindled against Iacob, and anger also came vp against Israel. Because they belieued not in God, and trusted not in his saluation. None but ⟨p. 7⟩those belieuers are praised; Blessed is she that belieued, ¹⁰Because thou hast seene mee, thou hast belieued; blessed are they which haue not seene, and yet haue belieued. Whosoeuer belieueth on him, shall not be ashamed.

1§. 4. Not the habit, but the act of faith is required.
22. Chron. 20.20. Mark 1.1. Mark 9.23. Jo. •.12. & 14.12. Chron. 20.20. Marke 1.1. Marke 9.23. Io. •.12. & 14.1
3John 3.•8. Acts 8.37.Iohn 3.•8. Acts 8.37.
4Rom. 1.16. 1. John 3.24.Rom. 1.16. 1. Iohn 3.24.
5Ephes. 1.8.
6Acts 16.31.
7Gal. 2.16. Acts 13.39 . & 10.4.
8

:69p. 7¶1

§. 1. Justifying faith,¹ which not only believeth God speaking in his Word, but mebraceth all divine truth as containing the chief good of Man, as being the most perfect, doth necessarily require before it faith historical, & comprehend all other kinds under it. It may be defined, a lively and obediential affiance or confidence, whereby we rest upon Christ for salvation, receive the promises of grace temporal and spiritual, stick to the Commandments as good both simply and in comparison, and feed upon the word with savour and delight. More largely, It is a wonderful and supernatural gift of grace, wrought by the Holy Ghost through the Ministry of the Gospel in the heart of Man a sinner, acknowledging and bewailing his offences, whereby he doth not only assent to the whole truth of God, and is certainly persuaded that Jesus Christ is appointed of God to be the author of salvation to them that believe in him, and his Saviour if he do believe: but doth rely, cast and repose his soul upon Christ his Saviour, and by him upon God as a loving Father in him, cleaving inseparably to the Word of truth as good both simply and in comparison, and feeding upon it as the wholesome food of life.

§. 1. IVstifying faith,¹ which not only belieueth God speaking in his Word, but mebraceth all diuine truth as containing the chiefe good of Man, as being the most perfect, doth necessarily require before it faith historicall, & comprehend all other kinds vnder it. It may be defined, a liuely and obedientiall affiance or confidence, wherby we rest vpon Christ for saluation, receiue the promises of grace temporall and spirituall, sticke to the Commandements as good both simply and in comparison, and feed vpon the word with sauour and delight. More largely, It is a wonderfull and supernaturall gift of grace, wrought by the Holy Ghost through the Ministerie of the Gospell in the heart of Man a sinner, acknowledging and bewayling his offences, whereby hee doth not only assent to the whole truth of God, and is certainly perswaded that Iesus Christ is appointed of God to be the authour of saluation to them that belieue in him, and his Sauiour if hee doe belieue: but doth relie, cast and repose his soule vpon Christ his Sauiour, and by him vpon God as a louing Father in him, cleauing inseperably to the Word of truth as good both simply and in comparison, and feeding vpon it as the wholsome food of life.

1§. 1. What Justifying Faith is.§. 1. What Iustifying Faith is.

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…

Errata in Margin.

Errata in Margine.

A TREATISE OF FAITH. The first Part.

CHAP. I.

CHAP. II.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Errata in Margin.

Errata in Margine.

A TREATISE OF FAITH. The first Part.

CHAP. I.

CHAP. II.