A03064:80
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.
§. 6. Not to dispute whether God doth extraordinarily work faith in the hearts of men,1 without the external publishing of his word, will or pleasure: this is sure, that ordinarily the Holy Ghost doth work by the Ministry of the Word. The Word can do nothing without Gods Spirit: and ordinarily the Spirit will do nothing without the Word. Faith is called the fruit of the lips: 2the Word is both the mean whereby we believe, and the subject matter of our belief. A man may see without light or colour, hear without ear or sound, as possibly as believe without the Word of God. For when faith is an affiance or persuasion, touching the good will of God towards us in Jesus Christ, how can we be persuaded touching his gracious pleasure, till we be acquainted with his word, whereby he hath declared it. How can I believe or certainly know that a friend will do me this or that good turn, unless I have his word or promise to that effect? no more could we ever know or be persuaded that God ⟨p. 14⟩would forgive our sins, or show mercy upon us, should he not by his Word signify and make known the same.3 The Word is the Word of faith, propounding things to be believed, and commanding us to believe. The Gospel is the word of the kingdom, the power of God to salvation, the arm of God.
§. 6. Not to dispute whether God doth extraordinarily worke faith in the hearts of men,1 without the externall publishing of his word, will or pleasure: this is sure, that ordinarily the Holy Ghost doth worke by the Ministerie of the Word. The Word can doe nothing without Gods Spirit: and ordinarily the Spirit will doe nothing without the Word. Faith is called the fruit of the lips: 2the Word is both the meane whereby we belieue, and the subiect matter of our beliefe. A man may see without light or colour, heare without eare or sound, as possibly as belieue without the Word of God. For when faith is an affiance or perswasion, touching the good will of God towards vs in Iesus Christ, how can we be perswaded touching his gracious pleasure, till we be acquainted with his word, whereby he hath declared it. How can I belieue or certainly know that a friend will doe me this or that good turne, vnlesse I haue his word or promise to that effect? no more could we euer know or bee perswaded that God