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…

It subjecteth reason to the doctrine of God and his revelation, but it neither extinguisheth the nature of man, nor the light of reason. Faith is not a brutish captivity, which yields up her eyes to be put out: but the understanding receiving a more excellent sight by faith, yields up the worse, and doth not loose her light, but exchange it for the better. There is a double assent, one from reason, the other from authority: both are made with the knowledge of the Mind; knowledge is included in both; in the one of the cause and properties, which is strictly called Science: in the other of the authority and truth of the revealer, and in that respect of the thing taught, which is called Faith.¹ How shall we believe in him of whom we have not heard? There is no sight without some visible object, no faith without the knowledge of God in Christ. Though knowledge be not faith, but an habit distinct from it, yet it concurs to the being of faith, in as much as no man can assent to that he never heard of. Wisdom is distinguished from knowledge as a thing more excellent, which yet it presupposeth: so faith is distinguished from knowledge, but cannot be without it. The knowledge which hath no ingredience into faith, is the knowledge of that which is not revealed: for faith not only goeth before such knowledge, but utterly repels it, never admitting any curious search ⟨p. 18⟩into Gods secrets. But in things revealed faith knoweth what it believeth, and by believing knoweth the more. Faith is the cause of more ample knowledge: but some knowledge of Gods will and pleasure is antecedent to faith.² And this knowledge must be distinct, sound, and certain. For faith divine is sure and certain: therefore the knowledge whereupon it is grounded must be such as cannot deceive. The assent which faith gives to the Word of God is absolute and unlimited, which can never be yielded, unless being certain in it self, we know it certainly as it is,³ and be assured that we conceive of it aright. The examination of doctrines by the touchstone is commanded of God, and wonderfully commended by the Holy Ghost: the neglect of examining what we hear doth bring great peril and danger: for such as receive doctrines upon the credit of their Teachers are ever unsettled, apt to be seduced, and ready to start back in time of trouble.