A Golden Chain

To come to the second thing: those professors which are endued with thus much grace, as to believe in Christ in a confused manner, go yet further: for this their faith, though it be not sufficient to salvation yet it showeth it self by certain fruits which it bringeth forth: for as a tree or a branch of a tree that hath no deep rooting, but either is covered with a few moles, or else lieth in the water, at the season of the year bringeth forth leaves and blossoms, and some fruit too, and that for one or two, or moe years: so one that is an hearer of the word, may receive the word: and the word as seed, by this general faith may be somewhat rooted in his heart and settled for a season, and may bring forth some fruits in his life peradventure very fair in his own and other mens eyes: yet indeed neither sound, nor lasting, nor substantial. What these fruits are, it may be gathered forth of these words, where it is said, that they receive the word with joy, when they hear it: for here may be gathered. §1First, that they do willingly subject themselves to the ministry of the word. Secondly, §2that they are as forward as any, and as joyful in frequenting sermons. Thirdly, §3that they reverence the Ministers whom they so joyfully hear. Lastly, they §4condemn them of impiety, which will not be hearers, or be negligent hearers of the word.

To come to the second thing: those professors which are indued with thus much grace, as to beleeue in Christ in a confused maner, goe yet further: for this their faith, though it be not sufficient to saluation yet it sheweth it selfe by certaine fruites which it bringeth forth: for as a tree or a branch of a tree that hath no deepe rooting, but either is couered with a few moules, or els lieth in the water, at the season of the yeare bringeth forth leaues and blossomes, and some fruite too, and that for one or two, or moe yeares: so one that is an hearer of the word, may receiue the word: and the worde as seed, by this generall faith may bee somewhat rooted in his heart and setled for a season, and may bring foorth some fruites in his life peraduenture very faire in his owne and other mens eies: yet indeede neither sound, nor lasting, nor substantiall. What these fruites are, it may be gathered forth of these wordes, where it is said, that they receiue the word with ioy, when they heare it: for here may be gathered.