A09411:29
An exposition of the Symbol or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenor…An exposition of the Symbole or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenour…
An exposition of the Symbol or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenor of the Scriptures, and the consent of orthodox Fathers of the Church. By William Perkins.An exposition of the Symbole or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenour of the Scriptures, and the consent of orthodoxe Fathers of the Church. By William Perkins.
Cambridge: printed by John Legatt, 1595Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legatt, 1595
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.
The second kind of faith is Temporary faith: so called because it lasteth but for a time and season, and commonly not to the end of a mans life. This kind of faith is noted unto us in the parable of the seed, that fell in the stony ground. And there be two differences or kinds of this faith. The first kind of temporary faith hath in it three degrees. ⟨p. 7⟩The first is, to know the word of God and particularly the Gospel. The second, to give an assent unto it. The third, to profess it, but to go no further: and all this may be done without any love to the word. This faith hath one degree more then historical faith. Examples of it we have in Simon Magus, Acts. 8.13. who is said to believe, because he held the doctrine of the Apostle to be true▪ and withal he professed it: and in the devils also, who in some sort professed, that Christ was the son of the most highest, & yet looked for no salvation by him, Mark. 5.7. Act. 19.14. And this is the common faith that abounds in this land. Men say they believe as the prince believeth, and if religion change, they will change. For by reason of the authority of princes laws, they are made to learn some little knowledge of the word: they believe it to be good, & they profess it: & thus for the space of thirty or forty years they will hear the word preached, and receive the sacraments, and yet be as void of grace as ever they were at the first day: & the reason is, because men do barely profess it, without either liking or love of the same. The second kind of temporary faith hath in it five degrees. For by it first a man knows the word. Secondly, he assenteth unto it. III. he professeth it. IIII. he rejoiceth inwardly in it. V. he bringeth forth some kind of fruit: and yet for all this hath no more in him, but a faith that will fail in the end; because he wanteth the effectual application of the promise of the gospel, & is without all manner of sound conversion. This faith is like corn in the house top, which groweth for a while, but when heat of summer cometh, it withereth. And this is also set forth unto us in the parable of the seed, which fell in a stony ground,1