The fifth and last point to be considered is, How a man should live by faith. Because ⟨p. 7⟩this last point is of great moment, I will spend some time in the explaining of it. That a man then may live by his faith, two things are required: the first, that faith be rightly conceived & grounded in the heart; the second, that after it is once conceived, it Reign and rule in the heart. That faith may rightly be conceived, two things are required. The first is the knowledge of the word of God, for faith stands in relation to the word: & the word alone is the foundation of our faith. Hereupon the word is called the foundation of the Prophets & Apostles. 1By light of natural reason we understand, that the world had a beginning and was made of ⟨p. 8⟩God. Yet cannot reason breed in us a certain persuasion of this point, but only the testimony of the word of God: and therefore it is said, By faith we understand that the world was ordained by God. 2And this made David say, In God I will praise his word. 3Furthermore, in the Word three things are to be known, precepts or commandments, because they teach obedience: threatenings, because they restrain disobedience: promises, because they serve to confirm us in our obedience. Again, promises are either principal or less-principal. The main or principal promise is that, in which God offereth and revealeth righteousness and life everlasting ⟨p. 9⟩by Christ. Within this promise is contained the grant of remission of our sins, of necessary patience, of the assistance of the spirit of God, and of all gifts that are inseparably joined with faith. Promises less-principal are concerning deliverances in temptations, safety in dangers, health, wealth, liberty, peace, &c. And these must all be understood with an exception of the cross and correction: and they shall so far forth be accomplished as they serve for Gods glory and the good of them that believe. Now all these heads & points of the word of God must be known, and that in some particular sort, that a man may live by his faith.
The fifth and last point to be considered is, How a man should liue by faith. Because ⟨p. 7⟩this last point is of great moment, I will spend some time in the explaning of it. That a man then may liue by his faith, two things are required: the first, that faith be rightly conceiued & grounded in the heart; the second, that after it is once conceiued, it Raigne and rule in the heart. That faith may rightly be conceiued, two things are required. The first is the knowledge of the word of God, for faith stands in relation to the word: & the word alone is the foūdation of our faith. Hereupon the word is called the foundation of the Prophets & Apostles. 1By light of naturall reason we vnderstand, that the world had a beginning and was made of ⟨p. 8⟩God. Yet cānot reason breed in vs a certen perswasion of this point, but onely the testimonie of the word of God: and therefore it is saide, By faith we vnderstand that the world was ordained by God. 2And this made Dauid say, In God I wil praise his word. 3Furthermore, in the Word three things are to be knowne, precepts or commaundements, because they teach obediēce: threatnings, because they restraine disobedience: promises, because they serue to confirme vs in our obedience. Againe, promises are either principall or lesse-principall. The maine or principal promise is that, in which God offereth and reuealeth righteousnesse and life euerlasting ⟨p. 9⟩by Christ. Within this promise is contained the graunt of remission of our sinnes, of necessarie patience, of the assistāce of the spirit of God, and of all gifts that are inseparably ioyned with faith. Promises lesse-principall are concerning deliuerances in temptations, safetie in daungers, health, wealth, libertie, peace, &c. And these must all be vnderstoode with an exception of the crosse and correction: and they shal so farre forth be accomplished as they serue for Gods glorie and the good of them that beleeue. Now all these heads & points of the word of God must be knowne, and that in some particular sort, that a man may liue by his faith.
- 1Eph. 1.18.
- 2Heb. 11.3.
- 3Psal. 56.4.
