A15859:101
Speculum Christianum
Speculum Christianum or, A Christian survey for the conscience Containing, three tractates of that eminent, grave, and learned divine, master Hierome Zanchius. 1. Of the end of the world. 2. Of the perseverance of the saints. 3. A summary abridgement of his protections. Englished for the good of Gods church, and for a warning to wicked and impenitent men. By H.N.Speculum Christianum or, A Christian suruey for the conscience Containing, three tractates of that eminent, graue, and learned diuine, maister Hierome Zanchius. 1. Of the end of the world. 2. Of the perseuerance of the saints. 3. A summarie abridgement of his protections. Englished for the good of Gods church, and for a warning to wicked and impenitent men. By H.N.
London: printed by George Eld, 1614
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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 faith of Abraham was not only a living faith, but also perpetual, as James (besides others) doth manifest. For although it was tossed with many tentations, yet did it not at any time totally quail. This quality of the faith of Abraham doth demonstrate both Moses in the story of him, as also the Apostle, Romans, 4. Now whosoever are justified, are justified by no other faith then that whereby even Abraham the Father of all faithful was justified, as the Scriptures every where do teach. Hereupon he is called the Father of the faithful; because whosever are the son of the promise, and do believe that faith may be imputed unto them for righteousness, they both do believe in the same Saviour Christ and God as Abraham did, and by the very same, that is, like faith as he did, and it is requisite that they should so believe. There-upon the Lord Jesus denied ⟨p. 94⟩the Jews to be the sons of Abraham, who boasted themselves to be Abraham's sons: and for what cause? because they did not the works of Abraham, that is, for that they neither believed in him, nor with the same faith that he did. James also doth convince such as have a dead faith, without works, not to be justified as Abraham was justified; and why so? for that they were n•• endued with the same, that is, like faith as Abraham; faith, I say ••• king by love. As James therefore doth evict that not to be true and justifying faith, which is dead, for that it is not like to Abraham's faith in this quality, which is, that it have life; it is likewise evicted, that such a faith as is not perpetual but temporary, is not a true and justifying faith: and why? because it is not like to the faith of Abraham in that other essential property, which is, that it be perpetual. And that perpetuity is as an essential property to justifying faith, and (faith) ⟨p. 95⟩leading to life eternal, as life is; from hence is made manifest: for that as they cannot be saved not having faith; so neither can they who have not the same perpetual. For temporizers are neither grateful to God, nor in state of salvation; and whosoever shall persevere unto the end, he only shall attain salvation. Therefore it cannot be a true, justifying, and saving faith, except it be both living and permanent.