The Institution of Christian Religion

We may also call it an unexpressed faith, which yet in deed is nothing but a preparation of faith. The Evangelists do rehearse that many believed, which only being ravished to admiration with miracles proceeded no further but that Christ was the Messiah which had ben promised, albeit they tasted not so much as any slender learning of the Gospel. Such obedience which brought them in subjection willingly to submit them selves to Christ, beareth the name of faith ⟨p. 110⟩where it was in deed but the beginning of faith. So the courtier that believed Christs promise, concerning the healing of his son, when he came home,¹ as the Evangelist testifieth, believed again: because he received as an oracle that which he heard of the mouth of Christ, and then submitted him self to his authority to receive his doctrine. Albeit it is to be known, that he was so tractable and ready to learn, that yet in the first place the word of believing signifieth a particular belief: and in the second place maketh him of the number of the Disciples, that professed to be the scholars of Christ. Alike example doth John set forth in the Samaritans, which so believed the woman's report,² that they ran earnestly to Christ, which yet when they had heard him, said thus: Now we believe not because of thy report, but we have heard him, and we know that he is the saviour of the world. Hereby appeareth that they which are not yet instructed in the first introductions, so that they be disposed to obedience, are called faithful, in deed not properly, but in this respect, that God of his tender kindness vouchsafeth to grant so great honour to that godly affection, but this willingness to learn, with a desire to proceed further, differeth far from that gross ignorance, wherein they lye dull that are content with the unexpressed saith, such as the Papists have imagined. For if Paul severely condemneth them which alway learning,³ yet never come to the knowledge of trueth, how much more grievous reproach do they deserve, that of purpose study to know nothing?

We may also call it an vnexpressed faithe, whiche yet in deede is nothinge but a preparation of faithe. The Euangelistes do reherse that many beleued, whiche onely beinge rauished to admiration wyth myracles proceded no further but that Christe was the Messias whyche had ben promysed, albeit thei tasted not so much as any sclender learning of the Gospell. Such obedience which brought them in subiectiō willingly to submitt them selues to Christe, beareth the name of faith