The Institution of Christian Religion

We must also remember the doubtful signification of the word §13faith. For oftentimes faith signifieth the sound doctrine of religion, as in the place that we now alleged, and in the same Epistle where Paul writeth:¹ Deacons to hold fast the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. Again, where he publisheth the falling away of certain from the faith. But on the other side he saith that Timothy was nourished up with the words of faith.² where he saith that profane vanities and oppositions, falsely named sciences, are the cause that many depart from the faith: whom in an other place he calleth reprobate touching faith. As again he chargeth Tit•s, Again saying, Warn them that they be sound in the faith. By soundness he meaneth nothing else but pureness of doctrine, which is easily corrupted and brought out of kind by the lightness of men. Even because in Christ,³ whom faith possesseth, are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge: therefore faith is worthily extended to signify the whole sum of heavenly doctrine, from which it can not be severed. Contrariwise sometime it is restrained to signify some particular object,⁴ as when Matthew saith, that Christ saw the faith of them that did let down the man sick of the palsy through the tiles: and Christ himself crieth out that he found not in Israel so great faith as the Centurion brought. But it is likely that the Centurion was earnestly bent to the healing of his daughter,⁵ the care whereof occupied all his mind: yet because being contented with the only assent and answer of Christ, he required not Christs bodily presence, therefore in respect of this circumstance his faith was so much commended. And a little here before we have showed,⁶ that Paul taketh faith for the gift of working miracles, which gift they have that neither are regenerate by the Spirit of God, nor do heartily worship him. Also in an other place he setteth faith for the doctrine whereby we are instructed in faith. For where he writeth that faith shall be abolished, it is out of question that that is meant by the ministry of the Church, which at this […] is profitable for our weakness. In these forms of speech standeth a proportional relation.