To speak of Faith, which maketh men members of the true Church: Properly it is a virtue and holy quality of the Mind and Will, poured into us by the Holy Ghost, for the knowing and apprehending of Christ. But as the Scriptures take it, and Divines commonly define it, by the work of Faith, it is a knowledge and apprehension of Christ now absent, with all his benefits offered in the Word to be ones own. Howbeit, in so great a matter to use somewhat a more large description, and in one view to lay forth whatsoever is necessary to be known of Faith; Faith proper to Gods Elect (for I meddle not here with Historical Faith, which nJames calleth the faith of Devils, nor with otemporary Faith, or the Faith of pworking Miracles; these are but in name only and abuse of speech, or if properly Faith, yet not saving Faith: but true and saving Faith, is a special gift and grace of God, wrought in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, and that ordinarily by the preaching of the Gospel, nourished by the Word and Sacraments: Joined it is with Knowledge, not a general or confused knowledge, but the saving knowledge of Gods Children, that apprehendeth Christ, and applieth him to every true Believer: But apprehending Christ absent in his Word, it is mixed with much weakness and unbelief, yet still holdeth fast and letteth not go the hold, but continually groweth, till we come to see Christ in his Glory; and therefore is perpetually waited upon by Hope, the sure Anchor of our souls.
To speake of Faith, which maketh men members of the true Church: Properly it is a vertue and holy qualitie of the Minde and Will, powred into vs by the Holy Ghost, for the knowing and apprehending of Christ. But as the Scriptures take it, and Diuines commonly define it, by the worke of Faith, it is a knowledge and apprehension of Christ now absent, with all his benefits offered in the Word to bee ones owne. Howbeit, in so great a matter to vse somwhat a more large description, and in one view to lay forth whatsoeuer is necessarie to bee knowne of Faith; Faith proper to Gods Elect (for I meddle not here with Historicall Faith, which nIames calleth the faith of Deuils, nor with otemporarie Faith, or the Faith of pworking Miracles; these are but in name onely and abuse of speech, or if properly Faith, yet not sauing Faith: but true and sauing Faith, is a speciall gift and grace of God, wrought in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, and that ordinarily by the preaching of the Gospell, nourished by the Word and Sacraments: Ioyned it is with Knowledge, not a generall or confused knowledge, but the sauing knowledge of Gods Children, that apprendeth Christ, and applyeth him to euery true Beleeuer: But apprehending Christ absent in his Word, it is mixed with much weaknesse and vnbeliefe, yet still holdeth fast and letteth not goe the hold, but continually groweth, till wee come to see Christ in his Glorie; and therefore is perpetually waited vpon by Hope, the sure Anchor of our soules.
- n1. James 2. 191. Iames 2. 19
- oMat. 13. 21.
- p1. Cor. 13. 2.
