A25294:248
The substance of Christian religion, or, A plain and easy draught of the Christian…The substance of Christian religion, or, A plain and easie draught of the Christian…
The substance of Christian religion, or, A plain and easy draught of the Christian catechism in LII lectures on chosen texts of Scripture, for each Lords-day of the year, learnedly and perspicuously illustrated with doctrines, reasons, and uses / by that reverend and worthy labourer in the Lord's vineyard, William Ames ...The substance of Christian religion, or, A plain and easie draught of the Christian catechisme in LII lectures on chosen texts of Scripture, for each Lords-day of the year, learnedly and perspicuously illustrated with doctrines, reasons, and uses / by that reverend and worthy laborer in the Lord's vineyard, William Ames ...
London: printed by T. Mabb for Thomas Davies, 1659
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.
A Question is here propounded; By what means is such a Faith begotten, and promoted in our hearts?
Answer. This Faith is properly begotten in us by the Holy Ghost, through the Ministry and Preaching of the Gospel, because Faith is above nature, while we believe these things that surmount all reason, and are lifted up above our selves by Faith, as the Apostle saith, that Abraham hoped above hope, that is, beyond humane, natural, and ordinary hope; so also they that truly believe, believe beyond belief, or above belief. It is begotten in us by the Gospel, because in the promises of the Gospel Christ is offered and exhibited to us; and the efficacy or power of the Holy Ghost accompanieth the preaching of the holy Gospel. Now from these things it followeth, that such have not true Faith, who either ⟨p. 55⟩believe nothing above what is natural, or in a supernatural way, or else have not their Faith from the Gospel and word of God.
Answer. This Faith is properly begotten in us by the Holy Ghost, through the Ministry and Preaching of the Gospell, because Faith is above nature, while we believe these things that surmount all reason, and are lifted up above our selves by Faith, as the Apostle saith, that Abraham hoped above hope, that is, beyond humane, natural, and ordinary hope; so also they that truly believe, believe beyond belief, or above belief. It is begotten in us by the Gospell, because in the promises of the Gospell Christ is offered and exhibited to us; and the efficacy or power of the Holy Ghost accompanieth the preaching of the holy Gospell. Now from these things it followeth, that such have not true Faith, who either ⟨p. 55⟩believe nothing above what is natural, or in a supernaturall way, or else have not their Faith from the Gospell and word of God.