Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

I would argue thus with them,

1. Let them if they can produce any of those fruits and effects of Faith that are inseparable from it, James 2.14. &c. To pretend to such an active principle as Faith is, and yet do nothing by it, is very unreasonable; they say they have Faith, they may as well say they have Wings and can fly, though they cannot bare up themselves one inch from the ground, unless some part of the body rest upon it; indeed if a Mans feet be upon the ground, all the other parts of the body may be erect; but for the whole body to carry all its weight upwards through the Air, this is flying: 'Tis equally absurd for Men to say they have Faith, are risen with Christ, are in an ascending posture, when they visibly rest upon the Earth; nay, when they lie flat upon it, are sunk into it, covered all over with it, are as it were buried alive in their carnal affections: Men may say what they will, 'tis apparently otherwise: upwards and downwards cannot be so confounded, that one should be taken for tother, 'tis against common sense; Men may and must be convinced of this, that what is contrary to Faith is not Faith, Faith without works is dead; were there any thing of the true Nature, Life and Spirit of Faith in them, they could not carry it as they do.

They make Faith an easy thing who make just nothing of it, and do nothing by it; nay, they do that which they might with far more colour of reason do, if they did not at all pretend to Faith; but to say they believe in Christ, and yet act in a direct opposition to him, and to their own Faith also, is that which no Man in his wits will give credit too.

They make Faith an easie thing who make just nothing of it, and do nothing by it; nay, they do that which they might with far more colour of reason do, if they did not at all pretend to Faith; but to say they believe in Christ, and yet act in a direct opposition to him, and to their own Faith also, is that which no Man in his wits will give credit too.