CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

First, It's the substance of things hoped for, concerning which word learned men say divers things, but it may comprehend these particulars; First, that Faith is not an empty flying fancy, for so Aristotle useth [Greek or Hebrew], as opposite to [Greek or Hebrew], some manifestation merely, as the colours of the Rainbow, or of birds feathers, when the Sun shines. These have but an intentional being, there is no real, solid being in them, but faith is the substance of things hoped for; and certainly this is greatly to be endeavoured after, that thy faith be a real substantial thing, how many mens faith are but fickle fancies, and uncertain notions, and therefore with their dogmatical faith, they are like the Apostle James his man without faith, tossed up and down with every wave, Jam. 1. The Apostle Ephes. 4.14. saith, Be not carried about with every wind of Doctrine, that denoteth the levity and emptiness of a thing; Trees that are well rooted are not blown up and down like feathers; What then is the cause of instability and uncertainty of many mens Religion? It's because they have not faith, wheresoever that is, it is a solid, substantial bottoming of the soul.

First, It's the substance of things hoped for, concerning which word learned men say divers things, but it may comprehend these particulars; First, that Faith is not an empty flying fancy, for so Aristotle useth 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, as opposite to 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, some manifestation meerly, as the colours of the Rainbow, or of birds feathers, when the Sunne shines. These have but an intentional being, there is no reall, solid being in them, but faith is the substance of things hoped for; and certainly this is greatly to be endeavoured after, that thy faith be a reall substantial thing, how many mens faith are but fickle fancies, and uncertain notions, and therefore with their dogmatical faith, they are like the Apostle James his man without faith, tossed up and down with every wave, Jam. 1. The Apostle Ephes. 4.14. saith, Be not carried about with every winde of Doctrine, that denoteth the levity and emptinesse of a thing; Trees that are well rooted are not blowne up and down like feathers; What then is the cause of instability and uncertainty of many mens Religion? It's because they have not faith, wheresoever that is, it is a solid, substantial bottoming of the soul.