The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

But let us come to the Effects ad extra: For all say, they believe;¹ all are confident in Christ for their salvation; there is no man, though profane and abominable, but he saith, he believeth in Christ with all his heart. Therefore there are Effects of faith ad extra, in the outward man, from which this Faith can never be separated, no more than heat from fire, or light from the Sun. As

But let us come to the Effects ad extra: For all say, they believe;¹ all are confident in Christ for their salvation; there is no man, though prophane and abominable, but he saith, he believeth in Christ with all his heart. Therefore there are Effects of faith ad extra, in the outward man, from which this Faith can never be separated, no more than heat from fire, or light from the Sunne. As

1. 1Ad extra.

First, It purifieth a man inwardly and outwardly from all filthiness. He that truly believeth, he cleanseth himself from all filthiness of flesh and Spirit: Having these promises, let us cleanse our selves, 2 Cor. 7.1. and we have not them to make use of, but by saith; especially that is to our purpose, Act. 15.9. Purifying their hearts by Faith, which is seen in a great manner, by cleansing away that dross, that mud which is in every mans heart; every mans heart is a filthy poisoned, noisome fountain, and faith cleanseth it, purifieth it. Thus John also, He that hath this hope, which is a necessary companion of faith, purifieth himself even as God is pure, 1 Joh. 3.3. Come then thou who speakest of thy faith: What is thy heart, thy life, are they clean? Thy heart men cannot enter into, that may be a cage of unclean birds, that may be a den of thieves; their pride, covetousness, uncleanness may lodge, and none in the world condemn thee for it; but Faith would quickly dispossess these, and make it clean for Christ to dwell in. And then thy life, How pure is that? Dost thou talk of believing in Christ, when thou hatest purity, makes a scoff and a taunt at it? I tell thee, if thou didst believe, thou wouldst be pure and strict also. As Saul that went with no good will to the Prophets, when he came to them, the Spirit of God sell on him, and he prophesied also. Thus thou that art a malicious enemy, a profane scoffer at purity and holiness, should the Spirit of God once fall upon thee, thou wouldst become pure and strict also. Know then, a man can no more carry faith in his heart, and this not reform his life; then ointment about him, and that not discover it self.