A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first…

Use 1. To refute a Popish Doctrine that teacheth, That faith may be common to Gods people with Hypocrites, and they profess no other faith, then what may be common to Hypocrites and Devils; and therefore they disclaim justification by faith, because if faith justify, then the Devils and Hypocrites, may be justified. But the Apostle speaks of a faith that flesh and blood cannot attain unto; therefore that which they call Catholic faith, to believe those Doctrines mala fide propounded by their Church is a fiction; the Devil believes better then they, he believes the word of God to be true: but to believe this to be true by a true and lively faith, is such a belief, as whereby we are born of God.

Ʋse 1. To refute a Popish Doctrine that teacheth, That faith may be common to Gods people with Hypocrites, and they professe no other faith, then what may be common to Hypocrites and Devills; and therefore they disclaim justification by faith, because if faith justifie, then the Devills and Hypocrites, may be justified. But the Apostle speaks of a faith that flesh and bloud cannot attain unto; therefore that which they call Catholique faith, to believe those Doctrines mala fide propounded by their Church is a fiction; the Devill believes better then they, he believes the word of God to be true: but to believe this to be true by a true and lively faith, is such a beliefe, as whereby we are born of God.

Use 2. Of trial, whereby we may take an estimate of our faith, thou sayest, thou believest that Jesus is the Christ. Why, try that, hath thy faith regenerated thee? hath it brought thee into subjection to Gods will? Dost thou live by thy faith? that is, if thou beest to do any part of Gods will, dost thou walk by a Commandment for thy rule, and dost thou depend upon some Promise for strength? if thou beest to suffer Gods will, dost thou wait patiently on Christ, and quiet thy self in him? then thy faith is a regenerating ⟨p. 346⟩faith. Contrary, if a man say he believes in Christ, and yet makes no conscience to live according to Gods commandments, relies not on him for strength in his performances, is not patient under his hand, such a belief as this, is far from that which the Text speaks of.