The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

¹Answ. That is it which I would that the afflicted and troubled consciences in this age should consider, That neither fear, neither danger, neither yet doubting nor backsliding, can utterly destroy and quench the faith of Gods elect, but that always there remaineth with them some root and spark of faith,² howbeit in their anguish, they neither feel nor can discern the same. Yet some shall demand, How shall it be known in whom the spark and root of faith remaineth, and in whom not, seeing that all fleeth from Christ, and boweth down to Idolatry? Hard it is, and in a manner impossible, that one man shall wittingly judge of another (for that could not Elijah do of the Israelites of his days) but every man may easily judge of himself:³ For the root of faith is of that nature,⁴ that long it will not be idle, but of necessity, by process of time, it will send forth some branches that may be seen and felt by the outward man, if it remain lively in the heart; as you heard it did in Peter, compelling him to cry upon Christ, when that he was in greatest necessity. Wilt thou have a trial whether the root of faith remaineth with thee or not?⁵ (I speak to such as are weak, and not to proud contemners of God.)

¹Answ. That is it which I would that the afflicted and troubled consciences in this age should consider, That neither fear, neither danger, neither yet doubting nor backsliding, can utterly destroy and quench the faith of Gods elect, but that alwayes there remaineth with them some root and spark of faith,² howbeit in their anguish, they neither feel nor can discern the same. Yet some shall demand, How shall it be known in whom the spark and root of faith remaineth, and in whom not, seeing that all fleeth from Christ, and boweth down to Idolatry? Hard it is, and in a manner impossible, that one man shall wittingly judge of another (for that could not Elijah do of the Israelites of his dayes) but every man may easily judge of himself: