A53686:187
The Doctrine of Justification by Faith
The doctrine of justification by faith through the imputation of the righteousness of Christ, explained, confirmed, & vindicated by John Owen ...
London: printed for R. Boulter, 1677
Chapter 1: Justifying Faith, the Causes, Object, and Nature of it, declared.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
This Faith is usually called Historical Faith. But this Denomination is not taken from the Object of it, as though it ⟨p. 94⟩were only the History of the Scripture, or the Historical things contained in it. For it respects the whole Truth of the Word, yea of the Promises of the Gospel as well as other things. But it is so called from the nature of the Assent wherein it doth consist. For it is such as we give unto Historical things that are credibly testified unto us.
And this Faith hath divers differences or degrees, both in respect unto the Grounds or Reasons of it; and also its Effects. For as unto the first, all Faith is an Assent upon Testimony; and divine Faith is an Assent upon a divine Testimony. According as this Testimony is received, so are the Differences or Degrees of this Faith. Some apprehend it on humane motives only, and their credibility unto the Judgment of Reason; and their Assent is a mere natural Act of their Understanding, which is the lowest degree of this Historical Faith. Some have their minds enabled unto it by spiritual Illumination, making a discovery of the Evidences of Divine Truth whereon it is to be believed; the Assent they give hereon is more firm and operative than that of the former sort.
And this Faith hath divers differences or degrees, both in respect unto the Grounds or Reasons of it; and also its Effects. For as unto the first, all Faith is an Assent upon Testimony; and divine Faith is an Assent upon a divine Testimony. According as this Testimony is received, so are the Differences or Degrees of this Faith. Some apprehend it on humane motives only, and their credibility unto the Judgment of Reason; and their Assent is a meer natural Act of their Understanding, which is the lowest degree of this Historical Faith. Some have their minds enabled unto it by spiritual Illumination, making a discovery of the Evidences of Divine Truth whereon it is to be believed; the Assent they give hereon is more firm and operative than that of the former sort.