The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

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.

Again, It hath its Differences or Degrees with respect unto its Effects. With some it doth no way or very little, influence the Will or the Affections, or work any Change in the lives of men. So is it with them that profess they believe the Gospel, and yet live in all manner of sins. In this Degree it is called by the Apostle James a dead Faith, and compared unto a dead Carcass, without life or motion, and is an Assent of the very same nature and kind with that which Devils are compelled to give. And this Faith abounds in the World. With others it hath an effectual work upon the Affections, and that in many degrees also, represented in the several sorts of Ground whereinto the Seed of the Word is cast, and produceth many effects in their lives. In the utmost improvement of it, both as to the Evidence it proceeds from, and