4. It is the Papists aim to vilify faith hereby, by describing it by that which is one ingredient in it, but excluding that which is principal; those phrases therefore of believing Christ to be come in the flesh, 1 John 4.3. and that he is the Son of God, Mat. 16.16. as if this were the only object of faith, are not to be understood exclusively, excluding other acts of faith, which the Scripture in other places sets down clearly; but inclusively, as supposing them to be contained herein: for as we in our times describing faith by relying upon Christ for salvation, do not exclude hereby our believing that he is the Messiah; but we include it, or suppose ⟨p. 160⟩it, because that is not now questioned, the truth of the Gospel being so abundantly cleared; so in those times, they described Faith by one principal act, to believe that he was the Son of God, and come into the flesh, because this was the main and principal thing in question then: and if the Lord had not set out faith by other acts in Scripture, we should not vary from our compass in such expressions in the Word in these days, for their faith then, is exemplary to us now; but because the Word doth more fully set it out in more special acts, hence we set it out also by them; for tis evident, as the Jews did believe in a Messiah to come, so they did also believe, and look for all good from him, John 4.25. He will teach us all things when he comes; and therefore their faith did not confine it self to that historical act that a Messiah should come, or that this was the Messiah, but they did expect and look for all good from him; And hence the Apostle expounding this saying, viz. believing that Christ is dead and risen again, we shall hereby be saved:1 If thou believest (saith he) with thine heart this truth, thou shalt be saved. Now to believe with the heart as it doth not exclude assent, so it necessarily includes the acts of the will and affections in relying upon him, and coming to him. And hence, when Peter had made that confession, ⟨p. 161⟩Acts 16.16. Christ tells him Thou art Peter; i. e. a stone resting upon the rock, (as some good Interpreters expound it) and therefore Peters faith did not exclude these principal acts of resting on Christ, cleaving to Christ, but did include and suppose them.
4. It is the Papists ayme to vilifie faith hereby, by describing it by that which is one ingredient in it, but excluding that which is principall; those phrases therefore of beleeving Christ to be come in the flesh, 1 Iohn 4.3. and that he is the Sonne of God, Mat. 16.16. as if this were the onely object of faith, are not to be understood exclusively, excluding other acts of faith, which the Scripture in other places sets downe clearly; but inclusively, as supposing them to be contained herein: for as we in our times describing faith by relying upon Christ for salvation, do not exclude hereby our beleeving that he is the Messiah; but we include it, or suppose ⟨p. 160⟩it, because that is not now questioned, the truth of the Gospel being so abundantly cleared; so in those times, they described Faith by one principall act, to beleeve that he was the Sonne of God, and come into the flesh, because this was the maine and principall thing in question then: and if the Lord had not set out faith by other acts in Scripture, we should not vary from our compasse in such expressions in the Word in these dayes, for their faith then, is exemplary to us now; but because the Word doth more fully set it out in more speciall acts, hence we set it out also by them; for tis evident, as the Jews did beleeve in a Messiah to come, so they did also beleeve, and look for all good from him, Iohn 4.25. He will teach us all things when he comes; and therefore their faith did not confine it selfe to that historicall act that a Messiah should come, or that this was the Messiah, but they did expect and look for all good from him; And hence the Apostle expounding this saying, viz. beleeving that Christ is dead and risen againe, wee shall hereby be saved:1 If thou beleevest (saith he) with thine heart this truth, thou shalt be saved. Now to beleeve with the heart as it doth not exclude assent, so it necessarily includes the acts of the will and affections in relying upon him, and comming to him. And hence, when Peter had made that confession, ⟨p. 161⟩Acts 16.16. Christ tells him Thou art Peter; i. e. a stone resting upon the rock, (as some good Interpreters expound it) and therefore Peters faith did not exclude these principall acts of resting on Christ, cleaving to Christ, but did include and suppose them.
- 1Rom. 10.9, 10.
