A Brief and Pithy Sum of the Christian Faith

Secondly, although both these operations and effects, be very feeble and weak, yet there is no cause to be discouraged. For it is not required of us for to believe ^bfully and perfectly but to believe only, in such wise as if one little spark of faith, and so following one little motion of the working of it, (so that it be true and unfeignedly, that is to say coming from the true root of faith) be sufficient to assure us of our salvation. The reason is, for that our salvation is not only stayed upon our faith (although without faith none can be saved) but upon him whom we apprehend by faith, that is to say Jesus Christ. And faith is of such virtue that according to the promise of God, one little spark thereof, how little so ever it be, doth apprehend Jesus Christ fully and perfectly.

Secondly, although both these operations and effectes, bee verye féeble and weake, yet ther is no cause to be discouraged. For it is not required of vs for to beleue ^bfullye and perfecttlye but to beleue onelye, in suche wise as if one lytle sparke of fayth, and so folowyng one lytle mocion of the workyng of it, (so that it be true and vnfaynedly, that is to saye comminge from the true roote of fayth) bee sufficient to assure vs of oure saluation. The reason is, for that oure saluation is not onely stayed vpon oure fayth (although without faythe none can be saued) but vpon hym whome we apprehende by fayth, that is to saye Iesus Christ. And fayth is of suche vertue that accordinge to the promise of God, one lytle sparke thereof, how lytle so euer it bee, doth apprehende Iesus Christ fully and perfectlye.

1. bMath. 17. •

Yet not withstanding the greater our ⟨image 62⟩