A Brief and Pithy Sum of the Christian Faith

Now this remedy is applied by a double effect and working of the holy Ghost. For first the holy Ghost disposeth our intelligence, to the understanding of the doctrine of the Gospel, which otherwise seemeth to the world very foolishness, ⟨image 203⟩and so incontinently after it maketh our spirit believe that this doctrine of salvation freely in Jesus Christ, is not only true (for the Devils know also that this doctrine is most true, and yet therefore be not saved) but also that it appertaineth to us: and this is it that is called faith, the which is so highly commended in the scripture, which is to be understand when any man doth persuade himself certainly, that salvation & eternal life doth properly and particularly appertain to him self, because Jesus Christ is declared to us in his word under this condition, that we do taste of him, and apply him to our selves by faith. It followeth then, that faith is the only instrument, by the which as by ones hand salvation may be felt and taken in Jesus Christ. And therefore S. Paul said, that we be justified by faith only, and also do live by it only: not that faith is our righteousness and life, but because that by only faith we embrace Jesus Christ, and be certain that he is our righteousness and life. For when any man believeth that he is appointed and ⟨p. 190⟩ordained to salvation and eternal life in Jesus Christ, incontinent he is made partaker of all the benefits of Jesus Christ to eternal life: for Jesus Christ is offered to us upon this condition.

Now this remedy is applyed by a double effect and working of the holy Ghost. For first the holy Ghost disposeth our intellygence, to the vnderstandyng of the doctrine of the Gospell, which otherwyse séemeth to the worlde verye foolyshnesse, ⟨image 203⟩and so incontinently after it maketh our spirite beléeue that this doctrine of saluation freely in Iesus Christe, is not onelye true (for the Diuels know also that this doctrine is most true, and yet therfore be not saued) but also that it appertayneth to vs: and thys is it that is called fayth, the which is so highly commended in the scripture, which is to be vnderstand whē any man doth perswade himself certaynly, that saluation & eternall lyfe doth properly and partycularly appertaine to him selfe, because Iesus Christe is declared to vs in his word vnder thys condition, that we doo taste of him, and apply him to our selues by fayth. It followeth then, that fayth is the only instrumēt, by the which as by ones hand saluation may be felt and taken in Iesus Christ. And therefore S. Paule sayd, that we be iustyfied by fayth onely, and also do lyue by it only: not that fayth is our righteousnes and life, but because that by onely fayth we embrace Iesus Christ, and be certayne that he is our ryghteousnesse and lyfe. For when any man beléeueth that hee is appoynted and