A Brief and Pithy Sum of the Christian Faith

Wherefore to the end that I may gather all summarily together, how only in Jesus Christ we find all that is necessary to salvation, likewise only by the holy Ghost we apply Jesus Christ to our selves by faith. But because this faith in the beginning is very small in us, it is necessary that it be increased in us daily: wherefore now we must declare by what entertainment ⟨p. 191⟩or means it is nourished for to increase more and more in us. First, as it is created in us by the holy Ghost through the means of the word of God▪ which is sown in our harts, and for that cause is compared to seed: So likewise it is nourished and increased by the same word, when we hear it diligently and truly preached in the Church of God, and also when we read it in our houses, and think upon it diligently, & meditate in it day and night, forsaking all humane and worldly affections which mought turn us from God, and hold us in worldliness. Therefore David said he was happy, who? not the rich, not Kings, or princes, or Merchants, or any other Citizens of this world, but he, that thinketh continually and meditateth diligently in the doctrine of God. Therefore they be called strangers in this world, wandering and marching toward the celestial country.

Wherefore to the ende that I may gather all sumarily together, howe onely in Iesus Christ we find all that is necessary to saluation, lykewyse onely by the holy Ghost we aply Iesus Christ to our selues by fayth. But because this fayth in the beginning is very small in vs, it is necessary that it be increased in vs dayly: wherefore now we must declare by what entertainment ⟨p. 191⟩or meanes it is nooryshed for to encrease more and more in vs. Fyrst, as it is created in vs by the holy Ghost thorowe the meanes of the woorde of God▪ which is sowen in our harts, and for that cause is compared to séede: So lykewyse it is noorished and encreased by the same word, when wée heare it dilligentlye and truly preached in the Church of God, and also when we reade it in our houses, and thinke vpon it diligently, & meditate in it day and nyght, forsaking all humane and worldly affections which mought turne vs from God, and holde vs in worldlynesse. Therfore Dauid sayd he was happy, who? not the ritch, not Kings, or princes, or Marchauntes, or any other Cittizens of this worlde, but he, that thynketh continually and meditateth diligently in the doctrine of God. Therefore they be called straungers in this worlde, wandring and marching toward the celestiall countrey.