4. It is the Papist's 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 is 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 to 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, ⟨p. 120⟩or suppose 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 our Faith by other Acts in Scripture, we shall not vary from our Compass in such Expressions in the Word in these Days: For their Faith then is exemplary to us now; because the Word doth more fully s•t it out in more special Acts, hence we set it 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 itself 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: Rom. 10.9, 10. 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, Matth. 16.16. Christ tells him, Thou art Peter; i. e. a Stone resting upon the Rock, (as some good Interpreters expound it) and therefore Peter's Faith did not exclude these principal Acts of resting on Christ, cleaving to Christ, but did include and suppose them.
4. It is the Papist's 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 is 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 to 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, ⟨p. 120⟩or suppose it, because that is not now questioned, the Truth of the G•spel 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 our Faith by other Acts in Scripture, we shall not vary from our Compass in such Expressions in the Word in these Days: For their Faith then is exemplary to us now; because the Word doth more fully s•t it out in more special Acts, hence we set it 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 itself 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: Rom. 10.9, 10. 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, Matth. 16.16. Christ tells him, Thou art Peter; i. e. a Stone resting upon the Rock, (as some good Interpreters expound it) and therefore Peter's Faith did not exclude these principal Acts of resting on Christ, cleaving to Christ, but did include and suppose them.
