§. 53. Of Faith when the fruits of it appear not.§. 53. Of Faith when the fruits of it appeare not.

§. 53. Of Faith when the fruits of it appear not.

§. 53. Of Faith when the fruits of it appeare not.

Quest. What if a man cannot find in him these effects of Faith, as peace of conscience, security of mind, joy of heart, hath he then no true Faith at all?

Quest. VVHat if a man cannot find in him these effects of Faith, as peace of conscience, security of minde, ioy of heart, hath he then no true Faith at all?

Answ. I dare not so pronounce: for true believers⟨p. 252⟩ may be much troubled in their mind,¹ fearful of their estate, full of grief and mourning, and seem to be, far from those fore-named signs, both in the beginning, while Faith is as it were in the bud, and also in the time of temptation, as it were in winter time. But yet there may be observed in such persons, an inward panting and breathing (which are signs of life▪) namely, a groaning & grieving that they want those fruits of Faith, and an earnest desire of them.

Answ. I dare not so pronounce: for true beleeuers⟨p. 252⟩ may be much troubled in their minde,¹ fearefull of their estate, full of griefe and mourning, and seeme to be, farre from those fore-named signes, both in the beginning, while Faith is as it were in the bud, and also in the time of temptation, as it were in winter time. But yet there may be obserued in such persons, an inward panting and breathing (which are signes of life) namely, a groning & greeuing that they want those fruits of Faith, and an earnest desire of them.