Further, concerning Rahabs faith, it may be demanded whether it was weak or strong? because, before she had done this fact of faith, her whole abode was among the heathen. Answ. We must know, that there is in the child of God a certain seed, or beginning, or preparation to a true and lively faith; which our Saviour Christ in the Scriptures, doth honour with the title of a true & lively faith: as, when a man knows no more but this, that Christ Jesus is the true Messiah; having withal, a care and conscience to profit and increase in the true knowledge of the Gospel, and to join practice therewith, in his life ⟨p. 479⟩and calling. Examples hereof, we have many in Gods word: A certain Ruler came to Christ, and besought him to go down & heal his son, Joh. 4.49, 50. &c. Jesus but said unto him, Go thy way, thy son liveth; and the Ruler believed the word that Jesus spake unto him, and his son lived. Now, inquiring of the hour, and finding it to be the same time when Jesus said, Thy son liveth; the text saith, He believed and all his household. Now, what was this mans faith? Surely, he only acknowledged, that Christ was the true Messiah: and withal, resigned himself and his family to be instructed further therein. And though they knew nothing particularly, of the means whereby Christ should be a Saviour; yet for this willingness in embracing Christ, and readiness to be taught, the holy Ghost saith, they did believe. So in the same Chapter, vers. 29, the woman of Samaria (being convicted in her conscience, of the things that Christ told her) runs into the town, and saith; Come see a man that hath told me all things that ever I did: Is not he the Christ? Then the text saith, Many of the Samaritans believed, because of the saying of the woman. Now, what faith had these Samaritans? Surely, they did only acknowledge him to be the true Messiah, and were willing to be further instructed in his doctrine; which they testified, by going to hear him in their own persons. So likewise, Christ gives a notable testimony to the confession of the Apostles faith (Math. 16.17, 18) in the person of Peter, saying; Thou art Peter, and upon this rock (that is, upon this your faith, which thou confessest) will I build my Church; and yet the Apostles were ignorant of some main points of the Gospel.
Further, concerning Rahabs faith, it may be demanded whether it was weake or strong? because, before shee had done this fact of faith, her whole abode was among the heathen. Answ. Wee must knowe, that there is in the childe of God a certaine seede, or beginning, or preparation to a true and liuely faith; which our Sauiour Christ in the Scriptures, doth honour with the title of a true & liuely faith: as, when a man knowes no more but this, that Christ Iesus is the true Messias; hauing withall, a care and conscience to profit and increase in the true knowledge of the Gospel, and to ioyne practice therewith, in his life ⟨p. 479⟩and calling. Examples hereof, wee haue many in Gods word: A certaine Ruler came to Christ, and besought him to goe downe & heale his sonne, Ioh. 4.49, 50. &c. Iesus but said vnto him, Goe thy way, thy sonne liueth; and the Ruler beleeued the word that Iesus spake vnto him, and his sonne liued. Now, inquiring of the hower, and finding it to be the same time when Iesus said, Thy sonne liueth; the text saith, He beleeued and all his houshold. Now, what was this mans faith? Surely, he onely acknowledged, that Christ was the true Messias: and withall, resigned himselfe and his family to be instructed further therein. And though they knewe nothing particularly, of the means wherby Christ should be a Sauiour; yet for this willingnes in embracing Christ, and readinesse to be taught, the holy Ghost saith, they did beleeue. So in the same Chapter, vers. 29, the woman of Samaria (beeing conuicted in her conscience, of the things that Christ told her) runnes into the towne, and saith; Come see a man that hath told me all things that euer I did: Is not hee the Christ? Then the text saith, Many of the Samaritans beleeued, because of the saying of the woman. Now, what faith had these Samaritans? Surely, they did onely acknowledge him to be the true Messias, and were willing to bee further instructed in his doctrine; which they testified, by going to heare him in their owne persons. So likewise, Christ giues a notable testimony to the confession of the Apostles faith (Math. 16.17, 18) in the person of Peter, saying; Thou art Peter, and vpon this rocke (that is, vpon this your faith, which thou confessest) will I build my Church; and yet the Apostles were ignorant of some maine points of the Gospel.
