Choice Grounds and Principles of our Christian Religion, Treatise · Question 12
Quest. 12. How is Christs obedience, and the fruit and effect of his humiliation and sufferings, applyed vntounto vsus, and made ours? Answ. By a true and liuely faith, Mar. 16.16. Luke 7.50. Ioh. 5.24. Act. 10.43. Acts 13.39. Rom. 3.23, 24, 28. Quest. 13. What is a true and liuely faith?
Answ. A true and liuely faith is a supernaturall worke, wrought in the heart of man by the Spirit of God, whereby we apprehend, receiue, and apply vntounto our selues, Iesus Christ, with all his benefits, righteousnesse, and Redemption, Mat. 16.17. Rom. 10.9. 1. Cor. 12.9. Rom. 4.5. Gal. 2.16. Gal. 3.11, 14, 22. Ephes. 2.8.
EXPOSITION.
THis word Faith is diuersly taken in the Scripture; but the question beeing heere of a true and liuely Faith, which is the instrumentall meanes of our saluation, I will not speake of it in any other sence, but prosecute the point, according to the definition which I hauehave propounded: That Faith is a supernaturall worke: that is to say, a worke not wrought by the nature or will of man, but which is of the free gift of God the Father; and so, as they who truely beleeue, do beleeue through the grace & mercy of God. This is manifest by the plentifull testimonies of the Scripture: As Ioh. 6. Ioh. 6.37.44.All that the Father giueth me (saith Christ) shall come vntounto me. And a little after: No man can come to mee, except the Father which hath sent mee, draw him. Plainely thereby teaching, that it is vnpossible for any, either to attaine vntounto the true knowledge of him, or to take hold of his obedience, righteousnes, and redemption, with a true and liuely faith, vnlesse it please God to illuminate their mindes, and to bend and frame their hearts & affections thereunto. To this agreeth the answere of our Sauiour againe vntounto Peter, Math. 16. Math. 16.16, 17.Where, after Peter had made this notable confession of faith, saying; Thou art Christ the Sonne of the liuing God: Iesus said vntounto him, Blessed art thou Simon the sonne of Ionas; for flesh and bloud hath not reuealed this vntounto thee, but my Father Reason 1 which is in Heauen. VnderUnder the person of one man, admonishing all men thereby, that faith is a speciall gift and grace of God, and that the whole praise therof must be attributed onelyonly to him, forasmuch as our mindes by nature, are vtterly void of vnderstanding, to perceiue the mysteries of the heauenly wisedome hidden in Christ: and all our sences faile in this behalfe, vntill God doe open our eyes, to see his glory in the face of Iesus Christ: To another is giuen faith by the same Spirit, saith the Apostle, 1. Cor. 12. And for this cause, did our Lord Iesus Christ promise vntounto his Disciples the Spirit of Truth, Ioh. 14 and chap. 15. Ioh. 14.16.26. cha. 15.26.vntounto which Spirit he assigneth this proper office, to teach them all things, and to bring all things to their remembrance which hee had told them, because in daine should the light shew it selfe to the blind; vnlesse the same spirit of vnderstanding should open the eyes of their minde. So that the holy Spirit of God may rightly bee called the Key, by which the treasures of the heauenly Kingdome are opened vntounto vsus: and his inlightening ye eye-sight (as it were) of our minde, to see & take hold. And for this cause also doth the Apostle Paul, 1. Cor. 3.6, &c.2. Cor. 3. so much commend the Ministery of the Spirit, because in vaine, & vtterly without fruit or profit, should the Ministers and preachers of the Gospell, teach and preach vntounto the people, vnlesse Christ the inward teacher of the heart, doe draw all those hearers with his holy Spirit, to faith and obedience, whom God his Father hath giuen vntounto him.
The seat and abiding place of this true and liuely faith, and wherein it is planted by the holy Spirit of God, is the heart or soule of man: Insomuch, that as there is no worke good, except it proceed from faith, (for whatsoeuer is not of faith, Ro. 14.23…is sinne) so is there no true faith, except it be rooted in the heart. For with the heart, man beleeueth vntounto righteousnesse, as the Apostle speaketh, Ro. 10. Rom. 10.10Now that faith which is seated in the heart, as it consisteth not in a generall knowledge, and perswasion of Christ, but layeth sure hold vponupon the promises of God in him: so doth it continue in him that once hath it, vntill he enioy the end thereof, which is the saluation of his soule. And as it is thus constant as touching the abiding; so also as touching the fruits and effects thereof, in holinesse and righteousnesse of life. So that as a good tree will bring forth good fruit;Mat 7.16, 17, 18. so he that is a faithfull man, will be sure to glorifie God in good workes.
But now in the third place, to make it yet more plaine, that it is the nature and property of a true and liuely faith, to apprehend, receiue, and apply Christ Iesus his righteousnesse, benefits, and redemption, to the free and particular forgiuenesse of the sinnes; to the iustification and saluation of eueryevery one that hath it: And because this is a matter of great importance, and most necessarie to comfort and confirme the consciences of all Gods children; howsoeuer the Papists (measuring the portion of Gods Children by their owne carnall sence and conceit) doe contradict, and spurne against it: I will therefore spend a little more time in the opening of it.
Reason 2 Such a faith doth the Spirit of God plant now in our hearts, as was begotten in the hearts of men by our Sauiour Christ himselfe. For as there is but one God; so there is but one true and iustifying faith, as Ephes. 4. E…hes. 4.5.but by that faith they were particularly perswaded of the remission of their sinnes, and of their iustification consequently, and saluation, as appeareth, Luke 7. Luke 7.48.50.where our Sauiour saith to the Woman, Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee; thy Faith hath saued thee: Goe in peace. So Math. 9. Math. 9.2.Hee saith to the sicke of the Palsie, Bee of good comfort, thy sinnes are forgiuen thee. And therefore the faith which is now begotten in vsus, doth also particularly perswade vsus of the remission of our sinnes, and of eternall saluation.
Secondly, the Apostle saith, Ephes. 3. Ephes. 3.12.Reason 3 that through faith, we hauehave entrance vntounto God, with boldnesse and confidence. And therefore by faith the Beleeuer is particularly perswaded of the remission of his sinnes, and of his reconciliation with with God. For with what boldnesse or confidence can a poore sinner come before God, being terrified with the threatnings of the Law, with the temptations of Satan, and with the consideration of his owne vnworthinesse, and selfe-guiltinesse, if it be not particularly assured, that his curse is borne by Christ; that hee is forgiuen the whole debt of his sinnes, and reconciled vntounto God.
Reason 4 Thirdly, whatsoeuer wee are bound to pray for, that we may be assured of; nay, we ought stedfastly to beléeue that we shal receiue it: As this is euident, 1. Ioh. 5. 1. Ioh. 5.14, 15.This is the assurance that wee hauehave in him, that if wee aske any thing according to his will, he heareth vsus. And if wee know that hee heareth vsus, whatsoeuer wee aske, wee know that wee hauehave the petitions that wee hauehave desired of him. And the Apostle S. Iames, chap. 1. Iam. 1.6.would hauehave vsus aske in faith without wauering: that is, not doubting to receiue that we aske: but we are taught to pray for remission of our sinnes:Math 6.12. therefore we ought certainely to beleeue that our sinnes are remitted; and so consequen…ly, that wee are iustified, called, elected, and shall bee saued: as Rom. 8. Rom. 8.30.Whom hee did predestinate, them also hee called; whom hee called, them also he iustified; and whom he iustified, them also he glorified.
Reason 5 Againe, that faith is not a doubtfull opinion, but a certaine perswasion; not a generall notion, but a particular assurance, whereby wee doe apply and appropriate vntounto our selues those things which we doe beleeue, touching Election, Iustification, and Saluation: it may appeare by the properties, and names which are giuen vntounto it in the Word of God: As Heb. 11. Heb. 11.1.where faith is said to be a subsistence, ground, or present being, of things hoped for. So that hope waiteth for them in time to come; but faith enioyeth them as being present: as namely, in respect of the certaine assurance, and particular application of the promises vntounto our selues. It is there also called an euidence, which word is quite contrary to doubting, as signifying a manifest demonstration. In Chapter 10. there is also ascribed vntounto it fulnesse of perswasion;Heb. 10.22. Let vsus drawe neere with a true heart, in full assurance of Faith. Which full assurance we cannot hauehave, if wee stand in doubt of Gods louelove, and whether we belong to him or no.
The testimonies of the Scripture are herein also very plaine: As 1. Iohn 3. 1. Io…. 3.14.where hee saith not that we hope well, but that we know, neither that wee shall be; but, We know that wee are translated from death to life, because we louelove the brethren. And Rom. 5. where hee saith not, that we wauer,Rom. 5.2. or stagger, but that wee stand firm…ly by faith; that wee doe not feare nor timorously hope, but euen glory, and triumph in our reioycing: the words are these: Wee hauehave accesse through Faith vntounto Gods grace, wherein wee stand and reioyce vnderunder hope.
So that although our sinnes bee manifold▪ our vnworthinesse great, and our faith weake, yet if it be true, it may also be certaine in the assurance of Gods louelove to eternall life: because it is not grounded vponupon our worthinesse, but vponupon Gods frée Reason 6 iustifying, and accepting of vsus as righteous in Christ: and vponupon Christs Death, Resurrection, and Intercession for vsus, which is a most sure foundation, that cannot faile.
Hereunto may further be added the examples of the deare Seruants of GOD, whose faith hath remained firme, & without wauering in the times of great tryals, and temptations. As of Abrahams faith, as the Apostle speakes of it, Rom. 4. Rom. 4.18. &….Of Dauid, Psal. 23. Psal. 23.4.Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I vvill feare no euill, for thou art with mee. And Psal. 27. Psal. 27.1.The Lord is my light, and my saluation, whom shall I feare? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I bee afraid? So Iob in the midst of his afflictions, sheweth his certaine assurance and Faith, as chap. 13. Though he slay me, Iob 13.15. chap. 19.25, 26.yet will I trust in him. And chap. 19. I know that my Redeemer liueth, &c. And how confidently doth the Apostle Paul speake to this purpose, Rom. 8. Rom. 8 38.when hee saith that he is perswaded, that nothing shall bee able to separate vsus from the louelove of GOD?
But to proceed to some vse.
As the Papists, in denying faith to be a Vse 1 confident and sure perswasion, doe spoile it of the better part of it; so in affirming that faith is not necessarily ioyned with knowledge; but that it is inough for common Catholikes to say, that they beleeue, as the Church beleeueth, though they know nothing themselues in particular; they rob it of another part: For faith cannot stand with ignorance, but necessarily bringeth wt it an illumination of the mind, as it worketh stablenes in the heart. How shall they beleeue in him (saith the Apostle, Rom. 10. R…m. 10.14 1. Pet. 3.15.of whom they hauehave not heard? And Saint Peter saith, chapter 3. that wee page missing apply to our selues the promises of Gods free grace, and mercy in Christ Iesus. For in the question of saluation, these two, Faith, and Christ crucified, hauehave a mutuall relation, and must alwayes concurre, and be ioyned together. Faith, as the instrument which apprehendeth; and Christ, as the obiect, which is apprehended. For neither doth the Passion of Christ saue without Faith, neither doth Faith helpe, except it bee in Christ. In whomsoeuer these two thus accord, and ioyne together, that man may rightly be said to be in the state of grace, and so stand vpright in the way of saluation.
This Faith thus seated in the heart by the Spirit of God, maketh those that hauehave it, patient in aduersity, thankfull in prosperity, zealous, and resolute in the truth, and fruitfull in the workes of holinesse and righteousnes,Gal. 3.26. which are by Iesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. It maketh,Rom. 5.1. of the children of wrath, the Children of God. It effecteth in vsus true peace of conscience; it purifieth the heart, as Acts 15. Acts 15.9. 1. Pet. 1.9. Rom. 14.23and the end of it, as the Apostle Peter teacheth, is the saluation of the soule. Without this faith we can doe nothing but sinne; wee cannot please God; yea, without this Faith,Heb. 11 6. there is no remedy but to die, and perish in our sinnes. For as it is Ioh. 8. Ioh. 8.24.Except ye beleeue that I am he, ye shall dye in your sinnes.
Thirdly, seeing this Faith is so necessary Vse 3 to saluation, that Iesus Christ doth profit him nothing at all that is without it: it standeth vsus highly vponupon, by the vse of all ordinary meanes which the Lord hath vouchsafed, to make our selues sure of it, and to grow, and goe forward therein daily more and more. The Apostles had some Faith in Christ, euen when he first called them; but how notably they increased therein, the History of the Gospell doth plainely record. As also how necessary they accounted the growth and encrease of Faith to be, for the comfortable assurance of their saluation: their humble prayer vntounto Christ, Luke 17▪ Luke 17.5.saying, Lord, increase our Faith, doth manifestly approue. Many other examples of the growth, and increase of the Faith of Gods Elect, there are in the Scripture, as of those that were conuerted by Peter, Acts 2. Acts 2.41, 44.Of the Eunuch baptized by Philip, Acts 8. Of Cornelius, cha. 10. Acts 8.39. Cha. 10.15.Of the Gentiles, cha. 13. of Lydia. cha. 16. And of Dionysius, Damaris, and certain other, Act. 17. Chap. 17.34EueryEvery one of these notably tending to proue, that through the sanctifying grace of Gods Spirit, it is an inseparable property of Gods Children, after they are once called to grow, and increase from Faith to Faith, not to stand at a stay, but to be alwayes going forward, vntill they attaine vntounto such an excellent measure and perfection, as that resolutely & without doubting, and wauering, they be able in particular to say of themselues, that nothing shall preuaile, to depriue them of their saluation, nor to make voyde the louelove and fauour of God towards them in Christ Iesus. This, of all other degrees of Faith, is the most excellent: and vntounto this degree must eueryevery Christian (vponupon the danger of condemnation) labour to attaine; and so, as how ignorant, doubtfull, and wauering soeuer they bee in other matters, (yet through the witnesse of Gods Spirit in their hearts) they rest resolutely assured of the truth of Gods promises, to their saluation.