The Christians Alphabet, Part 2 · Section 16
Q Of the inseparable properties of faith.
Q. Rehearse the letter Q?
A. QValities of faith inseparable vntounto it, are these: to vnite vsus to God in Christ: to assure vsus of Gods louelove in him: to purifie the heart: and to worke by louelove.
For vntill we beleeue, wee are without God, without Christ, and without hope: but when once wee beleeue, wee hauehave peace with God: and cannot but be fruitfull in all good workes.
Q. Proue that it is the property of faith, to vnite vsus to God in Christ?
Properties of faith.A. This quality or property of faith, namely to vnite vsus vntounto God in Christ, 1To vnite vsus to God.is expresly noted by the Apostle, Eph. 2.13. But now in Christ Iesus, ye who sometimes were farre off, are made nigh by the bl…od of Christ. And verse 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers, and forreiners, but fellow Citizens with the Saints, and of the houshold of God.
Q. Proue that it is the quality of faith to assure vsus of Gods louelove in Christ?
2To assure vsus of Gods loueloveA. It is manifest in that it is said, Rom. 5.2. That by Christ wee hauehave accesse by faith into the grace wherein wee stand, and reioyce in hope of the glory of God. And verse 5. Hope maketh not ashamed, because the louelove of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the holy Ghost which is giuen vntounto vsus. Therefore faith is thus described, Heb▪ 11.1. Faith is the substance, or ground, and assurance of things hoped for, and the euidence of things not seene.
Q. Shew it yet more fully and plainely?
A. It may appeare more fully and euidently by that confident acclamation, Shewed more plainely.and protestation of the Apos…le in the behalfe of eueryevery Christian, Rom. 8.35. Who shall separate vsus from the louelove of Christ? and verse 38.39. For I am perswaded, that neither death nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to com…, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate vsus from the louelove of God, which is in Christ Iesus our Lord.
Q. Proue that it is the property of faith to purifie the hart?
3To purifie the heart.A. The Apostle Peter, speaking of the calling of the Gentiles, saith, Act. 15.8.9. That God which knoweth the hearts, beare them witnesse, giuing them the holy Ghost, euen as he did vntounto vsus. And put no difference betweene vsus and them, purifying their hearts by faith, and 1 Tim. 1.5. it is said, That the end of the commandement is charitie out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of saith vnfained: where wee see that vniting vsus to Christ, is the cause of the puritie of the heart.
Q. Proue that it is the propertie of faith to work by louelove!
A. It is obserued as a speciall propertie o… faith by the Apostle, 4To wo… by …ue.Gal. 5.6. where hauing said, that we through the spirit, waite for the hope of righteous…esse, by faith; h…e presently addeth these words, for, saith hee, In Iesus Christ, neither circumcision auaileth any thing, nor vncircumcision, but faith which worketh by louelove, therein noting faith to be the proper efficient cause of louelove, and louelove to be the proper effect of faith.
Q. Proue that till we beleeue, we are without God, without Christ, without hope?
A We may see the tru…h of this by the Apostles description of the state of the Ephesians before their cōuersion, Till we beleeue, wee are without God, Christ, hope.Eph. 2.12. At that time, saith he… ye were without Christ, being aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the couenants of promise, hauing no hope, and without God in the world
Q. Proue that when once we beleeue, we hauehave peace with God?
A. It is so written, But once beleeuing, we hauehave peace.Rom. 5.1. that being iustified by faith, wee hauehave peace with God, through our Lord Iesus Christ, and chap. 8.1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus, who walke not after the flesh, but after the spirit.
Q. Proue that once beleeuing, wee cannot but be fruitfull in all good workes.
Beleeuers are fruitfull.A. That when once we beleeue, wee cannot but be fruitfull, our Sauiour himselfe teacheth by the similitude of the Vine, whereunto he doth resemble himselfe, and the beleeuers, that are in him by faith, to the branches, Ioh. 15.5. I am the Vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same …ringeth forth … without me yee … thing, and the Apo … 2.14. That Christ …se for vsus, that hee … from all ini…rifie vntounto himselfe …ople, zealous of ….