Collection of Discourses, Part 11 · Subpart 12
12. OF FAITH.
1. This worde faith taken in his largeſt ſignification, doth implie a certaine and ſure knowledg, by proofe of ſuch witneſſes, as are thought vnlikly to deceaue.
2. In the doctrine of the church there are foure ſortes of faith mentioned, an hiſtoricall, a temporary, a miraculous, and a iuſtifying faith.
3. Hiſtoricall faith is a knowledge perſwaded of the truth of ſuch thinges as are ſet downe by the Prophets and Apoſtles.
4. Temporarie faith is a knowledg of the doctrine of the church, together with ioy conceaued vponupon knowledge of the truth, or other true or ſeeming good things, without applying the promiſe of grace to him that beleeueth, and therefore without trew conuerſion or final perſeuerance.
5. Miraculous faith, or a faith, wherby miracles are wrought, is a ſure knowledge by ſpecial revelation of Gods will, of working ſome miracle at his requeſt or prediction, by whome it is to bee wrought.
6. Iuſtifying faith is that knowledge wherby a man doth ſtrongly perſwade himſelfe of the truth of all Gods word reuealed vntounto him, aſſuring himſelfe that the promiſe of Gods grace through Chriſt pertaineth vntounto him, and in confidence of this fauour of God towardes him, overcommeth all ſorrowe and feare.
7. For this confidence of iuſtifying faith is a motion of our will and heart, compoſed of ioy in the certaintie of Gods preſent grace towards vsus, & hope of future deliverance from all evill.
8. There is therfore no faith but that which is grounded on the revealed will of God.
9 The holy Ghoſt worketh all faith is vsus, either by the voice of heauenly doctrine, or by immediate revelation.
10. But wheras it is the wil of God, ordinarily to kindle, cheriſh, & confirme faith in vsus by the doctrine of the church: all are bound to hearken & meditate theron.
11. Many hypocrites in the church hauehave hade temporarie faith: hiſtoricall faith and faith of miracles is common to the good and evill: iuſtifying faith is in this life giuen onelyonly to all theſe that are elected to eternall life.
12. Iuſtifying faith doth alwaies comprehend in it hiſtoricall faith: but is not alwaies ioyned with faith of miracles: as alſo faith of miracles hath euer hiſtoricall or temporarie faith ioyned with it, but not alwaies iuſtifying faith.
13. Faith even in the moſt godly ſorte of men is imperfect in this life, and feeble: yet whoſoever feeleth in his hearte a ſerious purpoſe to beleeue, and wraſtling with doubt, he may & muſt ſurely perſwade himſelfe, that hee hath trewe faith.
14. Trewfaith once kindled in the hearte though in ſome ſorte it often faint and be obſcured, yet it is neuer wholy extinguiſhed.
15. But after this life it is changed into a more full and certaine knowledge of God & heauenly thinges, namely a preſent feellinge and experience of happineſſe with God, which knowledge the ſcripture nameth a knowledge by ſeeinge face to face.
16. Faith which is only hiſtoricall cauſeth deſparation, and heauineſſe of Gods iudgment, though accidentally.
17 Temporarie faith cauſeth a certaine ioy, but not pacifying our conſciences, becauſe not proceeding of a true cauſe; and worketh in vsus confeſſion, and ſome ſhew of good workes, but only for a time.
18 Faith of miracles obtaineth thoſe miracles, whereof it is, from God.
19 Wee obtaine righteouſnes before God, and participation of Chriſt and all his benefits, onelyonly by that faith which applyeth to euerie particular man the promiſes of grace.
20 True converſion and beginning of new obedience according to al the commandements as it cannot goe before this faith, ſo it cannot but accompanie it.