The Rule of Faith, Exegesis of Apostles Creed · Article 1 · Tenet 1
I Beleeue.
Marke 9. 24.
IN the Creed it ſelfe we muſt conſider: firſt, matter of dutie which is in the word Beleeue, which is the hand or claſpe The Analyſis of the whole Creedthat takes hold of all and eueryevery of the Articles: ſecondly, matter of doctrine, which may be caſt into two Heads, as it concernes God or the Church: for the Lord doth not vouchſafe to comber Religion with the whole doctrine that might concerne the eſtate of all men out of the Church: concerning God, the Articles looke vponupon all three perſons: and in the doctrine of the Father, amongſt his attributes, ſingles out his Almightineſſe; and amongſt his workes, lookes vponupon his making of Heauen and Earth. In Chriſt faith lookes vponupon his Perſon and his Office. In his Perſon it acknowledgeth his diuine Nature as Gods onelyonly Sonne; and his humane Nature in theſe two words (viz.) conception by the holy Ghoſt, and birth of a Virgin. His Office is conſidered according to his eſtate both of Humiliation and Exaltation. In his Humiliation is conſidered his ſufferings: firſt, in body in that he ſuffered vnderunder Pontius Pilate, was dead and buried; and then in ſoule, in that he deſcended into Hell: In his Exaltation, faith viewes his Reſurrection, Aſcenſion, and Seſſion at the right hand of God, and his comming to Iudgement. Concerning the holy Ghoſt, the Church hath retained and maintained that truth in all ages without any great oppoſition, and therefore that Article is very barely ſet downe: the greateſt quarrells were raiſed either by Gentiles againſt the doctrine of God the Father; or by Hereticks againſt the doctrine of Christ the Sonne; which made faith ſpeake out more diſtinctly in the doctrine of theſe two perſons. Thus of God.
Concerning the Church, two things are to be noted: Properties or Priuiledges. Her properties are two, holy and Catholique. The goods or Priuiledges of the Church are either in this world, or in the world to come. In this world there is Communion of Saints and forgiueneſſe of ſinnes. In another world faith ſees and wonders at the Reſurrection of the body and the life Euerlaſting.
I Beleeue.]
This word I beleeue, is not a word onelyonly of a Chriſtian addreſſing himſelfe to lay hold vponupon theſe treaſures contained in the Articles following, but it is the word of a man making anſwer: The queſtion is ſuppreſſed, but the Anſwer is expreſſed: for as it is true that a true beleeuer is oft queſtioned, ſo 'tis as true, that by his Creed, he anſwers all that can be ſaid to him: for heere is contained, that Anſwer of a good conſcience ſpoken of 1. Pet. 3. 2….
This forme of anſwering came firſt in at Baptiſme in the Primitiue Church: for before the partie to be baptized was admitted vntounto Baptiſme, hee was examined (as the Eunuch was by Philip) and did anſwer by making confeſſion of his faith in this or the like forme. Neither is this the anſwer of the Chriſtian at the time of his Baptiſme onelyonly, but all the daies of his life: for if God aske him, what he hath to doe to take his words into his mouth, or what he makes among his ſeruants? or if the diuell aske him, why he liues not in his ſinnes, or contrariwiſe, why he diſpaires not, or why he entertaines doctrines of which their can bee no Reaſon giuen? or if the Lawe aske him, what ſhift he can make with all his ſins, hauing broken eueryevery Lawe; and with all the curſes due to him for his ſinnes? or if the world aske him, why he liues ſo retiredly, and keepes not companie with the men of the world, and ſeekes not, or admires not the pleaſures of life, or the honors and fauours of great men, or the Riches of this world, and why hee ſuffers ſo much diſgrace, and affliction, which hee might auoid if hee would doe as other men doe? to all or any of theſe or the like queſtions, he ſtill anſwers, I beleeue in God, &c.
Beliefe or Faith is diuerſly accepted: ſometimes it is taken for fidelity or faithfulneſſe, or aſſent: and this ſenſe it hath among the Philoſophers aſwellas among the Diuines that are Chriſtians, but all the other ſenſes following it hath onelyonly among Chriſtian Diuines. And ſo it is taken ſometimes for the doctrine of faith, 1. Cor. 13. 13. Phil. 1. 27. ſometimes for the profeſſion of faith, and ſo Simon Magus beleeued: ſometimes for the things beleeued, 1. Tim. 1. 19. Iude 3. But moſt vſually for the gift by which we beleeue, and ſo it is taken heere.
But what is it to beleeue theſe Articles? 'tis not to geſſe at them that they are true, or to conceiue ſome probable hope that they may be iuſtified; nor is it, to ſay them ouer; nor is it onelyonly to liue in ſuch places where ſuch doctrines are taught and defended: but to beleeue, muſt hauehave theſe ſix things diſtinctly in it: for to beleeue, is,
1. To vnderſtand the meaning and ſenſe of theſe Articles: this is ſo neceſſary as it is impoſſible wee ſhould beleeue, when wee know not what it is we beleeue: yet this is the leaſt thing in faith.
2. It is to aſſent to all this doctrine that it is the Truth.
3. 'Tis to eſteeme and like this doctrine aboue all other kindes of doctrine in the world, which is contrary or different from it, and accordingly to ioy in it, and bee much affected with it.
4. 'Tis to profeſſe it, and openly to declare my ſelfe reſolued to liue and die in the beliefe of this doctrine: and ſo this profeſſion hath in it two thinges: firſt, a Separation from ſuch ſocieties of men as receiue not this faith: ſecondly, Apologie for it, ſo as to defend it, and contend for it, Phil. 1. 27. Iude 3.
5. 'Tis yet more, and that is, to reſt in the happineſſe contained in this doctrine of the Creed, as it containes all that excellent treaſure which is ſufficient for our eternall ſaluation, and our chi…fe good.
6. 'Tis laſtly, to ioyne our ſelues to true beleeuers, as to the only excellent people in the world, with ſincere affection to them, and deſire of fellowſhip with them: for this is ſuch a faith as workes by louelove.
So that this beleeuing heere, hath in it all the three faithes ſpoken of by Diuines; for to vnderſtand and aſſent is the worke of Hiſtoricall faith: To eſteeme and profeſſe is the worke of temporarie faith: To reſt vponupon this happineſſe by Chriſt, and to ioyne in hearty fellowſhip with the godly, is the worke of iuſtifying faith.
Now, becauſe ſome of theſe things in beleeuing may bee found in reprobates as well as the Elect, and that the heart of man is exceeding deceitfull in the point of faith, and the diuell applied his temptations, with all ſubtilty and power, to deceiue men in their beleeuing, therefore vntounto theſe things which are comprehended within the nature of the beleeuing heer mentioned, I adde the diſtinct conſideration of ſuch things as muſt bee found in the manner of our beleeuing: wee muſt looke to it how we beleeue theſe Articles, for we may be many waies deceiued: for,
1. We muſt beleeue them with the heart, and not confeſſe them with the mouth onelyonly, Rom. 10. 10. and to beleeue them with our hearts, is to beleeue them in deede, not in ſhew; to beleeue them voluntarily, not vponupon compulſion; to beleeue them affectionately, not coldely, or dully: our faith muſt be a liuely faith, not a dead faith.
2. We muſt beleeue them perſonally; each one muſt hauehave his owne faith: 'Tis not inough to ioyne our ſelues to ſuch men as doe beleeue them, but eueryevery one muſt get him a faith of his owne: The Iuſt muſt liue by his owne ſaith, Hab. 2. 5. and therefore we ſay I beleeue, not they beleeue, or we beleeue: We ſay, our Father when we pray, becauſe we may pray one for another; but we ſay not we beleeue, becauſe we cannot beleeue one for another.
3. We muſt beleeue, explicitely, not implicitely: It was one principle in the Kingdome of Antichrist to the intent that the people might be kept in blindneſſe, to teach them, that it was inough for them to beleeue, as the Church beleeued, without inquiring into particulars: and therefore they tell a tale to this end, how the diuell tempting a man, and vrging him to tell how he beleeued, the man anſwered, as the Church beleeued; and the diuell asking him how the Church beleeued, he anſwered as I doe, and hereupon the diuell ranne away and was vanquiſhed. And it m…y well bee, the diuell durſt aske him no more queſtions, for feare leaſt he ſhould get out of his Snare, now that by theſe anſwers, he had made it manifeſt he was faſt in: for hee that takes not in the doctrine of faith par…icularly, takes it not in at all: for as the Childe may ſtarue though you ſet before it a whole loafe of bread or other prouiſion, if you cut it not for him, bit by bit, ſo is it with vsus in beleeuing: To ſet the body of faith before vsus, and not teach vsus how, after it is diuided, to take any part, is to ſtarue our ſoules. To bee ſhort then, we muſt looke to it, that we vnderſtand and beleeue theſe Articles not in the whole lumpe onelyonly, but in the partes; not by truſting to other mens iudgements, but diſtinctly taking notice of each doctrine of faith our ſelues.
4. We muſt beleeue all the Articles of the faith totally, not in ſome parts onelyonly; faith is copulatiue heere: we muſt beleeue all or none. He cannot be ſound in the faith, that is corrupted in his iudgement about any theſe Articles: faith, that is, a ſound faith beleeues all that is written.
5. We muſt beleeue with application. It is not inough to beleeue, that theſe doctrines are true, or good, but wee muſt beleeue that they belong to each of vsus in particular, or elſe we ſhall hauehave little profit or comfort by them. What can it comfort vsus to beleeue that theſe things are, or that others ſhall hauehave the benefit of them, if they belong not to vsus? Thus I muſt beleeue that I hauehave the benefit of Gods power or prouidence, and of Chriſts Incarnation and Paſſion, and exaltation, and that I am a member of the Church, and hauehave my parte in his priuiledges. This is a maine thing to be attained; for a reprobate may goe ſo farre, to beleeue that theſe doctrines are true.
6. We muſt beleeue with all Chriſtian ſimplicity: which ſhould hauehave two things in it: firſt, wee muſt caſt away all truſt in our owne merits: It is a compounded and corrupted faith that beleeues any of theſe things vponupon the perſwaſion of his owne merits or deſerts: To beleeue aright, and merit cannot ſtand together: true faith caſteth out merit. For, if they which are of the law inherit any of theſe treaſures, then faith is void, and the promiſe and gift of Gods grace of none effect, Rom. 4. 14. ſecondly, we muſt beleeue ſo, as we will giuegive glory to God, though the things to bee beleeued, bee neuer ſo vnlikely to carnall reaſon, or be things abſent, and not yet giuen, or things aboue our vnderſtanding in the full glory of them, our faith muſt not bee curious or vnquiet, to binde God to giuegive vsus a reaſon of his promiſes or actions. Herein we muſt take heede, that the Serpent beguile vsus not, nor ſeduce vsus from the ſimplicity that is in Chriſt Ieſus, 2. Cor. 11. 3. Yea this is the glory and triumph of faith, in theſe things without doubting to giuegive glory to God. Our faith muſt bee the ſubſtance of things hoped for, and the demonſtration of things not ſeene. Wee muſt beleeue eternall life, though we muſt die; and a bleſſed reſurrection, though we ſhall be rotten in the graue; and that we are Iuſtified, though ſinne yet dwell in vsus; and that we are bleſſed, though yet expoſed to much miſeries, &c.
7. We muſt beleeue with full aſſurance; wee muſt not wauer or doubt, but bee fully reſolued and eſtabliſhed in the perſwaſion of theſe things and our right in them, Coloſ. 2. 2. 1. Theſ. 1. 4. this we ought to labour for, and this may bee had, and therefore we ſhould giuegive all diligence to get this full aſſurance of faith: I grant that a leſſe degree of faith, may be true faith, as ſhall bee ſhewed afterwards, but yet this is that which we ſhould ſtriue for, that we may effectually glorifie God by beleeuing.
8. We muſt beleeue with perſeuerance: we muſt ſo giuegive entertainement to theſe ſacred truthes, now, as that wee alſo meane to liue and die in this faith. The faith that is temporarie will little auaile vsus, we muſt ſo prouide that our faith may laſt to the end. And therefore the word is I do beleeue, in the preſent time, not I hauehave beleeued, or I will beleeue, to note, that there muſt be no time wherein a Chriſtian may truely ſay now I beleeue not. Now that we may not be deceiued herein, we muſt looke to three things. Firſt, that we caſt off all carnall ends in our profeſſion of faith: and looke to it that wee take not vp the profeſſion of religion for ſiniſter reſpects, as many hauehave done, for ſuch ends as theſe, to wit, to get credit, and the fauour of men, or to make themſelues capable of the preferment of this world, or to ſhew their gifts; or, which is worſe, to couer ſecret wicked practiſes, or open faults.
Secondly, that we build not our Faith vponupon wrong Cauſes or grounds, ſuch as are the reſpect of any mans perſon or opinion or the intiſing words of mens wiſedome, or the meere colours and probabilities of mens arguments; but be ſure we place our Faith vponupon the Word of God.
Thirdly, that we be not deceiued with the ſeeming effects of Faith, but learne to diſtinguiſh betweene the force of the Word vponupon our hearts, when we are meerely as it were patients, and the force of the Word working a habit or action in vsus. I expreſſe my meaning thus: Many a man liues in a place, where the word is taught in the power and glory of it, comes to heare without any care, or purpoſe to regard, or profit by it; yet the truth in the deliuerie of it ſo ſhines in his heart, that he is not only conuinced, but for the time delighted, and heares with great gladneſſe, as feeling his heart to be warmed with the doctrine he heares: yet cares not for it when he is gone away, nor makes any vſe of it at all, as being deſtitute of any gift by which he ſhould receiue or apply the doctrine: ſo that this heat in his heart did not ariſe from any habit in him receiuing the Word and making vſe of it, but onelyonly from the forcible penetration of the doctrine. As a ſtone that is heated by the beames of the Sunne, that neither had heat in it ſelfe before, nor keepes heat when the Sunne hath done ſhining, but is a meere patient. Now this hearer hath not ſo much as a temporarie Faith: for he that hath the temporarie Faith, hath a kinde of habit be gotten in him, ſo as he doth receiue the doctrine, and keepe it after a ſort, and from the force of it ſo kept, doth bring forth ſome fruit; and ſo the ſeede receiued into his heart, is like graſſe vponupon the houſe top, or ſeede ſowen in ſtonie places, where there is a little earth mingled withall: whereas he that beleeues aright, and ſo will hold out, hath the naturall ſtonineſſe of his heart diſſolued by the word, and is ſo affected with it for the preſent, that he receiues it ſo as it tarrieth in him, and growes in him, and he brings forth the ſound fruit of Reformation of life: and his ſeede abideth in him, it cannot vtterly be deſtroyed, but Faith in him is like the tree of life, that will eueryevery yeere bring new fruit: Whereas in Nature the corne that is ſowne, after one harueſt is deſtroyed, in reſpect of that particular graine that was ſowen. Nor may any ſay, that he cannot know whether he ſhall hereafter keepe his Faith; he can iudge of his Faith what it is now: for, if he get a ſound Faith it will keepe, and beſides, he beleeues with perſeuerance, that doth reſolue for euer to reſt in that Faith, ſimply for the euidence, worth, and vſe of the doctrine beleeued, for he that hath but a temporary faith, as he doth receiue doctrine, but for certaine aduantages, or carnall ends, ſo can he not get his heart at that very time, to a reſolution to cleaue eternally to that doctrine of Gods grace.
9. It is not yet innough to reſolue to keepe the faith, and to preſerue the doctrine, but we muſt looke to it, that we lay it vp in a cleane place, which is a pure Conſcience, 1 Tim. 3. 9. and that we keepe it there cleane from the mixtures of mens deuiſes: being curious in the buſineſſes of our faith, to let in no priuate interpretations, but to reſolue to beleeue onelyonly as Gods word doth bid vsus beleeue: we muſt take heede, and not admit careleſly any interpretations of the Articles of our faith, that any ſort of men will bring to vsus, but we muſt ſtill hauehave an eye to Gods word, to ſee all expounded by the word, 2 Pet. 1. 20. 19. 16. we muſt receiue nothing here, no not in the leaſt part of the apparrelling of theſe truths, which is not agreeable to ſome patterne in the booke of God.
Laſtly, we muſt beleeue theſe Articles, but not all with one kinde of faith: for ſome of theſe things we beleeue in; that is, place our truſt and confidence, and all hope of happineſſe in them; ſo we beleeue in God, and in Ieſus Chriſt, and in the holy Ghoſt: but other things wee doe not beleeue in, but beleeue, as the properties and priuiledges of the Church, as wee may diſcerne by the difference of ſpeaking in the Creed. Wee ſay I beleeue in God, but doe not ſay, I beleeue in the holy Church, &c.
The vſe may be firſt, for information: we may hence gather that there are but few ſound Chriſtians in any place: there are but few that beleeue their Creed, obſeruing all the duties and conditions required in beliefe, and conſequently, but few that receiue the benefit of the Goſpell, or that ſhall be ſaued. This will appeare if a Tryall could bee made euen in the places that are moſt populous, and abound moſt with Chriſtians in name. For, if all the ſorts of men bee caſt out, that hauehave not a faith agreeable to this doctrine, there will bee but a few left: as for inſtance.
1. Caſt out all ſuch worldly minded people as hauehave not at all regarded their Creed or the Doctrine contained in it: vndoubtedly ſome ſuch there are, who ſcarce learned their Creed at all, and liue ſo without God in the world, as they neuer regarded Religion at all with their hearts.
2. Caſt out all ſuch as vnderſtand not their Creed, many can ſay the words, who yet neuer were inſtructed concerning the meaning, and hauehave not any competent meaſure of knowledge concerning the ſenſe of the Articles. Now it is impoſſible theſe ſhould be true beleeuers.
3. Caſt out ſuch as know perhaps the meaning, but aſſent not to the doctrine: They cannot tell whether theſe things bee true or no: nor how to approue them; and is there not in all places diuers men, that are of this humour? are there not men that will be of any Religion? That are temporizers?
4. Caſt out ſuch as beleeue that all the doctrines be true, but it is by ſuch a ſaith as the diuells hauehave: for the diuells beleeue the doctrines to be true, but ſo, as they hate it, and the teaching of it, and all ſuch as thriue in knowledge and profeſſion of it. Are there not multitudes of people with vsus, that diſcouer this kinde of diuelliſh quality? doe they not from their hearts loath preaching? doe they not from their hearts hate ſuch as are the beſt beleeuers? doe they not readily and ſpitefully ſpeake euill of ſuch as feare God in eueryevery place? theſe cannot be right, that beleeue loathing.
5. Caſt out ſuch as beleeue with a dead faith: that is ſuch as finde no manner of feare, nor vertue, nor operation in theſe doctrines: but can take in a great deale of the literall knowledge of theſe truthes, and yet it hath no power to worke vponupon their hearts: Theſe hauehave not ſo much faith as the diuells hauehave; for they beleeue and tremble, that is they are afrighted and extreamely amazed at the thought of the fulfilling and accompliſhment of theſe truthes, conſidering their owne miſery. Whereas multitudes of Chriſtians, heare of beliefe, and talke of theſe things, and are not a whit moued either with feare or ſorrowe.
6. Caſt out ſuch as hauehave but a temporarie faith. And in them conſider: firſt, what they hauehave in their faith, and then by what things it may be manifeſt that their faith is inſufficient: for the firſt, theſe men are not altogether without faith, they hauehave knowledge of the meaning of the doctrine of the Goſpell, they aſſent to it and are aſſured it is the truth and can proue it, and they hate not the doctrine but rather like it and louelove it. And beſides, their beliefe of theſe things worketh much vponupon them: for they heare the Word with Ioy, Mat. 13. yea and are moued and perſwaded to reforme their liues, and by it eſcape much filthineſſe which is in others and was in themſelues, 2. Pet. 2. 20. and they do ioyne themſelues to, and keepe company openly with ſuch as feare God, as Iudas and Demas did with the Apoſtles: and doe ſpend much time in reading the Scriptures and good books, and may be forward to reproue or puniſh vice and wickedneſſe in other men as Iehu was, and yet all this notwithſtanding▪ their faith is vaine: which will appeare to their conſciences if they conſider theſe things in them:
1. That they beleeue not with application to themſelues: They lay not hold on theſe things by a particular faith. They place not their happineſſe in the perſwaſion of their intereſt in theſe truthes.
2. That they are not reformed in the… beloued or gainefull ſinnes: there bee ſome ſinnes they know by themſelues which they deſire not to leaue, and therefore neuer repented of them. Iudas would not leaue his couetouſneſſe, nor Herod his luſt, nor Iehu his Idols, &c.
3. That they are apt to fall away from the liking they hauehave of Religion, which they may finde in themſelues when they are at the beſt, if they examine themſelues in theſe queſtions. Whether for theſe things they would looſe the fauour of their carnall friends, and their credit in the world? whether they would ſuffer for theſe things if times of perſecution ſhould come? whether if they might hauehave their hearts deſire in worldly or ſinfull things, they would not aband on the care of theſe things? And they may finde it by this, that if they fall out with any that are the chiefe for Religion in the places where they liue, they meditate not onelyonly a forſaking of ſuch as they are fallen out withall, but euen a relin quiſhing of their forwardneſſe or care for profeſſion of religion it ſelfe: thoſe that finde ſuch corruption in their hearts, had neede to take heede to their ſtanding leaſt they fall: for though a timely reconciliation with men, reſtore them to their former courſe of profeſſion againe, yet this tryall of their hearts, may tell them, that at length for ſuch or the like occaſions they will fall cleane away, if they get not better footing in the Kingdome of God.
4. That all this profeſſion is vndertaken for carnall and corrupt ends: as either to get credit with religious perſons, or to auoid the penall Lawes of Princes, or to couer ſome vices they are prone to, or guilty of, or to aduantage their eſtates in worldly things, or out of deſire to excell others in gifts or the like.
5. That the ioy which they feele is but a falſe ioy and vnſound: which appeares both by the cauſes of it, and by the effects. By the cauſes, for they ioy in hearing the Word for theſe or the like reaſons: becauſe the doctrine is new, or becauſe it is handled with vnexpected learning or wit, or becauſe it fits their humors or affections, or becauſe it is doctrine that is generally comfortable, and ſets out the happineſſe of ſuch as are of their Religion, or becauſe the things ſpoken of are admirable in themſelues, or becauſe the doctrine makes againſt ſuch and ſuch as he likes not. And ſuch as are the cauſes, ſuch are the effects. For this ioy makes them more proude, and careleſſe, and conceited, and contemptuous many times of others. Whereas the true ioy ariſeth from the ſolid application of the things heard to himſelfe, and from the perſwaſion of his right vntounto theſe comforts by and through Ieſus Christ. And withall this ioy doth ſoften the heart, as the dew from Heauen doth the ground, and makes the true Chriſtian more humble and mortified, and more deſirous to be rid of ſinne, and more to louelove God, and goodnes, and godly men.
Now if all theſe ſorts bee caſt out, it is eaſie to coniecture, that few will remaine to bee reckoned for true beleeuers.
Secondly, this doctrine of beleeuing ſhould moue all ſorts of men in the Viſible Church, to try and examine themſelues 2. For Tryall.whether they be in the faith or no, 2. Cor. 13. 5. And to this end eueryevery Chriſtian may profitably imploy himſelfe, if in his examination he looke to foure things:Foure waies of tryall. The contraries of ſaith.
1. He muſt be ſure, that he be not guilty of any of the things that be repugnant to faith: There are ſome things ſo contrary to faith, that where they are, faith is not. Such as are,
1. Naturall infidelity, whereby the heart is not onelyonly void of 1. foreign.the knowledge and beliefe of God and true Religion; but alſo when the meanes of knowledge is offered, hath habituall ſtruglings and deſires that there were neither God, nor any bond of Religion.
2. Carnall ſecurity, when the ſoule is at reſt, and ſecurely contemnes Gods Iuſtice in the threatnings againſt his ſins.2. Securitie.
3. Reſiſting of the truth, when men that daily heare the Word, 3. foreign.doe with hatred of the truth either oppoſe it outwardly, or reiect it inwardly.
4. Preſumption and confidence in our owne ſtrength, works, merits, righteouſneſſe, or worthineſſe.4. Preſumption.
5. A profeſſed reſolution againſt the aſſurance of faith, when 5. Profeſſed doubting.men bring in an Academicall doubting, and perſwade themſelues that no man ordinarily can know or be aſſured of his Saluation.
6. Notorious wickednes and prophaneſſe, when men drowne 6. Wickedneſſe of life.themſelues in lewd courſes, and follow their luſts without care or remorſe.
7. Apoſtacie, when men fall away from the Religion they hauehave 7. foreign.profeſſed, with a Totall diſregarde of the knowne truth.
8. A generall kinde of wauering in the doctrine of faith and 8. Wauering.continuall vnſetledneſſe both of iudgement and affection.
9. Deſperation, when a man rageth, and is tormented with the 9. Deſperation.horror of Gods Iuſtice, without reſpect of Gods Glory or any hope, or deſire, or prayer for Gods MercieMercy in Chriſt.
He therefore that would try whether hee hauehave a true beliefe or no, muſt in the firſt place try whether none of theſe contraries of faith poſſeſſe not his ſoule: for if they doe, it is certaine he hath not faith.
2. He muſt carefully ſeparate and diſtinguiſh faith from ſuch things; as hauehave ſome kinde of likeneſſe, or agreement with it, and yet are not faith: In his Tryall hee muſt take heede, that he take not ſome other thing for faith: ſuch as are, raſh Credulity, Hypocriticall profeſſion, Preſumption, opinion, humane Knowledge, experience, or Hope. For the firſt, there is a light kinde of aſſent which men giuegive vntounto doctrines in Religion, without any knowledge of the warrant and proofe of them from Scripture: whatſoeuer effects this Credulity hauehave, yet is it not faith, becauſe that is euer grounded vponupon the Word of God. Nor may hee miſtake an outward hypocriticall profeſſion of the true Religion for faith: Profeſſion of Religion, when it is deſtitute of the louelove of God, hatred of ſinne, truſt in Chriſts merits, charity to men, and patience in afflictions, doe no way commend a man to God, much leſſe is it true faith. Thirdly, many Chriſtians entertaine Preſumption inſteede of faith: They are reſolued vponupon it, that God is their Father, and Chriſt died for them, and they are the children of God and true Chriſtians, and all this without any word of God rightly applyed. Fourthly, Opinion in matters of Religion may bee taken by ſome for faith, but yet it is not: for Opinion is naturall, faith ſupernaturall and giuen of God: Opinion is founded vponupon humane teſtimonie, faith vponupon diuine: Opinion is doubtfull and wauering, faith is firme and certaine. Fifthly, nor may humane Knowledge be taken for faith; for though they agree in this, that they are both imployed about things true, and ſuch things as ſenſe cannot reach to, yet they differ manifeſtly: faith is Gods gift, and a light ſupernaturall: but knowledge is a habit gotten by vsus, through the helpe of the ſparkles of the light of nature, and exerciſe, and teaching: for the comprehending of the things of faith, there is daily neede of the inſpiration and illumination and quickning of Gods ſpirit: But the things of knowledge may be attained by the force of mans owne wit and induſtry: faith is grounded vponupon the truth and power of God, beſides and aboue the ſtrength of nature, and the iudgement of the whole world: Knowledge is grounded vponupon naturall cauſes and principles, to omit other differences. Sixtly, nor muſt that perſwaſion which ariſeth from experience, and the fulfilling of things be taken for true faith, becauſe faith laies hold vponupon things before the euent alſo, Heb. 11. 1. Nor laſtly, is faith and hope all one, for faith ſees Chriſt exhibited, and preſent in the Word and Sacrament, Hope lookes for him to be reuealed from Heauen: Faith beleeues what God hath promiſed, and Hope waites for performance, faith is aſſured of eternall life, and Hope expects it to be reuealed: Faith is the foundation of Hope, and Hope is the nurſe of faith. Thus he muſt caſt out things that are onelyonly like vntounto faith but are not faith.
3. When he hath thus caſt out the contraries of faith, and findes himſelfe free from them, and withall hath prouided that he is not deceiued with the things that hauehave a likeneſſe vntounto faith and are not, he muſt then in the third place, looke to it that he take not a wrong faith for the right faith: for there be many kindes of faith, and one onelyonly that is the faith that will iuſtifie vsus before God: and ſo the right faith is not,
1. That politicall faith, which is a vertue imployed about humane 1. Fides politica.contracts and ſocieties: to beleeue aright, is more then to bee faithfull in promiſes, or to bee truſtie in imployments, or to bee iuſt in our dealings, or to keepe our words to men.
2. Among the faithes that are found onelyonly in the Church, it is not the Symbolicall faith, that hath nothing in it, but an outward 2. Symbolica.auouching or profeſſing of the true Religion.
3. Nor is it contained in that faith called Historicall, which hath 3. Hiſtorica.nothing but the vnderſtanding and aſſent vntounto the word that it is true, but wants application and life.
4. Nor is it that temporary faith, of which was intreated before: but is ſuch a beliefe as containes in it all the ſix things 4. Temporaria.before mentioned.
5. Nor is it that faith they call a Morall faith, by which a man 5. Fides moralis, which ſome call Credulitas charitatiua.beleeues out of charity, that other men are Gods Elect and true Chriſtians.
Laſtly, when he hath freed his heart from the miſtakings may ariſe from any of the former, hee muſt then trie himſelfe by the direct ſignes of a compleate and effectuall faith, and theſe things which eſſentially belong to the true beleeuer: and ſo a man may hauehave comfort that hee is a true beleeuer.
1. If he can ſhew the warrant of his faith, from the Teſtimonie of Gods Word in the Scriptures: A man may then comfort himſelfe that he is not deceiued in his faith, when hee is able to proue theſe doctrines of faith by the euidence of Gods Word, Acts 17. 10. 11.
2. If hee beleeue theſe Truthes alſo with Application to himſelfe.
3. If hee finde his heart ſo eſtabliſhed, that hee can reſolue to ſuffer for his faith, and can abide the Tryall of reproaches, loſſes, or any Perſecution from the world, and this hee can indure ſimply for the louelove of God, and the truth, and not for carnall or corrupt ends, Phil. 1. 2….
4. If he finde in his heart and life, the liuely fruites and effects of faith: ſuch as are,
1. Solid and true ioy and comfort: The true beleeuer carrieth his heauen about him, when hee carrieth his Creed in his heart. Theſe doctrines are as a daily ſpring of reioycing vponupon all occaſions: and theſe ioyes are glorious and vnſpeakeable, 1 Pet. 1. …. Phil. 1. 25. It is otherwiſe with the hypocrite and vnbeleeuer: for he through vnbeliefe carrieth his hell about him: And for want of this Sun-ſhine of comfort is daily and ſecretly afrighted, and diſquieted in himſelfe: Yea, theſe very doctrines of faith many times torment his ſoule.
2. A combat with the vnregenerate parte: If theſe doctrines be rightly beleeued, a man ſhall finde in himſelfe, that theſe truthes doe reſiſt and fight againſt the corruptions of our owne nature, euen the moſt ſecret euills of our hearts, and will not reſt till they hauehave maſtered the fleſh wi…h the luſts thereof, or elſe they cauſe vnſpeakeable ſighes and groanes and ſorrow after God, for the preſence and power of rebellious corruptions: The true faith will by no meanes brook the polluted and euill diſpoſition of the heart, Acts 15. 9.
3. The liberty of the heart from that baniſhment and impriſonment in which it liued before without God: ſo as now by the light and incouragement of theſe truthes, the heart diſcernes Gods free grace in calling vsus to his preſence, and is well perſwaded of God, and therefore daily with an holy boldneſſe goeth vntounto God in the vſe of his ordinances by the direction and aſſiſtance of his ſpirit, Epheſ. 3. 12. Rom. 5. 2. & 8. 38. 2. Cor. 3. 4. Gal. 4. 6.
4. The life of the ſoule: for true faith is the eye, hand, mouth, tongue, teeth, ſtomack and heate of the ſoule, by which Chriſt is receiued and digeſted, and that daily, by which food the ſoule liues for euer, Romanes 1. 17. Hebrewes 10. 37.
5. Victorie ouer the world and worldly Relations and reſpects: for he that truely belieues theſe things, knowes no man after the fleſh, and can deny himſelfe in his profits pleaſures, credit, hopes or the like.
It ouercommeth both the truſt in theſe things and the luſts after them, and the temptations that ariſe from them, 1. Ioh. 5. 4▪
6. Peace of conſcience: The right knowledge and beliefe of theſe doctrines breeds ſuch an inward tranquility, as paſſeth all vnderſtanding of all men that hauehave not this beliefe, Rom. 5. ….
7. Good workes, euen all ſorts of faire fruites: Euen the fruites of louelove towards God, in the duties of Piety to God, and louelove towards men, in the duties of Mercy and Righteouſneſſe. This beliefe is the roote; & the workes of louelove are the fruites of it: And theſe workes it ſets a man about with a deſire and reſolution to obey God in all things, and that though it bee oppoſed by diuells or men, Gal. 5. 6. The light of this faith giues a daily heate vntounto Charity, Iam. 3. 17.
8. Hope and expectation of the ſingular glory of God in the treaſures of a better life. Which hope hath ſuch a power in the heart, that the beleeuer is not aſhamed of any thing can befall him for the profeſſion of his faith, Gal. 5. 5. Rom. 5. 3. Heb. 11. 13. 25, 26, 35. 36, 37.
9. Confeſſion of the glory of Gods Mercy and Power: The beliefe of theſe things makes the dumbe man ſpeake in the celebration of Gods praiſes: The merciemercy of God is neuer ſeene nor magnified with any life till faith come into the heart: becauſe we hauehave belieued therefore we ſpeake, 2. Cor. 4. 13.
10. Contentation in all eſtates, Phil. 4. 11. and thus Faith is tryed by the effects.
Finally, men that hauehave faith may know it by the Teſtimonie of the holy Ghoſt in them: He that beleeueth hath a witneſſe in himſelfe, euen Gods ſpirit that daily incourageth him in the knowledge of his right in theſe Truthes, 1. Ioh. 5. 10. Thus of the ſecond vſe.
Thirdly, the doctrine of Faith to ſuch as can by theſe ſignes Vſe 3.finde it to be in them, is exceeding comfortable: ſuch as hauehave a true faith ſhould wonderfully reioyce in it: and the rather if they conſider,
1. That Faith is a ſpeciall gift of God beſtowed of his free grace, Iohn 6. 29. Rom. 12. 3. Epheſ. 2. 8.Credere doni eſt non meriti. Aug.
2. That it is a gift that God beſtowes onelyonly vponupon his Elect, and therefore the right Faith is called the Faith of Gods Elect, Tit. 1. 1.
3. That it is giuen to all the Elect at one time or other: It is not giuen onelyonly to Abraham or Dauid or the like Eminent men: but is common to all ſorts of true Chriſtians, Tit. 1. 4.
4. That it is a moſt precious gift: A gift which doth wonderfully enrich a Chriſtian, and exalt him aboue all other men that hauehave not Faith: as Reaſon makes vsus to excell beaſts, ſo doth Faith make vsus excell men. And this will the more manifeſtly appeare, if wee conſider the ſingular effects of Faith.
The effects wrought by Faith hauehave bin either extraordinary in ſome men, or ordinary in eueryevery true beleeuer. It hath done extraordinary things in ſome men: as it hath carried ſome men to Heauen aliue without dying: as Henoch & Elias, Heb. 11. 5. Some men that had it could hauehave remoued mountaines, and did miraculouſly heale diſeaſes, and raiſe dead men: but becauſe theſe effects are ceaſed, I paſſe from them, and conſider onelyonly of the ordinary effects ſuch as are wrought by it in eueryevery beleeuer: and theſe I call ordinary effects, not to abaſe their ſingular glory but to diſtinguiſh them from the former effects.
Great are the things which Faith worketh, either to the Chriſtian himſelfe, or to others.
To himſelfe it bringeth and procureth admirable things; for:
1. It Iuſtifies him, Rom. 3. It makes him as righteous as euer Adam was: It is accepted in ſtead of the righteouſneſſe of the Law, Rom. 10. It cloathes a man with the righteouſneſſe of Ieſus Chriſt.
2. It ingraffs the Beleeuer into Ieſus Chriſt: It is the bond that tyes vsus to Chriſt, and in Chriſt to God: by faith we are made members of his body.
3. It procureth our adoption to be the ſonnes of God: and ſo makes vsus greater perſons then if we were borne of the greateſt blouds amongſt men, Iohn 1. 12.
4. It brings Chriſt to dwell in our hearts by his ſpirit, Eph. 3. 17.
5. It makes vsus capable and aſſured to obtaine whatſoeuer we aske of God: It obtaines many and matchleſſe ſuits in Gods Court, Mark. 11. 24. Eph. 3. 12. Heb. 10. 22.
6. It makes our workes acceptable to God; whereas without it our beſt workes were vnpleaſing to God, Heb. 11. 6.
7. It obtaineth the greateſt and beſt reputation: It breeds a good report, Heb. 11. 39.
8. It is our life: we liue by the faith of the ſonne of God, Gal. 2. 20. and it is our life, partly as it eſtabliſheth vponupon vsus the aſſurance of a better life, by applying and laying hold on the promiſes of God that concerne eternall life, Iohn 3. 16. and partly as it feedeth vponupon Ieſus Chriſt, the moſt ſoueraigne nouriſhment for our ſoules: for, by faith we eate his fleſh, and drinke his bloud, Iohn 6. and partly as it maketh the meanes of naturall life to become bleſſed to vsus; for man liueth not by bread alone, but by eueryevery word that proceeds out of the mouth of God: and beſides, it giueth vsus intereſt to Gods promiſes that concerne the bleſſings of this life; for in outward bleſſings it is to vsus according to our faith. And partly, as by it, wee are kept to Saluation, 1 Pet. 1. 5. ſo as our faith will neuer leaue vsus till we receiue the ſaluation of our ſoules, 1 Pet. 1. 9.
9. It obtaineth many and great victories, and triumphs in this world: and this will the more euidently appeare, if wee conſider ſeriouſly how many things are oppoſed againſt the faith of eueryevery Chriſtian: as the temptations of Sathan, which ſometimes are like fiery darts, doubts, and feares, ſenſe of daily ſinnes, the threatnings of the Law, the many chaſtiſements of God, falſe doctrine of all ſorts, the diſſentions of Teachers in the Chriſtian Churches, the perfidiouſneſſe of falſe brethren, impuritie in ſinne, the proſperitie of the wicked, the fewneſſe of true beleeuers, the contemptibleneſſe of the Church in the world, the falling away of many profeſſors, the ſcornes of the world, the delay of the performance of Gods promiſes, and ſuch like: and yet faith makes vsus daily againſt all theſe more then Conquerors.
What ſhall I ſay? All things are poſſible to him that beleeueth, and Faith procureth more for vsus then Reaſon can Tantum poſſumus quantum credimus. Cypr.reach to, Eph. 3. 19. 20.
Beſides theſe effects which it worketh for the happineſſe of the beleeuer himſelfe, it worketh ſtrange and great things for others; for it bringeth his ſeede and poſterity into couenant with God: the beleeuing parents make their ſeede holy, 1 Cor. 7. Gen. 17. and the prayers of the beleeuer procureth great and wonderfull things many times for others, and beſides, many times it keepes of greeuous Iudgements, which elſe would fall vponupon wicked men in the places where the beleeuer liueth.
Laſtly, vntounto all the former Conſolations, this may be added, that the faith of the true beleeuer ſhall not faile, but continue to the end. The ſeede of faith will abide in him, 1 Iohn 3. 9. Chriſt hath prayed that faith may not faile, Luke 22. 23. Epheſ. 1. 13. 14. 2 Theſ. 1. 11. Phil. 1. 6. Rom. 11. 29. Thus of the Conſolations.
As the doctrine of faith is exceeding comfortable vntounto the Vſe 4.true beleeuer: ſo it imports extreame terror and miſerie vntounto all ſuch as are deſtitute of true faith: for the vnbeleeuer is no Chriſtian; for the Chriſtians were called beleeuers, to ſhew that then a man was a true Chriſtian, when he was a true beleeuer: By the right beliefe of theſe Articles men hold their Chriſtendome. Beſides, till faith come into a mans heart hee is ſhut vp vnderunder the arreſts of the Lawe, and lyeth in a ſpirituall priſon, charged with all the breaches of Gods Law, which are debts impoſſible for him to pay, Gal. 3. 22. And further without Faith it is impoſſible he ſhould pleaſe God, and all he doth is ſinne, Heb. 11. 6. but which is moſt grieuous, this vnbeliefe will be his eternall deſtruction: for this is the condemnation of worlds of men, that they beleeue not in the light, but louelove darkneſſe rather then light, Iohn 3. 16. 17. 18. Marke 16.
Yea, there is matter alſo of humiliation vntounto many true beleeuers, for not looking better to their faith: and ſo godly men offend:
1. When they labour not to know their owne faith, when they will not trie their eſtates, and make it ſure they hauehave Faith.
2. When they ſeeke not helpe for the diſeaſes and weakneſſes of their Faith, but being often aſſaulted with doubting are ſo ſluggiſh as they will not ſeeke found reſolution for their doubts.
3. When they inſtruct not their Faith in the particulars of Gods treaſures, nor imploy it to a daily vnlocking of the riches contained in the Chiſts of Gods particular promiſes.
4. When they eſteeme not Faith, but through vnthankfulnes ſmother the acknowledgement of Gods ſingular gift herein.
5. When they wearie their faith with doub…full diſputations and will not direct it to the ſtudie of neceſſarie and glorious truthes.
6. When they leade not out their Faith to traine it in the day of peace againſt the day of battell: when they …y not vp prouiſion againſt the euill day, and doe not before hand inſtruct their Faith how to hold out when tryall commeth.
7. When men beleeue not ſo heartily, and with ſuch full aſſurance as becomes the excellency of the doctrines of Faith.
8. When Faith is kept idle, and men doe not daily exerciſe their Faith about the ſucceſſe and croſſes of their callings, and about the labour and workes of louelove.
Laſtly many Inſtructions neceſſarily depend vponupon this doctrine Vſe 5.of Faith: for,
1. Such as want Faith ſhould bee effectually moued to vſe all courſes to get them a ſound Faith: and there are many things may moue men to beleeue, and helpe to breede Faith: as,
Firſt, men muſt effectually conſider vponupon Motiues vntounto faith on Gods part: and eſpecially ſuch as are taken from his mercy and goodneſſe: to thinke on it how good and gratious God is, ſhould make men beleeue his promiſes, and receiue his grace offered: and the rather, if they ſeriouſly ponder vponupon theſe things in Gods goodneſſe. Firſt, that it is free: he ſtands not vponupon deſert: he offers louelove louelove to his very enemies, Rom. 5. 10. Secondly, it is exceeding great, able to forgiue all ſinne and ſupply all wants, Pſal. 36. & 108. 5. Epheſ. …. 4. 1. Pet. 1. 3. Thirdly it is inuiting: God doth offer his mercy, hee ſends abroad his Proclamations to offer pardon and fauour in the Goſpell, yea he beſeecheth men to be reconciled, 2 Cor. 5. 19. 20. Fourthly, it is indefinite, hee offers Mercy to all ſorts of men, to the World, to eueryevery creature, Col. 3. 11. Ioh. 3. 16. Marke 16. 16. F…fthly, it is naturall: It is not againſt his nature, as it is for a couetous man to be bountifull. Mercy pleaſeth him, Micha 7. 18. He was neuer angry with any for beleeuing, but extreamely diſpleaſed with men for not beleeuing, Iohn 3. 16. 17.
Secondly, men muſt carefully auoid all the lets of faith, and marke what keepes them from beleeuing: Whether it bee any beloued ſinne, or ſome venomous obiections, or the cares of the world, and the fond excuſes that belong thereunto, or carnall wiſedome and ſelfe conceitedneſſe in hearing the Word, or procraſtination, or corrupt opinions, about the poſſibility or neceſſity of beleeuing, or the like: and in particular ſome Chriſtians muſt bee warned of that ſtrange impediment, namely, when men iudge themſelues vnworthy of Eternall life, and ſo put off the promiſes of God through vnbeliefe.
Thirdly, men muſt attend vponupon the meanes of begetting Faith, they muſt compell vponupon themſelues the care thereof: They muſt pray God to giuegive them the ſpirit of Faith, and to helpe their vnbeliefe: They muſt cry to God with teares for this thing, Marke 9. 24. and withall, they muſt attend to the Word of Faith, which is the Goſpel, ſo waiting vponupon the publike Miniſterie, as they ſtudie the promiſes of God exactly, and ſeeke reſolution of their doubts, and direction about Faith in priuate.
Thus concerning ſuch as want Faith.
Secondly, ſuch as hauehave Fai…h muſt bee carefull to looke to theſe things,
1. They muſt with all watchfulneſſe keepe their Faith as they would keepe their liues: prouiding that they may abide in the Faith to the end, and neuer denie their firſt Faith, 1. Tim. 1. 19. Acts 14. 22. 1. Tim. 5. 12.
2. They muſt be carefull to imploy their Faith, both eueryevery day by learning how to liue by Faith and in the times of tryall to ſee to it, that they caſt not away their confidence. Yea, he ſhould ſtriue to ſhew forth ſuch a power of beleeuing in all the effects of it, that his Faith may be ſpoken of through the World, Gal. 2. 20. Heb. 10. 35. Rom. 1.
Hitherto of the maine body of the doctrine of beleeuing with the Vſes. Before I paſſe from it, It will bee profitable to anſwer certaine queſtions that may ariſe in mens mindes about beleeuing.
Quest. 1. Whether the Apoſtles would hauehave vsus beleeue no Queſt.more then is contained in the Creed, ſeeing the Creed is called their Creed?
Anſw. All doctrines of Faith may be reduced ſome way to the Articles of Faith in the Creed, as being either expreſſed or Anſw.implyed there. We are bound to beleeue all things written in the Prophets and Apoſtles bookes, that is, ſo farre as they are reuealed vntounto vsus. But the doctrines contained in the Creed, are ſuch as none may be ignorant of without danger of damnation: ſimple Ignorance in other truthes is not damnable, ſo as theſe things be rightly beleeued.
Quest. 2. How can Faith be ſaid to be one, Epheſ. 4. 5. ſeeing Queſt.in the manner of ſetting downe the Creed, eueryevery Chriſtian hath a Faith of his owne, becauſe he ſaith, I beleeue?
Anſw. There is but one Faith in reſpect of the Obiect or thing beleeued, which is eſpecially the grace of God in Christ, Anſw.which was the particular Obiect of Faith from the beginning of the world ſince the fall. But there are many Faiths or gifts of Faith, in reſpect of the Subiect, that is, the perſons beleeuing: for ſo there are as many Faiths, as there are beleeuers.
Quest. 3. Is eueryevery Chriſtian bound alwaies to make profeſſion Queſt.of his Faith?
Anſw. 1. We muſt alwaies make profeſſion by our deedes, Anſw.that is, we muſt alwaies liue as becommeth the doctrine of Faith.
2. Wee muſt in our words neuer for any cauſe deny any doctrine of Faith.
3. If we be called vponupon by lawfull Authority, wee muſt giuegive anſwer to eueryevery man, that asketh a Reaſon of our Faith.
4. In other cauſes we are bound to make profeſſion in words ſo farre as we hauehave calling and fitneſſe to doe it to the glory of God.
Quest. 4. Whether all true beleeuers doe beleeue theſe Articles Queſt.alike, with the ſame meaſure of Faith?
Anſw. No: for Faith is wrought in men by degrees, and ſo ſome hauehave a weake Faith, and ſome a ſtrong Faith: Faith is Anſw.formed in the ſoule, as the body is in the wombe; for in framing the body in the wombe, there is firſt the braines and heart, and then the veines, ſinewes arteries, and bones, and then afterwards all is couered, and filled with fleſh vntounto a iuſt proportion: So is it in the ſoule, for firſt, there is wrought a ſmall degree of ſauing knowledge, and ſpirituall deſire after God in Chriſt, and then flowes from thence the veines and ſinewes that take hold of the promiſes of grace; and laſtly, by degrees, as our knowledge and experience increaſeth, the whole body of Faith growes after a compleate manner formed in vsus, when our hearts are filled with increaſe of ſound and ſolid knowledges: but becauſe this point toucheth the ſpirituall free-hold of many godly Chriſtians, I would therefore beate it out more diſtinctly: And ſo foure things are to be conſidered:
1. How it may be knowne that Faith is weake.
2. How weake Faith, may be knowne to be a right Faith.
3. How the beleeuer may be comforted, that findes hee hath but a weake Faith.
4. Admonition to him that is weake in the Faith, not to reſt in that condition, for diuers reaſons.
For the firſt, a weake Faith is eaſily diſcerned by theſe ſignes and the like to them.
1. By daily doubts of Gods fauour, and feares leaſt their eſtate be not right.
2. By ignorance, not onelyonly in many ordinary truthes, but in many of the promiſes of the Goſpel, Matthew 8. 26. & 16. 8.
3. By the haſtie and violent vnquietneſſe of the heart in aduerſitie, euen in the daily and leſſer croſſes of life, and by thoſe ſudden feares in time of danger, notwithſtanding Gods promiſe, and the experience of Gods aſſiſtance and deliuerance: and by the vnreſt of the heart if there be not preſent helpe, Iames 1. 5. 6. Mat. 14. 30. 31. Luke 18. 8.
4. By the daily cares of life, about foode and rayment, Mat. 6. 31.
5. Aptneſſe to ſtagger, and be carried about with the winde of contrary doctrine, Epheſ. 4. 13.
6. Feare of death.
For the ſecond, a weake Faith may be diſcerned to be a true Faith by theſe ſignes.
1. By the conſtant and earneſt deſire of Gods fauour in Chriſt, Pſal. 10. 17. Mat. 5. 6. Reuel. 21. 6.
2. By their griefe for their vnbeliefe, and frequent complaint of it, Marke 9. 24.
3. By their conſtant deſire after the ſincere milke of the Word, 1. Pet. 2. 2.
4. By their feare to offend God, in the leaſt euill they know to be a ſinne.
For the third, the beleeuer may be comforted many waies, though his Faith be but weake: for,
1. Chriſt hath promiſed, that he will not breake the b…uiſed reede, nor quench the ſmoaking flaxe, Mat. 12. 20.
2. Weake Faith doth apply the mercy of God, and the benefits of Chriſts death, aſwell as a ſtrong Faith: as a weake or paraliticke hand will receiue a gift, aſwell as a ſound and ſted die hand: he that hath a weake ſight, though he ſee not ſo well as he that hath a perſect ſight, yet he ſees ſo much of the light of the Sunne, as may ſerue his turne to walke ſafely. Though an Infant cannot eate ſo much as a ſtrong man, yet he eates ſo much as preſerues life, and makes him grow.
3. God hath receiued him that is weake in Faith, Rom. 14. 13
4. The power of God is manifeſted in their weakeneſſe, 2. Cor. 12. 9.
Laſtly, the weake in Faith muſt be admoniſhed to looke to their Faith, and to labour for growth: Though God accepts their weake Faith in the beginning of their conuerſion, yet he likes not the neglecting of Faith, and continuing in ignorance and vnbeliefe, Heb. 5. 12. Beſides, ſo long as they continue in weakeneſſe of Faith, they keepe themſelues without many and ſingular comforts. Though weake Faith bee ſufficient to Saluation, yet it is not ſufficient to conſolation.
Hitherto of the Nature of Faith: The ground of Faith were worthy to be conſidered: for it is not inough to know that we muſt beleeue, or what things are to be beleeued, but vponupon what ground or warrant wee doe beleeue it. And ſo heere I might conſider of the Word of God as the ground of Faith or Principium fideioriginall of Faith: for he that will euer proſper in beleeuing theſe Articles, muſt be reſolued of theſe things:
1. That the things he beleeueth are warranted to him by the teſtimonie of God himſelfe; for no humane teſtimony of particular men, or of the whole Church, can be the ground of a mans Faith.
2. That the bookes of the Prophets and Apoſtles are the very word of himſelfe, and ſo infallible.
3. That the writings of the Prophets and Apoſtles are eueryevery way perfect and doe containe all things neceſſary to be beleeued in the matter of his Religion.
4. That he can ſee how each Article of his Faith is grounded vponupon the Word of God.
5. That he will cleaue vntounto this Word of God all the daies of his life, as the principall meanes of his direction and comfort and of his further increaſe in Faith and knowledge; for his knowledge and Faith comes in but by degrees, and in part, and the truth is oppoſed by his owne reaſon corrupted, and by the ſuggeſtions of the diuell, and by almoſt infinite varieties of opinions, againſt all which he reſolues to cleaue to the Word of God as his perpetuall warrant.
But becauſe, this principle concerning the Word of God, is not expreſſed in the Creed, I will therefore forbeare, the proofe and explication, and illuſtration of theſe things which concerne the Word of God.
And I conceiue that this Head of the Word of God was left out in the Creed in the firſt Age of the Church, for two reaſons. The one was, becauſe as then it was not queſtioned ſo much as the reſt of the Articles. But the other Reaſon is the moſt important, and that is, that theſe doctrines of the Creed though they be principles, yet are of another ſort then theſe doctrines that concerne the Original, perfection or authority of the Scriptures: for theſe principles are concluſions framed, out of thoſe principles concerning the Word: and ſo containe a frame of doctrins which are built vponupon the granting of the former: or thus they are diſtinguiſhed from them: Theſe are parts of Theologie, whereas the Word of God, is not a part, but principiū cognoſcendi, the foundation of Theologie. The doctrines concerning the Scriptures are not properly Articles of Faith, but grounds or the foundation of Faith. Not things to bee beleeued ſo much as things by which we beleeue.