a special gift of working Miracles or a certain perswasion springing from a special revelation and promise of God whereby a man firmly believeth that some extraordinary and miraculous work and contrary to nature shall come to pass by Gods power which he hath foretold or would have to be done in the Name of God and Jesus Christ Fourthly there is a Justifying Faith which is either I. Weak Mat. 6.30.8.26.14.31 Rom. 14.1 or II. Strong Mat. 8.10.9.2.15.28 Acts 6.5.8 Rom. 4.19 20 Heb. 10.22 What this Justifying Faith is is shewed in the next Question These four sorts of Faith differ thus the Miraculous Faith and the Temporary the wicked may have the Historical the Devils have and the Justifying only the Elect and faithful have Answ 2. I might answer That Faith is only twofold False and True I. There is a False Faith which is threefold Temporary Miraculous and Historical of which in the former answer II. There is a True Faith which is twofold Imperfect and Perfect First there is an Imperfect Faith which is either I. In knowledge when a man believing and holding the foundation of the Love of Christ and Religion is ignorant in the rudiments and particular grounds of Religion And II. In certainty when a man hath some probable perswasion and comfortable hope of his good condition but yet dare not certainly conclude of the certainty of his salvation Secondly there is a Perfect Faith and it is either I. Perfectly Perfect viz. when knowledge and assurance being absolutely compleat and perfect begets a hope without any doubting or an assurance never to be shaken by any temptation or tribulation at all or II. Imperfectly Perfect viz. when that confident assurance which a man sometimes hath is at other times shaken by affliction and temptation although never finally or totally destroyed Job 13.14 â—5 Rom. 8.38 2 Tim. 4.8 Note here these three things 1. The Perfectly perfect Faith was never in any save only in Christ 2. The imperfectly perfect Faith hath been and is in many and all true Christians should labour for it 3. The imperfect Faith may be in the Lords younglings and babes who are but newly regenerated Qu. 2. What is Faith or true Justifying and saving Faith Answ 1. For the answer hereof I will lay down these several particulars First Faith or believing follows illumination and the opening of the eyes as Numb 24 16. Ioh. 3.19.9.39 Acts 9. Secondly Faith is a habit or quality wrought by the holy Spirit Rom. 5.5 Eph. 1.13 whereby we are enabled to comprehend Christ Phil. 3.13 that is the Love of Christ Eph. 3. â—8 whence comes the act of confidence and assurance Eph. â— 12 and therefore to those who demand unde from whence Faith is we answer from heaven Joh. 3.27 Jam. 1.17 Thirdly Faith gives a new mind and a new life Gal. 2.20.5 â—8 25. that is I. It makes us acknowledge our duty and service and that we ought to serve God both in body soul and spirit 1 Câ—r 6.20 II. It makes us hate sin acknowledge our sinfulness and be ashamed of our sins and cohabitation and conjunction with sin and sinners Psal 120.5 Rom 7.24 III. It makes us seek the glory of God in and above all things whence comes a desire after good and unto every good work IV. It makes us ashamed of our childish affections and delights and teacheth us to contemn and despise the world with the vanities thereof V. It makes us to ruminate of heavenly things and to desire to be there Phil. 1.23 â—3 20 It makes us set our affections upon those things which are in heaven and to meditate continually of those joyes Animus ubi amat non ubi animat Aug. Fourthly Faith gives internal peace Rom. 5.1 that is assures us of our reconciliation with God 2 Cor. 5.19 And Fifthly spiritual and solid joy Rom. 8.37 1 Pet. 1.8 Answ 2. The Apostle defines Faith thus It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 whence the Father described it as follows afterwards Fides quod non â—ides Faith is that which thou seest not or more fully Faith is the acquiescing of the heart in God as in the author of life and eternal salvation that is that by him we may be freed from all evil and made partakers of all good Psal 37.5 Isa 10.20 Ier. 17.7 or Iustifying Faith is a most firm and perpetual appropriation of the Love and Mercy of God through the merits of Jesus Christ to every penitent heart and faithful soul Or Faith is a sure and certain perswasion whereby we assent unto every word of God delivered unto us and whereby we are resolved that the Promise of the free grace of God for Christs sake doth belong unto us Or Faitâ— is a firm and certain knowledge of the good will of God towards us which is founded upon the truth of the free Promise of â—od in Christ which Promise is revealed to our mind and sealed to our heart by the holy Spirit Or Faith may be considered either according to the derivation or signification of the word First Grammatically Fides à fio dicitur fides quia fit it is called Faith because it is made and therefore Faith is twofold I. Active Faciens veritatem and is called Fidelity Hinc fides facta II. Pâ—ssive credens veritati and is called Perswasioâ— hinc fiâ—es habita Secondly according to the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are taken either I. Actively and thus God is said to be faithful 1 Cor. 1.9 and his word to be faithful â— Tim. 3.1.4.9 and his Ministers to be faithful 1 Cor. 4 2. because God works Faith in his children by the Word and Ministers thereof Or II. Passively and thus they of the Circumcision and Timothieâ— mother and divers others believe in God Acts 10.45.16.1 2 Cor. 6.15 Now the question here is concerning Passive not Active Faith and it may clearly be thus defined True Faith is a certain perswasion of the Love of God given unto us from the holy Ghost by the word whereby being changed and renewed into new creatures we have Christ dwelling in us and leading us unto every good work 1. Faith is a certain perswasion Rom. 8.38 Heb. 10.22 2. It is given or wrought by the holy-Ghost Rom. 5.5 Eph. 1.18 3. The holy-host works Faith in us by the means and ministry of the word Iohn 17.10 Rom. 10.17 4 The holy-Ghost by the word having wrought Faith in us we become renewed and changed into new creatures Iohn 1.12 13. 2 Cor. 5.17 5. We being renewed and our hearts cleansed Christ vouchsafeth to dwell in and with us 2 Cor. 6.16.13.5 Galat. 2 20. Ephes 3.17 Apoc. 3.20 6. Christ dwelling in and with us our Faith becomes active and operative Gal 5.6 I conclude this Question with a double testimony Quid est fides nisi credere quod non vides August in Iohan. â—ides est voluntaria
enjoying in due time Qu 9. Wherein doth the Faith of believers now differ from that Faith which was in Adam in his innocency Answ In answer hereunto observe that the object of that faith which is in Believers is twofold viz. I. The whole will of God revealed unto us in his word containing all Histories Doctrines Threatnings and Promises of what kind soever this is called Legal Faith II. The particular promise of remission of sins and everlasting life by the death of Christ this is called Evangelical faith Now in this distinâ—â—ion between Legal and Evangelical faith we must not conceive or conceit two distinct habits for it is but one gracious quality of the soul disposing it to believe or to the belief of all divine truth which for the substance of it was the same in innocent Adam with that which is in regenerate men the difference standing only in these three things 1. In the degrees Adams faitâ— was perfect because his understanding was fully enlightned and his affections absolutely conformable to all holyness We know but little and bâ— reason of our internal weakness we believe but weakly what we know And 2. In the Original in Adam faith was natural by creation in us it is supernatural by the holy-Ghosts infusion And 3. In the particular object Adam believed God without reference to Christ the Mediator we believe chiefly the promise of grace in Christ and all other things with some relation to him Qu. 1â— What is the Nature and Excellency of true Faith Answ 1. It is a grace common to all the Elect Tit. 1.4 2. It is a working faith Gal. 5.6 1 Thes 1.3 2 Thes 1.11 3. It is a pretious faith 2 Pet. 1.1 4. It is the faith of the Lord Jesus Rom. 3.22 Jam. 2.1 Apoc. 14.12 5. It is the faith of God Rom. 3.3 6. It is the faith of the Saints Rom. 13.10 7. It is a most holy faith Jude 20. 8. It is a mysterie 1 Tim. 3.9 9. It sanctifies all things Rom. 14.23 10. It only makes us acceptable to God Heb. 11.6 11. It is one of the three principal graces and vertues 1 Cor. 13.13 12. It only sustains and supports us Rom. 11.20 2 Cor. 1.24 13. It is that whereby we live Galat. 2.20.3.11 14. It is a fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 15. It is firm stable and certain Fides electorum aut nunquam deficit aut statim reparatur August de corr grat The faith of the Elect is either not shaken or soon rooted and setled it being a building founded upon an immovable rock Mat. 7.25 c. 16. It makes all things seem as nothing in regard of God As the reason why a Perspectivâ— glass draws remote objects close to the eye is because it multiplies the species so we by faith apprehending an infinite and everlasting glory must needs conceive any thing through which we look upon it to be but short and vanishing 17. It is as a candle in the night or as a light in a dark place for as a Carbuncle shineth in the night and in darkness bringeth light unto the eyes so faith shineth so bright and clear both in the darkness of heresie and in the night of persecution that it cannot be overcome or extinguished of either Fides lampas est quia sicut lampas illuminat domum ita fides animam Chrysost in Mat. 25. Scilicet ut sulvum spectatur in ignibus aurum Tempore sic duro est inspicienda fides Ovid. 18. It makes invisible things visible and teacheth us to believe what we see not It is the efficacy of faith to believe what we see not and it shall be the reward of faith to see what we believe Greg. Quâ—d non invenit fides attingit inaccessa deprehendit ignota comprehendit immania apprehendit novissima Bern. sup Cantic Ibi fides non habet meritum ubi humana ratio habet experimentum Greg. but of this more by and by 19 It is the foundation of the other venues Fides lapis fundamentalis Zanch. As Quick-silver is the element or matter of all mettals as a Philosopher saith so faith is the basis or foundation of all vertues As there appears outwardly no beauty in he tree root and yet how sweet or fair or precious soever the fruit be it comes from the â—oot so although faith be invisible yet all the excellent fruits of holiness which are in the life and conversation proceed from Faith Sicut in radice arboris nulla prorsus apparet pulchritudinis species tamen quicquid est in arbore pulchritudinis vel decoris ex illa procedit sic ex sidei humilitate quicquid meriti quicquid beatitudinis anima susceptura est ex fidei fundamento procedit August in Johan Faith is like a Vine whose branches are vertues whose grapes are good works and whose wine is Christian and holy devotion Dicamus fidem vitem virtutes palmites botrum opus devotionem vinum Bern. in Cantic And therefore faith is a grace of so excellent a Nature that she bears away the Bell and Ball from all Graces Qu. II. What are the Properties of true Faith Answ These which follow True Faith 1. Is a cordial Faith and not a bare labour of the lips Faith is not a certain bare opinion of our brain as the Papists and others dream but it is a certain assurance of the heart which drives men unto Christ all humane help failing them attributing unto him only the power and will of enriching them with all holy and heavenly graces 2. It is a visible Faith which may be seen by its works and known by the fruits thereof 3. It is a constant Faith not leaving or giving over until we have found Christ and obtained from him our requests 4. It is a certain Faith Rom. 8.38 5. It is a faith which makes us rejoyce and delight in the word Iohn 8.47 6. It is a revealed Faith wrought in us and testified unto us by the holy Spirit Rom 5.5.8.16 7. It is a changing Faith which transforms us into the image of Christ Galat. 2.20 8. It is a rejoycing Faith which works in us joy unspeakable and glorious Colos 3.3 4. and 1 Pet 1.8 9. It is a heavenly Faith which sets the affections wholly upon heaven turning the eyes from all worldly things to the recompence of reward Col. 3.1 2 Tim. 4.8 10. It is a most confident Faith holding nothing impossible as appears I. From these places Math. 17 20. Mar. 11.21 23. Luk. 17.6 Heb. 11.33 34. and II. From these two reasons 1. Because that which true Faith dictates the Lord dictates for Faith is from the Spirit of God and of truth John 14.17.15.26.16 13. Jam. 1.17 and 2. Because Faith gives Christ unto us and with him all things Rom 8.32 1 Cor. 3.21 And therefore we should strive for a full assurance of Faith Qu. 12. Whether is Faith an Act of the Understanding or of the Will Answ It is an Act
for example I. Love is greater then the Miraculous Historical or Temporary faith 1 Cor. 13.1 2 c. 15.2 II. Love being an effect of justifying Faith is inferiour unto it and therefore when it is said to be greater we must not understand it as though it were the greater grace or vertue much less in regard of the act of Justification Love not Justifying but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a double respect 1. In regard of more ample effects because faith profits a mans self but love transmits his effects unto others And 2. In respect of a longer duration in regard of the act thereof because love shall continue in heaven but not faith III. In many things faith is greater then love for 1. Faith is the cause of love Gal. 5.6 1 Thes 1.5 but the cause is greater then the effect 2. Faith is called our victory 1 Ioh. 5.3 so is not love 3. We are born again by faith we are made the children of God by faith and Christ dwels in our hearts by faith Eph. 3.17 4. We are justified by faith we please God by faith and as faith without love is dead so love without faith is sin Rom. 5.1.14.23 Qu. 38. How or by what means is faith begotten and confirmed Answ 1. By Christs own teaching and preaching Ioh. 4.42.16 30. 2. By his Miracles wrought John 2.23 3. By the grace of God Acts 18.27 4. By the teaching and testimony of others Iohn 1.7.4.42.19.35 5. By sensible demonstration John 20.27 6. By a serious consideration and observation of the written Word John 20.31 7. By the example of others or those who are over us 1 Tim. 4.12 8. By subduing and weaning our affections from all immoderate delights in and desires of the creature and by setting them upon heaven and heavenly things Col. 3.1 Phil. 3.20 9. By prayer unto God whose gift faith is Mark 9.24 Luke 17.5 10. By the Gospel preached by his Ministers and Messengers John 17.20 Acts 15.7 1 Cor. 1.21 1 Thes 2.13 Rom. 10.17 Qu. 39. How or by what means is spiritual assurance augmented and encreased Answ 1. I might answer this question from the former because Ex iisdem nutrimur ex quibus generamur we are fed and nourished by the same means whereby we are begotten Answ 2. But I will add a word or two I. Distress and danger is sometimes a means to encrease faith Crescit amor fidei quantum ipsa pericula crescunt the more true faith is exercised the more it is encreased II. Experience of former love and mercy is a means to encrease faith He who delivered me from the Lyon and the Bear will likewise deliver me from this uncircumcised Philistin 1 Sam. 17.34.37 III. The word of God and therefore we must both read and meditate thereof privately Psal 119. and also hear it read and preached publikely Iam. 1.18 c. 1 Pet. 1.25 IV. To purge and purifie the heart and conscience Jam. 4.8 by a constant examination both of our thoughts words and works by the Word of God V. By meditating seriously of these four things viz. 1. How true and faithful God is in all his Promises 2. How unspeakable the Love of Christ hath been and is towards his children 3. What experience the Saints have had of the care and love of God and Christ towards them 4. What sweetness there is to be found in Christ viz. in the fruition and possession of him in the soul by a lively faith Psa 34.8 VI. By an earnest endeavour to encrease in these three things 1. In knowledge and truth Eph. 4.15 Phil. 1.9 Col. 1.10 2. In internal fruits Rom. 15.13 And 3. In external fruits also both of holyness and righteousness 1 Cor. 15.58 Col. 1.10 1 Thes 3.12.4.10 VII By fervent and earnest prayer unto God Rom. 12.12 Cant. 1.3 5 8.8.6 7. Qu. 40. Because we affirmed the word to be both a means to beget faith and to encrease it and the Apostle Heb. 4.2 3. testifying that the word profited not some because it was not mixed with faith in those who heard it it may be demanded How doth faith prepare our hearing if hearing precede faith How can faith be a help unto hearing and hearing a means unto faith Answ 1. Most certain it is that faith comes of hearing or is begotten by it For I. By preaching the subject of faith is given that is God Christ the Promises and Salvation And These things by preaching are given to the understanding And II. Preaching doth excite the affections and that 1. By shewing us the danger wherein we are by nature through sin And 2. By propounding unto us Christ as the remedy against both the evil of sin and of punishment And 3. By awakening us from the sleep of sin Isa 58.1 And III. The co-operation of the holy Spirit is Promised in the right hearing of the word of God Answ 2. Although faith be begot by hearing yet both of them mutually help one another For I. There is a hearing which doth excite unto some certain seeds of faith as we see in the blind man Matth. 9.28 Zach. 8.23 Acts 8.6 And II. That faith doth desire to hear more and more fully Acts 13.42 yea the heart being once molified the hunger and thirst is encreased Ezek. 36.26 And III. Frequent and continual hearing augments and perfects faith e. g. Those of Antioch 1. Hear the word Acts 11.20 And 2. In some sort or measure believe it Acts 11.21 Then 3. They send for Barnabas and Paul Acts 11.22 25. And 4. By their Doctrine are confirmed in faith Acts 11.26 c. Therefore we must neither neglect faith nor hearing but I. Attend to the hearing of the Word And II. Believe what we hear from the word though we do not understand it And then III. Labour to understand what we believe And IV. Implore the aid and assistance of the holy Spirit that our hearing may be profitable and comfortable unto us I conceive I may safely thus conclude this Question An Historical faith whereby we bâ—lieve the truth of the Word and a diligent attending unto and upon the Word doth prepare us unto and is a Means to beget Justifying faith in us which being begot is by the same means nourished cherished and augmented Qu. 41. VVhat are the benefits excellencies fruits and effects of true Faith Answ 1. In general many rare fruits and effects of faith are declared Heb. 11. which because every ordinary capacity may with ease conceive perceive and take up I willingly omit 2. In general Faith is like to the Cocorenut-tree which grows in the Islands called Maldyva of the wood whereof they make their Boats of the leaves sails of the Nut-shell strings which serve instead of vails and of the kernel they make both meat and drink for faith lays hold upon promises whether temporal spiritual or eternal 3. The Benefits of faith either concern I. People for if they believe in the Lord they shall be established 2 Chron.
20.20 or II. Particular persons these benefits effects and fruits are either Negative or Affirmative I. The Negative Benefits of faith are I. If we believe we shall never die Iohn 11.26 And 2. We shall abide no longer in darkness and ignorance Iohn 12.46 There is no darkness so desolate no cross so cutting but the splendor of a sound faith and clear conscience is able to enlighten and mollifie Faith helps unto knowledge and understanding and thereby expels blindness As we cannot live without the elements so we cannot attain unto knowledge without faith Clem. Alex. As a child who learneth his first elements ought to believe what his Master teacheth him and not to ask the reason why this letter is called A and that B so in the mysteries of Faith we must not ask the reason how this may be or that may be but we must give absolute credit to the Scriptures believing them to be infallibly true without any errrour falshood or contradiction for if we thus believe it will make us more diligent in the study of the word and consequently will be beneficial unto us for the expelling of ignorance and gaining of knowledge Noli intelligere ut credas sed crede ut intelligas intellectus merces fidei est August in Johan Although there be nothing true in Religion which is contrary to reason yet because there are many things to be believed which are above reasons reach therefore the word is first to be believed and then to be learnt 3. Faith expels fear or if we believe we need not fear enemies or evils as Mark 5.36 Luke 8.50 And 4. We shall not finally or totally be subdued or overcome by Sathan or our spiritual enemies faith being the best armour against Sathan and all his temptations Eph. 6.16 1 Pet. 5.9 In India there is a little beast called Quil or Quirpele which by nature is so great an enemy to Snakes that whensoever or wheresoever she finds any she fights with them and being stung or poysoned by them she presently eats some Palo de Cebra or Snake-wood whereby she is instantly cured and healed Faith is like this herb for when we are soiled or wounded by Sathan we are cured and recovered by faith in the merits of Christ Fide armatus difficilia quaeque potest Tindal hearing of a Conjurer in the Low-Countries who could by his conjurations fetch any dainty dishes from any Princes table in the world and therewith would welcome his friends whom he invited to feast with him Tindal resolved to go to see him do this act and coming unto him set himself to believe the contrary and by faithful inward supplication besought the Lord to restrain the devils Power for the convincing confounding and amazing of his servant the Conjurer who was notwithstanding all his endeavours so hindred by the faith and prayer of Mr. Tindal in his conjurations that he cryed out and said I cannot do it there sits the man who hinders me and holds my hands thus powerful and prevalant is faith against Sathan and all his devices And 5. Faith makes us that we need not be ashamed Rom. 9.33.10.11 1 Pet. 2.6 Thus we see the Negative Benefits c. of faith II. There are Affirmative fruits Benefits and Effects of faith which are of four sorts either Mixtly temporal and spiritual or meerly Temporal or meerly Spiritual or Eternal First Some Fruits Benefits c. of faith are Mixtly temporal and spiritual I. If we believe our prayers shall be heard and our requests granted whether they be for temporal or spiritual mercies Math. 21.22 And II. Faith preserves us from persecution or from the evil thereof For as a garment touched with the stone Amiathon doth resist fire and if it be hung over the fire will not burn but become brighter as Isidor reports so the soul being endued with faith doth so resist the heat of persecution that the body is so insensible of pain that they can sing in thâ— midst of the flames and the soul thereby becomes sooner more glorious and more happy III. Faith apprehends applies and lays hold upon all the Promises of the word whether they concern this life or the life to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Secondly Some Benefits Fruits c. of faith are meerly Temporal for by faith we lay hold upon all the Promises which concern Protection and Providence yea the blessedness of us and ours both in regard of our bodies estates and good names Levit. â—6 Deut. 28. Note here that faith in temporal things is not litterally certain and sure for it doth not assure us that that very individual and numerical blessing which we want and desire shall be bestowed upon us but that whatsoever blessing may be for our good and for Gods glory he will not in his due time with-hold from us A most full and clear testimony of faith in temporal things is laid down Dan. 3 17. We know that our God is able to deliver us but if not we are ready to suffer for him Where they express and imply four things I. That God is able to deliver them II. That whether he will or not they know not because neither love nor hatred is known by any external deliverance or mercy III. That if the Lord did not deliver them from the fire he would enable them to endure the heat thereof And IV. That howsoever the Lord dealt with them in temporal things yet they would not deny him nor turn aside from him to worship an Idol And thus faith doth assure every true Believer 1. That the Lord is able to deliver him from all evil and to give him any good thing But 2. Faith doth not assure him that God will answer his desires or necessities in outward things But 3. That what the Lords sees to be fit and necessary for him he will give him in his appointed time And 4. That the Lord will either give him what he desires and wants or give him a heart to rest contented without it And 5. That howsoever the Lord deals with him or whatsoever his lot and portion be in outward things yet he will cleave close unto God in confidence dependance adherence and holy obedience Thirdly Some Benefits Fruits c. of faith are meerly Spiritual as I. If we believe in Christ we shall be beloved of him 1 Tim. 6.2 And II. We shall be added unto the Lord Act. 5.14 And III. We shall be abundantly endued with all spiritual graces John 7.38 And IV. We shall receive remission of our sins Acts 10 43. And V. If we believe the preaching of the Gospel will be the mighty power of God unto salvation unto us Rom. 1.16 Heb. 4.2 And VI. We shall be sealed by the Spirit of promise Eph. 1.13 And. VII We shall be justified by Christ Rom. 3.26 And VIII Christ will be the end of the Law for righteousness unto us Rom. 10.4 And IX By faith we overcome the world 1 Joh. 5.5 And X. Thereby our
both of the Understanding and Will that is of the Understanding as it is an Assent of the Will as it is voluntary for Faith is a willing assent of the soul Qu. 13. How manifold is the Act of Faith Answ Threefold for I. There is the Faith of reliance whereby a soul doth rely upon God in Christ II. There is the Faith of assurance whereby a man is perswaded of Gods love towards him and his love to God and that he is the child of God III. There is the Faith of acknowledgement whereby a man doth own and acknowledge the cause and truth of Christ but of this more by and by Qu. 18. Qu. 14. Who or what are the Causes of true Faith Answ 1. The principal efficient cause is God the Father who in the Son by the holy Ghost begets and nourishes Faith in our hearts John 6.29 Rom. 12.3 Gal. 5.22 Eph. 2.8 Phil. 1.29 Hebr. 12.2 As the river cometh from the fountain so Faith cometh from the Lord. Fides appellata est ab eo quod sit duae syllabae sonant quum dicitur fides prima syllaba est à facto secunda à Deo August Serm. 22. Note here How God doth work Faith in us or What the work of God is concerning our Faith viz. First God in massa corrupta praevisa seeing man subject to a total and final curse and destruction out of his Love to mankind desired to save some and to that end decreed Christ for them this is called The purpose of God Rom 8.28 Secondly God did of his free mercy in Christ ordain some to salvation in this order I. He did take notice of so many as he would save in his particular wisdom Rom. 8.29 II. He did predestinate them so known unto salvation by Christ freely having no respect to any thing in us or to be done by us III. These in time he doth call by the Gospel without and by his Spirit within begetting Faith in them IV. After they believe he doth seal them unto salvation Ephes 1 1â— that is doth justfie them Rom. 8.30 Answ 2. The meritorious cause of Faith is Christ for as we are elected unto salvation in Christ so we are saved by Faith in Christ which is wrought in us by the Spirit for Christs sake Answ 3. The ministerial cause is the holy Spirit of God Rom. 8.15 Gal. 5.22 for he enlightneth the mind and makes it to understand the word and moveth the will making it to assent unto the word once understood Answ 4. The moving cause is Gods Decree Act. 13.48 5 The instrumental cause is either I. The preaching of the word Zach. 8.23 Joh. 1â— 8.20 Rom. 10.14.17 1 Cor. 3.6 Eph. 2.20 Col. 1.6 7. 1 Tim. 3.15 or II. Miracles wrougâ—â— John 2.3 6. The material caâ—â—e or subject wherein it remaineth is the Vnderstanding and Will of man Luk 24.45 Eph. 4.23 Acts 16.14 Rom. 10.10 The material cause whereof it is made is none for Faith is wrought by the sole and alone motion and efficacy of the holy Spirit working by the word whereby the mind is enlightned for the understanding and the Will is moved for the assenting unto and acquiescing in the word of God 7. The formal cause is not Love though Faith works by Love Galat. 5.6 no more then the body is the form of the soul because the soul works by the body but the formal cause is trust and confidence whereby Christ being acknowledged with his benefits is apprehended and applyed 1 Cor 2.2 2 Cor. 4.14 8. The final cause is I. The glory of God or the celebration of his truth justice bounty and mercy which he hath shewed in the sending of his Son and in the giving of Faith in him II. Our Justification and salvation or that we may receive the blessings which are promised in the word Qu. 15. How many things are there in Faith Answ Three I. An aptness or readiness to believe II. An ability of adhering and laying hold upon God III. An actual fastning upon him by a lively Faith The first of these is like unto earth The second is plain earth wherein the Tree is planted The third is the fruit which springs upon this Tree The first of these is taken away by infidelity The second by the sin against the holy Ghost The third by every sin they being no fruits of Faith Qu. 16. How many things are observable in true Faith Answ Two the Object and the Act. Qu. 17. What or how manifold is the Object of true Faith Answ Threefold for I. Faith looks upon temporal and corporal blessings especially those which belong to the exornation conservation and consolation of this life as outward peace health food and prosperity in what we take in hand II. Faith looks unto and upon spiritual things as remission reconciliation righteousness peace joy the gifts of the holy Ghost life eternal and the like III. The adequate object of true Faith is Christ or the Gospel or the promises or Christ revealed in the promises of the Gospel Qu. 18. How manifold is the Act of Faith Answ Fourfold viz. Knowledge Judgement Discerning Apprehension or Application First the initial Act of Faith is the knowledge and understanding of the Gospel and the heads thereof viz. of Christ and of his natures offices and benefits If it be here objected I. That knowledge is the subsequent reward of Faith as Psal 119.66 And II. That this is the difference between Faith and knowledge viz that knowledge is founded and built upon some reason but Faith upon some authority And III. That the Love of Christ which is apprehended by Faith passeth knowledge Eph. 3.19 Then I thus distinguish of knowledge 1. There is a weak knowledge whereby we understand such things as are revealed unto us in the Word 2. There is a perspicuous and clear knowledge whereby we understand the things themselves and apprehend them as they are Now the former precedes Faith and the latter follows in the life to come for before we believe the Doctrine of the Trinity the hypostatical union c. we ought to know that such things are revealed in the word although the things themselves exceed and pass our understanding Secondly The next Act of Faith is Judgement and that both of the truth and goodness of the Gospel for as S. Paul saith Rom. 7. I assent unto the Law that it is good so much more doth Faith assent unto the Gospel that it is true and good Thirdly Another Act of Faith is Adjudication when our understandings do conceive and imagine that the promises of the Gospel belong particularly unto us Fourthly The last Act of Faith is Apprehension and Application when apprehending and laying hold upon the promises we apply them unto our selves or when the understanding doth adjudge or conceive that the promises belong unto us then the Will doth apprehend the Promises and that with joy John 1.12 1 Tim. 1.15 Hebr. 11.13 Qu. 19. How many things are observable in