They did not only know God to be the Lord, Maker, and Governor of all men in the world; but also they had a special confidence and trust, that he was and would be their God, their comforter, aider, helper, maintainer, and defender. This is the

Christian Faith, which these holy men had, and we also ought to have. And although they were not named Christian men, yet was it a Christian Faith that they had; for they looked for all benefits of God the Father, through the merits of his Son Jesus Christ, as we now do. This difference is between them and us; for they looked when Christ should come, and we be in the time when he is come, Therefore, saith St. Augustine, (r) the time is altered and changed, but not the Faith: For we have both one Faith in one Christ. (s) The same Holy Ghost also that we have, had they, saith St. Paul. For as the Holy Ghost doth teach us to trust in God, and to call upon him as our Father, so did he teach them to say, as it is written, (t) Thou, Lord, art our Father and Redeemer; and thy Name is without beginning, and everlasting. God gave them then Grace to be his children, as he doth us now. But now, by the coming of our Saviour Christ, we have received more abundantly the Spirit of God in our hearts, whereby we may conceive a greater faith, and a surer trust, than many

T

(r) In Johan. Tract. xlv. (s) 2 Cor. iv. (t) Isa, lxiii.

of

of them had. But in effect they and we be all one: we have the same Faith that they had in God, and they the same that we have. And St. Paul so much extolleth their Faith, because we should no less, but rather more, give ourselves wholly unto Christ, both in profession and living, now when Christ is come, than the old fathers did before his coming. And by all the declaration of St. Paul it is evident, that the true, lively, and Christian Faith is no dead, vain, or unfruitful thng, but a thing of perfect virtue, of wonderful (u operation and strength, bringing forth all good mitions and good works.

All holy Scripture agreably beareth witness, that a true lively Faith in Chrst doth bring forth Good Works; and therefore evey man must examine and try himself diligently, to Inow whether he have the same true lively Faith in his heart unfeignedly, or not; which he shall know by the fruits thereof. Many that professed the Faith of Christ were in this error, that they thought they knew God and believed in him, when their life they declared the contrary which eror St. John, in his first Epistle confuting, writeth in this wise: (w) Hereby we are certified that we know God, if we observe his commandments. He hat saith he knoweth God,

(u) Later edit. read "opeation or working,"
(w) 1 John ii.

and

and observeth not his conmandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in hin And again he saith, (x) Whosoever sinneth doth not see God, nor know him: Let no man deceive you, well-beloved children. And moreover he saith, (y) Hereby we know that we be of the truth, and to we shall persuade our hearts before him. For f our own hearts reprove us, God is above our hears, and knoweth all things. Well-beloved, if our heart reprove us not, then have we confidence in God, andshall have of him whatsoever we ask, because we kep his commandments, and do those things that pleasehim. And yet further he saith, (z) Every man that believeth that Jesus is Christ, is born of God; and we know that whosoever is born of God doth not si: But he that is begotten of God purgeth himself, ad the devil doth not touch him. And finally he conludeth, and (a) shewing the cause why he wrote this Epistle saith, (b) For this cause have I thus writen unto you, that you may know that you have werlasting life, which do believe in the Son of God. And in his third Epistle he confirmeth the whole mtter of Faith and Works in few words, saying, (c)He that doth well is of God, and he that doth evi knoweth not God. And as St. John saith, that as he lively knowledge and

Faith of God bringeth forth Good Works; so saith he likewise of hope and charity, that they cannot stand with evil living. Of hope he writeth thus: (d) We know that when God shall appear, we shall be like unto him, for we shall see him even as he is. And whosoever hath this hope in him doth purify himself, like as God is pure. And of charity he saith these words: (e) He that doth keep God's word, or commandment, in him is truly the perfect love of God. And again he saith, (ƒ) This is the love of God, that we should keep his commandments. And St. John wrote not this as a subtile (g) proposition, devised of his own fantasy, but as a most certain and necessary truth, taught unto him by Christ himself, the eternal and infallible verity; who, in many places, doth most clearly affirm, that Faith, Hope, and Charity, cannot (h) consist without Good and Godly Works. Of Faith he saith, (i) He that believeth in the Sun hath everlasting life; but he that believeth not in the Son shall not see that life, but the wrath of God remaineth upon him. And the same he confirmeth with a double oath, saying, (k) Forsooth and forsooth, I say unto you, he that believeth in me hath everlasting life. Now forasmuch as he that believeth in Christ hath everlasting life, it

(d) 1 John iii. (g) saying.

(i) 1 John v. John iii.

(e) 1 John ii.

(f) 1 John v.

(h)" consist or stand."
(k) John vi. Verily, verily.

must

must needs consequently follow, that he that hath this Faith must have also Good Works, and be studious to observe God's commandments obediently. For to them that have evil works, and lead their life in disobedience and (1) transgression of God's commandments, without repentance, pertaineth not everlasting life, but everlasting death, as Christ himself saith, (m) They that do well shall go into life eternal; but they that do evil shall go into (n) the eternal fire. And again he saith, (0) I am the first letter and the last, the beginning and the ending: To him that is athirst, I will give of the well of the water of life freely: He that hath the victory shall have all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son: but they that be fearful, mistrusting God, and lacking faith; they that be cursed people, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their portion in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. And as Christ undoubtedly affirmeth, that (p) true Faith bringeth forth. Good Works, so doth he say likewise of charity, (q) Whosoever hath my commandments, and keepeth them, that is he that loveth me. And after he saith, He that loveth me will keep my word, and hẻ