Z17!77Sp74 X.Ti IC HA P.T. Ep.i(lle to the The/j.slorrian.r. V E Ataions of all wertues Regular.y performed ifrue from Faith; Therefore fay Schoolemen, Faith is not onely it felfe, a verrue, butmater,radix, of uripolonium virtu.- turn : yet, meethinkes, I fee not in 'all thefe what `Paul may bee thought to call the worke of Faith with fuch Eyoxn; that eximious and Heroical' worke of Faith,to the complement whereof, 'Paul requires rrranifeftatioti of more then ordinary diuine power. There is leaue,and pardon alto, I hope, to bee giuen to coniedtures, when they arc founded on probability, and are made with humble fubmrffìon to Church Iudgernent. Miflake I ? Or doth Paul meane that exterior aét of Faith, Confefon of the Faith and Name ofChrifl in daies of vio- lent perfecution ? Certainely it is an heroicall worke of Fasth,a worke of no lore then Heroicall Faith,snfisch times to hold fag the con. felon of our hope without wauerinf. To you its giuen not onely to beleeue, but Y to is f erfor the Name fake of Chrifl: Mee feemes he makes it fomething more excellent then Faith it felfe,to fuller for ChritisName ; more eximious,I tneane,not onely in,vntre boni, bat in genere magni. Suf- fer afullionaccording to the :power of God. Certainely its a diuine power that mull fupport in fo great a fight of af- fliEtions. But is this opus fide? Aske the Apo le.Through a Faith they hadTryals by cruell mockings; were Honed, fawn arùnder,flaine with thefisord. But b Faith, nothing could get fuch vi6ory ouer the world ; But for Confeffion of Faith, they had endured none of theft hardfhips. This then feemes that which Paul prayes for. That as they had hir.herto with conflancie and courage borne vp in conflant Confeflion of Chrift and his Gofpel,notwithflan- ding the many Tribulations and perfecurions they had en- dured ; So God would pleat 1íi11 by his power to fitp- port, and enable with 'like conflancie to hold faR their Confeflìon,till they carne to the complement of Chrifiian patience and fortitude, Martyrdome it felfe, and refifhug againfl Panne to the flied ling of Blond, in cafe the Lord Ihould thither call them. F 4 The 71 Y Phil. r.2.9, t b Tim.r.8, a Heb.iI.33. 36 .37 brIob.5.4.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=