io8 An Expofataon upon Chap. ling, we cannot doe a good work, no more then a thift!e can bring forth a Figge ; neither yet be fuch works as we doe after converfion , without fpors. Laff ly, we doe many things contrary to the Law. DIALOGUE II. Vert 3. For erbat faith the Scripture? Abraham beleeved God, and it was counted to him for righteoufne f. T IMo THE US. Hat dab this Text teach us? S t L. How Abraham was jultified i namely,, by beleeving the promife. This is proved by authority of Scripture : the Scripture faith,that Abraham was ¡unified by beleeving, therefore he was fo ¡unified. The text hath a queftion, [For what, &c.] Se- condly, an anfwer thereunto;[Abraham beleeved, &c.] TIM. What learn wee from the e- ffioul SIL. That the points of Religion are to be proved by Scripture. Secondly, from authority of Scripture, an argu- ment followeth affirmatively.- Thirdly, that proofs of Scripture ought to be brought fitly and fparingly. Fourthly, the wifdom of Paul, in obferving the phrafe and courfe of Scripture. TI M. Now let us come to the anfwer: the faith f pole n of in Gen.15.6,which the Apo- file here citeth, was not meant of Cbriff,but of an infìnitepofierisy and if]ise? S I L. The anfwer hereunto is this : Firft, Abraham by faith had chicle refpc& to that which was promifed in the beginning of the Chapter, that God would be his fhield and reward. Secondly, Abraham in his pofterity fore -few Chrif, who was to come out of his loynes. Thirdly, in all'pro- miles, the promife offering Chrift was wrapt, as the foundation and root of them all. Fourthly, it was Chrift which fpake to him at that time, Gen. Chapter 15. verf 6, for it was thefecond Perfon who fpake unto VV the Fathers, and therefore he beleeved in Chrift. Fiftly, the mercy of God, whether it appeareth to us 1piritually or temporally, is the objeEt of faith, and God is not mercifull but by Jefus Chrifl : therefore they thar beleeve any promife of me, cy, beleeve in Chrift. Tim. What more do yee (Very, here ? S I L. To beleeve God, and to be- leeve in God,are all one : for to beleeve God, is to give credit to his Word, and to put our confidence in his goodneffe; thus Abraham b lecved God. T t M. What more was learned brrece ? S I L. That it is a wonderful) thing to beleeve God, or in God; becauf -it obtaineth the prraf of rigiaeoufneffe to him that Both it, as it is written, He beleeved god, and it was accounted to him for righteou hey',. This one thing thould be fufficient to move all Chrìltians to relye upon God his promife by faith. T I M. What other rea fon,, may move men to beleeve Gad ? S I L. Very many and fubfiantiall : as firft, becaafe of Gods commande- ment. Secondly, hecaufe God being mofl true, is worthy to be beleeved. Thirdly, there is great danger if we do not beleeve, even eternall death, and the Joffe of heaven,befides all temporali goads. Fourthly, it is a fpeciall fervice of God to trait in him. Fiftly, it is the caufe of all other duties, which fpring from faith as the root of all. Sixtly, therein is God molt honoured, when he is traded in ; and by the contrary, much dithonoured, for he is thereby made a liar, fo much as lyeth in us. , Iolwq.,o DIALOGUE lI. Verfes 4, 5. Now to him that wor kris , the wages it not counted ly favour, but by debt,but to him that morlieth not,but beleeves in him that juffif:etb the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteoufntl. T IMOTHEUS. VHat if the drift of this Text? S I L. To prove ¡unification came not by works, but of faith, by an arguo-
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