Wilson - BS2663 W54 653

400 Expof itiodZ upon Chap. io. DoEirine. ,upon thefe words, that faith without works juftifieth not: it juftifieth with- out works, but it is not in a Chriftian without works. T I M. What dotirines are taught from tkie later part? S t L. That a lively faith bringeth forth good works, and namely the confeflion and invocation of Chrift; which where they are,there is true faith; and there is no true faith where they be not; as there is no fire where there is no light nor heat, for it is the nature of v. ro. where he afcribeth righteoufneffe in him (hall not be a(hamed. For there is no difference betweenthe Jew andth: Gre- cian, for he that is Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whofoever fhallcall upon the name of the Lord, fhat befaved. TI MOTH PUS. VvHot is the drift of this rent ? / St L. To prove by authority of Scripture,what he had laid before in faith CO witneflè it felf upon occafion,as fire fendeth forth heat. Therefore are we wroirged by the Papifts, who ac- cule us to teach a weake and a dead faith void of works : and Chriftians are to be warned to get fuch a faith as can thew it Pelf by works, and fuch works as proceed from faith ; for we teach that true faith workes by love , and all works which come not of faith, to be fins. Secondly,we learn,that con- feffion is a work neceffary to falvation, and is to be done of all thefe that will be faved; neceffarily, as a duty and a thing commanded us of God,but not as a meritorious caufe. T r M. But what things belong unto Çhrifiian confeffon ? S t L. Firft, knowledge, to fee the truth concerning!Chrift.Secondly,[wife- dome, to efpy the due occafion of con - feflion; to wit, when `God may be glo- rified,and our neighbour edified.Third- ly, boldneffe, to doe it freely without fear of man.Fourthly,fincerity,without diffimulatiou and guile. Fiftly, reve- rence, as in Gods quarrel and prefence. Sixtly,meekneffe, r Pet. 3.15. Such as be drowned in ignorance of the Gofpell and unbeleefe ; alfo rafh,prefumptuous, and vainglorious perfons, timorous and fearfull ones, hypocrites and falfe- hearted men and women, proud and ma] epert people, be not fit and meet to perform this duty of confeffing Chrift. DIALOGUE IX. Veda', 12,13. For the Seripture faith, Whofoever beleeveth Scope. unto faith,asto a caufe; and falvation to confeflion, as to a way which leadeth unto falvation. The argument ftandeth thus: It is not poflible that the Scrip - turethould be broken and untrue ; but the Scripture promifèth rightcoufüeffe and falvation unto fuck as tritely be- leeveand call upon Chrift. This is pro- ved by thefe three verfes of our Text ; touching faith, verf.r r. touching con feffion,in verf.r 3. Therefore men do be- leeve with the heart to righteoufneffe , and falvation pertaineth to fuch as con - feffe him. T t M. What may we learn hereby, that Paul ?tenth hie doltrineby tefiimony ofScrip- ture? S I L. Thefe leffons : Firft, that the Scripture is fuflicient not only to teach all needful! truths of godlineffe,but to confirm and prove it alto. Secondly, that the word written, is the infallible rule of all do&rines,which are to be de- livered unto the Church, for dire&tion of faith or manners : foF in that Paul cloth prove and ftablith all do&rines of Chriftianity by the Scripture alone(not tiling any 'other teftimony for that end:) Thence it follows,that Scripture onely is the molt certaine and unde- ceiveable rule of all do&rives. The rea- Cons hereof be : Firtt, be caufe God the author of all Scripture is molt perfe& in knowledge, and of infinite wife - dome, therefore his word mull needs containe a perte& rule and direaion whereby to judge ofdoarines. Second- ly, our faith fprings from Scripture a- lone,Rom. ro. 17. Therefore we mutt beleeve that onely for found do&rine, which Dottrine. Reafott.

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