our neighbours, and, as much asslieth in us, to study with all our endeavour
to do good to every man. These be the fruits of the true faith, to do good, as much as lieth in us, to every man, and, above all things, and in all things, to advance the glory of God, of whom only we have our sanctification, justification, salvation, and redemption. To whom be ever glory, praise, and honour, world without end. Amen
[[! Into resurrection, Ed. 1562.] (? And given unto us, Ibid.]? Judgment: very well they know, Eds. 1560, [ And death everlasting, Ibid.]]
[62.) [^ Deeply considered, move us, Ibid.]]
A Short Declaration of the True, Lively, and Christian Faith
Tu first entry unto God^, good christian people, is through faith, whereby (as it is declared in the last sermon) we be justified before God. And lest any man should be deceived for lack of right understanding thereof”, it is diligently to be noted, that faith is taken in the scripture two manner of ways. There is one faith, which in scripture is called a dead faith, which bringeth forth no good works, but is idle, barren, and unfruitful. And this faith by the holy apostle St James is compared to the faith of devils, which believe God to be true and just, and tremble for fear; yet they do nothing well, but all evil. And such a manner of faith have the wicked and naughty christian people, which confess God,” as St Paul saith, “in their mouth, but deny him in their deeds, being abominable, and without the right faith, and in all good works reprovable.” And this faith is a persuasion and belief in man’s heart, whereby he knoweth that there is a Godand assenteth unto all truth of God’s most holy word, contained in holy scripture: so that it consisteth only in believing of the word? of God, that it is true. And this is not properly called faith. But as he that readeth Caesar’s Commentaries, believing the same to be true, hath thereby a knowledge of Casar’s life and noble acts’, because he believeth the history of Cesar; yet it is not properly said, that he believeth in Cesar, of whom he looketh for no help nor benefit: even so, he that believeth that all that is spoken of God in the bibleis true, and yet liveth so ungodly, that he cannot look to enjoy the promises and benefits of God; although it may be said that such a man hath a faith and belief to the words of God, yet it is not properly said that he believeth in God, or hath such a faith and trust m God, whereby he may surely look for grace, mercy, and eternal life” at God’s hand, but rather for indignation and punishment, according to the merits of his wicked life. For, as it is written in a book, intituled to be of Didymus Alexandrinus: Forasmuch as faith without works is dead, it is not now faith, as a dead man is not a man,” This dead faith therefore is not that sure and substantial faith, which saveth sinners.
Another faith there is in scripture, which is not, as the foresaid faith, idle, unfruitful, and dead, but worketh by charity,” as St Paul declareth (Gal. v.); which, as the other vain faith is called a dead faith, so may this be called a quick or lively faith. And this is not only the common belief of the articles of our faith, but it is also a sure trust and confidence of the mercy of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and a steadfast hope of all good things to be received at God’s hand; and that, although we through infirmity, or temptation of our ghostly enemy, do fall from him by sin, yet if we return again unto him by true repentance, that he will forgive and forget our offences for his Son’s sake, our Saviour Jesus Christ, and will make us inheritors with him of his everlasting kingdom; and that in the mean time, until that kingdom come, he will be our protector and defender in all perils and dangers, whatsoever do chance: and that, though sometime he doth send us sharp adversity, yet that evermore he will be a loving father unto us, correcting us for our sin, but not withdrawing his mercy finally from us, if we trust in him, and commit ourselves wholly to him”, hang only upon him, and call upon him,