按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
fire。 A drop of water is as true water as any is in the ocean。 So the
least grain of faith is as true faith； and as saving as the greatest
faith in the world。
〃The least bud draws sap from the root as well as the greatest bough。
So the weakest measure of faith doth as truly ingraft thee into Christ；
and by that draw life from Christ； as well as the strongest。 The
weakest faith hath munion with the merits and blood of Christ as
well as the strongest。
〃The least faith marries the soul to Christ。 The weakest faith hath as
equal a share in God's love as the strongest。 We are beloved in Christ；
and the least measure of faith makes us members of Christ。 The least
faith hath equal right to the promises as the strongest。 And therefore
let not our souls be discouraged for weakness。〃Nature and Royalties
of Faith； by Samuel Bolton； D。D。； of Christ's College； Cambridge。 1657。
（16） 〃Some are afraid they have no faith at all； because they have not
the highest degree of faith； which is full assurance； or because they
want the fort which others attain to； even joy unspeakable and full
of glory。 But for the rolling of this stone out of the way； we must
remember there are several degrees of faith。 It is possible thou mayest
have faith； though not the highest degree of faith； and so joy in the
Spirit。 That is rather a point of faith than faith itself。 It is indeed
rather a living by sense than a living by faith； when we are cheered up
with continual cordials。 A stronger faith is required to live upon God
without fort； than when God shines in on our spirit with abundance
of joy。〃Matthew Lawrence； Preacher at Ipswich； on Faith。 1657。
（17） 〃If any person abroad have thought that a special and full
persuasion of the pardon of their sin was of the essence of faith； let
them answer for it。 Our divines at home generally are of another
judgment。 Bishop Davenant and Bishop Prideaux； and others； have shown
the great difference between recumbrance and assurance； and they all do
account and call assurance； a daughter； fruit； and consequent of faith。
And the late learned Arrowsmith tells us； that God seldom bestows
assurance upon believers till they are grown in grace： for； says he；
there is the same difference between faith of recumbence and faith of
assurance； as is between reason and learning。 Reason is the foundation
of learning； so； as there can be no learning if reason be wanting （as
in beasts）； in like manner there can be no assurance where there is no
faith of adherence。 Again： as reason well exercised m the study of arts
and sciences arises to learning； so faith being well exercised on its
proper object； and by its proper fruits； arises to assurance。 Further；
as by negligence； non… attendance； or some violent disease； learning
may be lost； while reason doth abide； so by temptation； or by spiritual
sloth； assurance may be lost； while saving faith may abide。 Lastly； as
all men have reason； but all men are not learned； so all regenerate
persons have faith to ply savingly with the gospel method of
salvation； but all true believers have not assurance。〃Sermon by R。
Fair dough； Fellow of Immanuel College； Cambridge； in the Morning
Exercises； preached at Southwark。 1660。
（18） We must distinguish between weakness of faith and nullity。 A weak
faith is true。 The bruised reed is but weak； yet it is such as Christ
will not break。 Though thy faith be but weak； yet be not discouraged。 A
weak faith may receive a strong Christ； a weak hand can tie the knot in
marriage as well as a strong； a weak eye might have seen the brazen
serpent。 The promise is not made to strong faith； but to true。 The
promise doth not say； Whosoever hath a giant faith that can remove
mountains； that can stop the mouth of lions； shall be saved； but
whosoever believes； be his faith never so small。
〃You may have the water of the Spirit poured on you in sanctification；
though not the oil of gladness in assurance； there may be faith of
adherence； and not of evidence； there may be life in the root where
there is no fruit in the branches； and faith in the heart where no
fruit of assurance。〃A Body of Divinity； by Thomas Watson； formerly
Minister of St。 Stephen's； Walbrook； London。 1660。
（19） 〃Many of God's dear children for a long time may remain very
doubtful as to their present and eternal condition； and know not what
to conclude； whether they shall be damned or whether they shall be
saved。 There are believers of several growths in the Church of
God；fathers； young men； children； and babes； and as in most families
there are more babes and children than grown men； so in the Church of
God there are more weak； doubting Christians than strong ones； grown up
to a full assurance。 A babe may be born； and yet not know it； so a man
may be born again； and yet not be sure of it。
〃We make a difference betwixt saving faith； as such； and a full
persuasion of the heart。 Some of those that shall be saved may not be
certain that they shall be saved； for the promise is made to the grace
ot faith； and not to the evidence of itto faith as true； and not to
faith as strong。 They may be sure of heaven； and yet in their own sense
not assured of heaven。〃Sermon by Rev。 Thomas Doolittle； of Pembroke
Hall； Cambridge； and sometime Rector of St。 Alphege； London； in the
Morning Exercises； at Cripplegate。 1661。
（20） 〃Is it not necessary to justification to be assured that my sins
are pardoned； and that I am justified？ No： that is no act of faith as
it justifieth； but an effect and fruit that followeth after
justification。
〃It is one thing for a man to have his salvation certain； another thing
to be certain that it is certain。
〃Even as a man fallen into a river； and like to be drowned； as he is
carried down with the flood； espies the bough of a tree hanging over
the river； which he catcheth at； and clings unto with all his might to
save him； and seeing no ot