A treatise concerning the ground of faith. VVritten in Latin, by the reuerend Father Iames Gordon Huntley of Scotland, Doctour of Diuinity, of the Society of Iesus. And translated into English, by I.L. of the same Society. The second part of the second controuersy

CHAP. II. The properties of the ground and rule of our fayth are alledged. (Book 2)

THERE are ten properties of the ground or rule of fayth, and they are so manifest and certayne, that none can doubt thereof. The first is the continuall, and neuer interrupted duration thereof to the end of the world. For euen as fayth and the Church do alwayes en∣dure & continue; so must also the ground of fayth, seing that nothing can consist without his foundation and ground.

2. The second propertie is the most certayne and vndoubted truth thereof, in so much, that it neyther can deceyue any, nor be deceaued in any thing appertay∣ning

necessarily to saluation, for other∣wise it should be vncertaine and doubt∣full, yea also the fayth it selfe should be false and hurtfull vnto vs.

3. The third propertie is the certaynty therof on our part. For it is necessary that the true fayth be not only certayne in it selfe, but also to vs. Because error and vn∣certaynty is ingendred in vs, if the thing be ambiguously and obscurely proposed, how certayne soeuer it be in it selfe.

4. The fourth property is, the strength & immutability therof, so that this ground can by no meanes be depraued, changed, or corrupted. For otherwise truth will sometyme perish, & there will arise some error against fayth.

5. The fifth property is the fullnesse & sufficiency of those things which are to be belieued, that is to say, it must conteine all things appertayning to the Catholike fayth, seeing that nothing can consist without his ground or foundation.

6, The sixt property, is the necessity therof, that is to say, it must necessarily be receiued of all, who haue the true fayth, and because without it, true fayth can∣not consist, euen as the building cannot continue without the foundation.

7. The seauenth property is, that it is

a manifest signe and token, wherby Christians are distinguished from Infidells. For he which wanteth the ground and rule of fayth is an infidell, but he who retayneth it, is a true beleeuer.

8. The eight property is▪ that in euery article and conclusion of fayth, this principle and ground is virtually conteyned, seeing that out of it all things are to be deduced, & they receiue the certaynty from it.

9. The ninth property is, that it not only moue Christians to belieue, but that it also conuince the infidells. For otherwise the way to faith and eternall saluation, should not be knowne, or open to Infidells.

10. The tenth property is, that it be con∣teined expresly in the Apostles Creed, wherein all the first groundes of our fayth are con∣teined: for the Apostles after they had receiued the holy Ghost, were not so for∣getfull that in the Creed or Summary of fayth which they set downe to be belie∣ued of all, they would let passe the first and chiefest ground of fayth. And thus much of the properties of the ground of fayth.