Propositions and principles of diuinitie propounded and disputed in the vniuersitie of Geneua, by certaine students of diuinitie there, vnder M. Theod. Beza, and M. Anthonie Faius ... Wherein is contained a methodicall summarie, or epitome of the common places of diuinitie. Translated out of Latine into English, to the end that the causes, both of the present dangers of that Church, and also of the troubles of those that are hardlie dealt vvith els-vvhere, may appeare in the English tongue.

PRINCIPLES CONCERNING THE CAVSES AND EFFECTS OF FAITH. XXIII. (Book 23)

1 THe efficient cause of faith indeede, and to speake properlie is one; to wit, the mercie of God; that is, if the Father in the Sonne, by the holie Ghost, that the same Coessentiall power of the Father and the Sonne, by the which man at the first was created in the image of God should restore in vs the same being left.

2 The ordinary meanes whereby the same is wrought, (that is, wherby both the vnderstanding of man, is framed vnto a sauing knowledge of God in Christ, and a particu∣lar receauing thereof; and also the will powerfullie dispo∣sed vnto a right order of the affections) is the preaching of Gods worde, deliuered vnto vs be the Prophets and A∣postles, and for that cause, (so farre as it concerneth the e∣lect) appointed to be in the Church.

3 But here two extremities are to be taken heed vnto: the on of the ENTHYSIASTES, who do not only distinguish

but also separate the internall word as they call it: that is, the worke of the Spirite of God in our soules, from the preaching of the written word: whence followeth not any faith, but rather a meere dotage. The other is of those, who after the manner of Sorcerers, do transfer the effica∣cacie, which is the proper and incommunicable worke of God onlie, either vnto the ministers which speake, or to the Sacramentall elements: wheras notwithstanding, they haue no other effect, then to represent these things to our vnderstanding, which, according vnto Gods ordinaunce they are appointed to signifie.

Wheras then the ministers are said to worke together with God, it is so to bee taken, as they are vsed, but for the outward planting & watering: when as in the mean time, the whole force which worketh in the vnderstan∣ding and the will, doth flow from God only.

4 Now that which we haue spoken of the Ecclesiastical ministerie, is so to be taken, as in the meane time wee are to know, that God as often as it pleaseth him, is able in a moment by the inward operation of his Spirit, extraordi∣narily to regenerate his elect.

5 But this extraordinarie worke of God, is neither to be expected for of vs, nor yet rashlie to be admitted.

6 Now the most sure way to try it, whether it be trulie from God, or no; is this: namelie, that whether it be by the ordinarie hearing of the word: or, (which hath beene alwaies most seeldom) whether God worketh by extraor∣dinarie inspiration; it must needes euermore teach the ve∣rie same doctrine, which the written word of the Prophets and the Apostles do teach.

7 There is not at all times the like majesty of the good order of this sacred Ministerie, because the Lord doeth as often, and as farre as hee thinketh good, reuenge the neg∣ligencie and wickednes of the Sheep-heards, and the con∣tempt of the sheepe in such sort: that sometimes it is dar∣kened by spots of filthinesse: and otherwhiles for a time, it goeth as it were, cleane out of sight, as it came to passe in the former ages.

8 Yet the Militant Church, either priuate or publicke from others, or by means of priuate reading, hath euer en∣joyed, and euer shall enjoy the hearing of the worde, and the vnderstanding of the trueth that ariseth therefrom.

9 Nowe that true and liuely faith, whereof wee speake, is no lesse made knowen, by the perpetuall and necessarie effects thereof, then is the life of the bodie, by motion and sense.

10 But these effects doe not giue beeing vnto faith, or informe the same, as the Sophisters doe most absurdlie dreame, but they are the vndoubted and sure signes of it.

11 These effects are partly caried out of vs vnto Christ, with whome we are vnited by faith, and partly they do be∣get some things within vs.

12 The outward effects, in asmuch as they doe peculi∣arly apply Christ and his benefits, vnto those that beleeue, are therefore the most excellent, and of greatest account. And they are, both the full remission of all sinnes, as well originall as actuall, by the blood of Christ; and also, the be∣stowing vpon vs, of all righteousnes fulfilled by him, toge∣ther with the most full restoring and repairing of our na∣ture in the flesh of Christ: All which, are freelie by faith in Christ, imputed vnto vs, who take holde both of him and his gifts.

13 Another effect of our spirituall joyning togeather with him by faith, is; that he gouerneth by his holy Spirit, both our vnderstanding & wil, being sanctified and broght out of darknes vnto that marueilous light; so as we begin to thinke, to will, and to doe, the thinges that are of God.

This selfe same Spirite, encreasing faith in vs, being now not vnder the authoritie of the law and the flesh, but vnder the grace of effectuall Regeneration; doth teach, comfort, raise, and confirme vs in all our conflictes against Sathan: •…•…ill wee obtaine the crowne, which is giuen of free gift, though vnto these onely, that do lawfully striue and ouer∣come.

Defended by HILARIVS FANTRAT an English-man of Guernzie.