Ptōchomuseion [sic]. = The poore mans librarie Rapsodiæ G.A. Bishop of Exceter vpon the first epistle of saint Peter, red publiquely in the cathedrall church of saint Paule, within the citye of London. 1560. Here are adioyned at the end of euery special treatie, certaine fruitful annotacions which may properly be called miscellanea, bicause they do entreate of diuerse and sundry matters, marked with the nombre and figures of Augrime. 2.

Fidei definitio.

Fides est firmus atque constans animi assensus, verbis dei, spiritu sancto affatu ad credentium salutem. that is: Faith is a sure and con∣stant assent of mind, inspired with the holye ghost, to the saluation of them whiche beleue.

In this definition no kinde of the causes doth wante.

• Causa materialis is the worde of God.
• Causa formalis. is the acte of consente.
• Causa efficiens. is the holy ghost.
• Causa finalis. is our saluation.

And the assent of faith is therfore called firme and constante, that it may be diuerse from opinion. For when we do embrace one parte of the question proposed, if eyther feare or suspition for the veritie of the other parte do arise, then we are saide to haue opinionem. which muste be far set from fayth.

Also that this faith should depende of the holy Ghost, there be three necessarie causes.

First, because the wordes of God to the which we do geue fayth by

assent should not be extant, except they were reuealed of the holy ghost.

Secondly by the aide and helpe of the holy ghost our mindes are light∣ned, that we maye vnderstande those thinges which are proposed in the holy scriptures, for otherwise the naturall man perceyueth not those thinges which be of God.

Thirdly, that this light wherwith we be made mete to vnderstande, may haue followinge it, the promptnes of our will and affections, so to bridle the wisedome of the fleshe and other affaires of our life, that they hinder nor let the sure assent vnto faith.