[An apology for the treatise, called A triall of faith. Concerning the precedency of repentance for sinne, before faith in Christ for pardon]

The Apology.

I deny the consequence, except the want and absence of the one faith, made an action to be sinne, as well as the want and absence of the other. This cannot be: First, because then I know not how it can be auoyded, but that the presence of faith in Christ, should make an Action not to be sinne, which is absurd, in as much as faith in Christ doth not cause an action to bee no sinne: but not to be imputed for sinne vnto vs for our condemnation. Secondly▪ because that which makes an action to be no sinne, is the likenesse and neernesse it hath with the Rule of Gods will, pre∣scribed for the doing thereof: which in mo∣rall actions commanded or forbidden is the Law of God, and in indifferent actions which are neither commaunded nor for∣bidden is this Faith, whereof the Apostle speakes Rom. 14. viz. a perswasion or be∣liefe wee may doe or may not doe them: neither of which is faith in Christ.

Indeed faith in Christ is more necessa∣ry and excellent vnto saluation then this perswasion, but this perswasion, is more proper and necessary then faith in Christ,

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to warrant vnto our consciences, the acti∣ons that wee haue to doe, that bee in∣different.

But it may bee, though the Doctrine, be neither directly, nor by necessarie con∣sequence, to bee prooued from the text to the Romanes, yet by other Reasons taken from other places it may be. Let vs heare and try them.