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Aphorism.
ANd when he saith, [That Faith was made * 1.1 perfect by Works,] it is not (as they and others interpret it) only a manifesting to be perfect: But as the Habit is perfected in its acts, because they are the end to which it tendeth; and as Marriage is perfected per congressum & procreationem, or any Covenant when the Conditions are performed.
Animadvers.
Piscator and Pemble, and others say, It is: You say, It is not: But their [Tea,] may stand against your [Nay,] for any thing I yet see. Their Exposition is for phrase agreeable to Scripture elsewhere, viz. 2 Cor. 12. 9. and for matter to the Contex••.
3. The habit of Faith hath no other immediate and elicit acts (that I know) besides believing; and by believing we are justified, though not as it is our act, but in respect of its Ob∣ject, Christ, whom Faith apprehendeth, and by whom so ap∣prehended we are justified. Other Works proceed from Faith as the fruits of it, but they perfect Faith no otherwise, than by manifesting the perfection of it; even as the fruit of a tree doth manifest, but not make the tree perfect. Faith (saith Dr. Prest••n) is made perfect by Works; namely, as an Artist is declared skilful by his artificial Work, or a tree by the fruit it bears; the sap is the cause of the Goodness, the fruit the sign.
3. Marriage is a state, which is consummated per congres∣sum, though there never be pro creatio: But what this makes for the illustrating of Faith's being made perfect by Works, I do not see.
4. Faith is not the Covenant, but a Condition of the Co∣venant, and therefore your last similitude seems not quadrare.
Reply.
1. I magnifie their authority and worth: But whose Reasons have more weight, I leave to others to judge as they see cause.