For particular and daily use, we must know, first, that every article re- quires a particular faith, not only in regard of the person believing, but likewise in regard of the application of the article believed ; or else the devil might say the creed, for he believes there is a Creator, and that there is a remission of sins, &c. ; but because he hath no share in it, it enrageth him the more. Om- adversaries are great enemies to particular faith, and think we coin a thirteenth article when we enforce particular assm-ance, because, say they, particular men are not named in the Scripture, and what is not in Scripture cannot be a matter of faith. But there is a double faith, a faith which is the doctrine we do believe, and faith which is the grace whereby we believe ; and this faith is a matter of experience wrought in our hearts by the Spirit of God. It is sufiicient that that faith which we do .believe is contained in the Scriptures. Now whereas they object that we make it a thirteenth article, their fourteenth apostle adds to these twelve many more articles of faith, which he enforceth to be beUeved, with
CIV MEMOIR OF EICHAED SIBBES, D.D.
the same necessity of faith as these twelve ; neither hath he only entered upon Christ's prerogative in minting new articles of faith, but likewise they have usurped over all Christian churches by adding Roman to the catholio church in the creed. A bold imposture !
But for special faith, the main office of the Holy Spirit is in opening general truths, to reveal our particular interest in those truths, and to breed special faith whereby we make them our own, because the Spirit of God reveals the mind of God to every particular Chiistian, 1 Cor. ii. 11, 12 ; for as the things believed are truths above natm'e, so the grace of faith whereby we believe is a grace above nature, created as a supernatural eye in the soul, to see supernatural truths.
Secondly, Where sacred truths are truly apprehended, there the Spirit works an impression in the soul suitable to the things believed ; every article hath a power in it which the Spirit doth imprint upon the soul. The belief of God to be the Father Almighty breeds an impression of de- pendence, reverence, and comfort. The belief and knowledge of Chi'ist cru- cified is a crucifying knowledge. The true knowledge and faith in Chi'ist rising, is a raising knowledge. The knowledge of the abasement of Christ is an abasing knowledge ; because faith sees itself one with Chi'ist in both states. We cannot truly believe what Christ hath wrought for us, but at the same time the Spirit of Christ worketh something in us.
Thirdly, It is convenient for the giving of due honour to every person to consider of the work appropriated to every one : all come fi'om the Father ; all are exactly performed by the Son in our natm'e for the redemption of those that the Father hath given him. The gathering out of the world of that blessed society (which we call the church) into an holy communion, and the sanctifying of it, and sealing unto it all the privileges believed, as forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the body, and life everlasting, &c., proceed from the Holy Ghost.
Fom'thly, It has pleased the great God to enter into a treaty and cove- nant of agreement with us his poor creatures, the articles of which agree- ment are here comprised. God, for his part, undertakes to convey all that concerns our happiness, upon our receiving of them, by believing on him. Evei-y one in particular that recites these articles from a spirit of faith makes good this condition, and this is that answer of a good conscience, which Peter speaks of, 1 Pet. iii, whereby being demanded what our faith is, every one in particular answers to every article, I beUeve ; I not only understand and conceive it, but assent unto it in my judgment as true, and consent to it in my will as good, and build my comfort upon it as good to me : this act of belief carries the whole soul with it.
Fifthly, Though it is we that answer, yet the power by which we answer is no less than that whereby God created the world and raised Christ from the dead. The answer is ours, but the power and strength is God's, whereby we answer, who performs both his part and om-s too in the cove- nant. It is a higher matter to believe than the common sort think it. For this answer of faith to these truths, as it is caused by the power of God's Spirit, so is it powerful to answer all temptations of Satan, all seducements of the world, all terrors of conscience from the wrath of God and the curse of the law ; it setteth the soul as upon a rock above all.
Sixthly, These articles are a touchstone at hand to try all opinions by, for crooked things are discerned by bringing them to the rule. What directly, or by immediate and mere consequence, opposeth these, is to be rejected as contrary to the platform of wholesome doctrine. That oiw
MEMOIK OF RICHARD SIBBES, D.D. CV