Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/549

 say an enemy to his master? What soldier looks for presents and pay from unallied, not to say hostile princes, unless he be a downright deserter and rebel? Even she who sought diligently, sought her piece of money in her own house; he who asks for loaves, knocks at a friend's, not a stranger's door; and the widow interceded with a hard judge, but not an enemy. Let us then seek at home, and from those who are our own, and of that which is our own; and inquire respecting that only which may be called in question without injury to the Rule of Faith."

"But the Rule of Faith (that we may now profess what we mean to defend,) is this:—That there is One only God, and no other Creator of the world beside, who brought all things out of nothing by His own Word sent forth before all things: that this Word, called His Son, appeared in the name of God to the Patriarchs in different ways; was always heard in the Prophets; and at last conveyed by the Spirit and power of God the Father into the Virgin Mary, became flesh in her womb, and lived as her Son Jesus Christ; afterwards proclaimed a new law, and a new promise of the kingdom of Heaven, wrought miracles, was crucified, rose again on the third day, was taken into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of the Father; sent the power of the Holy Spirit in His stead, to guide believers; will come with glory to take His saints to the enjoyment of eternal life and His heavenly promises, and sentence the profane to eternal fire, bringing to life again good and bad, together with the resurrection of their flesh. This Rule, instituted, as it shall be proved, by Christ, has no questions raised about it among us, except such as heresies introduce, and such as constitute men heretics.… O novice, it is better to be ignorant, lest you should learn what you ought not, now that you know what you ought. 'Thy faith,' he says, 'hath made thee whole;' not a perverse troubling of the Scriptures. Faith has for its object the. The law of life is given you; keep it, and you are made whole: but this cross-examining of Scripture springs from restlessness; pursue it, and it brings, not salvation, but mere credit for cleverness. Let restlessness yield to faith; fame among men to salvation of the soul."