I. 1. The first of these (and the foundation of all the rest) is faith. So St. _Paul, [3]Ye are all the children of_ God _by faith in_ Christ Jesus. So St. _John, [4]To them gave he power_ (♦ἐξουσίαν· right or privilege, it might rather be translated) _to become the sons of_ God, _even to them that believe on his name: which were born_, when they believed, (_not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh_, not by natural generation, _nor of the will of man_, like those children adopted by men, in whom no inward change is thereby wrought,) _but of_ God. And again in his general epistle [5]_Whosoever believeth that_ Jesus _is the_ Christ, _is born of_ God. 2. But it is not a barely notional or speculative faith, that is here spoken of by the apostles. It is not a bare assent to this proposition, “_Jesus_ is the _Christ_;” nor indeed to all the propositions contained in our creed, or in the Old and New Testament. It is not merely “an assent, to any, or all these credible things, as credible.” To say this, were to say (which who could hear?) that the devils were born of God. For they have this faith. They trembling believe, both that _Jesus_ is the _Christ_, and that all scripture having been given by inspiration of God, is true as God is true. It is not only “an assent to divine truth, upon the testimony of God,” or “upon the evidence of miracles.” For they also heard the words of his mouth, and knew him to be a faithful and true witness. They could not but receive the testimony he gave, both of himself, and of the Father which sent him. They saw likewise the mighty works which he did, and thence believed that he _came forth from_ God. Yet notwithstanding this faith, they are still _reserved in chains of darkness, unto the judgment of the great day_.