58. But perhaps you doubt, whether that faith whereby we are thus saved, implies such a trust and confidence in God as we describe. “You cannot think faith implies assurance: an assurance of the love of God to our souls, of his being now reconciled to us, and having forgiven all our sins.” And this we freely confess, that if number of voices is to decide the question, we must give it up at once; for you have on your side, not only some who desire to be Christians indeed, but all nominal Christians in every place, and the _Romish_ church, one and all. Nay, these last are so vehement in your defence, that in the famed council of _Trent_, they have decreed, “If any man hold (_fiduicam_) trust, confidence, ♦or assurance of pardon to be essential to faith, let him be accursed.” ♦ word missed in typeset “or” 59. Thus does that council anathematize the church of _England_. For she is convicted hereof, by her own confession. The very words in the Homily on Salvation are, “Even the devils believe, that Christ was born of a virgin; that he wrought all kind of miracles, declaring himself very God; that for our sakes he suffered a most painful death, to redeem us from death everlasting. These articles of our faith the devils believe; and so they believe all that is written in the Old and New Testament. And yet for all this faith, they be but devils. They remain still in their damnable estate, lacking the very true, Christian faith.” “The right and true Christian faith is, not only to believe the holy scriptures, and the articles of our faith, are true; but also to have a sure trust and confidence, to be saved from everlasting damnation through Christ.” Or, (as it is exprest a little after.) “A sure _trust and confidence which a man hath in God, that by the merits of Christ his sins are forgiven, and he reconciled to the favour of God_.” 60. Indeed the bishop of _Rome_ saith, “If any man hold this, let him be an Anathema Maranatha.” But ’tis to be hoped, _Papal_ Anathemas do not move _you_. You are a member of the church of _England_. Are you? Then the controversy is at an end. Then hear the church. Faith is a sure trust which a man hath in God, that his sins are forgiven. Or if you are not, whether you hear our church or no, at least hear the scriptures. Hear believing _Job_, declaring his faith, _I know that my Redeemer liveth_. Hear _Thomas_, (when having seen, _he believed_) crying out, _My Lord and my God_! Hear St. _Paul_ clearly describing the nature of _his faith_, _The life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me_. Hear (to mention no more) all the believers who were with _Paul_, when he wrote to the _Colossians_, bearing witness, _We give thanks unto the Father, who_ hath delivered _us from the power of darkness, and_ hath translated _us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom_ we have _redemption thro’ his blood_, even the forgiveness of sins, Colossians i. verses 12, 13, 14.