Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
That faith, so far as it respects Divine truths, is of four sorts. 1st, An historical faith is mentioned in Scripture. This faith, is a bare assent of the mind, to the truth of what is revealed in the word of God; while the man who thus believes, does neither love, nor regard, nor apply to himself, the truths therein revealed.
He may have clear speculative notions of all the doctrines of Scripture, and be able to illustrate and defend them, in an unexceptionable manner; and yet, all this knowledge leaves his heart without the smallest suitable impression, either of the truth, or importance, or design of them.
His study of them, is only the exercise of natural reason, and is in order to gratify his curiosity, and to increase his degree of knowledge. In this historical faith of Divine truths, there may be a firmer assent, than is commonly given to the truth of any human history; which may be a reason, why many mistake it for a saving assent. Such a faith as that may be found in wicked men, and even in devils.
For the reference, see John Colquhoun on historical faith.
He may have clear speculative notions of all the doctrines of Scripture, and be able to illustrate and defend them, in an unexceptionable manner; and yet, all this knowledge leaves his heart without the smallest suitable impression, either of the truth, or importance, or design of them.
His study of them, is only the exercise of natural reason, and is in order to gratify his curiosity, and to increase his degree of knowledge. In this historical faith of Divine truths, there may be a firmer assent, than is commonly given to the truth of any human history; which may be a reason, why many mistake it for a saving assent. Such a faith as that may be found in wicked men, and even in devils.
For the reference, see John Colquhoun on historical faith.
