Andrewes

The faith asked for is defined by four counterfeits before a single positive word, and every one of the four is a New Testament controversy. Not dead — James ii. 17 · not for a time — the believers of Luke viii. 13, who for a while believe · not hypocritical — the faith unfeigned of 1 Timothy i. 5 · not destroying the Law — Romans iii. 31, do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid. Only then the positive, and it is Galatians and James together: working by love, working together with works. A section that opened by confessing unbelief closes by ruling out the four ways of believing wrongly — and the Creed it has run three times is left standing on a faith that must be shown to be alive.

he giveth grace unto the humble