True and False Faith. Acts 15. 9; Rom. 5. 1, 2
J. Hart S.M.
1
Faith’s a convincing proof,
A substance sound and sure,
That keeps the soul secured enough,
But makes it not secure.
2
[Notion’s the harlot’s test,
By which the truth’s reviled;
The child of fancy, finely dressed,
But not the living child.]
3
Faith is by knowledge fed,
And with obedience mixed,
Notion is empty, cold, and dead,
And fancy’s never fixed.
4
True faith’s the life of God;
Deep in the heart it lies;
It lives and labours under load;
Though damped, it never dies.
5
Opinions in the head,
True faith as far excels
As body differs from a shade,
Or kernels from the shells.
6
[To see good bread and wine,
Is not to eat and drink;
So some who hear the word divine,
Do not believe, but think.]
7
True faith refines the heart,
And purifies with blood;
Takes the whole gospel, not a part,
And holds the fear of God.
