Theological Theses · §801 · Louis Le Blanc de Beaulieu

Elder Du Moulin defines by complete faith yet keeps weak faith without full assurance

Elder Du Moulin defines faith as assent that Gospel promises are true and mine — yet refuses to expunge from the faithful those who have not reached that degree.

God commands such trust but does not give it to all at the same time or measure; weak unfeigned faith without that persuasion remains saving.

His definition describes faith's complete perfect stature — not the bare essence without which faith cannot exist (as Ames and Perkins noted).

Latin

CXXV. Quin ipse Petrus Molinaeus pater, in Thesibus illis ubi fidem definit per assensum adhibitum promissionibus Evangelii, quo fidelis non tantum credit eas esse veras, sed etiam ad se peculiariter pertinere, observat tamen se non albo fidelium expungere quotquot hunc fidei gradum nondum sunt assecuti, & fiduciam illam a Deo quidem juberi, sed non dari omnibus fidelibus eodem tempore, vel mensura: & dari fidem infirmam, nec tamen simulatam, quae certa ejusmodi persuasione adhuc destituitur; & quae non propterea definit esse salutaris. Ex quibus patet virum illum celeberrimum, dum fidem definit per assensum quo quis credit promissiones Evangelii, non tantum esse veras, sed etiam ad se peculiariter pertinere; per id significatum velle qualis fides esse debeat, secundum esse suum completum & perfectum, & ita ut nullus actuum, quos producere apta nata est, illi desit: non vero definire quid ad fidei essentiam necessario requiratur, ita ut sine eo consistere non possit; juxta illud quod superius fuit ex Amesio & Perkinsio notatum.

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