Historical faith names idle assent; temporary faith is shallow joy that collapses under the cross

This is the faith that our writers call historical. It does not take that name from its object, as though it belonged only to things narrated historically in the Scriptures. For those who have this faith believe as true whatever is contained in the sacred writings — promises, doctrines, and precepts no less than histories and narratives. Many of the ungodly do not doubt the truth of the Gospel promises, and even the demons do not call them into question. But this faith is called historical from the way it turns about its object. Just as when we read histories that do not concern us, we contemplate them bare and are not inwardly affected or moved by them: so those who have that faith which the word of God teaches speculate idly and do not refer those things to practice.

Whether this faith ought to be called true is asked. The Doctors of the Roman Church affirm it. And this can be granted them in some sense. For that faith believes only what is true, and believes it in earnest, not fictively and with pretense. Yet only that faith seems to us absolutely deserving to be called true which is justifying and saving — which we deny that historical faith to be.

From this faith another grade of faith does not differ far, which may be observed in Scripture. For there are those in whom faith not only illumines the theoretical mind, but also affects the practical mind to some extent; so that they do not merely believe the Gospel truth simply, but are tickled with some joy from it, and in some measure abstain from their vices and worldly desires. Yet by that faith their mind is only lightly imbued; it has not penetrated deeply enough, nor taken root in the heart. Nor do they renounce their own vices and desires wholly truly and sincerely, and love of the world and of earthly things always clings in the breast. Hence it comes about that if a somewhat heavier cross must be borne, and persecution rushes in, they take offense and cast away the faith. Which they also often do when they yield to their desires and are weighed down by the cares of this life.

These are the ones Christ marks in the parable: those who at once receive the Word of God with joy, yet have no root in themselves, but are temporary; and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, they are immediately offended (Matthew 13:20-21). Such also are those of whom Peter writes in his second letter: who, after they had first escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, are again entangled in them and overcome; so that their last condition is worse than the first (2 Peter 2:20). And of this kind also are those whom the Apostle so severely threatens in Hebrews 6 and 10. Our schools call this faith temporary, taking the name from Christ's words which we have just cited.