236 S.M. J. Hart
True and False Faith. Acts 15. 9; Rom. 5. 1, 2
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.