Faith's a convincing proof,

Faith's a convincing proof,
A substance sound and sure,
That keeps the soul secured enough,
But makes it not secure.

Notion's the harlot's test,
By which the truth's reviled;
The child of fancy, finely dressed,
But not the living child.

Faith is by knowledge fed,
And with obedience mixed,
Notion is empty, cold, and dead,
And fancy's never fixed.

True faith's the life of God;
Deep in the heart it lies;
It lives and labours under load;
Though damped, it never dies.

Opinions in the head,
True faith as far excels
As body differs from a shade,
Or kernels from the shells.

To see good bread and wine,
Is not to eat and drink;
So some who hear the word divine,
Do not believe, but think.

True faith refines the heart,
And purifies with blood;
Takes the whole gospel, not a part,
And holds the fear of God.