Temporary faith, as well as the
faith of miracles, is given to those who are members of the
visible church only, that is, the hypocrites. “Have we not in thy name done many
wonderful works: cast out devils?” &c. (Matt. 7:22.) The faith of miracles,
however, which was possessed by many in the primitive church, has now
disappeared from the church, inasmuch as the doctrine of the gospel has been
sufficiently confirmed by miracles, historical faith may be possessed even by
those who are out of the church, and also by devils. (The Commentary of
Zacharias Ursinus: On the Heidelberg Catechism—The Protestant Christian
Doctrines, Dating to 1563 [trans. G. W. Williard; Pantianos Classics,
1888], 131)
