A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

5 But if one man may know himself elected, why may not another know himself reprobated? Resp. No, for God hath prescribed rules for the one, not for the other. Diverse Saints knew themselves written in the book of life, no man ever knew himself razed out. But did not Cain know this, when God set a Mark upon him? I do not think on the one side with Josephus, that this mark was a token that God was appeased by Cains sacrifice, and for gave the punishment of his fratricide▪ that is frivolous. Neither do I think on the other side, that this was a sign to himself of his eternal damnation. But only a mark of Gods evident curse for this life; to debtor others from such bloody attempts. I know that despair is ever ready to judge it self reprobated: but this is to requite Gods mercy to thee, with unmercifulness to thy self. Turn over thy book of his revealed will; if thou canst find thy name there written reprobate, believe it: but believe it not till then He hath showed thee how to assure thy self of heaven; he never told thee that thou art doomed to hell. Though his Justice be equal to his mercy, yet he is pleased to magnify his mercy over all his works. We are commanded to believe, 1 Joh. 3.23. This is his Commandment, that we should believe on the Name of Jesus Christ. Now to believe, it not only to put affiance in him, but to trust that we are justified by him: if we be justified, we shall be glorified: if we be glorified, certainly we are elected: for Election is the foundation of all the rest. And this faith is not left arbitrary to our choice, but we are commanded to have it. We are bound to believe our Adoption, if our adoption, then our Election: for the elect are predestinate to the adoption of children.

5 But if one man may know himselfe elected, why may not another know himselfe reprobated? Resp. No, for God hath prescribed rules for the one, not for the other. Diverse Saints knew themselves written in the booke of life, no man ever knew himselfe rased out. But did not Cain know this, when God set a Marke upon him? I doe not thinke on the one side with Iosephus, that this marke was a token that God was appeased by Cains sacrifice, and for gave the punishment of his fratricide▪ that is frivolous. Neither doe I thinke on the other side, that this was a signe to himselfe of his eternall damnation. But only a marke of Gods evident curse for this life; to deterre others from such bloudy attempts. I know that despaire is ever ready to judge it selfe reprobated: but this is to requite Gods mercie to thee, with unmercifulnesse to thy selfe. Turne over thy booke of his revealed will; if thou canst find thy name there written reprobate, beleeve it: but beleeve it not til then He hath shewed thee how to assure thy selfe of heaven; he never told thee that thou art doomed to hell. Though his Iustice be equall to his mercie, yet he is pleased to magnifie his mercie over all his workes. We are commanded to beleeve,