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

The Certainty of Election is a point wherein Rome makes some show of ⟨p. 215⟩coming near to us; yet there is a great difference. They say, a man may know it by divine revelation, so say we. They say, that men may have a certainty of hope, we stand for a certainty of faith. Theirs of hope is conjectural, ours of faith is infallible. Hope is an affection of the will, faith is a persuasion of the mind. Whatsoever God commandeth in the Gospel, that a man must and may perform: but God commandeth a Christian to believe his own salvation; therefore he may, yea ought to believe it, 1 Joh. 3.23. Indeed the Law did command that which we could not do; but this is the difference between the Law and the Gospel; the Law did impose duty, but gave no power of performance: the Gospel imperat & impetrat; commands and assists, gives grace whereby it may be obeyed, Joh. 6.63. The words that I spake to you, they are spirit, and they are life. Again, that which God hath charged us to pray for, he hath charged us to believe: but we are bound to pray for everlasting life, therefore we are bound to believe it, Mark. 11.24. What thing, so ever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive it, and ye shall have it. In every petition there are two grounds; Mandatum, quod jubet facere; Promissum, quod jubet credere; the Precept that binds us to ask, and the Promise that binds us to believe: otherwise to what purpose do we conclude our prayers with Amen? Again, he that is the member of Christ, can never be cut-off: if this could be, then should there follow a second Baptism: for Baptism is the Sacrament of Engrafting.

The Certainty of Election is a point wherein Rome makes some shew of ⟨p. 215⟩comming neere to us; yet there is a great difference. They say, a man may know it by divine revelation, so say we. They say, that men may have a certaintie of hope, we stand for a certaintie of faith. Theirs of hope is conjecturall, ours of faith is infallible. Hope is an affection of the will, faith is a perswasion of the mind. Whatsoever God commandeth in the Gospell, that a man must and may performe: but God commandeth a Christan to beleeve his owne salvation; therefore he may, yea ought to beleeve it,