1§. 6. That not only some uncertain hope and dim sight of Gods favour, but even assurance is to be sought, and may be obtained, is thus manifest. Faith may receive what the Word doth testify: for the Word of God is the object of faith. But there is a word testifying thus much, ⟨p. 101⟩that my particular person beholding the Son, and believing on him, shall have eternal life, and be raised up at the last day; that there is no condemnation to me being in Christ.2 Neither could John with the faithful believe Gods love towards them in particular, if some word did not show it. For the Papists themselves will not say, that all o• them were privileged with singular revelation Our Adversaries reply, that there is no Word of God, saying, Cornelius believe thou that thou shalt be saved: and where there is no word, there is no faith: for these two are relatives. This cavil is easily removed: for that cannot be believed as out of the Word of God, which is not found in the Word of God expressly,3 or by consequence but whatsoever is found there expressly, or may evidently by direct consequence be deduced thence, that may be believed as out of the Word of God. Now howsoever it be not said in so many syllables, Peter, Thomas, Cornelius thy sins are remitted to thee believing, yet evidently so much may be concluded out of those general promises, Every man that believeth shall have eternal life: for the universal doth include it particular. Therefore the messengers of the Lord of Host, do give notice to their Congregations, that the matter which they proclaim in the Name of the Lord doth concern them, and every of them, saying in effect,4 To you is the word of this salvation sent. What they say to all men, they say to every man: what to penitents, to every penitent; what to Believers, to every Believer; what to sinners and ungodly, to every sinner. God gave his Law to all Israel, speaking to all, as if he had spoken namely and particularly to every one, Thou shalt have no other Gods, &c. 5May not, ought not a man to infer thence, I must have none other Gods, &c. The promise of the Gospel runs thus, If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, 6and believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shal• be saved. Is not this spoken to every ⟨p. 102⟩man particularly? May not he as out of the Word infer, If I believe I shall be saved?
1§. 6. That not only some vncertaine hope and dimme sight of Gods fauour, but euen assurance is to be sought, and may be obtained, is thus manifest. Faith may receiue what the Word doth testifie: for the Word of God is the obiect of faith. But there is a word testifying thus much, ⟨p. 101⟩that my particular person beholding the Sonne, and belieuing on him, shall haue eternall life, and be raised vp at the last day; that there is no condemnation to me being in Christ.2 Neither could Iohn with the faithfull belieue Gods loue towards them in particular, if some word did not shew it. For the Papists themselues will not say, that all o• them were priuiledged with singular reuelation Our Aduersa•ies reply, that there is no Word of God, saying, Cornelius belieue thou that thou shalt bee saued: and where there is no word, there is no faith: for these two are relatiues. This cauill is easily remoued: for that cannot be belieued as out of the Word of God, which is not found in the Word of God expressely,3 or by consequence but whatsoeuer is found there expresly, or may euidently by direct consequence be deduced thence, that may be belieued as out of the Word of God. Now howsoeuer it be not said in so many syllables, Peter, Thomas, Cornelius thy sinnes are remitted to thee belieuing, yet euidently so much may be concluded out of those generall promises, Euery man that belieueth shall haue eternall life: for the vniuersall doth include it particular. Therefore the messengers of the Lord of Host, doe giue notice to their Congregations, that the matter which they proclaime in the Name of the Lord doth concerne them, and euery of them, saying in effect,4 To you is the word of this saluation sent. What they say to all men, they say to euery man: what to penitents, to euery penitent; what to Belieuers, to euery Belieuer; what to sinners and vngodly, to euery sinner. God gaue his Law to all Israel, speaking to all, as if hee had spoken namely and particularly to euery one, Thou shalt haue no other Gods, &c. 5May not, ought not a man to inferre thence, I must haue none other Gods, &c. The promise of the Gospell runnes thus, If thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord Iesus, 6
- 1§. 6. Infallible assurance of salvation may be obtained.§. 6. Infallible assurance of saluation may bee obtained.
- 2Acts 10.43. 1 Thes. 5.10. Luke 2 10, 11. Isaiah 9.6. 1. John 3.15. John 6.35. 1. John 5.10, 13Acts 10.43. 1 Thes. 5.10. Luke 2 10, 11. Esay 9.6. 1. Iohn 3.15. Iohn 6.35. 1. Iohn 5.10, 13
- 3Bellar. de Justif. l. 3. cap. 8. §. 1.Bellar. de Iustif. l. 3. cap. 8. §. 1.
- 4Acts 13.26. & 3.26. & 2.38. 2. Cor. 5.20.
- 5Exod. 20.1, 2.
- 6Rom. 10.9.
