Amongest which were the master and mistress of the damsel possessed with a spirit that prophesied. There departed a hole band of Stoics with their destiny playing fast or loose, and that of necessity, which passeth all jugglers coming. Among them are all such as defend that of mere necessity a few non ber must be saved, and of mere necessity all the rest of the world must be condemned. Who so abideth this second election and calling, Christ commandeth them to take up their cross and follow him. And thus to continue to the end: this is the third and last election of which sayeth the Lord:1 I have chosen the in the fire of tribulation. here the seventy disciples departed, for they can §7not abide this hard saying, here doeth Judas trudge, they which remain suffer great assaults, in so much that some time they turn there backs to their enemies (as the Apostles did, when Christ was taken) and there do worthy soldiers stagger, stumble, and fall: as Peter when he denied his master, and swore he knew ⟨p. 101⟩him not, And Thomas could in no ways believe that Christ was risen, and had obtained victory. yet they which at the voice of their captain rise up, and turn again, and fight lawfully, even unto the end, they are chiefly above all others called elect and chosen because they continuing unto the end obtain that whereunto they are chosen, and they follow the lamb whether so ever he goeth: it is a hard thing that any such be deceived, and fall away, forasmuch as they first are illuminated from above, and have forsaken all, yea them selves, and have altogether submitted them selves to the governance of their Lord and captain Christ. They daily obtain §8such victory of their enemies, that their warfare is now become easy. And in hope they have to subdue by the aid and counsel of their Lord, all their enemies their joy and comfort is so great, that they esteem all earthly pleasure (which should draw them back) but vane, foolish displeasant and beastlike, happy is he which understandeth this to be true, not only by speculation, but also by experience. These three kinds of election are plainly set forth in the history of Gideon, which being w•ll and duly understanded confyr to the world.
Amongest which were the maister and mastres of the damsell possessed with a spirit that prophecied. There departed a hole band of Stoikes with their destinie plaing fastor loose, and that of necessitie, which passeth all iuglers coming. Among them are all such as defend that of mere necessitie a few nō ber must be saued, and of mere necessitie all the rest of the world must be condemned. Who so abideth this seconde election and calling, Christ commandeth them to take vp their crosse and folow him. And thus to continue to the end: this is the third and last election of which saieth the Lord:1 I haue chosen the in the fire of tribulation. here the seuentie disciples departed, for they can §7not abyde this hard saing, here doeth Iudas trudge, they which remayn suffer greate assaultes, in so much that som tyme they turn there backes to their enemies (as the Apostles did, when Christ was taken) and there do worthie soldiours stagger, stumble, and fall: as Peter when he denied his master, and swore he knew ⟨p. 101⟩him not, And Thomas could in no wies beleue that Christe was risen, and had obteined victorie. yet they which at the voice of their capteyn ryse vp, and turne againe, and fight laufully, euen vnto the end, they are chiefly aboue all others called elect and chosen because they continuing vnto the end obtein that whereūto they are chosen, and they folow the lambe whether so euer he goeth: it is a hard thing that any such be deceaued, and fall away, forasmuch as they first are illuminated from ab•ue, and haue forsaken all, yea them selues, and haue altogither submitted them selues to the gou•rnance of their Lord and capitē Christe. They daily obtein §8such victorie of their ennemies, that their warfare is now becom easie. And in hope they haue to subdue by the aid and counsell of their Lord, all their ennemies their ioy and comfort is so great, that they esteme all earthlie pleasure (which should draw them back) but vane, foolishe displeasante and beast•lyke, happie is he which vnderstandeth this to be true, not onely by sp•culation, but also by experience. These thre kindes of election are plainelie set surth in the historie of Gedeon, which being w•ll and duely vnderstanded confyr to the world.
- 1Esaia. 48
