Now it is also expedient that I feel the biting of sin, the terror of the wrath of God, the horror of death, yea and death it self. But all this is a certain outward appearance before my sight and the sight of the world,1 which know and judge none otherwise, but that sin, death, and Satan are present. Notwithstanding in the mean season under that assault and terror the word and spirit are, encouraging me, preserving me, & assuring me, that God is not angry with me, that my sin is forgiven me, that I shall neither dye, nor be forsaken: Upon this foundation & hope my hart doth wholly rest. And no man having such a confidence in God, remaineth under sin, neither is drowned in death, but is made a conqueror of sin and death. This is, not to prevail or overcome, for that albeit Satan attempteth, yet he doth not get the victory. We call the house of David, a mortal house, sinful, and subject to the devil, according to the manner of all flesh and blood, and yet notwithstanding the horn of salvation is raised up in the same,2 that men of that kingdom may enjoy salvation and felicity. Hereby ye see that this kingdom is the kingdom of faith, which can not be touched nor outwardly perceived of any, which one can not show to an other, but every one must have it in him self, that when he shall draw near unto death, shall feel sin, or even see death before him, he may then in faith lay hold on this kingdom, & believe that his sins are forgiven him. For Christ therefore died, that thou mightest be in this kingdom of faith. Wherefore sin shall encounter with thee in vain, death is taken away, Christ is with thee, who can hurt thee, who can do any evil unto thee? Here life and death, sin and innocency, Christ and Satan do fight one with an other, but Christ, life, & innocency do overcome and conquer. This is soon spoken, but not so easily felt, yea the contrary surely is rather felt. Wherefore ⟨p. 50⟩if thou wilt esteem and consider this kingdom according to the judgement of the world, thou shalt utterly err and be deceived. The world calleth that a good & peaceable kingdom, where all things are quiet, prosperous and go well forward, where is safety, peace, and innocency outwardly. But here is the kingdom of salvation and grace, although it always appear otherwise.
Nowe it is also expedient that I feele the biting of sinne, the terrour of the wrath of God, the horrour of death, yea and death it selfe. But all this is a certaine outward appearance before my sight and the sight of the world,1 which knowe and iudge none otherwise, but that sinne, death, and Satan are present. Notwithstanding in the meane season vnder that assault and terrour the word and spirit are, encouraging me, preseruing me, & assuring me, that God is not angry with me, that my sinne is forgiuen me, that I shall neither dye, nor be forsaken: Vpon this foundation & hope my hart doth wholy rest. And no man hauing such a confidēce in God, remaineth vnder sinne, neither is drowned in death, but is made a conquerour of sinne and death. This is, not to preuaile or ouercome, for that albeit Satan attempteth, yet he doth not get the victorie. We call the house of Dauid, a mortal house, sinnefull, and subiect to the deuill, according to the maner of all flesh and blood, and yet notwithstanding the horne of saluation is raysed vp in the same,2 that men of that kingdom may enioy saluation and felicitie. Hereby ye see that this kingdom is the kingdom of faith, which can not be touched nor outwardly perceiued of any, which one can not shewe to an other, but euery one must haue it in him self, that when he shall draw neare vnto death, shal feele sinne, or euen see death before him, he may then in faith lay hold on this kingdom, & beleue that his sinnes are forgiuen him. For Christ therefore died, that thou mightest be in this kingdom of faith. Wherefore sinne shal encounter with thee in vaine, death is taken away, Christ is with thee, who can hurt thee, who can do any euill vnto thee? Here life and death, sinne and innocencie, Christ and Satan doe fight one with an other, but Christ, life, & innocencie doe ouercome and conquer. This is soone spoken, but not so easily felt, yea the contrary surely is rather felt. Wherefore ⟨p. 50⟩if thou wilt esteeme and consider this kingdom according to the iudgement of the world, thou shalt vtterly erre and be deceiued. The world calleth that a good & peaceable kingdom, where all thinges are quiet, prosperous and goe well forward, where is safetie, peace, and innocencie outwardly. But here is the kingdom of saluation and grace, although it alwayes appeare otherwise.
- 1The comfort of Christians against sin death, and Satan.The cōfort of Christians against sinne death, and Satan.
- 2The kingdom of faith
