A Golden Chain

Unless (saith D. Andreas) regeneration be always united to baptism, and remaineth in such as are baptized, how should the troubled consciences of those be eased and comforted, who because they feel not in themselves any good motions of gods holy spirit, find none other refuge, but the Word and Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Baptism? Now this remedy would be of small force, except it be opposed against those imaginations, which the devil casteth into a troubled heart; yea, except it taught such, that God is greater then our heart, who in Baptism hath not only offered us the adoption of sons, but hath indeed bestowed the same upon us: as it is said by Christ, He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved. And by Paul, Ye which are baptized, have put on Christ. David being armed with the like comfort from his circumcision, feared not to join battle with that great giant Goliath: and if this were not so, it must needs follow, that Baptism were nothing else but an idle ceremony, and also the persons of the Trinity would be thought liars. Wherefore those afflicted men, when Satan assaulteth them, must resist him with these words: Depart from me Satan, thou hast neither part nor portion in the inheritance of my soul, because I am baptized in the Name of the holy Trinity, and so am truly made the son of God by adoption. And are these the strong weapons, which so many times, and in so many words, have been objected against me by D. Andreas? and whereby he hath gotten the victory? But because this his reason is somewhat intricate, I will explain it after this sort. First, for the place of Scripture which he allegeth, namely, that God is greater then our hearts: It is so far from comforting an afflicted conscience, that it will rather drive him to despair. Neither doth John 1. epist. 3.20. make mention of it, to ease such as are in despair, showing unto them by that sentence, the greatness of Gods mercies; but rather that he might thereby, even bruise in pieces the hearts of proud persons, when they consider the greatness of Gods majesty. And for the other place, when as a man doubteth of his salvation, and feeleth no testimonies of faith in himself, (for such an one we here speak of) what comfort, think you, can he have in these words: He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved?

VNlesse (saith D. Andreas) regeneratiō be alwaies vnited to baptisme, and remaineth in such as are baptized, howe should the troubled consciences of those be eased and cōforted, who because they feele not in themselues any good motions of gods holy spirit, finde none other refuge, but the Word and Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Baptisme? Now this remedie would be of small force, except it be opposed against those imaginations, which the diuell casteth into a troubled heart; yea, except it taught such, that God is greater then our heart, who in Baptisme hath not onely offered vs the adoption of sonnes, but hath indeede bestowed the same vpon vs: as it is said by Christ, Hee that beleeueth, and is baptized, shall be saued. And by Paul, Ye which are baptized, haue put on Christ. Dauid beeing armed with the like comfort from his circumcision, feared not to ioyne battell with that great giant Goliah: and if this were not so, it must needs followe, that Baptisme were nothing els but an idle ceremonie, and also the persons of the Trinitie would be thought lyars. Wherefore those afflicted men, when Satan assaulteth them, must resist him with these wordes: Depart from me Satan, thou hast neither part nor portion in the inheritance of my soule, because I am baptized in the Name of the holy Trinitie, and so am truely made the sonne of God by adoption. And are these the strong weapons, which so many times, and in so many wordes, haue beene obiected against me by D. Andreas? and whereby he hath gotten the victorie? But because this his reason is somewhat intricate, I will explaine it after this sort. First, for the place of Scripture which he alleadgeth, namely, that God is greater then our hearts: It is so farre from comforting an afflicted conscience, that it will rather driue him to depaire. Neither doth