We say that the Elect alone may be, and indeed are made sure of their election: that so we may exclude the reprobate hypocrites: for considering they are not elected, they can never be truly persuaded that they are elected. I say truly: because it may come to pass that many in their own thinking shall be predestinate: yet in trueth they are not persuaded so: for they are deceived. We have an example in temporary Christians, who think of themselves that they believe in Christ, but truly do not believe:1 for their faith is in hypocrisy: and for a time only. Wherefore a true and certain persuasion of election can never befall any of the reprobates: because the true persuasion of heavenly matters, cometh of the holy Ghost; which never persuadeth any false matter. Wherefore how can reprobates be persuaded that they are elected? This considered, it is not amiss, that we attribute this persuasion (of which we now speak) to the elect alone. We add further, that all the elect, not only may be, but are indeed made sure of their Election: which must be demonstratively confirmed against School-men, and other our adversaries. We say, this is done in the time appointed; because the elect, before they be called to Christ, are never sure of their election: nay they never think of it; as appeareth in Paul before he was called, and in others. Again in like manner after they have been called; yet not presently are made sure of their election: but some sooner, some ⟨p. 696⟩later. Lastly we add, that this is done many ways, what they are, (if not perfectly, yet in part I will afterward show.) Now let us come to the matter.
WEe say that the Elect alone may bee, and indeede are made sure of their election: that so wee may exclude the reprobate hypocrites: for considering they are not elected, they can neuer be truely perswaded that they are elected. I say truely: because it may come to passe that many in their owne thinking shall be predestinate: yet in trueth they are not perswaded so: for they are deceiued. We haue an example in temporarie Christians, who thinke of thēselues that they beleeue in Christ, but truely doe not beleeue:1 for their faith is in hypocrisie: and for a time onely. Wherefore a true and certaine perswasion of election can neuer befall any of the reprobates: because the true perswasion of heauenly matters, commeth of the holy Ghost; which neuer perswadeth any false matter. Wherefore how can reprobates be perswaded that they are elected? This cōsidered, it is not amisse, that we attribute this perswasion (of which we now speake) to the elect alone. Wee adde further, that all the elect, not onely may bee, but are indeed made sure of their Election: which must bee demonstratiuely confirmed against Schoole-men, and other our aduersaries. Wee say, this is done in the time appointed; because the elect, before they be called to Christ, are neuer sure of their election: nay they neuer thinke of it; as appeareth in Paul before hee was called, and in others. Againe in like manner after they haue beene called; yet not presently are made sure of their election: but some sooner, some ⟨p. 696⟩later. Lastly wee adde, that this is done many waies, what they are, (if not perfectly, yet in part I will afterward shewe.) Nowe let vs come to the matter.
- 11. Cor. 2. 10. Mat. 11.27
