The first testimony, by which God assureth us of our election, is the inward testimony of the spirit, of which the Apostle saith: The spirit (of God) testifieth unto our spirits, that we are the children of God. Now what is it to be the son of God, but first of all to be predestinated to be the child of God by adoption: and then to be made actually the son of God by faith: & lastly by the same spirit also to be regenerate as Gods children are, & to put on the nature of the son of God, or rather the son of God himself, as the Apostle speaketh. Therefore the holy Ghost, whilst he inwardly beareth record unto our spirits, that is, to our minds being enlightened by his light, that we are the sons of God, most plainly revealeth that we were predestinate from all eternity to adoption: for men are not made the sons of God by faith, nor regenerate to be the sons of God, nor put on Christ; except they be first of all predestinated to adoption. And there can be nothing more certain then this testimony: for who better knoweth the things o• god, his counsels & decrees, then the spirit of God,1 which searcheth all things, yea the deep things of god: therefore he can most truly reveal unto every one of us the certainty of our election.2 And he cannot deceive us in revealing it: for he is the spirit of trueth ⟨p. 697⟩which can neither deceive nor be deceived. If an angel from heaven should be sent to thee, as he was sent to Mary, and as he spake unto the fathers, & should tell thee in the name of God, that thou wert elected to life everlasting: wouldst not thou say that thou couldst not then doubt any longer of thy election? But so much the more certain is the testimony of the spirit, which beareth record to our spirit, that we are the sons of god: by how much the holy ghost doth more know the things of God then any angel: and can less deceive then an angel. And so much the more sure is this testimony, considering it is not kept in the bodily ears, where it might soon vanish away, but in our mind and spirit: because the spirit beareth record to our spirit. And further, that the holy Ghost never departeth from our spirit, but dwelleth in us, abideth in us, speaketh in us,3 showeth forth his power in us, prayeth in us. Therefore the Apostle saith, that we have received the spirit of adoption, by which we cry Abba, father:
The first testimonie, by which God assureth vs of our election, is the inward testimonie of the spirit, of which the Apostle saith: The spirit (of God) testifieth vnto our spirits, that we are the children of God. Nowe what is it to be the sonne of God, but first of all to be predestinated to be the child of God by adoption: and then to be made actually the sonne of God by faith: & lastly by the same spirit also to be regenerate as Gods children are, & to put on the nature of the sonne of God, or rather the son of God himselfe, as the Apostle speaketh. Therefore the holy Ghost, whilest he inwardly beareth record vnto our spirits, that is, to our minds being inlightened by his light, that we are the sons of God, most plainely reuealeth that we were predestinate from all eternitie to adoption: for men are not made the sonnes of God by faith, nor regenerate to be the sons of God, nor put on Christ; except they be first of all predestinated to adoption. And there can be nothing more certaine then this testimonie: for who better knoweth the things o• god, his counsels & decrees, then the spirit of God,1 which searcheth all things, yea the deepe things of god: therefore he can most truly reueale vnto euery one of vs the certaintie of our election.2 And he cannot deceiue vs in reuealing it: for he is the spirit of trueth ⟨p. 697⟩which can neither deceiue nor be deceiued. If an angel from heauen should be sent to thee, as he was sent to Marie, and as he spake vnto the fathers, & should tel thee in the name of God, that thou wert elected to life euerlasting: wouldst not thou say that thou couldst not then doubt any longer of thy election? But so much the more certaine is the testimony of the spirit, which beareth record to our spirit, that we are the sonnes of god: by how much the holy ghost doth more know the things of God then any angel: and can lesse deceiue then an angel. And so much the more sure is this testimonie, considering it is not kept in the bodily eares, where it might soone vanish away, but in our minde and spirit: because the spirit beareth record to our spirit. And further, that the holy Ghost neuer departeth from our spirit, but dwelleth in vs, abideth in vs, speaketh in vs,3 sheweth forth his power in vs, prayeth in vs. Therefore the Apostle saith, that we haue receiued the spirit of adoption, by which we crie Abba, father:
- 11. Cor. 2.10.
- 2Joh. 16.13.Ioh. 16.13.
- 3Rom. 8. 15. Gal. 4.6.
