A Golden Chain

Object. 7. To believe the pardon of a man own sins, is none of the articles of faith, propounded in any Creed either of the Apostles, or the Nicene fathers, or Athanasius, or any other creed. Answ. This faith is contained under these words: I believe remission of sins: and I prove it thus. These words are an article of Christian faith, and therefore they must in sense contain more then the devil doth or can believe; now the devil believeth thus much, that God gives remission of sins to his Church. Christian men therefore must go one step further, and believe particularly the remission of their own sins. Otherwise if the Papists will have the Catholic faith to believe no more in this point, then the damned spirits believe, let them take it to themselves. But they reply further, that if there were any such article of faith, then some persons must believe, that they are just, though they willingly commit mortal sin, which is an evident falsehood. Ans. He that believes the pardon of his own sins by true faith, hath the spirit of God in him, and a constant ⟨p. 880⟩purpose not to sin against God; and therefore if he sin, it is against his purpose, and without any full consent of will: and it is not he that doeth, it but the sin that dwelleth in him. But if it so fall out, that the child of God be overtaken with any actual sin, then his case standeth thus: He hath by his fall wounded his conscience, weakened his faith, bereaved himself of Gods favour, as much as in him lieth; made himself guilty of a sin and worthy of damnation: and God for his part accordingly turns the wonted signs of his favour into signs of anger and displeasure: and though it be pardoned in the purpose of God, yet is it not actually pardoned, till the party repent. Things standing thus, we teach not that men must believe the pardon of their sins while they live and lie in them; for that were flatly to teach falsehood for trueth: but our doctrine is, that such persons must first of all humble themselves, and say with the prodigal child, that they have sinned against God, and are not worthy to be called his children any more: and again renew their decayed faith and repentance• that they may believe (as before) their perfect reconciliation with God.

Obiect. 7. To beleeue the pardon of a man owne sinnes, is none of the articles of faith, propounded in any Creed either of the Apostles, or the Nicene fathers, or Athanasius, or any other creed. Answ. This faith is contained vnder these wordes: I beleeue remission of sinnes: and I prooue it thus. These wordes are an article of Christian faith, and therefore they must in sense containe more then the deuil doth or can beleeue; now the deuill beleueth thus much, that God giues remission of sinnes to his Church. Christian men therefore must go one step further, and beleeue particularly the remission of their own sinnes. Otherwise if the Papists will haue the Catholike faith to beleeue no more in this point, then the damned spirits beleeue, let them take it to themselues. But they reply further, that if there were any such article of faith, then some persons must beleeue, that they are iust, though they willingly commit mortall sinne, which is an euident falshood. Ans. He that beleeues the pardon of his owne sinnes by true faith, hath the spirit of God in him, and a constant