A Golden Chain

Object. 11. No man can believe his own salvation, as he believes the articles of faith: therefore no man can believe the pardon of his sins and his salvation by an infallible certainty. I answer, first that every one that looks for salvation by Christ, is bound in conscience as certainly to believe his own salvation and adoption by Christ, as he believes the articles of faith. Because to the promise of life there is annexed a commandment to believe and apply it. Secondly this faith whereby we are to believe our own salvation, if we respect the true and proper nature thereof, is as certain as that faith, whereby we believe the articles of faith. Thirdly, as there be diverse ages in the life of man, so there be divers degrees and measures of true faith. There is first of all a beginning or rudiment of faith, like the smoking flax and bruised reed, which Christ will neither quench nor bruise. Again there is weak faith, which believeth the promise truly, but yet is perplexed with many doubtings. Lastly, there is strong faith, which hath overcome all doubtings, and is not only for nature certain (as the former is,) but also a large and plentiful persuasion of Gods mercy in Christ. Examples of this we have in Abraham, David, the Martyrs and such like worthy men. Now by the second faith, men do as certainly believe their adoption as the articles, but not so firmly and fully. ⟨p. 882⟩But by the last, remission of sins is not only as certainly but also as fully believed as any article of faith.

Obiect. 11. No man can beleeue his owne saluation, as he beleeues the articles of faith: therefore no man can beleeue the pardon of his sinnes and his saluation by an infallible certentie. I answer, first that euery one that lookes for saluation by Christ, is bound in conscience as certenly to beleeue his owne saluation and adoption by Christ, as he beleeues the articles of faith. Because to the promise of life there is annexed a commandement to beleeue and applie it. Secondly this faith whereby we are to beleeue our owne saluation, if we respect the true and proper nature thereof, is as certen as that faith, whereby we beleeue the articles of faith. Thirdly, as there be diuerse ages in the life of man, so there be diuers degrees and measures of true faith. There is first of all a beginning or rudiment of faith, like the smoking flaxe and bruised reede, which Christ will neither quench nor bruise. Againe there is weake faith, which beleeueth the promise truly, but yet is perplexed with many doubtings. Lastly, there is strong faith, which hath ouercome all doubtings, and is not onely for nature certen (as the former is,) but also a large and plentifull perswasion of Gods mercie in Christ. Examples of this we haue in Abraham, Dauid, the Martyrs and such like worthie men. Now by the second faith, men doe as certenly beleeue their adoption as the articles, but not so firmely and fully.