A Golden Chain

The proposition is made by the minister of the word in the public congregation: and it is nothing else but the promise of eternal life applied to the particular hearers. The second part or the assumption is the voice of conscience regenerate or the voice of Gods spirit in the same. Now Papists write and avouch that the assumption is false: but the reasons which they use to prove the same, are of small moment. First they allege, that many are deceived in their persuasions, thinking they have that which they have not: I answer again that many do falsely presume of Gods mercy, and imagine they have that faith which they have not: and in all such the assumption is false: yet in all them that are chosen to salvation and truly called, it is unfallibly true. For such as have received the gift of true faith, have also another gift of discerning whereby they see and know their own faith. It is further objected that Jeremiah saith, 17.9. The heart is deceitful and wicked above all things, who can know it? But the intent of this place is only to show, that no man can search his ⟨p. 884⟩heart to the very bottom, to see all and every want, infirmity and wicked inclination that is therein. For original sin wherewith the heart of man is tainted, is a proneness or disposition to all the sins that are or may be. And though men can not discern all their sins, yet many of them are certainly known•• why may not then many of the graces of God be certainly known, especially those which be of the principal, as faith, sanctification, repentance. Again it is alleged, that Peter believed that he was able to lay down his life for Christs sake, and yet indeed was not as the event declared: for when the time came, he denied Christ. Ans. Peter at that time was but weak in faith, and he was much carried away with a confidence of his own strength, which made him speak those words of presumption: and though he failed in this one particular action, yet failed he not in the principal, that is, in the persuasion of the pardon of his own sins and of life everlasting. In a word, it is certain that many persuade themselves of Gods mercy, and yet are deceived: nevertheless all such as do truly believe are not deceived.

The proposition is made by the minister of the word in the publike congregation: and it is nothing else but the promise of eternall life applied to the particular hearers. The second part or the assumption is the voice of conscience regenerate or the voice of Gods spirit in the same. Nowe Papists write and auouch that the assumption is false: but the reasons which they vse to prooue the same, are of small moment. First they alleadge, that many are deceiued in their perswasions, thinking they haue that which they haue not: I answer againe that many doe falsly presume of Gods mercie, and imagine they haue that faith which they haue not: and in all such the assumption is false: yet in all them that are chosen to saluation and truely called, it is vnfallibly true. For such as haue receiued the gift of true faith, haue also another gift of discerning whereby they see and knowe their own faith. It is further obiected that Ieremie saith, 17.9. The heart is deceitfull and wicked aboue all things, who cā know it? But the intent of this place is only to shew, that no man can search his