A Golden Chain

The Popish doctors make exception to these reasons on this manner. First they say, it cannot be proved that a man is as certain of his salvation by faith, as he is of the articles of the creed. I answer. First they prove thus much, that we ought to be as certain of the one as of the other. For look, what commandment we have to believe the articles of our faith: the like we have enjoining us to believe the pardon of our own sins, as I have proved. Secondly, these arguments prove it to be the nature or essential property of faith, as certainly to assure man of his salvation, as it doeth assure him of the articles which he believeth. And howsoever commonly men do not believe their salvation as unfallible, as they do their articles of faith: yet some special men do: having Gods word applied by the spirit as a sure ground of their faith, whereby they believe their own salvation, as they have it for a ground of the articles of their faith. Thus certainly was Abraham assured of his own salvation: as also the Prophets and Apostles, and the martyrs of God in all ages: whereupon without doubting they have bin content to lay down their lives for the name of Christ: in whom they were assured to receive eternal happiness. And there is no question, but there be many now, that by long and often experience of Gods mercy, and by the inward certificate of the holy Ghost, have attained to full assurance of their salvation.

The Popish doctors make exception to these reasons on this maner. First they say, it cannot be prooued that a man is as certain of his saluation by faith, as he is of the articles of the creed. I answer. First they prooue thus much, that we ought to be as certen of the one as of the other. For looke, what commandemēt we haue to beleeue the articles of our faith: the like we haue inioyning vs to beleeue the pardon of our owne sinnes, as I haue prooued. Secondly, these arguments prooue it to be the nature or essentiall propertie of faith, as certainely to assure man of his saluation, as it doeth assure him of the articles which he beleeueth. And howesoeuer commonly men doe not beleeue their saluation as vnfallible, as they doe their articles of faith: yet some speciall men doe: hauing Gods word applyed by the spirit as a sure ground of their faith, whereby they beleeue their own saluation, as they haue it for a ground of the articles of their faith. Thus certainly was Abraham assured of his owne saluation: as also the Prophets and Apostles, and the martyrs of God in all ages: whereupon without doubting they haue bin content to lay downe their liues for the name of Christ: in whome they were assured to receiue eternall happines. And there is no question, but there be many now, that by long and often experience of Gods mercy, and by the inward certificate of the holy Ghost, haue attained to full assurance of their saluation.