A09362:179
A case of conscience the greatest that [sic] ever was, how a man may…A case of conscience the greatest taht [sic] euer was, how a man may…
A case of conscience the greatest that [sic] ever was, how a man may know, whether he be the son of God or no. Resolved by the word of God. Whereunto is added a brief discourse, taken out of Hier. Zanchius.A case of conscience the greatest taht [sic] euer was, how a man may know, whether he be the son of God or no. Resolued by the vvord of God. Whereunto is added a briefe discourse, taken out of Hier. Zanchius.
Edinburgh: printed by Robert Walde-grave, 1592Edinburgh: printed by Robert VValde-graue, 1592
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The School-men demand, whether a ⟨p. 31⟩man may be made sure of his Election? And they determine that a man cannot, except it be by divine revelation: because Predestination is in God, and not in us. And no man knoweth the things of God, but the spirit of God:1 as no man knoweth the things of man, but the spirit of man, which is in him: Again, who knoweth the mind of the Lord?2 therefore (say they) some special revelation is needful: if any desire to be certified, either of his own or of any other mans predestination, their sayings are not simply to be disliked: but in that meaning, in which they understand them, they are no way to be approved. For they take a special revelation to be this, if God shall signify and say expressly to any, either by some Angel outwardly, or by his spirit inwardly, that he is predestinate to life: after which sort, they hold that Paul, and a few other Saints, had their predestination revealed to them, So they conclude, that, because every man hath not his Election revealed to him after this manner, that all men cannot be assured of their election. But they are deceived, for God, not only by this one manner, which they spake off, doth reveal his will & his counsels, but by many: for God revealeth things, either by the inward ⟨p. 32⟩inspiration of his spirit, or outwardly by his word: or both inwardly and outwardly, by inward and outward effects. By his spirit, he did inspire his Prophets, and open many things to come. And Christ said to his Apostles, as concerning the holy Ghost: he shall lead you into all trueth. By his word, he spake unto the Prophets, and in like manner,3 by his word he teacheth us his will. Also, by divers effects, he declareth, either his mercy or his justice: as it is known. The same must be thought of the revealing of his election: to wit, that God revealeth the same to the elect, by the holy Ghost, by the word, and by the most certain effects of predestination.
The School-men demaunde, whether a ⟨p. 31⟩