A09362:180
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 first testimony, by which God assureth us of our election, is the inward testimony of the spirit, of which, the Apostle saith: the spirit (of God) testifieth unto our spirits, that we are the children of God. Now what is it to be the son of God, but first of all, to be predestinated to be the child of God by adoption: & then to be made actually the son of God by faith: and lastly, by the same spirit also, to be regenerate as Gods Children are, and to put on the nature of the son of God, or rather the Son of God himself, as the Apostle speaketh. Therefore the holy Ghost, whilst ⟨p. 33⟩he inwardly beareth record unto our spirits, that is, to our minds, being enlightened by his light, that we are the sons of God: most plainly revealeth that we were predestinate from all eternity to adoption; for men are not made the sons of God by faith, nor regenerate to be the sons of God, nor put on Christ: except they be first of all predestinated to adoption. And there can be nothing more certain, then this testimony: for who better knoweth the things of God, his counsels and decrees, then the spirit of God, which searcheth all things,1 yea the deep things of God: therefore he can most truly reveal unto every one of us, the certainty of our election. And he cannot deceive us in revealing it: for he is the spirit of truth which can neither deceive nor be deceived.2 If an Angel from heaven should be sent to thee, as he was sent to Mary, and as he spake unto the fathers, and should tell thee in the name of God, that thou wert elected to life everlasting: wouldest not thou say, that thou couldest not then doubt any longer of thy election? But so much the more certain is the testimony of the spirit, which beareth record unto our spirit, that we are the sons of God: by how much the holy Ghost doth more ⟨p. 34⟩know the things of God then any Angel: and can less deceive then an Angel. And so much the more sure, is this testimony, considering it is not kept in the bodily ears, where it might soon vanish away, but in our mind and spirit: because the spirit beareth record to our spirit. Ad further, that the holy Ghost never departeth from our spirit, but dwelleth in us, abideth in us, speaketh in us, showeth forth his power in us, prayeth in us.