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…

For many think that they truly believe in Christ, whereas nevertheless, their faith is hypocritical and temporary, as appeareth by the Evangelists.

For many thinke that they trulie beleeue in Christ, whereas neuertheles, their faith is hypocritall and tēporary, as appeareth by the Euangelists.

Answer. We grant, that they which believe by such a faith, which is in hypocrisy▪ and only lasteth for a time▪ that they ⟨p. 39⟩are deceived, whilst they think, that they do truly believe, and yet do not indeed:¹ for they are like them, which dream that they are Kings, when as they are very beggars: but we say, that they which believe by a true faith, do know, whether they truly believe or no: and they are not deceived, when they say, and think that they truly believe. For, they are like unto them, which handling a precious stone, by reason that they are endued with sense, know and say, that they handle it. And if no man might certainly know, whether he believed truly or not, why doeth the Apostle say, Try your selves, ²whether you be in the faith? And if it be so, no man can ever certainly know, whether he be justified, considering that they only, which truly believe, can be justified. And if a man, giving credit to another mans words, doth certainly know, that he believeth him, how much more doeth he know it, which being endued with true faith by the holy Ghost, believeth the Gospel? In a word, godly Writers have proved against School-men, that they, which are endued with true faith in Christ, cannot be ignorant of it. But (say they) no man is certain of his perseverance in faith: And therefore, out of this universal proposition, ⟨p. 40⟩