A09364:118
The first part of The cases of conscience Wherein specially, three main questions concerning…The first part of The cases of conscience Wherein specially, three maine questions concerning…
The first part of The cases of conscience Wherein specially, three main questions concerning man, simply considered in himself, are propounded and resolved, according to the word of God. Taught and delivered, by M. William Perkins in his Holy-day lectures, by himself revised before his death, and now published for the benefit of the Church.The first part of The cases of conscience Wherein specially, three maine questions concerning man, simply considered in himselfe, are propounded and resolued, according to the word of God. Taught and deliuered, by M. William Perkins in his Holy-day lectures, by himselfe revised before his death, and now published for the benefit of the Church.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1604Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1604
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 second Ground. He that is the adopted son of God, shall undoubtedly be saved. This point the Apostle plainly declareth, when he saith: Beloved now are we the sons of God. 1—And we know, that is, we are undoubtedly assured by faith, that when Christ shall appear in glory, we shall be like unto him, for we shall see him as he is. That the latter part of these words, is thus to be expounded, I gather out of Chap. 2. 28. as also by comparing this text with that of S. Paul, where he saith, When Christ which is 2our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory. And again, If we be sons, we are also heirs, even the heirs of God, and 3heirs annexed with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him. Now put the case, that the conscience of the believer, will not rest in this, but desires to be further resolved, touching the certainty of his adoption? Then I answer, that he must have recourse unto the signs, whereby a son of God may be discerned from a child of the devil: and these are principally three. First is, truly to believe in the name of the son of God: for ⟨p. 71⟩those that have God for their father, are made the sons of God, by faith in Jesus Christ. And4 this faith shows it self by obedience. For hereby we are sure that we know Christ, that is, that we believe in him, and apply him with all his benefits unto our souls, If we keep his commandments. Nay further, He that says, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the trueth is not in him, chap. 2, 3, 4. The second sign is, a hearty desire, and earnest endeavour to be cleansed of his corruptions. Every son of God that hath this hope, purifieth himself, even as Christ is pure, chap. 3. vers. 3. The third is, the love of a Christian, because he is a Christian: for hereby says the Apostle, are the children of God known from the children of the devil: because the sons of Satan do hate their brethren, (as Cain did his brother Abel) even for the good works which they do. On the other side, Gods adopted sons, may hereby know themselves to be translated from death to life, because they love the brethren, Chap. 3. 10, 11, 12, &c.