A09364:119
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 third Ground. They that are assured, of the love of God to them in particular, may also be certainly assured of their own salvation. This doctrine follows necessarily upon the Apostles words, chap. 4. v. 9. For those whom God hath loved from all eternity, to them he ⟨p. 72⟩hath manifested his love, by sending his only begotten son into the world, that they might live through him eternally. But how may a man be assured of Gods special love and favour? The same Apostle answers, by two notes; The first is the love of our brethren: and that according to Gods commandment, wherein it is commanded, that he that loves God, should love his brother also 4. 21. And if any man say, I love God, and hate his brother, be is a liar. For how can he that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, love God whom he hath not seen? 4. 20. Now that a man deceive not himself in the love of his brother; Saint John gives three rules: One, that Christian brotherly love, should not be, for outward respects or considerations, but principally, because they are the sons of God, and members of Christ: Every one that loveth him which did beget: that is god the father, loveth him also which is begotten of him. 5. 1. Another is, that it must not be outward, in show only, but inward in the heart. Let us not love in word or in tongue only, but in deed and in trueth. 3. 18. Lastly, that it be not only in time of prosperity, but when he stands in most need of our love. For whosoever hath this worlds good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up the bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love ⟨p. 73⟩of god in him? 3. 17. The second note of Gods love unto us is, our love of god. For those whom God loveth in Christ, to them he gives his grace, to love him again: And this loving of him again, is an evident token of that love, wherewith he loveth them. So saith the Apostle, We love him, because he loved us first, 4. 19. If it be demanded, how a man may be assured that he loveth God? the answer is, he may know it by two things; first by his conformity to him in holiness. The child that loves his father, will be willing to tread in the steppes of his father: and so in like manner, he that loveth God, will endeavour even as he is, so to be in this world. 4. 17. But how is that?
The third Ground. They that are assured, of the loue of God to them in particular, may also be certainely assured of their owne saluation. This doctrine followes necessarily vpon the Apostles words, chap. 4. v. 9. For those whome God hath loued from all eternitie, to them he