Again, by this doctrine we see it is ordinary, and possible, for all that believe and repent, to be certainly assured that they are the children of God. For if they have the spirit of God crying in them (as all Gods children have) they cannot but perceive ⟨p. 297⟩this cry, and withal they have the testimony of the spirit in them, which is the ground of this cry. Rom. 8. 16. And seeing this is so, we must be admonished to use all means that we may be assured that we are the children of God. 2. Pet. 1. Give all diligence to make your Election sure. Paul bids rich men lay up a good foundation against the time to come. 1. Tim. 6. 18. §5And this foundation must be laid not in heaven, but in the conscience. God of his mercy hath made a covenant or bargain with us that believe and repent: in this bargain he hath promised to us pardon of our sins, and life everlasting: let us §10then never be at rest till we have received earnest from the hand of God, and have his promise sealed unto us by the spirit in our hearts. You will say, what shall I do to be assured that I am Gods child? Ans. Thou must examine thy self of two things. The first is, whether thou art convicted in thy judgement §15that the Scripture is indeed the word of God: if thou art not yet convicted, then inquire and use means that thou mayest indeed be convicted: otherwise all is in vain. Secondly, inquire whether thou dost indeed and in good earnest, submit and subject thy will to the commandment of God, which bids §20thee believe in Christ, and turn unto God. For if thou canst say, that thou dost will to believe, and will to repent, if thou show this will indeed in the use of good means, if thou condemn and detest thy unbelief, and all other thy sins, thou hast received the earnest of the spirit, and thou art indeed the §25child of God. And this assurance shall be unto thee of great use. For it will make thee rejoice in afflictions: and it will work patience, experience, hope. Rom. 5. 5. It will make thee despise this world, it will take away the fear of death, and kindle in thy heart a desire to be with Christ.
Againe, by this doctrine we see it is ordinarie, and possible, for all that beleeue and repent, to be certainly assured that they are the children of God. For if they haue the spirit of God crying in them (as all Gods childrē haue) they cannot but perceiue ⟨p. 297⟩this crie, and withall they haue the testimonie of the spirit in them, which is the ground of this crie. Rom. 8. 16. And seeing this is so, we must be admonished to vse all meanes that we may be assured that we are the children of God. 2. Pet. 1. Giue all diligence to make your Election sure. Paul bids rich men lay vp a good foundation against the time to come. 1. Tim. 6. 18. §5And this foundation must be laide not in heauen, but in the conscience. God of his mercie hath made a couenant or bargaine with vs that beleeue and repent: in this bargaine he hath promised to vs pardon of our sinnes, and life euerlasting: let vs §10then neuer be at rest till we haue receiued earnest from the hand of God, and haue his promise sealed vnto vs by the spirit in our hearts. You will say, what shall I doe to be assured that I am Gods child? Ans. Thou must examine thy selfe of two things. The first is, whether thou art conuicted in thy iudgement §15that the Scripture is indeede the word of God: if thou art not yet conuicted, then inquire and vse meanes that thou maist indeed be conuicted: otherwise all is in vaine. Secondly, inquire whether thou dost indeed and in good earnest, submit and subiect thy will to the cōmandement of God, which bids §20thee beleeue in Christ, and turne vnto God. For if thou canst say, that thou dost will to beleeue, and will to repent, if thou shew this will indeede in the vse of good meanes, if thou condemne and detest thy vnbeleefe, and all other thy sinnes, thou hast receiued the earnest of the spirit, and thou art indeede the §25child of God. And this assurance shall be vnto thee of great vse. For it will make thee reioyce in afflictions: and it will worke patience, experience, hope. Rom. 5. 5. It will make thee despise this world, it will take away the feare of death, and kindle in thy heart a desire to be with Christ.
