Object. 7. To believe the pardon of a mans own sins, is •one of the articles of faith, propounded in any Creed either of the Apostles, or the Nice•e fathers, or Athanas••s, or any other Creed. Answer. This faith is contained under these words. I believe remission of s•es: and I prove it thus. These words are an article ⟨p. 129⟩of Christian faith, and therefore they must in sense contain more then the devil doth or can believe: now the devil believeth thus much, that God gives remission of sins to his Church: Christian men therefore must go one steppe further, and believe particularly the remission of their own sins. Otherwise if the Papists will have the Catholic faith to believe no more in this point, then the damned spirits believe, let them take it to themselves. But they reply further, that if there were any such article of faith, then some persons must believe, that they are just though they willingly commit mortal sin, which is an evident falsehood. Answer. He that believes the pardon of his own sins by true faith, hath the spirit of God in him, and a constant purpose not to sin against God: and therefore if he sin, it is against his purpose, and without any full consent of will; and it is not he that doeth it, but the sin that dwelleth in him. But if it so fall our, that the child of God be overtaken with any actual sin, then his case standeth thus. He hath by his fall wounded his conscience, weakened his faith, bereaved himself of Gods favour as much as in him lieth, made himself guilty of a sin and worthy of damnation: and God for his part accordingly turns the wonted signs of his savour into ⟨p. 130⟩signs of anger and displeasure: and the sin though it be pardoned in the purpose of God, yet is it not actually pardoned, till the party repent. Things standing thus, we teach not that men must believe the pardon of their sins while they live and lie in them; for that were •••tly to teach falsehood for truth: but our doctrine is, that such persons must first of all humble themselves, and say with the prodigal child, that they have sinned against God, and are not worthy to be called his children any more: and again renew their decayed faith and repentance, that they may believe (as before) their perfect reconciliation with God.
Obiect. 7. To beleeue the pardon of a mans owne sinnes, is •one of the articles of faith, propounded in any Creede either of the Apostles, or the Nice•e fathers, or Athanas••s, or any other Creede. Answer. This faith is contained vnder these words. I beleeue remission of s•es: and I prooue it thus. These words are an article ⟨p. 129⟩of Christian faith, and therefore they must in sense containe more then the deuill doth or can beleeue: nowe the deuill beleeueth thus much, that God giues remissiō of sinnes to his Church: Christian men therefore must goe one steppe further, and beleeue particularly the remission of their owne sinnes. Otherwise if the Papists will haue the Catholicke faith to beleeue no more in this point, then the damned spirits beleeue, let them take it to themselues. But they replie further, that if there were any such article of faith, then some persons must beleeue, that they are iust though they willingly commit mortall sinne, which is an euident falshood. Ansvver. He that beleeues the pardon of his owne sinnes by true faith, hath the spirit of God in him, and a constant purpose not to sinne against God: and therefore if he sinne, it is against his purpose, and without any full consent of wil; and it is not he that doeth it, but the sinne that dwelleth in him. But if it so fall our, that the child of God be ouertaken with any actual sinne, then his case standeth thus. He hath by his fall wounded his conscience, weakned his faith, bereaued himselfe of Gods fauour as much as in him lieth, made himselfe guiltie of a sinne and worthie of damnation: and God for his part accordingly turnes the woonted signes of his sauour into ⟨p. 130⟩signes of anger and displeasure: and the sinne though it be pardoned in the purpose of God, yet is it not actually pardoned, till the partie repent. Things standing thus, we teach not that men must beleeue the pardon of their sinnes while they liue and lie in them; for that were •••tly to teach falshoode for truth: but our doctrine is, that such persons must first of all humble themselues, and say with the prodigall childe, that they haue sinned against God, and are not worthie to be called his children any more: and againe renew their decaied faith and repentance, that they may beleeue (as before) their perfect reconciliation with God.
