A09411:104
An exposition of the Symbol or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenor…An exposition of the Symbole or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenour…
An exposition of the Symbol or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenor of the Scriptures, and the consent of orthodox Fathers of the Church. By William Perkins.An exposition of the Symbole or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenour of the Scriptures, and the consent of orthodoxe Fathers of the Church. By William Perkins.
Cambridge: printed by John Legatt, 1595Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legatt, 1595
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.
Secondly, hence we learn that which Paul teacheth, namely to know,1 that all things work together for the best unto them that love God. God is almighty, & therefore able to do whatsoever he will: he is also a father; & therefore is willing to do that which is for our good. But some will say, we are subject to many crosses, yea to sin: what? can our sins turn to our good? Ans. If God almighty be thy father, he will turn thine afflictions, yea thy sins which by nature are evil, beyond all expectation unto thy salvation. And this God will do to all such as be obedient unto him: yet no man must hereupon presume to sin.
Secondly, hence we learne that which Paul teacheth, namely to know,1 that all things worke together for the best vnto them that loue God. God is almightie, & therfore able to do whatsoeuer he wil: he is also a father; & therfore is willing to doe that which is for our good. But some will say, we are subiect to many crosses, yea to sinne: what? can our sinnes turne to our good? Ans. If God almightie be thy father, he wil turne thine afflictions, yea thy sinnes which by nature are euill, beyond all exspectation vnto thy saluation. And this God will doe to all such as be obedient vnto him: yet no man must hereupon presume to sinne.
Thirdly, whereas we believe that God is a mighty father, it serves to confirm Gods children in the promises of mercy revealed in his word. The chiefest whereof is, that if men will turn from their sins, and believe in Christ, they shall not perish, but have life everlasting. I know some men will make it an easy thing to believe, especially those which ⟨p. 52⟩never knew what faith meant. But such persons need no means of confirmation of faith: therefore let all those which have tasted of the hardness of attaining unto it, learn how to stablish their wavering hearts in the promises of God, by the consideration of these two points: God is a father; and therefore he is willing: he is also almighty, and therefore he is able to perform his promises. He that will be truly resolved of Gods promises, must have both these settled in his heart, and build on them as on two foundations.