A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

Here we may observe diverse points: First, that he which is the child of God, and hath this new name given him, knows that he is Gods child, justified and sanctified. Neither is this knowledge by probable conjecture only, and good hope, as the Papists would have it; but certain and infallible: for else others should know it as well as he that receiveth it: which is here denied. Each one is bound in charity to be persuaded, that godly professors are the sons and daughters of God: But the man himself that hath received this new name and new estate, he knows it otherwise, and therefore certainly and infallibly.

Here we may obserue diuerse points: First, that hee which is the child of God, and hath this new name giuē him, knows that hee is Gods child, iustified and sanctified. Neither is this knowledge by probable coniecture onely, and good hope, as the Papists would haue it; but certaine and infallible: for else others should know it as well as hee that receiueth it: which is here denied. Each one is bound in charitie to bee persuaded, that godly professors are the sons and daughters of God: But the man himselfe that hath receiued this new name and new estate, hee knowes it otherwise, and therefore certainely and infallibly.

Secondly, if no man know this name but he that receiveth it; then can none beside God and the conscience, know from within the man, his particular faith and adoption. And hereby we are to be admonished, to beware of charging the evil and hard censure of hypocrisy upon any that live in the church: in so doing we overshoot our selves: this judgement belongs to God, not to man, save only to the man himself; for we cannot discern the good within the man properly, but by effects. Quest. How far forth may a man judge of another mans election? Answ. There be two degrees of judgement: judgement of certainty, and judgement of charity. Judgement of certainty is when a man can set down certainly, such a man shall be saved: This is peremptory judgement belonging unto God, and to some men only, so far forth as the Lord revealeth it unto them: as he did the estate of some men, to David and to some Prophets. Whereupon David sometimes prays for the final destruction of his enemies: but this is not given ordinarily, no not to Gods ministers. The judgement of charity is that which bind a man to judge the best of another: and herein be two degrees. First, touching