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…

For the second Question. A man may be written in the Book of life two ways: either truly before God, or in the judgement of men only. Those whose names are truly before GOD written in this book, cannot be blotted out; For Gods counsel touching the eternal state of every man, is unchangeable. This the golden Chain of Gods decree, doth plainly show: For whom he hath predestinate, ^athem he hath called; and whom he called, them also he justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Others there be that have their names written in this Book, only in the judgement of men: and thus are all men written in the Book of life, that profess the Gospel of Christ in his Church: for so charity binds us to judge of them: And these may have their names blotted out. In this sense doth the Scripture often speak: as when the Prophet wisheth, ^bThat God would blot his enemies out of the Book of life (meaning Judas principally) his meaning is, that it might be made manifest, his name was never written therein. This then is the meaning of this promise: that they who do avoid the occasions of sin, and have care to keep faith and good conscience unto the end, have their names written in the book of life, and they shall never be blotted out.

For the second Question. A man may bee written in the Booke of life two wayes: either truely before God, or in the iudgement of men onely. Those whose names are truely before GOD written in this booke, cannot be blotted out; For Gods counsell touching the eternall state of euerie man, is vnchangable. This the goulden Chayne of Gods decree, doth plainely shew: For whome hee hath predestinate, ^athem he hath called; and whome hee called, them also hee iustified; and whome hee iustified, them hee also glorified. Others there be that haue their names written in this Booke, only in the iudgement of men: and thus are all men written in the Booke of life, that professe the Gospell of Christ in his Church: for so charitie bindes vs to iudge of them: And these may haue their names blotted out. In this sence doth the Scripture often speake: as when the Prophet wisheth, ^bThat God would blot his enemies out of the Booke of life (meaning Iudas principally) his meaning is, that it might bee made manifest, his name was neuer written therein. This then is the meaning of this promise: that they who doe auoid the occasions of sin, and haue care to keepe faith and good conscience vnto the end, haue their names written in the booke of life, and they shall neuer bee blotted out.