A09466:145
A treatise tending unto a declaration whether a man be in the estate of…A treatise tending vnto a declaration whether a man be in the estate of…
A treatise tending unto a declaration whether a man be in the estate of damnation or in the estate of grace and if he be in the first, how he may in time come out of it: if in the second, how he may discern it, and persevere in the same to the end. The points that are handled are set down in the page following.A treatise tending vnto a declaration whether a man be in the estate of damnation or in the estate of grace and if he be in the first, how he may in time come out of it: if in the second, how he maie discerne it, and perseuere in the same to the end. The points that are handled are set downe in the page following.
London: printed by R. Robinson for T. Gubbin, 1590
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.
XXI
No Christian attaineth to this full assurance at the first, but in some continuance of time, after that for a long space he hath kept a good conscience before God and before men: and hath had divers experiences of Gods love and favour towards him in Christ. This Paul declareth to the Romans: lin afflictions God sheds abroad his love in their hearts, by the holy Ghost, which is given to them: hence ariseth patience, from patience cometh experience, from experience hope, and hope never maketh ashamed, or disappointeth him of eternal life▪ This is evident in Davids practise: mDoubtless, saith he, kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall live a long season in the house of the Lord. Mark this his resolute persuasion: and consider how he came unto it: namely by ⟨p. 54⟩experience of Gods favour at sundry times, and after sundry manners. For before he set down this resolution, he numbered up divers benefits received of the Lord: that nhe fed him in green pastures, & led him by the refreshing waters of Gods word. That he restoreth him & leadeth him in the paths of righteousness. That he strengtheneth him in great dangers, even of death, and preserveth him, that in despite of his enemies, he enriched him with many benefits. By means of all these mercies of God bestowed on him he came to be persuaded of the continuance of the favour of God towards him. Again David said before king Saul, olet no mans heart fail him because of Goliath: Thy servant will go and fight with the Philistine. And Saul said p