A09466:15
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.
Concerning their faith, whereas the spirit of God saith, that they do believe, these things are to be considered: first, that they have the knowledge of the word of God: secondly, that they both can and do give assent ⟨image 5⟩unto the word of God, that it is most true. Thirdly, in more special manner they give assent unto the covenant of grace made in Christ, that it is most certain and sure: and they are persuaded in a general and confused manner, that God will verify the same covenant in the members of his Church. I his is all their faith; which indeed proceedeth from the holy Ghost, but yet it is not sufficient to make them sound professors. For albeit they do generally believe Gods promises, yet herein they deceive themselves, that they never apply and appropriate the same promises to their own souls. An example of this faith we have, John 2. vers. 24. where it is said: that when our Saviour Christ came to Jerusalem at the feast of Easter, many believed in his name, & yet he would not commit himself unto them, because he knew them all, and what was in them.
Concerning their faith, whereas the spirit of God saith, that they doe beleeue, these thinges are to bee considered: first, that they haue the knowledge of the word of God: secondly, that they both can and doe giue assent ⟨image 5⟩vnto the worde of God, that it is most true. Thirdly, in more speciall manner they giue assent vnto the couenant of grace made in Christ, that it is most certaine and sure: and they are perswaded in a generall and confused manner, that God will verifie the same couenant in the members of his Church. I his is all their faith; which indeede proceedeth from the holie Ghost, but yet it is not sufficient to make them sound professours. For albeit they doe generally beleeue Gods promises, yet herein they deceiue themselues, that they neuer applie and appropriate the same promises to their owne soules. An example of this faith wee haue, Iohn 2. vers. 24. where it is said: that when our Sauior Christ came to Ierusalem at the feast of Easter, manie beleeued in his name, & yet he would not commit himselfe vnto them, because he knew them al, and what was in them.