A09466:151
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.
XXIIII
This Justification is wrought in this manner.1 Sin is that which maketh a man unrighteous, and the child of wrath and vengeance. In sin, there are three things which are hurtful to man: the first is Condemnation, which cometh of sin: the second is, the disobedience of the law in sin: the third is, the root and fountain of sin, original corruption. These are three deadly wounds, and three running sores in the hearts and consciences of all sinners. aNow Christ Jesus is perfectly righteous, and in him a sinner may find three inestimable benefits answerable to the three former evils. First, the sufferings of Christ upon the Cross, sufficient for all mens sins. Secondly, the obedience of Christ in fulfilling the law. Thirdly, the perfect holiness of the humane nature of Christ: these are three sovereign medicines to heal all wounded consciences: and they are as three running streams of living water to bathe and to supple the bruised and contrite heart. cNow cometh faith, and first layeth hold of the sufferings of Christ, and so a sinner is freed from the punishment and guilt of sin, and from eternal damnation, and thus the first deadly wound is cured ⟨p. 58⟩dAgain, faith layeth hold of the perfect obedience of Christ, in fulfilling the law, & thus the second wound is cured.