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…

1 A care to leave that sin into which he is fallen. As they which crucified our saviour Christ, when they were pricked in their harts at Peters Sermon, they showed this care in saying, ^omen & brethren what shall we do to be saved. 2 An Apology, which is when a man in the heaviness of his hart, shall not excuse or defend his sin, but confess it to the lord & utterly condemn himself for it: acknowledging withal that there is no way to escape yt wrath of god, but by having gods free pardon in christ.

1 A care to leaue that sin into which he is fallē. As they which crucified our sauior Christ, whē they were pricked in their harts at Peters Sermō, they shewed this care in saiing, ^omen & brethren what shal we do to be saued. 2 An Apologie, which is whē a man in the heauines of his hart, shall not excuse or defend his sin, but cōfesse it to the lord & vtter ly condēne himselfe for it: acknowledging withal yt there is no way to escape yt wrath of god, but by hauing gods fre pardō in christ.

1. oAct. 2. 37

3 Indignation which is an inward anger and fretting against his own self, because he was so careless, in looking to his own ways. Peter when he had denied his master, he wept & that bitterly which showeth that with sorrow, he had also an anger against himself.¹

3 Indignation which is an inward anger and fretting against his owne selfe, because he was so carelesse, in looking to his owne waies. Peter whē he had denied his maister, he wept & that bitterly which sheweth yt with sorow, he had also an anger against himself.¹

1. 1p Math. 26. 75.

4 A fear rising not so much from the judgments ⟨p. 99⟩of God, as from this lest he should hereafter fall into the same sin again, and by so doing more grievously displease God. 5 A desire ever after more carefully to please god. 6 Zeal in the service of God.

4 A feare rising not so much frō the iudgments ⟨p. 99⟩of God, as frō this lest he shold hereafter fall into the same sin againe, and by so doing more greeuouslie displease God. 5 A desire euer after more carefully to plese god. 6 Zeale in the seruice of God.

LVIII

The sixth temptation is outward afflictions.¹ which the godly in this life must suffer. ^aIf any will go after Christ, he must deny himself, take up his own cross & follow him. ^bAnd S. Peter saith, that judgment begins at Gods house: ^cAnd Paul that we must enter into the kingdom of heaven through manifold temptations. The exercise of a Christian in afflictions is this.

The sixt temptation is outward afflictiōs.¹ which the godly in this life must suffer. ^aIf any will go after Christ, he must denie himself, take vp his owne crosse & follow him. ^bAnd S. Peter saith, that iudgment begins at Gods house: ^cAnd Paul that we must enter into the kingdome of heauen through manifold temptations. The exercise of a Christian in afflictions is this.

1. 16 Outward affections.
2. aMath. 16 24.
3. b1. Pet. 4. 17.
4. cAct. 14. 22.

1 ^dAt the first they are very heavy & bitter. 2 He suffereth them with great lenity and patience, submitting himself under the hand of God. Yet ^eif they be in any great^f measure, they will drive him to impatience. 3 If they continue he shall feel (according to his own judgement) the wrath & displeasure of his hart. 4 ^gHis old sins will come a fresh into ⟨p. 100⟩his remembrance, and trouble him. He is sleepy, ^hand in his sleep he hath visions, and dreams and anxiety of spirit. 5 ⁱIn this misery God supports his faith, that it fail not, and he then forsake Christ. 6 ^kHe feeling thus gods power to strengthen him, hath experience of it in himself. 7 From experience proceeds hope, that the grace of God shall never be wanting unto him in any afflictions to come: and as he hopeth, so it comes to pass. 8 With this hope is joined ^la serious humiliation before the Lord ^mwith the fruit of peace and righteousness.

1 ^dAt the first they are very heuie & bitter. 2 He suffereth thē with great lenitie and patience, submitting himselfe vnder the hand of God. Yet ^eif they bee in any great^f measure, they will driue him to impatience. 3 If they continue he shall feele (according to his owne iudgement) the wrath & displeasure of his hart. 4 ^gHis old sinnes wil come a fresh into ⟨p. 100⟩his remembrance, and trouble him. Hee is sleepie, ^hand in his sleepe hee hath visions, and dreames and anxietie of spirit. 5 ⁱIn this miserie God supports his faith, that it faile not, and he then forsake Christ. 6 ^kHe feling thus gods power to strengthen him, hath experience of it in himselfe. 7 From experience proceeds hope, that the grace of God shall neuer bee wanting vnto him in anie afflictions to come: and as he hopeth, so it comes to passe. 8 With this hope is ioyned ^la serious humiliation before the Lord ^mwith the fruit of peace and righteousnes.

1. dHeb. 12. 11.
2. eJob. 3.Iob. 3.
3. fJob. 6. 2. 3.Iob. 6. 2. 3.
4. gJob. 13. 26.Iob. 13. 26.
5. h1. Reg. 19. 4. 5. 7. Job. 7. 14.1. Reg. 19. 4. 5. 7. Iob. 7. 14.
6. iJob. 13. 15Iob. 13. 15
7. kRom. 5. 4
8. lJob. 42. 5. 6.Iob. 42. 5. 6.
9. mHeb. 12. 11.

If the afflictions be for Christs cause unto death then he in more special manner is filled with the joy of the holy ghost, and he is then stablished with the greatest measure of the strength of Christ, that no torment is able to foil him, and to bring him from Christ, though the Christian should die a thousand times for it. According to that of Paul, ⁿTo you it is given for Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake. And this is grounded upon the promise of God, ^oWhen thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, & through the floods that they do not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the very fire, thou ⟨p. 101⟩not be burnt: neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

If the afflictions bee for Christes cause vnto death then he in more speciall maner is filled with the ioy of the holie ghost, and he is then stablished with the greatest measure of the strength of Christ, that no torment is able to foyle him, and to bring him frō Christ, though the Christian should die a thousand times for it. According to that of Paul, ⁿTo you it is giuen for Christ, not onelie to beleue in him, but also to suffer for his sake. And this is grounded vpon the promise of God, ^oWhē thou passest through the waters I wil be with thee, & through the flouds that they do not ouerflow thee: when thou walkest through the very fire, thou ⟨p. 101⟩not be burnt: neither shall the flame kindle vpō thee.

1. nPhil. 1. 29
2. oEsa. 43. 2

LIX.

Hence ariseth a notable difference, between the godly & the wicked, in the suffering of afflictions. A reprobate the more the Lord layeth his hand on him, the more he ^pmurmureth & rebelleth against God: it is contrary with the true christian: None feeleth more the power & rebellion of sin then he: none is more assaulted by satan then he, & often times it cometh to pass that God withdraweth the signs of his favour from him, & lets him feel his wrath. And this is the greatest temptation of all other, when a man shall see the Lord to be his enemy, & to his thinking to arm himself against him to his destruction. As ^qHezekiah did, who^r saith that the Lord did crash his bones like a Lion: Or as Job saith, that the arrows of the almighty were in him, & the venom thereof drunk up his spirit, & the terrors of god did fight against him. Yet the true Christian when the world, the flesh, & the devil, & God himself too are against him, doth even then most of all rest in the Lord, & by faith cleave to him ^*Though God should destroy me, yet would I trust in him (saith Job. ^sAnd David saith, my God, my God why hast thou forsaken me. When he saith ⟨p. 102⟩that God had forsaken him, it may seem to be the complaint of a desperate man, not having so much as one spark of faith: yet then he saith: my God, my God: which words contain a confession proceeding from true faith: so that in David it appeareth, that the faithful when they feel themselves forlorn, & utterly rejected of god, according to the sense & judg meant of the flesh, yet by faith they can apprehend his hidden mercy, & behold it a far off in the glass of his promise. And so they do often show contrary affections in their prayers as David doth. ^tJacob when he wrestled with the Angel for life & death, never gave over: & when he was foiled, he would not cease before the Lord had blessed him. This his wrestling is a type of the conflicts which the faithful are to have with the lord himself, who useth to bring his own children (as it were) to the field: & he assaileth them with the one hand, & with the other he holdeth them up that so he may prove & exercise their faith. And for this cause the Church ^uis called Israel by the name of Jacob. An example may be had in the woman of Canaan. ^xFirst our saviour Christ gave her faith, & by that faith she was moved to seek to him: But when she• was once come to him, he gave her three repulses.

Hence ariseth a notable differēce, betwen the godly & the wicked, in the suffering of afflictions. A reprobate the more the Lord laieth his hand on him, the more hee ^pmurmureth & rebelleth against God: it is contrary with the true christian: None feeleth more the power & rebellion of sin then he: none is more assalted by sathan then he, & often times it cometh to passe that God withdraweth the signes of his fauor from him, & lets him feele his wrath. And this is the greatest temptation of all other, when a man shall see the Lord to be his enimie, & to his thinking to arme himself against him to his destruction. As ^qEzechias did, who^r saith that the Lord did crash his bones like a Lion: Or as Iob saith, that the arrowes of the almightie were in him, & the venime thereof drunke vp his spirit, & the terrors of god did fight against him. Yet the true Christian when the world, the flesh, & the deuill, & God himself too are against him, doth euen then most of al rest in the Lord, & by faith cleue to him ^*Though God should destroy me, yet would I trust in him (saith Iob. ^sAnd Dauid saith, my God, my God why hast thou forsaken me. When he saith ⟨p. 102⟩that God had forsaken him, it may seeme to be the complaint of a desperate mā, not hauing so much as one spark of faith: yet then he saith: my God, my God: which words contain a confession proceeding frō true faith: so yt in Dauid it appeareth, that the faithful whē they feele thēselues forlorne, & vtterly reiected of god, according to ye sense & iudg ment of ye flesh, yet by faith they can apprehend his hiddē mercy, & behold it a far off in the glasse of his promise. And so they do often shew contrary affectiōs in their praiers as Dauid doth. ^tIacob when he wrastled with the Angel for life & death, neuer gaue ouer: & whē he was foild, he wold not cease before the Lord had blessed him. This his wrastling is a type of the cōflicts which the faithful are to haue with ye lord himself, who vseth to bring his own children (as it were) to the field: & he assaileth thē with the one hand, & with the other he holdeth them vp that so he may proue & exercise their faith. And for this cause the Church ^uis called Israel by the name of Iacob. An exāple may be had in the woman of Canaan. ^xFirst our sauior Christ gaue hir faith, & by yt faith she was moued to seeke to him: But when she• was once come to him, he gaue hir three repulses.

1. pExod. 8.
2. qEsa. 38.
3. rJob. 6. 34.Iob. 6. 34.
4. *Job. 13. 1.Iob. 13. 1.
5. s15 Psal. 22.
6. tGen. 32. 28.
7. uPsa. 130.
8. xMath. 15. 22. 25. 24. 25. 26. 27.

First by saying nothing. Secondly by denying her: thirdly by calling her dog. Thus Christ in appearance made show, as though he would never have granted her request. But she at every repulse was more instant, crying more earnestly unto him: & she plainly opposed her self to him, & would take no denial: for such is the nature of true faith. Wherefore, the faithful when they feel themselves overwhelmed with sin, turmoiled with conflicts of satan, when they feel the anger of god offended with them, yet they can even then lift up their eye lids, & give a glimpse at the brazen Serpent Jesus Christ, & can fling themselves into the arms of gods mercy, & catch hold of the hand of god buffeting them, & kiss it.

First by saying nothing. Secondly by denying hir: thirdly by calling hir dog. Thus Christ in apperance made shew, as though he wold neuer haue granted hir request. But she at euery repulse was more instāt, crying more earnestly vnto him: & she plainly opposed hir self to him, & wold take no denial: for such is the nature of true faith. Wherefore, the faithfull when they feele thēselues ouerwhelmed with sin, turmoiled with cō flicts of satan, whē they feele ye anger of god offended with thē, yet they can euen thē lift vp their eie lids, & giue a glimps at the brasē Serpent Iesus Christ, & can fling thēselues into the armes of gods mercy, & catch hold of the hand of god buffetting thē, & kisse it.

XL.

By these tentations it comes to pas that a Christian ¹though he cannot fall finally from Christ, yet he may fall very dangerously from his former estate. First the graces of god may be by his default lessened in him: else Paul would not have given out these exhortations ^aquench not the spirit. ^bGrieve not the holy spirit of God, by whom ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Secondly the graces of God may be buried in him & covered for a time, so that he may be like a man in a trance, who both by his own sense ⟨p. 107⟩& by the judgement of the physician is taken for dead. This was the estate of Peter, who though he confessed that Christ was the son of the living Lord ^cyet he denied him & forswore him at the voice of a Damsel. Thirdly he may fall again into the same sin after repentance. Indeed this is a dangerous fall, yet it may befall a true christian. Otherwise when as the Israelites gods people had fallen away from him by their sins, & idolatries, he would not still have offered them mercy ^das he doth by his prophets: And ^ePaul prayeth the Corinthians in Christs stead that they would be reconciled to God: who nevertheless had once before been reconciled to God. Fourthly, he may commit a sin of presumption, which is a fearful sin, being done wittingly of knowledge and willingly, and with some wilfulness. Therefore David prayed ^fkeep thy servant presumptuous sin: and to show himself to be in danger of it, he prayeth further, let them not have dominion over me. Lastly, he may fall into despair of Gods mercy for a time, and this is a dangerous sin. For he which despairs, makes all the promises of God to be false: and this sin of all other is most contrary to true saving faith. In this estate was David, when ⟨p. 105⟩being in trouble, he said, ^gthis is my death. And Paul shows that the incestuous man might have fallen into desperation, ^hwhen he saith: Comfort him, least he be swallowed up of overmuch heaviness. And it must be remembered that the Church of Rome erreth in this, that she teacheth desperation to be a sin against the holy Ghost; This sin against the holy Ghost is a blasphemy spoken against the known truth of Gods word, of a wilful and obstinate malice. But desperation may arise through ignorance of a mans own estate: through horror of conscience for sin: through an often relapse into some sin:

By these tētatiōs it coms to pas that a Christiā ¹though he cannot fall finally frō Christ, yet he may fall very dangerously frō his former estate. First the graces of god may be by his defalt lessned in him: else Paul wold not haue giuen out these exhortatiōs ^aquench not the spirit. ^bGrieue not the holy spirit of God, by whō ye are sealed vnto the day of redemptiō. Secondly the graces of God may be buried in him & couered for a time, so that he may bee like a man in a traunse, who both by his own sense ⟨p. 107⟩& by the iudgement of the phisition is takē for dead. This was the estate of Peter, who though he cōfessed that Christ was the son of the liuing Lord ^cyet he denied him & forswore him at the voice of a Damsel. Thirdly he may fal againe into the same sin after repentance. Indeed this is a dangerous fal, yet it may befal a true christian. Otherwise whē as the Israelits gods people had fallen away frō him by their sins, & idolatries, he wold not stil haue offered thē mercie ^das he doth by his prophets: And ^ePaul praieth the Corinthians in Christs stead that they would be recō ciled to God: who neuertheles had once before bene reconciled to God. Fourthly, he may commit a sinne of presumption, which is a fearefull sinne, being done wittinglie of knowledge and willinglie, and with some wilfulnesse. Therefore Dauid prayed ^fkeepe thy seruant presumptuous sinne: and to shewe himselfe to be in danger of it, hee prayeth further, let them not haue dominion ouer mee. Lastly, hee may fall into dispaire of Gods mercie for a time, and this is a dangerous sinne. For he which dispaires, makes all the promises of God to bee false: and this sinne of all other is most contrarie to true sauing faith. In this estate was Dauid, whē ⟨p. 105⟩being in trouble, hee said, ^gthis is my death. And Paul shewes that the incestuous man might haue fallen into desperation, ^hwhen hee sayth: Comfort him, least hee bee swallowed vp of ouermuch heauinesse. And it must bee remembred that the Church of Rome erreth in this, that she teacheth desperation to bee a sinne against the holie Ghost; This sinne against the holie Ghost is a blasphemie spoken against the knowen truth of Gods worde, of a wilfull and obstinate malice. But desperation may arise through ignorance of a mans owne estate: through horror of conscience for sinne: through an often relapse into some sinne:

1. 1Dangerous fals of a Christian.
2. a1. Thess. 5 19.
3. bEph. 4. 30▪
4. cMat. 16. 16. 26. 70.
5. dEsa. 14. 18.
6. e2. Cor. 5. 20.
7. fPs. 19. 13.
8. gPsal. 77. 11.
9. h2. Cor. 2. 2.

through the overdeepe consideration of a mans own unworthiness: Lastly by abjuration of the truth, through compulsion & fear. This befell Frances Spira, who after his Apostasy despaired. Yet they are much overseen that write of him as of a damned creature. For first who can tell whether he despaired finally or not. Secondly in the very middest of his desperation, he complained of the hardness of his heart, which made him that he could not pray: no doubt then he felt his hardness of heart: and the feeling of corruption in the heart is by some contrary ⟨p. 106⟩grace, so that he was not quite bereft of all goodness: though he neither felt it then nor showed it to the beholder.

through the ouerdeepe consideration of a mans owne vnworthines: Lastly by abiuration of the truth, through compulsion & feare. This befell Frances Spira, who after his Apostasie dispaired. Yet they are much ouerseene that write of him as of a damned creature. For first who can tell whether hee dispaired finally or not. Secondly in the verie middest of his desperation, he complained of the hardnes of his heart, which made him that he could not praie: no doubt then he felt his hardnes of heart: and the feeling of corruption in the heart is by some contrarie ⟨p. 106⟩grace, so that he was not quite bereft of al goodnes: though he neither felt it then nor shewed it to the beholder.

LXI.

The cause why a Christian cannot fall away¹ from grace, is this: after that he is sanctified, he receiveth from god another special grace, which may be called Corroboration. For he hath in him not only the sanctifying, but also the strengthening power of Christ. Therefore Paul prayeth for the Ephesians, ⁱthat they may be strengthened in the inner man: for the Colossians, ^kthat they might be strengthened with the glorious power of Christ. And of himself he saith ^lthat he is able to do all things through the power of Christ that strengthen him ^mDavid saith, that God reneweth them that fear him, as the Eagle reneweth her decayed strength. ⁿAnd Job shows worthily that they, which by preaching of the word are reconciled unto God, are restored again and gather new strength, so that their flesh becomes as the flesh of young children. From hence as from a special cause ariseth patience & perseverance unto the end: for when a man is supported by the power of Christ, he may be able to bear many crosses patiently with a con •ented mind⁷ & persevere in bearing of it how long so ever the cross endureth. Thus much of the estate ⟨p. 107⟩of a Christian in this life. Now I will ad⁸ some reasons in the way of persuasion to all men but especially to worldlings, & to loose professors of the Gospel, that they would utterly deny themselves ^d& use all means to become true Christians by being made new creatures in Christ, and ^eby leading such a life as may adorn the Gospel of Christ.

The cause why a Christiā cānot fall away¹ frō grace, is this: after that he is sanctified, he receiueth frō god another special grace, which may be called Corroboratiō. For he hath in him not only the sanctifying, but also the strengthning power of Christ. Therfore Paul praieth for the Ephesiās, ⁱthat they may be strengthned in the inner mā: for the Collossiās, ^kthat they might be strengthned with the glorious power of Christ. And of himself he saith ^lthat he is able to do al things through the power of Christ that strēgthen him ^mDauid saith, that God renueth thē that fear him, as the Eagle renueth hir decaied strength. ⁿAnd Iob shewes worthily that they, which by preaching of the word are reconciled vnto God, are restored againe and gather new strength, so that their flesh becomes as the flesh of yong children. From hence as from a special cause ariseth patience & perseuerance vnto the end: for when a man is supported by the power of Christ, hee may be able to beare many crosses patiētly with a cō •ented mind⁷ & perseuer in bearing of it how long so euer the crosse endureth. Thus much of the estate ⟨p. 107⟩of a Christian in this life. Now I wil ad⁸ some reasons in the way of perswasion to all mē but especially to worldlings, & to loose professors of the Gospell, that they woulde vtterly deenie themselues ^d& vse all meanes to become true Christiās by being made new creatures in Christ, and ^eby leading such a life as may adorne the Gospell of Christ.

1. 1Corroboration.
2. iEph. 3. 16.
3. kColloss. 1. 9.
4. lPhil. 4. 13
5. mPsal. 105 5.
6. nJob. 33. 25.Iob. 33. 25.
7. 7Patience. Perseve. rance.Patience. Perseue. rance.
8. 8A persuasion to Christianity.A perswasion to Christianitie.
9. d2 Cor. 5. 17.
10. eTit. 2. 10.