A09466:312
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.
and as a man need not bid a tree bring forth fruit, so is there no law put to him that believeth and is justified through faith, neither is it needful. For the law is written and graven in his heart his pleasure is daily therein, and as without commandment even of his own nature he eateth, drinketh, seeth, heareth, talketh, goeth: even so of his own nature without any compulsion of the law bringeth forth good works: and as an whole man when he is a thirst tarrieth but for drink, and when he hungereth abideth but ⟨p. 149⟩for meat, and then drinketh and eateth naturally. Even so is the faithful ever a thirst, and an hungered after the will of God, and tarrieth but for an occasion: and whensoever an occasion is given he worketh naturally the will of God. For this blessing is given them that trust in Christs blood, that they thirst and hunger to do Gods will. He that hath not this faith is but an unprofitable babbler of faith, and works, and neither worketh what he babbleth, nor whereunto his words pretend. For he feeleth not the power of faith nor the working of the spirit in his heart, but interpreteth the scriptures which speak of faith and works after his own blind reason, and foolish fantasies, not having any experience in himself.
and as a man neede not bidde a tree bring foorth fruite, so is there no lawe put to him that beleeueth and is iustified through faith, neither is it needefull. For the lawe is written and grauen in his heart his pleasure is dailie therein, and as without commaundement euen of his owne nature he eateth, drinketh, seeth, heareth, talketh, goeth: euen so of his owne nature without anie compulsion of the lawe bringeth foorth good workes: and as an whole man when hee is a thirst tarrieth but for drinke, and when he hungreth abideth but ⟨p. 149⟩for meate, and then drinketh and eateth naturallie. Euen so is the faithfull euer a thirst, and an hungred after the will of God, and tarrieth but for an occasion: and whensoeuer an occasion is giuen hee worketh naturallie the will of God. For this blessing is giuen them that trust in Christs bloude, that they thirst and hunger to doe Gods will. He that hath not this faith is but an vnprofitable babler of faith, and workes, and neither worketh what hee bableth, nor whereunto his words pretend. For he feeleth not the power of faith nor the working of the spirit in his heart, but interpreteth the scriptures which speake of faith and workes after his owne blinde reason, and foolish fantasies, not hauing any experience in himselfe.