A09466:323
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.
even so my cecity and blindness, and corrupt affections, and the rage of my conscience did so overshadow the sight of Gods seed in me, and so overwhelm his spirit as though I ha• been a plain reprobate. And thus i• came to pass that David making his prayer to GOD according to his own sense ⟨p. 163⟩and feeling, but not according to the truth, desired of God to give him again his spirit. Which thing GOD never doth indeed: although he made me to think so for a time: for always he holdeth his hand under his children in their falls, that they lie not still as other do which are not regenerate. I being thus turmoiled and stung with the conscience of sin and the cockatrice of my poisoned nature, having beheld herself in the glass of the righteous law of God there was no other salve or remedy but to run to the brazen Serpent Christ Jesus which shed his blood, hanging upon the cross, and to his everlasting testament and merciful promise, that it was shed for me for the remission of my sins, therefore I got me speedily into a close corner in my house, and there upon my face grovelling, I confessed my sin and prayed after this manner in effect. Father, what an horrible monster am I? What traitor? what rascal and villain? thy mercy is wonderful that hell hath not devoured me having deserved a thousand damnations. I have sinned, I have sinned against thy godly, holy & righteous law ⟨p. 164⟩and against my brother by robbing him, whom I ought to love for thy sake as dearly as my self, forgive me father for thy son Christ his sake according to thy most merciful promises and testament: forget not good Lord thy old mercies showed upon me, let them not at this time in me be quite removed. On this manner praying I continued five hours, and GOD which is near to all them that call upon him, heard me, eased my pain, and assured me of the remission of my sin. After presently, for the more easing of my conscience I went to my neighbour, & between him and me upon my knees confessed my fault with tears, desiring him to forgive me, & I would (as Gods law requireth,) restore that which I stole four fold: he (I thank him) was contented and toke pity on me, and ever since hath been by Gods mercy my good friend.
euen so my cecitie and blindnesse, and corrupt affections, and the rage of my conscience did so ouershadow the sight of Gods seed in me, and so ouerwhelme his spirite as though I ha beene a plaine reprobate. And thus i came to passe that Dauid making his praier to GOD according to his owne sens