A09466:332
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.
Timoth. It is but a dim light which we can carry before men, and small are our good works and to be esteemed of no value. ⟨p. 170⟩If we were preachers, or rich men, or noble men, then we might save souls, give good counsel, help many by our alms, but you & I are poor men, of base birth, & of low degree, how can we then do any good works.
Timoth. It is but a dim light which wee can carrie before men, and small are our good works and to be esteemed of no value. ⟨p. 170⟩If we were preachers, or rich men, or noble men, then we might saue soules, giue good coūsel, help manie by our almes, but you & I are poore men, of base birth, & of low degree, how can we then do anie good works.
Euseb. As touching good works by that measure of knowledge that God hath given me, I think that all works are good which are done according to the obedience of Gods law in faith & with thanksgiving to God, & with a mind desirous of his glory alone, & I think that I or any man else in doing them, please God, whatsoever I do within the law of god, as when I make water. And trust me if either wind or water were stopped, I should feel what a precious thing it were to do either of both, & what thanks ought to be given God therefore. Moreover I put no difference between works, but whatsoever cometh into my hands that I do as time, place, & occasion giveth, & according to my degree. For as touching to please God there is no work better then other: God looketh not first on my works, as the world doth, or as though he had need of them: but God looketh first on my hart what faith I have to his word, how I believe him, trust him, and how I love him, for his mercy that he hath showed me, he looketh with what heart I ⟨p. 171⟩work, & not what I work, how I accept the degree he hath put me in, not of what degree I am. Let us take an example. You are a Minister and preach the word, I am a kitchen boy, & wash my masters dishes. Of the ministry hark what the Apostle saith: if I preach I have nought to rejoice in, for necessity is put upon me: if I preach not the gospel, as who should say, God hath made me so, woe is to me if I preach not. If I do it willingly (saith he) then I have my reward; that is, then am I sure that Gods spirit is in me, & that I am elect to eternal life. If I do it against my will, the office is committed to me, that is, if I do it not of love to God but to get a living thereby, & for a worldly purpose & had rather otherwise live: then do I that office which God hath put upon me, but do not please God. So then if you preached not, or in preaching had not your hart aright you minister the office & they that have the spirit of God hear his word, yea, though it were spoken by an Ass, & the woe belongeth to you: but & if you preach willingly with a true hart & conscience to God, then shall you feel the earnest of eternal life and the working of the spirit of God in you. And your preaching is a good work in you.