A09466:466
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.
Satan. If Gods purpose were not to condemn thee, persuade thy self, he would never lay so many afflictions and crosses on thee, as he doth. What is this want of good name? this weakness and sickness of the body? these terrors of thy mind? this dullness and frowardness of thy hart? what are all these (I say) and many other evils, but the beginnings, and certain flashings of the fire of Hell.
Sathan. If Gods purpose were not to condemne thee, perswade thy selfe, hee would neuer laie so manie afflictions and crosses on thee, as he doth. What is this want of good name? this weaknes and sicknesse of the bodie? these terrours of thy minde? this dulnesse and frowardnes of thy hart? what are all these (I saie) and manie other euils, but the beginnings, and certaine flashings of the fire of Hell.
Christian. Nay, rather my afflictions are lively testimonies of my salvation. For god as a loving Father, partly by them, as with1 scourges chasteneth my disobedience, and bringeth me into order: partly conformeth me unto my Saviour Christ, and so by little and little, layeth open to me mine own2 sins, that I may dislike my self and hate them: and maketh me to renounce the •or•de, thy eldest son, and stirreth me up to call upon him, & to pray earnestly with groans and sighs, which I am not able to express with any words, as I feel them.
Christian. Nay, rather my afflictions are •liuelie testimonies of my saluation. For god as a louing Father, partlie by them, as with1 •courges chastneth my disobedience, and bringeth me into order: partly conformeth me vnto my Sauiour Christ, and so by little and little, layeth open to mee mine owne