A09466:518
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.
II
Answerable to these two natures, are the two parts of Gods word. First, the Law, because it is the ministry of death, it fitly serveth for the taming and mastering of the rebellious flesh: and the Gospel, containing the bountiful promises of God in Christ, is as oil, to pour into our wounds, and as the water of life, to quench our thirsty ⟨p. 256⟩souls: & it fitly serveth for the strengthening of the Spirit.
Answerable to these two natures, are the two parts of Gods worde. First, the Lawe, because it is the ministerie of death, it fitlie serueth for the taming and maistering of the rebellious flesh: and the Gospell, containing the bountifull promises of God in Christ, is as oile, to powre into our wounds, and as the water of life, to quench our thirstie ⟨p. 256⟩soules: & it fitlie serueth for the strengthening of the Spirite.
III
Well then, art thou secure? Art thou prone to evil? Feelest thou that thy rebellious flesh carrieth thee captive unto sin? Look now only upon the law of God, apply it to thy self, examine thy thoughts, thy words, thy deeds by it: pray unto God, that he would give thee the Spirit of fear, that the law may in some measure humble & terrify thee: for (as Solomon saith) blessed is