A09466:91
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.
Thus it cometh to pass, that the reprobate falleth away from faith in the day of trial and temptation, but the elect can not be changed.
Thus it commeth to passe, that the reprobate falleth away from faith in the day of triall and temptation, but the elect can not be changed.
By this which hath been said, the professors of Christian religion are admonished of two things. First, qthat they use most painful diligence in working their salvation, in attaining to faith, in dying to sin, in living to newness of life: and that their harts be never at rest, till such time as they go beyond all reprobates in the profession of Christ Jesus: Seest thou how far a reprobate may go? press on the strait gate with main and might: with all violence lay hold on the kingdom of heaven. Shall Herod fear and reverence John Baptist, and hear him gladly? and wilt thou neglect the Ministers, and the preaching of the word? shall ⟨p. 26⟩Pharaoh confess his sin, nay shall Satan believe and tremble? and wilt not thou bewail and lament thy sins, and thy wicked conversation? it behoveth thee to fear and take heed, least wicked men, and the devil himself rise in judgement and condemn thy life. For if thou shalt come short of the duties of a reprobate, and do not go beyond him in the profession of the Gospel, sure it is, thou must look for the reward of a reprobate. The second thing is, that the professor of the Gospel, rdiligently try and examine himself, whether he is in the state of damnation, or in the state of grace: whether he yet bear the yoke of Satan, or is the adopted child of God. Thou wilt say, this need not, thou professest the Gospel, and art taken for a Christian: Yet mark and consider, that this often befalleth reprobates to be esteemed Christians: and they are often so like them, s