Against the certainty of faith, 1whereof we spake in the definition of faith, some dispute on this wise. Object. 1. They, who may fall before the end of their life into sin & damnation, cannot be certain of their salvation & everlasting life: This is proved, because, to be certain, and to be in possibility to fall, are contrary one to the other: It is false therefore, which is taught in the definition of Justifying faith, to wit, that everlasting life is given us, and so our faith to be certain and assured of it. Ans. To be in possibility of falling, or failing, that is finally,2 is contrary to the certainty of our salvation. But they who are once enriched by god with true faith, do not fail finally. Reply. 1. All that are weak may fail finally. We are all weak. Therefore we may fail finally. Auns. The Major is to be distinguished. All that are weak may fail finally; true, if they stood by their own strength. But we, who are believers, stand, preserved and upheld by the grace and power of God. Therefore can we not finally fail. For whom God hath once embraced with his favour, them he will not, nor suffereth to fall utterly from his grace. Reply. 2. But god hath no where promised that he will keep and preserve us in his grace. Answer. Yes, he hath promised, and expressed it, Joh. 1.28. I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of mine hand. My father which gave them me is greater than all, and none is able to take them out of my fathers hand. I and my father are one. Rom. 8.38. I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come &c. shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus. Reply. 3. But it is said, 1. Corint. 10.12. Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed least he fall. Therefore perseverance dependeth not of God promising, but of our selves, and therefore is doubtful, standing upon a doubtful ground. Answer. This is a fallacy reasoning from that which is no cause, as if it were a cause. For by this very exhortation he goeth about to nourish, make perfect, and preserve the safety of the faithful. ⟨p. 284⟩For God useth such threatenings, thereby to retain the godly in their duty, that they may not wax proud, and please themselves.
Against the certainty of faith, 1whereof we spake in the definition of faith, some dispute on this wise. Obiect. 1. They, who may fal before the end of their life into sin & dānation, cannot be certain of their saluation & euerlasting life: This is proued, because, to be certaine, and to be in possibility to fall, are contrary one to the other: It is false therefore, which is taught in the definitiō of Iustifieng faith, to wit, that euerlasting life is giuen vs, and so our faith to be certaine and assured of it. Ans. To be in possibility of falling, or failing, that is finally,2 is contrary to the certainty of our saluatiō. But they who are once inriched by god with true faith, doe not fail finally. Reply. 1. All that are weak may faile finally. We are al weak. Therefore we maie fail finally. Auns. The Maior is to bee distinguished. All that are weak may faile finally; true, if they stoode by their owne strength. But we, who are beleeuers, stand, preserued and vphelde by the grace and power of God. Therefore can wee not finally fail. For whom God hath once embraced with his fauour, them he wil not, nor suffereth to fal vtterly from his grace. Reply. 2. But god hath no where promised that he wil keep and preserue vs in his grace. Answere. Yes, he hath promised, and expressed it, Ioh. 1.28. I giue vnto them eternal life, and they shall neuer perish, neither shall any pluck them out of mine hand. My father which gaue them me is greater than all, and none is able to take them out of my fathers hand. I and my father are one. Rom. 8.38. I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor thinges present, nor thinges to come &c. shall bee able to separate vs from the loue of God, which is in Christ Iesus. Reply. 3. But it is saide, 1. Corint. 10.12. Let him that thinketh hee standeth, take heede least hee fall. Therefore perseuerance dependeth not of God promising, but of our selues, and therefore is doubtful, standing vpon a doubtfull ground. Aunswere. This is a fallacy reasoning from that which is no cause, as if it were a cause. For by this verie exhortation hee goeth about to nourish, make perfect, and preserue the safetie of the faithfull. ⟨p. 284⟩For God vseth such threatninges, thereby to retaine the godly in their dutie, that they may not waxe proude, and please themselues.
- 1The certainty of faith.The certaintie of faith.
- 2True faith may faint for a time, but cannot fail finally.True faith may faint for a time, but cannot fail finallie.
