A15859:114
Speculum Christianum
Speculum Christianum or, A Christian survey for the conscience Containing, three tractates of that eminent, grave, and learned divine, master Hierome Zanchius. 1. Of the end of the world. 2. Of the perseverance of the saints. 3. A summary abridgement of his protections. Englished for the good of Gods church, and for a warning to wicked and impenitent men. By H.N.Speculum Christianum or, A Christian suruey for the conscience Containing, three tractates of that eminent, graue, and learned diuine, maister Hierome Zanchius. 1. Of the end of the world. 2. Of the perseuerance of the saints. 3. A summarie abridgement of his protections. Englished for the good of Gods church, and for a warning to wicked and impenitent men. By H.N.
London: printed by George Eld, 1614
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Idem in ep. ad Eph. •. 4. Tract. d• Eccles. in the entrance fol. 111. •ee putteth down a three-fold faith; first, justifying, and therefore true and perpetual faith; then faith utterly dead; thirdly▪ the mean between both, this (temporary) faith. And he doth demonstrate these two last not to be a true saith▪ neither men thereby to be justified: Although (saith he) there be some to be found, who place a certain […] faith between that which justifieth, which worketh by Love, and is expressly called a living faith, and that which is utterly dead, that is, not working any good. And, indeed, there is a certain temporary ⟨p. 103⟩faith noted by Christ, which although it doth not endure, and profit so far to fructify, yet it putteth forth into bud: This faith, is an assent unto the Gospel: which i• therefore inspired even into reprobate men, that they in some sort should glorify God in their words and deeds, and should commend him to the prayers of the Saints; and withal be stripped naked of all excuse of ignorance. Such was the faith of Cain; (for he also offered sacrifice) of Saul, Ahab, Judas the Traitor, and of all others, who are so far illuminated of God, that in some sort, and for some time, they embrace and taste of the sacred word of God with joy, and are made partakers of the heavenly gifts, and the holy Spirit; and yet by relapse they fall into impiety, and therein perish in obstinacy. Notwithstanding whatsoever life or work is seen in their faith, yet these men remain (endued with a temporary gift, and a lame faith) so long as ⟨p. 104⟩they want a justifying faith, without Christ; therefore (are they) in death and under Gods wrath; and all those motions of faith, in them of what quality soever, and benefits in appearance, are indeed the good works of the good God, as whereby also he is beneficial unto mankind by evil men to the amplifying of […] glory in his infinite bountifulnesse• but to those men they are evil works and sins, who do them yet of an impious mind, because they proceed wickedly, rejecting the blood of Jesus Christ, and justification by him offered. Yet hence is the difference between them, who through this faith, though but vanishing and not regenerating, do confess the Lord Christ in word, and do not apparently deny him in deed;