A15859:315
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.
The same Brentius in Joh. 6. homil. 56. Upon these words, No man •an come to me except my Father draw him. Jesus Christ (faith he) is the book of the life celestial, into which whosoever is enrolled by faith, there is no doubt but that he is written in the very heart of God, and appertaineth to the Congregation of the ⟨p. 289⟩heavenly Citizens. But thou sayest, I do fear least either my faith be not sincere, or that at last it will languish: What? Doest thou think that God will either break a bruised Reed, or quench the smoking Flax? The Mother doth not reject her infant, either as yet tender in age, or weak by sickness, but rather with so much a greater care doth cherish it, by how much more extreme the sickness hath been. And should God the Father be harder then a Mother in Mankind against him, though weak in faith, to whom he hath promised in his Son Christ all clemency? Thou knowest not the tenor of that saying; whereunto it tendeth, Lord, I believe, help mine unbelief. Therefore it is not to be feared lest God cast thee off for thy feeble faith, but rather diligence to be given by the continual exercise of the word, prayer, and obedience, that Faith by the efficacy of the Spirit principally may more and more be augmented. But what is this that ⟨p. 290⟩thou art careful of thy perseverance, in faith? Do thou thy office in perseverance, the rest God will care for. Dost thou not know, that he is faithful, who will not suffer us to be tempted above our strength? but will give an evasion together with the temptation, that we may bear it? My sheep (saith Christ) do• hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal life; they shall never perish, neither shall any man take them out of my hands. Thou now verily art made a sheep of Christ, who knowest Christ by faith; why therefore doest thou fear least any should take thee out of the hand of Christ? Thou canst not doubt of the will of Christ, testified through out the Gospel. But happily thou doubtest of his power: but he addeth in the next words, The Father which gave them me is greater then all; and no man can take them out of my fathers hands. What thinkest thou Christs petition to be frustrate and fruitless?