A15859:318
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.
There be (in a manner) infinite testimonies in the writings of this learned man, for the perseverance of Saints, and certainty of salvation. I will only add hereunto one more. Upon Job. 10. homil. 81. upon those words, No man shall take them out of my hand; What (saith he) should I speak of Death? Is this of such power, that it can take from Christ his sheep? But as Death could not detain Christ in his power; so neither can it withhold such as believe in Christ. I will speak that which is more; No sin is so great, that it can separate a sheep of Christ from his shepherd. For this Shepherd ⟨p. 295⟩hath ransomed all sins: and the grace of God which Christ hath purchased, is greater then the sin which made alienation between God and man. For, where sin (saith St. Paul) did abound, there did grace more abound; that as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign by righteousness to life eternal by Jesus Christ. What then? Shall we sin, because sin cannot take away Christ from the sheep of Christ? surely nothing less to be done then to sin. For such as are truly the sheep of Christ, they are so much more watchful from committing sin, the more fully they acknowledge sin to be done away by Christ; for they do rejoice by all manner of means to testify their gratitude of mind to Christ-wards, and to conserve his loving kindness. Therefore Gratitude is declared to Christ-wards by obedience of righteousness towards Christ. These things Brentius.
There bee (in a manner) infinite testimonies in the writings of this learned man, for the perseuerance of Saints, and certaintie of saluation. I will only adde herevnto one more. Vpon Iob. 10. homil. 81. vpon those words, No man shall take them out of my hand; What (saith hee) should I speake of Death? Is this of such power, that it can take from Christ his sheepe? But as Death could not detaine Christ in his power; so neither can it withhold such as beleeue in Christ. I will speake that which is more; No sinne is so great, that it can separate a sheepe of Christ from his shepheard. For this Shepheard ⟨p. 295⟩hath ransomed all sinnes: and the grace of God which Christ hath purchased, is greater then the sinne which made alienation betweene God and man. For, where sinne (saith St. Paul) did abound, there did grace more abound; that as sinne reigned in death, so also grace might regne by righteousnes to life eternall by Iesus Christ. What then? Shall we sinne, because sinne cannot take away Christ from the sheepe of Christ? surely nothing lesse to be done then to sinne. For such as are truely the sheepe of Christ, they are so much more watchfull from committing sinne, the more fully they acknowledge sinne to bee done away by Christ; for they doe reioyce by all manner of meanes to testifie their gratitude of minde to Christ-wards, and to conserue his louing kindnes. Therefore Gratitude is declared to Christ-wards by obedience of righteousnes towards Christ. These things Brentius.