Now in that Ahaz refuseth the sign which was offered him, he therein showed his rebellion & unthankfulness; for he despiseth that which God had presented him for his exceeding profit. Hereby also it appears after what manner we ought to require signs, to wit, when they are offered us of God: he then which refuseth them, must needs reject the grace of God therewithal. Some frantic ones there are at this day who make no reckoning of Baptism, nor of the Lords Supper, thinking them abces for little children: which yet they can not do, but they must therewithal reject the whole Gospel: for those things must not be separate which God hath joined together. But some will ask notwithstanding, Quest. whether it be not lawful to ask some signs of God, for we have an example thereof in Gideon, who desired that his vocation might be confirmed with some sign: the Lord granted his request, and disliked not such a desire: Judg. 6.17. To this I answer, Ans. that although Gideon had no express commandment of God to ask a sign, yet notwithstanding he was stirred up to do it by the holy Ghost, and did it not of his own proper motion. Wherefore we must not take the like liberty to our selves by abusing his example, especially seeing the importunity of men is so great, that they make no bones to ask signs of God without end or measure. Such a boldness therefore is to be suppressed, to the end we may content our selves with those which God offereth us.1 Now there are two sorts of signs: some extraordinary; which we may call supernatural: as that whereof §1the Prophet will speak anon, and that which was given to Hezekiah, as we shall see God willing hereafter, Isay 38.7. Others are ordinary, §2and in daily use, as Baptism, and the holy Supper, which contain no miracle, at the least which can be seen to the eye, or by any other outward sense. For that which the Lord miraculously works therein by the holy Ghost, can not be seen; but in the extraordinary, ⟨p. 80⟩the miracle is visible to the eye.2 Now all other signs have the same end and use, because that even as Gideon was confirmed by that marvellous sign, so also are we confirmed by Baptism and the holy Supper, although we see no miracle before our eyes.
Now in that Ahaz refuseth the signe which was offred him, he therein shewed his rebellion & vnthankfulnes; for he despiseth that which God had presented him for his exceeding profit. Heereby also it appeares after what maner we ought to require signes, to wit, when they are offred vs of God: he then which refuseth them, must needs reiect the grace of God therewithall. Some franticke ones there are at this day who make no reckning of Baptisme, nor of the Lords Supper, thinking them abces for little children: which yet they can not do, but they must therewithall reiect the whole Gospell: for those things must not be separate which God hath ioyned together. But some wil aske notwithstanding, Quest. whether it be not lawfull to aske some signes of God, for we haue an example thereof in Gedeon, who desired that his vocation might bee confirmed with some signe: the Lord granted his request, and disliked not such a desire: Iudg. 6.17. To this I answere, Ans. that although Gedeon had no expresse commandement of God to aske a signe, yet notwithstanding he was stirred vp to doe it by the holy Ghost, and did it not of his owne proper motion. Wherefore we must not take the like libertie to our selues by abusing his example, especiallie seeing the importunitie of men is so great, that they make no bones to aske signes of God without end or measure. Such a boldnes therefore is to be suppressed, to the end wee may content our selues with those which God offereth vs.1 Now there are two sorts of signes: some extraordinarie; which we may call supernaturall: as that whereof §1the Prophet wil speake anon, and that which was giuen to Hezekiah, as we shal see God willing hereafter, Isay 38.7. Others are ordinarie, §2and in daily vse, as Baptisme, and the holy Supper, which conteine no miracle, at the least which can be seene to the eye, or by any other outward sense. For that which the Lord miraculously works therein by the holy Ghost, can not be seene; but in the extraordinarie, ⟨p. 80⟩the miracle is visible to the eye.2 Now all other signes haue the same end and vse, because that euen as Gedeon was confirmed by that maruelous signe, so also are we confirmed by Baptisme and the holy Supper, although we see no miracle before our eyes.
- 1Two sorts of signs.Two sorts of signes.
- 2Extraordinary miracles, visible.Extraordinarie miracles, visible.
