The Institution of Christian Religion

And I deny not, that God doth so far give light unto their minds, that they acknowledge his grace, but he maketh that same feeling so different from the peculiar testimony which he giveth to his elect, that they never come to the sound effect and fruition thereof. For he doth not therefore show himself merciful unto them, for that he having truly delivered them from death, doth receive them to his safeguard, but only he discloseth to them a present mercy. But he vouchsafeth to grant to the only elect the lively root of faith, so that they continue to the end. So is that objection answered, if God do truly show his grace, that the same remaineth perpetually stablished, for that there is no cause to the contrary, but that God may enlighten some with a present feeling of his grace, which afterward vanisheth away.

And I denye not, that God dothe so farre geue light vnto theyr myndes, that they acknowledge his grace, but he maketh that same felyng so different from the peculiar testimonie whiche he geueth to his elect, that they neuer come to the sounde effecte and fruition thereof. For he dothe not therefore shewe himselfe mercyfull vnto them, for that he hauyng truely deliuered them from death, dothe receyue them to his sauegarde, but onely he discloseth to them a present mercie. But he vouchesaueth to graunt to the only electe the liuely roote of fayth, so that they continue to the ende. So is that obiection answered, yf God doe truely shewe his grace, that the same remayneth perpetually stablished, for that there is no cause to the contrarie, but that God maye enlighten some with a present felyng of his grace, whiche afterwarde vanisheth awaye.

Also, though faith be a knowledge of Gods kindness toward §12us, and an assured persuasion of the truth thereof: yet it is no marvel that the feeling of Gods love in temporal things doth vanish away: which although it have an affinity with faith, yet doth it much differ from faith. I grant, the will of God is unchangeable, and the truth thereof doth alway steadfastly agree with it self, but I deny that the reprobate do proceed so far as to attain unto that secrete revelation, which the Scripture sayeth to belong to the elect only. Therefore I deny that they do either conceive the will of God as it is unchangeable, or do steadfastly embrace the truth thereof, because they abide in a feeling that vanisheth away: Like as a tree that is not planted deep enough to take lively roots, in process of time waxeth dry, although for a few years it bringeth forth not only blossoms and leaves, but also fruit. Finally, as by the fall of the first man, the Image of God might have been blotted out of his mind and soul, so it is no marvel, if God do shine upon the reprobate with certain beams of his grace, which afterward he suffereth to be quenched. And there is no cause to the contrary, but that he may lightly over wash some, and throughly soak other some with the knowledge of his Gospel. This is in the mean time to be holden for truth, that how small and weak so ever saith he in the elect, yet because it is to them a sure pledge of the Spirit of God, and a seal of their adoption, the print thereof can never be blotted out of their hearts: as for the reprobate, that they are over spread with such a light as afterward cometh to nought. And yet the Spirit is not deceitful, because he giveth not life to