The Institution of Christian Religion

We further call it, a sure and steadfast knowledge, to express thereby a more sound constancy of persuasion. For as faith is not contented with a doubtful and rolling opinion so is it also not con tented with a dark and entangled understanding: but requireth a full and fixed assuredness▪ such as men are wont to have of things found by experience and proved. For unbelief sticketh so fast and is so deep rooted in our hearts, and we are so bent unto it, that this which all men confess with their mouth to be true, that God is faithful, no man is without great contention persuaded in his heart. Specially when it cometh to the proof, then the wavering of all men discloseth the fault •hat ••ore was hidden. And not without cause the Scripture with so n•••ble cit•es of commendation maintaineth the authority of the word of God, but endeavoureth to give remedy for the aforesaid disease that God may obtain to be fully believed of us in his promises. The words of the Lord (saith David) are pure words,¹ as the S•••e••ryed in a furnace of earth, fined seven times. Again. The word o• the Lord fined is a shield to all that trust in him. And Solomon confirming the same,² and in a manner in the same ⟨p. 115⟩words, saith: Every word of God is pure. But sith the whole .cxix. Psalm entreateth only in a manner upon the same, it were superfluous to allege any moe places. Truly so oft as God doth so commend his word unto us, he doth therein by the way reproach us with our unbelievingness: because that commendation tendeth to no other end, but to root up all perverse doubtings out of our hearts. There be also many which so conceive the mercy of God, that they take little con fort thereof. For they be even therewithal pinched with a miserable carefulness, while they doubt whether he will be merciful to them or no, because they enclose within to narrow bounds the very same mercifulness, of which they think themselves most assuredly persuaded. For thus they think with themselves, that his mercy is in deed great and plentiful poured out upon many, offering it self and ready for all men: but that it is not certain whether it will extend unto them or no, or rather whether they shall attain unto it or no. This thought when it so stayeth in the mid race, is but a half.