for which of old believers suffered from Pagans, but about Transubstantiation, the Universal Jurisdiction of the Pope, the Infallibility of the Church, the worshipping of Images, and praying to Saints: The Popish party pleading for these, as allowed of by Christ; The Protestant abhorring of them, as Idolatry, and also injurious to Christ. Now on the Papists side was the whole Christian world, almost all the learned men, all the great men, all the devout religious men, they were zealous this way; and the Martyrs they were but few comparatively, many of them private men and women. What a temptation was here to those that suffered? How easily might they think, what am I wiser than all? Is it likely God would reveal that to me, which he denieth to others more learned? Besides, they dispute, they bring Scripture and Fathers: May not I be deluded? May not the Devil transform himself into an Angel of light, and so deceive me? Truly such temptations would quickly have blown down the house, had it been built only upon sand; but the Martyrs were established upon a Rock, Christ gave them full assurance of those truths they lost all for; and this made way for their great comfort. This conviction then, and assurance of faith wrought by the Spirit of God, is that which is the root of our comfort, whereas doubtings and fears would disquiet all. It is true, Luther speaketh of himself, That he had many times such thoughts, Tunè solus sapis, Art thou only wise? What if thou art damned, and drawest others to Hell with thee? And when a grave Divine came to him, complaining of this temptation, That of the Evangelical Doctrine, which he preached, he could not find that Faith and Assurance upon his soul he desired, which was a bitter trouble to him. Luther upon the disclosing of this, brake out, saying, I think God I have met with one tempted, as I am tempted. There were it may be some temptations and doubts sometimes upon the spirits of those who did suffer, for there was flesh still remaining ⟨p. 212⟩in them, and the Devil was desirous to winnow them: but yet the power of Faith, and the evidence of Divine Authority in the truths they suffered for, would at last like the Sun break forth and dissipate those mists. Therefore pray much for the guidance of Gods Spirit herein through the Word, that thy comfort may be sure.
for which of old believers suffered from Pagans, but about Transubstantiation, the Universal Jurisdiction of the Pope, the Infallibility of the Church, the worshipping of Images, and praying to Saints: The Popish party pleading for these, as allowed of by Christ; The Protestant abhorring of them, as Idolatry, and also injurious to Christ. Now on the Papists side was the whole Christien world, almost all the learned men, all the great men, all the devout religious men, they were zealous this way; and the Martyrs they were but few comparatively, many of them private men and women. What a temptation was here to those that suffered? How easily might they think, what am I wiser than all? Is it likely God would reveal that to me, which he denieth to others more learned? Besides, they dispute, they bring Scripture and Fathers: May not I be deluded? May not the Devil transforme himself into an Angel of light, and so deceive me? Truly such temptations would quickly have blown down the house, had it been built onely upon sand; but the Martyrs were established upon a Rock, Christ gave them full assurance of those truths they lost all for; and this made way for their great comfort. This conviction then, and assurance of faith wrought by the Spirit of God, is that which is the root of our comfort, whereas doubtings and fears would disquiet all. It is true, Luther speaketh of himself, That he had many times such thoughts, Tunè solus sapis, Art thou onely wise? What if thou art damned, and drawest others to Hell with thee? And when a grave Divine came to him, complaining of this temptation, That of the Evangelical Doctrine, which he preached, he could not find that Faith and Assurance upon his soul he desired, which was a bitter trouble to him. Luther upon the disclosing of this, brake out, saying, I think God I have met with one tempted, as I am tempted. There were it may be some temptations and doubts sometimes upon the spirits of those who did suffer, for there was flesh still remaining ⟨p. 212⟩in them, and the Devil was desirous to winnow them: but yet the power of Faith, and the evidence of Divine Authority in the truths they suffered for, would at last like the Sunne break forth and dissipate those mists. Therefore pray much for the guidance of Gods Spirit herein through the Word, that thy comfort may be sure.
