A68107:1278
Of domesticall duties eight treatises. I. An exposition of that part of Scripture out…
Of domesticall duties eight treatises. I. An exposition of that part of Scripture out of which domesticall duties are raised. ... VIII. Duties of masters. By William Gouge.
London: printed by John Haviland for William Bladen, 1622London: printed by Iohn Haviland for William Bladen, 1622
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.
They know not the power of God, nor the virtue of this union, who deny that the Saints have assurance of salvation. For (to follow this metaphor a little) suppose a man were cast into a river, and his head able to lift and keep it self above water, would we not say, that man is safe enough, he is above water. This is the case of this mystical body: it being cast into the sea of this world, Christ the head thereof hath lift, and keeps himself aloft even in heaven. Is there now any fear, any possibility of the drowning of this body, or of any member thereof? If any should be drowned, then either Christ must be drowned, or else that member pulled from Christ; both which are impossible. Thus then by virtue of this union we see how on Christs safety, ours dependeth: if he be safe, so are we: if we perish, so must he.
They know not the power of God, nor the vertue of this vnion, who denie that the Saints haue assurance of saluation. For (to follow this metaphor a little) suppose a man were cast into a riuer, and his head able to lift and keepe it selfe aboue water, would we not say, that man is safe enough, he is aboue water. This is the case of this mysticall body: it being cast into the sea of this world, Christ the head thereof hath lift, and keepes himselfe aloft euen in heauen. Is there now any feare, any possibility of the drowning of this body, or of any member thereof? If any should be drowned, then either Christ must be drowned, or else that member pulled from Christ; both which are impossible. Thus then by vertue of this vnion we see how on Christs safety, ours dependeth: if he be safe, so are we: if we perish, so must he.
In this respect ye may be secure O flesh and blood: ye have 1got heaven in Christ: they who deny heaven to you, may also deny Christ to be in heaven.
In this respect yee may be secure O flesh and bloud: yee haue 1got heauen in Christ: they who denie heauen to you, may also denie Christ to be in heauen.