IT is most evident, that they, which teach that mans salvation either in part or wholly, dependeth and is grounded in works, destroy the foundation of the Gospel of GOD 1. And contrariwise, 1they that teach justification freely by faith, ground on a sure foundation; but so, that they build upon that eternal counsel of God, whereupon ⟨p. 58⟩Christ himself 2, and the Apostle Paul following Christs steppes, groundeth his doctrine 3. For seeing perseverance in faith is requisite to salvation 4, to what purpose shall saith serve me, except I be sure of the gift of perseverance? nor we need not fear, least this doctrine make us negligent, or dissolute: for this peace of conscience whereof we speak 5, ought to be distinct and separate from foolish security: and he that is the son of God, seeing he is moved and governed by the spirit of God 9, vvill never through the consideration of Gods benefit take occasion of negligence and 2dissolution. Then if by this doctrine we had but this one commodity, that we might ⟨p. 59⟩learn to assure & confirm our faith against all brunts that might happen, it is manifest that they which speak against & resist this article of religion, either through their wickedness, or else through their ignorance, or some foolish blind zeal (which happeneth, when men will measure God according to the capacity of their own wits) subvert & destroy the principal ground & foundation of our salvation. And in very deed, though some (as I must confess) do it not purposely: yet do they open notwithstanding, the door to all superstition & impiety. As for them ▪ which nowadays maliciously oppugn the truth, I beseech the lord, even from my hart, either to turn their minds (if so ⟨p. 60⟩be they appertain to the elect) or else to send them a most speedy destruction, that by their own example they may confirm and establish that doctrine, which so maliciously they resist. These other I will desire most instantly, and require them in the name of God, that they would better advise themselves what they do.
IT is most euidēt, that they, which teach that mans saluation either in part or wholly, dependeth and is grounded in works, destroy the foundation of the Gospel of GOD 1. And contrariwise, 1they that teach iustification freely by faith, ground on a sure foundation; but so, that they build vpon that eternal counsell of God, whereupon ⟨p. 58⟩Christ himselfe 2, and the Apostle Paul folowing Christs steppes, groundeth his doctrine 3. For seeing perseuerance in faith is requisite to saluation 4, to what purpose shall saith serue me, except I be sure of the gift of perseuerance? nor we need not fear, least this doctrine make vs negligent, or dissolute: for this peace of conscience whereof wee speak 5, ought to be distinct and separat frō foolish securitie: and he that is the sonne of God, seeing hee is mooued and gouerned by the spirit of God 9, vvill neuer through the consideration of Gods benefit take occasion of negligence and 2dissolution. Then if by this doctrine we had but this one commoditie, that wee might ⟨p. 59⟩learn to assure & cofirme our faith against all brunts that might happen, it is manifest that they which speak against & resist this article of religion, either through their wickednes, or else through their ignorance, or some foolish blind zeale (which hapneth, when men will me•sure God according to the capacity of their own wits) subuert & destroy the principall ground & foundation of our saluation. And in very deed, though some (as I must cōfesse) do it not purposely: yet doe they open notwithstanding, the dore to al superstition & impiety. As for thē ▪ which nowadaies maliciously oppugne the truth, I beseech the lord, euen from my hart, either to turne their mindes (if so ⟨p. 60⟩be they appertaine to the elect) or else to send them a most speedy destruction, that by their owne example they may confirme and establish that doctrine, which so maliciously they resist. These other I will desire most instantly, and require them in the name of God, that they would better aduise themselues what they doe.
- 1Justification by faith is unprofitable, if it be separate from election.Iustification by faith is vnprofitable, if it bee seperat from election.
- 2Peace of con science dependeth on predestination.Peace of cō science dependeth on predestination.
