The Scripture then witnesseth 7, that all those that God hath, according to his counsel, predestinate, to be adopted his children through Jesus Christ, are also called in their time appointed, yea & so effectually, that they hear the voice of him that calleth, and believe it 8: so that being justified and sanctified in Jesus Christ, they are also glorified. Wilt thou then, 1whatsoever thou art, be assured of predestination, and so in order of thy salvation, which thou lookest for, against all the assaults of Satan? assured I say, not by doubtful conjectures, or our own fantasy, but by arguments, and conclusions, no less true and certain 9. then ⟨p. 63⟩if thou were ascended, into […] and had heard of Gods own mouth his eternal decree and purpose? Beware thou begin not at that most high degree: for so thou shouldest not be able to sustain the most shining light of Gods majesty. Begin therefore beneath at the lowest order, and when thou shalt hear the voice of God 10, sound in thine ears, and in thy hart, which calleth thee to Christ the only Mediator, consider by little and little, & try diligently 11; if thou be justified & sanctified in Christ through faith: for these two be the effects or fruits, whereby the faith is known, which is their cause. As for this thou shalt partly 2know by the spirit of adoption, ⟨p. 64⟩which crieth within thee Abba Father 12: and partly by the virtue and effect of the same spirit, which is wrought in thee. As if thou fall, and so declare indeed, that although sin dwell in thee, yet it doth no more reign in thee 13. For is not the holy Ghost he, that causeth us not to let slip the bridle, and give liberty willingly to our naughty and vile concupiscences 14, as they are accustomed, whose eyes the prince of this world blindeth 15? or else who moveth us to pray, when we are 3cold, and slothful? who stirreth up in us those unspeakable groanings 16? Who is he that when we have sinned (yea and sometimes willingly and wittingly) engendereth ⟨p. 65⟩in us an hate of the sin committed: and not for the fear of punishment, which we have therefore deserved, but because we have offended our most merciful father 17?
The Scripturne then witnesseth 7, that all those that God hath, according to his counsell, predestinate, to be adopted his children throgh Iesus Christ, are also called in their time appointed, yea & so effectually, that they hear the voice of him that calleth, and belieue it 8: so that beeing iustified and sanctified in Iesus Christ, they are also glorified. Wilt thou then, 1whatsoeuer thou art, be assured of predestination, and so in order of thy saluation, which thou lookest for, against all the assaults of Satan? assured I say, not by doubtful coniectures, or our owne fantasie, but by arguments, and conclusions, no lesse true and certaine 9. then ⟨p. 63⟩if thou were ascended, into 〈…〉 and had heard of Gods owne mouth his eternall decree and purpose? Beware thou begin not at that most high degree: for so thou shouldest not be able to sustaine the most shining light of Gods maiestie. Begin therefore beneath at the lowest order, and when thou shalt heare the voice of God 10, sound in thine eares, and in thy hart, which calleth thee to Christ the onely Mediator, consider by little and little, & try diligently 11; if thou be iustified & sanctified in Christ through faith: for these two bee the effects or fruites, whereby the faith is known, which is their cause. As for this thou shalt partly 2know by the spirit of adoption, ⟨p. 64⟩which cryeth within thee Abba Father 12: and partly by the vertue and effect of the same spirit, which is wrought in thee. As if thou fall, and so declare indeede, that although sinne dwell in thee, yet it doth no more raigne in thee 13. For is not the holy Ghost hee, that causeth vs not to let slip the bridle, and giue libertie willinglie to our naughtie and vile concupiscences 14, as they are accustomed, whose eyes the prince of this world blindeth 15? or else who mooueth vs to pray, when we are 3cold, and slothfull? who stirreth vp in vs those vnspeakable gronings 16? Who is he that when wee haue sinned (yea and sometimes willingly and wittingly) ingendreth ⟨p. 65⟩in vs an hate of the sin committed: and not for the feare of punishment, which vvee haue therefore deserued, but because wee haue offended our most mercifull father 17?
- 1How a man may have assurance of his election.How a man may haue assurance of his election.
- 2By what signs faith is known.By what signes faith is known.
- 3The effects of the holy Ghost in the elect.
