A brief declaration of the chief points of Christian religion set forth in a…A briefe declaration of the chiefe points of Christian religion set forth in a…

CHAP. VIII.

How every man may with profit apply this universal doctrine to himself.

How euery man may with profit apply this uniuersal doctrine to himselfe.

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