4 Moreover the promise is void,1 if the fulfilling thereof do hang upon our deserving, as by that other reason it is taken away, that is to say, if thou take away Faith: for if Faith be fallen, there shall remain no force for the promise; but if Faith stand, the promise also is abundantly confirmed: first he proveth this out of Augustine: 2Augustine sayeth, that Christ shall reign for ever in his servants, God hath promised, God hath said it, and if that be not enough, God hath sworn it: therefore forasmuch as the promise is stablished, ⟨image 157⟩not according to our deservings, but according to his mercy, no man ought to speak fearfully of that of which he can not doubt. Bernard saith, that the Disciples of Christ say, who can be saved? but he answered: this is impossible with men: but it is not impossible with God. This is our confidence, this is our only comfort, this is the whole ground of our hope, but being assured of the possibility, what say we of his will:3 who knoweth whether he be worthy of love or hatred? who hath known the Lords meaning? or who hath been his counsellor? Here now Faith must of necessity help us, here must his truth succour us, that that which is hidden from us; may be revealed by the spirit, & his spirit testifying it,4 may persuade our hearts that we are the Sons of God.
4 Moreouer the promise is voide,1 if the fulfilling thereof doe hang vpon our deseruing, as by that other reason it is taken away, that is to say, if thou take away Fayth: for if Fayth bée fallen, there shall remaine no force for the promise; but if Fayth stande, the promise also is abundantly confirmed: first hée proueth this out of Augustine: 2Augustine sayeth, that Christ shall raigne for euer in his seruantes, God hath promised, God hath sayde it, and if that be not enough, God hath sworne it: therefore forasmuch as the promise is stablished, ⟨image 157⟩not according to our deseruings, but according to his mercy, no man ought to speake fearefully of that of which hée can not doubt. Bernard sayth, that the Disciples of Christ say, who can be saued? but he answered: this is impossible with men: but it is not impossible with God. This is our confidence, this is our only comforte, this is the whole grounde of our hope, but being assured of the possibilitie, what say we of his will:3 who knoweth whether he be worthy of loue or hatred? who hath knowne the Lordes meaning? or who hath bene his counsellour? Here now Faith must of necessitie help vs, here must his truth succour vs, that that which is hidden from vs; may be reuealed by the spirite, & his spirite testifiyng it,4 may persuade our heartes that we are the Sonnes of God.
- 1Psal. 119.76.
- 2In Psal. 58. Trac. Prior.In Psal. 58. Trac. Priore.
- 3Eccle. 9.1. 1. Cor. 2.16
- 4Rom. 8.16 Zach. 3.9 Isaiah. 9.6 Ephe. 2.14 Rom. 5.1Rom. 8.16 Zach. 3.9 Esai. 9.6 Ephe. 2.14 Rom. 5.1
