A69129:368
Conscience with the Power and Cases Thereof
Conscience with the power and cases thereof Divided into V. books. Written by the godly and learned, William Ames, Doctor, and Professor of Divinity, in the famous University of Franeker in Friesland. Translated out of Latin into English, for more public benefit.Conscience with the power and cases thereof Devided into V. bookes. Written by the godly and learned, William Ames, Doctor, and Professor of Divinity, in the famous University of Franeker in Friesland. Translated out of Latine into English, for more publique benefit.
Leiden and London : Imprinted W. Christiaens, E. Griffin, J. Dawson, Anno MDCXXIX 1639Leyden and London : Imprinted W. Christiaens, E. Griffin, J. Dawson, Anno MDCXXIX 1639
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.
3. Thirdly, after this conviction of Conscience, there must follow, a despair of salvation, both in respect, of all strength of our own, and of any help which is to be had from the Creatures, Rom. 7. 9. 11. 13.
3. Thirdly, after this conviction of Conscience, there must follow, a despare of salvation, both in respect, of all strength of our owne, and of any helpe which is to be had from the Creatures, Rom. 7. 9. 11. 13.
4. Fourthly, after all these; there must follow, a true humiliation of heart, which consists in grief and fear because of sin, and doth bring forth confession, Mat. 9▪ 12.
4. Fourthly, after all these; there must follow, a true humiliation of heart, which consists in griefe and feare because of sin, and doth bring forth confession, Mat. 9▪ 12.
5. For the procuring of this humiliation, it is always necessary that there be a distinct consideration of some particular fins: for a general apprehension of sin, causeth a confused astonishment, but no right and true humiliation, Rom. 7. 7.
5. For the procuting of this humiliation, it is alwayes necessary that there be a distinct consideration of some particular finnes: for a generall apprehension of sinne, causeth a confused astonishment, but no right and true humiliation, Rom. 7. 7.
6. This humiliation is oftentimes occasioned by the sight of some one sin, Act. 2. 23. 37.
7. It is helped forward oft times by some heavy affliction, as in Manasseh. 2 Chro. 33. 12. The degrees of this humiliation are not the same, in all that be converted: for some feel greater trouble, and some less. But all those that are truly converted are also truly humbled. So put a man in the state of grace, it is required, that there be 1. Such an apprehension, upon the Gospel, as whereby a man judgeth it possible that his sins should be forgiven, Rom. 12. 23. Psa. 130. 4. 2 An earnest desire to obtain that mercy, which in Scripture is called a spiritual hunger, or thirst, Esa. 55. 1. John. 7. 37. Luke 1. 53. 3 An actual union with Christ, which consists in Faith, that is wrought in us by effectual vocation, John 15. 1. 4. True repentance, whereby forsaking all sin, we give up and consecrate our selves wholly to God in Christ, Acts 2. 38. & 3. 19.
7. It is helped forward oft times by some heavy affliction, as in Manasses. 2 Chro. 33. 12. The degrees of this humiliation are not the same, in all that be converted: for some feele greater trouble, and some lesse. But all those that are truely converted are also truly humbled. So put a man in the state of grace, it is required, that there be 1. Such an apprehension, upon the Gospell, as whereby a man judgeth it possible that his sinnes should be forgiven, Rom. 12. 23. Psa. 130. 4. 2 An earnest desire to obtaine that mercy, which in Scripture is called a spirituall hunger, or thirst, Esa. 55. 1. Iohn. 7. 37. Luke 1. 53. 3 An actu•ll union with Christ, which consists in Faith, that is wrought in us by effectuall vocation, Iohn 15. 1. 4. True repentance, whereby forsaking all sin, we give up and consecrate our selves wholy to God in Christ, Acts 2. 38. & 3. 19.
CHAP. 5. Of the effectual Vocation.
CHAP. 5. Of the effectuall Vocation.
BY effectual vocation, we have the first entrance into the state of saving grace; But here (in general) arise four questions, which do nearly belong to Conscience, The first question is, whether he that hath Faith, may by ordinary means certainly know, that he is effectually called of God and in the state of grace?
BY effectuall vocation, we have the first entrance into the state of saving grace; But here (in generall) arise foure questions, which doe neerely belong to Conscience, The first question is, whether he that hath Faith, may by ordinary means certainly know, that he is effectually called of God and in the state of grace?
Ans. He that hath Faith, may, and is wont to know1 certainly that he is in the state of grace. Divers reasons of this assertion, (besides those which before were, delivered in the questions of the state of man in general) may be produced.
Ans. He that hath Faith, may, and is wont to know1 certainly that he is in the state of grace. Divers reasons of this assertion, (besides those which before were, delivered in the questions of the state of man in generall) may be produced.
- 1The Faithful may be certain of their vocation.The Faithfull may be certain of their vocation.
1. It is the office and the work of the spirit of God which ⟨p. 10⟩the faithful have received, to certify and assure them of those things which God of his free grace hath conferred upon them, 1 Cor. 2. 12. Ro. 8. 15.
1. It is the office and the worke of the spirit of God which ⟨p. 10⟩the faithfull have received, to certify and assure them of those things which God of his free grace hath conferd upon them, 1 Cor. 2. 12. Ro. 8. 15.
2. The faithful are commanded to make their calling and election sure, neither is this a legal precept but an evangelical, 2 Pet. 1. 10.
2. The faithfull are commanded to make their calling and election sure, neither is this a legall precept but an evangelicall, 2 Pet. 1. 10.
3. That grace which we have received hath the nature and force of an earnest, in respect of that inheritance which is promised to us, Es. 1. 1, 4. & 4. •0. 1 Cor. 13. 14. 2 Cor. 1 21. 22. Forasmuch therefore as it serves for the assuring us of the certain of something which is to come, it ought not it self to be uncertain: for no certainty can be grounded upon an uncertainty.
3. That grace which we have received hath the nature and force of an earnest, in respect of that inheritance which is promised to us, Es. 1. 1, 4. & 4. •0. 1 Cor. 13. 14. 2 Cor. 1 21. 22. For asmuch therefore as it serves for the assuring us of the certaine of something which is to come, it ought not it selfe to be uncertaine: for no certainty can be grounded upon an uncertainty.
4. A certain knowledge of the grace of God is required, as a necessary foundation for that joy and thankfulness which God requires of us, in regard of that grace, 1 Peter 1. 6. 8.
4. A certaine knowledge of the grace of God is required, as a necessary foundation for that joy and thankfulnesse which God requires of us, in regard of that grace, 1 Peter 1. 6. 8.
5. A Conscience purged from dead works doth necessarily bring with it a certain knowledge of grace, Heb. 10. 20. Rom. 8. 16. & 9. 2.
5. A Conscience purged from dead works doth necessarily bring with it a certaine knowledge of grace, Heb. 10. 20. Rom. 8. 16. & 9. 2.
6. The faithful are expressly said to have had this assurance, and that by such arguments as are common to all believers, 2 Cor. 13. 5. 1 John 3. 14. & 4. 16. &▪ 5. 20.
6. The faithfull are expresly said to have had this assurance, and that by such arguments as are common to all believers, 2 Cor. 13. 5. 1 Iohn 3. 14. & 4. 16. &▪ 5. 20.
The second question is by what signs the certainty of this effectual vocation, and grace may be confirmed.
The second question is by what signes the certainty of this effectuall vocation, and grace may be confirmed.
7. Ans The first sign is, a constant inclination of the will towards God, as towards the chief good, Psal. 119. 57. For there is no man that can indeed place his chiefest good in the enjoying God, but such a one as is called by God out of the world, and converted from his idols, which before he had set up to himself in his heart.
7. Ans The first signe is, a constant inclination of the will towards God, as towards the chiefe good, Psal. 119. 57. For there is no man that can indeed place his chiefest good in the injoying God, but such a one as is called by God out of the world, and converted from his idolls, which before he had set up to himselfe in his heart.