A95413:148
The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is…
The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is evidently proved, that the holy Scriptures (not the pope) is the foundation whereupon the Church is built. Or, That a Christian may be infallibly certain of his faith and religion by holy Scriptures. By William Twice D.D. Prolocutor of the Assembly of Divines. Written at the desire of Samuel Hartlib, Esquire, for the satisfaction of his friends beyond the seas; and now divulged in print for more public edification.The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is evidently proved, that the holy Scriptures (not the pope) is the foundation whereupon the Church is built. Or, That a Christian may be infallibly certain of his faith and religion by holy Scriptures. By William Tvvisse D.D. Prolocutor of the Assembly of Divines. Written at the desire of Samuel Hartlib, Esquire, for the satisfaction of his friends beyond the seas; and now divulged in print for more publick edification.
London: printed for Thomas Matthews, 1652
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
As for things necessary to salvation they are but few, but the knowledge of God and the things of God is so sweet to a regenerate taste, having already tasted how bountiful the Lord is, that he will be carried as naturally to desire the sincere milk of the Word, that he may grow thereby, as new born babes do desire the milk of their mothers breasts, 1 Pet. 2.1. As for perplexed and doubting, and erring Consciences, men may perplex themselves, and raise doubts causelessly, and err in this, and this error will be the greater, when after all this they pretend perplexity and doubts made unto them, when they are only the mists which themselves have raised to blear ⟨p. 123⟩their own eyes, and such a work, I think, is never more inauspiciously performed than when they set their wits on work to dispute themselves out of the Lords verge, and circle, within the compass whereof alone he useth to charm all his Elect, after they have run their wild race and compass, and bring them home like the prodigal child to his father, so them to their heavenly father, and therewithal to the sobriety of their wits, and integrity of their senses, that they may say, Oh, what love have I to thy Law! all the day long is my study in it; the Law of thy mouth is dearer to me than thousands of gold and silver: by this I have more understanding than my Teachers. Indeed the Law of the Lord is a perfect Law converting the soul, the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom to the simple, yea, and such wisdom as maketh wise ⟨p. 124⟩unto salvation, and what should we desire more?
As for things necessary to salvation they are but few, but the knowledge of God and the things of God is so sweet to a regenerate tast, having already tasted how bountifull the Lord is, that he will be carried as naturally to desire the sincere milk of the Word, that he may grow thereby, as new born babes do desire the milk of their mothers breasts, 1 Pet. 2.1. As for perplexed and doubting, and erring Consciences, men may perplex themselves, and raise doubts causlesly, and erre in this, and this error will be the greater, when after all this they pretend perplexity and doubts made unto them, when they are onely the mists which themselves have raised to blear