A95413:54
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.
Consideration. Let my Faith be never so certain, and my Repentance and good works never so sincere, I trust neither to the one nor to the other; Christ is the Rock and foundation whereupon Gods Church is built, upon which we are built by the knowledge of Christ, and faith in Christ, and in him alone I trust both for the keeping of me in this knowledge and faith of Christ, and for the bringing of me thereby unto salvation, as Paul saith, 1 Cor. 1.20. I know whom I have trusted, and I know that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him. And 1 Cor. 1.30. God hath made him unto ⟨p. 15⟩us wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption.
Who so doubts whether it be possible to have any certainty of faith out of the holy Scriptures, I demand of him, whether he doubts of the possibility for a man to have any certain faith at all, or no; if he doubts whether this be possible, who seeth not that it is more fit this Question should be proposed in the first place, and upon the solution thereof, and not afore, to proceed to inquire by what this certainty may be had; if he doubts not but that this is possible, let him show us how or by what means he is assured hereof, as namely, whether by natural reason, or by the word of the Pope, or by the word of an Angel. And indeed if the Question were proposed indifferently and fairly with distinction, we should soon perceive how little cause there is to call this a Perplexed Question, or ⟨p. 16⟩a Doubtful case of Conscience, though these forms savour of no learning, nor judgement; for the perplexity that is found in this Argument is not in the Question, if it be, it is the mere fault of the propounder exhibiting it in perplexed terms, the meaning whereof cannot be easily unfolded; but rather in finding out the truth thereof, and that is only in case the reasons be of equal moment on both sides, wherewith the truth is encumbered; so that the light and convincing evidence thereof cannot easily break forth and appear. Then as for a case of Conscience that is a very alien notion, and ill applied in this place: for cases of Conscience are only touching what we ought to do in a certain case; but this is only touching possibility of assurance, as, Whether we can have any certain faith by the holy Scriptures. But let us proceed distinctly, And