And therefore,1 fourthly is this clause added in the definition through •ayth in Christ his son: which faith in Christ to us ward maketh altogether: For first it certifieth us of Gods election: for whosoever will be certain of his election in God: let him first begin with this faith in Christ, which if he find in him to stand firm: He may be sure, and nothing doubt,2 but that he is one of the number of Gods elect. Secondly, the said faith and nothing else, is the only condition and means whereupon Gods mercy, election, vocation, and all Gods promises to salvation, do stay according to the words of S. Paul: Si permanseritis in fide, &c. If ye abide in the faith. Colos 1. Thirdly, this faith also is the immediate and next cause of our justification simply without any other condition annexed. For as the mercy of God, his grace, election, vocation, and other precedent causes, do save and justify us upon condition: if we believe in Christ, so this faith in ⟨image 99⟩Christ without condition, is the ne•t• and immediate cause, which by Gods premise worketh our justification. According as it is written: Creed in dominum Jesum & saluus eris t• & do•us•tua. 3Believe in the Lord Jesus,4 and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy whole house, Act. 16. And thus much touching the definition of election, with the causes thereof declared, which you see now to be no merits nor works of man: whether they go before or come after faith, but only y• mere mercy of God through faith: for like as all they that be borne of Adam, do taste of his malediction, though they tasted not his Apple: So all they that be borne of Christ which is by faith, take part of the obedience of Christ: Although they never did that obedience themselves, which was in him. Rom. 5.
And therefore,1 fowrthlye is this clause added in the diffinition through •ayth in Christe his sonne: which fayth in Christ to vs warde maketh altogeather: For fyrste it certifyeth vs of Gods election: for whosoeuer wyll bee certayne of his election in God: let him fyrste begynne with this fayth in Christ, whiche if hee fynde in him to stande fyrme: Hée maye bee sure, and nothing doubte,2 but that he is one of the number of Gods electe. Secondlye, the sayde fayth and nothing else, is the onely condition and meanes wherevppon Gods mercy, election, vocation, and all Gods promyses to saluation, doo stay according to the wordes of S. Paul: Si permanseritis in fide, &c. If ye abide in the fayth. Colos 1. Thyrdly, this faith also is the immediate and next cause of our iustifycation simply without any other condition annexed. For as the mercy of God, his grace, election, vocation, and other precedent causes, doo saue and iustify vs vppon conditon: if wee beleeue in Christe, so this fayth in ⟨image 99⟩Christ without condition, is the ne•t• and immediate cause, which by Gods premyse worketh our iustifycation. According as it is wrytten: Crede in dominum Iesum & saluus eris t• & do•us•tua. 3Beleeue in the Lorde Iesus,4 and thou shalt be saued, thou and thy whole house, Act. 16. And thus much touching the definitiō of election, with the causes therof declared, which you see now to bee no merytes nor workes of man: whether they goe before or come after fayth, but only y• meere mercy of God through fayth: for lyke as all they that bee borne of Adam, doo tast of his malediction, though they tasted not his Apple: So all they that be borne of Christ which is by fayth, take parte of the obedience of Christe: Although they neuer dyd that obedience themselues, which was in him.
- 1The free mercy and grace of God in his own good will through faith in christ his sonne o•r Lord.The free mercy and grace of God in his ovvne good vvyll through faith in christ his sonne o•r Lord.
- 2Faith is the only condition whereby Gods grace doth save us.Faith is the onlie condition vvhereby Gods grace doth saue vs.
- 3Act. 16.
- 4Faith only is the immediate cause of our justifying.Fayth only is the immediate cause of our iustifiyng.