The Perpetuity of a Regenerate Mans Estate, Part · Section 25

The Perpetuity of a Regenerate Mans Estate · Part · Section 25

p. 196The Protestant Churches and writers beyond the seas.

Secondly, as this hath beene the vnanimous and constant doctrine of all the ancient Fathers and of the Church of God in former ages. That the true regenerate Saints of God can neither finally nor totally fall from grace: so likewise hath it alwaies beene, the receiued, positiue, consiant and resolued doctrine of all Protestant and reformed Churches beyond the seas: which is euident. First, by the writings and records of their greatest, learnedst and chiefest Schollers and Diuines, which are very full and copious, in the defence and maintinance of this our present assertion. Secondly, by the seuerall Articles & Confessions of these Churches, and by the expresse resolutions of those Synods, which hauehave bin held and kept among them, which hauehave resolued and established this our position as the orthodox truth and Tenet.

First, their greatest, learnedst and chiefest Schollers and Diuines, hauehave in their seuerall workes and writings recorded, propagated, published and defended this our present Theses and assertion, as the orthodox and vndoubted truth; which I will proue by a particular Induction and Index of their names and workes, without transcribing of their words, for feare least I should bee to voluminous and ouer-tedious in this point: Iohn Husse, that learned and faithfull Martyr of Iesus Christ, and one of the first reformers of the Bohemian and German Churches, hath not onelyonly published and recorded this our present assertion, of the totall and finall perseuerance p. 197of the Saints in grace, to all posteritie as you may reade at large in his Tractate de Ecclesia: cap: 1, 3, 4. but hee hath likewise sealed and ratified the truth of this with his very blood: as is euident by the 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 21, Articles of his which were condemned in the 15. Session of the Popish Councell of Constans. After him laborious and zealous Luther in his Postills, Homil: in lohn 14: in die Penteeostes. Hom: in fecto sanctae Catbarinae and in his Commentarie in 1 Pet: 1: 23. Learned Bucer in his Comment: on Math: 7: 13. cap: 16: 18. cap: 24: 24. on lohn 4: 14 cap: 10: 28, 29 cap: 14: 16, 17. & on Rom: cap: 7: & 8. and in diuers other of his workes, epithomized by Zanchius in the first part of his 7: Tom: in his treatise de Perseuerantia sanctorum: learned Zwinglius in his Opus Articulorum: Artic. 8. Elegant and learned Melanchthon in his Comentary on the 1 Cor: 10. 13. in his Loci Comm: Loc…s de Iustificatione ac fide: and in Tom. 3. de sacris Concionibus pag. 264: 267. Profound Brentius in Iohn 10. hom. 81. in lohn 16. hom. 56. in Iohn. 17. hom. …4. and in his Exegesis in Iohn 17. Learned, painefull, and iudicious Caluin (a farre better Diuine, and a farre honester man then any of all those who calumniate slight and vilifie him) in his lnstitutions lib. 2. cap. 3. sect. 11. and cap. 5. sect. 3. lib. 3. cap. 24. sect. 6, 7. Expositio. in Psal. 51. verse 12. 13. Commen. in Hebr. 6. 4, 5, 6. In. 2 Pet. 3. 17. and in diuers other places of his workes. Learned Bullinger in his Comentarie on 2 Tim. 2. 19. and is his Exposition on Hebr. 6. 4, 5, 6. Gualtherus in Euangelium Lucae homil. 197. et 201. and homil. 26. in Epist. 1 Iohn. Grynaeus in his Disputationum Theolog. pars 2: de fide electorum. Theses 18. pag. 471. and Praelectiones in Hebr. 6. verse 4, 5, 6. Profound and learned Peter Martyr. Locorum. Com. Classis 3. cap. 3. sect. 46, 47. and in his Commet. on Rom. 8. Iudicious Marlorat in his Exposition on Psal. 51. 12, 13. and on Psal. 125. 1, 2. In his Exposition on Math. 7. 25. cap. 16. 18. cap. 24. 24. on Iohn 4. 14. cap. 5. 24. cap. 6. 37. cap. 8. 31. cap. 10 28, 29. cap. 15. 6. cap. 17. 9. on Rom. 5. 2. cap. 9. 3. on 1 Cor. 1. 8. 9. on 2 Tim. 2. 19. on Hebr. 6. 3, 4, 5. on 1 Pet 1 5. 23. on 1 Iohn 2. 19 cap. 3. 9. and cap. 5. 16. Musculus in his Comentary on Ma…h 16. 18. cap. 24. 24. and on Iohn 10. 28. 29. and in his Loci Comm. de Peccato cap. 5. Aretius p. 198in Phil. 1. 6. in 2. Tim. 2. 19. in 1 Pet. 1. 5. and in his Theolog Problemata Locus 6. de Praedestinatione. pag. 81. Oecolampadius in 1 Iohn 2. 19. Mollerus in Psal. 121. 3. to the end, and in Psa. 125. 1. 2. Alardus Mehinus in Anchora salutis. pag. 173. Hyperius in his Comentary on the 2 Tim. 2. 19. and on Titus 1. 1. Rennicherus in his Aurea Catena salutis. cap. 27. pag. 210, 211. Hess…usius in his Exposition in 1 Cor. 1. 8. and in his Examen Theolog. Locus 16. de Predestinatione. Gasper Oleuianus in his Expositio Symboli Apostolici. pag. 38, 63, 64, 75, 133, 134, 137, 138, 139, 150, 154, 155, 156, 162, 163, 164, 191. in his Commentary on Rom. 8. ver. 28, 29, 30. and so to the end of the chapter. and de Testimonio faederis gratniti pars 2. sect. 15. 18. to 24. Gorrutius de Prouidentia. lib. 14 cap. 5, 6, 7. Heerbrandus in his Compendium Theolog. Locus de Electione. pag. 438, 439. Hutterus in his Loci Com. Locus 13. de Praedestinatione. quest. 5, 9, 12, 13. Tossanus in his booke de Prouidentia Dei. cap. 4 pag. 175. to 179 Chassanus. Locorum Comm. lib. 2. cap. 8. Tilenus in his Syntagma Theolog. de Praedestinatione Dei Theses 24. to 33. Hemingius in his Comm. in 2 Tim. 2. 10, 19. Gesnerus in his Compendium doctrinae caelestis. Loc. 30. de Praedestinatione. pag 235, 246, 247, 248. Marcus Cyriacus in his Conciones. 7. de Perseuerantia sanctorum. Vrsinus in his booke de Prouidentia. pag. 16. Chemnitius in his Encheridion de Praedestinatione. pag. 224. and his Loci Communes Locus de Iustificatione, & de fide, and in his Harmonia Euangel. cap. 2 on Math. 7. 24. to 28. and Luke 6. 47. 48. Learned Iunius in his Notae on Psal. 1. verse 3. and in Philip. 1. 6. in his Meditation on Psal. 122. verse. 2. in his Comment. on Ezech. 33. 12. and in his Theses, 33. Thesis, 11. and Thesis, 37. Corol. 2. Gomarus in declaratione sententiae suae. pag: 32. Learned and profound Danaeus in his Isag…ges pars 2. de Ecclesia: cap: 5. Isag: pars 4. lib: 4: de fide. cap: 18. 19. and in his Tom: 2. Controuers: aduers: Bellarm: de Baptismo Respons: 15. pag: 385, 386. Trelcatius: in his Institutio: Loc: Com: lib: 3. de fide pars foreign, and Festus Hommius, in his Specimen Controuersiarum Belgicarum, seu confessio Ecclesiarum Reformatarum in Belgio: Articulus 29, 33, 35: all these I say, hauehave in these their seuerall workes and writings, recorded, propagated and p. 199deliuered, this our persent assertion, of the totall and finall perseuerance of the Saints in grace, as an orthodox sound and vndoubted truth. To these let me adde some other of great learning worth and credit, in the Churches wherein they liued, (the most of them being publike professors of Diuinitie) who hauehave particularly handled and discussed this our present assertion, That the true regenerate Saints of God can neither finally nor totally fall from grace, and defended it as sound and orthodox against such Pseudo-Lutherans, Papists and Arminians, who hauehave opposed it. Learned Zanchius in his booke de Perseuerantia sanctornm: which you shall finde in his 7: Tom: pars: 1. pag: 91. to 174. and in his Confession to the Argentine Senate touching this very point: recorded in the same Tom. pag: 347: to 388. Sturmius in his booke de Praedestiantione: Theses 11. Kimedoncius in his booke de Praedestinatione: pag: 328: to 333: English. Reuerend and judicious Beza in his Theses Geneuenses: Theses 27: de fide: Theses 6: in his Breuis explicatio totius Christianismi: cap: 4: Aphorismus 12: cap: 8. Aphor: 2. and Colloquium Mompelgartense: pag: 463. to 469. Amandus Polanus in his Syntagma Theolog: lib: 6: cap: 43. Pareus in his Comment: on Rom: 8: Dub: 7. and in Appendice ad cap: 15: lib: 3: de Iustificatione. Robertus Somus in his Tractatus de tribus quaestionibus: quaest: 3: Georgius Sohinus Operum: Tom: 2: in Exegcsi Artic: Augustanae Confessionis: pag: 764: to 785, 990, 991, 1016, 1017. Piscator in Vorstij amica Collat: cum Piscatore sect: 108: and in his owne Thes: Theolog: vol: 1: Locus 20: de Certitudine electionis Thes: 25: and vol: 2: Loc: 5: de effectis Fidei: Thes: 102. Ludouicus Crocius in his 7 bookes de Perseuerantia sanctorum against Bertius. Ruardus Acronius in Enarrati: Chatech: quaest: 53. sect: 11. Petrus Molineus in his Anatome Arminianismi: cap: 46, 47. Ioannes Scharpius a Scot professer of Diuinitie in Dion, in his Tractatus de Iustificatione Controuers: 5. Bucanus in his Loci Comm: Loc: 20: de fide sect: 24, 27. Rollocke in Psal: 51: and Rom: 8. And Doctor Ames a learned English man, a professor of Diuinitie in the Netherlands, in his Corouis ad Collationem Hagiensem: Artic: 5. as also some of those whom I hauehave formerly mentioned, and therefore p. 200will not here recite them, hauehave learnedly maintained and defended this our present position as a sound and orthodox assertion, and as the receiued and resolued doctrine of all Protestant and reformed Churches. It is euident then by this cloud of reueren, famousd, and renowned witnesses, that the most, the learnedest, and the soundest writers in all Protestant and reformed Churches in forraine parts, hauehave alwaies defended and maintained our present assertion, of the totall and finall perseuerance of the Saints, as sound and orthodox, and imbraced it as an vndoubted, established, and resolued truth. How honest then is Master Monntague, who hath auerred it vponupon record, that the Protestants in Germanie hauehave Gagg…. 158. 159.assemted vntounto the Church of Rome, in this, that faith once had may be both totally and finally lost; and that this is the resolution of many, Gagge. pag. 170, 171.if not most Protestant Diuines, as priuate men of Protestant Churches, in their Descisions and Resolutions; and that this assertion, That faith once had cannot be lost, is as much or more opposed, propugned & refelled, by Protestants, as by Papists. Indeed Master Mountague being so great a booke-man might hauehave done well to hauehave giuen vsus a Catalogue of the names and workes of those Protestant Diuines in other Churches, who hauehave consented to the Church of Rome in this particular; but, Dolosus versatur in vniuersalibus, Maister Mountague is a wilie Fox, and one who is loath to hauehave his subtilety (I will not say, his knauery and treachery) discouered, and therefore he lurkes in the generall and vniuersall tearmes, of most Protestant Diuines. Indeed hee particularizeth in one, Bucer by name, and in none but him; by which he hath discouered either much ignorance in vouching such a man whose workes he neuer read; or much treacherie and falsnesse, in vouching him, for a totall & finall losse of faith once had, who is so full and frequent to the contrary throughout his works, that hee could not hauehave lighed on such another. Indeede I must confesse, that some spurious, abortiue and PseudoLutherans, hauehave held, that faith once had might be totally lost, and and some of them hauehave likewise held, that it might be finally lost. As Aegidus Hunnius tractat: de Praedest: pag: 500: to p. 201the end. Eckhardus in Fasciculo Controu: cap: 7: quaest: 4: Winckelmannus Disput: Theol: Tom: 1: Disp: 14: Hinckelmannus Disputatione: 7: Anticaluinistica: cap: 1. Policarpus Lyserus: Disput: 7: de Praedest, Matthias Hafanrefferus Locor: Theolog: lib: 3; loc: 3. Wolffgangus Franzius Syntag: Controuersiarum: Disput: 4. Ioannes Hesselbineus: discursi: Theol: cont. Materium Heyderum disp: 4: Thes: 10. and some few others of that stampe. I confesse likewise, that Bellarmine lib: 3: de Iustific: cap: 14: Becanus de Iustificat: Caluinist: cap: 10. Franciseus Feu-ardentius, Zacharias Bauerius and other Romanists hauehave held so. I confesse likewise, that the Rhemists who are little better then meere Romanists in their seuerall Conferences at Hage, recorded by Brandius and Bertius hauehave concurred in the contrary assertion. I confesse, that Iacobus Arminius in Apolog: aduers: Artic: quosdam Theologicos. Respons: ad Artic: secundum, & in Examinatione Praedestinationis Perkinsis: that Conradus Vorstius in amica collatione cum Piscatore: sect: 108: that Nicholaus Greuinchouius, and Bertius in his Hyminaeo desertore, sine de Sanctorum Apostasia, and others of the Arminian crew (to whom Master Mountague is much beholding,) hauehave beene of this opinion, That faith once had may be lost againe. But that any sound and orthodox Protestant Diuines were of this opinion in any of their decisions, writings, or resolutions, that I neuer heard or read of as yet. But will you know now who are Master Mountagues Protestant Diuines, who hauehave so much opposed our present assertion, and consented to the Church of Rome, in the totall and finall losse of faith once had? Surely they must and can be no other, but those whose reasons, arguments, and quotations both out of Scriptures and Fathers Master Mountague hath ttanscribed in his Gagge, for he intimates as much himselfe. Now what Diuines are these Surely I must needes informe you who they are, because they are worth the knowledge: his two chiefe Diuines, they are Bellarmine and Bertius, the one a Cardinall and cheise pillar of the Church of Rome; the other the strongest pillar and stoutest Champion of the Arminian faction. It may be hee hath praid in some ayde from the Rhemists: but I can assure p. 200duplicate page p. 201duplicate page p. 202you, that all his quotations that are there cited, are transcribed either out of Bellarmine in his 3. booke de Iustif: cap. 14. or out of Bertius in his Hymeneo disertore, siue de Apostasia sanctorū: and most of them (especially the quotations out of the Fathers) are not to be found in any other Writer but in Bertius only. Are these your Protestant Diuines Mr. Mountague? were there no other Protestant Diuines from whence to fetch resolutions & decisious but from these? or can you bee so strangely impudent, as to grace these two notorious, and famous men; the one knowne for the greatest Papist, the other for the chiefest Arminian that euer was, with the stile of most Protestaut Diviues? no meruaile then is these men bee your Protestants, that you stile all others that dissent from them, not Protestants, but Caluinists Puritans, and Nouellers, and that you stile this doctrine, of the totall & finall Appeale. pag. 18.perseuerance of the Saints, a Puritan Doctrine: Wherefore (good Reader) take this short Nota with thee in the by, that all M. Mountagues Protestants, are none but Papists and Arminians, and all his Puritans, Nouellers, and Caluinists, whom hee so much lasheth, none but sound and Orthodox Protestants, who assent not to Arminius and the Church of Rome; and what must Mr. Mountague be then in the meane time? Surely a Papist or Arminian, if not both, or worse then both.

But I passe this ouer, and come to the second thing, which is to proue, the totall and finall perseuerance of the Saints in the state of Grace, to bee the receiued and approued doctrine of all Protestant and reformed Churches beyond the Seas, by their seuerall Articles and Confessions, and by their Synods which hauehave so resolued it. That this is the receiued and approued doctrine of their Articles and Confessions, it is euident and plaine. First by the latter Confession of Helvetia Artic. 9. Because that the strength of the flesh and reliques of the old man, are not of such great force in the regenerate, that they can wholly quench the worke of the Spirit, therefore the faithfull are called free; yet so, that they do acknowledge their infirmity, and glory no whit at all of their Free-will. So that by the expresse p. 203words of this Confession, the regenerate Saints of God can neuer fall totally from grace; because the strength of the flesh, and reliques of the old man, are not of such great force in the regenerate, that they can wholly quench the worke of the spirit. So Artic. 10. of the same confession: The Saints are chosen in Christ by God, vntounto a sure end: and Artic. 15. Wee who are once justified, are not only cleansed from sinne, and purged, and holy, but also indued with the righteousnesse of Christ, yea, and acquitted from sinne, death and condemnation: finally we are righteous and heires of eternall life. And Article 16. True faith is the meere gift of God, because God of his power doth giuegive it to his elect, according to measure, and therefore it is called the faith of Tit. 1. 1.Titus 1:1Gods elect. This faith doth pacifie the conscience, and doth open vntounto vsus a free accesse to God: it doth keepe vsus in our dutie which wee owe to God and to our neighbour; and doth fortifie our patience in aduersitie, and it doth bring forth good fruites of all sorts, &c. By this it is euident that our assertion is the positiue doctrine of the Helu… … … …tian Church. So is it also of the Bohemian, as it is manifest by the 6. Article of their Confession, which saith, That true faith doth alwayes lift vp him that hath it, and assures him, that in, and for Christ, he assuredly hath, and shall hauehave for euer, eternall life, according to his true promise which hee confirmed with an oath, saying; Verily I say vntounto you, hee that beleeueth on me hath eternall life. For whomsoeuer God doth iustifie, to them he doth giuegive the holy Ghost, and by him hee doth regenerate them as hee promised by the Prophet, saying. I will giuegive them a new heart, and I will put my Spirit in theEzech 12. & 3… Rom. 5.Ezek 12Rom 5 middest of them, that as before sinne had reigned in them to death, so also grace might reigne by righteousnesse vntounto eternall life through Iesus Christ. Now they that attaine to this iustification by Christ our Lord, are taught to take vntounto themselues true and assured comfort, out of this grace and bounty of God, to inioy a good and quiet conscience before God to be certaine of their owne saluation, ond to hauehave it confirmed to them by this meanes, that seeing they are the sonnes of God, they shall also after death in the resurrection bee made heires. The French Church doth likewise concurre with vsus in our assertion: in the 21. p. 204and 22. Articles of their confession, which say; That true faith is giuen only to the Elect, not that they might once only be brought into the right way, but rather that they might bee forward therein vntounto the end: because that as the beginning is of God, so is also the accomplishment. Therefore it is so farre that faith should extinguish the desire to liue well and holily, that it doth rather increase and kindle it in vsus; whereupon good workes doe necessarily follow: with which the confession of Belgia, artic. 23. 24. doth fully agree. The Confession of Saxonie, Artic. 3. 7. 9. concurreth with vsus; For it testifieth vntounto vsus. That the Error of doubting is altogether heathenish, that it doth abolish the Gospell, and take away all true comfort from them that feele the wrath of God, and that this Error is euidently confuted by these words. Being justified by faith wee hauehave peace with God. Also, therefore is righteousnesse of faith that it might be sure. Therefore it aduiseth vsus to lay hold on this sweet comfort, that the Sonne of God is the keeper of his Church, as he saith, Iohn 10. No man shall take my sheepe out of my hands. Hee doth protect vsus, and also by his holy Spirit doth confirme our mindes to true opinions; as hee doth begin eternall life, so doth hee kindle in our hearts good motions, faith, the louelove of God, true inuocation, hope, chastitie, and other vertues. Through the Sonne of God wee are deliuered from eternall death, and translated into eternall life; as hee saith. I giuegive vntounto them eternall life: and, hee that hath the Sonne hath life. And let hope be firme and sure, as Peter saith, hope perfectly; that is, looke for eternall life, not with doubtfull opinion. The famous Augustane confession, confirmed and ratified by all the Protestant Princes, States, and Churches of Germany, Anno Dom. 1530. in the 3. Article concurreth with vsus: for saith the Article. (aaConcord Lutherans pag. 12.) Christ doth sanctifie all those that beleeue on him, by sending the holy Ghost into their hearts, who doth gouerne, comfort, and quicken them, and defend them against the diuell, and the force of sinne. If against the Diuell and the force of sinne, then nothing can cast them downe from the state of grace. If you object, that the 12. Article of this famousObiect. Confession doth condemne the Anabaptists, who deny that such who are once iustified can loose the holy Ghost, and therefore p. 205by the voyce of this confession, those who are once justified may fall from grace. I answer, that the ProtestantAnsw. Diuines in Germany, who were at the making of this Article, and those who hauehave liued since, did neuer expound or intend it in this sense, that a man once iustified might fall away from grace either totally or finally; but they condemned this Tenet of the Anabaptists in that sense as they defended it. For this was the opinion of the Anabaptists. (bbConcord. Luthera: pag. 310. 574.) That when once a man was regenerated, and had obtained the holy Ghost, and was made a true beleeuer, that sin could not hurt him; and therefore they would tell men, that if they did beleeue, let them doe what they would, or commit what sinne they would, it could not hurt them: for faith would blot out all those sinnes: which was the Error of the Valentinians as (ccAdvers. Haer. lib. 1. cap. 1. pag. 22. 23.) Irenaeus hath recorded it. Now in this sense only doth this confession condemne the Anabaptists and in no other; and so did the Lutherans before them, as you may reade in Articulis Smalcandicis: Article 3. composed by Luther himselfe, which you shall finde in Lutherana Concordia, pag. 310. Now the reason yeelded by the Lutherans, why they condemne this Error of the Anabaptists in their third Article will fully proue, that the true regenerate Saints of God can neuer fall from grace: Forsay they, the Saints of God doe alwayes grieue and repent for their sinnes groaning vnderunder the burthen of them, and they alwayes striue against them. Theresore those that voluntary rush into sinne, whether it be adultery, murther, or blasphemie, must needes shake off faith and the holy Ghost, and faith and the holy Ghost must needes depart from them. For the holy Ghost doth nener suffer sinne to reigne, to get strength, or to obtaine the victory, and to be perfected: but hee doth represse and curbe it, that so it might not doe the thing it would. But if it doth what it would, certainly the holy Ghost and faith are lost: neither are they present, For so saith Iohn, hee that is borne of God doth not sinne, neither can hee sinne. So that both the Augustane Confession, and the Article of Smalcard, are both for me, and not against me being rightly vnderstood. The Augustane Confession composed by the Argentine Church, and confirmed by their Senate, Anno dom. p. 2061539. concurreth with vsus: For these are the words of their 7. Article. (ddZanch. Tom. 7. part. 1. pag. 387.) This sole and only mediator, hath taken away our sins, and reconciled vsus to his Father: hee hath impetrated the holy Ghost for all those whom his Father hath giuen him, and which heare his voyce. This regeneration together with all Christs merits, the holy Ghost doth inspire into the hearts of all the faithfull, and preserue them in them to the end. All these Confessions of the Protestants in Germanie and else-where, are expresse for me: let Mr. Mountague, now shew mee any to the contrarie.

But you will tell mee now that Mr. Mountague records it,Obiect. That all the Protestants of Germanie hauehave concluded againstGagge. pag. 158. 159. mee, and consented to the Church of Rome, in the Diot of Ratisbon. VponUpon those grounds and reasons which he there mentions.Answ. True it is, that Mr. Mountague hath so recorded it: but his records are so false in eueryevery thing, that he must hauehave a strong faith that will beleeue them, without examination of the truth of them. For my owne part, I hauehave read the disputation of Ralisbon set out by Bucer himselfe Anno dom: 1548. and I can finde no such thing as Mr. Mountague relates in it. For first this question of a totall & finall fall from grace, was not so much as controuerted there, neither are there any of those Scriptures, grounds, and Fathers which Mr. Mountague hath recorded in his Gagge, or in his Appeale, (only that place of Phil. 2. 12. and of St. Augustine de Ciuit: Dei, lib. 11. cap. 12. excepted) so much as mentioned in all that disputation; and these two quotations are cited, by Steuen Bishop of Winchester, who did oppose the Protestants in that Disputation, and not by Bucer and the other Protestants there present. How then could the Protestants of Germanie yeeld to that position in this Diot which was not drawne into question there? Indeed the question of the certainty of saluation was there controuerted and discussed, and by the vnanimous consent of all the Protestants, resolued and determined against Maluenda, Billickius, and the Bishop of Winchester who did oppose it; and in the resolution and determination of this Controuersie, if you will beleeue p. 207learned Zanchius in his Confession to the Senate of ArgentineTom. 7. operum. part. 1. pag. 372. in this our point De perseuerantia sanctorum, or the Disputation of Ratisbone it selfe, our very assertion though it were not there particularly controuerted, was yet de claro resolued for vsus, in this famous Diot in the name of all the Protestants in Germanie. For in the Disputation of Ratisbon, or Ralisbon, pag. 41. Respons ad Replic. 14. This is the expresse Resolution of all the Protestants in that Diot. That true faith and a sinne that wastes the conscience are incompatible; and that hee which liues by a true & iustifying faith, can neuer sticke in such a sinne: So pag. 243. to 251. they proceed to proue this assertion and conclusion: For say they, those who hauehave this iustifying and liuely faith, they are the sons of God, & the Spirit of God doth moue them to those things which are holy and right, that so they may not wittingly commit any things to the contrary, much lesse perseuere in them; notwithstanding oft-times out of the weakenesse of the flesh they sin, & doe not according to faith: but yet they neuer commit those sins which waste the conscience, nor those which doe forth-with exclude them from the kingdome of God: which reason they doe backe likewise with this Syllogisme, drawne from the Scriptures. Hee that beleeueth that Iesus is the Christ, is borne of God, 1 Ioh. 5. but hee that is borne of God, the same Apostle in the same Epistle testifies, cap. 3. that hee doth not sin, neither can hee sin, therefore …ee who doth truly and liuingly beleeue the Gospell of Christ, can abide in no sinne which doth waste the conscience: For eueryevery one who commits such a sin as this, hath neither seene nor knowne God. Wherefore seeing that this Diot hath resolued, that such a one as hath true faith, cannot commit such a sinne as doth waste his conscience, but only sinnes of infirmitie, which doe not cast men wholly from the state of grace: it hath likewise by this resolued against Mr. Mountagues assertion, that faith once had may bee both finally & totally lost againe: & so they hauehave not consented to the Church of Rome in this, as hee most falsely doth affirme. Againe, this whole Diot hauehave with one vnanimous consent resolued it; that all such as hauehave true faith, both may and must be assured of their saluation: because that God hath vndoubtedly p. 208promised eternall life, to all such as are iustified, & doe … beleeue in him, which promise hee will punctually & vndoubtedly performe in the time which hee hath promised: because that Christ doth call & elect all his, not to a temporarie kingdome grace or life, but to an eternall: because that God himselfe will inable them, & cause them for to perseuere: because this liuing & iustifying faith is in it selfe eternall life; & those that hauehave it, euen from the first time of their hauing of it, hauehave euerlasting life: because this faith is preserued in those that hauehave it, not by their owne power or might, but by the very power of God & of the holy Ghost: & because this faith is of an incorruptible, of a growing & increasing, and neuer failing nature: as you may reade from pag. 461. to 538. Therefore by this expresse resolution, vponupon these pregnant and sure grounds, which doe all proue our assertion to the full, it is most euident and apparant to all the world, that this famous Diot, (and so all the Protestants in Germanie who assented to it, and were present at it) hauehave resolued and determined, That the state of true and sauing graece, that true and liuely faith once had, can neither finally nor totally be lost againe: How base, how trecherous, and perfidious then is Mr. Mountague who would thus traduce this noble Diot and all the German Protestants in recording it vntounto the world, that they assented to the church of Rome in this, that faith once Gagge p. 158. 159.had might bee lost againe, when as they did expresly resolue it to the Contrary, Well Mr. Mountague, I must needs speake plainly to you (and let all the world iudge whether I doe amisse in it or no) as in many other things touching this particular controuersie, so especially in traducing and abusing of this famous Diot, you hauehave shewed your selfe a base, an impudent, a lying, and seditious Varlet, and a man vnworthy to liue in any Protestant Church or Christian Common-wealth, and I will euidence and proue it by these 4. particulars. First, in that you traduce, corrupt, and falsifie the judgement of a whole Protestant Synod. Secondly, in that you traduce and falsifie it in such a manner: saying, that all the Protestants in Germany assented to the Church of Rome in this Diot at Ratisbon; in this point of falling finally and totally p. 209from grace, as if all the Protestants in Germany were turned Papists. Thirdly, in that you do it to this end to bring in Popery ….and Arminianisme into our Church: to make the world beleeue that Popery and Protestanisme are all one, and that Protestants hauehave heretofore alwayes yeelded and submitted to the Church of Rome in matters of Doctrine, and therefore they should doe so now: and so the end of this your falsification of this Synod, is but to perswade all Protestants to turne Papists, at least in this particular point. Fourthly, in that you would father the base bratts of that Arminian Bertius, vponupon this Protestant and famous Diot, that so his dangerous workes might be countenanced, approued, and receiued, as sound, and orthodox, vnderunder the name and colour of this Diot. For if it please Mr. Mountague to remember himselfe, those Scriptures, reasons, and authorities of Fathers which he citeth in his Gagge, cap. 20. as the reasons, arguments, and grounds which moued Bucer, and the Diot of Ralisbon, to assent to the Church of Rome in this point of falling from grace, as they are not to be found in the disputation of Ralisbon wherein the contrary was resolued: so all and eueryevery one of these Scriptures, reasons and Fathers. (Clemens Romanus a meere suppositions and forged Writer only excepted) were transcribed out of this Bertius his Apostatia Sanctorum, where they are all, and only to bee found. Now hee who professing himselfe to be a Protestant, and receiuing so many fauours from our Church, shall putposely traduce and falsifie such a generall and famous Synod or Diot as this, in such a base and infamous manner, and that to such dangerous, sinister, and wicked ends as these, how ill hee doth deserue of God and man (especially of this our Mother Church whom hee doth labour to corrupt and seduce by this his jugling) let all men judge. But to passe this ouer (which the louelove I owe vntounto the truth and to my Mother Church could not suffer mee to smother or conceale) I will now proceed, to giuegive you some farther and cleare euidence, to proue the totall and finall Perseuerance of the Saints to be the doctrine of the Protestant Churches beyond the Seas. Concordia p. 210Lutherana which was agreed vponupon, and resolued, and set out by the consent of all the Protestants in Germanie, against those who did oppose the Augustine Confession, informes vsus, that this was one Article of the Protestants beleife touching justification, which they did both teach and confesse. That albeit true beleeuers and regenerate men, were liable Pag. 569.to many infirmities and spotts euen to their death, yet that they ought not for to doubt, either of the righteousnesse imputed vntounto them by faith, or of eternall saluation: but that they ought firmely to resolue, that God is reconciled to them in Christ, according Pag. 573.to his sure word and promise. And though there bee much infirmitie in the Saints, which makes them to complaine with Paul: yet God doth neuer impute this infirmitie to his Saints, and that for Christ their Mediators sake. For so it is written, That there is no condemnation to those which are in Christ Iesus. Besides, we beleeue, teach, and confesse, that faith and saluation are preserued in vsus, and retained, not by our owne workes, but only by the Spirit of God. Againe, they beleeue and confesse, that Pag. 600.Predestination, or the eternall election of God, belongs only to the good, and the beloued sons of God: and this is the cause of their saluation. For it procures their saluation, and orders those things which belong vntounto it, vponupon this predestination of God, our saluation is so founded, that the gates of Hell cannot subuert it. And againe, by this doctrine of predestination wee are assured, that wee Pag 602. 771.are elected to eternall life out of meere grace in Iesus Christ, without any merit of our owne, & that no man shall take vsus out of the hands of Christ: and that we shall constantly perseuere vntounto the end. And a little after, God in his eternall purpose hath decreed, Pag 774.that he will defend all those whom he hath elected, called, & iustified, euen amids their many and sundrie infirmities, against the diuell, the world & the flesh, and lead them on & guide them in his waies: and if they chance to slide at any time, that he will put vnderunder his hand, that so they may receiue solid consolations in all their crosses and temptations, & be preserued vntounto eternall life: he hath decreed that he will finish that good worke which hee hath begun within them, & that he will confirme and finish it vntounto the end. Which doctrine of Predestination doth afford vsus excellent consolation. For p. 211how great a benefit of God is this, that he hath beene so carefull of Pag. 780.the conuersion, righteousnesse, and safetie of eueryevery Christian, and so faithfull to procure it, that he hath deliberated and ordained before the foundations of the world were laid, how he would call and bring vsus to saluation, & preserue vsus in it? that hee should fence our saluation with such strong garrisons? that hee should place our saluation in his eternall purpose (which can neuer be deceiued nor altered) as in a most defensed Castle, and place it to bee kept in the Almighty hand of our Lord Iesus Christ, out of which no man can pull vsus. If the custody and safegard of our owne saluation were committed to our selues, good God, how easily should wee loose it for the infirmity, wickednesse, and corruption of our flesh? how easily would it bee wrested and taken from vsus by the trecherie and power of Satan, and by the policie of the world? Therefore Paul builds the certainty of our happinesse vponupon the foundation of Gods purpose, when he collects from this, that wee are called according to Gods purpose, that no man can separate vsus from the louelove of God, which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. And a little after. Seeing our election to eternall life doth not depend vponupon our Pag. 787.virtues or righteousnesse, but vponupon the only merits of Christ, and the good pleasure of our heauenly Father: who cannot deny himselfe (since that in his will and essence hee is immutable) for this cause when his children doe disobey him, and fall into sinne, hee calls them to repentance by his word: and makes the holy Ghost eflectuall in them by his word, that they may returne into the way and amend their liues. These and many such like sayings are to be found in this Lutheran Concordancie, which giuegive sufficient testimonie, that all the … and Protestants in Germany concurre in judgement with vsus, that the true regenerate Saints of God, can neither finally nor totally fall from Grace: See more of this, p. 488. 568. 569. 600 650. 661. 671. 781. Since Luthers and Bucers time, and since this Concordancy was composed, and the Diot of Ral…sbon concluded. This hath been the constant doctrine of the Lutheran and Protestant Churches, that the regenerate Saints of God can neither finally nor totally fall from grace, as appeares by those seuerall Catechismes which are publikely taught and receiued in these Churches, p. 212and by those many learned Writers of those Churches, whose names and workes I hauehave cited before. Zanchius inTom. 7. pag. 373. 374. his Confession in this particular point to the Senate of Argentine records it, that many Churches, many Vniuersities, and great men throughout Germanie hauehave defended and confirmed this assertion: and that this our Theses was publikely defended and approued in the Vniuersitie of Maspurge, and afterward published in print by the said Vniuersitie as sound and orthodox. The Diuines of the Vniuersitie of Leydon, and the Professors of it: on the 9. of December 1595, in the businesse of Cornelius Wiggerus, declared their resolution to the States, that the opinion of Wiggerus, that the elect Saints of God might out of the liberty of their owne wills fall quite away from the couenant and grace of God, was so contrary to the Scriptures and to the Confessions, and receiued Catechismes of the Belgicke Church, that they could not be reconciled, neither could this his assertion bee taught in the Church of God without great hurt, and scandall; which resolution was subscribed by Iunius, Trelcatius, Gomarus, Bastingius, Vtengobardus and others: as you may reade in the Conference at the Hage, recorded by Bertius and Brandius: and by Amesius in his Coronis to this conference, pag. 361. 362. The Belgicke confession analized by Festus Hommius Artic. 29. 34. 35. and the Belgicke Catechisme, Respons. 1. 28. 32. 51, 52, 53, 54. 58. 64. 76. and 126. and Bastingius in his Catechisme Exegisis ad Quaest. 45. 53. 54. concurre in this our present assertion. The German Protestants and Orthodoxe Diuines hauehave from time to time defended it against the Rhemists as appeared by their seuerall … at the Hage. King lames in his Declaration against Vorstius informeth vsus, That all the Protestant Churches in Germanie had with open mouth complained against Arminius, for maintaining of this heresie of the Apostacie of the Saints, and those other assertions concurring with it. The Church of Geneua hath alwayes maintained this assertion, as I hauehave proued by her Confession, and as it is euident by those Theses maintained and defended in her Vniuersitie, Recorded in Theses Geneuenses, Theses 27. de Fide. Thes. 6. where our present assertion is publikely maintained p. 213and defended. Indeed Mr. Mountague whom I may well stile the Father of lies, (so many forgeries and vntruths hath hee broached in this our present point) hath recorded it, that Iohn Deodate Minister of Geneua, should tell him when Apeaie. pag. 71.Gagge 171.he was with him at Eaton, that the Church of Geneua did dissent from this and other priuate opinions of Caluin and Beza. But his owne Dioceson, Bishop Carlton in the examination of his Appeale, hath taken him tardie in this, informing vsus, that Deodate himselfe hath informed a Bishop of this kingdome (in a Letter purposely written to him, to cleere himselfe of this imputation,) that he neuer spake these words to Mr. Mountague, neither was hee euer with him at Eaton, nor is he of this opinion as he hath recorded it. And therefore it is likely that the Church of Geneua is still of this opinion as shee was before, and so Deodate hath declared in that Letter of his: so that there is no doubt, but that all the Protestant Churches in Germanie and other parts, concurre in judgement and resolution with vsus, and hauehave not subscribed and assented to the Church of Rome against our present assertion, as M. Mountague hath recorded.

But admit now, that the Diot of Ratisbon hath assented to the Church of Rome in this our Thesis, and that the Protestants in the German Churches had beene of opinion against vsus heretofore (which I hauehave proued to be false:) yet what reason hath Master Mountague to affirme, that this is their receiued doctrine and opposition now? Master Mountague and all the world knew very well, that in the fifth Article of the Synode of Dort which was held in the years of our Lord: 1618: and 1619. this very controuersie of ours, That those who are once truly regenerated and ingrafted into Christ, can neither totally nor finally fall from grace. was resolued by the vnanimous consent of the Deuines of Great Brittaine, of the County Palatine of Rhene, of Hassia, of Heluetia, of the correspondence of Weteran, of Geneua, of Breme, of Emden, and of all the Belgicke professors of Diuinitie assembled by lawfull authoritie, who hauehave all subscribed their names vntounto this Synode in testimonie of their vnanimous approbation of it, and of this Thesis and position which wee doe here maintine and defend. p. 214He knew that Vorstius, Greuinchouius, Bertius and others that opposed it, were banished the Netherlands for it. He knew that this doctrine and assertion was now fully setled and established by vertue of this Synode, & the Estates approbation of it, in all the Belgike Churches: and yet Master Mountague, that he might doe the Arminians and the Church of Rome a fauour, and wrong the Church of England, to make her swallow a Popish and Arminian doctrine, vnderunder the coulor of Protestanisme, must … passe by this Synode, and the resolution of it in this point, and not so much as mention it in his Gagge; making the world belieue, that the German Protestants had assented to the Church of Rome in this point of falling away from grace, and that it is their positiue resolution, doctrine and assertion now, notwithstanding the Synod of Dort had resolued it to the contrary. This is square and honest dealing Master Mountagne, is it not? If you had any grace or honestie in you, you would hauehave publikely recanted it long agoe, and hauehave made fewell of your bookes ere this, which are so full of manifest and palpable lies, forgeries, Impostures and vntruths, least they should record your impudencie, your treacherie, and your base and lying forgerie to posteritie. Great reason had you to checke and blame your Informers in your Appeale, for dishonesty, slaunder, iuggling, legerdemaine, forgery, and the like, when as you your selfe hauehave so superabounded in them all in this our particular point. Well to spend no more time in this particular, I will close and shut it vp with this sillogisme. That which all the Protestant Churches and writers, hauehave with one vnanimous consent in their seuerall Confessions, Synodes, Decrees, Resolutions, Catechismes, Schooles, and writings, published, established, ratified, defended, and resolued, must needes be the established, receiued and resolued Doctrines of those Churches. But all the Protestant Churches and writers beyond the seas, hauehave with one vnanimous consent in their seuerall Confessions, Synodes, Decrees, Resolutions, Catechismes, Schooles, and writings, defended, published, established, ratified, & resolued this our present assertion, That tho…e p. 215who are once truly regenerated and ingrafted into Christ, can neither finally nor totally fall from grace: (yea, they hauehave banished and punnished such from time to time as hauehave opposed it,) as appeares by the premises. Therefore this our present assertion here maintained, must needes be the established, receiued and resolued doctrine, of all the Protestant Churches and writers beyond the seas.