The Treasure of Truth Touching Salvation and the Christian Religion, Treatise 1 · Chapter 8
The eyght Chap.
Howe euerie seuerall person maie applie with some profite this generall doctrine to himselfe.
The fyrst Aphorism….
THey that teache that man his saluation is grounded vponupon vvorkes… eyther vvhollie, or in any parte, (1) it is manifest that they doo vtterlie ouerthrowe the gospell of God.The doctrine of faith is vnp…ofitable if it be separated from …lection. But they that teache free iustification or righteous makinge by faith, they staie vppon a sure foundation, (2) but yet in suche sort that they …aie vnderunder faith the euerlasting purpose of God, vvherein finallie both Christ him selfe. (3) and also the Apostle following his steppes, doeth rest and staie. (4) For vvhen as perceiueraunce or continuaunce of faith is required vntounto saluation, to vvhat purpose hauehave I faith, (5) if I be not certaine of the gift of perceiueraunce or continuaunce to the ende? And yet is there no neede to feare least this doctrine shoulde make vsus negligent and dissolute or carelesse. (6) For this peace of conscience, whereof we speake, doeth greatlie differre from foolishe securitie or carelesnesse,peace of conscience dependeth vponupon predestination. and he that is the sonne of God, (7) for asmuch as hee is ledde by the spirite of God, vvyll neuer take occasion of slouthfulnesse, by the consideration of God his benefites. Therefore if this doctrine bring but this one fruite, that by the aide thereof vvee maie learne to strengththen our faith against all thinges that happen, it is manifest rhat the chiefe grounde of our saluation is ouerthrowne by them, vvhichwhich because they measure God after the small measure of their braine, doo oppugne or reason against this Article of Religion.
Proues out of the word of God.
Gal 2. 21. I do not make voyde the grace of God: for if righteousnes bée by the lawe, then hath Christ dyed wythout cause.
Rom. 11. 6. And if it be of grace, it is not now of workes: or else were grace no more grace; but if it be of workes, it is no more grace: for else were worke no worke.
Ioh. 6. 44. No man can come vntounto me, vnlesse my father, which sent mée draw hym: and I wylll rayse hym vp at the last day.
45. It is written in the Prophetes, And they shall bee all taughte of God, whosneuer therefore hath beard of my Father, and hath learned, commeth vntounto mee.
Rom. 8. 29. For whome he hath foreknowen, those hath he foreordeyned, that they myght bée made lyke vntounto the image of his sonne, that he myght be the first borne amongest many brethren.
30. And whome he hath foreordeined those also hath he called, &c.
Looke the same Epistle Chap. 9. 10. and. 11.
1. Cor. 2. 10. But God hath reueled, or opened those thinges vntounto vsus by hys spirit. For the spirit searcheth al things euen the depthes of God.
Eph. 1. 4. As he chose vsus in him before the foundations of the world were laid, that we might be holy and vnblameable before him by louelove.
5. Who foreordeyned vsus whome he woulde chose vntounto his sonnes through Iesus Christ in him selfe, according to the good pleasure of his wyll.
2. Tim. 1. 1. According vntounto the promise of lyfe which is in Christ Iesu.
9. Who hath saued vsus, and called vsus wyth an holy callynge, not accordyng to our workes, but accordyng vntounto hys purpose and grace, whiche was geuen vsus in Christe béefore the tymes of the world.
1. Pet. 1. 2. Chosen accordyng to th… …oreknowledge of God the Father vnt… sanctification of the spirite, &c.
Mat. 10. 22. And ye shall be hated o… all men for my names sake, but he tha… abydeth vntounto the ende, shall be saued.
Luk. 21. 19. But possesse your soules by your patience.
Rom. 2. 7. To them that continue, glory and honour, and immortallitie of well doing, that is, to them that séeke euerlasting lyfe.
Ioh. 6. 37. Whatsoeuer my Father geueth me, commeth vntounto mée: and him that commeeh vntounto mée, doo I not cast forth.
39. This is the wyll of my Father, that whatsoeuer he hath geuen mée, I should lose nothing of it.
Ioh. 10. 28. I geue vntounto them euerlasting lyfe, and they shal neuer perishe: neyther shal any plucke them out of my hande, &c.
Act. 13. 48. They beléeued, as many as were ordayned vntounto euerlasting lyfe.
Rom. 8. 30. Whome he hath iustif…ed, those also hath be gloryfied.
39. No thing created can seperate vsus from the louelove of God, which is in Christ Iesu our Lord.
2. Tim. 2. 19. But the foundation of God remayneth sure, hauing this seale, the Lord knoweth who are his.
…. Ioh. 2. 19. They went out from vsus. but they were none of vsus: for if they had béene of vsus, they would doubtles hauehave taryed wyth vsus.
Rom. 5. 1. Being therefore made righteouse by fayth wée hauehave peace towards God, through our Lord Iesus Christ.
5. And hope doth not make ashamed, because the louelove of God is shed abroad in our heartes, by the holy ghost, which is geuen vntounto vsus.
Math. 5. 2. Be gladde and reioyce, because your rewarde is great in heauen.
Rom. 8. 14. For as many as are led by the spirit of God… are the sonnes of God.
The seconde Aphorisme.
NOwe this is the vvaie to applie this doctrine. The vvorkes of God, euen the verie laste of them, are such, that a man can not iudge of them, but after twoo sortes, to wyt, either after they are paste, or else by the disposition of the seconde causes, vvhichwhich by long vse hee hath knowne to portende or geue a token of some certaine ende, as is woont to come to passe in thinges that fall out naturallie, in vvhichwhich notwithstanding… men are vvonderfulle dymme sighted. Therefore in this point, that is of all other most hard, it is no maruaile though the iudgement of man bee driuen into suche a narrowe straite,…. Cor. 2. 14. that hee cannot but in this order vnderstande vvhat is determined of him in the secre…te counsell of God. And now because this whole iudgement consisteth, or standeth in the obseruation, and marking of those causes, vvhichwhich do exceede or passe all power of nature, vvee must needes flee some vvhither else, to vvyt… to the sentence of God set forth in his worde, which wheras it is in infinite pointes, more certaine then all man his coniectures or gesses, it doeth no doubt bring vsus also a more certaine iudgement.
(1) The Scripture therefore beareth vvitnesse,Hovv a sure vvitnesse of our election maie bee had. that whomesoeuer God hath Predestinate or foreordained in his eternall purpose, to adopte or choose vntounto sonnes through Iesus Christ in him self, the same also at the time appointed are so effectuallie called, that they heare and imbrace the voice of the caller: by which faith being made righteous and holie in Christ, (2)they must also necessarilie bee glorified.
VVylt thou therefore who so euer thou art, be assured of thy Predestination or foreordaining, and so consequentlie of saluation which thou lookest for, against all the assaultes of Sathan: bee assured, I saie, not vvith doubtfull coniectures, and suche as are gathered out of man his braine, maye vvith suche as are no lesse certaine and sure, than if thou haddest gone vppe into heauen it selfe, and vnderstoode that secreet decree from the verie mouth of God? Tak… dilligent heede that thou beginne not a… that highest degree: for else it wyl come to passe, that thou vvilt not bee able to abide the exceeding great brightnesse of God. Beginne therefore at the lowest degrees, (3) and vvhen thou hearest the voice of God soundinge in thine eares and minde,By vvhat …okens true faith maie be knovvne. vvhiche calleth thee vntounto Christ the onelie mediatour, consider by litle and litle, and search diligentlie, (4) vvhether thou be iustified and sanctified, that is, made righteous and holie, by faith in Christ, for these are the effectes by the vvhichwhich faith, the very cause of thē in deede is knowne. And this thou shalt know,The effectes of the holie ghost in the elect. (5) partlie by the spirite of adoption crying vvithin: Abba, Father: (6) partlie also by the power and vvorking of the same spirite in thy selfe: namelie if thou feele, and also indeede shew, that although sinne doo dwell in thee, yet it doeth not raigne in thee. For vvhy? Is not the holie ghost hee, vvhichwhich maketh that vvee doo not purposelie let lose all the raines vntounto vngodlie and vvicked lustes, as they vse to doo vvhose eies the Prince of this vvorlde hath blinded? for else vvho moueth vsus vntounto praier, albeit being neuer so colde and lyther? VVho stirreth vppe in vsus those vnspeakeable sighes and gronings? (7) vvho after that vvee hauehave sinned, and that sometimes vvittinglie and vvillinglie, engendereth in vsus that hatred of the sinne that vvee hauehave committed, yea and that not for feare of punishment, but because that vvee hauehave offended our moste mercifull Father. (8) VVho, I saie, beareth vsus vvitnesse, that our sighinges are hearde, and mooueth vsus herevnto, that vve dare boldelie call God, our God, and also Father, euen after that vvee hauehave offended him? (9) Is it not, I praie you that spirite, vvhome vvee hauehave freelie receaued,The efficacie or vertue of our calling is vnderstoode by faith, and by our calling, our predestinatiō, or foreordaining. being freelie geuen for a sure pledge of our adoption? Nowe if vve maie gather faith by these effectes, it remaineth that vvee vvere called and drawne effectuallie, and by this calling againe, the which vve hauehave shewed to bee proper vntounto the sonnes of God, is that vvhichwhich vve seeke for throughlie vnderstoode, to wyt, that we are therefore geuen vntounto the Sonne, because in the …uerlasting counsell of God… vvhichwhich he hath purposed in him selfe, wee were predestinated or foreordained, whome hee woulde adopt in his Sonne. (10) VVhereof finallie ensueth, when as wee are predestinate or foreordained by that most stedfast wyl of God, which is grounded onelie vppon it selfe, (11) and that no man can plucke vsus out of the hande of his sonne, and that continuaunce in faith is necessarie vntounto saluation, that the expectation or hope of our continuaunce, and so consequentlie of saluationThere is certaine hope in the chosen of continuance and saluation. is also certaine, so that it is vngodlinesse any more to doubt of it.
So farre of therefore is it, that this doctrine shoulde make vsus slouthfull and careles,The doctrin of predestination ouer throvveth vaine secu…itie or carelesnesse. (12) that contrarilie this alone doeth open an entrie vntounto vsus, to searche the verie depthes of God by his spirite, and also to vnderstande them: as the Apostle doeth plainelie witnesse, that when as wee knowe them (13) (and vvee knowe them onelie but in parte, so long as vvee lyue heere,) (14) so that vvee must fight daylie against distrust, vvith heauenlie armour) (15) vve maie learne, not to behaue our selues negligentlie, but to continue stoutlie, to honour him, to louelove, feare, and call vppon him, (16) so that vve maie daylie more and more, as touching vsus, as Peter sayeth, Make our callinge and election sure.Onelie election mynistreth sur… comfort. And moreouer, howe shall hee abyde sure and stedfaste against so many noisome temptacions, vvithin and vvithout and against so many (as the vvorlde termeth them) assaultes of Fortune, vvhiche hath not firste assuredlie grounded in his minde, that vvhiche is moste true, to vvyt, that God according to his good pleasure, doeth all thinges, vvhatsoeuer they bee, and vvhat instrumentes so euer hee vse, to the profite of those that are his, amongst vvhose number he must bee reckoned, vvhichwhich is set in this daunger?
Proues out of the worde of God.
Rom. 8. 29. For whome he hath fore… knowne those also hath he foreordeyned to bée made lyke vntounto the Image of his sonne, that he might be the fyrst borne among many brethren.
30. And whome he hath forehordeined, those also hath he called: an whome he hath called those also hath hée iustified, or made righteous: and whome he hath iustified, those also hath hée glorified.
Eph. 1. 4. As he hath chosen vsus in him before the foundations of the worlde were layd, that wee shoulde be holy and vn blameable before him through louelove.
5. Who hath foreordeined vsus whome he would adopt or chose vntounto his sonnes through Christ in him selfe, according to the good pleasure of his wyll.
9. The mistery or secréete of his wyl being opened vntounto vsus, according vntounto his frée good will which he had purposed in him selfe.
Ioh. 10. 27. My shepe heare my voice, and I knowe they follow mée.
Rom. 5. 2. Through whome also by …aith we had this entry into this grace, …y which we stand and glory vnderunder the hope of the glory of God.
Rom. 8. 38. For I am persuaded, that neyther death nor lyfe, neyther Angels …or principalities, neither powers, neither things present, nor things to come.
39. Neyther height nor depth, neyther any other thing creat…d can separate vsus from the louelove of God, which is in Christ Iesu our Lord.
…. Cor. 2. 10. But God hath reuealed or op…ned them vntounto vsus by his spirit. For the spirit searcheth all thinges, euen the depthes of God.
1. Iohn. 3. 24. Hée tht kéepeth his cōmaundementes, dwelleth in him, and h… in him: And by this doo we knowe that he dwelleth in vsus, towyt, by his spirite which he hath geuen vsus.
Psal. 95. 7. 8. To day if ye wyll heare his voice, harden not your hearts, as in Meriba, as in the day of Massa in the wildernes.
Ioh. 10. 27. My …héepe heare my voice, and I know them, and they follow mée.
2. Cor. 13. 5. Trye your selues, whe… ther you bée in fayth or no, proue your selues, Whether you knowe your sel…es or no, to wyt, Iesus Christ to be in you?
Gal. 4. 6. Because you are the sonnes of God, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his sonne into your heartes, crying Abba, Father.
1. Ioh. 3. 24. He that kéepeth, his commaundementes, dwelleth in hym, and he in him: and by this do we know that he dwelleth in vsus, to wit, by the spyryt which he hath geuen vsus.
1. Cor. 2. 10. But vntounto vsus hath God reueled or opened them by his spirite. For the spirit searcheth al things, euen the very depthes of God, &c.
Rom. 6. All most in the whole Chapter.
1. Iohn. 3. 9. Whosoeuer is borne of God, doeth not commytte sinne? because his seede abideth in him, neyther can he sinne, because that he is borne of God.
Rom. 6. 11. Lykewise gather ye also, that ye your selues are both dead vntounto s…nne and do also liue vntounto God through Christ Iesu our Lord.
12. Let not sinne therefore reigne in your mortall body, that you should obey sinne in the lustes of the body.
Ephes. 4. 29. Let no filthie speache come foorth of your mouth, but if any be profitable for the vse of edifying, that it maye mynyster grace vntounto the hearers.
30. And doo yée not make sadde that holy spirite of God, by which ye are sealed vntounto the daye of redemption.
Rom. 8. 26. Lykewise the spyrite also helpeth our infirmyties or we a…enesses: for we knowe not what to praye as wée ought: but the spyrite it selfe ma…eth request for vsus, with sighes that can not be expressed.
Rom. 7. 24. Wretche that I am, who shal delyuer mée from this bodie of death;
Rom. 8. 15. For ye hauehave not receaued the spirite of bondage vntounto …eare, but ye hauehave receyued the spyrite of adoption, through whome wée crye, Abba, Father.
16. Which verie spirite beareth witnesse togeather with our spirite, that we are the sonnes of God.
Rom. 8. 27. But he that searcheth the heartes, knoweth what is the meaning of the spirite, because that hée maketh request for the Saints, according to the wyll of God.
Eph. 1. 13. In whome ye also hauehave hoped, hauing heard the word of truth, &c.
14. Which is the earnest of our inheritaunce, &c.
Eph. 4. 30. And make not sadde that holye spirite of God, by whome you are sealed vntounto the daye of redemption.
2. Cor. 1. 22. Who also hath sealed vsus, and hath geuen the earnest of the spirite in our hearts.
Rom. 11. 29. For the gifte and calling of God are such, that he can not repent him of them.
Hebr. 6. 17. Wherein God wylling abundauntly to shewe vntounto the heyre… of promyse the v…chaungeablenesse of his counsel, bound him self by an oath.
2. Tim. 2. 19. But the foundation of God standeth sure, hauing this seale, The Lorde knoweth who are his, And, let eueryevery one that nameth the name of of Christ depart from vnrightousnesse.
Rom. 8. 38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor lyfe neither Angels nor principalytyes nor powers neither things present, nor thinges to come.
39. Neyther height, nor depth, neyther any thing created can separate vsus from the louelove of God, which is in Christ Iesu our Lord.
Ioh. 3. 33. He that receyueth his witnesse, hath sealed that God is true.
Rom. 4. 20. But he was made strong by fayth, geuing the glory vntounto God.
21. And being fully persuaded, that h… was also able to doo that which hée had promised.
Rom. 5. 5. Hope maketh not a shamed, because the louelove of God is shed abroade in our… heartes by the holy ghost which is geuen vsus.
Heb. 4. 16. Let vsus therefore boldly approche vntounto the throne of grace, that we maie obtaine merciemercy, and finde grace to helpe in tyme of néede.
1. Cor. 1. 9. God is faithfull, by whome ye are called into the fellowshippe of his sonne Iesus Christ our Lord.
1. Thes. 5. 24. He is faithful which hath called you, who also wyll bring it to passe.
Heb. 10. 22. Let vsus approche with a true heart, and certaine perswasion of faith, with pure heartes from an euyll conscience.
23. And hauing our body washed with pure water, let vsus holde fast the confession of faith, not wauering: for he is faithfull which hath promised.
1. Cor. 2. 10. But God hath reuealed or opened them vntounto vsus by his spirite. For the spirite searcheth all things, euen the verie depthes of God.
11. For who hath knowne the thinges t…at are of man, saue the spirite of man whiche is in him? So also no man hath knowne the thinges that are of God, saue the spirite of God.
12. Nowe we hauehave not receaued the spirite of the worlde, &c.
Rom. 8. 16. Whiche selfe same spirite beareth wytnesse togeather with our spyrite, that wée are the Sonnes of God.
1. Ioh. 3. 24. He that kéepeth his commaundementes, dwelleth in him, and he in him: and hereby doo we know that he dwelleth in vsus, to wyt, by the spirite, which he hath geuen vntounto vsus.
1. Cor. 13. 9. For we know but in part, and prophesie but in part.
1. Tim. 6. 12. Fight the notable fight of fayth: laye holde on euerlasting lyfe, for which cause also thou art called, and hast professed a notable profe…ion before many witnesses.
Gal. 5. 17. The fleshe lusteth against the spyrite, and the spyrite against the fleshe: and these are contrarie one to another, that you doo not whatsoeuer yée wyll.
Rom. 6. … What shall we say then? Shall wée aby… in sinne, that grace maye be more plenteous?
Hebr. 10. 23. Let vsus holde fast the con…ession of fayth not wauering, (for he is faithfull which hath promised.)
24. And let vsus consider one another, to prouooke one another vntounto louelove, and vntounto good workes.
Iam. 3. 18. The fruite of righteousnesse is sowen with peace to the peacemakers.
2. Pet. 1. 10. Wherefore brethren, studie rather to make your calling and election sure. For if ye doo these thinges, ye shall neuer fall.
Rom. 8. 28. And we knowe that vntounto them that louelove God… all thinges worke togeather for the best: euen to them that are called of his purpose.
31. What shall we saye then vntounto these thinges? if God be with vsus, who can be against vsus?
Iob. 13. 15. Although he …yll mée; yet wyll I trust in him, not withstanding, I wyll reproue my wayes in his sight.
Rom. 5. 3. And not this onelie, but we do also reioyce in troubles, knowing that trouble worketh patience.
1. Thes. 3. 3. That no man be mooued with these troubles. For ye know that we are appointed thervnto.
1. Pet. 4. 19. Therefore they which are afflicted or troubled by the wyll of God… let them commende their soules vntounto him in well dooing, as vntounto a faithfull creatour.
Iam. 1. 2. Br…thren accoumpt it for excéeding great ioye, as often as ye fall into sundrie temptations.
Rom. 8. 16. Which selfe same spyrite beareth witnesse together with our spirite, that we are the sonnes of God.
Rom. 8. 38. For I am persuaded, that neyther death nor life, neyther Angels nor principalyties, nor power, neyther thinges present, nor thinges to come,
39. Neyther heyghte nor depth, nor any thing created can separat vsus from the louelove of God, which is in Christ Iesu our Lord.
The thyrde Aphorism….
NOwe as touchi…g the other parte, in as much as the purpose of electing or chosing can not come into any ma… his mind, but therewith the contrarie o… it, and that in lyke degree, must needes runne in his thought, that in the meane season I saie nothing of that vvhiche is manifest,The doc…rine of reprobation or ofcasting is not to be buried. to vvyt, that these two are verie oftentimes knitte togeather in the vvorde of God, it appeareth (I thinke) that they doo great wrong vntounto the spi…ite of God, which would hauehave this part buried, as curious or not necessary. This therefore is also to be considred,Reprobatiō or ofcasting vvarelie to bee considered. but yet suche moderation being vsed, that the depth of God his iudgements maie put a byt into man his curiositie: and in such finally,Reprobatiō or ofcasting neyther can or ought to be particularlie applied, not adding any condition. that it be not applied priuatlie, eyther to any man, or vntounto any certaine multitude. For in this point it doth also differre from election, that election, as we hauehave shewed before, is reuealed or opened, vntounto vsus by the spirite of God, not in others, whose heart wee can not see, but in our selues: and reprobationA differēce betvveene election and reprobation. or ofcasting, is alwaie for the most part hidden from men, vnlesse it bee opened by God out of order, or more then ordinarilie. For vvho knoweth, vvhether God …aue d…termined (1) at the verie last moment of his lyfe to hauehave merciemercy on him, vvhiche hath spent all his vvhole lyfe …n vvickednesse and sinne? And yet there is no cause vvhy this hope shoulde strength then any man in his vvickednesse, vvhen as I speake of those thinges vvhichwhich vve ought to obserue and marke in others, and suche examples of God his goodnesse are but rare or seldome, and no vvyse man vvyll promise him selfe vponupon vaine securitie or reachlesnes, that vvhichwhich is not in our hande. (2) It is therefore suffycient that vve knowe generallie that there are certaine vesselles prepared to destruction, (3) vvhiche for as muche as God hath not shewed vntounto vsus,VVe must labour to vvinne allmen. vvee ought dilligentlie according to our power, to call euerie one to saluation, both vvith example of lyfe, and also with vvordes, yea euen those of vvhome vvee are almost past hope, vvhen as vve beholde their naughtie actes.
Proues out of the word of God.
Luk. 23. 43. Iesus sayd vntounto him, be… ryly I say vntounto thée, this daye shalt tho… bewyth mée in paradice.
Rom. 9. 21. Hath not the potter power… ouer the clay, to make of the same lump… one vessell vntounto honor, and an …ther vntounto dishonor.
2. Tim. 2. 20. Furthermore in a great house not only vessels of golde and siluer, but also of yearth and wood, and some for honor and some for dishonor.
Math. 5. 16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may sée your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in heauen.
1. Cor. 9. 22. I became to the weake as one that was weake, that I mighte winne the weake. I became all vntounto al, that I myght by all meanes saue some.
2. Tim. 2. 25. Wyth gentlenesse teaching them whiche are of a contrarye mynd, &c.
1. Pet. 2. 12. And hauehave your conuersation honest among the Gentyles: that they which speake agaynst you as euyll …, may by your good workes which they shall sée, gloryf…e God in the day of …utation.
The fowrth Aphorisme.
THis meane if vve keepe, vve also shall receiue much fruite by this doctrine.Of the co…sideration of reprob… tion or ofcasting h… militie is learned. For (1) first by the knowledge thereof we shall learne vvillinglie to yeeld our neck vnderunder the Maiestie of God, that the more vve shall feare and reuerence him, the more vve maie labour to make sure in vsus the vvytnesse of our election in Christ.It causeth the goodnesse of …od to bee the better vnderstood… of the chosen… (2) Secondlie, vvhen as vve shall …ygentlie consider the difference of …od his merciemercy made betweene men otherwyse subiecte vntounto the lyke curse, it can not bee chosen, but that vvee must muche more vvyllinglie acknowledge and imbrace that singular goodnesse of God, than if vve should make this grace of his common vntounto all men, or shoulde seeke the cause of this inequalytie of grace in men onlie.The con…ideration of reprobation or ofcasting engendreth a godly carefulnesse in the chosen. Furthermore, vvhen as vve know this gifte of faith to be speciall (That is such as is not geuen genera…lie vntounto all, but particularlie to some) sha… vve not take it more cheerefullie vvhe… it is offered, and bee much more carefull for the increase of it, than if vvit… many vvee shoulde surmise it, to bee i… all mennes power, as ofte as they vvy… repent, because God, as they saye, vvy hauehave all men saued, and vvyll not the death of a sinner?It strengthneth them against all offences. Finallie vvhen as vvee see the doctrine of the gospell, not onelie to be despised almost of the whole vvorlde, but also to be most cruellie persecuted, vvhen as vvee beholde the notable treacherie and falling awaie of so…many men, vvhat shall better strengththen vsus, then if vve make our sure reckoning that nothing commeth to passe at all aduentures, that God knoweth those that are his, and that those that doo these thinges, vnlesse it bee geuen to them to repent, are they vvhichwhich are ordained, not by chaunce, but by the assured and euerlasting counsell of God, in vvhome as in looking glasses, the iust vvrath and power of God should appeare.
Proues out of the word of God.
Philip. 2. 12. Wherefore my beloued, …s ye hauehave alwayes obeyed, not in my presence onelyonly, but nowe much more in mine absence, with feare and trembling ende your saluation.
1, Pet. 1. 17. With feare bée y…e conuersaunt in the tyme of your dwellyng héere.
Rom. 11. 20. Well, through vnbeléefe they are broken of, and thou standest by saith, bée not high mynded, but feare.
Rom. 9. 23. And that hée might make knowne the riches of his glory towards the vesselles of mercy, the which he hath prepared vntounto glorie.
The fifth Aphorisme.
YEt a man can neuer speake so fytly of these thinges, but that man his reason wyll pratle against it, yea, and also wyll call the Lord him selfe as the chiefe Authour of all, into accoumpts for it. But albeit the Deuyll chafe, and all the wycked kicke against the pricke, (1) yet their owne conscience shal reproue them, and condemne them: (2) But our mind bein… strengthned vvith the merciemercy of God… shall acquite vsus in that daie of Christ, t… vvhome vvith the Father and the hol… ghost, be geuen glory, praise and honou… for euer. Amen.
Proues out of the word of God.
Rom. 2. 15. As they which shewe th… effect of the law written in their hartes… their conscience also bearing them witnesse, and their thoughtes accusing one another, or excusing.
1. Pet. 3. 21. To the which also the figure of Baptisme agreeing, saueth vsus also: (not the putting awaye of the fylth of the fleshe, but in that a good conscience maketh request vntounto God) by the resurrection of Iesus Christ.
FINIS.