this our Sauiours hands such an absolute and powerfull authoritie as that no power either in earth or hell is able to withstand doth sinne incumber thee art thou inwrap ped in the chaines therof bound with the gables of thâ—ne owne iniquities Fly then to Christ for hee it is that is able alone and onely to breake these bands in sunder and to set thy soule at libertie For being a Michael as a mighty Captaine to subdue our enemies hee hath power also to redeeme vs home and to reduce vs from the feare of bondage And as for death and hell the fearfullest feares that euer were vnto the sinfull soule there is no cause at all to feare them seeing that sinne the sting of both is by Christ so conquered and taken away Obiect But thou wilt haply say These things I finde indeed to bee so as is said but yet to me it is not so For these graces which you haue spoken of belong to to the righteous as for me my sinnes as a mighty floud haue ouerrunne my soule testifying as a thousand witnesses that these things doe not appertaine to mee but rather all those curses threats and iudgements that are denounced in the Law Answ Hereunto I answere that you are altogether in one song being as it appeareth intentiue wholly and onely on your sinnes and nothing else Was Physick euer ordained I pray you for him that is in health Is Chirurgery appointed for him that hath no sores or wounds Howsoeuer you iudge in this case Christ I am sure is of another iudgement and telleth you otherwise that they which are whole haue no need of the Physition but they that are sick And that he came not to call the righteous Mat. 9.13 Luke 19.10 but sinners to repentance And that the Sonne of man is come to seeke and saue that which was lost And doe you not remember that sweet compellation lately mentioned Come vnto mee all yee that are weary and heauy laden and I will ease you Who are these weary and who are the heauy laden are they not which was the third part I obserued in that call made by Christ such as are tyred and ouerburthened with the heauy load and burthen of their sinnes Yes no doubt You see then that it is not of any force or moment which you haue obiected to the contrary Again consider I pray you what was the cause that our heauenly Father did lay those three seuerall offices before touched on the person of his Sonne Was it not for sinne and that of vs that are his sinfull creatures And was it not in the wisdome of God deuised as a remedy and recouery against our sinnes If Adam had persisted and continued still in that purity and innocencie in the which hee was first created what needed Christ so to haue abased himselfe and to haue suffered so many shamefull and cruell things as he did It appeareth therefore that whatsoeuer Christ is vnto vs it is all to take away our sinne to reconcile vs into the fauour of God and to make vs with him inheritors of his euerlasting Kingdome If sinne had neuer entred no doubt the greatest part of Christs office had beene frustrate and to no purpose There is no cause then to alledge our sinnes as a cause to make his grace to be vneffectuall in vs vvhich was the first thing whereunto it was appointed entered and tooke effect And therefore we should rather thus reason dispute to the contrary I am a sinfull and a great transgressor Christ on the other side is a Sauiour to saue his people from their sinnes and therefore I know and am assured that the fruit and effect of his precious bloudshedding doth appertaine and belong vnto me To that which hath been heretofore said in this behalfe I may adde the saying of the Apostle 1. Tim. 1.15 This is a true saying and worthy of all men to be receiued that Christ came into the world to saue sinners Of the Prophet Esay affirming that he was wounded for our transgressions Esay 53.5 and broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes we are heale and many such like places to that same effect but I hope these shall suffice CHAP. VI. Against the assault of the weaknes and want of Faith Obiect BVt here it is commonly obiected by the person thus disquieted and troubled in minde Indeed these things I doe know and confesse to bee so but yet I remember what is also written that is that although Christ came to be a Sauiour and a Redeemer vnto sinners and was indeed sent to preach good tydings vnto the poore Esay 61.1 to bind vp the broken hearted to preach libertie vnto the captiues and to them that are bound the opening of the prison to comfort all that mourne to cloath them with the garments of saluation to couer them with the robe of righteousnes yet in them onely shall this his comming and death be effectuall which by a true and a liuely faith take hold and depend vpon him For it is written So God loued the world Iob. 3.16 that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne to the end that all that beleeue in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life but as for those which haue not faith it after followeth that they are so farre from grace that they are coÌ„demned already Iob. 3.18 because they beleeue not in the onely begotten Sonne of God This assault 2. Sorts of men assaulted with the want of Faith although for the most part it neuer ensueth after the assault of sinne before touched yet it is diuersly disposed in respect of the diuers subiects wherein it worketh For some are such as are but newly begunne to be regenerate and renewed in whom faith doth but beginne to take roote and to bee sowed and ingrafted and these hauing lyen alwaies beforetime as it were dead in sinne haue neuer felt to their knowledge the liuely pulse of faith at any time to beat within them And againe 1. The newly regenerate others there be that being before called and being indued with the gift of faith yet the flesh resisting against the Spirit and the spirituall graces 2. More ancient Christians remaining for the time both dull and weake in them they seeme to haue clean lost that which they had before and thereupon fall to doubting and distrust within themselues as though their faith were but a dead faith which seemeth for the time to bee so quickly wasted and decayed Against these two seuerall estates of men wee are to apply seuerall medicines as is most conuenient First touching him that is but yong and very tender in the womb of regeneration and not fully formed and become a renued creature in Christ No maruell if he thinke strange of this distrust within himselfe or if that he complaine of the weaknes and want of faith in himselfe For you must
aforesaid and dayly nay hourely or rather euery minute exercise thy selfe therein that thou mayst be able to withstand thine enemies at all times For if thy sinnes which Satan will bee busie to lay to thy charge be obiected against thee arme thee thē with the Brest-plate of Righteousnes it shall be vnto thee as a Brazen wall to beare it off If this will not fully serue vse the shooes of Preparation to step aside or at least the target of Faith to breake the blow If from the course of Gods dealing with his seruants and also with the wicked hee beginne to assault thee which is a very vsuall and common thing with Satan take then into thy hand the sword of the Spirit so shalt thou be sure to beate him off And finally if death with his vgly terrours begin to rush vpon thee as ready to deuoure and swallow thee vp bee resolute in the Coat of Constancy stand fast in thy station and place appointed thee of thy Chiefetaine Head Christ Iesus and euery piece of Armour vvill minister present helpe and defence vnto thee And if it so fall out for all this that thou seest some weaknes in thy selfe that thou art faint and not able to hold thine owne but that Satan seemeth to get some aduantage vpon thee Death doth affright and terrifie thee and thy sinnes doe amaze thee insomuch that thy girdle is loose about thy loynes thy Brest-plate is bent and battered thy Shooes ready to slip and fall off thy feet thy right hand weake in weilding and handling of thy Sword and thy Target beaten euen to thy head that is if thou in this conflict doest suffer many discomforts and Satan seeme to preuaile so greatly against thee that thou knowest not how or which way to ward or keepe him backe yet let not this make thee flee and to giue ouer the fight or in any wise to yeeld vnto thine enemies But comfort thy selfe that Christ standeth as an eye witnes of thy doings ready to strengthen thee and to minister power vnto thee Flye therefore to him for refuge with hearty and earnest Prayer for that hee is both able and also willing to succour and deliuer thee and patiently suffer and endure all the hard doings of the enemies against thee with the Helmet of Hope And at the end conclude and shut vp the matter with Dauid and say Into thy hands O Lord Psal 31.6 I commend my Spirit For thou hast redeemed mee O Lord God of Truth Here stay thy thoughts and close vp thine eyes and what thou findest not in thy selfe expect and looke for in him who as I haue said is able and vvilling to doe all things for thy good And though it appeareth to thy iudgement that thou art depriued of the needfull consolation and comfort in this life yet doe thou not despayre For Christ will not be thou sure cast thee off because he findeth thee cut and wounded But as the good Samaritane Luk. 10.33 c. will mercifully binde vp thy wounds and plentifully powre out the oyle of euerlasting ioy and blessednes into thy maymed soule CHAP. XXVIII That the Elect in time bee assured of their election and how THe proofe and demonstration of this position namely that the Elect and Chosen of God in time bee assured of their election I thought conuenient to be annexed vnto this treatise because it serueth not a little to minister help and comfort for the allaying and qualifying of the troubles and discomforts of the afflicted soule And because it is of many made a doubt question whether any such assurance may be at all in Gods Children except it bee onely by speciall reuelation I thought it good for the better vnderstanding of the same briefly to premise something of the meaning heereof and to shew how it is to be vnderstood First therefore when I say the Elect I doe not meane some but all and euerie one of the Elect of God that they may and shall haue a certainty and an assurance that they are elect vnto saluation But for further and better explanation of my meaning I adde to this mine assertion in time for it is not alwayes so but after such time onely as they are effectually called and regenerated and that before such time they cannot haue it So that this is not any speciall and particular reuelation but a thing common and incident euen generally to all and particularly to euery one after that hee is thus thorowly called and renewed to know and bee assured that not onely generally all that doe belieue in Christ are elect and shall bee saued but also himselfe in seuerall and particular to be one of the number of those whom God in his eternall and euerlasting decree and purpose hath predestinate and appoynted vnto life The certainty of which doctrine shall plainely appeare and bee fully demonstrated in setting downe the meanes how this assurance is wrought and effected in them For proofe of this so profitable a poynt of doctrine let vs see so briefly and so plainely as we can by what reasons it may bee prooued that the man regenerate may be certified and assured of his Election The first argument of this assurance 1. Argument of assurance of Electiō is drawne and brought from the euidence of their owne Spirit which the faithfull finde within themselues For that this I meane the Spirit of euery one of the Elect of God is a very good witnes to giue euidence testimony in this case as the Apostle plainly teacheth Ro. 8. where he hath these words that the Spirit of God beareth witnes with our Spirits Rom. 8.16 So that if both do witnes together then our Spirit doth witnes also And this is that testimony which euery man by his own Spirit and conscience doth deriue draw from those generall propositions which he findeth in the Gospel for from the Gospell the Spirit of euery one of the Elect of God doth fetch his euidence by applying the same and by annexing an assumption vnto the generall doctrine and vniuersall propositions there deliuered As for example The Gospel teacheth that euery one that belieueth in Christ shall saued This generall proposition wanteth not good proofe but hath very many places in the Scriptures to confirme the same They that haue faith and doe belieue Ioh. 3.15 Rom. 9 33. Ioh. 8.51 5.24 Ioh. 3. Ion. 3.24 Gal. 2. shall not perish Ioh. 3. Shall not bee confounded Rom. 9. Shall not see death Ioh. 8. Shall not enter inter Iudgement Ioh. 5. Shall haue euerlasting life Ioh. 3. Shall be saued be iustified and haue remission of all their sinnes Rom. 3. Gal. 2. and many such places most plaine and manifest to like effect The Gospell thus ministring this generall proposition now the spirit of the elected childe of God beginneth to giue his witnesse by a particular assumption saying But I see and know by search within my selfe that I haue
of the body and also the safety and saluation of the soule This loue is of that nature that it must shew forth it selfe euen to our enemtes and to their good and then much more to those that are members of the same body with vs according to that of the Apostle Do good vnto al men but speciully vnto thē which are of the houshold of Faith Gal. 6.10 Vnder these two kindes of Christian loue as we may see is contained the whole work of our sanctification which is all in faith I meane the true saith which purifyeth and clenseth our harts and from this faith issueth and floweth as from a plentifull fountaine Act. 15.9 into all the parts and members of the body holding and containing them vvithin the bounds and lists of their seuerall duties So that in shewing forth the fruits of this purification in the deeds of loue both towards God and towards our neighbour we are said to walke according to the Spirit which being once discerned and knowne we haue then a most sure argument of the truth of faith Rom. 8.1 For there is no condemnation to them that walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit And who are they that shall thus be saued and shall not enter into condemnation but they that doe beleeue As appeareth by the words of Christ himselfe Joh. 5.24 saying Hee that heareth my Word and beleeueth in him that sent mee hath euerlasting life shall not come into condemnation but hath passed from death to life And againe God so loued the world that hee hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne Iohn 3.16 that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Seeing now that the Children of God haue these so many and so excellent fruits and effects as markes and tokens to teach and instruct them in the truth of faith and as guides to lead and direct them in the iudgement of their Faith they may very well conclude to their great comfort both that their faith is in very deede a true liuely and iustifying faeith and that therefore their election is doubtlesse certaine an I sure whatsoeuer the enemies of this doctrine will seeme to obiect to the contrarie CHAP. XXXIII How the faithfull shall know that they haue the Spirit of Adoption THese things being in this manner set downe for the better quieting of the troubled conscience it now remaineth that as we haue occupyed our selues in poynting out the markes of a true liuely faith so likewise we take some paines to syft out and try also how the seruants of God his faithfull and elect children may discerne and know that they haue that testifying Spirit of Adoption whereof the Apostle speaketh Rom. 8.16 that giueth that plaine and euident testimonie vnto their spirits that they are the sons of God For the wicked and reprobates in some sort may be partakers of the Holy Ghost and therefore it seemeth that the Elect in this point may bee easily deceiued and mistake this their witnesse Two things here by the way wee must take good heed of First That although the Reprobates as I haue said may in some sort bee partakers of the Holy Ghost and as shall bee after more plainly shewed yet that we do not suppose or thinke that they can in any wise bee partakers of the same holy Spirit as it is the Spirit of Adoption For in this manner and in this respect it is imparted to the Elect of God onely and to none other For as many as are led by this Spirit Rom. 8.14.2 they are the sonnes of God Secondly that wee do not imagine this Spirit of Adoption to be distinct in substance and essence from that whereof the wicked are partakers as though it had a diuers nature but that the onely difference is in the manner of operation or to speake more plainely in the manner of distributing and diuiding his gifts amongst men And according to this operation or distribution there are diuers names ascribed vnto him in the Scriptures and yet the Spirit is but one and the same still As for an example when this Spirit effecteth wisedome in any it is called the Spirit of Wisedome when hee doth effect peace and ioy hee is called the Spirit of peace and ioy When hee worketh this witnesse of Adoption in any it is called the Spirit of Adoption And on the other part when hee putteth feare and terrour into any hee is called the Spirit of bondage The truth hereof is proued by the words of the Apostle Paul affirming that there are diner sities of gifts 1. Cor. 12.8 c. but the same Spirit For to one is giuen by the Spirit the word of wisedome and to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit and to another is giuen faith by the same Spirit and to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit and to another the operations of great workes and to another Prophecie and to another the discerning of Spirits and to another diuersities of tongues and to another the interpretation of tongues and all these things worketh euen the selfe same Spirit distributing to euery man seuerally as hee will So that in nature and essence it is the same Spirit that worketh in the distribution of all these gifts both to the Elect and also Reprobates although the persons in whom hee worketh bee as I haue said found to be diuers Seeing then that the case standeth so that euen the Reprobates are partakers of the Holy Ghost in that the gifts of the Holy Ghost in some part are giuen and imparted vnto them I thinke it very expedient for the remouing of all doubts which may arise concerning this mine assertion First to shew in what manner this Spirit is and doth thus diuersly worke in the one and in the other in the Elect and in the Reprobate And seeondly what are the true markes and tokens whereby the Spirit of Adoption may bee discerned As touching the first it is be considered that the Spirit being in essence very God and therefore infinite and incomprehensible cannot be said to be contained in any thing but filleth heauen earth And therefore when it is said that hee is in any it is to be vnderstood that hee is in them by his working and operation And this manner of his being in them is after two sorts either naturall or else supernaturall Naturall I call that which exceedeth not the course and reach of mans nature And this is such as toucheth and concerncth the beeing onely and in this sense the Spirit may bee said to bee in the very senselesse creatures and to haue his working and operation in them For by this Spirit of God it is that euery thing is and hath his being and by the same Spirit it is preserued and maintained Or else it is such as concerneth things sensible and indued with life sense and motion and thus it is imparted vnto the very dumbe
loue that is of God For this is the very stamp of the Spirit which otherwise in other places is called our Regeneration and this is the testimony and witnesse that it giueth Wherefore that wee may now the better see and vnderstand how this Spirit of God in this sort doth witnesse and giue testimony with our Spirits of nor adoption into the number and fellowship of the children of God I think it good that we proceed a little further in the Apostles similitude This phrase and manner of speaking is drawn from the manner of men vsed for confirmation of contracts and bargaines made who hauing in speech concluded vpon their couenants straightway cause the same to bee first written and ingrossed and after their seales to bee to the same annexed to witnesse and assure both the truth of the bargaine and also the performance thereof So that the very print and impression abiding still in the wax is a sufficient witnesse that those writings are his act and deede whose seale is there annexed and that therfore also he will in truth surely performe the couenants therein contained Now for a further explanation hereof and to apply this according to the seuerall circumstances to our present purpose it is diligently to bee obserued and noted that the couenants or matter of the writings betwixt God and his Children are the promises of Grace in Christ through faith comprised in the Gospel These sayd promises are written and ingrossed in the tables of euery faithfull mans heart according to that saying I will write my lawes in their hearts Ier. 31.33 And this writing is when as by faith we doe apprehend the same Whereupon as is aforesayd our heart and conscience doth witnesse to vs that they doe belong vnto vs and that we are the sonnes of God Then together with this also commeth the seale and witnesse of the Spirit of God bearing witnesse as I haue sayd with our Spirit also of the truth heereof by setting his stamp and seale vpon our soules and harts wherin as in tables these couenants were written confirming most effectually and assuring vs that wee are indeede of the number of those in whom these promises shall be fulfilled that we are elect of God and such as are ordained vnto eternall life because this image and impression of the Spirit is giuen and imparted vnto none but those onely that are in the number of Gods adopted children See therefore I pray thee now in what manner the Spirit of God doth witnesse and seale vnto thee that thou art one of Gods Elect euen by setting ingrauing vpon vs such a stamp marke and impression as is onely proper and pecuilar vnto those that shall bee saued So that we seeing and beholding this within our selues are thereby to our exceeding comfort assured and confirmed that we are Gods Children and therefore also heires and co-heires with Christ of eternall life Rom. 8.17 Of this testimony then we are not in any wise to doubt but to account it vnto vs most sure and certaine for that it hath the Spirit of truth to bee the author of it which Spirit alwaies speaketh truth and nothing but truth And so much the rather also should wee haue in vs this assurance because this is applied euen vnto our hearts and Spirits and that with such efficacy and force as that it crieth that is to say it causeth vs in sight and feeling of the same to cry and call vpon our God by the louing and comfortable name of Father So that if the testimony of thine owne Spirit cannot content or suffice thee in this poynt but that thou doest desire to haue a further witnesse of thine election See if in thine heart thou canst finde this seale and impression this witnesse of the Spirit If thou canst this also will testifie with thy Spirit that thou art an elected Childe of God CHAP. XXX Of the third Argument whereby the certainety of a mans election is proued THE third Argument for the proofe of this Doctrine concerning Mans Election and the knowledge assurance thereof is brought from the notable effects and fruits following vpon our Regeneration in the course and race of our life For these also do witnesse and approue vnto vs our election as may very well be gathered by the words of the Apostle saying Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation saith hee vnto them that are in Christ Iesus that walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit Who are they that walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit but euen they that shew forth the fruits of Regeneration by newnesse that is sanctuy and righteousnesse of life And what is it to bee free from condemnation but to bee one that shall in the end be saued And who are those that shall bee saued but onely they which before all times were hereunto elect and ordained This also is prooued effectually by the Apostle Peter who exhorting vs vnto these fruits willeth vs to ioyne vertue with faith with vertue knowledge 2. Pet. 1.5 6 7 8 9 10. with knowledge temperance with temperance patience and with patience godlinesse c. And after in the tenth verse for a conclusion hee addeth Wherefore brethren giue rather diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye do these things ye shall neuer fall Now how is our election made sure by our workes but because that these good workes and gifts of the Spirit do certifie and assure vs that we are in the number of Gods Elect in that hee vouch safeth in this sort by his Spirit to worke in vs And the reason is because that f wee doe these things that is seeing God hath so farre communicated his Grace vnto vs no doubt hee that hath begun so good a worke in vs will continue and hold on still and that in such a manner that wee shall neuer fall To these let vs adde the testimonie of Christ Joh. 13.35 By this shall all men know that you are my Disciples if you haue loue one to another And the Apostle Iohn in his first Epistle 1. Ioh. 1.7 is pregnant to this effect If wee walke in the light as hee is in the light wee haue fellowship one with another and the bloud of Christ clenseth vs from all sinne 1. Ioh. 2.3 5. Againe Heereby are we sure that wee know him if wee keepe his commandements 1. Ioh. 3.14 Hee that keepeth his word in him is the loue of God perfect indeed hereby we know that we are in him And againe Wee know that wee are translated from death to life because wee loue the brethren c. Many such like places of Scriptures might bee brought tending to like effect and purpose so that as by the fruits the good or bad nature of the Tree is knowne so by thy workes as fruits thy condition and estate may be discerned For men doe not gather Grapes of Thornes Math. 7.16 nor Figges of
sheweth plainely that the same Iudas in Gods eternall decree was not elect at all Ioh. 13.18 I speake not of you all saith Christ I know whom I haue chosen but it is that the Scripture might bee fulsilled Hee that eateth bread with mee hath lift vp his heele against me In which words Christ maketh a plaine distinction betwixt Iudas and those that hee had chosen and elected vnto life The fourth reason is brought from the former witnes and testimonie of the Spirit of God before declared 4. Reason which is alwayes most true and certaine which doth testifie and seale vnto vs not onely that wee are sonnes and Children but heyres also and coheyres with Christ of eternall glory Now how can this witnes of the Spirit be true that wee are heyres and coheyres with Christ of life if wee might at any time so fall againe as that wee might bee condemned vnto eternall death Wherefore I vvould aduise the broachers and setters forward of this obiection to beware and take heede vnto themselues betime how they labour to vphold and maintaine this so pernicious a point of doctrine for that in defence thereof they shall euidently appeare to argue the holy Ghost of falshood which thing bee farre from all Christians The fift Argument is brought from that inseparable connexion and dependancie of the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost 5. Reason Rom. 8.30 and of his working in the Elect and Chosen for whom he predestinate vnto life them also he called whom he called them hee iustified whom hee iustified them he glorified So that I may then in this manner reason Art thou elected and predestinate vnto life Thou shalt then be called and also iustified And art thou iustified and canst thou yet fall vtterly from grace and life No in no wise for if thou bee iustified thou shalt also bee glorified What plainer euidences then these can bee brought for the continuance and perseuerance of the Elect of God and to warrant them against this obiected fall without recouerie The sixt reason may bee brought from the immoueable estate of the Regenerate of God 6. Reason in that that neither sinne Satan Death nor any other their enemies can preuaile against them to impayre their hope or doe them hurt although they dayly with all their power doe attempt the same And the reason is because Christ hath so fully satisfied his Father and reconciled him vnto them If they could so fall as by the obiection is pretended then it is likely that this fall must come by the suggestion of Satan or by some other meanes of the enemies aforesaid But there is nothing at all that can preuaile so far against them as appeareth by the Testimonie of the Apostle Paul Who saith the Apostle shall separate vs from the loue of Christ Shall tribulation or anguish Rom. 8.35 or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill or sword Nay in all these things saith he we are more then conquerours through him that loued vs. And addeth further for more manifestation of this point that he is perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature and what can then indanger vs shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Vpon this we may safely inferre to our consolation and comfort that if Gods loue doe still continue towards vs and that he be with vs and take part with vs we neede not to feare who be against vs. And whereas there is indeed great force power in sinne to worke if it were possible this separation betwixt God and vs and to effect this fall of Gods Elect yet euen sinne is found to haue lost her power in this behalfe Rom. 8.33 as doth plainely appeare by the words of the Apostle euen a little before Who saith the Apostle shal lay any thing to the charge of Gods Chosen It is God that instifieth If none can lay to the charge surely none can condemne and reade the doome vpon them It is Christ that is dead yea rather that is risen againe who is also at the right hand of God and maketh intercession for vs. An argument no doubt very strong and forcible is here brought by the Apostle Christ saith hee is dead for sinne and how then should sinne bee imputed to his Chosen whereof Christ already hath in his owne person sustained the punishment Or if the Elect doe dayly sinne as they without doubt doe so long as they continue in this corrupted Tabernacle yet how should this depriue and spoile them of their hope seeing Christ standeth a continuall Intercessor and Mediator in their behalfe to qualifie and appease his Fathers wrath against them for sinne Seeing then that the matter is so plaine thou art to leaue off to dispute and reason against the durable estate of Gods Elect and Chosen vnto the end vnlesse thou wilt shew and proue thy selfe a very iniurious censurer of this sacred office of Christ our Sauiour Which if thou doe thou canst not in the sight of GOD bee holden guiltlesse but art to haue God to bee a sharpe reuenger of the iniury done and committed by thee and it is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the Lord. The seuenth reason may bee drawne from the promises and doctrine of life 7. Reason and of that ioyfull Resurrection and glorious estate of Gods Chosen in the life to come These promises are so firme and sure and this doctrine is so cleere that they cannot bee gainesayed without great preiudice For to say that the Elect of God hauing once assurance of their election haue not also therewith an assurance of their perseuerance and continuance vnto the end is to depriue them of the speciall vse of those promises of such blessednes in the life to come And then what greater comfort should the faithfull and Regenerate finde in those promises then the faithlesse and Reprobate And further what benefit or comfort could grow to the faithfull by those three last Articles of our Creed I beleeue the Remission of sinnes the Resurrection of the body and the life euerlasting if they could not also bee assured that they should hereafter bee made partakers of them For the Reprobates yea the Diuels themselues do know that there are such blessed things prepared But this their knowledge nothing profiteth for that they are not indeed to be partakers of them they doe belong onely to the Elect and Chosen of the Lord. And to this end and purpose onely tended the course and order of the instructions of Christ the Apostles and all the faithfull Ministers of all ages vvho haue diligently taught the Children of God to view and behold these blessed things not as things being onely but such also as one day assuredly they shall by Christ be put in full possession of as their owne