haue beleeued wee are sealed by the holie spirit of promise which is the earnest penie of our inheritance Ephe. 1.13 vntill the redemption of the possession purchased to the praise of his glorie First he sheweth there that faith is as it were the seale whereby the Holie ghost imprinteth in our hearts for our assurance that wee are the children of God Furthermore as in a thing that is bought there is somtimes giuen an earnest penie to wit some part of the monie agreed on as well for the beginning of the paimēt as by consequent for the assurance that the bargaine shall be held firme so the holie ghost who by faith ingēdreth peace and ioye in the hearts of the faithfull is the earnest penie assuring vs by this beginning of the spirituall blessings which God promiseth to his children that he holdeth vs for his possession purchased to the praise of his glorie and that at the length he will gather vs into the full inioying of the inheritāce of heauen Hereunto it is also that goodly gradatiō leadeth vs which is proposed of the same Apostle Rom. 8.28 saying Those whō God hath before knowne those hee hath also predestinate to be made like vnto the image of Iesus Christ and those whō he hath predestinate he hath also called and those whom he hath called he hath also iustified and those whō he hath iustified those he hath also glorified For all will confesse that those that are elected and predestinated to be made like vnto the image of Iesus Christ are the children of God as also they who in his eternall counsel and decree are glorified Now they who being lightened with the knowledge of the Gospell beleeue that their sinnes are washed away by the bloud of Iesus Christ through his satisfaction and so are called and iustified are elected and glorified before God as S. Paule teacheth here it followeth then that they are the children of God And this is so certaine that the Apostle opposing the will power of GOD against all impediments addeth If GOD bee on our side who shall bee against vs Rom 8.30 Bern. ser 5. in dedica templi S Bernard teacheth the selfe same thing verie aptlie saying we are certain of the power of God to saue vs but what shall we say of his will who is he that knoweth whether he bee worthie of hate or of loue who is he that hath knowne the will of the Lord or who hath bin his counseller It behoueth that herein faith helpe vs and that trueth succour vs. That that which is hid concerning vs in the heart of the father may bee reuealed vnto vs by the spirit and his spirit testifying vnto vs may perswade vs that wee are the childrē of God that he perswade it vs I say in calling and iustifying vs freelie by faith which is as it were a meane or passage from the predestination of GOD to the glorie of the life euerlasting The same thing is it which S Augustine meaneth saying Aug Hom. in Ioan. 35. Wee are come into the way of faith let vs hold it constantlie it shall leade vs from degree to degree euen vnto the chamber of the heauenlie King where all the treasures of knowledge and wisedome beeing hid wee may learne and behold the reuelation of our election From hence proceedeth yet another fruite seruing vs for a marke to assure vs more more that we are the children of God when we loue God and our neighbours for his sake whereof also followeth the hatred of euill and an earnest desite to render obedience to God For if it be so as Saint Iohn saith 1. Ioh. 4.19 that our loue to God commeth of this that he hath first loued vs The loue that we beare vnto him is a testimonie that he loueth vs. As also Iesus Christ maintaineth and sheweth that by the signes of loue Luk. 7.47 which the sinful woman gaue him God loued her greatly and had forgiuen her manie sinnes So the brightnes of the Moone is a certaine argument that the Sunne ministreth whollie to her for otherwise she hath no brightnes at all And in sommer the heate that is felt in the stones set against the Sunne is a signe that the Sunne shineth vppon them Of our owne nature and first generation we are vnprofitable to all goodnes and inclined to al euill Rom. 3.10 as Saint Paule very largelie setteth forth vnto vs writing to the Romanes If then on the contrarie wee walke in the feare God giuing our selues to his seruice and occupying our selues in all good works is not such a chaunge a testimonie of our regeneration and consequentlie of our adoption The tree is knowne by his fruit saith Iesus Christ Matt 7.17 If then wee beare the fruit of iustice holines and of charitie wee are trees planted in the garden of God by his holie spirit and so consequentlie the childen of God Charitie saith Saint Iohn 1. Ioh. 4.7 is of God and he that loueth is borne of God and knoweth God As then the heate and light of a coale is a signe that it hath fire and as the moouing and actions of the bodie are certaine signes that it liueth that the soule is within it so the testimonie of the holie ghost in our hearts the peace quietnes of our consciences before GOD feeling our selues iustified by faith this loue towards God and our neighbour this chaunge of our life and desire to walke in the feare and obedience of God are assured tokens of our adoption as also this that we are members of the Church of Christ hearing his word participating with the holie Sacraments and calling vppon God in the name of Iesus Christ are testimonies that wee are the children and houshold seruants of God and heires of eternall life How euerie member of the Church ought to applie vnto himselfe the tokens of it to assure himselfe of his adoption and saluation CAP. 3. NOw although the tokens before mentioned are certaine to assure vs that wee are the children of God yet there are two sorts of temptations which aboue all other tend to shake vs. The one proceedeth of our selues either for lacke of applying to our selues the testimonies which God giueth to the members of his Church to assure them of their saluation or through the feeling of a want as wee thinke but rather of the smalnes or weaknes of those tokens of adoption here aboue alledged The other temptation commeth vnto vs frō some other where and cōsisteth speciallie in two points To wit in the reuolt of some hauing made profession of the true religion and in the grieuous and long afflictions which are ordinarie to those that followe the doctrine of the Gospell Now as there is nothing of greater importance than the saluation of the soule so there is nothing that doth more grieuouslie afflict and trouble the tender consciences desirous of eternall life than the doubts feares not to
Spirit and there is no condēnation to thee as is saide If thou delight as touching the inward man in the obedience of the commaundements of GOD hee accepteth thee for holie and iust receiuing this desire to obey him for an obedience acceptable vnto him He accepteth his owne worke in thee and pardoneth thee thine Continue in this holie desire fighting against the flesh and the world strengthening thy self by feruent praier to the Lord. And behold the certaine testimonies of thine adoption But thou wilt say 3. Temptation because the seeling of the fruit of our prayers is so long deferred because of the weakenesse of them I haue of long time asked of God and do daylie aske his holie Spirite the encrease of faith and grace to be obedient vnto him yet I feele no manner of fruite of my prayers If GOD loued me and accounted mee for his childe woulde hee not heare mee It is the same complaint that in old time past Dauid made saying I am wearie of crying my throat is hoarse mine eies are failed Psa 6◠4 while I wait on my God And in another place My God I crie by day Psa 22 2 and thou answerest not and by night and I haue no rest Now in saying he had no rest he sheweth that he did continue in prayer Also Iesus Christ exhorteth vs to this diligence by the example or similitude of the importunate widdow Luke 18.1 crying still vpon the wicked Iudge to do hir right and at the last obtaining by her importunacie And besides that hee waketh vs vp saying Heare what the wicked Iudge saieth Because shee troubleth mee I will doe her iustice And God which is your Father and Sauiour who is iust and loueth righteousnesse Psal 11.7 shall not hee heare the crie of his children crying vnto him night and day Verely I saie vnto you Luke 11.5 that hee will doe it and that quickely Hee that went by night to his neighbor to borow bread continuing still his request though the other alleadged many excuses yet at the length he obtained what he would Continue then in praying to GOD without discouragement This perseuerance in prayer is an euident and vehement testimonie of thy faith For that is not founde but in the children of God guided by his Spirite especially seeing thou askest the holie Ghost Luk. 11.13 whom Iesus Christ promised thee thou askest that which by his promise is due vnto thee without doubt he will giue it thee And seeing thou askest the increase of faith and grace to obey him thou askest that which he commandeth thee to haue and so that which he liketh and is pleased withall Be then assured that thou shalt be heard Beholde sayth Saint John Iohn 5.14 the confidence that wee haue with GOD that if wee aske anie thing according vnto his wil he heareth vs. And if wee know that he heareth vs whatsoeuer we aske wee knowe wee shall obtaine the requests that we haue asked His promises can not faile nor deceiue Yea bee thou certaine that before thou hast ended thy prayer hee hath heard thee as Esay saith Esa 65.24 For our God is a God that heareth prayers sayth Dauid But thou owest him this honour to submit thy selfe to his wisedome as touching the time of feeling or receiuing the fruite of thy prayers If Iesus Christ had healed the daughter of the Cananite at the first petition Mat. 15.22 her Faith had not beene so kindled in her nor so commended in the Church vnto the ende of the worlde The fruites of all trees are not ripe in one daie In some they doe ripen sooner and men waite patiently for the other which ripen in the latter season Luke 1.13 Zacharie and Elizabeth thought that they had prayed in vaine asking of GOD posteritie in their youth And when they were olde and without all hope for to obtaine it the Angell of the Lorde saide vnto Zacharie Thy prayer is heard not that prayer which hee made then for he thought not nowe to haue issue but the prayer which hee made long time before That which is more doe wee not aske of GOD manie graces the which wee knowe well that wee obtaine either in part or in hope onelie the enioying or full accompliss ment whereof is deferred either vntill death or euen vntill the day of the resurrection In the Prayer of all Prayers taught by Iesus Christ wee do aske of GOD that his name may be sanctified Matth. 6.9 his Kingdome may come his will may bee doone in Earth as it is in Heauen And when shall wee see the full accomplished effect of this prayer but in Heauen when Christ hauing gruen vp his kingdome to GOD his father wee shall loue him perfectlie and praise him euerlastinglie Furthermore he oftentimes heareth vs so as Saint Augustine saith not according vnto our will but as is most for our profite giuing vs better thinges than those that wee expresselie aske The Iewes desired the comming of the Messias and asked it of God He deferred it of long time at the last hee sent him but not such a one as al as it were and the Apostles themselues looked for Act. 4.6 to wete victorious in battaile as Dauid to deliuer them from the yoake of the Romans triumphing in riches worldlie glorie as Salomon but such a Messias as obtaining victorie against the diuell death and sinne hath established a spirituall kingdome in euerlasting life and glorie Iesus Christ feeling and apprehending the terrible gulphes of the fearful wrath of God vpon him for our sinnes Mat. 26.39 prayed with strong cries teares to God his Father that he might not enter into the deepe pit of death The Apostle to the Hebrewes saith Heb. 5 7. that he was heard and yet notwithstanding he entred and dranke the Cup of the wrath and of death which the Father had giuē him But he was heard saith the same Apostle as touching that which in making his praier he fered to wit frō being swallowed of death In like manner S. Paul praieth to God oftentimes that he 2. Cor. 12. would deliuer him from the Angell of Sathan that buffeted him but GOD much better as he himselfe confesseth gaue him to vnderstand that the power of God was made perfect in his infirmity so as he protesteth as it were enioying the frute of his praiers thogh otherwise than he thoght that from that time forth he would reioice in his infirmities woulde take delight in them forasmuch as being weake in himselfe he was strong in God So wee will demaund manie times commodities concerning this life as health goods parents friends or our country and God depriuing vs of them giueth vs spirituall graces patience faith contentment in God and other like yea and our prayer tending onely vnto the preseruation and enioying such commodities appertaining vnto this life alone GOD contrariwise depriueth vs of them to keepe them
and your endles comfort Your Honors in the Lord most humble A.P. To the faithfull of the Low Countrie IT is not without reason right deare and worshipfull bretheren that the Church of Christ is called militant vpon earth and compared as well to a woman in trauaile of child from the beginning of the world as to a ship vpon the sea tossed with tempests and to a field tilled vpon which the plowe is drawne to cut it The present estate of the Church exercised by so manie dissipations assailed so mightelie by continuall warres the mother and nurse of all calamities and afflicted by reuolts by Libertines by people prophane and by so many heretiques is to vs a liuelie mirrour a manifest seale and an example good to be marked Now as the infirmitie of the flesh which dieth not in the verie children of God but at their death taketh from thence and from other matter occasion of temptations most dangerous and many assaults so the bounden duetie affection which I beare towards you driueth me to testifie vnto you the feruent desire which I feele continuallie in my heart of your comfort constancie and perseuerance in the way of saluation For this cause it is that in my voiage frō Germanie I made this little treatise Of the markes of the children of God of their consolations in their afflictions the which being GOD be thanked returned J was willing with the aduise of my brethren and fellowes in the holie Ministerie to put to light dedicate vnto you to the end that reading it you might knowe and feele more and more the incomprehensible grace of GOD towards you by the testimonies of your adoption and the full assurance of the certaintie of it and that in the middest of your so long and heauie afflictions you might bee partakers of the vnspeakable comforts which GOD setteth forth to his children in his word whereby also you feeling your selues truelie happie you maie constantlie perseuer in his holie trueth and obedience of his will aspiring with contētment and ioy of the holie Ghost to the inioying of that kingdome of glorie the right and possession whereof is purchased for you and kept in your head Iesus Christ Finallie J pray God with all my heart to shewe me this fauour that this my little labour may bee acceptable vnto you and that it will please him to blesse it by the efficacie of his holie spirit to your comfort and saluation and to the aduancement of the Kingdome of our Lord Iesus Christ Harlem 15. September 1586. Your humble brother and seruant in Christ Iohn Taffin Minister of the holie Gospell in the French Church at Harlem The matters that are handled in this Treatise 1 OF the great and incomprehensible happines of the life euerlasting promised to the children of God 2 How wee knowe that wee are the children of God 3 How euerie member of the Church ought to applie to himselfe the markes of it to assure himselfe of his adoption and saluation 4 How wee ought may assure our selues that wee are the children of GOD although the markes of our adoption be in vs but small and weake 5 That the Apostacie and reuolt of some who haue made profession of the true religion ought not to cause vs to call in doubt either the doctrine or our adoption 6 That afflictions ought not to make vs doubt of our adoption but rather to confirme vs. 7 That the afflictions which come vnto vs were foretold and therfore they ought to confirme vs in the assurance of our adoption 8 That the children of GOD haue at all times been afflicted and yet beloued of God 9 That the common afflictions of the children of Adam are to the faithfull because of the excellent fruites of them testimonies of their adoption and of the loue of GOD towards them 10 Of the afflictions for Christes sake and of the fruites of them 11 Other fruites of the afflictions for the name of Christ 12 An exhortation to perseuer constantlie in the trueth of the Gospell in the time of persecution not to feare death for man to keepe himselfe from Apostacie and dissimulation To vse the holie Ministerie To walke in the feare of God and to pray vnto him 13 Holie meditations and praiers Of the markes of the children of God and of their consolations in their afflictions To the faithfull of the Low Countrie Of the great and incomprehensible felicitie of the euerlasting life promised to the children of God CAP. 1. SAint Paul hath verie aptlie set forth vnto vs the incomprehensible excellencie of the felicitie of the childrē of GOD saying That the eye hath not seene 1. Cor. 2.9 the eare hath not heard neither hath it entred into the heart of man what things God hath prepared for those that loue him According to this sentence Saint Augustine tending to the same butt saith of the goodnes of grace Aug. Enarrat 2. Psal 26. Tom. 8. Let your hearts goe beyond all that you are able to comprehend and stay not your selues at the greatnes and excellencie of it which you imagine but say yet this is not it for if it were it it could not enter into thy thought and heart This happines then cannot bee comprehended by vs according to the greatnes and excellencie of it so long as wee dwell in these earthlie mansions 2. Cor. 5.1 1. Cor. 13.9 where we knowe God but in part and darkly Notwithstanding seeing the same Apostle addeth that the holie Ghost who searcheth the most deep things of God 1. Cor. 13.12 hath giuen vs some reuelation 1. Cor 2.10 Seeing also he praied to God for the Ephesians That he would open the eyes of their vnderstanding Ephe. 1.18 that they might knowe what is the hope of their vocation and what are the riches of the glorie of his inheritance among the Saints we should be too vnthankful to God and enemies of our owne comfort if wee should make curtesie or refuse to vnderstād that which it pleaseth him to reueale vnto vs by his word Now in it this felicitie is oftentimes signified by the promise of life euerlasting and not without reason For in our felicitie Life euerlasting comprehendeth the felicitie of the childrē of God two poynts may and ought speciallie to bee considered first the greatnes and excellencie of the good thing secondlie the long continuance and surenes of it Now both the one and the other is noted by these words life euerlasting For by life is signified the greatnes of the felicitie and by euerlasting the infinite length of it As touching life wee may consider three degrees as wel in the bodie Three degrees of life to the body and to the soule as speciallie in the soule The first degree of life as touching the soule The first degree of life is ment by this peace of conscience and ioy of the holie Ghost which wee receiue and feele being reconciled to God in
called the house of God to giue vs to vnderstand Ephe. 2.19 that those that abide there are by good right accompted the childrē and household of God Furthermore when after wee haue protested in our Creede that wee beleeue the holie Church vniuersall we adde the communion of Saints the forgiuenes of sinnes the rising againe of the bodie and the life euerlasting is not this to assure vs that those that are the members of the Church haue a communitie in all these treasures and goods of it and consequently that they are the children of God and inheritours of euerlasting life According vnto this S. Luke also saith resolutlie Act. 2.47 that God ioyned vnto the Church those that should be saued The which is confirmed by the Prophet Ioel saying Ioel. 2.32 that there shall be saluation in Sion And S. Paule himselfe sticketh not at all 1. Thes 1.4 to call those that are the members of the Church the elect of God But yet so much the more to resolue vs let vs consider the marks of the true church touched here before The first is the pure preaching of the word of God Now Iesus Christ saith my sheepe heare my voyce and they follow me Ioh. 10.27 shewing thereby very manifestly that this is one marke to bee the child of God Ioh. 8.47 to heare the voyce of his sonne Iesus Christ As also he saith in another place 2. Cor. 5.18 Ephe. 6.15 Act. 14.3 Act. 20.32 Act. 13.26 Act 5.20 Phil. 2.15 that is of God heareth the voyce of God And indeed seeing that the preaching of the Gospell is called the ministerie of reconciliation the Gospell of peace the word of grace of saluation and of life as without doubt God by the ministerie of his word presenteth Reconciliation peace grace saluation and life So they that are the members of the Church heare and receiue the word shew therein that they are partakers of all these benefites and consequentlie the children of God The second mark of the Church consisteth in the Sacraments of Baptisme and of the Lords supper As touching Baptisme it is a seale sure warrant that the sinnes of those that receiue it are washed away by the bloud of Christ Act. 22.5 Rom. 6.4 Tit. 3.5 Gal. 3.27 that they are ingrafted and incorporate into his death and resurrection that they are regenerate that they haue put on Iesus Christ Whereof it followeth as S. Paule affirmeth Gal. 3.26 that they are the children of God The like assurance of our adoption is giuen vs in the Lords supper For if the bread and the cup 1. Cor. 10.16 which are giuen to the members of the Church are the communion of the bodie and of the bloud of Iesus Christ it followeth that in this communiō of Christ they haue the foode and life of their soules And that consequentlie as the children of GOD they shall obtaine life euerlasting according to the protestation of Christ He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud Ioh. 6.54 he hath euerlasting life The third marke of the Church of God is the inuocation of the name of God in the name of that onlie one lesus Christ Now Psal 14 4. Gen. 12.7 Act. 2.21 Act. 9.14 as all the seruice of God is oftentimes signified by this inuocation So Saint Luke noteth the faithful and children of God by this description that they call vpon the name of the Lord. As on the contrarie side Psal 14.4 it is said of the reprobate that they do not call vpon the name of God And indeede when the members of the Church ioyne together and lift vp their praiers vnto God Matth. 6.9 saying Our Father which art in heauen and so calling him father by the commandement of Christ they may well assure themselues that God doth acknowledge them for his children and that he wil make them feele the fruit of their praiers according to the promise of Christ Mat. 18.19 that whatsoeuer they shall with one consent aske of GOD it shall bee giuen them By this that is aboue said it manifestlie appeareth how euerie member of the Church may and ought to assure him selfe to be the child of God and to acknowledge all other members of the Church with him in like manner to be the children of God If any alledge that we may thus accompt such a one for the child of God who possiblie is an hypocrite and may after shewe himselfe a reprobate we answere that such discourses are contrarie to charitie so much recommended vnto vs by Saint Paule 1. Cor. 13. noting amongst other properties of charitie that she thinketh not euill or is not suspitious but that she beleeueth all things and hopeth all things Wee ought then to hold the members of the Church for the children of GOD. vntill that departing from it or discouering their hypocrisie they shewe themselues reprobates Furthermore as GOD would that al those to whō he vouchsafeth to bee father should acknowledge the Church for their mother so let vs not doubt but being borne againe and nourished in the Church our mother we may call God our father and abiding vnited to the familie of the mother let vs not doubt but that wee bee the heires of the father Thus much for the outward markes Now let vs come to the inwarde markes As to the blind and deaffe the opening of their eyes and eares is needfull clearelie to see and heare the voyce of him that speaketh Of the inward marks of our adoption So being of our owne nature both blind and deaffe as touching vnderstanding the holie spirit is hee that openeth our eyes and eares to comprehend thereuelation of our adoption and to feele in our harts the assurance of it ingendring in vs faith which is as it were the hand by which wee apprehend this great benefite whereof also the fruites and effects as well of the holie ghost dwelling in vs as of the faith that is in vs are the principall most assured markes to giue vs knowledge of our adoption A ccording wherevnto Rom. 8.16 Saint Paule saith that the Holie ghost giueth testimonie to our spirits that we are the children of God so as hauing receiued this spirit of adoption wee crie with all assurance Abba father 1. Ioh. 3.24 This is it also which S. John teacheth vs saying we know that he abideth in vs by the spirit which he hath giuen vs. 1. Ioh. 4.13 Also By this we knowe that we dwell in him and he in vs because he hath giuen of his spirit vnto vs. In like manner the Apostle S. Paule affirmeth Rom. 5.1 that by the peace and quietnes which we feele in our consciences before GOD in the free forgiuenes of our sinnes by the bloud of Iesus Christ we shewe and prooue that wee are iustified by faith and so the children of God Wherein to confirme vs he saith in another place that after wee
beeing able to containe himselfe no longer Gen. 45. made himselfe knowne to his brethren and how weeping and crying out hee saide vnto them I am Joseph is my father yet aliue and causing thē to come neere vnto him said I am Ioseph your brother whō ye sold but be not sorie Shew to my father al my glorie Then throwing himselfe vpō the neck of Beniamin his brother he wept and in like manner Beniamin wept vpon his necke after kissing all his brethren hee wept vppon them Who is he I say which is not touched and weepeth not with them But because this is a historie of the fact of an other these motions feelings soon passe away so as hauing turned the lease or talked of another matter all these feelings are vanished and gone So is the feeling of the reprobate hearing or reading the testimonies of so great a mercie of God towards men and of the greatnes of the happines of the kingdome of heauen The vnderstanding apprehension of these things causeth some motions or feelings in them as the Apostle saith But for as much as these good things appertaine not vnto them neither do the feelings that they haue take anie seate or roote in their hearts but are easilie quenched and vanish away On the contrary the feeling that the children of God haue is as of the good things that appertaine vnto them therefore it may well bee colde and drowsie but not die As also the feelings that Ioseph and his brethren had were such as although they had thē not when they slept yet when they awaked they returned againe And although that by the death of their father they were as it were interrupted yet the benefite and the comfort abode by them still Following this that is aboue said we say boldlie that what feelings what illuminations or apprehensions so euer the reprobate haue so it is that they neuer feele the holie ghost in them giuing thē testimonie that they are the children of God For according to this testimonie they should be and should abide the children of God seeing the holie ghost can neither deceiue nor lie As also after that God hath made vs once feele by the testimonie of his holie spirit that wee are his children wee are certaine that wee cannot perish but that wee are indeed and shall continue the children of God For it is the testimonie and reuelation of the spirit of trueth Also he that giueth faith Mal. 3.6 doth not change therefore his gifts are without repentance Ro. 11.29 The second difference may bee taken from this word Heb. 6.4 tast which the Apostle vseth To wete that the reprobate are like to him who hauing tasted a good peece of wine making shewe as if he would buy it vnderstanding the price not willing to giue so much leaueth it there without buying or drinking of it any more So the reprobate hauing tasted the heauenlie good things finding them good and praising them exceedingly after they vnderstād the price that is that they must renounce themselues and beare the crosse of Christ to goe to take possession of the kingdome of heauen which he hath purchased for thē with his precious bloud They will none of it at this price so renounce these good things without drinking or imoying them But the children of God on the other side hauing neuer so little a taste of these heauenlie treasures desire in such sort to haue the enioying of them that they make resolution to forsake all to inioye it We will adde this third reason That as those that haue their stomackes charged with euill humours cease not to eate sometimes for all that yea and to find tast in some good meates but are constrained after through the euill disposition of their stomacke to cast it vp againe to vomit So some reprobates hauing within them an euill conscience may well taste the good heauenlie gifts but this euil cōscience not being able to agree with the true sure faith of the hart stoppeth that these gifts take no root to fructifie to saluation so that finallie they cast it off or let it wither come to nothing And this reasō with those before are the principall causes for the which many that seemed to bee the children of God do reuolt as we will shew hereafter more at large On the cōtrarie those who haue faith are assured that though the graces of the holy ghost are oftē weak in thē like fire couered with ashes trees in the winter yet it cā neuer come to nought or die rather they recouer strength at the last whereby they are certaine to be and to continue the children of GOD and heires of euerlasting life Furthermore let vs remember that these foule and grosse faults of Dauid and of S. Peter of others are set before vs first that they should bee to vs as a mirrour of the fragilitie of man to acknowledge that if we be exempted it is by the grace of our God Secondlie that wee should so much the more stand vppon our garde As if in walking thou shouldest see him fall that goeth before thee thou goest not to fall with him but thou art to be so much the more circumspect that thou fall not as he did Thirdlie that vnderstanding that faith abideth in them although very weake feeble thou maiest take courage beleeuing certainlie that faith which was once giuen thee cannot bee quenched nor die And therefore continue in assurance that thou art the child of God raising vp thy selfe by their example and resoluing with thy selfe to walke constantlie as the child of God in true holines and righteousnes before him all the daies of thy life Luke 1.75 See how wee ought to bee resolued that although the markes feelings and testimonies of our adoption set forth here aboue be in vs but small and weake and accompanied with great infirmities conflicts yet wee may and ought to assure our selues that these marks are truelie in vs and that therefore wee are certainlie the children of God inheritours of euerlasting life That the Apostacie and reuolt of some hauing made profession of the true religion ought not to make vs call in doubt neither our religion nor our adoption CAP. 5. WE haue vnderstood here before how we may and ought to resist the doubts of our adoption proceeding from our selues Now we must shewe how wee may ouercome the temptatiōs which come from others There are two things principallie which trouble the consciēces of many to make them doubt whether they be the children of God and in the way of saluation of eternall life or no. First the horrible offence or stumbling blocke of those which abandon this church renouncing the doctrine of it and returning to the puddle of idolatrie and speciallie when any persons hauing sometimes held any honorable place in the Church do reuolt and become persecutors of the doctrine which they haue
vs to keepe vs in his seruice and in his house promising vs euerlasting life Now the Church is his house and this good GOD hath called you my brethren thither and hath receiued you He hath nourished you in it sometime He hath there giuen you the seale of your adoption He hath begun to clothe you with the liuerie of his children and hath fashioned you like to the image of Iesus Christ A great part of your way is past In this your trauaile of childhood you haue passed manie torments If the greatest tormēts come the happie deliuerance approacheth He that shall continue vnto the end Mat. 14.13 shall be saued They that are reuolted and doo reuolt make you to feele in their vnhappines how happie you are to be the children of God elected to eternall life 3. To keep our selues from apostacie and dissimulation For it is vpon this election and so vppon the good pleasure of God that your perseuerance doth depend Acknowledge in it both his infinite mercie supporting you and pardoning you daylie so manie faults and sinnes and also his incomprehensible goodnes leading you as it were by the hand to the inioying of eternall life Abhorre you and detest that miserable yea cursed and vnhappie state of these Apostates that ye may also hate and detest the ambition and the pride the euill conscience the despising and abuse of the gifts of GOD the loue of the world and those other vices which threwe them headlong into ruine And on the contrarie loue search and follow all that which God hath ordained to nourish godlines faith charitie humilitie in vs and other gifts and graces which proceed from the election and are meanes ordained by the prouidence of GOD to guide vs to the happines promised to those which shall continue vnto the end Keepe your selues hereafter from these false Nicodemites who to auoid the crosse will abandon by a sacrilege vntollerable their bodies to idolatrie and so consequentlie to the diuell in reseruing as they say their hearts vnto God Will the most careles husband among them content himselfe if his wife giuing ouer her bodie to whoredome should say vnto him that she keepeth neuerthelesse her heart vnto him 1. Cor. 6.19 Ye are not your owne saith S. Paule yee are bought with a price Then glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which both appertaine vnto God Againe 2. Cor. 7.1 Clense your selues from all filthines both of bodie and spirit finishing your sanctification in the feare of God Perseuer constantlie in the Church which is your mother 4. To vse the holie ministerie that you may bee the heires of the father It sufficeth not to keepe your soules from poyson ye must nourish them that they may liue Rather than we will suffer our bodies to die of hūger wee will sell all to get bread and wee would runne through the fire in such a case to saue it At the least let vs followe those that in the time of famine forsake their Countries to finde foode The soule is more precious than the bodie Ioh. 6.27 And therefore must wee labour more to haue the bread abiding vnto eternall life than for it that perisheth Alwaies thinke with your selues our soules must liue and it is to tempt GOD to desire to liue without foode Therefore wee must seeke foode that wee maye liue Now true it is that to reade and meditate the worde of GOD in the house and to keepe there the familie is a holie exercise and very profitable for the noriture of the soule Col. 3.16 Psa 1.2 Act. 17.11 Deut. 6 Psa 119 Act. 2.42 It is cōmaunded of GOD and such as are negligent in this duetie shewe that they haue no care of the life of their soules yet this doth not suffice Wee must confesse the name of God and call vpon him in the assemblie Wee must heare the sermons 1. Tim. 3.15 and communicate at the holie Sacraments wee must ioyne and keepe our selues vnited with the Church which is the piller and sure ground of trueth and the mother of the children of God This onelie title of mother giuen to the Church Gal. 4.26 teacheth vs that there is no entrance into the life that Iasteth euer except wee bee conceiued in the wombe of this mother that she beare vs and bring vs forth giue vs sucke of her breastes finallie except shee hold and keepe vs vnder her conduct and gouernment vntill being vnclothed of this mortall flesh we be made like vnto the Angels Act. 11.26 In ancient time the faithfull were called disciples For the Church is also called the schoole of Christians wherein according to the infirmitie that is in vs we must be the disciples of Christ all the daies of our life This Church is also often signified by a Temple and the holie ministerie is ordained of GOD to build it Therefore whosoeuer despiseth it 2. Cor. 3.6 cannot be builded in this Temple to be there a liuing stone 1. Tim. 3 15 Heb. 3.6 Ephe. 2.19 2. Cor. 3.8 This Church is the house of God the faithfull his household seruants children Therfore whosoeuer doth not enter and abide in the Church cannot call himselfe the child or household seruant of God The preaching of the Gospel is the ministerie of the holie ghost of life of glory whosoeuer refuseth to heare it hath not the spirit of Christ and consequentlie pertaineth not vnto him Rom. 8.9 so abideth in death and euerlasting shame See how ye must thinke in your selues of the benefite vtilitie yea and the necessitie of the holie ministerie to say with Dauid Psal 84.2 O Lord of hosts how amiable are thy tabernacles My soule desireth greatly yea and longeth after the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh reioyce in the liuing God Blessed are they which dwell in thy house and praise thee continuallie Let the tast and need of this spirituall food cause those that are now depriued of it to say with Dauid Like as the Hart desireth the water brookes so longeth my soule after thee O God My soule is a thirst for God Psal 42.1 yea euen for the liuing God saying Alas when shall I come to appeare before the presence of God When we shal be depriued of our countrie wife husband traffick goods dignities and other thinges pleasant to the flesh let all these bee nothing to vs but let vs say with Dauid I haue asked one thing of the Lord which I will still require that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the daies of my life Psal 27. to behold the faire beautie of the Lord and carefullie to visite his temple If Dauid a man excellent in faith and all vertue a prophet and as an Angell amongst men confesseth so roundlie and so often the neede that himselfe had to bee in the Temple of the Lord feeling himselfe as it were rauished with a most
of kindnes of humility of meeknes of longsuffering forbearing one another and forgiuing one another if any man haue a quarel with another euē as Christ hath forgiuen you Loue one another 1. Ihon 10 as God hath loued you For herein is the difference betwene the children of God and the children of the deuil wherein ye may be knowne to be the true disciples of Christ Ye are al members of one body Iho. 13.35 let there be no diuision or parts-taking among you 1. Cor. 12 25 but feele the afflictions of those that weepe to weepe with them and to comfort them reioyce with those that reioyce to praise God with them If yee be the Citizens of the City Ierusalem wil haue a sure dwelling in it walke in integritie Psal 15 labour to deale iustly speake the truth from your harts keepe you from slandering couetousnes and all other corruption Acknowledge in al men the image of God whereunto you owe honor loue and in your brethren acknowledge the renuing of this image Gala. 6.10 and the brotherly coniunction in Christ in doing good to al men 1. Pet. 4.10 loue honor and help especially those that are of the houshold of faith Ye are debtors to your neighbors of all that ye haue 1. Pet. 4.8 or are able to do to be disposers of it with condition that ye render to God an account Iam. 1.19 Honor the graces of God in your brethren and couer their infirmities by charitie be quicke to heare but slowe to speake and slow to wrath For the wrath of man worketh not that which is righteous in the sight of God Do not desire hope or imagine any other means to prosper by thā by the blessing of God And do not looke that hee stould aduaunce by the ayde of his blessing that which he hath accursed by his mouth So go forward in the amendment of your liues that this day may passe yesterday Seale to the puritie of the doctrine with the holines of your life that the ignorant seing your blameles conuersatiō 1. Pet. 2.12 esteming you by your good workes may glorifie God and imbrace the gospel with you Luke 7.1 when it shall please GOD to call them Haue mind of that great curse pronoūced by the high Iudge 2. Cor. 13 11 against such as offend any of the very least Furthermore reioyce in the Lord indeuour to be perfect be comforted be of one consent liue in peace Phil. 2.13 and the God of loue and peace shall be with you But as it is God which worketh in vs both to will in worke to accomplish according to his good pleasure 6. To pray to God So aboue all thinges imploy your selues to pray feruently continually Prayer saith Chrysostome is the soule of our souls For it also is the soule which quickneth al the actions of the children of God It was the lifting vp of Moses hands to heauen Exo. 17.11 which strengthned Iosuah his army gaue him victorie ouer the Amalckites And in deede without the grace of God the which we obtaine by prayer all that we do is but vanitie Faith is the key that openeth the coffers of the treasures of our God Prayer is the hand to draw it out to inrich our selues Prayer lifteth vp our hearts from earth to heauen it renueth the memorie of the promises of God to confirme vs it assureth vs against all that wee can feare it obtaineth all that we can desire It giueth rest and contentment to our soules It keepeth and strengtheneth the feare to offend God It increaseth the desire to go vnto him whom in praying we feele to be the spring and heape of all good things It ingendreth in vs a stedfast despising of the world and renouncing of the flesh it representeth vnto vs the heauenly and euerlasting felicitie that we may aspire to the inioying of them There is nothing to bee more desired than to be conuersant with him without whome we can not be happy But he that wil alwayes be with GOD he must alwaies eyther pray or reade For when we pray we talke with God and when wee reade Aug. in Psal 85. God talketh with vs. The more we are exercised in prayer to God the more we increase in godlines Therefore also we may not be weary or faint-hearted in prayer although the Lord deferre to make vs feele the fruite of our prayers For we haue a promise of him that can not lie that whatsoeuer we aske of GOD in the name of Iesus Christ it shal be giuen vs. If he deferre for some time to make vs feele the fruit of our praiers it is for our greater benefite Let vs continue still and waight knowing assuredly that he who according to his fatherly loue bounty desireth our good can according to his infinite power giue that which we aske of him and according to his truth will hear vs he also according to his wisdōe knoweth the fittest time as is before said and the meanes most apt to make vs feele the fruite of our praiers When we aske of God saith S. Bernard euen those thinges that concerne this present life our praiers are not so soone gone out of our mouth but they are written in his booke and we ought saith he to be assured that hee will either giue the thing it selfe which we haue asked or other things which hee knoweth to bee more profitable for vs. To conclude Praier is the most mightie and fruitfull worke of charitie seeing by it we helpe our neighbors present absent knowen and vnknowen great and little and that both with spirituall and corporall good things drawing by our praiers the blessing of God vpon them And in this confidence my very deare and worshipfull Brethren I will continue in this dutie and office of charitie earnestlie to pray to God for you and particularlie I will water with my praiers to God this Exhortation which I haue directed vnto you beseeching him with all my heart that beeing comforted and strengthened thereby in the doctrine of the truth which yee haue receiued yee may continue constantly in it sealing it by the works of godlinesse and charitie comforting your selues in the Lord in that yee are his welbeloued Children in Iesus Christ and surmounting al temptations and assaults to the ende that by the power of the holy Ghost departing Conquerors out of all conflicts ye may attaine at the last to the crowne of glorie which God hath prepared to all his childrē 1. Thess 5.23 through Iesus Christ our Lord. Now the GOD of peace sanctifie you throughout and preserue your whole spirit and soule and bodie blamelesse vntill the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ He that hath called you is faithfull who also will doo it I also beseech you my brethren to imploy your seiues more and more in feruent and continuall praiers for the preseruation prosperitie and
by their incredulitie the grace which GOD offereth them should their incredulitie make thee call in doubt the trueth of God and the testimonie of his good will towards thee If some few among these banished not trusting the pardon published by a true and faithfull Prince doo him this dishonor to compt him as a deceiuer or lier acknowledge thou that iustlie and by good right they remaine banished But thou seeing that faithfull Prince Iesus Christ hath sent to pronounce vnto thee a generall pardon and namelie hath giuen thee his letters sealed by the Sacraments commaunding thee to beleeue and promising thee that it shall bee vnto thee according to thy faith Assure thy selfe Matt. 9.29 that his will is that thou shouldest be his child and heire of euerlasting life See how euerie one should assure himselfe by the preaching of the Gospell and the vse of the Sacraments the true markes of the Church that being a member of it he is the child of God and consequentlie an inheritour of his euerlasting kingdome True it is that faith is the gift of GOD yea proceeding from the operation of the mightie power of his strength Phili. 1.29 Ephe. 1.19 as S. Paule speaketh And this is it which he maketh vs to feele in this difficultie of apprehēding by an assured faith so manie so cleare and so certaine testimonies of his good will towards vs touching our adoption It is therefore needfull that he worke farther with vs by his holie spirit which without ceasing asking of him in the name of Iesus Christ we are assured by his promise that he will giue vs and that so ioyning with the power and efficacie of his spirit the preaching of his Gospell and the vse of the Sacraments he will giue vs grace to applie vnto our selues by a true and liuelie faith the testimonies which he hath giuen vs of our adoption to our saluation and euerlasting life How although the markes of our adoption bee in vs but small and feeble yet wee ought and may assure our selues that we are the children of God CAP. 4. I See well will some say that I haue iust matter to beleeue it therefore am I the more sory that I feele not faith in my self to assure me without doubt that I am the child of GOD which thing troubleth mee greatly so as I feare least by this mine incredulitie I reiect the grace of God But vnderstand I pray thee for thy comfort that there is great difference betweene vnfaithfulnes and weaknes of faith The vnfaithfull man or infidell careth not for his saluation or The first temptation proceeding of the small feeling of our faith reiecting the saluation which is in Iesus Christ alone seeketh saluation other where Contrariwise the faithful desire saluation he knoweth that his saluation is in Iesus Christ alone he seeketh it in him and feeleth a desire to increase in assurance that he hath saluatiō in Iesus Christ though he doo not yet feele this peace ioy in the holie Ghost so manifestlie as faith bringeth it forth at the last Also it is not written he that feeleth but hee that beleeueth hath euerlasting life Iho. 3.36 Heb. 11.1 Rom. 8.23 And indeed as faith is of things that are not seene so the vnderstanding of it consisteth more in certaintie than in apprehensiō In this complaint of Dauid yea and of Christ himselfe My God my God why hast thou forsakē me Psal 22.1 Mat. 27.46 We heare the testimonie of faith by these wordes my God my God but without apprehēsion or feeling of fauour or ioy as this complaint why hast thou forsakē me sheweth Also our faith may bee so small and weake as it doth not yet bring forth fruites that may be liuelie felt of vs. But if such as feele themselues in such estate desire to haue these feelings if they aske them of God by praier This desire and praier are testimonies that the spirit of God is in them and that they haue faith alreadie For is such a desire a fruite of the flesh or of the spirit It is of the holie spirit who bringeth it forth onlie in such as he dwelleth in He dwelleth then in them In like manner is not this praier the worke of the holy ghost in thē For it is the holy ghost saith S. Paule which praieth for vs Rom. 8.25 and in vs with grones that cannot be expressed Againe none can come to God by praiers if he haue no trust in him Then these holie desires and praiers being the motions of the holie ghost in vs are testimonies of our faith although they seeme to vs small and weake As the woman that feeleth the mooning of a child in her wombe though verie weake beleeueth and assureth her selfe that she is with child and that she goeth with a liue child so if we haue these motiōs these holie affections and desires before mentioned let vs not doubt but that wee haue the holie ghost who is the author of them dwelling in vs and consequentlie that wee haue also faith And we must vnderstand that the faith of the children of God ceaseth not to bee a true faith although they feele doubts feares mistrusts For if they delight not in such infirmities Rom. 7. to nourish them but are sorrowfull and resist them with desire to feele their saluation in Iesus Christ behold a battaile in them and betweene whom Betweene the spirit and the flesh betweene faith and mistrust There is then in them faith assailed with doubts and the spirit fighting against mistrust and labouring to ouercome it These doubts mistrustings and incredulities are the fierie darts which Satan throweth against our faith the which bearing the blowes as a buckler as S. Paule saith thrusteth them back and quencheth them so as they pearce not to the heart Eph. 6.16 What deuises or assaults soeuer the diuel make against vs faith S. Augustine so he occupie not the place of the heart where faith dwelleth he is driuen backe Incredulitie then assaulteth vs without but woundeth vs not deadlie It troubleth onlie or so woundeth as the stroake is yet curable And such temptations and assaults are common to the most faithfull excellent seruants of God If wee consider the continuall course of the life of Dauid there is no mirrour of faith better to bee noted than in him And yet was not he assaulted with great feares and doubts What cōplaint maketh he in the 77. Psalm Hath the Lord forsaken for euer Psal 77.8 9 10 11 vers will he no more shewe me fauour Is his mercie cleane gone for euer Is his promise come to an ende for euermore Hath God forgotten to bee gracious Hath he shut vp his louing kindnes in displeasure And to conclude he holdeth such a course as a man desperate saying This is my death Where was then in Dauid the feeling of his faith For al this he had not lost it And indeed all these words were