as it were for a time hid and buried so that a man would thinke it were vtterly quenched 46 which God suffereth that men might knowe their owne weakenes yet it doth neuer so far leaue thē that the loue of God their neighbor is a together plucked out of their hearts For no man is iustified in Christ who also is not sanctified in him 47 and framed to good works which God prepared that we should walke therein 48. This is thē the way wherby God by his mercie doth prepare to the full execution of his eternall counsell them amongst his elect whō it pleaseth him to reserue till they come to ripe age and discretion As touching the other whō he calleth into his kingdome so soone as they are borne or in their tender yeeres he vseth a more short way For seeing he doth comprehend in that his free couenant whereof Iesus Christ is the Mediator 49 not onely the faithfull but also their posteritie 50 into a thousand generations 51 calling the same by expresse words holy 52 there is no doubt but the children of the Saints which appertain to election whom hee onely knoweth he hath giuen to his Sonne who will not cast them out 53. CHAP. V. After vvhat sort almightie God doth execute effectually declare his counsell touching reprobation BY these things whereof we haue now spoken it may easily appeare hovv God maketh them to goe to their owne place 1 whom he created to that end that hee might bee glorified in their iust condemnation For as Christ the second heauenly Adam is the foundation and very substance and effect of the elects saluation so also the first earthly Adam because hee fell is the first author of the hate and so consequently of the damnation of the reprobate 2. For when God mooued vvith those causes which he only knoweth had determined to create them to this end to shew forth in them his iust wrath and power 3 likewise he did orderly dispose the causes meanes whereby it might come to passe that the whole cause of their damnation might be of themselues as hath been declared before in the third Chap. When man then was fallen willingly into that miserable estate wherof wee haue spoken in the chap. before God who hateth iustly the reprobate because they are corrupt in part of thē hee doth execute his iust wrath so soon as they are borne 4 and towards the rest that be of age whom he reserueth to a more sharpe iudgement hee obserueth two waies clean contrary one to the other For as concerning some he sheweth them not so much fauour as once to heare of Iesus Christ in whom onely is saluation 5 but suffereth them to walk in their owne waies 6 and run head long to their perdition And as for the testimonies that God hath left to them of his diuinitie 7 serue them to no other vse but to make them without all excuse 8 and yet through their owne default seeing their ignorance and sack of capacitie is the iust punishment of that corruption wherein they are borne And surely as touching that that they can attaine vnto in knowing GOD by their light or rather naturall darknes albeit they neuer failed in the way but so continued 9 yet were it not in no wise sufficient for their saluation For it is necessarie for vs that shall be saued that we knowe God not onely as GOD but as our Father in Christ 10 the which mysterie flesh and bloud doth not reueale 11 but the Son himselfe to them whom his Father hath giuen him 12. As concerning others their fall is more terrible 13. For hee causeth them to heare by preaching the outward word of the Gospel 14 but because they are not of the number of the elect beeing called they heare not 15 and forasmuch as they are not able to receiue the spirit of truth 16 therefore they cannot belieue because it is not giuen vnto them 17 vvherefore when they are called to the feast they refuse to come So that the word of life is follie vnto them an offence 18 and finally the sauour of death to their destruction There are yet others vvhose harts almighty God openeth to receiue and belieue the things that they heare but this is with that generall faith whereby the diuels belieue and tremble 20. To conclude they which are most miserable of all those climbe a degree higher that their fall might bee more grieuous for they are raised so high by some gift of grace that they are a little mooued with some taste of the heauenly gift 21 so that for the time they seeme to haue receiued the seed and to be planted in the Church of God 22 and also shew the way of saluation to others 23. But this is plaine that the spirit of adoption which we haue said to be onely proper vnto them which are neuer cast forth 24 but are written in the secret of Gods people 25 is neuer cōmunicated to thē for were they of the elect they should remaine stil with the elect 26 All these therefore because of necessitie yet willingly as they vvhich are vnder the slauerie of sin 27 return to their vomit 28 and fall away from faith 29 are plucked vp by the roots to be cast into the fire 30. I meane they are forsaken of God 31 who according to his will the which no man can resist 32 and yet for all that because of their corruption wickednesse 33 hardeneth thē 34 maketh their hearts fatte stoppeth their eares and blindeth them 35 and to bring this to passe he vseth partly their owne vile cōcupiscences to the which he hath giuen them vp to be ruled and led by 36 and partly the spirit of lyes who keepeth them wrapt in his snares 37 by reason of their corruption from the which as out of a fountaine issueth a continuall flowing riuer of infidelitie ignorance and iniquitie whereby it followeth that hauing as it vvere made a shippe-wrack of their faith can by no meanes escape the day which is appointed for their destruction that God may bee glorified in their iust condemnation CHAP. VI. Of the last and full execution and accomplishment of Gods eternall counsell aswel towards the elect as the reprobate FOrasmuch as God is iustice it selfe it is necessary that he should saue the iust and condemne the vniust Now they amongst men are onely iust who beeing by faith ioyned to Christ 1 grafted 2. rooted in him 3 made one body with him 4 are iustified and sanctified in him and by him whereof it followeth that the glorie to the which they are destinate 5 to the glory of God 6. appertaineth to them as by a certaine right or title On the other part they vvhich remaine in Adams pollution and death are iustly hated of GOD and so condemned by him not excepting so much as them vvhich die before they sinne as Adam did 7. But both these maners
then contrariwise to begin at the very top of this mysterie and so come downe to the foote For the brightnes of Gods maiestie sodenly presented to the eies doth so 〈◊〉 and dazle the sight that afterwards if they be not through long continuance accustomed to the same they wexe blind when they should see other things VVhat then remaineth that vvhether they beginne beneath ascend vpwards or contrariwise aboue and come downeward to the lowest degree they take alwaies heed lest omitting that which ought to bee in the midst they leape from one extreamitie to another as from the eternall purpose to saluation and much more from saluation to the eternall purpose Likewise from Gods eternall counsell to damnation or backward froÌ„ damnation to his purpose leauing the neer and euident causes of Gods iudgement Except perchance they haue to doe with open blasphemers and contemners of God who haue need of nothing else but the sharpe pricks of Gods iudgement or else with men so trayned and exercised in Gods word that there be no suspicion of any offence Finally that they neuer so propound this doctrine as if it should be applied to any one man particularly 9 although men must be vsed after diuers sorts some by gentlenesse and some by sharpnesse vnlesse some Prophet 7 of God be admonished by some speciall reuclation vvhich thing because it is out of course and not vsuall ought not lightly to be belieued When the Ministers also visite the sicke or vse familiar and priuate admonitions it is their dutie to lift vp and comfort the afflicted consciences with the testimonial of their election and againe to wound and pearce the wicked and stubborne with the fearefull iudgement of God so that they keepe a meane refrayning euer froÌ„ that last sentence which admitteth no exception nor condition For this right and jurisdiction onely appertaineth to God 8. CHAP. VIII How euery man may with profit apply this uniuersal doctrine to himselfe IT is most euideÌ„t that they which teach that mans saluation either in part or wholly dependeth and is grounded in works destroy the foundation of the Gospel of GOD 1. And contrariwise they that teach iustification freely by faith ground on a sure foundation but so that they build vpon that eternal counsell of God whereupon Christ himselfe 2 and the Apostle Paul folowing Christs steppes groundeth his doctrine 3. For seeing perseuerance in faith is requisite to saluation 4 to what purpose shall saith serue me except I be sure of the gift of perseuerance nor we need not fear least this doctrine make vs negligent or dissolute for this peace of conscience whereof wee speak 5 ought to be distinct and separat froÌ„ foolish securitie and he that is the sonne of God seeing hee is mooued and gouerned by the spirit of God 9 vvill neuer through the consideration of Gods benefit take occasion of negligence and dissolution Then if by this doctrine we had but this one commoditie that wee might learn to assure cofirme our faith against all brunts that might happen it is manifest that they which speak against resist this article of religion either through their wickednes or else through their ignorance or some foolish blind zeale which hapneth when men will meâ—sure God according to the capacity of their own wits subuert destroy the principall ground foundation of our saluation And in very deed though some as I must coÌ„fesse do it not purposely yet doe they open notwithstanding the dore to al superstition impiety As for theÌ„ which nowadaies maliciously oppugne the truth I beseech the lord euen from my hart either to turne their mindes if so be they appertaine to the elect or else to send them a most speedy destruction that by their owne example they may confirme and establish that doctrine which so maliciously they resist These other I will desire most instantly and require them in the name of God that they would better aduise themselues what they doe Now to touch briefly how this doctrine may bee applied let vs marke that all the works of God euen the least of all are such that man cannot iudge of them but in two sorts that is either wheÌ„ they are done or else by foreseeing them to come to passe by the disposition of the second and manifest causes whose effects haue been diligently and by long vse obserued as men accustome in naturall things to do wherin notwithstanding men are wonderfully blind In this matter then which is most obscure of all others it is no maruel if mans wit be driuen into this straight that it can not otherwise vnderstand but by this meanes what is determined as touching him selfe in this secret counsell of God But because these are most high mysteries therfore stand in the obseruation of those causes which passe all naturall things wee must needs seeke farther come to Gods word which forasmuch as without all comparison it is more certain then mans comectures so it can best directvs heerein and assure vs. The Scripturne then witnesseth 7 that all those that God hath according to his counsell predestinate to be adopted his children throgh Iesus Christ are also called in their time appointed yea so effectually that they hear the voice of him that calleth and belieue it 8 so that beeing iustified and sanctified in Iesus Christ they are also glorified Wilt thou then whatsoeuer thou art be assured of predestination and so in order of thy saluation which thou lookest for against all the assaults of Satan assured I say not by doubtful coniectures or our owne fantasie but by arguments and conclusions no lesse true and certaine 9. then if thou were ascended into 〈◊〉 and had heard of Gods owne mouth his eternall decree and purpose Beware thou begin not at that most high degree for so thou shouldest not be able to sustaine the most shining light of Gods maiestie Begin therefore beneath at the lowest order and when thou shalt heare the voice of God 10 sound in thine eares and in thy hart which calleth thee to Christ the onely Mediator consider by little and little try diligently 11 if thou be iustified sanctified in Christ through faith for these two bee the effects or fruites whereby the faith is known which is their cause As for this thou shalt partly know by the spirit of adoption which cryeth within thee Abba Father 12 and partly by the vertue and effect of the same spirit which is wrought in thee As if thou fall and so declare indeede that although sinne dwell in thee yet it doth no more raigne in thee 13. For is not the holy Ghost hee that causeth vs not to let slip the bridle and giue libertie willinglie to our naughtie and vile concupiscences 14 as they are accustomed whose eyes the prince of this world blindeth 15 or else who mooueth vs to pray when we are cold and slothfull who stirreth
vp in vs those vnspeakable gronings 16 Who is he that when wee haue sinned yea and sometimes willingly and wittingly ingendreth in vs an hate of the sin committed and not for the feare of punishment which vvee haue therefore deserued but because wee haue offended our most mercifull father 17 Who is hee I say that testifieth vnto vs that our sighings are heard and also moueth vs to call daily God our God and our father euen at that time when we haue trespassed against him 18 Is it not that spirit which is freely giuen vnto vs as a gift for a sure and certaine pledge of our adoption 19 Wherfore if wee can gather by these effects that wee haue faith it followeth that wee are called and drawen effectually And againe by this vocation which we haue declared properly to belong to the children of God that is euidently proued which we tooke in hand to shewe that is for asmuch as we were predestinat by the eternall counsell and decree of God the which he had determined in himselfe to be adopted in his Sonne therefore wee were giuen to him whereof the conclusion followeth that sith by the most constant will of God 20 which onely is grounded on it selfe and dependeth on none other thing wee are predestniate no man can take vs out of the hands of the Sonne also seeing that to continue and perseuere in the faith is necessary it followeth I say that the hope of our perseuerance is certaine and so consequently our saluation so that to doubt any more of it is euill and wicked 21. So farre then it is against reason to say that this doctrine maketh men negligent or dissolute that contrariwise this alone doth open vs the way to search out and vnderstand by the power of the holy ghost Gods deepe secrets as the Apostle plainly teacheth 22 to the end that when we knowe thē albeit we know thē here in this world but after a sort 23 so that we must daily fight with the spirituall armor against distrust 24 wee may learne to behaue our selues not idlelie but rather to perseuere valiantly 25 to serue and honor God to loue him to fear him to call vpō him that daily more and more as saith S. Peter asmuch as in vs lieth wee may make our vocation and election certaine 26. Moreouer how shall hee stand sure and constant against so many grieuous tentations both within without and against so many assaults of fortune as the world doth tearm it that is not wel resolued in this point which is most true that is that god according to his good vvill doth all things whatsoeuer they be what instruments and meanes soeuer hee vseth in working of the same for the commoditio of his elect 27. Of the which number he is that findeth himselfe in this danger and trouble 28. As touching the other point which concerneth reprobation because no man can cal to mind the determinat purpose of election but at the same instant the contrary wil come to remembrance besides that in the holy scripture these two are oftentimes ioyned together it must needs he that such as esteem this part curious or vnprofitable and therfore not to be talked of doe great iniury to the spirit of God Therefore this part is to bee wayed and considered but with such modestie that the height of Gods iudgements may at all times bridle our curious fanfies in such sort that we doe not apply it particularly to any man nor to any certain company For in this sort also it differeth from election because election as hath beene said is reuealed to vs by the spirit of God with in our selues not in others whose harts we cannot know And reprobation is euer hid from men except it bee disclosed by God contrarie to the cōmon course of things For who can tell if God haue determined to shew mercy at the last house of death to him which hath spent all his life past lowdly and wickedly 29 But this trust ought not to encourage any man to maintaine and continue in his sinne and vngodliness For I speake of those things which vvee ought to consider in others for the examples of such mercie of GOD are very rare neither any man that is vvise vvill promise to himselfe through a vaine security and trust that thing which is not in his owne power 30. It is therefore sufficient if we can vnderstand generally that there bee vessels prepared to perdition 31 the which seeing God doth not reueale vnto vs who they are we ought both in example of life and prayer diligently indeuour to win and recouer to their saluation yea euen very such of whom by seeing their horrible vices we almost despaire 32. And if wee obserue this order wee shall receiue great fruit of this doctrine For first by the knowledge heerof we shal learn humbly to submit our selues to the maiestie of God so that the more we shall feare and reuerēce him the more we ought to labour to confirme in our selues the testimonie of our election in Christ 33. Furthermore when wee shall diligently consider the difference which through the mercie of God is betwixt men which are all alike subiect to the selfe same curse malediction it cannot bee but we must acknowledge imbrace more earnestly the singular goodnesse of God then if wee did make this grace common to all men indifferently or else referred the cause of the inequality of this grace to men 34. Besides this whē we know that faith is a speciall gift of God shall wee not receiue it more willingly when it is offered and be more careful to haue the same to increase then if wee should imagine as some doe that it is in euery mans povver to turne and repent when hee vvill because they say the Lord vvould that all men should bee saued and will not the death of a sinner Finally when wee see the doctrine of the Gospell not onely despised of all the world but also cruelly persecuted and vvhen vvee see so great falshood and rebellion amongst men what thing then can better confirme and fortifie vs then to bee assured that nothing chaunceth by fortune that GOD knoweth his 35 and that they vvhich commit these thinges except the Lord GOD turne their hearts are those which are destinate not by chaunce but by the sure and eternall counsel of GOD to be as it vvere a glasse wherein the anger power of God doth appeare Truth it is that these things can neuer bee so commodiously and perfectly treated of that mans reason and wit cannot find out some thing to reply alwaies to the contrary yea and so kindleth with desire of contradiction that it is ready to bring an action against God and to accuse and blame him as chiefe author of all things But let the Diuell roare and discontent him selfe and the wicked kick and winse yet their owne