9 41. If ye were blinde ye should haue no sinne but nowe ye saye we sée therefore your sinne remaineth Rom. 1. 18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heauen against all vngodlinesse vnrighteousnesse of meÌ„ which with holde the truth vnrighteouslie 24. Wherfore also God hath geuen them vp to their hearts lustes vnto vncleanes to defile their owne bodies betweene them selues Rom. 7. 14. For we knowe that the lawe is spirituall but I am carnall or fleshly soulde vnder sinne Ephe. 2. 3. Among whom we also had our conuersation in times past in the lustes of our flesh doing such thinges as lyked our fleshe and thoughtes and were by nature the sonnes of wrath as well as others 1. Cor. 2. 14. But the fleshly man can not conceiue the things of the spirit of God for they are foolyshnes vnto him neyther can he knowe them because they are spiritually discerned 2. Cor. 3. 7. If then the ministration of death ingrauen with letters in stones was glorious so that the children of Israell coulde not beholde the face of Moiâ—es for the glory of his countenance which glorie is done away c. 9. For if the ministery of condemnation was glorious much more doeth the ministration of righteousnesse exceede in glory Rom 7. 10. But I dyed and the same commaundement which was ordained vnto lyfe was found to turne vnto mee vnto death The eleuenth Aphorisme GOd therefore the most gentle father of the elect and chosen tempering that his iustice vvith infinite or endlesse mercy appointed his onely sonne of the same substance vvith him and also God euerlasting vvho at the time appointed should be made a verie or true man. Proues out of the word of God. Math. 1 20. Ioseph thou sonne of Dauid feare not to take Marie thy wyfe For that which is conceyued in her is of the holye ghost Luke 1. 35. The holy ghost shall come vppon thee and the power of the highest shal ouershadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be borne of thée shall be called the sonne of God. Ioh. 1. 14. And the worde was made flesh and dwelt amongeste vs and we saw the glorie therof the glorie I say as of the onely be gotten of the father Gal. 4. 4. But after that the full time came God sent forth his sonne made of a woman made subiect vnto the lawe 1. Ioh. 1. 1. That which was from the beginning which we haue hearde which we seene with our eyes which we haue loked vpon and our handes haue handled of the words of lyfe 2. For the lyfe appeared and we haue séene it and beare witnesse and shewe vnto you that eternall lyfe which was with the father and appeared vnto vs 3. That I saye which we haue seene and heard declare we vnto you c. Rom. 1. 3. Concerning his sonne made of the seede of Dauid according the flesh 4. And declared mightily to bée the sonne of God touching the spirit of sanctification by the resurrection from the dead 2. Cor. 5. 19. To wit because God was â—â— Christ reconcyling the worlde vnto â—im selfe Philip. 2. 6. Who when as he was in â—e fourme of God thought it no robbeâ—e to be equall with God. 7. But he made him selfe of no repuâ—ation taking vpon him the fourme of a â—eruaunt being made lyke vnto man. Colos. 2. 9. For in him dwelled all the â—ulnesse of the godhead bodily The thirde Aphorisme FYrst that two natures beeing ioyned togeather into one Iesus Christ that vvhole corruption of man myght bee wholie repaired and ameÌ„ded in one man. Proues out of the worde of God. Rom. 8. 3. For when as the weakenesse of the lawe coulde doo nothing in the fleshe God sending his owne sonne being made lyke vnto fleshe subiect vnto sinne and that for sinne condemned â—inne in the fleshe The fowrth Aphorisme SEcondlie vvhiche mighgt fulfyll all rigteousnesse and might be both able inough to sustaine or beare the iudgement of his father and also bee an highe priest worthy inough to pacifie his heauenlie father dying righteous for the vnrighteous and by his obedience doing awaie the stubbornenesse of Adam and cleansing all the iniquities of vs all beeing laide vpon his shoulders Proues out of the worde of God. Mat. 3 15. And Iesus answering sayde vnto him let mée alone now for thus it becoÌ„meth vs to fulfyl al righteousnesse Math. 5. 17. Thinke not that I came to breake the law or the prophets c. Rom. 5. 18. To wit then likewise as by one offence the faulte came on all men vnto condemnation c. 1. Cor. 1. 30. But ye are of him in Christ Iesus who of God is made vnto vs wisdom and righteousnes and sanctification and redemtion The fyfth Aphorisme FYnallie that with one 1 oblation or oâ—â—ering of his owne selfe he might â—anctifie or make holy all them that were â—o bee chosen destroying and burying 2 sinne in them by the communicating â—r imparting of his death and buryall vvith them and quickening them intoâ—â— newe lyfe by his resurrection or rysingâ—â—gaine 3 insomuch that they doo also â—â—nde more in Christe then they lost in Adam Proues out of the wordâ— of God. Esa. 53. 4. Surely he hath borne our grieffes he hath carried our sorrâ—ws â—et we did iudge him smitten c. â—5 But he was wounded for our iniquiâ—ies he was broken for our sinnes 11. He shall sée of the trauaile of his â—oule and shall bée satisfied and by his â—octryne shall my righteous seruaunt â—ustifie or make manie righteous Rom. 3 25. Whom God hath set forth â—o be an appeasement through fayth in â—is blood to declare his righteousnes by â—he forgeuenesse of the sinnes that are â—assed Act 20. 28. Take héede therefore vnto your selues and to all the flocke in the which the holy ghost hath made you ouersaers to féede the Churche of God which he hath purchased with his owne blood Colos. 1. 20. And peace being made through his blood by him to reconcyle all things vnto him self both the things which are in earth and the thinges in heauen 21. And you which were in tymes past straungers and enemies because your mindes were set in euyll workes hath he nowe truely reconcyled 22. In the body of his fleshe through death to make you holy and vnblameable and without faulte in his sight Rom. 5. 19. For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many also he made righteous 1. Pete 2. 24. Who bare our sinnes in his bodie on the trée that we being dead vnto sinne shoulde lyue vnto rightcousnesse by whose stripes ye are healed 1. Pe. 3. 18. For Christ also once suffereâ—â—or sinnes the righteous for the vnrighâ—eous to bring vs vnto God being in â—éede mortified or become dead in the â—â—eshe but quickened in the spirite 2. Cor. 5. 21. For he hath made him to â—e sinne for vs which knewe no sinne â—hat we shoulde
did repent Luc. 24. 4. 5. Then he opened their â—â—ind that they might vnderstand the scriptures Act. 16. 14. And a certaine woman named Lydia which solde purple in the Citie of the Thyatirians which worshipped God heard vs whose heart the Lord opened that she gaue heede vnto the thinges which Paule spakeâ— 1. Cor. 2. 10. But vnto vs hath God reuealed or opened them by his spyriteâ— For the spirite searcheth al things eueâ— the depthes of God. 11. For what man hath knowen theâ— thinges of man but the spyrite of manâ— which is in him So also the thinges which are of God no man knoweth but the spyrite of God. 12. And we haue not receaued the spirite of the worlde but the spyrite which is of God that we maye knowe those things which God hath geuen vnto vs. 16. For who hath knowne the minde of the Lorde that he might instruct him But we haue the minde of Christ. Colo. 1. 26. To wyt the mysterie or secréete hyd since the world began and from all ages but nowe is it made manifest vnto his Saints 27. Unto whome God woulde make knowen what is the ryches of his glorious mysterie or secréete amonge the Gentyles that is of Christ in you who is that hope of glorie Ephes. 1. 16. Making mention of you 〈◊〉 my prayers 17. That the God of our Lorde Iesus â—hrist the Father of glorie would geue â—nto you the spyrite of wisedome and â—euelation through the knowledge of â—im 18. That the eyes of your minde beâ—ng lyghtened you may knowe what is â—hat hope of his calling and what are â—he ryches of the glorie of his heritage â—n the Saintes â— Ioh. 3. 24. For hée that kéepeth his â—ommaundementes dwelleth in him and he in him and by this doo we know â—hat hée dwelleth in vs to wyt by the spyrite which he hath geuen vs. â— Ioh. 5. 20. But we knowe that the sonne of God is commen and hath geuen vs a minde to knowe him which is â—râ—e and wee are in him that is true that is in his sonne Iesus Christ he is verie God and lyfe euerlasting Rom. 8. 15. For you haue not receaued the spyrite of bondage vnto feare but you haue receaued the spyrite of adoption by whiche wée crye Abba that is to say father 16. The which very spirit witnesseth together with our spirit that we are the sonnes of God. Gal. 4. 6. And because you are sonnes God hath sent forth the spirit of his sonne into your heartes crying Abba that is to say Father Rom. 8. 14. For as many as are ledde by the spirit of God these are the sonns of God. 1. Ioh. 3. 10. By this are the sonnes of God and the sonnes of the Deuyl manifesâ— whosoeuer doth not exercise righteousnes is not of God nor he whiche loueth not his brother 1. Ioh. 4. 13. By this do we know that we dwell in him and he in vs because he hath geuen vs of his spirit 14. And we haue seene and beare witnes that the Father hath sent his soÌ„ne to be the Sauiour of the world Phi. 2. 13. For it is God which worketh in you both to wyl and to doo or both the wyll and the deede euen of his frée good pleasure Rom. 6. 18. And being made frée from â—nnne ye are made the seruants of righâ—eousnes The eleuenth Aphorisme THese are therefore the degrees or steppes by vvhiche it pleaseth the Lorde freelie to create in his electe or chosen that precious and peculyar gifte of faith vvhereby they maie laye hold on theyr saluation in Christe But because faith is onelie begunne in vs to the ende vvee maie bee able not onelie to perseuere or continue in it but also to profite vvhich thing is altogeather necessarie 1 for this cause fyrste of all vvee are imitiated or entred as it vvere into Relygion by the Sacramente of Baptisme moreouer besides the hearing of the vvorde that fayth is 2 againe â—ealed â—n vs by the sacrament of the Lord his Supper of the which Sacraments this verily is the chiefe end that they are certaine and effectual seales also charters of the faithfull communicating or partaking with Christ 3 vvho is made vnto them vvisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption 4 VVherfore it is verie often rehearsed in Paule that vve being iustified or made righteous by faith haue peace Proues out of the worde of God. Mar. 16. 16. He that beléeueth and is baptized shall be saued Act. 2. 38. Repente and be euery one of you baptized in the name of Iesus Christ vnto remission or forgeuenesse of sinnes and ye shall receyue the gifte of the holy ghost Rom. 6. 3. Know ye not that as many of vs as are baptized into Iesus Christ are baptized into his death 4. We are buried then togeather with hym through baptysme into his death that as Christe was raysed vp from the dead vnto the glorie of his Father so we also shoulde walke in a new lyfe Gal 3. 27. For all ye that are baptized into Christ haue put on Christ. Româ— 4 11. And he receyued the signe of circumcision which should seale the 〈◊〉 righteousnes of fayth which was in the uncyrcumcision Cololâ— 2. 12. Being buryed with him through baptisme by which also ye haue rysen againe with him through the faith of God working effectually who raysed 〈◊〉 vp from the dead Ephes. 5. 25. 26. Lyke as Christ loued â—â— congregation and gaue him selfe for 〈◊〉 sanctifie it or make it holy clensing 〈◊〉 with the washing of water throâ—gh the worde 1. Pet. 3 21. To the which the figure of baptisme now agréeing saueth vs also not in that the filth of the flesh is cast away but in that a good conscience maketh request vnto God by the resurrectâ—â—n or rising againe of Iesus Christ. 1. Cor. 10. 16. The cuppe of blessing which we blesse is it not the communion of the blood of Christ the bread which we breake is it not the communion of 〈◊〉 body of Christ 1 Cor. 1. 30. But ye are of him in Christ Iesus who is made vnto vs of God wisdom and righteousnes and sanctification and redemtion Rom. 3. 21. But now the righteousnesse of God is made manifest without the law being approbated both of the lawe and of the Prophetes 22. The righteousnesse I say of God by the fayth of Iesus Christ vnto al and vpon all whiche beléeue for there is no dyfference c. 24. And they are iustified or made righteouse fréely that is to saye by his grace through the redemption made in Christ Iesus 25. Whome God hath set forth to bée an appeasement through fayth in his bloud to declare his righteousnesse by the forgeuenesse of the sinnes that are passed Rom. 4. 2. For if Abraham were iustified or made righteouse by workes hee hath whereof he may glory but not with God. Rom. 5. 1. Therefore being iustified or made righteous by fayth we haue peace towardes God through our Lord Iesus
purpose and grace whiche was geuen vs in Christe béefore the tymes of the world 1. Pet. 1. 2. Chosen accordyng to thâ—â—oreknowledge of God the Father vntâ— sanctification of the spirite c. Mat. 10. 22. And ye shall be hated oâ— all men for my names sake but he thaâ— abydeth vnto the ende shall be saued Luk. 21. 19. But possesse your soules by your patience Rom. 2. 7. To them that continue glory and honour and immortallitie of well doing that is to them that séeke euerlasting lyfe Ioh. 6. 37. Whatsoeuer my Father geueth me commeth vnto mée and him that commeeh vnto mée doo I not cast forth 39. This is the wyll of my Father that whatsoeuer he hath geuen mée I should lose nothing of it Ioh. 10. 28. I geue vnto them euerlasting lyfe and they shal neuer perishe neyther shal any plucke them out of my hande c. Act. 13. 48. They beléeued as many as were ordayned vnto euerlasting lyfe Rom. 8. 30. Whome he hath iustifâ—ed those also hath be gloryfied 39. No thing created can seperate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesu our Lord. 2. Tim. 2. 19. But the foundation of God remayneth sure hauing this seale the Lord knoweth who are his â— Ioh. 2. 19. They went out from vs but they were none of vs for if they had béene of vs they would doubtles haue taryed wyth vs. Rom. 5. 1. Being therefore made righteouse by fayth wée haue peace towards God through our Lord Iesus Christ. 5. And hope doth not make ashamed because the loue of God is shed abroad in our heartes by the holy ghost which is geuen vnto vs. Math. 5. 2. Be gladde and reioyce because your rewarde is great in heauen Rom. 8. 14. For as many as are led by the spirit of Godâ— are the sonnes of God. The seconde Aphorisme NOwe this is the vvaie to applie this doctrine The vvorkes of God euen the verie laste of them are such that a man can not iudge of them but after twoo sortes to wyt either after they are paste or else by the disposition of the seconde causes vvhich by long vse hee hath knowne to portende or geue a token of some certaine ende as is woont to come to passe in thinges that fall out naturallie in vvhich notwithstandingâ— men are vvonderfulle dymme sighted Therefore in this point that is of all other most hard it is no maruaile though the iudgement of man bee driuen into suche a narrowe straite that hee cannot but in this order vnderstande vvhat is determined of him in the secreâ—te counsell of god And now because this whole iudgement consisteth or standeth in the obseruation and marking of those causes vvhich do exceede or passe all power of nature vvee must needes flee some vvhither else to vvytâ— to the sentence of God set forth in his worde which wheras it is in infinite pointes more certaine then all man his coniectures or gesses it doeth no doubt bring vs also a more certaine iudgement 1 The Scripture therefore beareth vvitnesse that whomesoeuer God hath Predestinate or foreordained in his eternall purpose to adopte or choose vnto sonnes through Iesus Christ in him self the same also at the time appointed are so effectuallie called that they heare and imbrace the voice of the caller by which faith being made righteous and holie in Christ 2 they must also necessarilie bee glorified VVylt thou therefore who so euer thou art be assured of thy Predestination or foreordaining and so consequentlie of saluation which thou lookest for against all the assaultes of Sathan bee assured I saie not vvith doubtfull coniectures and suche as are gathered out of man his braine maye vvith suche as are no lesse certaine and sure than if thou haddest gone vppe into heauen it selfe and vnderstoode that secreet decree from the verie mouth of God Takâ— dilligent heede that thou beginne not aâ— that highest degree for else it wyl come to passe that thou vvilt not bee able to abide the exceeding great brightnesse of god Beginne therefore at the lowest degrees 3 and vvhen thou hearest the voice of God soundinge in thine eares and minde vvhiche calleth thee vnto Christ the onelie mediatour consider by litle and litle and search diligentlie 4 vvhether thou be iustified and sanctified that is made righteous and holie by faith in Christ for these are the effectes by the vvhich faith the very cause of theÌ„ in deede is knowne And this thou shalt know 5 partlie by the spirite of adoption crying vvithin Abba Father 6 partlie also by the power and vvorking of the same spirite in thy selfe namelie if thou feele and also indeede shew that although sinne doo dwell in thee yet it doeth not raigne in thee For vvhy Is not the holie ghost hee vvhich maketh that vvee doo not purposelie let lose all the raines vnto vngodlie and vvicked lustes as they vse to doo vvhose eies the Prince of this vvorlde hath blinded for else vvho moueth vs vnto praier albeit being neuer so colde and lyther VVho stirreth vppe in vs those vnspeakeable sighes and gronings 7 vvho after that vvee haue sinned and that sometimes vvittinglie and vvillinglie engendereth in vs that hatred of the sinne that vvee haue committed yea and that not for feare of punishment but because that vvee haue offended our moste mercifull Father 8 VVho I saie beareth vs vvitnesse that our sighinges are hearde and mooueth vs herevnto that vve dare boldelie call God our God and also Father euen after that vvee haue offended him 9 Is it not I praie you that spirite vvhome vvee haue freelie receaued being freelie geuen for a sure pledge of our adoption Nowe if vve maie gather faith by these effectes it remaineth that vvee vvere called and drawne effectuallie and by this calling againe the which vve haue shewed to bee proper vnto the sonnes of God is that vvhich vve seeke for throughlie vnderstoode to wyt that we are therefore geuen vnto the Sonne because in the â—uerlasting counsell of Godâ— vvhich he hath purposed in him selfe wee were predestinated or foreordained whome hee woulde adopt in his Sonne 10 VVhereof finallie ensueth when as wee are predestinate or foreordained by that most stedfast wyl of God which is grounded onelie vppon it selfe 11 and that no man can plucke vs out of the hande of his sonne and that continuaunce in faith is necessarie vnto saluation that the expectation or hope of our continuaunce and so consequentlie of saluation is also certaine so that it is vngodlinesse any more to doubt of it So farre of therefore is it that this doctrine shoulde make vs slouthfull and careles 12 that contrarilie this alone doeth open an entrie vnto vs to searche the verie depthes of God by his spirite and also to vnderstande them as the Apostle doeth plainelie witnesse that when as wee knowe them 13 and vvee knowe them onelie but in parte so long as vvee lyue heere 14 so that vvee must fight
daylie against distrust vvith heauenlie armour 15 vve maie learne not to behaue our selues negligentlie but to continue stoutlie to honour him to loue feare and call vppon him 16 so that vve maie daylie more and more as touching vs as Peter sayeth Make our callinge and election sure And moreouer howe shall hee abyde sure and stedfaste against so many noisome temptacions vvithin and vvithout and against so many as the vvorlde termeth them assaultes of Fortune vvhiche hath not firste assuredlie grounded in his minde that vvhiche is moste true to vvyt that God according to his good pleasure doeth all thinges vvhatsoeuer they bee and vvhat instrumentes so euer hee vse to the profite of those that are his amongst vvhose number he must bee reckoned vvhich is set in this daunger Proues out of the worde of God. Rom. 8. 29. For whome he hath foreâ— knowne those also hath he foreordeyned to bée made lyke vnto the Image of his sonne that he might be the fyrst borne among many brethren 30. And whome he hath forehordeined those also hath he called an whome he hath called those also hath hée iustified or made righteous and whome he hath iustified those also hath hée glorified Eph. 1. 4. As he hath chosen vs in him before the foundations of the worlde were layd that wee shoulde be holy and vn blameable before him through loue 5. Who hath foreordeined vs whome he would adopt or chose vnto his sonnes through Christ in him selfe according to the good pleasure of his wyll 9. The mistery or secréete of his wyl being opened vnto vs according vnto his frée good will which he had purposed in him selfe Ioh. 10. 27. My shepe heare my voice and I knowe they follow mée Rom. 5. 2. Through whome also by â—aith we had this entry into this grace â—y which we stand and glory vnder the hope of the glory of God. Rom. 8. 38. For I am persuaded that neyther death nor lyfe neyther Angels â—or principalities neither powers neither things present nor things to come 39. Neyther height nor depth neyther any other thing creatâ—d can separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesu our Lord. â— Cor. 2. 10. But God hath reuealed or opâ—ned them vnto vs by his spirit For the spirit searcheth all thinges euen the depthes of God. 1. Iohn 3. 24. Hée tht kéepeth his coÌ„maundementes dwelleth in him and hâ— in him And by this doo we knowe that he dwelleth in vs towyt by his spirite which he hath geuen vs. Psal. 95. 7. 8. To day if ye wyll heare his voice harden not your hearts as in Meriba as in the day of Massa in the wildernes Ioh. 10. 27. My â—héepe heare my voice and I know them and they follow mée 2. Cor. 13. 5. Trye your selues wheâ—ther you bée in fayth or no proue your selues Whether you knowe your selâ—es or no to wyt Iesus Christ to be in you Gal. 4. 6. Because you are the sonnes of God God hath sent forth the Spirit of his sonne into your heartes crying Abba Father 1. Ioh. 3. 24. He that kéepeth his commaundementes dwelleth in hym and he in him and by this do we know that he dwelleth in vs to wit by the spyryt which he hath geuen vs. 1. Cor. 2. 10. But vnto vs hath God reueled or opened them by his spirite For the spirit searcheth al things euen the very depthes of God c. Rom. 6. All most in the whole Chapter 1. Iohn 3. 9. Whosoeuer is borne of God doeth not commytte sinne because his seede abideth in him neyther can he sinne because that he is borne of God. Rom. 6. 11. Lykewise gather ye also that ye your selues are both dead vnto sâ—nne and do also liue vnto God through Christ Iesu our Lord. 12. Let not sinne therefore reigne in your mortall body that you should obey sinne in the lustes of the body Ephes. 4. 29. Let no filthie speache come foorth of your mouth but if any be profitable for the vse of edifying that it maye mynyster grace vnto the hearers 30. And doo yée not make sadde that holy spirite of God by which ye are sealed vnto the daye of redemption Rom. 8. 26. Lykewise the spyrite also helpeth our infirmyties or we aâ—â—enesses for we knowe not what to praye as wée ought but the spyrite it selfe maâ—eth request for vs with sighes that can not be expressed Rom. 7. 24. Wretche that I am who shal delyuer mée from this bodie of death Rom. 8. 15. For ye haue not receaued the spirite of bondage vnto â—eare but ye haue receyued the spyrite of adoption through whome wée crye Abba Father 16. Which verie spirite beareth witnesse togeather with our spirite that we are the sonnes of God. Rom. 8. 27. But he that searcheth the heartes knoweth what is the meaning of the spirite because that hée maketh request for the Saints according to the wyll of God. Eph. 1. 13. In whome ye also haue hoped hauing heard the word of truth c. 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritaunce c. Eph. 4. 30. And make not sadde that holye spirite of God by whome you are sealed vnto the daye of redemption 2. Cor. 1. 22. Who also hath sealed vs and hath geuen the earnest of the spirite in our hearts Rom. 11. 29. For the gifte and calling of God are such that he can not repent him of them Hebr. 6. 17. Wherein God wylling abundauntly to shewe vnto the heyreâ— of promyse the vâ—chaungeablenesse of his counsel bound him self by an oath 2. Tim. 2. 19. But the foundation of God standeth sure hauing this seale The Lorde knoweth who are his And let euery one that nameth the name of of Christ depart from vnrightousnesse Rom. 8. 38. For I am persuaded that neither death nor lyfe neither Angels nor principalytyes nor powers neither things present nor thinges to come 39. Neyther height nor depth neyther any thing created can separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesu our Lord. Ioh. 3. 33. He that receyueth his witnesse hath sealed that God is true Rom. 4. 20. But he was made strong by fayth geuing the glory vnto God. 21. And being fully persuaded that hâ— was also able to doo that which hée had promised Rom. 5. 5. Hope maketh not a shamed because the loue of God is shed abroade in ourâ— heartes by the holy ghost which is geuen vs. Heb. 4. 16. Let vs therefore boldly approche vnto the throne of grace that we maie obtaine mercie and finde grace to helpe in tyme of néede 1. Cor. 1. 9. God is faithfull by whome ye are called into the fellowshippe of his sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. 1. Thes. 5. 24. He is faithful which hath called you who also wyll bring it to passe Heb. 10. 22. Let vs approche with a true heart and certaine perswasion of faith with pure heartes from an euyll conscience 23. And hauing our body washed with pure water let vs holde fast the
bodie they shoulde not heare with the assent of theyr bodie But why the one haue eares to heare and the other haue not that is to saye why it is giuen vnto the one of the Father to come vnto the Sonne and is not giuen vnto the other who hath knowne the minde of the Lorde Must that which is manifest be therefore denyed because that which is hydden can not be comprehended or knowen Also Cap. 15. Whether if when this is heard some are turned vnto a sluggishe heauinesse and slownesse being readily bent to fal froÌ„ labour vnto wantonnesse do goe after theyr lustes must therefore that be thought false which is â—ayd of the foreknowledge of God And â—yll not we also speake that which the â—cripture being witnesse is lawfull to â—peake By lykelyhoode we are afrayde â—â—ast he shoulde bee offended which canâ—ot take it and are not afraide least we â—lding our tongues that he which can â—ke the truth should be disceaâ—ed with â—â—sehoode Also Cap. 20. If the Apostles and the â—eachers of the Church which folowed â—em dyd both that they might intreate â—odly of the eternall election of God â—ight keepe the faithfull vnder the goâ—rnment of a godlye lyfe what is it â—t these our men being shutte vp with â—inâ—insible force of the truth do think â—t they saye well that it is not to bée â—eached vnto the people although it bee â—ue which is sayde of Predestinatiâ—n â—ay it must vtterly he preached that he â—hich hath eares to heare may heare â—d who hath eares to heare if he â—ue not receyued of him which promyâ—th that he wyll giue verilye let him that receyueth not refuse yet so that he which desyreth take and drinke drinke and lyue For as godlynesse is to bée preached that God maye be duely worshipped so also is Predestination that he which hath eares to heare may glory of the grace of God in God not in him selfe This is the minde of that most excellent man which notwithstanding putteth two conditions 1 One is if these matters be reasoned of according to the rule of the worde of God 2 The other if the selfe same which the scripture declareth as touching these matters bée expounded aptlye and vnto edifying of both these poyntes we haue purposed to speake in fewe wordes and fyrst of the doctrine it selfe and then of the vse and applying of it The second Chap. Of the euerlasting counsayle of God hyd in him selfe which notwithstanding is in the ende vnderstoode by the effectes The. 1. Aphorisme â—HE waies of 1 almightie God are 〈◊〉 vnsearcheable 2 without whose eâ—â—nall and vnchaÌ„geable decree nothing â—one any where of any man neyther â—erally nor particularly no not those â—â—gs are to be excepted 3 which albeâ—t in respect they are decreed of God â—g alwayes good and iust but in reâ—â—t they are done by Sathan and other â—â—l instrumentes are euyll and therâ—â— to bee detested and abhorred Proues out of the worde of God. Rom. 11. 33. O the déepe ryches both â—â—e wisdome and knowledge of God â—vnsearcheable are his iudgements â—his wayes paste finding out Rom 9. 20. But O man who art thou which pleadest against God Iob. 9. 10. 11. 12. Who doeth great thinges and vnsearchable yea marueylous thinges without number Loe he goeth by mee and I sée him not he passeth hye and I perceyue him not Doubtlesse he wyll take awaye who wyll cause him to restore againe who shall saye vnto him what doest thou Gen. 27. 20. And Isaac sayde vnto his sonne what is this that thou hasâ— found it so quickly my soÌ„ne who sayd because Iehoua thy God made it to come vnto my hande Ephe. 1. 11. In whome also we are chosen when we were Predestinate according to his purpose which bringeth to passe all things after the counsell of his owne wyll Exod 21â— 13. But he that hath not sayd wayte for him but God was the cause that he came to his hand then wyl I appoynt thee a place whyther hée shall flee Prou. 16. 33. The lotte is cast into the lappe and all the iudgement thereof is â—rom the Lorde â—Prouer 20. 24. The steppes of a man â—â—re ruled by the Lorde and howe shall a â—an vnderstande his owne way â—Prouer 21. 1. As the ryuers of waters â—â— is the Kings heart in the hande of the â—orde he turneth it whether soeuer it â—leaseth him â—Esa 14. 27. Because the Lord of hoasts â—â—th determined it who shall disanull â— his hande is stretched out and who â—all turne it away â—Iere 10. 23. O Lord I knowe that the â—aye of man is not in him selfe neither â—it in man that walketh to make reaâ—â—e his steppes â—Dan 4. 32. And all the dwellers of the â—â—th are coumpted as nothing and he â—th according vnto his wyl in the hoast â—heauen and in the dwellers of the â—â—rth neyther is there any that can â—aye his hande and saye vnto him â—hat doest thou â—Math 10. 29. Are not two Sparrowes â—ld for a farthing one of them shal not 〈◊〉 on the ground without your Father Eph. 2. 1. 2. And you hath he quickened when you were dead in trespasses and sinnes wherin in times past ye walked according to the course of this world after the Prince which hath rule of the ayre and of the spirite that nowe worketh in men that are disobedient 1. Sam. 16. 14. But the spyrite of the Lorde departed from Saul and an euyll spyrite sent of the Lorde feared him 2. Tim. 2. 26. And being escaped out of the snare of the Deuyll of whome they are taken captiues Gen. 45. 8. Nowe therefore you haue not sent mée hyther but God. Gen. 50. 20. When yée thought euyll against mée God disposed it vnto good that hée might doo according vnto this daye and saue much people a lyue Exo. 4. 21. And I wyl harden his heart that he shall not let the people goe Exo. 7. 3. But I wyll harden Pharaos heart and multiply my myracles and wonders in the lande of Egipt Exod 9. 12. And the Lorde hardened the heart of Pharao neither dyd he obey them according as the Lord had spoken vnto Moyses Exod. 10. 1. Goe in vnto Pharao For I haue hardened his heart and the heart of his seruauntes 20. And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharao Exod. 11. 10. But the Lorde hardened Pharaos heart he suffred not the children of Israel to depart out of his Land. Exod. 14. 4. And I wyll harden Pharaos heart and he shall follow after you and I wyll be glorified in Pharao 17. And I behold I wyll harden the heart of the Egiptians and they shal goe in after them and I wyl be glorifyed in Pharao and in all his hoast and in his Charets and in his horsemen Deut. 2. 30. But Sihon the Kinge of Hesbon woulde not let vs passe by him for the Lord thy God hath hardened his spirite made stubborne his heart that he might delyuer him into
before the worlde vnto our glorye Eph. 1. 4. As he hath chosen vs in him before the fouÌ„dations of the world were layd that wee should be holy and without eame before him in loue 2. Thes. 2. 13. But we ought to gyue thankes alwayes to God for you brethren beloued of the Lorde because God hath chosen you from the beginning vnto saluation through sanctificatioÌ„ of the spirite and faith geuen to the trueth 1. Pet. 1. 2. Chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father vnto sanctification of the spirite Exod 9. 16. And in déede for this cause haue I appointed thée to wytte to shew thée my power and that they should declare my name throughout the whole worlde Prouerb 16. 4. The Lord hath made all thinges for his owne sake yea euen the wicked for an euyll daye Rom. 9. 22. What and if God minding to declare his wrath and to make his power known hath suffered with much gentlenesse the vesselles of wrathâ— couched together to destruction The thirde Aphorismâ— THis election and chosing or Predestination and forcordaining vnto saluation being considered in the purpose of God it selfe that is to saie the decree it selfe and purpose of electing or chosing is the first fountaine of the saluation of the Sonnes of God and doeth not spring as some woulde haue it from the forâ—knowledge eyther of their faith or workes but rather of that onelie which is in the good pleasure of God it selfe from the which afterwarde doo both election or chosing and also faith and all good workes spring Proues out of the worde of God. Deut. 4 37. And because he loued thy Fathers he chose their seede after them and hath brought thée out of Egipt before him by his most mightie power Deut. 7. 7. 8. God hath not loued you and chosen you because you were more in number then al other people but because the Lorde loued you c. Ios 24. 2. And Iosua sayde to all the people Thus sayeth the Lorde God of Israel your Fathers dwelled beyonde the floodde in olde tyme as Thare the father of Abraham and the father of Nachor and serued other Gods c. Psal. 44. 3. For they possessed not the Lande with their owne sworde neither dyd their owne arme saue them but thy ryght hande and thy arme and the light of thy countenannce because thou â—aâ—oâ—â—edst them Iohn 15. â—6 You haue not chosen mée but I haue choseÌ„ you and ordained you that ye goe and bring forth fruite c. Act. 13. 48. And when the Gentyles heard these things they reioyced and glorified the worde of the Lord and beleued as manie as were ordeined vnto euerlasting lyfe Act. 22. 14. And he sayd the God of our fathers hath chosen thee that thou shouldest knowe his wyl and see that iust one shouldest heare the voice of his mouth Rom. 5 6. For Christ when we were yet of no strengthe at his tyme dyed for the vngodlye Ro. 9. 11. 12. For the children being not yet borne wheÌ„ as they had done neither good nor euyll that the purpose of God which is according vnto his electioÌ„ that is to say not of workes but of him y calleth might remaine sure it was said vnto her the elder shal serue the younger 13. As it is written I haue loued Iacob and haue hated Esau. 14. What shall we say then Is there any vnrighteousnesse with God God forbyd 15. For he sayth vnto Moyses I wyll haue mercie on him on whome I wyll haue mercy I wyl haue compassion on him on whome I wyl haue compassion 16. So then Election is not in him that wylleth neyther in him that runneth but in god that sheweth mercie 18. Therfore he hath mercy on whome he wyl and whome he wyl he hardneth 25. And that he might make knowne the ryches of his glory vpon the vessels of mercie which hée hath prepared vnto glorie Rom 11. 7. What then Israell hath not obtained that which he séeketh but the Elect haue obtained it and the rest haue beene hardened 35. Or who hath geuen vnto him first and it shall be geuen vnto him againe 1 Cor. 4â—7 For who separateth thee and what hast thou that thou hast not â—eceaued If thou hast receyued it why reioycest thou as though thou haddest not receyued it Eph. 1. 4. As he hath chosen vs in him before the foundatioÌ„ of the world were laide that we shoulde be holy and without blame before him in loue 5. Who hath Predestinate or foreordained vs whome hée woulde adopt or chose into sonnes through Iesus Christ vnto him selfe according to the good pleasure of his wyll 11. In whom also we are chosen when we were Predestinate or foreordayned according to the purpose of him which worketh al things after the counsell of his owne wyll Ephe. 2. 10. For we are his workmanshyp created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which God hath ordained that we should walke in them Colos. 1. 12. Geuing thankes vnto the Father which hath made vs meete to bée partakers of the inheritaunce of the Saintes in lyght 2. Tim. 1. 9. Who hath saued vs and called vs with an holy calling not according vnto our works but according vnto his owne purpose and grace which was geuen vs in Christe Iesus before the tymes of the worlde The fowrth Aphorismâ— THerefore the Scripture as ofâ—en as it vvyll strengthen the sonnes of God vvith assured hope stayeth not eyther in the testimonies or vvitnesses of the second causeâ— that is to saye in the ftuites of faith nor yet in the seconde and next causes them selues to wyt faith and vocation or calling but ascendeth or clymeth vp vnto Christ him selfe in whom notwithstanding as in the head we are in very deede electe and adopted and afterward goeth vp euen vnto that euerlasting purposeâ— vvhich God hath purposed in no other than in him selfe Proues out of the worde of God. Math. 25. 3 Then shal the King say vnto them which shall be at his right hand come ye blessed of my Father possesse the kingdom prepared for you before the foundation of the world were layde Iohn 6. 40. And this is the wyl of him which sent mée that euery one which sâ—â—th the sonne beleeueth in him should haue euerlasting lyfe and I wyll rayse him vp at the last daye Act. 13. 48. And the Gentyles hearing these thinges reioyced and glorified the word of the Lord beléeued as many as were ordayned vnto euerlasting lyfe Rom. 8. 29. For whome he hath foreknowen the same also hath he Predestinate or foreordained that they should be lyke the Image of his sonne Rom. 9. 8 Not they which are the children of the flesh are the children of God but they which are the chyldren of the promise are coumpted in the seede 11. For the chyldren not being yet born when as they had done neyther good nor euyl that the purpose of God which is according vnto his election that is to
of the worde of God. Rmo. 10. 8. But what saith it the word is neare the euen in thy mouth and in thine heart This is that word of fayth which we preach 17. Then fayth is by hearing and hearing by the word of God. 2. Cor. 5. 18. And all these things are of God which hath reconcyled vs vnto himselfe through Iesus Christ and hath geuen the mynistery of reconciliation vnto vs. 19. For God was in Christ reconcyling the world vnto him selfe not imputing or laying theyr sinnes vnto them and hath put in vs this worde of recâ—ncyliation Iam. 1. 18. He because he would begat vs with the worde of truthe that wee should be as certaine first fruites of his creatures 1. Pet. 1. 23. Being borne a new not of mortall sâ—â—de but of immortall by the worde of the lyuing God which endureth for euer 25. But the worde of the Lorde endureth for euer And this is that worde which is preached among you Act. 16. 14. Whose heart the Lorde had opened that she shoulde geue héede to those thinges which were spoken of Paule Eph. 1. 9. The mysterie or secréete of this wyll being opened vnto vs according vnto his frée good pleasure which he had purposed in him selfe Colos. 1. 27. Unto whom God would make knoweÌ„ what are the riches of this glorious mysterie or secréet among the Gentyles that is of Christ among you who is that hope of glory Rom. 6. 20. For when as you were the seruanntes of sinne you were frée from righteousnesse Ioh. 6. 44. No man can come vnto mée vnlesse my Father which sent mée drawe him 65. Therefore I sayde vnto you that no man can come vnto mée vnlesse it be geuen vnto him of my Father Gen. 3. 8. And by an by they heard the voyce of the Lorde God walking in the garden in the coole of the day and Adam and his wyfe hyd them selues from the face of the Lord God in the myddest of the garden Rom. 5. 10. For if when we were enemyes wee were reconcyled or made freends with God c. Rom. 8. 7. Because that the vnderstanding of the flesh is enimyty against God. Ioh. 8. 47. He that is of God heareth the words of God ye therfore heare not because ye are not of God. Esai 53. 1. Who wyll beléeue our reporte and vnto whom is the arme of the Lord reueled or opened Ioh. 12. 36. 40. Therefore could they not beleeue because Esaias hath sayd againe he hath blynded theyr eyes and hardened their hearts lest they should se with theyr eyes and vnderstand with theyr heart and â—â—rne and I shoulde heale them Mat. 13. 13. Therefore speake I vnto them by parables because that séeyng they doo not sée and hearing they do not heare nor vnderstand Mat. 13. 11. Because that vnto you it is geuen to know the secrets of the kingdom of heauen but vnto them it is not geuen Ioh. 3. 3. Uerily verily I say vnto thée except a man be borne againe he can not sée the kingdom of God. Ioh. 4. 10. If thou diddest know that gifte of God and who he is that sayth vnto thée c. 1. Cor. 2. 14. But the naturall or fleshly man can not conceiue those thinges which are of the spirit of God for they are vnto him folyshnesse and he can not know them because that they are spiritually diâ—cerued 2. Cor. 3. 5. Not that wée are able of our selues to thinke any thing as of our selues Ephes. 2. 1. And you hath he together quickened when as ye were dead in offences and sinnes 3. Wherin in times past ye walked as is the course of this worlde after the prince that hath power ouer the ayre euen the spyrite that nowe worketh in men that are disobedient 3. Among whome also we all had our conuersation in time past in the lustes of our fleshe doing such things as lyked our fleshe and myndes and were by nature the chyldren of wrath as well as others Ezec. 11. 19. And I wyl geue vnto them one heart and I wyll put a new spyrâ—ts within theyr bowelles and I wyll take away the stony heart from theyr fleshe and wyl geue vnto them a fleshie heart Psal. 51. 12. Create a cleane heart in mée O God and renue a ryght spyrite within my bowelles Ioh. 6. 44. No man can come vnto me except my father which sent mée drawe him Ioh. 6. 45. It is written in the prophets and they shall be all taught of God whosoeuer therfore hath heard of my father and learned commeth vnto mée Psal. 119. 130. The doore or entrance of thy wordes doth lyghten and maketh the simple to vnderstand Ephes. 1. 17. That the God of our Lord Iesus Christthe father of glory maye geue vnto you the spirite of wisedome and reuelation through the knowledge of him 18. That the eyes of your minde being lyghtened ye may know what the hope is of his calling Esai 50. 5. The Lord God opened mine eare and I was not rebellious neither turned I backe Psal. 119. 18. Open myne eyes and I shall beholde the wonders of thy lawe 73. Thy handes haue made mee and prepared mée make mée to vnderstand and I shal learne thy coÌ„maundements 130. The doore or entraunce of thy words lighteneth it maketh the simple to vnderstand Col. 1. 9. Wherfore we also since the day that we heard of it cease not to pray for you and to desire that ye may be filled with all knowlege of his wyll with all wisdom c. The tenth Aphorisme AND fyrst this spyrite in the elect or chosen causeth that they be touched in deede with the feeling of that theyr calamitie or miserie secondlie it createth faith in them that they maie be able to performe the condition annexed orâ— kâ—yt vnto the preaching of the gospell Nowe this faith is after a manner two folde The one by the vvhich Christ is generallie and vniuersallie knowen 1 to wyt by the vvhich vvee doo geue assent vnto the historie of Christ and vnto the Prophecies vvritten of him vvhich faith is also sometymes graunted to the verie reprobates or ofcastes Another which is proper and peculiar vnto the electe or chosen standeth in this that vve applie vnto our selues as our owne Christe vniuersallie and indifferentlie offered to all men and be euerie one of vs made assured of our election which in deede afore time from euerlasting vvas hiddeÌ„ in the secrete of God but was afterward declared vnto vs 2 partlie by the inward teâ—â—monie or vvytnesse of our conscience â—â—rough the spirite of God being ioyâ—â—d vnto the externall or outward preaâ—â—ing 3 and partlie also by the power â—nd effycacie or vertue of the same spiâ—â—te vvhich bringeth to this poiut eueâ—â—e one of the electe or chosen being set 〈◊〉 lybertie from the bondage of sinne â—hat they beginne to wyl and to doo the â—hinges vvhich are of God. Proues out of the worde of God. Ierem. 31. 19. For after that I conuerâ—ed I
as for example from purpose to saluation and much more from saluatioÌ„ to purpose also from purpose to dampnation or contrarywise ouer hippâ—â— the nearer causes of the iudgement of God 5 vnlesse peraduenture yen haue to â—oo with open dispysers of God whom it auayleth not once to teache sauâ— that they maye bée strooken with the iudgement of God that there can bee no iust suspicion of offence Furthermore this doctrine must neuer bee in such sort set foorth that it bée applyed to any person seuerally albeit some be otherwyse eyther to bée comforten or rebuked then othersome 6 vnlesse peraduenture some Prophete of God bée admonished by some peculyar word from God which notwithstanding is not rashly to bée beléeuéd for as much as it commeth to passe out of order or not ordinarily But in visityng the sicke and in famylyar admonitions it seemeth to bée the duetie of the Minister so farre as he maye to comfort the conscience of the â—â—oubled wyth the declaration of elecâ—ion and contrary wise to strike those â—hat are obstinatly wicked and disobeâ—ient wyth that fearefull iudgement of God but yet so that they kéepe some measure reâ—rayne from that last senâ—ence wherevnto is added no condition For this iurisdiction pertayneth vnto God alone Proueâ— out of the word of God. Math. 28. 18. Go therefore and teach all nations baptising them c. 20. Teaching them to keepe all those things whiâ—h I haue commanded you 2. Tim 2. 23. Foolish and vnlearned questions put away knowing that they bréed striâ—es 2. Tim. 2. 15. Study to shewe thy selfe approued vnto God a workeman that needâ—th not to bée ashamed and which can deuide the worde of trueth aright Math. 25. In the whole chapiter Ioh. 8. 44. You are of your Father the Deuyll and therefore you wyllfulâ— fill the lustes of your Father Ioh. 9. 41. If you were blynd yoâ— should haue no sinne but now you say we see and therefore your sinne remayneth Ioh. 10. 26. But ye beléeue not for yeâ— are not of my Sheepe as I haue tolde you Luk. 20. 46. Be ware of the Scribes whiche desire to goo in long â—oâ—es and long gréetyngs in the markets and the highest seates in the Synogâ—es and the chiefe roumes at feastes 47. Whiche deuowre widdowes houses and vse long praiers for a shew these shall receyue the greater iudgement Math. 23. 38. Behold your house is leâ—te vnto you desolate 1. Cor. 3. 2. I haue geuen you mylcke to drinck and not strong meate for ye were not yet able to beare it neyther yet now are ye able Rom. 14. 1. Him that is weake in the â—ayth receyue vnto you but not for controuersies of disputations Ioh. 8. 33. They answered him wée are the seede of Abraham and were neuer bond to any man howe sayest thou then that we shall be made free 34 Iesus answered them veryly veryly I saye vnto you he that commiteth sinne is the seruaunt of Sinne. Phyllyp. 3. 2. Beware of dogges beware of euyl workmen beware of conâ—ysion 1 Tim. 6. 3. 4. If any man teache contrary doctrine and consenteth not to the wholsome wordes of our Lorde Iesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according vnto godlynes he is puffed vp knowing nothing c. Gal. 5. 12. I would to God also that they were cut of which trouble you 2. Tim. 4. 14. Alexander the copper smith hath done me much harme the Lorde rewarde hym accordyng to hys deedes Ioh. 6. 64. But there are some of you which beleeue not For Iesus knews from the beginning who they werâ— which beléeued not and who should beâ— tray him Ioh. 8. 24. Therefore I sayd vnto yoâ— that you should dye in your sinnes Foâ— vnlesse ye beléeue that I am he you shaâ— die in your sinnes The eyght Chap. Howe euerie seuerall person maie applie with some profite this generall doctrine to himselfe The fyrst Aphorismâ— THey that teache that man his saluation is grounded vpon vvorkesâ— eyther vvhollie or in any parte 1 it is manifest that they doo vtterlie ouerthrowe the gospell of God. But they that teache free iustification or righteous makinge by faith they staie vppon a sure foundation 2 but yet in suche sort that they â—aie vnder faith the euerlasting purpose of God vvherein finallie both Christ him selfe 3 and also the Apostle following his steppes doeth rest and staie 4 For vvhen as perceiueraunce or continuaunce of faith is required vnto saluation to vvhat purpose haue I faith 5 if I be not certaine of the gift of perceiueraunce or continuaunce to the ende And yet is there no neede to feare least this doctrine shoulde make vs negligent and dissolute or carelesse 6 For this peace of conscience whereof we speake doeth greatlie differre from foolishe securitie or carelesnesse and he that is the sonne of God 7 for asmuch as hee is ledde by the spirite of God vvyll neuer take occasion of slouthfulnesse by the consideration of God his benefites Therefore if this doctrine bring but this one fruite that by the aide thereof vvee maie learne to strengththen our faith against all thinges that happen it is manifest rhat the chiefe grounde of our saluation is ouerthrowne by them vvhich because they measure God after the small measure of their braine doo oppugne or reason against this Article of Religion Proues out of the word of God. Gal 2. 21. I do not make voyde the grace of God for if righteousnes bée by the lawe then hath Christ dyed wythout cause Rom. 11. 6. And if it be of grace it is not now of workes or else were grace no more grace but if it be of workes it is no more grace for else were worke no worke Ioh. 6. 44. No man can come vnto me vnlesse my father which sent mée draw hym and I wylll rayse hym vp at the last day 45. It is written in the Prophetes And they shall bee all taughte of God whosneuer therefore hath beard of my Father and hath learned commeth vnto mee Rom. 8. 29. For whome he hath foreknowen those hath he foreordeyned that they myght bée made lyke vnto the image of his sonne that he myght be the first borne amongest many brethren 30. And whome he hath foreordeined those also hath he called c. Looke the same Epistle Chap. 9. 10. and. 11. 1. Cor. 2. 10. But God hath reueled or opened those thinges vnto vs by hys spirit For the spirit searcheth al things euen the depthes of God. Eph. 1. 4. As he chose vs in him before the foundations of the world were laid that we might be holy and vnblameable before him by loue 5. Who foreordeyned vs whome he woulde chose vnto his sonnes through Iesus Christ in him selfe according to the good pleasure of his wyll 2. Tim. 1. 1. According vnto the promise of lyfe which is in Christ Iesu. 9. Who hath saued vs and called vs wyth an holy callynge not accordyng to our workes but accordyng vnto hys
confession of faith not wauering for he is faithfull which hath promised 1. Cor. 2. 10. But God hath reuealed or opened them vnto vs by his spirite For the spirite searcheth all things euen the verie depthes of God. 11. For who hath knowne the thinges tâ—at are of man saue the spirite of man whiche is in him So also no man hath knowne the thinges that are of God saue the spirite of God. 12. Nowe we haue not receaued the spirite of the worlde c. Rom. 8. 16. Whiche selfe same spirite beareth wytnesse togeather with our spyrite that wée are the Sonnes of God. 1. Ioh. 3. 24. He that kéepeth his commaundementes dwelleth in him and he in him and hereby doo we know that he dwelleth in vs to wyt by the spirite which he hath geuen vnto vs. 1. Cor. 13. 9. For we know but in part and prophesie but in part 1. Tim. 6. 12. Fight the notable fight of fayth laye holde on euerlasting lyfe for which cause also thou art called and hast professed a notable profeâ—â—ion before many witnesses Gal. 5. 17. The fleshe lusteth against the spyrite and the spyrite against the fleshe and these are contrarie one to another that you doo not whatsoeuer yée wyll Rom. 6. â— What shall we say then Shall wée abyâ—â— in sinne that grace maye be more plenteous Hebr. 10. 23. Let vs holde fast the conâ—ession of fayth not wauering for he is faithfull which hath promised 24. And let vs consider one another to prouooke one another vnto loue and vnto good workes Iam. 3. 18. The fruite of righteousnesse is sowen with peace to the peace-makers 2. Pet. 1. 10. Wherefore brethren studie rather to make your calling and election sure For if ye doo these thinges ye shall neuer fall Rom. 8. 28. And we knowe that vnto them that loue Godâ— all thinges worke togeather for the best euen to them that are called of his purpose 31. What shall we saye then vnto these thinges if God be with vs who can be against vs Iob. 13. 15. Although he â—yll mée yet wyll I trust in him not withstanding I wyll reproue my wayes in his sight Rom. 5. 3. And not this onelie but we do also reioyce in troubles knowing that trouble worketh patience 1. Thes. 3. 3. That no man be mooued with these troubles For ye know that we are appointed thervnto 1. Pet. 4. 19. Therefore they which are afflicted or troubled by the wyll of Godâ— let them commende their soules vnto him in well dooing as vnto a faithfull creatour Iam. 1. 2. Brâ—thren accoumpt it for excéeding great ioye as often as ye fall into sundrie temptations Rom. 8. 16. Which selfe same spyrite beareth witnesse together with our spirite that we are the sonnes of God. Rom. 8. 38. For I am persuaded that neyther death nor life neyther Angels nor principalyties nor power neyther thinges present nor thinges to come 39. Neyther heyghte nor depth nor any thing created can separat vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesu our Lord. The thyrde Aphorismâ— NOwe as touchiâ—g the other parte in as much as the purpose of electing or chosing can not come into any maâ—â— his mind but therewith the contrarie oâ— it and that in lyke degree must needes runne in his thought that in the meane season I saie nothing of that vvhiche is manifest to vvyt that these two are verie oftentimes knitte togeather in the vvorde of God it appeareth I thinke that they doo great wrong vnto the spiâ—ite of God which would haue this part buried as curious or not necessary This therefore is also to be considred but yet suche moderation being vsed that the depth of God his iudgements maie put a byt into man his curiositie and in such finally that it be not applied priuatlie eyther to any man or vnto any certaine multitude For in this point it doth also differre from election that election as we haue shewed before is reuealed or opened vnto vs by the spirite of God not in others whose heart wee can not see but in our selues and reprobation or ofcasting is alwaie for the most part hidden from men vnlesse it bee opened by God out of order or more then ordinarilie For vvho knoweth vvhether God â—aue dâ—termined 1 at the verie last moment of his lyfe to haue mercie on him vvhiche hath spent all his vvhole lyfe â—n vvickednesse and sinne And yet there is no cause vvhy this hope shoulde strength then any man in his vvickednesse vvhen as I speake of those thinges vvhich vve ought to obserue and marke in others and suche examples of God his goodnesse are but rare or seldome and no vvyse man vvyll promise him selfe vpon vaine securitie or reachlesnes that vvhich is not in our hande 2 It is therefore suffycient that vve knowe generallie that there are certaine vesselles prepared to destruction 3 vvhiche for as muche as God hath not shewed vnto vs vvee ought dilligentlie according to our power to call euerie one to saluation both vvith example of lyfe and also with vvordes yea euen those of vvhome vvee are almost past hope vvhen as vve beholde their naughtie actes Proues out of the word of God. Luk. 23. 43. Iesus sayd vnto him beâ— ryly I say vnto thée this daye shalt thoâ— bewyth mée in paradice Rom. 9. 21. Hath not the potter powerâ— ouer the clay to make of the same lumpâ— one vessell vnto honor and an â—ther vnto dishonor 2. Tim. 2. 20. Furthermore in a great house not only vessels of golde and siluer but also of yearth and wood and some for honor and some for dishonor Math. 5. 16 Let your light so shine before men that they may sée your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in heauen 1. Cor. 9. 22. I became to the weake as one that was weake that I mighte winne the weake I became all vnto al that I myght by all meanes saue some 2. Tim. 2. 25. Wyth gentlenesse teaching them whiche are of a contrarye mynd c. 1. Pet. 2. 12. And haue your conuersation honest among the Gentyles that they which speake agaynst you as euyll 〈◊〉 may by your good workes which they shall sée gloryfâ—e God in the day of â—â—utation The fowrth Aphorisme THis meane if vve keepe vve also shall receiue much fruite by this doctrine For 1 first by the knowledge thereof we shall learne vvillinglie to yeeld our neck vnder the Maiestie of God that the more vve shall feare and reuerence him the more vve maie labour to make sure in vs the vvytnesse of our election in Christ. 2 Secondlie vvhen as vve shall â—â—ygentlie consider the difference of â—od his mercie made betweene men otherwyse subiecte vnto the lyke curse it can not bee chosen but that vvee must muche more vvyllinglie acknowledge and imbrace that singular goodnesse of God than if vve should make this grace of his common vnto all men or shoulde seeke the cause of
of Israel to his owne destruction Exod. 14. So that resysting the power of God he perysheth in this worlde and in the worlde to come hee is appoynted to the euerlasting fyre prepared for the Deuyll and his Angelles by the iust iudgement of the almighty Lorde who being refused and so openly resysted iustlye doeth geue ouer the wycked to theyr owne Reprobate myndes with greedynesse to fulfyll theyr fleshlie desyres and obstinate purpose to prosecute that which the Deuyll and the worlde wylleth them to doo and causeth them to heape vpon theyr owne heades theyr owne dampnation treasuring and storing vp al theyr lyfe long workes deseruing the wrath of God against the daye of his wrath and vengeaunce as the Apostle sayth to the Romaines This Reprobation then is the declaration of God his seuere iustice and iust iudgement against the Serpent and his séede whome by the worde of his eternall wisedome hée hath accursed from the begynning and appoynted to euerlasting torment The which worke necessarie for the procéeding of God his holy prouideÌ„ce Eternall and neuer ceasing regyment and gouernaunce because it is the worke of the wyll of the myghtie God which is the verie lawe equity and iustice it selfe frée from all affections farre from all faulte cryme or sinne It ought to bee knowne vnto vs all that all fleshe maye tremble and consider before whome it standeth euen before that great Lord and mighty God who hath power both ouer the bodie and Soule to cast into hell fyre To whome no man may saye what doest thou Being lyke the claye in the Potters hande or the staffe or axe in the hande of the smyter Who offendeth against no lawe bicause his godly wyll is the lawe it selfe and to knowe his pleasure is to know the lawe to follow his wyl is to doo the lawe so that of necessitye this great Lorde is so farre frée from al sinne that nothing is good but that which is wrought by him nothing can be euyll that he worketh in his creatures No the fall of Lucifer the father of the reprobate doth vtter his maiestie doth shew his iustice which olde Satan and Father Deuyl was worthily cast downe into the bottome of Hell and eternally condempned to euerlasting payne and torment because he dyd so ambiciously and proudly climbe vp aboue his apointed place in the heauens And where the mallice of this olde serpent caused Adam the first man to mount aboue his estate to desyre to know good euyl lyke a God the maruellous mercy of God and inestimable loue towardes mankind caused compelled this wicked worke of the Serpent to serue his glory and to turne to our great commodity and profyte in that he rayseth of the seede of man another Adam most innocent and holy agaynst whom no Diuel neyther any helly power may preuayle by whome we are not only reconciled vnto God and doo obteyne pardon for this offence but wée are borne a newe and as it were agayne created into greater glory by farre than wée were at the first for the first man had onely a promise to lyue in 〈◊〉 earthly garden to long as 〈◊〉 dyd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the for bidden frute wée haue the â—â— of the heauenly Paradice and euerlasting pleasures He had earthly meate and fruâ—â— we haue the heauenly 〈◊〉 which â—â—deth into life euerlasting He was created to worke in the Garden workes naturall we are renewed vnto workes supernaturall aboue nature heauenly and celestiall He was 〈◊〉 by the Serpentâ— wee doo ouercome and triumpâ—e ouer the Serpent sâ—nne Diuell Death and Hell. He had the gifte of reason and vnderstanding we haue the rich wisdome of God his holy spirite whereby wée discerne our owne infirmity and weaknesse and his almightie power mercy and goodnesse To bee shorte where hee dyd runne from God â—id himâ— sowed Figge leaues to couer his shame following his â—ond fantasie We doo boldly beholde the course of Gods working in our nakednesse sinne and infirmitie and magnifie renowme and prayse our Lord God which sheweth his grace by our sinne which vttereth his power by our weaknesse his wisedome by our foolishnesse which setteth forth his elect vessels his chosenâ— Abels by Caynits the vessels of his wrath In which Cayn the first murtherer and therfore manifestly of the serpentes seede appeareth euidently the iust iudgement of the Almightie God accuâ—sing and condemning in Satan and Cayn all sinnes and wickednesse To vtter that he abhorreth sinne and hateth it béeing so farre contrarie from his nature which is iustice it selfe contrarie from his wyll which is equitie and his lawe which is iudgement In Pharao a childe of the same father reprobate indurate and accursed whome God stirred vp for the declaration of his great power and mightie arme as well in the manyfolde myracles wrought for his people which nothing had needed neither had ben occasioned if there had not bene such a tyraunt soo indurate and so obstinate to withstande God his seruants as also by the subuersion drouning of him his people in the red Sea a signe taken first of the eternall and iâ—eâ—itable destruction damnation whervnto the wicked are appoynted than of the saluation assigned sealed vp for the elect chosenâ— we do learne héerby also y power of God which the very Sorcerers the enimies of God were compelled to confesse before Pharao Exod. 8. Wée doo learne moreouer the iustice of God which iustice Pharao him selfe was compelled agaynste him selfe to denounce and affirme Exod. 9. And finally wée may sée expressed moste manifestly the fatherly mercy of the God of Iacob whiche dyd giue the king and the whole people of Egypt a pryce for his chosen Iacob â—o the loue towardes Iacob and the hatred towardes Esaâ— What shall wee speake of Iudas and other manifestlye reprobate whiche are compelled by the testimonye of theyr owne consciences to pronounce them selues wicked and therefore to feare god his seuere iustice and iust iudgement to flye the refrom by the terrour of their euill consciences which is more sore than a thousand witnesses agaynst suche as God doth leaue to their owne selues The which terrible examples the elect of Godâ— hauing before their eyes hath great cause to prayse their heaueÌ„ly father through his sonne Christ who hath sent them his holy spirit of comfort which will neuer suffer them to be tempted aboue that they are able to suffer and to beare But where we haue two kinde of men that be aduersaries to this doctrine of Reprobation The one sorte vttering them selues most manifest Reprobate obstinate and wylfully wicked crying and blaspheming we wyll followe our lusts what neede we to care howe we lyue or what we doo If we be elected with Iacob wee shall bée saued if wée bée reiecte and cursed with Cham wée shall bée damned These Lucifers not submitting themselues to the gouernance of God carelesse what becommeth of them must be heatâ— downe with the consideration of the
to beare his Image vpon earth of iustice righteousnesse innocency But because this Image could by no creature perfectlye bée expressed vnlesse the same were fully replenished with the self same Godhead because that all things besidesfoorth had some imperfection bewraying theyr originall the darknesse as Iohn calleth it the Tohu and Bohu as Moyses doeth it name The vaine vanitie and wylde deformitie whence they were by creation altered recouered and brought into lyght and lyfe as appeared in Adam fallyng from trueth to lyes straight at the begynning nowe of necessitie the sonne of God who onely is good of nature becommeth man and taketh this office to beare the Image of God inuisible Colo. 1. And to be the head of that spyrituall perfection which was to be wrought in mankinde by his aforeappointed purpose and becommeth the fyrst begotten of all creatures for by him were all thinges created both in heauen and earth visible and inuisible maiestie Lordshyp rule power by whome and in whome all things are created and hée is before all creatures and in him all thinges haue their beeing And he is the head of the bodie he is the begynning and first begotten of the head that in all things he might haue prehemineÌ„ce For it pleased the father that in him should dwell al fulnesse and by him to reconcyle all thinges to himselfe And to set at peace by him through the blood of his crosse both things in heauen and things in earth for euen you sayth Paule which in tymes paste were straungers because your minds were set in euyl works hath he now reconcyled in the body of his flesh through death to make you holye and blamelesse and without fault in his sight Seeing then that this cannot be denied to be the course of God his holy working to dryue away this darknesse and to bring man to his lyght to take away sinne to bring man to a lyfe blamelesse the state of innocencieâ— and his owne likenesse shal it not bee most necessarye to haue Preachers Teachers to tell vs the same and to admonishe vs wherevnto we be called seeing of our selues and our owne reasons no such thing can be perceyued Therefore haue we preachings exhortations as Paule sayth for when the worlde thorowe wisdome knew not God in the wisdome of God it pleased God through the foolyshnesse of Preaching to saue them that beleeued 1. Corin. 1. And as hee also sayth of him selfe in another place Wée doo Preach this ryches in Christ the hope of your glory warning all men and teaching all men in all wisedome to make all men perfyte in Christ Iesu. Thus serueth then exhortations dehortations comminations and publycations of the lawes and wyll of our Lorde God that hee maye bee knowne the Lord and gouernour ouer all the thynges hée hath created and the onely lawe maker amongst his creatures publyshing vnto all that perfecte equitie and iustice which ought in no case to be resysted Whervnto if they can not attayne they must confesse and knowledge their owne infirmity and weakenesse and submyt them selnes vnder the mightie hande of God and so dooing they shall be receyued as chyldren of the most louing and most mercyfull father in suche degrées of perfection as hee hath appoynted to the beautifying of the bodie of his sonne our head So that the Lorde God doeth teache all and lyghten all men that come into the worlde bothe chosen and Reprobate with such a knowledge as doth the good Prince which vnto all his Subiects proclaimeth his statutes and publysheth his lawes but lyke a good and tender father he leadeth his children regenerate and borne a newe neyther of fleshe nor blood nor the wyll of man and guydeth them with his fatherly spyrite in the pathes of the same lawes wryting in theyr hartes what is his good wyll and pleasure In the which course of God his wonderfull worke the wicked hath no cause to complayne for as theyr father whom they doo followe is named the Prince of this world so they haue the world at wyll and are riche roysters and welthy worldlings tramplyng vnder theyr feete poore Abel and the despysed Christians neyther wyl they change their estate with any such no when they are called from darknesse to be partakers of light of life and the heauenly daynties layde vp in poore Christ they despised that estate excusing their purchases theyr marchaundice and their earthly lustes and delyghtes Luke 14. Wherfore in the other worlde they that héere are â—ppressed shall haue comfort and the other forment Such is the order then of God his working that by the contrarietie of the chosen and reprobate of Iacob and Esau of Pharao and Israel and the wisedome of God and the wisedome of the world he wyl set forâ—h his maiestie his power his diuinityâ— his Godhead so much as may be knowne vnto man that is to say in his wisdome iustice mercy almightynesse For comparing his wisedome to any other wisedome nowe appeareth the contrarie that it is very foolishnesse euen darknesse compared vnto lyght death vnto lyfe lyes vnto trueth as Paule sayth When they accoumpted themselues wyse they were made very fooles and chaunged the trueth with lyes the glory of the immortal God to mortall corruptyble creatures They following their owne righteousnesse could not come to the ryghteousnesse of God in Iesu Christ. Wherefore of necessitye God dyd shut all vnder synne that his mercie myght flow ouer all And that his mighty power myght appeare hée hath created the heauens and earth wherein we doo see lyght and darknesse death and lyfe shame and glorye weaknesse and strength lyes and trueth ryghteousnesse and vnryghteousnesse to serue to the settying foorth of his glorie that man may bée dryuen to saye with Paule O the depth of the ryches of the wisdome and knowledge of god How incomprehensyble are his wayes Howe vnsearchable are his iudgemeÌ„ts For who hath knowne the minde of the Lorde Or who hath bene his couÌ„seller Or who hath giuen him ought aforehand that he might bée repayed For by him and through him and in him are all things to him bee prayse for euer Amen And as this holy Apostle Paule doeth submytte him selfe to the great depth of the wysdome of God and his wonderfull Regiment and prouidence and woulde â—eate and dryue downe all fleshe by the consideration of the same So also all our Fathers from the begynning hath layde this the onely foundation of theyr fayth Wherefore Moyses beginneth to stablish the fayth of man at the historie of the creation and so foorth by the order of God his present gouernaunce about the things made and created And Dauid for a confession of his fayth pronounceth of this prouidence Psalm 95. I doo knowe that thou art a great Lord and a Lord aboue all Gods. All thinges whatsoeuer the Lordes pleasure was hée hath made in the Heauens the earth the Seas and the bottomlesse waters Againe by the worde of God
compelled to crye and call to sigh and sobbe before theyr heauenly Father for the deliueraunce of this mortall and sinful booy subdued to vanitie and though they do most euidently perceyue how they are called from darknesse to lighte from loue of iniquitie to the hatred of the same from obedience somtime giuen to Sathan and to the lustes of the flesh to the obedience of the spirit whiche fighteth against the flesh and though I say they perceyuing this be not able to quench these raging lustes yet do they mourne and dayly lament calling for the grace of their heauenly father which lamentations sighings and sorowyngs of theyr sinnes bée the sensible féelings and liuely signes and tokens of Gods infallible and sure Election Wherefore whosoeuer shal féele these secret sighes and mournings thereby hating â—â—nne desiring therfroÌ„ to be delyuered considering theyr owne weaknes and by the fruite and a good man forth of the good treasure of his harte doth bring foorth good workes the euyll man euyl works This doth Iames byd vs to shewe our fayth of our workes and sayth that Abraham did thus vtter his faith by his works and Rahab by her workes and were iustifyed Where we are compelled with all the godly learned to expounde the worde iustifyed declared to bée iust or else we doo make Iames contrary to him selfe contrary to Moyses whose sentence he in the same place alledgeth contrarie to Paule and the whole course of Scriptures And thus muste all the generall sentence of woorkes bée vnderstoode that by these woorkes wherein God wyll haue vs to walke we are knowne to haue his spirite to be good trees so iudged by our fruites as is the good Apple tree by the Apples not that the Apples make hym good but testifye that hee is good and that it hath within it selfe a kindly power of good iuiâ—â— and norishment So we féeling the power of the spyryte workinge in our hartes Godlye motions and so brynging forth good fruites of fayth and good workes doo coÌ„firme our Election and vocation as Peter speaketh to our selues and others The seconde vse of workes is that God in vs by them may be gloryfied Whereof our sauiour Christ sayth Mat. 5. Let your lyght so shine before men that they séeing your good works may glorifie your father which is in heauen And this is the chiefe vse of good workes the laude and glorye of God where vnto wée were fyrst created in the earthy Adam now are a new restored by the heauenly Adam Christ Iesu to walke in good works to be holy blamelesse and without fault And to this ende that God in them might bee gloryfied doth scripture commend vnto vs good works setteth forth the crowne of glory to them that therin are exercised So ruÌ„ne that ye may obtaine sayth the Apostle labor for the crowne incorruptible 1. Cor. 9. Nowe because these latter dayes are the tymes wherein our Sauiour Christ dyd saye that â—ayth should fayle and charytie shoulde ware colde we that haue so cleare reuelation of Gods great mercyes wishing alwaies to be of more perfection let them with all thankes geeuinge vnto God reioyce knowing that this procedeth not from flesh nor bloud but froÌ„ the spirite of our head Iesus Christ who maketh intercession for his afflicted members who are his Sainctes with vnspeakeable gronings Whome though for a time hee doo permit to be afflicted both in spirite and bodie as sometimes he did Iob Ionas Ieremie and other yet at the ende hee giueth vnto them most triumphant victorie accordinge to the euerlasting purpose of his diuine prouidence who is to be feared reuerenced renowmed and praysed for euer So be it Heretofore haue we answered generally to them that woulde make God the Author of euyll and to them which do say that this doctrine taketh away exhortations and threatninges and the preachyng of the worde Nowe by the grace of God we wyl more briefly answere to some arguments whiche they bryng foorthe of the scriptures setting aparte all such cauyllations as mans reason whiche in Gods mysteries can neuer bée satisfyed by the craft of the deuyl doth excogitate inueÌ„t But first we wyl speake somthing of good workes the true vnderstanding of those scriptures which commend them vnto vs lest we should seeme to dissuade men from the same or exteâ—â—ate the meaning of the holy ghost in such sentences as our aduersaries doo wickedly peruert for the maintenance of mans power against this doctrine of grace free Election which dare affirme that by works they purchase part of theyr saluation the which as we haue sayde is freely geuen by this Election in Christ Iesu before the foundation of the world was layâ—â— The good works which are so in déede that is to say which proceede of the spirite of adoption the feeling of Gods mercies in electing calling iustifying fyrst of all haue this vse y they declare the power of God to bee in vs and the spyrite of Christ which doth conforme vs to his image and this is the ende whervnto we are Elected and Predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his sonne Rom. 8. Elected before the foundation of the world to be holy and blamelesse Eph. 1. Created vnto good workes which God hath prepared for vs to walke therein Eph. 2. These haue the reward as Paul sayth not onely of this lyfe but of the world to come Therefore sayth our Sauiour Christ. Math. 25. Come ye blessed of my father possesse the kingdome prepared for you from the begynning of the world I was hungry and ye gaue me meate I was thyrstie and ye gaue me drinke c. Of this excellent commendation and rewarde of good workes we do learne the dignity of the same not of the worthinesse of theÌ„selues which are neuer able to stand in Gods iudgementes for our very righteousnesses are as Esay sayth as clothes fylthily polluted but of the dignitie of the grace of the promise of God who worketh them in vs For it is God sayth Paul that worketh in vs both the wyll and also the worke euen of his purpose Phi. 2. Therefore all is of grace not of works least any should glory Ephes. 2. For if there were any power in our selues or dignity in the workes then had we some thing to glory but now that all is confessed to be of Gods free mercies and nothing of our selues we conclude that God crowneth and rewardeth his owne workes in vs that who so gloryeth should glory in the lord 1. Cor. 1 â—nâ— where some â—â—edge this place Ma. 26 so to commende workes that they shoulde bee the cause of the Election and the fauor of God they doo not consyder the fyrst wordes Come you blessed of my Father inheryte the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world Wherin we may note that they beeing the blessed and beloued of the father are called to the inheritance of the heauenly kingdom not wonne by