done many vvaies what they ar if not perfectly yet in parte I will afterwarde shewe Nowe let vs come to the matter The School-men demaunde whether a man may be made sure of his Election And they determine that a man cannot except it be by diuine reuelation becaus Predestination is in God and not in vs. And no man knoweth the thinges of God but the spirit of God as no man knoweth the thinges of man but the spirite of man which is in him Again who knoweth the minde of the Lorde therefore say they some special reuelation is needeful if any desire to be certified either of his owne or of any other mans predestinatiō their sayings are not simply to be disliked but in that meaning in which they vnderstād them they are no way to be approoued For they take a speciall reuelation to be this if God shall signifie and say expresly to any either by some Angell outwardly or by his spirite inwardly that he is predestinate to life after which sorte they hold that Paul and a fewe other Saintes had their predestination reuealed to thē So they conclude that because euery man hath not his Election reuealed to him after this maner that all men cannot be assured of their election But they are deceued for God not onely by this one maner which they spake off doth reueale his will his counsels but by many for God reuealeth thinges either by the inwarde inspiration of his spirit or outwardly by his word or both inwardly and outwardly by inward and outward effectes By his spirite hee did inspire his Prophetes and open many thinges to come And Christ said to his Apostles as concerning the holy Ghost he shall lead you into all trueth By his word he spake vnto the Prophets and in like maner by his word hee teacheth vs his wil. Also by diuers effectes hee declareth either his mercie or his iustice as it is known The same must be thought of the reuealing of his electiō to wit that God reuealeth the same to the elect by the holy Ghost by the worde and by the most certaine effectes of predestination The first testimonie by which God assureth vs of our election is the inward testimonie of the spirite of which the Apostle saith the spirit of God testifieth vnto our spirits that vve are the children of God Nowe what is it to be the sonne of God but first of al to be predestinated to be the childe of God by adoption then to be made actuallie the sonne of God by faith and lastly by the same spirit also to be regenerate as Gods Children are and to put on the nature of the sonne of God or rather the sonne of God himselfe as the Apostle speaketh Therefore the holy Ghost whilest he inwardly beareth recorde vnto our spirits that is to our minds being enlightened by his light that we are the sonnes of God most plainly reuealeth that wee were predestinate from all aeternitie to adoption for men are not made the sonnes of God by faith nor regenerate to be the sonnes of God nor put on Christ except they be first of all predestinated to adoption And there can be nothing more certain then this testimonie for who better knoweth the things of God his counsels and decrees then the spirit of God which searcheth all thinges yea the deep things of God therefore hee can most truly reueale vnto euery one of vs the certaintie of our election And he cannot deceiue vs in reueiling it for he is the spirit of truth which can neither deceiue nor be deceaued If an Angel from heauen shoulde be sent to thee as he was sent to Marie and as hee spake vnto the fathers and should tell thee in the name of God that thou wert elected to life euerlasting wouldest not thou say that thou couldest not then doubt any longer of thy election But so much the more certaine is the testimonie of the spirite which beareth record vnto our spirit that we are the sonnes of God by how much the holy Ghost doth more knowe the thinges of God then any Angell and can lesse deceiue then an Angel And so much the more sure is this testimonie considering it is not keept in the bodily eares where it might soone vanish away but in our minde and spirit becaus the spirit beareth record to our spirit Ad further that the holy Ghost neuer departeth from our spirit but dwelleth in vs abideth in vs speaketh in vs sheweth forth his power in vs praieth in vs. Therefore the Apostle saith that wee haue receiued the spirite of adoption by which we crie Abba Father as thogh he should say this testimonie of the spirite is altogether so sure by which he beareth vs record that we are the sonnes ef God that presently without doubting we can call vpon God and cry Abba Father And all the electe haue this testimonie being made the sons of God by faith and being renewed by the holy Ghost and ingrafted into Christ For so the Apostle speaketh if any man haue not the spirit of Christ he is not his therefore whosoeuer is Christs and is ingrafted into Christ it is necessarie hee should haue the spirit of God And whosoeuer haue receiued and doe enioy the spirite of Christe to their mindes the same spirit beareth record that they are the sonnes of God and maketh them to cry Abba Father And it is certaine that noe man is renewed by the holy Ghost which is not perswaded that God is his most mercifull and most louing Father therefore can call vpon him as a Father Therefore although al men in that they are assured by the certaintie of faith that God is their Father and they are his sons do not thereby argue and conclude that they are elected to eternal life yet al men indeed haue thereby a sure testimonie of their election to glorie because if they be the sonnes of God they are also heires of eternall life This testimonie I will briefly comprise within this demonstration whosoeuer call vpon God and in their hearts cry Abba Father they are the sonnes of God and it is certain that they thus crye by the spirit of God And they which are the sonnes of God are also heires of eternall life and they haue bene predestinate to adoption therefore it must needes be that all they which are perswaded that they ar the sons of god by the holy Ghost are predestinate to eternall life and must be perswaded of it This is the first testimonie and the first way by which God reuealeth to euery elect man his predestination namely by the holy Ghost within our heartes bearing record vnto vs that we are the sonnes of God in christ and by Christ. And let this be the first argument also seruing to confirme our assertion The second way by which God reuealeth to euery man his predestination is by his word I mean not any particular word by which hee
in vs by that spirit of sanctification whereby wee are renewed vvhich hee hath giuen vs. CHAP. 4. CH. TO return again to that which was before mentioned shall we beleeue all that say they haue the spirite Ioh. 1. Dearely beloued beleeue not euery spirit vz. doctrines which men bragging of the spirit do teach but try the spirits vvhether they be of God for many false prophets are gone out into the vvorld Ch. Howe may we discerne of spirits Ioh. 2. Hereby shall vve knowe the spirite of God euery spirit doctrin vvhich confesseth that Iesus Christ the Messias is come in the flesh is made true man this being the substance of the Gospell is of God 3. And euery spirit that confesseth not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God but this is the spirit of Antichrist of vvhom ye haue hard how that he shal come now alredy is in the world Ch. We fear because these fals spirits ar of gret power to perswade seduce many Ioh. 4. Little Children ye are of God and haue ouercome them for greater is he that is in you Gods spirit then he that is in the vvorld the spirit of Sathan Ch. But the doctrine of these men is of great account and hath many followers in the world ours hath but few which imbrace it Ioh. 5. They are of this vvorld therefore speak they of this vvorld and this vvorlde vz. Ignorant and vngodly men heareth them 6. We are of God hee vvhich knoweth God heareth vs he vvhich is not of God heareth vs not Hereby knovve vve the spirit of truth and the spirit of error namely by the liking and applause of the world Ch. Howe may we preserue our selues against these seducers Ioh. 7. Beloued let vs loue one another for loue commeth of God euery one that loueth is born of God and knoweth God by a special knowledg whereby they are assured that God the father of Christ is their father Christ their redemer the holy ghost their sanctifier 8. He that loueth not knoweth not God for God is loue vz. whollie bent to shew his loue and compassion to his people For a proofe of this 9. Herein was that loue of God made manifest among vs because God sent that his only begottē son into the world that we might liue through him 10. Herein is that loue not that we loued God but that he loued vs sent his sonne to be a reconciliation for our sinnes Ch. What of all this Ioh. 11. Beloued if God so loued vs we ought also one to loue another Ch. How can God manifest his loue to vs he being a spirite and inuisible Io. 12. No man hath seene God at any time neuerthelesse if vve loue one another this is a signe that God dwelleth in vs and his loue is perfect in vs vz. that loue wherewith he loueth is throughlie made manifest towards vs by our loue as the light of the Moone shining on vs argueth the light of the sun shining vpō the moon of whom as frō a fountain the moone takes her light Ch. How may we know that God dwelleth in vs Ioh. 13. Hereby do we know that wee dwell in him and he in vs because hee hath giuen vs of his spirite Ch. What other signe haue you of Gods dwelling in vs Ioh. 14. Wee haue seene and do testifie that the father sent that sonne to be the Sauiour of the vvorld 15. Whosoeuer confesseth in faith and loue that Iesus is the sonne of God in him dwelleth God and he in God Ch. The Diuell will confesse Christ. Ioh. 16. And wee which is more haue known beleued the loue which God hath in vs Ch. Declare how our loue should be a signe of God his dwelling in vs. Ioh. God is loue therfore he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God and God in him Ch. God is loue we graunt but howe may we knowe that God is loue to vs. Io. 17. Hereby is that loue perfect vz. fully made manifest in vs that vvee may haue boldnes to stand before him without fear in the day of iudgement for euen as he is so are vve in the vvorld not in equalitie but in conformitie of holines As may appeare by the contrary 18. there is no feare in loue vz. when a man is assured of Gods loue to him hee doeth not distrust nor seruile feare him in respect of his sinnes but perfect loue casteth out feare for feare hath painfulnesse checkings and torments of conscience and hee that feareth is not perfecte in loue Ch. What other sign is there that God is loue to vs Io. 19. We loue him because he loued vs first As when a man warmes him the heate of his body is because the fire is first hote Ch If this be so then they which loue not their brethrē loued of God in Christ seeing al generally say they loue God Ioh. 20 If any man say I loue God and hate his brother he is a lyer for hovv can he that loueth not his brother vvhome he hath seene loue God vvhom he hath not seene 21. And this commandement haue we of him that hee that loueth God should loue his brother also CHAP. 5. 1. WHosoeuer beleeueth that Iesus is that Christ true Messias is born of god euery one that loueth him which did beget vz. God the Father loueth him also vvhich is begotten of him the Child of God a true Christian. Ch. This being manifest that they ar hypocrits which say they loue God yet shew no loue to their brethren teach vs howe wee may knowe that wee loue our brethren Ioh. 2. In this we know that we loue the children of God when wee loue God and keepe his commandements that is indeuour to keep the beginning of the action being put for the whole 3. For this is the loue of God the duty of loue to God that we keepe his commandements Ch. But no man can keepe the lawe Ioh. His commandements are not burdenous to them that are in Christ and are freed from the curse of the lawe which makes the law grieuous and are also guided by his holy spirit And this is apparant 4. for al that is borne of God ouercommeth the vvorld Sathan with all corruptions and workes of darknes Ch. By what meanes Ioh. And this is the victorie vvhich hath ouercome the vvorld euen our faith which is the instrument and hand whereby we lay hold on him that he in vs and so wee by him might ouercome the world 5. Who is this that ouercommeth this vvorlde but hee vvhich beleeueth that Iesus is that Son of God Ch. How may we be resolued that Iesus of Nazaret the sonne of Marie was the sonne of God and the Messias hee came but basely into the world Ioh. 6. This is that Iesus Christ vvhich came by vvater sanctification signified by the legall washings and blood imputation of Christs righteousnes or the sprinkling of his blood
not by water only but by water and blood becaus Christ worketh both iustification sanctification together it is that spirit a mans owne conscience inwardly purified that beareth witnes for that spirit is trueth that is that the testimonie of the spirit of adoption certifying vs that we ar the sons of God is true 7. For that I may speak it more plainly there ar three vvhich beare record in heauen the father the vvord the Son and the holy Ghost and these three are one namly in testimonie 8. And there are three which beare record in earth the Spirit and the vvater and blood and these three agree in one Ch. How shew you that these witnesses be autenticall and to be beleeued Ioh. 9. If vve receiue the vvitnes of men the witnes of God is greater for this is the witnes of God vz. that was said to come from heuen vvhich he testified of his son Again 10. he that beleeueth in that sonne of God hath the vvitnes in himselfe the peace of conscience which he may feel in himself And further he that beleueth not God maketh him a lyer because he beleeued not the recorde that God vvitnessed of his sonne Ch. What is the effecte of that which these witnesses testifie Ioh. 11. And this is that record to wit that God hath giuen vnto vs eternall life this life is in his son 12. He which hath the son hath life he which hath not the son of god hath not life And to conclude 13. These things haue I written vnto you that beleeue in the name of the son of God that ye may know that yee haue life eternal that ye may beleeue vz. increase in faith in the name of that sonne of God Ch. How can we haue life eternal now that are so miserable and so ful of wants Ioh. 14. And this is that assurance that wee haue in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth vs. Ch. How may we know that God granteth our praiers made acording to his wil Ioh. 15. If vve know that he heareth that is as it were to giue an eare to our praiers vvhatsoeuer vve ask we knowe that vvee haue the petitions vvhich vvee haue desired of him though the things that we asked be not giuen vs in that measure maner and time in which we asked them Ch. Let vs heare an example of those things which God wil grant whē we pray Io. 16. If a man see his brother sin a sin that is not vnto death that is which may be pardoned let him ask pardon in his behalfe and he shal giue him life for them that sinne not vnto death there is a sinne vnto death after which necessarilie damnation followeth as the sinne against the holy Ghost I say not that thou shouldest pray for it Ch. But is not euery sinne a sinne to death Ioh. 17. All vnrighteousnes is sinne and therefore deserueth death but there is a sinne not vnto death namely that which is pardoned in Christ. Ch. We feare least wee haue committed this sinne which is vnto death Ioh. 18. Wee know that vvhosoeuer is borne of God sinneth not but he that is begotten of god kepeth himselfe and that vvicked one Sathan toucheth him not vz. doth him no violēce or he cannot giue him a deadly wound 19. We know that vve are of God and this whol vvorld lyeth in euill that is in seruitude vnder Sathan and sinne Ch. How shew you that we ar of God Ioh. 20. Wee know that the Sonne of God is come and hath giuen vs a minde to knowe him that is true vve are in him that is true that is in his sonne Iesus Christ this same is that very God and that eternall life Ch. Howe may wee keepe our selfe in God and neuer commit the sin to death Ioh. 21. Litle Children keepe your selues from images whether they be of false Gods or of the true God PSALME 15. Iehoua Dauid DAVID 1. O Iehoua vvho shal dwell as Pilgrims dwel in tents in thy tabernacle the Church millitant vvho shall rest in thy holy mountaine the kingdome of heauen IEHO 2. He that walketh perfectly that is he which leadeth the course of his life vprightly DAV Who is the vpright man IEHO He that worketh righteousnes according to the commandements of the secōd Table and speaketh the truth in his heart as he thinketh his hart tongue agreeing DAV By what notes may this vpright man be knowen and who is he IEHO 3. I. Hee that slandreth not with his tongue II. nor doth hurt to his neighbour III. nor receiueth a fals report against his neighbor IV. 4. In whose eies a vile person an vngodly and vnrighteous man is contemned but hee honoureth them that feare God V. He that hauing sworne to his owne hinderance changeth not VI. 5. He that giueth not his money to Vsury VII neither taketh reward of the innocēt DAV Are these notes vnfallible IEHO 6. He that doth these things shal neuer be moued shall abide in Gods fauour for euer A BRIEFE DISCOVRSE TAKEN OVT OF THE VVRItinges of Hier. Zanchius VVHEREIN THE FOREsaid case of Conscience is disputed and resolued ASSERTION I. Onely the elect and all of them not onely trulie may bee but also are in that time vvhich God hath appointed them in this life indeede assured of their Election to eternall life in Christ and this is done not one vvay but many vvaies WEe say that the elect alone may be and indeed are made sure of their Election that so we may exclude the reprobat hipocrites for considering they are not elected they canne neuer be truelie perswaded that they are elected I say truely because it may come to passe that many in their own thinking shall be predestinate yet in trueth they are not perswaded so for they are deceaued Wee haue an example in temporarie Christians who thinke of themselues that they beleeue in Christ but truelie do not beleeue for their Faith is in hypocrisie and for a time onely Wherefore a true certaine perswasion of Election can neuer befall any of the reprobates because the true perswasion of Heauenly matters commeth of the holy Ghost which neuer perswadeth any false matter Wherefore how can Reprobates bee perswaded that they are elected This considered it is not amisse that wee attribute this perswasion of which wee nowe speake to the elect alone We ad further that al the elect not onely may be but are indeed made sure of their Election Which must be demonstratiuelie confirmed against schoole-men other our aduersaries We say this is done in the time appointed because the Elect before they be called to Christ are neuer sure of their election nay they neuer think of it as appeareth in Paul before hee was called and in others Againe in like maner after they haue bene called yet not presently are made sure of their election but some sooner some latter Lastly we ad that this is
in respect of vs he putteth down another seale saying Let him depart from iniquitie vvhich calleth vpon the name of the Lord For with this marke all the elect are branded They call vpon the name of the Lord and depart from iniquitie seeking after holinesse a good conscience And this is that sealing which is so often mentioned in the Scriptures As when in the Apocalypse it is said that an innumerable multitude was sealed to the Lord. For like as the Father sealed Iesus Christ as he was man and Mediatour so also the rest of his children he hath sealed and doth daylie seale with sure notes and seales to distinguish them from other men and the children of this age For God is said to haue annointed vs and sealed vs and giuen vs the earnest of his Spirit in our hearts And againe to haue sealed vs with the holie Spirit of promise and that to the day of redēption As it is easie to discerne a right seale from a counterfeit so the true soules of God by the sealing of the Spirit are distinguished from Hypocrits and lawfull children from bastards It remaineth that wee shoulde declare some effects of predestination by which as by marks and seales the elect may bee discerned from Reprobats The first effect of predestination is Christ himselfe as he is a Mediatour and a Sauiour dwelling in our hearts by his holie Spirite For as we are elected in him and by him redeemed so by the sprinkling of his blood wee are cleansed and sealed and by his dwelling in vs quickned for he is our life and that eternall and therfore we are seuered frō Reprobates which alwaies remaine in death as in the holie Scriptures we are taught We say that this is the first effect of Predestination because we can enjoy none of the gifts of God either of election vocation or justification except in Christ and by Christ For he hath powred out all the effectes of Predestination into vs. In that therefore euery elect faithfull man feeleth Christ to dwell in him and to quicken him he hath a seale in himselfe by which he may knowe that he was elected to euerlasting life in the same Christ A part and beginning of which life is this spirituall life by which wee now liue to God And as euerie man knoweth himself to be the sonne of God in Christ because he calleth vpon God from his heart as a Father So he may conclude that he is predestinated to be the sonne of God for Christs cause And that by this first note the faithfull may know that they are elect to eternall life the Apostle sheweth knovv ye not saith he your selues that Iesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates And no doubt a type of this kinde of sealing was that sealng whiche was done in Aegypt by the blood of the Lambe namely when the houses of the Israelites were sprinkled with this blood that they might be discerned from the houses of the Aegyptians and so bee passed ouer vntouched of the Angell And by Christe as by the chiefe effect yea and the cause to of all the effectes which followe all other effects of predestination are put into vs and we are sealed with them The Apostle nameth three principals our calling to wit effectuall our justification and glorification This third effect we shall obtaine in the life to come the two first in this life And to these two may very well be referred all other which we receiue in this life by Christ with the effectuall calling wee joyn a sound hearing of the word of God and the vnderstanding of it accompanied with great and constant delight and joy faith also and a true knowledge of the Deitie humanitie and office of Christ. Vnto iustification wee refer a perswasion of the remission of our sins by Christ for by this we are iustified and regeneration too or sanctification and renouation of life a good conscience loue not faigned a pure hart and cleane patience in aduersitie and boasting in tribulation all good workes and fruits of the spirit ad hereunto the crosse it selfe which wee beare for the trueth of the Gospel wherefore whosoeuer feeleth that he is effectually called that hee doth willingly heare the worde that he doth beleeue the Gospell that he is sure of the remission of his sinnes that hee burneth with true loue to his neighbour that he is bent to euerie good work he cannot but must needes be perswaded of his election for God onely doth communicate these vnto the Elect. Therefore it is plaine that the elect are confirmed in the assurance of their election by the effectes of predestination and that there is a threefold way by which God reuealeth to euery man his predestination But if any shal take an occasion the rather of doubting of his election then of confirming himselfe in it of that which hath bin spoken as concerning the fruits of the Spirit and the effects of predestination and that peraduenture because hee can feele in himselfe few and verie weake fruites of regeneration and election yet let him not bee discouraged neither let him doubt of his election but let him vnderset himselfe with these props First of all if euer he truelie felt in himselfe that testimonie of the Spirite which before I mentioned namelie that he is the sonn of God let him know vndoubtedlie that he is such a one and therfore elected to eternall life For the holie Ghost neuer beareth record or perswadeth a man of that which is false for he is the spirite of truth And they are not the sonnes of God except they haue bene predestinate as the Apostle saith to adoption by Christ And none that is the sonne of God and a man elected can be made a reprobate and the childe of the Deuill Therefore albeit he feele in himselfe both fewe and feeble effects of regeneratiō yet let him not doubt of his election otherwise he shall disgrace the testimonie which he hath receiued of the holie Ghost yea and that to which as yet he enjoyeth although peraduenture by reason that his mind is troubled by euill affections that testimonie of the holie Spirite can scarse be heard in him For the true testimonie of our adoption by the holy Ghost being once giuen vnto our spirit lasteth for euer although it is other whiles heard more plainlie and at other times is more slenderly and scarce perceiued But how say you may I know whether that testimonie doth proceed frō the holie Ghost and therfore whether it be a true and certain testimonie I answer first by the perswasion secondly by the maner of the perswasion lastlie by the effects of this testimonie and perswasion For the first the holy Ghost doeth not simplie say it but doth perswade with vs that we are the sonnes of God and no flesh can doe this Againe he perswades vs by reasons drawne not from our works or from anie worthines in vs but
A CASE OF Conscience THE GREATEST TAHT EVER WAS. How a man may know whether he be the childe of God or no. Resolued by the vvord of God Whereunto is added a briefe Discourse taken out of HIER ZANCHIVS 2. PET. 1.10 Giue all diligence to make your election sure for if ye doe these things ye shal neuer fall EDINBVRGH Printed by Robert Walde-graue Printer to the K. Majestie 1592. To the godlie Reader IN Gods Church commonlie they who are touched by the Spirit and begin to come on in religion are much troubled with feare that they are not Gods children and none so much as they Therefore they often thinke on this point and are not quiet till they find some resolution The Spirit of God as best knowing the estate of Gods children hath penned two parcels of holie Scripture for the full resoluing of this case namelie the 15. Psalme and the first Epistle of S. Iohn And for the helping of the simple and vnlearned who desire to be informed concerning their estate I haue propounded these two partes of Scripture in forme of a Dialogue and haue joyned thereunto a litle discourse concerning the same matter penned in Latine by H. ZANCHIVS a learned Diuine and now englished Vse this labour of mine for thy benefit and comfort and the Lord increase the number of them which may rejoice that their names are written in heauen W. PERKINS THE FIRST EPISTLE OF Iohn in forme of a Dialogue The Speakers Iohn Church CHAP. 1. CHVR MAnie among vs denie the God-head many the Manhood of Christ. IOH. 1. That which was from the beginning and therefore true God which wee haue hearde namelie speaking which wee haue seen with these our eies which we haue looked vpon and these hands of ours haue handled of that Word not the sounding but the essentiall word of the Father of life liuing of himselfe and giuing life to all other CH. Before you goe any further this word of life is inuisible how then could it be seene IOH. Yes 2. For that life was made manifest to wit in the flesh and we I with many others haue seen it and beare witnesse and publish vnto you that eternall life which was with the father eternallie before this manifestation and was made manifest vnto vs. CH. Menander Ebion and Cerinthus hauing bin teachers among vs confidently denie these thinges which you say and they beare vs in hand that they seek our good IOH. 3. That which I wil repeat again for more certainties sake which wee haue seen and heard declare we vnto you that ye may haue fellowship with vs and that our fellowship also may be with the father and with his sonne Iesus Christ. 4. And these things write we vnto you that your ioy might be ful vz. might haue sound consolation in your consciences CH. Wel then lay vs down som groūd wherby we may come to be assured that we haue fellowship one with an other and with Christ. IO. 5. This then is the message which we haue heard of him and declare vnto you that God is light vz. purenes it selfe and blessednesse whereas men and Angels are neither but by participation and in him is no darknes CH. Som that make profession among vs continue stil in their olde course and conuersation and yet they say they haue fellowship with God IOH. 6. If we say that we haue fellowship with him and walk lead the course of our liues in darknes vz. ignorance error impietie wee lie dissemble and do not trulie deal not sincerely CH. What then is the true marke of one which hath fellowship with God IO. 7. If we walk in the light lead the cours of our liues in sinceritie of life doctrin wee haue fellowship one with another CH. We are so defiled with sinne that we often doubt least wee haue no fellowship with God IOH. The bloud of Iesus Christ his sonne cleanseth vs from all sinne CH. Some among vs are come to that passe that they say they haue no sinne that this estate is a signe of fellowshippe with God IOH. 8. If vve say that vve haue no sinne vve deceiue our selues imagining that to bee true which is otherwise truth is not in vs CH. How then may we know that our sinnes are washed away by Christ IOH. 9. If vve confesse our sinnes namely with an humbled heart desiring pardon he is faithfull iust in keping his promise to forgiue vs our sinnes and to clense vs from al vnrighteousnes 10. If vve say as they before named do vve haue not sinned vve mak him a liar whose word speaks the contrarie and his vvorde is not in vs. his doctrine hath noe place in our heartes CHAP. 2. CH. IF this be true which hath bin saide that the bloud of Christ doth clēse from all sinne and that if we do confesse them they shal be pardoned our corruption tels vs that we may sinne freely Ioh. 1. My litle children these thinges I write vnto you that yee sinne not CH. Alas we fall oft by infirmitie what shall we then do Ioh. If any man sinne vve haue an aduocate who in his own name and by his own merites pleades our cause to the Father Iesus Christ the iust and therefore fit to make intercession CH. But howe may euery one of vs in particular knowe that Christ is his aduocate IOH. 2. He is the propitiation vz. a couering of sinne or reconciliation as the propitiatorie of the Arke couered the lawe and not for our sinnes onely but also for the sins of the vvhole vvorld not onely Iewes but also Gentiles of all sortes CH. Be it that I knowe him to be my aduocate may I not be deceaued howe may I knowe that this my knowledge is effectuall to saluation IOH. 3. Hereby are vve sure that vve know him here that knowledg is ment whereby a man applies Christ and all his benefites to his own soule If vve keepe to keep is not to fulfill but to haue a care and desire to do it for God of his mercie in his seruants accepts the will for the deede his commandements Ch. Many among vs professe that they know Christ but their liues be not according Ioh. 4. He that saith I know him keeps not his commandements is a lyer and the trueth is not in him CH. How may it be prooued that the endeuour to keep gods commandements is a mark of faith felloship with Christ Ioh. He in whome the loue of God is perfecte may hereby know that hee is in Christ. 5. But he that keepeth his vvord in him is the loue of God vz. not that loue wherewith God loueth him but that whereby he loueth God is perfect indeede vz. sincere and sounde perfection being opposed not to imperfection but to hypocrisie hereby therefore we know that we are in him 6. He that saith he remaineth in him ought to walke euen so as hee hath walked and therefore he
must needes endeuour himselfe in the commandementes CH. Declare vnto vs some of the principall of these commandements IOH. 7. Brethren I vvrite no nevv commandement vnto you but an olde commaundement vvhich yee haue heard from the beginning this old commandement is the vvord vvhich ye haue heard from the beginning 8. Againe a nevve commandement I vvrite vnto you that vvhich is true to wit that the commandement is new which he wil now write in him who reneweth the cōmandement of old giuen to Moses also in you for the darknes is past vz. the hardening of the minds of men vnder the olde testament whereby they did but in a small measure vnderstand the word and that true light a greater mesure of illuminatiō as also the writing of Gods lawes not in Tables of stone but in the fleshie hearts so as they be transformed into the obedience thereof now shineth CH. Well set downe this commandement which is so ancient and is nowe renewed Ioh. 9. He that saith as many among you do that he is in the light that is that hee is both plentifully inlightened and borne anew and hates his brother is in darknes vnder the estate of damnation not yet trulie regenerate vntill this time 10. Hee that loueth his brother abideth in the light is trulie enlightened and regenerate and there is no offence vz. he wil giue no occasion of euill in him 11. But on the contrary hee that hateth his brother is in darknes and walketh in darknesse leadeth his life in ignorance and vngodlinesse and knoweth not whither he goeth because that darknesse hath blinded his eies Ch. What moueth you to deliuer vnto vs al these notes and signs of our new birth and communion with Christ. Ioh. 12. Litle Children I write vnto you because your sinnes are forgiuen you for his name-sake vz. by Christ and his merites that yee may be certified to your comforte of this And that no kind of men among you might doubt of this 13. I write vnto you fathers because ye delighting to tell hear of olde and ancient matters haue knowne him that is christ that is from the beginning I write vnto you young men because ye delighting to shewe your valour and strength haue ouercome the euil one that is Sathan 14. I write vnto you litle childrē who delight alwaies to bee vnder the Fathers wing because yee haue knowen the Father And againe because wee are dull to marke and remember that which is good for vs. I haue vvritten vnto you Fathers because yee haue knowen him that is from the beginning I haue vvritten vnto you young men because yee are strong and the vvorde of God abideth in you and yee haue ouercome that wicked one CH. If we be in the estate of grace vnder Gods fauour in Christ howe may wee abide in it IOH. 15. Loue not this vvorld the corrupt estate of mankinde out of Christ neither the thinges that are in the vvorlde for first of all to giue reasons if any man loue this Worlde the loue of the father wherewith hee loued the Father is not in him Secondly 16. For all that is in this vvorlde as the lust of the flesh the corruption of nature which chiefly breaketh out in euil concupiscence the lust of the eies the fruite of the former stirred vp by outward prouocations especially in the eie as it is manifest in Adulterie couetousnes and the pride of life vz. Arrogancie and Ambition among men in common conuersation of life is not of the father but of the vvorlde 17. And Thirdly this vvorld passeth away and the lust thereof but he that fulfilleth the wil of God abideth for euer Ch. What other thinges are we to do that we may continue IOH. 18. Little Children it is the last time and as yee haue hearde that Antichrist shall come a speciall Antichrist the chiefe of all other who is nowe manifest to be the Pope of Rome euen now ar there many Antichristes Heretickes denying either the natures of Christ or his offices or the vnion and distinction of his Natures vvhereby vvee knowe that it is the last time CH. Those whome you cal Antichrists were of our companie and professed as we do Ioh. 19. They vvent out from vs but they vvere not of vs for if they had bene of vs they should haue continued vvith vs. But this commeth to passe that it might appear that they are not al of vs. CH. How can we be assured of our continuance in grace for wee may fall as well as they do IOH. 20. But yee haue an annointment the grace of Gods holy spirit resembled by the annoynting in the old testament from that holy one Christ Luke 1.15 and knowe all thinges CH. If wee knowe all thinges then you need not write vnto vs of these matters Ioh. 21 I haue not written vnto you because ye know not the trueth but because you know it that no lie is of the truth vz. ye can distinguish betweene the sound doctrine of the Gospel and errors Ch. What is this lie which you speak of Ioh. 22. Who is a lier a deceauer a seducer but hee that denieth that Iesus is Christ the Messias or Sauiour of mankind The same is the Antichrist that denieth the father and the sonne Ch. These whom you meane say they defend the doctrine of God as well as we and they vse to call him their father Io. 23. Who so denieth the son hath not the Father Ch. What do you inferre vpon this if it be the last time as you haue said Io. 24. Let therfore abide in you the same doctrine concerning Christ which ye haue hard from the beginning which the Apostles preached and before them the Prophets since the beginning of the world If that which ye haue heard from the beginning remain ye beleeuing and obeying it in you yee also shal continue in the sonne and in the father 25. And this is the promise which hee hath promised vs euen life eternall Ch. Wee cannot perswade our selues of perseuerance seeing men so commonly fall away from Christ among vs. Ioh. 26. These thinges haue I vvritten vnto you concerning them that deceaue you not meaning them of you as you seem to tak it 27. But the annointing the spirite which yee haue receaued of Christ and which hath led you into all trueth vvhich ye haue receiued of him dvvelleth in you abideth in you and will so continewe and yee neede not that any man teach you any other doctrine beside this which ye haue learned already but as the same annointing teacheth you all thinges and it is true and not lying and as it taught you ye shall abide in him 28. And now litle Children abide in him that vvhen he shall appeare vve being iustified in Christ may haue boldnes and not be ashamed neither Sathan nor our consciences accusing vs for sinne before him at his comming Ch. Wee are still in doubt to returne
back to that which you say before howe an endeuour to keepe the commaundementes should be a signe of fellowshippe with Christ. Ioh. 29. If ye knovv that he God is righteous knovv ye that he vvhich vvorketh righteousnes is borne of him as a Child is knowen to haue such a man for his Father becaus he resembleth him CHAP. 3. CH. ARe we then borne of God Io. 1. Behold vvhat loue the father hath giuen to vs that vvee should be called the sonnes of God Ch. The World doth not report vs as the sonnes and daughters of God but for the reffuse and ofscouring of the worlde Ioh. For this cause the vvorld knovveth not you because it knovveth not him Ch. Can Gods Children be subiect to such infirmities and miseries as we are Ioh. 2. Dearely beloued novv are vvee the sonnes of God but yet it is not made manifest vvhat vve shall be and vvee knovv that vvhen he shall be made manifest vve shall be like him hauing not equalitie but likenes of holines and glorie for vve shall see him as he is for now wee see him as it were through spectacles in the word and Sacraments Ch. Alas poore wretches we are not like Gods children for we are euen sould vnder sinne and daily carrie a masse of corruption about vs. Io. 3. Euery one that hath this hope to see him as he is purifieth vz. thogh he be subiect to sinn yet he desireth and vseth the meanes to clense him selfe from sinne euen as he is pure setting before him Christ as a patterne to follow Ch. Howe prooue you that an endeuour to purifie our selues is a note of Adoption Ioh. By the contrarie 4. Whosoeuer committeth sinne practiseth sinne with full consent of wil not endeuouring himselfe in holines of life transgresseth also the lavve and for that cause being vnder the curse of the Lawe cannot be Gods children for sinne is the transgression of the lavve Vnderstand by lawe not morall lawe but any commaundement of God whether it be in the law or Gospell 5. And againe yee knovv that hee vvas made manifest took our nature on him that he might take avvay our sinnes the guilt punishment at once and the corruption by litle and litle and in him is no sinne Thirdly 6. Whosoeuer abideth in him sinneth not he doeth not giue himself to sin so as it should raigne in him Whosoeuer sinneth hath not seene him nor knovvn him to wit effectuallie so as he can apply Christ and his benefites to himselfe CH. But some teach that faith is sufficient and they emboulden vs to liue as we will Io. 7. Litle Children let no man deceiue you he that vvorketh righteousnes is righteous as he is righteous 8. He that cōmitteth sin thogh he say he doeth beleeue therefore thinks himself justified before God is of the deuil resēbleth the deuil as the child doth the father and is gouerned by his spirite for the deuil sinneth from the beginning of the worlde which appeareth that for this purpose vvas made manifest the son of God that he might dissolue the works for the beginning and continuance of all rebellion and disobedience to God of the Deuil And further to displaie these Seducers 9. Whosoeuer is born of God sinneth not vz. doth not keepe a course in sinne howsoeuer hee fall by infirmitie for his seed vz. Gods word cast into the hart by the operation of the Spirite making a man to spring vp into a new creature remaineth in him neither can he sin because he is borne of God CH. Brieflie to come to the point how may it be known who is Gods childe and who is to be reputed the child of the deuil IOH. 10. In this are the children of God knowne and the children of the deuill vvhosoeuer vvorketh not righteousnes is not of God neither to giue you a plaine example hee that loueth not his brother 11. For this is the message vvhich ye haue heard from the beginning that vve should loue one another 12. Not as Cain he vvas of that euill one Sathan and slew his brother and vvherefore slew he him because his owne vvorkes vvere euil and his brothers good Ch. Yet if we loue those which be our brethren according to the fleshe neuer so much they cease not to hate and persecute vs. Ioh. 13. Maruaile not my brethren thogh this vvorld hate you Ch. If not to loue be a note of the Childe of the Deuill what is the note of Gods child Ioh. 14. We know that vvee are translated from death to life because vve loue the brethrē vz. such as be Christians because they ar Christians as on the contrary hee that loueth not his brother abideth in death is vnder the estate of damnation 15. Whosoeuer hateth his brother is a manslayer and yee knowe that no manslayer hath eternall life abiding in him CH. You haue shewed vs fullie that loue is a mark of adoption Nowe shew vs how we may know whether wee loue our brethren or not Ioh. 16. Hereby vvee haue perceiued loue that he layed downe his life for vs therefore vve ought carried with the like affection of loue to lay downe our liues for the brethren Ch. Manie in speech do pretend loue but we find not this willing affection and readines to shew loue Ioh. 17. Whosoeuer hath this worldes good wherewith this life is sustained and seeth his brother haue neede and shutteth vp his bowels vz. hath no cōpassion because it sheweth it selfe by the rowlling of the intrals from him how dwelleth the loue of God in him Ch. What other note is there of true loue Ioh. 18. My litle Children let vs not loue in vvord nor in tongue onely but in deede and in trueth sincerely 1.19 For thereby we knowe that vve are of the trueth sound professors of the Gospell of Christ 2. and shall before him appease our hearts in regard of any accusation that our conscience shal lay vnto vs before Gods iudgment seate 20. If our heart condemne vs an euill conscience accuse vs God is greater then our heart namely in iudging of vs knoweth all thinges Ch. How may we know that our consciences will not condemne vs IOH. 21. Beloued if our heart condemne vs not then haue we boldnes towards God vz. to to come vnto him by prayer Ch. What other fruite is there of true loue Ioh. 22. Whatsoeuer vve ask vvee receiue of him because vve keepe his commandements do those thinges vvhich are pleasant in his sight Ch. What are these commandements Ioh. 23. This then is his commandement that vve beleue in the name of his sonne Iesus Christ and loue one another as hee gaue commaundement Ch. Haue they which keep these commaundementes their prayers graunted prooue this Ioh. Yes 24. For he that keepeeh his commandements dvvelleth in him and he in him Ch. Howe may wee know that God dwelleth in vs and we in him Ioh. Hereby vvee knowe that hee abideth
from the alone goodnes of God the Father and grace of christ In this manner the Deuill will neuer perswade any Lastlie the perswasion of the holy ghost is ful of power for they which are perswaded that they are the sonnes of God cannot but needs must call him Abba Father and in regarde of loue to him doe hate sin and whatsoeuer is disagreeing to his will and on the contrarie they haue a sound and a hartie desire to do his will If at anie time thou hast felt in thy selfe any such testimonie perswade thy selfe it was the testimonie of the holie Ghost and that very true certain to therfore that thou art the child of God predestinate to eternal life This is the first proppe by which wee must vnderset that weake beleefe we haue of our certain election to eternal life Again hold this without wauering whosoeuer thou art that art tempted to doubt of thy election euen as nothing is required at our handes to worke our election for God chose vs of his onlie meer goodnes so that we may trulie know whether we bee elect or not this one thing shall be sufficient namelie if we shal attain to the certain knowledge of this that we are in Christ and partakers of him for he that is nowe ingrafted into Christ is justified it cannot be but that he was elected in Christ before the foundation of the worlde And that wee may be in Christ Faith is both required and is sufficient not perfect faith but true faith though it be so litle that it be like a graine of mustarde seed and feeble like a young borne babe and that sore diseased to Now that faith which is a liuelie and a true faith lasteth alwaies as hath bene before declared neither can it at any time altogether faile And so it commeth to passe that they which once haue ben truly ingrafted into Christ remaine alwaies continue in him according to that saying All that my father giueth me shall come to me he which commeth vnto me I wil not cast forth This is true no doubt that look how much the faith is more perfect so much the greater power it hath to knit vs more to Christ and therefore we must alwayes endeuour to increase in Faith Yet for all that this is most certaine one litle sparke of true faith is sufficient to ingraft vs into Christ. And for that cause we must in no wise doubt of our ingrafting into Christ and of our election to by reason of the weaknesse of Faith and of the small and slender fruits it bringeth out But how shal I certainly know say you whether my Faith be a true liuely Faith or not Out of the same groundes from whence the testimonie of our adoption is perceiued First of all if you shall trulie feele that you are perswaded of the truth of the Gospell yea and that all your sins are pardoned you for Christ and you receiued to fauour Againe if you see that this perswasion is grounded not vpon any merits of yours but on the sole goodnesse of God and grace of Christ. Lastly if you feele such a confidence to approch vnto and call vpon the Father such a loue towards him and his son Iesus Christ that ye do hate and detest whatsoeuer is against his glorie as all sinne and on the contrarie bee caried away with a desire to doe those things which serue for the aduancing of his glorie and therfore that you loue all those which desire and seeke the same as the brethren friendes of Christ. For these be the effectes which can neuer be seuered from true Faith And this is the disposition of true faith therefore as long as thou feelest these effects in thy selfe albeit verie slender and greatlie languishing yet assure thy selfe thou art indewed with true Faith although it bee weake and therefore thou art in Christ yea and in Christ elected to Wherefore thou must not doubt of thy saluation and election by reason of thy daylie slips proceeding from thy weaknesse of Faith no not for haynous crimes like as neither Dauid for his adulterie and murther nor Peter for his threefold deniall did dispair of their election which appeareth in that being plunged in the verie gulfes of their temptations they held fast their Faith as an anchor and called vppon God This is the second propp Lastlie in no wise wee must forget namelie that our election is certaine and immutable and therefore as it is done without respect of any works of ours so in like sort it can neuer be chāged by any of our euill deserts For as it is first proceded from the only free purpose of God so it is grounded thereon True it is we prouoke Gods wrath against vs by our sins and neither wil God let them escape vnpunished but hee chastiseth vs by diuers both inward outward scourges as may appeare in Dauid aboue all other Yet for al that it is his good pleasure that for his goodnes sake and trueth for the obediēce of Christ that his purpose shuld remaine sure and our election So it commeth to passe that he giueth vs repentāce anew to raise vs vp to receiue vs to fauour Therfore although for the present thou feelest thy selfe to be of weake faith and to haue fallen to diuers sinnes Yet whereas heretofore thou hast had many and euident testimonies of thy election as the testimony of the holie Ghost and the testimonie taken from Faith the effects of Faith at this present assuredlie thou canst not doubt of thy electiō for thy sins committed but thou shalt much derogate from this free election and also from the testimonies of thy election heretofore injoyed yea those which yet thou enjoyest For if thy sinnes displease thee thou desirest to liue without blame onely for that thy sins displease thee why now thou hast a new testimonie of thy election For such repentance as this is is onely proper vnto the elect Therefore by these three proppes we must vphold our faith as touching euerie ones particular election And thus much as concerning the certaintie with the which euerie man must bee perswaded that he is elected in Christ to eternal life before the foūdation of the world ASSERTION II. Whosoeuer are predestinate to the end they are also predestinate to the means vvithout vvhich they cannot attaine to the end and therefore as the elect necessarilie at length doe come vnto the end by reason of the certaintie of their election so also by reason of the same certainty it is necessary that they should bee traced through those means vvhich tend to the same end WEe must mark the end to which we are predestinate to which we say that one day wee shal be brought for there is a double end of our election the one concerneth the elect themselues namely their glorification or their eternall life and glorie in heauen Of which is spoken Rom. 8.