A case of conscience the greatest taht [sic] euer was, how a man may know, whether he be the son of God or no. Resolued by the vvord of God. Whereunto is added a briefe discourse, taken out of Hier. Zanchius.

CHAP. 5.

1. WHosoeuer beleeueth that Ie∣sus is that Christ (true Mes∣sias) 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 hy∣pocrits which say they loue God, yet shew no loue to their brethren, teach vs howe wee may knowe that wee loue our bre∣thren?

Ioh.

2. In this we know that we loue the chil∣dren of God,* 1.1 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 com∣mandements.

Ch.

But no man can keepe the lawe?

Ioh.

His commandements are not burde∣nous (to them that are in Christ; and are freed from the curse of the lawe, which makes the law grieuous, and are also gui∣ded by his holy spirit.) (And this is appa∣rant) 4. for al that is borne of God, ouercom∣meth the vvorld (Sathan with all corrupti∣ons 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 Ie∣sus of Nazaret, the sonne of Marie, was the sonne of God, and the Messias: hee came but basely into the world?

Ioh.

* 1.26. 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 iu∣stification, & sanctification together) & it is that spirit (a mans owne conscience in∣wardly 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 witnes∣ses 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 wit∣nes 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 consci∣ence, 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 gran∣teth our praiers made acording to his wil?

Ioh.

* 1.315. If vve know that he heareth (that is, (as it were) to giue an eare to our prai∣ers,) 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 par¦doned,) 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 commit∣ted 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 vn∣der 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 ve∣ry 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.)

Notes

• * 1.1

  An indeuor to keep the commande∣ments, a sign of loue of our brother.
• * 1.2

  Proofes in∣vinsible, that Iesus of Na∣zaret, the son of Mary was the son of God, a∣gainst the Iewes.
• * 1.3

  A signe of our praiers granted vs, if God do but heare them.