The whole treatise of the cases of conscience distinguished into three bookes: the first whereof is revised and corrected in sundrie places, and the other two annexed. Taught and deliuered by M. W. Perkins in his holy-day lectures, carefully examined by his owne briefes, and now published together for the common good, by T. Pickering Bachelour of Diuinitie. Whereunto is adioyned a twofold table: one of the heads and number of the questions propounded and resolued; another of the principall texts of Scripture vvhich are either explaned, or vindicated from corrupt interpretation.

Sect. 4.

The Fourth place, is in the second of * 1.1 Timothie, 2. 19. The foundation of God remain∣eth sure, and hath this seale, The Lord knoweth who are his, and let euery one that calleth vpon the name of the Lord, depart from iniquitie. In these wordes, Paul goeth about to cut off an offence, which the Church might take, by reason of the fall of Hymenaeus and Philetus, who seemed to be pillars, and principall men in the Church. And to confirme them against this offence, he saith; The foundation of God, that is, the decree of Gods election, stands firme and sure: so as those which are elected of God, shall neuer fall away, as these two haue done. And this he declares by a double similitude; First of all he saith, the election of God, is like the foundation of an house, which standeth fast, though all the building be shaken. Secondly he saith, that election hath the seale of God, and therefore may not be chan∣ged; because things which are sealed, are thereby made sure and authenticall. Nowe this seale hath two parts: the first concerns God, in that euery mans sal∣uation is written in the booke of life, and God knoweth who are his. And because it might be said, God indeede

knowes who shall be saued, but what is that to vs? we know not so much of our selues. Therefore Saint Paul to answer this, sets downe a second part of this seale, which concerns man, and is imprinted in his heart and conscience; which also hath two bran∣ches: the gift of invocation, and a watchfull care, to make conscience of al and euery sin, in these words, And let euery one that calleth vpon the name of the Lord, depart from iniquitie. Wherby he signifieth, that those that can cal vpon God, & giue him thanks for his bene∣fits, and withall, in their liues make consci∣ence of sinne, haue the seale of Gods electi∣on imprinted in their hearts, and may assure themseles they are the Lords.

Notes

• * 1.1

  2. Tim. 2. 19.