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Howe euerie seuerall person maie ap∣plie with some profite this generall doc∣trine to himselfe.
THey that teache that man his saluati∣on is grounded vpon vvorkes•• eyther vvhollie, or in any parte, (1) it is mani∣fest 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 founda∣tion, (2) but yet in suche sort that they
••aie vnder faith the euerlasting purpose of God, vvherein finallie both Christ him selfe. (3) and also the Apostle fol∣lowing his steppes, doeth rest and staie. (4) For vvhen as perceiueraunce or con∣tinuaunce of faith is required vnto sal∣uation, to vvhat purpose haue I faith, (5) if I be not certaine of the gift of percei∣ueraunce 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 se∣curitie 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 a∣gainst all thinges that happen, it is ma∣nifest rhat the chiefe grounde of our sal∣uation is ouerthrowne by them, vvhich because they measure God after the
small measure of their braine, doo op∣pugne or reason against this Article of Religion.
[ 1] Gal 2. 21. I do not make voyde the grace of God: for if righteousnes bée by the lawe, then hath Christ dyed wyth∣out 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.
[ 2] 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 vn∣to mee.
[ 3] Rom. 8. 29. For whome he hath fore∣knowen, 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 vnblame∣able 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 purpose and grace, whiche was geuen vs in Christe béefore the tymes of the world.
1. Pet. 1. 2. Chosen accordyng to th•• ••oreknowledge of God the Father vnt•• sanctification of the spirite, &c.
[ 4] Mat. 10. 22. And ye shall be hated o•• all men for my names sake, but he tha•• 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 e∣uerlasting lyfe.
[ 5] 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 euer∣lasting lyfe, and they shal neuer perishe: neyther shal any plucke them out of my hande, &c.
Act. 13. 48. They beléeued, as ma∣ny as were ordayned vnto euerlasting lyfe.
Rom. 8. 30. Whome he hath iustif••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.
••. 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 righ∣teouse [ 6] 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 hea∣uen.
Rom. 8. 14. For as many as are led [ 7] by the spirit of God•• are the sonnes of God.
NOwe this is the vvaie to applie this doctrine. The vvorkes of God, e∣uen 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 notwithstanding•• men are vvonderfulle dymme sighted. Therefore in this point, that is of all o∣ther 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 secre••te coun∣sell of God. And now because this whole iudgement consisteth, or standeth in the obseruation, and marking of those cau∣ses, vvhich do exceede or passe all power of nature, vvee must needes flee some vvhither else, to vvyt•• to the sentence of God set forth in his worde, which wher∣as
it is in infinite pointes, more certaine then all man his coniectures or gesses, it doeth no doubt bring vs also a more cer∣taine iudgement.
(1) The Scripture therefore beareth vvitnesse, that whomesoeuer God hath Predestinate or foreordained in his eter∣nall 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 Predestinati∣on or foreordaining, and so consequent∣lie of saluation which thou lookest for, against all the assaultes of Sathan: bee as∣sured, I saie, not vvith doubtfull con∣iectures, 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? Tak•• dilligent heede that thou beginne not a•• 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 sanctifi∣ed, that is, made righteous and holie, by faith in Christ, for these are the effectes by the vvhich faith, the very cause of thē in deede is knowne. And this thou shalt know, (5) partlie by the spirite of adop∣tion 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 Fa∣ther, euen after that vvee haue offended him? (9) Is it not, I praie you that spi∣rite, 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 effectual∣lie, 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 ••uerlasting counsell of God•• vvhich he hath purposed in him selfe, wee were predestinated or foreor∣dained, whome hee woulde adopt in his Sonne. (10) VVhereof finallie ensueth, when as wee are predestinate or foreor∣dained 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 con∣tinuaunce in faith is necessarie vnto sal∣uation, that the expectation or hope of our continuaunce, and so consequent∣lie 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, vvhatsoe∣uer 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?
Rom. 8. 29. For whome he hath fore•• [ 1] 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
••aith we had this entry into this grace, ••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 ••or principalities, neither powers, nei∣ther things present, nor things to come.
39. Neyther height nor depth, neyther any other thing creat••d can separate vs from the loue of God, which is in Christ Iesu our Lord.
••. Cor. 2. 10. But God hath reuealed or op••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 cōmaundementes, dwelleth in him, and h•• 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 [ 3] his voice, harden not your hearts, as in Meriba, as in the day of Massa in the wildernes.
Ioh. 10. 27. My ••héepe heare my voice, and I know them, and they follow mée.
[ 4] 2. Cor. 13. 5. Trye your selues, whe••∣ther you bée in fayth or no, proue your selues, Whether you knowe your sel∣••es or no, to wyt, Iesus Christ to be in you?
[ 5] 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 com∣maundementes, 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.
[ 6] Rom. 6. All most in the whole Chap∣ter.
1. Iohn. 3. 9. Whosoeuer is borne of God, doeth not commytte sinne? be∣cause 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 s••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 hea∣rers.
30. And doo yée not make sadde that holy spirite of God, by which ye are sea∣led vnto the daye of redemption.
Rom. 8. 26. Lykewise the spyrite also helpeth our infirmyties or we a••••enes∣ses: for we knowe not what to praye as wée ought: but the spyrite it selfe ma∣••eth request for vs, with sighes that can not be expressed.
Rom. 7. 24. Wretche that I am, [ 7] who shal delyuer mée from this bodie of death;
Rom. 8. 15. For ye haue not receaued [ 8] the spirite of bondage vnto ••eare, but ye
haue receyued the spyrite of adoption, through whome wée crye, Abba, Fa∣ther.
16. Which verie spirite beareth wit∣nesse togeather with our spirite, that we are the sonnes of God.
[ 9] 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 ho∣ped, hauing heard the word of truth, &c.
14. Which is the earnest of our in∣heritaunce, &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.
[ 10] 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 heyre••
of promyse the v••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 [ 11] 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 wit∣nesse, 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 h•• 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 our•• heartes by the holy ghost which is geuen vs.
Heb. 4. 16. Let vs therefore boldly ap∣proche 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 confes∣sion of faith, not wauering: for he is faithfull which hath promised.
[ 12] 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 t••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 com∣maundementes, 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, [ 13] and prophesie but in part.
1. Tim. 6. 12. Fight the notable fight of [ 14] fayth: laye holde on euerlasting lyfe, for which cause also thou art called, and hast professed a notable profe••••ion be∣fore many witnesses.
Gal. 5. 17. The fleshe lusteth against the spyrite, and the spyrite against the fleshe: and these are contrarie one to a∣nother, that you doo not whatsoeuer yée wyll.
Rom. 6. •• What shall we say then? [ 15] Shall wée aby•••• in sinne, that grace
maye be more plenteous?
Hebr. 10. 23. Let vs holde fast the con∣••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 righteous∣nesse is sowen with peace to the peace∣makers.
[ 16] 2. Pet. 1. 10. Wherefore brethren, stu∣die rather to make your calling and e∣lection sure. For if ye doo these thinges, ye shall neuer fall.
[ 17] Rom. 8. 28. And we knowe that vnto them that loue God•• 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 ••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 God•• let them commende their soules vnto him in well dooing, as vnto a faithfull creatour.
Iam. 1. 2. Br••thren accoumpt it for excéeding great ioye, as often as ye fall into sundrie temptations.
Rom. 8. 16. Which selfe same spyrite [ 18] beareth witnesse together with our spi∣rite, 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.
NOwe as touchi••g the other parte, in as much as the purpose of electing
or chosing can not come into any ma•••• his mind, but therewith the contrarie o•• 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 ve∣rie oftentimes knitte togeather in the vvorde of God, it appeareth (I thinke) that they doo great wrong vnto the spi∣••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 o∣pened, vnto vs by the spirite of God, not in others, whose heart wee can not see, but in our selues: and reprobation or of∣casting, is alwaie for the most part hid∣den from men, vnlesse it bee opened by God out of order, or more then ordina∣rilie.
For vvho knoweth, vvhether God ••aue d••termined (1) at the verie last mo∣ment of his lyfe to haue mercie on him, vvhiche hath spent all his vvhole lyfe ••n vvickednesse and sinne? And yet there is no cause vvhy this hope shoulde strength then any man in his vvicked∣nesse, 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 ge∣nerallie 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 saluati∣on, 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.
Luk. 23. 43. Iesus sayd vnto him, be•• [ 1] ryly I say vnto thée, this daye shalt tho•• bewyth mée in paradice.
[ 2] Rom. 9. 21. Hath not the potter power•• ouer the clay, to make of the same lump•• one vessell vnto honor, and an ••ther vn∣to dishonor.
2. Tim. 2. 20. Furthermore in a great house not only vessels of golde and sil∣uer, but also of yearth and wood, and some for honor and some for dishonor.
[ 3] Math. 5. 16, Let your light so shine be∣fore 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 tea∣ching them whiche are of a contrarye mynd, &c.
1. Pet. 2. 12. And haue your conuer∣sation honest among the Gentyles: that
they which speake agaynst you as euyll 〈◊〉〈◊〉, may by your good workes which they shall sée, gloryf••e God in the day of ••••utation.
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 ••••ygentlie consider the difference of ••od his mercie made betweene men o∣therwyse 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 this inequalytie of grace in men onlie. Furthermore, vvhen as vve know this gifte of faith to be spe∣ciall
(That is such as is not geuen genera••lie vnto all, but particularlie to some) sha•• vve not take it more cheerefullie vvhe•• it is offered, and bee much more care∣full for the increase of it, than if vvit•• many vvee shoulde surmise it, to bee i•• all mennes power, as ofte as they vvy•• repent, because God, as they saye, vvy haue all men saued, and vvyll not the death of a sinner? Finallie vvhen as vvee see the doctrine of the gospell, not onelie to be despised almost of the whole vvorlde, but also to be most cruellie per∣secuted, vvhen as vvee beholde the no∣table treacherie and falling awaie of so••many men, vvhat shall better strength∣then vs, then if vve make our sure recko∣ning that nothing commeth to passe at all aduentures, that God knoweth those that are his, and that those that doo these thinges, vnlesse it bee geuen to them to repent, are they vvhich are ordained, not by chaunce, but by the assured and euer∣lasting counsell of God, in vvhome as in looking glasses, the iust vvrath and po∣wer of God should appeare.
Philip. 2. 12. Wherefore my beloued, [ 1] ••s ye haue alwayes obeyed, not in my presence onely, but nowe much more in mine absence, with feare and trembling ende your saluation.
1, Pet. 1. 17. With feare bée y••e con∣uersaunt in the tyme of your dwellyng héere.
Rom. 11. 20. Well, through vnbeléefe they are broken of, and thou standest by saith, bée not high mynded, but feare.
Rom. 9. 23. And that hée might make [ 2] knowne the riches of his glory towards the vesselles of mercy, the which he hath prepared vnto glorie.
YEt a man can neuer speake so fytly of these thinges, but that man his reason wyll pratle against it, yea, and also wyll call the Lord him selfe as the chiefe Au∣thour of all, into accoumpts for it. But albeit the Deuyll chafe, and all the wyc∣ked kicke against the pricke, (1) yet their owne conscience shal reproue them, and
condemne them: (2) But our mind bein•• strengthned vvith the mercie of God•• shall acquite vs in that daie of Christ, t•• vvhome vvith the Father and the hol•• ghost, be geuen glory, praise and honou•• for euer. Amen.
Rom. 2. 15. As they which shewe th•• [ 1] effect of the law written in their hartes•• their conscience also bearing them wit∣nesse, and their thoughtes accusing one another, or excusing.
[ 2] 1. Pet. 3. 21. To the which also the figure of Baptisme agreeing, saueth vs also: (not the putting awaye of the fylth of the fleshe, but in that a good conscience maketh request vnto God) by the resur∣rection of Iesus Christ.
The doc∣trine of faith is vn∣p••ofitable if it be sepa∣rated from ••lection.
peace of conscience dependeth vpon pre∣destination.
••. Cor. 2. 14.
Hovv a sure vvitnesse of our election maie bee had.
By vvhat ••okens true faith maie be knovvne.
The effectes of the holie ghost in the elect.
The effica∣cie or ver∣tue of our calling is vnderstoode by faith, and by our cal∣ling, our predestina∣tiō, or fore∣ordaining.
There is certaine hope in the chosen of continuance and saluati∣on.
The doctrin of predesti∣nation ouer throvveth vaine secu∣••itie or carelesnesse.
Onelie e∣lection my∣nistreth sur•• comfort.
The doc••••rine of re∣probation or ofcasting is not to be buried.
Reprobatiō or ofcasting vvarelie to bee conside∣red.
Reprobatiō or ofcasting neyther can or ought to be parti∣cularlie ap∣plied, not adding any condition.
A differēce betvveene election and reprobation.
VVe must labour to vvinne allmen.
Of the co••••sideration of reprob••∣tion or of∣casting h••∣militie is learned.
It causeth the good∣nesse of ••od to bee the better vn∣derstood•• of the chosen••
The con••i∣deration of reprobation or ofcasting engendreth a godly carefulnesse in the cho∣sen.
It strength∣neth them against all offences.