A compend of the controversies of religion wherin the trueth is confirmed, and errour convinced, by authoritie of Scripture, witnessing of antiquitie, and confession of partie. Most necessary for all, in this backe-slyding age. By W.G. minister of God's word.

CHAP. XV. OF CERTAINTIE OF Salvation.

§. I. That the Godlie may bee assured of their Salvation heere.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

IOb. 19.25. For I know, that my Redee∣mer liveth, and that hee shall stand at the lat∣ter Day vp-on the Earth.

Note then, That Iob assureth him-selfe, that Christ is his Redeemer, and there∣fore that hee shall bee saved by Him eter∣nallie.

Psal. 17.15. As for mee, I will beholde thy face in righteous∣nesse: I shall bee satisfied with thy likenesse, when I awake.

Note then, That wee see the lyke assu∣rance in David, of full salvation to soule

and bodie, after his resurrection.

2. Tim. 4.7.8. I haue fought a good fight, I haue finished my course, I haue kept the faith; from hence-foorth is laide vp for mee the Crowne of Righteousnesse: (and lest such a great Apostle onlie, might seeme justlie to haue such confidence, hee sub∣joyneth) and not onlie for me, but for all them that loue his second ap∣pearing.

And therefore, againe al-so he sayeth of all the faythfull.

Rom. 8.37. For I am assu∣red, that neither Death, nor Life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, or any other creature, shall separate vs, from the loue of God.

Iohn 3.16. For God so loved the World, that hee gaue his onelie begotten Sonne, that everie one that believeth in him, perish not, but may haue eternall life.

Note then, That everie one that is a true believer, may bee assured (accor∣ding to Christ's owne Word) of eternall lyfe, as if his Name were specified par∣ticularlie: for as wee apply the precepts

of the Law, as spoken to everie one of vs particularlie to doe them, why shall wee not in lyke manner the promises of the Gospell, to belieue them?

1. Iohn 5.13. These thinges haue I written vnto you, that belieue in the Name of the Sonne of God, that yee may know, that yee haue eternall life.

Remarke then, That hee sayeth, that all true believers may know, and be assu∣red of their salvation; and that the Word of God is written, and left with vs for this our certification.

Ephes. 1.13. In whom al-so after that yee believed, yee were sealed with the holie Spirit of pro∣mise, which is the earnest of our in∣heritance.

Consider therefore, That to assure the Godlie of their salvation, the Spirit of God is given, with the word of promise, as a seale to stampe in that perswasion in their soules, and as an earnest, or arles-pennie, to make fast the Bargaine. And if anie man haue not the Spirit of GOD, the same is not his. Rom. 8.9.

Rom. 8.16. The Spirit it selfe al-so beareth witnesse, with our spi∣rit,

that wee are the Children of God: and if children, heires of God, and coheyres with Christ.

Note then, What greater certaintie can bee wished, than the godlie haue of their salvation? when they haue the verie Spi∣rit of God inwardlie witnessing the same to their soules.

Gal. 4.6. And because yee are sonnes, God hath sent the Spirit of his Sonne in-to your hearts, crying, Abba Father.

Note then, That the spirit of prayer di∣rected a-right, and felt with-in vs, is a sure fruit of our adoption, and a solide assurance of our salvation.

Rom. 8.14. For as manie as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sonnes of God.

Note then, That how manie so-ever follow the direction of God's Spirit, in an holie course of lyfe, may bee assured of their salvation.

1. Iohn 5.10. Hee that belie∣veth on the Sonne of God, hath the witnesse in him-selfe: hee that be∣lieveth not God, hath made him a liar.

Note then, What an hainous offence it is, to doubt of the trueth of God's pro∣mises to vs, concerning our salvation, through his Sonne Christ Iesus. Not but that manie deare Saincts labour vn∣der this doubting; (for God giveth not the full certaintie of faith to all, at one time, nor after a-lyke measure,) but they are displeased there-with, as a fruit of incredulous corruption; and they know, that they should bee fullie assured of the trueth of God's promises to them-selues, with-out staggering: lyke Abraham, of whom it is witnessed, Rom. 4.20. that hee staggered not at the promise of God through vnbeliefe, but was strong in fayth, giving glorie to God.

Heb. 10.22. Let vs draw neare then, with a true heart to God, in full assurance of faith, ha∣ving our hearts sprinkled from an evill conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water▪ and let vs holde fast the profession of our faith, with-out wavering, for hee is faith∣full that promised.

Note then, Here-in expressed our Chri∣stian duetie plainlie, to the perfection where-of wee should daylie aime, lea∣ning to this sure ground that can-not

faile, to wit, that our God is faithfull, who hath firmlie promised.

2. Witnessing of Antiquitie.

THou art made secure (sayeth Au∣gustine) not of thy selfe, but by the Lord; thou art secured of thy pledge, hope with Christ, for the Kingdome of Christ, even now thou hast the pledge. Aug. serm. 5. de verbis Apostoli, tom. 10. Neither is this presumption, but faith (sayeth hee,) for to tell what thou hast gotten, is no presumption, but devotion. Aug. serm. 20. de verbis Domini. Where∣vnto al-so accordeth Bernard. Epist. 107.

3. Confession of Partie.

THose who are in Christ Iesus, they haue no cause to feare, seeing they are sure of their salvation, sayth the Bi∣shop of Bitonto on the 8. of the Romanes. And there is none of the Ecclesiasticke, nor Schoole-men (sayth Cassander) who diligentlie vrge not this confidence, and assurance of the mercie of God, and glo∣rie to come; and teacheth that it ought to bee opponed to diffidence, and doub∣ting. Cass. consult. art. 4.