The Christian divinitie, contained in the divine service of the Church of England summarily, and for the most part in order, according as point on point dependeth, composed; and with the holy Scriptures plainly and plentifully confirmed: written for the furtherance of the peoples understanding in the true religion established by publike authoritie, and for the increase of vnitie in that godly truth eternall. By Edmund Reeve Bachelour in Divinitie, and vicar of the parish of Hayes in Middlesex.

Of Desperation.

IN the second part of the Homily of falling from God, it is said: Let us beware (good Christian people) lest that wee rejecting or casting away Gods word (by the which we obtaine and retaine true faith in God) be not at length cast off so farre, that wee become as the childrē of unbeleefe, which be of two sorts far diverse, yea, almost cleane contrary, and yet both be very farre from returning to God; the one sort, onely weighing their sin∣full and detestable living, with the right judgement and straitnesse of Gods righteousnesse, be so without counsell, and be so comfortlesse (as they all must needs bee, from

whom the Spirit of counsell and comfort is gone) that they will not bee perswaded in their hearts, but that either God cannot, or else that hee will not take them againe to his favour and mercie. The other hearing the loving and large promises of Gods mercy, and so not conceiving a right faith thereof, make those promises larger than ever God did, trusting, that although they continue in their sinfull and detestable living never so long; yet that God at the end of their life, will shew his mercy upon them, and that then they will returne. And both these two sorts of men be in a damnable state, and yet neverthelesse, God (who willeth not the death of the wicked) hath shewed meanes, whereby both the same (if they take heed inr sea∣son) may escape. The first, as they doe dread Gods right∣full justice in punishing sinners (whereby they should bee dismayed, & should despaire indeed, as touching any hope that may be in themselves) so if they would constantly or stedfastly beleeve, that Gods mercy is the remedy appoin∣ted against such despaire and distrust, not onely for them, but generally for all that be sory and truly repentant, and will therewithall sticke to Gods mercy, they may bee sure they shall obtaine mercy, and enter into the Port or haven of safegard, into the which whosoever doth come, be they before time never so wicked, they shall be out of danger of everlasting damnation, as God by Ezechiel saith,s What time soever a sinner doth returne, and take earnest and true repentance, I will forget all his wickednesse. The other, as they bee ready to beleeve Gods promises, so they should be as ready to beleeve thet threatnings of God: as∣well they should beleeve the Law, as the Gospell: aswell that there is an hell and everlasting fire, as that there is an heauen, and everlasting joy: aswell they should be∣leeve damnation to be threatned to the wicked and evill

doers, as salvation to be promised to the faithfull in word and workes, aswell they should beleeve God to be true in the one as in the other. And so along the Church de∣livereth Gods truth in a wonderfull divine manner. Christ saith,u Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden (with the burden of your sinnes and with griefe for them) and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learne of me, for I am meeke and lowly in heart, and ye shall finde rest unto your soules. But (as Saint Paul saith) The Lord Iesus shall bee revealed from heaven, with his mighty Angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and thatw obey not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ: who shall be the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the pre∣sence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, &c.

Notes

• T. 2. p. 57.58.
• r

  Heb. 3.7.13. 2 Cor. 6.1.2. Ioh. 9.5.4. Ioh. 12.36. Luk. 13.25.26.27. Mat. 25.10.11.12.13.
• s

  Ezech. 18.21.22.23.27.28.
• t

  Rev. 21.8. 1 Cor. 6.9.10. Gal. 6.
• u

  Mat. 11.28.29.30.
• w

  2 Thes. 1.7.8.9.