How euery man may with profit apply this uniuersal doctrine to himselfe.
IT is most euidet, that they, which teach that mans saluation either in part or wholly, dependeth and is grounded in works, destroy the foundation of the Gospel of GOD 1. And contrariwise, 1 they that teach iustification freely by faith, ground on a sure foundation; but so, that they build vpon that eternal counsell of God, whereupon Christ himselfe 2, and the Apostle Paul folowing Christs steppes, groundeth his doctrine 3. For seeing perseuerance in faith is requisite to saluation 4, to what purpose shall saith serue me, except I be sure of the gift of perseuerance? nor we need not fear, least this doctrine make vs negligent, or dissolute: for this peace of conscience whereof wee speak 5, ought to be distinct and separat fro foolish securitie: and he that is the sonne of God, seeing hee is mooued and gouerned by the spirit of God 9, vvill neuer through the consideration of Gods benefit take occasion of negligence and 2 dissolution. Then if by this doctrine we had but this one commoditie, that wee might learn to assure & cofirme our faith against all brunts that might happen, it is manifest that they which speak against & resist this article of religion, either through their wickednes, or else through their ignorance, or some foolish blind zeale (which hapneth, when men will me⟨…⟩sure God according to the capacity of their own wits) subuert & destroy the principall ground & foundation of our saluation. And in very deed, though some (as I must cofesse) do it not purposely: yet doe they open notwithstanding, the dore to al superstition & impiety. As for the. which nowadaies maliciously oppugne the truth, I beseech the lord, euen from my hart, either to turne their mindes (if so be they appertaine to the elect) or else to send them a most speedy destruction, that by their owne example they may confirme and establish that doctrine, which so maliciously they resist. These other I will desire most instantly, and require them in the name of God, that they would better aduise themselues what they doe.
Now, to touch briefly how this doctrine may bee applied, let vs marke that all the works of God, euen the least of all, are such, that man cannot iudge of them, but in two sorts: that is, either whe~ they are done; or else, by foreseeing them to come to passe by the disposition of the second and manifest causes, whose effects haue been diligently, and by long vse obserued, as men accustome in naturall things to do: wherin, notwithstanding men are wonderfully blind. In this matter then, which is most obscure of all others, it is no maruel if mans wit be driuen into this straight, that it can not otherwise vnderstand, but by this meanes, what is determined as touching him selfe in this secret counsell of God. But because these are most high mysteries, & therfore 3 stand in the obseruation of those causes which passe all naturall things, wee must needs seeke farther, & come to Gods word: which forasmuch as without all comparison, it is more certain, then mans comectures: so it can best directvs heerein and assure vs.
The Scripturne then witnesseth 7, that all those that God hath, according to his counsell, predestinate, to be adopted his children throgh Iesus Christ, are also called in their time appointed, yea & so effectually, that they hear the voice of him that calleth, and belieue it 8: so that beeing iustified and sanctified in Iesus Christ, they are also glorified. Wilt thou then, 4 whatsoeuer thou art, be assured of predestination, and so in order of thy saluation, which thou lookest for, against all the assaults of Satan? assured I say, not by doubtful coniectures, or our owne fantasie, but by arguments, and conclusions, no lesse true and certaine 9. then if thou were ascended, into ⟨…⟩ and had heard of Gods owne mouth his eternall decree and purpose? Beware thou begin not at that most high degree: for so thou shouldest not be able to sustaine the most shining light of Gods maiestie. Begin therefore beneath at the lowest order, and when thou shalt heare the voice of God 10, sound in thine eares, and in thy hart, which calleth thee to Christ the onely Mediator, consider by little and little, & try diligently 11; if thou be iustified & sanctified in Christ through faith: for these two bee the effects or fruites, whereby the faith is known, which is their cause. As for this thou shalt partly 5 know by the spirit of adoption, which cryeth within thee Abba Father 12: and partly by the vertue and effect of the same spirit, which is wrought in thee. As if thou fall, and so declare indeede, that although sinne dwell in thee, yet it doth no more raigne in thee 13. For is not the holy Ghost hee, that causeth vs not to let slip the bridle, and giue libertie willinglie to our naughtie and vile concupiscences 14, as they are accustomed, whose eyes the prince of this world blindeth 15? or else who mooueth vs to pray, when we are 6 cold, and slothfull? who stirreth vp in vs those vnspeakable gronings 16? Who is he that when wee haue sinned (yea and sometimes willingly and wittingly) ingendreth in vs an hate of the sin committed: and not for the feare of punishment, which vvee haue therefore deserued, but because wee haue offended our most mercifull father 17?