t2t Ofthemeaneswherebywe !maybeoffHredofnureloítiots. ofprefumption, as is euident by that which before I haue tieliuered, and alto may more plainelie appcarebymanifef{ differences, iftheone bec compared with the other.For pre- fumption is a fruite oforiginall corruption which accompa. nieth vs from ourmothers wornbe, till it bee beaten downe with Gods fanelifyingSpirit; but the teaiinonie ofthe fpirit is a thing fupernatural,which noman euer feeleth before his conuerfionvnto God,when asby the preaching oftheword he is humbled under the burthen of finne, forrowing and grieuingfor his finnespafl,and detefling them fromhis hart, and purpofing to leaue and forfake them in the time to come. Iftherefore wee haue had alwaies this tcflimonie in our minds that weeare inGods fauour and eleeled, and ne- uer felt our conuerfion, nor difcerned any fruites thereof; then doth this teflimonie proceede from carnall prefump- tion andnot fromGodsSpirit.Secondly,thofe who haue the teflimonie ofthe fpirit make confcience of the diligent and carefull vfeofthe outward meanes offaluation, as the hea-, ringand reading of the word, the receiuing of the Sacra.. ments, and other holie duties ofGodsferuice,becaufe they know thatthe inward teflimonie oftheSpirit isnot ordina. rily fettered from the outward teflimonie ofthe word ; and the affuranceofGods loue and our eleelion is not wrought immediatelyin vsby reuelation ofthe fpirit,but by the prea- chingofthe wordandvfe ofthe'Sacraments, made efeclual by the inwardcooperationof5, holyGhafl.But prefumption as it arifethnotfrom the vfe ofthefe meanesmade thus.effe- elual1,but from carnall fecuritie,fo is it not confirmed there- by: for the lelfe that the prefumptuous man heareth the word and performeth the duties ofpietieand 'Gods feruice, the more confidently lothbeéboafl ofhis faith and full affü- rance,and thereforeheemaketh noconfcience ofvfing thefe meanes ordained ofGod; naycontrariwife he will not flicke to affirme,that thehearing oftheword toooften is the caufe thattrotiblethmens mindes and afllieleth their confcicnces, mooning them todoubt ofQodsmercie, whichbcfore they neuer called into clueflion: and why is thisbutbccaufe here- bymen are rouzed our oftheir fleepe offecuritie, acrdhaue their
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