353 TheSpirittsall Sanne]hip. manner of(peaking fauourof oughr,but certainty;neither could it agree with the grauityofanApoftleto fpcake foindefinirely,fo determinatoly ofthat, of % which he had no fetled ground,Doubtleffe,theApoftle knew himfelfeto bee thefeaeofGod. Youwill fay,hn might know it,but it followes not theteforn that tomay we. Yes verily. For,Cdt,bothhe:e,and generally throughout the whole Epiftle,hefpeaks inthe plural number (we)fhewingthat in thefe points hefingleth nothimfelfe outfrom the common rankeofbeleeuers , but treats ofmatters commonto themwithhimfelfe,Secoudly,Iefl any Ihouldfuppofe, that though thefe things were common toother beleeuerswith Iobn,yet they were appropriatedonly tothe beleeuers then, &with Iohn,he glues vs a ge- netgll rule,that the doftrineof comfortby the mediation ofChrif ,whichhee deliuereth,belongs notto him onely,and thebeleeuers,to whomhe wrote,bat slohn.ao. to all throughout the world; fothat, grantmeoflohtr,that heeknew his ownea- doption, I will inferre,that this knowledgeis a"priniledgeofall beleeuers, in their meafure, as well ashis. Now forthepoisri ir (elfe, there is nothing for which theword ofGoddoth affoorda more certaine proofe. Toknow that I am the fou of God , that my same ie writtenin beano:, that my tineareforgneen: thefe things areall one in effebt;& therefore whatproofemay be alledgedfor kLukero, so. anyoneofthefe,the fame pertainethveto all.Reieyee(faithChtiflk)not that the ffìrat arefandaed irntoyea:hat rather reioyee,becatefeyournames arewrittenin beacon. I demand,who can reioyce in things vnknownc? Foolesmay feedthemfelues withidle hopes,and tickle their fancieswith imaginedcodtentmenrs, but no, man can roundly reioyce inthat ofwhich he hathno aflurance.Dee not hoof f of iWrou47.i. temorrow(faithSalomont) &xhyno toftomorrow?beeaafetbeakyowe vetwbaa a dolmay bringfonb.Whereforeit is vaine boaítingof thatwhereof there is no arNat as,o. certainty.BlefJedis hewhofewirkednefele ferginen,and rehofefin io coaeredm : Cana ruanbebleffed,and yetnot perceiueit? can he behappy,andyet not know ir? Onemaine part ofhappineffe is, inwardcontentment; Ignorance ofthat sip. onwhich mycontentment isgrounded, andcohtentmentit Pelf cannot agree: Iheleene theremigagibing., (faith theprofeffor offaith) in the Crcede : Belee. milthou thedoftrine of forgiueneffe in a generality? thou doelt well; but alause,a. r9, thediael, doefo,andtheytremblee.I apprehend,and amperfwaded oftbepardon of miceownefrenes: therein the rightmeaning of the articled amcharged togtae onPet.t.to. alldiligcnce remakemyealfingandel&Ilionfine o : fun roGodI need not ; lean- Tim. z.19. not:7hefoaadationofGedffaadetbfareofafelfer:furetomineowne foule I may, or elfe this precept is invaine. Iam commandedby my Sauiour when Ipray, to call GodFather : how is bee tomet a Father, into whofe pretence Imay dare tocome, andintowhofelap Imay behold to vnfold my griefes,but as Iamhis adopted fon in Chrift ? Shall I rearmehim Father, and haue no affu- rance thatI am hisfon ? this were intollerableprefumption. What should l multiplypeones infoplainea cafe? Scripture proofes are notto be received by tale, but by weight, one asgoodas an hundred. Tobringvs to the affu- rance ofour adoption,isthedrift ofpreaching,the fcope ofpraying, and the intentofour adminiftring andreceiuingthe Sacraments:all aimeand driueat this, that wemay learn to applythe general) fweetnesof the Scriptures to our owne particulars. Butto cut off(asmuch as ispotable) allmiflakings: here is a neceffaryque- Rion tobee made touching this affurance ofadoption that I now fpeakeof; whetherit be filch anaffurance which isfocerten, that it is neuer intermixed, nor over- clouded, nordillurbed with doubting?I anfwer : I darenot fay it is Inchan affurance :1 knowDanaknew himfelfe tobe the choten ofGod: yet qPfa]m.;nsa know,that fomerime be thought toff oat ofGods fightq,and thatthe Lord rPfaim777. would.lboo nomorefactors'. Iknow that his tentations this way were long,fo fPfalm.69. I. thatLis tinfailedforwaitingfarGod' andmuch adoe he had to mailer his awn difiruft-
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