I20 An ,Expofztion upon and of Ghrilts interceflion, which kee- peth the beleevers from falling away, John iry -The fecond hindrance may be removed, by confidering, that none can be without fins, and that the belt men have foule ones, who yet loft not the certainty and hold of the promife there- by, beciufe upon repentance, they were forgiven for thrift his fake. T t M. But will not thit certainty offaith breed in us carnali fecuriey? Sr L. No, efpecially if these cautions be observed. Fit ft,thatwe ground our certainty out of our felves, upon the in- fallible promítè or God. Secondly, our certainty mull be joined with fears of offending God, as it is written, Bee not high- minded, but feare, Rom. 11.2o. Thirdly, prefuniptnous fins are to be a- voided,Pfal.19.13.Fourthly,it may not be applyed to licentioufneffe. Laftly, we are not to be ignorant, that it is ne- ver fevered from tome doubting, which - -is moderated and overcome by a true and lively Faith. T t ni. -How can our Faith be certaine and yet be moved to doubting? S I L. Yes, for theft come of divers grounds; certainty of Faith fpringeth from the nature ofFaith, and from the truth and power of thepromifer,Rom. 4.2o. but doubting commeth from the pallie, not from the h and. Ti M. What is the use of dl this? S i L. First, it adminiitreth a mar - vailous great comfort to filch as have oh- coined grace to beleeve truly, although weakly, for they be without hazard of perilhing,and certain to have falvation. Secondly,an admonition to labour hard for faith, and to preferve it when we have it. Lastly, that the Papifis muff needs doubt of their falvation and bee fearful,freir g they will have the promife of life eternall fulfilled unto them,upon- the merit of their works, and not on their faith onely. For they are alwayes doubtful!- whether they have merited futlìciently,'they, know not when they have done worker enough; yea in their Tridentine Councell,t hey commend no other faith but conje$urall, even a bare opinion and hæftation; condemning Cháp.4,: full afTurance or certainty of faith, for impious prefumption,allowing not cer- tainty of grace, without a fpeciall reve- lation from heaven. DIALOGUE X. Verse Iry. As it is written, I have made thee a Father of many Nations, even before God, whom he beleeved, who quiclZened the dead, and called thole things which be not as though they we e. T I MOT HEus. Hat things be contained in this Text? S t L. Foure things; Firff,heproveth by the word of the promife, that Abra- ham is the father of beleevingGentiles, (as it is writtten.) Secondly,he fhewet h bow, and in what manner he is their father (before God.) Thirdly, he com- un a fn%dirt thc mendeth Abrahams faith, in refpe& of praie of that whereunto it leaned (which is ahtaham and his God himfelfe.). La41y, God is dell ni- faith, bed by two effells, irnpoffible to Art or Nature: Firft,quickningthe ;dead; se- condly, calling things which were not, as though they were; here is the fecond maine part of this chapter, namely, a digref lion into the praise of Abraham. Tim. From whence is the authority fetch- ed, which is here brought to prove the belee- ving Gentiles to be Abrahams children? S I L. Out of Gen. i7.5. which O- racle containeth the Etymology or no- tation ofAbra,ann name. Tim. What is here meant by many Na- tions? Si L. All fuch as should beleeve, of what Nation or People foever they were. T I M. In what fenfe is Abraham called their Father? S r L. Firs, because he was a pattern of faith to all beleevers. Secondly, be- caufe he was a teacher of that faith, be- ing a Prophet, Gen. 20.7. Thirdly and chiefly, becaufe all beleevers have fel- lowfhip with Abraham in thole promises concerning the Mefas, . which were made to him. Tun. V`1
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=