392 An Expof uon upon Chap. io.\ doubtfully within thy felfe, or let not alwayes lacke what is required by the thy minde be perplxed with waverings, Law, which condemnethto death every fault, even the lealt. T i M. What other thing is to be learned out of thefequeftions? Sr L. That there are two main doubt- ings which ufe to perplex and trouble men, that are without faith in Chrift. The one is how to be faved and attaine heaven ; the other how to efcape hell and damnation. And thefe two doubt- ings are continuall and neceffary effe &s of legali righteoufneffe: for a man that hath not wholly kept the Law, mutt needs doubt whether he (hall have eter- nall life. For it is promifed upon no other condition but of exa& and ftri& performance, and he that knoweth that Do£irine. Reafon. vfe. thoughts, and reafonings. T t M. What is meant by thin queftion [uho(hall afc end into heaven ?] S i L. Thus much, as if it were laid, Who (hall go thither for us, to bring us word, whether God be pacified with us; and meaneth to give us falvation there ? T i riJYhat it meant by the other quell-ion [who (ball del cend to the deep] S i L. By the [deep] is meant Hell, as Revel.9. i. i i. and so. i.To defcend to the deep fignifies to goe down into the place of torment: the meaning is, who (hall go down thither to tell and affure us that we are free from the ma- Icdi&ion and damnation of hell, and he bath done things againftthcLawmull (hall never be thrown down into that needs be in fear of damnation, becaufe it is threatned unto every fin. T i M. Have you yet any other inffru Pions out of the(c queflions? L r L. Yea, namely this, that thefe doubtings are contrary and repugnant to the nature and property of faith, whole property is to expell doubting, as heat expels coldneffe ; as appeareth by James, which tels us that faith for- bids us to waver, Zamet 6. i. and by the words of Paul the Apoftle, Rom. 4. deep burning lake ? T i M. What are we to learn from thefe queftions ? S i L. Firft, that they which flick to their owne workes, and thinke to be fa- ved by their owne defervings,they have wavering and unquiet confciences, troubled with doubtings, tremblings, and feare ; for that which the righteouf- neffe of faith fpeaketh not,that the legal juflice doth fpeak. The reafon of this doarine is,becaufe the Law which pro- 20, 2 i. mifeth life to perfe l obedience, gives T i M. But how then comes it to pafe,that no power to obey ; it threatneth death ! beleevers are often troubled with doubtings? again [t every tranfgreflion, but 'gives S i L. This happens through the in- no remedy againft any (itch evill and firmity of their Beth and naturall weak - mifery. Therefore it mutt needs be, that neffe, which wreftles and firives with fuch as follow the righteoufneffe of the the affurance of faith, which though it law, mutt hill be filled with anguifh be certain and firme, yet it is not per - of fortle, becaufe their confcience wit- fe& and full.And from the imperfef3ion nelfes unto them, that they have not of faith,there comes doubting,as Chrift done all which the Law commands, but faith to his Apoliles, Why doubt ye, 0 ye are tranfgeffors manifold ways in many of little faith ? For the hand fhaketh things, and fo remain perplexed and through pallie, or fome other weak - without reff. neffe, though the property of the hand T i M. What is the ufe of this point ? be to hold fait : fo of the weakneffe of S r L. This fetsforth the miferable faith arifeth doubting; but the perperty condition of all fuch as leek righteouf- of faith is to breed affiance and confi- neffe and life, by their owne deeds : for dence,and to drive away doubtings and fuch can never have any found tranqui- feares, even as the Sunne (ratters miffs, 1 ity ; well may they have benummed Ephef. 3. s 2. Heb. i o. 2. Col, 2.2. dead confciences, but pacified confci- T I M.What ufe is to be made of this point? ences they cannot have; becaufe they S i L. It teacheth a main difference between Datï7ine. Dottrine Doubt. Solution.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=