Page:The History of the Bohemian Persecution (1650).djvu/230

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198
The Hiſtory of

and when ſome ſlighted them, they came to the Baron, and ſaid, We perceive that this Baron is very learned, we doe deſire to gaine his ſoule, and afford unto him the worke of mercy: to whom he ſaid, What! would ye gaine my ſoule? Would ye were aſſertained of your ſalvation as I am of mine, the Lord be praiſed, who by his holy ſpirit, hath aſſured me of my ſalvation by the bloud of the Lambe. The Jeſuite replyed, Good ſir, do not preſume too much, and aſſume that to your ſelfe, whereof no man can promiſe to himſelfe any certainty; For doth not the Scripture ſay, No man knowes whether hee have deſerved grace? To whom the Baron anſwered, Is it therefore that I have need of your mercy? Yee unhappy gainers of ſoules, yee rather infuſe deſparation into me, but ye erre, not knowing the Scriptures. And here hee expounded, and gave them the ſenſe of this place, and brought other portions of Scripture, which prove the infallibility of the ſalvation of beleevers. Amongſt others that of Saint Paul, I know in whom I have believed, alſo I know that a crown is laid up for me. The Jeſuit interrupting him, ſaid, This Paul ſaid of himſelfe, not of others: The Baron replyed, Thou lieſt: for it followes, not for me onely, but for all thoſe that wait for his comming. Here the Sophiſter was mute and the Baron went forward. As for that ſaying, No man knoweth whether he deſerve grace or hatred, doe you thereby ſeeke to

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