mayest not begin with God: for God is too high, thou canst not
comprehend him; the judgments of God are unknown to man; therefore thou
mayest not begin there: but begin with Christ, and learn to know Christ,
and wherefore he came; namely, that he came to save sinners, and made
himself subject to the law, and a fulfiller of the same, to deliver us
from the wrath and danger thereof, and therefore was crucified for our
sins, and rose again to show and teach us the way to heaven, and by his
resurrection to teach us to arise from sin: so also his resurrection
teaches and admonishes us of the general resurrection. He sitteth at the
right hand of God and maketh intercession for us, and gives us the Holy
Ghost, that comforts and strengthens our faith, and daily assures us of
our salvation.

Consider, I say, Christ and his coming; and then begin to try thyself
whether thou art in the book of life or not. If thou findest thyself in
Christ, then thou art sure of everlasting life. If thou be without him,
then thou art in an evil case. For it is written, "No man cometh unto the
Father but through me." Therefore if thou knowest Christ, then thou mayest
know further of thy election. But when we are about this matter, and are
troubled within ourselves, whether we are elected or no; we must ever have
this maxim, or principal rule before our eyes; namely, that God beareth a
good-will towards us; God loveth us; God beareth a fatherly heart towards
us.

But you will say, "How shall I know that? Or how shall I believe that?" We
may know God's will towards us through Christ: God hath opened himself
unto us by his Son Christ; for so saith John the Evangelist, "The Son
which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath revealed." (John i.)

Therefore we may perceive his good-will and love towards us; he hath sent
his Son into this world, who suffered a most painful death for us. Shall I
now think that God hates me? Or shall I doubt of his love towards me? Here
you see how you shall avoid the scrupulous and most dangerous question of
the predestination of God. For if thou wilt inquire his counsels, and
enter into his consistory, thy wit will deceive thee; for thou shalt not
be able to search the counsels of God. But if thou begin with Christ, and
consider his coming into the world, and dost believe that God hath sent
him for thy sake, to suffer for thee, and deliver thee from sin, death,
the devil, and hell; then when thou art so armed with the kno