whosoeuer wyll bee certayne of his election in God let him fyrste begynne with this fayth in Christ whiche if hee fynde in him to stande fyrme Hée maye bee sure and nothing doubte but that he is one of the number of Gods electe Secondlye the sayde fayth and nothing else is the onely condition and meanes wherevppon Gods mercy election vocation and all Gods promyses to saluation doo stay according to the wordes of S. Paul Si permanseritis in fide c. If ye abide in the fayth Colos 1. Thyrdly this faith also is the immediate and next cause of our iustifycation simply without any other condition annexed For as the mercy of God his grace election vocation and other precedent causes doo saue and iustify vs vppon conditon if wee beleeue in Christe so this fayth in Christ without condition is the neâ—tâ— and immediate cause which by Gods premyse worketh our iustifycation According as it is wrytten Crede in dominum Iesum saluus eris tâ— doâ—usâ—tua Beleeue in the Lorde Iesus and thou shalt be saued thou and thy whole house Act. 16. And thus much touching the definitioÌ„ of election with the causes therof declared which you see now to bee no merytes nor workes of man whether they goe before or come after fayth but only y meere mercy of God through fayth for lyke as all they that bee borne of Adam doo tast of his malediction though they tasted not his Apple So all they that be borne of Christ which is by fayth take parte of the obedience of Christe Although they neuer dyd that obedience themselues which was in him Rom. 5. Nowe to the second consideration Let vs sâ—e lykewise howe and in what order this election of God procéedeth in chosing and electing them which bee ordayned to saluation which order is this In them that bée chosen to lyfe fyrst Gods mâ—rcye and frée grace bryngeth forth election Election worketh vocation or Gods holy calling Which vocation through hearing bryngeth knowledge and fayth of christ Fayth through promyse obtayneth iustification Iustification through hope wayteth for glorification Elecâ—tion is before vocation and â—ayth commeth in time Iustification and glorifycation is without end Election depending vpon Gods frée grace and wyl excludeth all mans wyll blynd fortune chaunce and all peraduentures vocation standing vpon Gods election excludeth all mans wisedome cunning learing intention power and presumption Fayth in Christ proceedyng by the gift of the holy ghost and freely iustifying man by Gods promise excludeth all other merites of men all condition of deseruing all workes of the lawe both Gods lawe and mans lawe with all other outward meanes what soeuer Iustification comming fréely by fayth standeth sure by promise without doubâ—â—feare or wauering in this lyfe Glorifycation perteyning onely to thâ— lyfe to come by hope is looked for Grace and mercy preuenteth Election ordayneth Uocation prepareth and receaueth the word whereby commeth fayth Fayth iustifieth Iustifycation bryngeth glory Election is the immediate and next cause of vocation vocation which is the workyng of Gods spyrite by the worde is the immediate and next cause of fayth Fayth is the immediate and next cause of iustification and this order and connexion of causes is dylygenly to bee obserued because of the papists whiche haue miserably confounded conuerted this doctrine thus that almighty God so farreforth as hée foreséeth mans merites before to come so doth he dyspence his election Vt Dominus pro cuiusque meritis fore preuidet ita dispensat electionis gratiam And againe Nullis preccedentibus meritis dominum rependere electionis graâ—iam futuris tamen concedere That is that the Lord recompeÌ„seth the grace of election not to any merites going before But yet graunteth the â—â—â—n to the merites which folowe after 〈◊〉 though wée had our election by our holynes that followeth after and not rather haue our holynes by Gods election going before But wée following the Scripture â—aye otherwyse that the cause onely of Gods election is his owne mercy and the cause onelye of our iustification is our fayth in Christe and nothing else As for example fyrst concerning election if the question bée asked Why was Abraham chosen and not Nachor Why was Iacob chosen and not Esau Why was Moyses elected and Pharao hardened Why Dauid accepted and Saule refused Why fewe bée chosen and the moste forsaken It cannot bée aunswered other wise but thus because it was so the good wyll of God. In lyke maner touching vocation and also fayth if the queâ—â— be asked Why this vocation giâ—â— of fayth 〈◊〉 geuen to Cornelius the Gentile 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tertullius the Iewâ— Why 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the babes and litle ones of this worâ—â— of whom Christ spâ—aketh I thanke 〈◊〉 Father which hast â—yd 〈◊〉 from the wise c. Math. 11. Why to the 〈◊〉 the simple abiectes and outcastes in this worlde of whome speaketh Saint Paule 1. Cor. 1. Ye sée your callyng my brethren howe not many of you c. Why to the sinners and not to the iust Why the beggers by the hye wayes were called and the bydden gestes excluded we can goe to no other cause but to Gods purpose and election and saâ—e with Christ our Sauiour Quia pater sic complacitum est ante te Yea Father for so it séemed good in thy syght Luke 18. And so for iustification lyke wise if the question bee asked why the Publycan was iustyfied and not the Pharisce Luke 18. Why Marie the synner and not Symon the Léeper Luke 11. Why harlottes and Publicans goe before the Scribes and Pharysées in the kingdome Math. 21. Why the sonne of the frée woman was receyued and the bondwomans sonne being his elder reiected Gen. 21. Why Israel which so long sought for righteousnesse founde it not and the Gentyles which sought not for it founde it Rom. 9. We haue no other cause hereof to render but to staye with Saint Paule because they sought for it by workes of the lawe and not by fayth Which fayth as it commeth not by mannes wyll as the Papistes falsely pretendeth but onely by the election and frée gyft of God so it is onely the immediate cause wherevnto the promise of our saluation is annexed according as we reade And therefore of faith is the inheritaunce geuen As after grace that the promyse might stande sure to euery seede Rom. 4. Item in the same Chapter Fayth beleeuing in him which iustifyeth the wicked is imputed to ryghteousnesse And thus concerning the cause of ouâ— saluation ye sée howe fayth in Christ onely and immedyatlie without any condition doeth iustify vs being so lynked with Gods mercy â—nd election that whersoeuer election goeth before there fayth in Christ must néedes followe after And againe whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ Iesu through the vocation of God hee must needes bee partaker of Gods election Wherevnto resulteth now the third
did repent Luc. 24. 4. 5. Then he opened their â—â—ind that they might vnderstand the scriptures Act. 16. 14. And a certaine woman named Lydia which solde purple in the Citie of the Thyatirians which worshipped God heard vs whose heart the Lord opened that she gaue heede vnto the thinges which Paule spakeâ— 1. Cor. 2. 10. But vnto vs hath God reuealed or opened them by his spyriteâ— For the spirite searcheth al things eueâ— the depthes of God. 11. For what man hath knowen theâ— thinges of man but the spyrite of manâ— which is in him So also the thinges which are of God no man knoweth but the spyrite of God. 12. And we haue not receaued the spirite of the worlde but the spyrite which is of God that we maye knowe those things which God hath geuen vnto vs. 16. For who hath knowne the minde of the Lorde that he might instruct him But we haue the minde of Christ. Colo. 1. 26. To wyt the mysterie or secréete hyd since the world began and from all ages but nowe is it made manifest vnto his Saints 27. Unto whome God woulde make knowen what is the ryches of his glorious mysterie or secréete amonge the Gentyles that is of Christ in you who is that hope of glorie Ephes. 1. 16. Making mention of you 〈◊〉 my prayers 17. That the God of our Lorde Iesus â—hrist the Father of glorie would geue â—nto you the spyrite of wisedome and â—euelation through the knowledge of â—im 18. That the eyes of your minde beâ—ng lyghtened you may knowe what is â—hat hope of his calling and what are â—he ryches of the glorie of his heritage â—n the Saintes â— Ioh. 3. 24. For hée that kéepeth his â—ommaundementes dwelleth in him and he in him and by this doo we know â—hat hée dwelleth in vs to wyt by the spyrite which he hath geuen vs. â— Ioh. 5. 20. But we knowe that the sonne of God is commen and hath geuen vs a minde to knowe him which is â—râ—e and wee are in him that is true that is in his sonne Iesus Christ he is verie God and lyfe euerlasting Rom. 8. 15. For you haue not receaued the spyrite of bondage vnto feare but you haue receaued the spyrite of adoption by whiche wée crye Abba that is to say father 16. The which very spirit witnesseth together with our spirit that we are the sonnes of God. Gal. 4. 6. And because you are sonnes God hath sent forth the spirit of his sonne into your heartes crying Abba that is to say Father Rom. 8. 14. For as many as are ledde by the spirit of God these are the sonns of God. 1. Ioh. 3. 10. By this are the sonnes of God and the sonnes of the Deuyl manifesâ— whosoeuer doth not exercise righteousnes is not of God nor he whiche loueth not his brother 1. Ioh. 4. 13. By this do we know that we dwell in him and he in vs because he hath geuen vs of his spirit 14. And we haue seene and beare witnes that the Father hath sent his soÌ„ne to be the Sauiour of the world Phi. 2. 13. For it is God which worketh in you both to wyl and to doo or both the wyll and the deede euen of his frée good pleasure Rom. 6. 18. And being made frée from â—nnne ye are made the seruants of righâ—eousnes The eleuenth Aphorisme THese are therefore the degrees or steppes by vvhiche it pleaseth the Lorde freelie to create in his electe or chosen that precious and peculyar gifte of faith vvhereby they maie laye hold on theyr saluation in Christe But because faith is onelie begunne in vs to the ende vvee maie bee able not onelie to perseuere or continue in it but also to profite vvhich thing is altogeather necessarie 1 for this cause fyrste of all vvee are imitiated or entred as it vvere into Relygion by the Sacramente of Baptisme moreouer besides the hearing of the vvorde that fayth is 2 againe â—ealed â—n vs by the sacrament of the Lord his Supper of the which Sacraments this verily is the chiefe end that they are certaine and effectual seales also charters of the faithfull communicating or partaking with Christ 3 vvho is made vnto them vvisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption 4 VVherfore it is verie often rehearsed in Paule that vve being iustified or made righteous by faith haue peace Proues out of the worde of God. Mar. 16. 16. He that beléeueth and is baptized shall be saued Act. 2. 38. Repente and be euery one of you baptized in the name of Iesus Christ vnto remission or forgeuenesse of sinnes and ye shall receyue the gifte of the holy ghost Rom. 6. 3. Know ye not that as many of vs as are baptized into Iesus Christ are baptized into his death 4. We are buried then togeather with hym through baptysme into his death that as Christe was raysed vp from the dead vnto the glorie of his Father so we also shoulde walke in a new lyfe Gal 3. 27. For all ye that are baptized into Christ haue put on Christ. Româ— 4 11. And he receyued the signe of circumcision which should seale the 〈◊〉 righteousnes of fayth which was in the uncyrcumcision Cololâ— 2. 12. Being buryed with him through baptisme by which also ye haue rysen againe with him through the faith of God working effectually who raysed 〈◊〉 vp from the dead Ephes. 5. 25. 26. Lyke as Christ loued â—â— congregation and gaue him selfe for 〈◊〉 sanctifie it or make it holy clensing 〈◊〉 with the washing of water throâ—gh the worde 1. Pet. 3 21. To the which the figure of baptisme now agréeing saueth vs also not in that the filth of the flesh is cast away but in that a good conscience maketh request vnto God by the resurrectâ—â—n or rising againe of Iesus Christ. 1. Cor. 10. 16. The cuppe of blessing which we blesse is it not the communion of the blood of Christ the bread which we breake is it not the communion of 〈◊〉 body of Christ 1 Cor. 1. 30. But ye are of him in Christ Iesus who is made vnto vs of God wisdom and righteousnes and sanctification and redemtion Rom. 3. 21. But now the righteousnesse of God is made manifest without the law being approbated both of the lawe and of the Prophetes 22. The righteousnesse I say of God by the fayth of Iesus Christ vnto al and vpon all whiche beléeue for there is no dyfference c. 24. And they are iustified or made righteouse fréely that is to saye by his grace through the redemption made in Christ Iesus 25. Whome God hath set forth to bée an appeasement through fayth in his bloud to declare his righteousnesse by the forgeuenesse of the sinnes that are passed Rom. 4. 2. For if Abraham were iustified or made righteouse by workes hee hath whereof he may glory but not with God. Rom. 5. 1. Therefore being iustified or made righteous by fayth we haue peace towardes God through our Lord Iesus
of Christ crucifyed which fayth to defyne is this To beléeue Iesus Christ to bée the sonne of the lyuing God sent into this worlde by his death to satisfye for our sinnes and so to receaue the same And thus much touching election and fayth with the order and explycation of the causes necessary to bée considered in our saluation whereby maye appeare howe for tho pretenced Catholiques doo swarue from the ryght minde of the Scriptures For where the Scriptures in declaring the causes of saluation doo sende vs onely to fayth as the onely condition whereby these causes haue theyr workyng these Catholiques doo quyte leaue out fayth and in stéedâ— thereof place in other condicions of merytes wylworkes pardons masses and especiall auricular confession with penaunce and satisfaction for our sinnes c. FINIS ¶ A briefe Treatise witâ— certayne Answers to the Obiections of the Aduersaries of this doctrine written by Anthonie Gylbie â—Hereas three yeeres ago dearely beloued I did write of this matter of Election Reprobation whiche is called Predestination in a certayn Commentarie vpon the Prophet Malachie by the occasion of this text I haue louâ—d Iacob and I haue hated Esau. The whiche Treatise by the rage of persecution partly perished and part dyd come of late to my handes accompting this doctrine so necessarie that vppon all occasions it ought with reuerence to bee vttred to the glory of God whiche so wonderfully appeareth in this his riche mercie towarde vs whome he chooseth from the fylthe of sinne to serue him in righteousnesse and to the beating downe of our corrupt nature whiche without this eyther mouÌ„teth by pride vnto presumption or falleth by infidelyty to desperation Because that without some taste of this diuine prouidence in Predestination there can bee no fayth but eyther a doubtfull wauering leading to dispayre which wée haue lefte in the Papisterye wyles wée looked to our owne weakenesse and infirmitie not able to endure one houre in the way of righteousnesse or else a vayne presumption of feyned holynesse whyles wee beeholde our owne beleefe and good works or the perfection that we doo imagine in our owne selues as doo the Annabaptistes Therefore I thoughte it good according to my simple Talent to testifie this truthe agayne vnto the worlde at the Printing of this worthy Table of the great lerned man Master Beza which is set forth in French Latin and Italian and now into Englyshe translated by our brother VV. VVhittingham wherein is most euideÌ„ntly set forth before our eies the chyefe ground of this doctryne and the principall poyntes thereof are so deepely opened that there seemed to wante nothing that was possible in fewe lynes to be vttered yet for the shortnesse therein all thinges can not be conteyned but that some briefe lessons for the vnlearned who hath not theyr sences fully exercised wyth such déepe sentences may well be adioyned as euery man hereafter shall héerevnto be moued by the spirit of God working in their hartes that many bearing wytnesse to the truthe of this most profitable doctrine nowe reuealed the mercies of God in choosing his chyldren may more and more daye by daye be disclosed and by the witnesse of dyuers consentyng togyther in one God the father of our Lord Iesus Christ may be gloryfyed For heerein chyefly standeth his prayse honor and glory that these his wonderfull mercyes toward hys Electe maye be praysed Nowe there is no meane more apte nor doctrine more conuenient to establysh the fayth of the Sayncts than to certyfye by the Scryptures that God hath chosen them before the begynnyng of the worldâ— to be holy to hym selfe and so wrytten theyr names in the booke of lyfe in the heanens that all theyr saluatyon resteth wholy vpon his handes and holy counsell that can by no meanes be altered or chauÌ„ged so that neyther death Diuell noâ—â—ell dare nowe accuse them that are by adoption grafted in Christ who are called of the eternall purpose bicause it is God that iustifieth and who dare condempne them It is Christ that is giuen for them how shall not all things with him be geuen to them also For them that he knew before them he ordeyned before that they should be lyke fashioned to the image of his sonne and whome hee appoynted before those also hee called and whome hée called those also he iustified and whom he iustifyed those also be glorifyed that his eternall purpose and counsell of God béeing once reuealed to his Saincts by the effectuall vocation and calling whiche is the iustifycation of fayth wrought in their heartes by the holy spirite they can no longer doubt neyther of Election Predestination saluation or glorifycation Neither can any thing more beate downe mans nature and the pride of his vayne heart than to behold the maiestie of God making them by grace so farre vnlyke one to the other who were bothe one altogither by nature the chyldren of wraths of vengeance damnation as the wonderful example of Iacob Esau doeth declare of whom the Lord pronounceth that he loueth the one hateth the other before they were borne and the terrible sentence agaynst Pharao whome the Scripture affyrmeth that God raysed vp to shewe vppon him his power and hardened hys hart to make his name knowne and such like which euery where are set before our eyes to cause man to fall downe before God and to feare his iudgementes But our Aduersaries obiect agaynst vs that this doctrine is an offence to many and that some abuse it to carnall lybertie I doo answere that Christe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—â—umbling stone to many and all the 〈◊〉 of the Gospell is lykewise slaundered by the euill conuersation of others yet may we not prohibite the sweete floures from the Bées bicause Spiders sucke thence their poyson no more than wée maye stoppe the sunne to shyne bycause it hurteth sore eyes But that it may bée the glad tydings of saluation to the assurance of the fayth of the one and a cleare testymony of coÌ„demnation of the other to the beating downe of the pryde of man thys glorious counsel of the mightie God ought vnto all in this cleare reuelation of the Gospell to bee offered opened and publyshed Wherefore by the good wyll of God we entende to speake of this greate matter none other wayes neyther in any other sorte then the open Scriptures shall approue our sayings Therfore we say with the holy Apostle Sayncte Paule Blessed bee God the Father of our Lorde Iesus Christ whiche hath blessed vs with all spirytuall blessinges in heauenlye thinges vnto Christ lyke as he hath elected and châ—sen vs in him before the foundations of the worlde were layde that wée shoulde be holy and blamelesse before him by loue who hath predestinate vs that hee myghte freely choose vs to bee hys chyldren by Iesus Christ. Ephes. â— And thoughe there come some wycked men whiche were long before apoynted to this iudgement whiche doo turne the grace of our
bodie they shoulde not heare with the assent of theyr bodie But why the one haue eares to heare and the other haue not that is to saye why it is giuen vnto the one of the Father to come vnto the Sonne and is not giuen vnto the other who hath knowne the minde of the Lorde Must that which is manifest be therefore denyed because that which is hydden can not be comprehended or knowen Also Cap. 15. Whether if when this is heard some are turned vnto a sluggishe heauinesse and slownesse being readily bent to fal froÌ„ labour vnto wantonnesse do goe after theyr lustes must therefore that be thought false which is â—ayd of the foreknowledge of God And â—yll not we also speake that which the â—cripture being witnesse is lawfull to â—peake By lykelyhoode we are afrayde â—â—ast he shoulde bee offended which canâ—ot take it and are not afraide least we â—lding our tongues that he which can â—ke the truth should be disceaâ—ed with â—â—sehoode Also Cap. 20. If the Apostles and the â—eachers of the Church which folowed â—em dyd both that they might intreate â—odly of the eternall election of God â—ight keepe the faithfull vnder the goâ—rnment of a godlye lyfe what is it â—t these our men being shutte vp with â—inâ—insible force of the truth do think â—t they saye well that it is not to bée â—eached vnto the people although it bee â—ue which is sayde of Predestinatiâ—n â—ay it must vtterly he preached that he â—hich hath eares to heare may heare â—d who hath eares to heare if he â—ue not receyued of him which promyâ—th that he wyll giue verilye let him that receyueth not refuse yet so that he which desyreth take and drinke drinke and lyue For as godlynesse is to bée preached that God maye be duely worshipped so also is Predestination that he which hath eares to heare may glory of the grace of God in God not in him selfe This is the minde of that most excellent man which notwithstanding putteth two conditions 1 One is if these matters be reasoned of according to the rule of the worde of God 2 The other if the selfe same which the scripture declareth as touching these matters bée expounded aptlye and vnto edifying of both these poyntes we haue purposed to speake in fewe wordes and fyrst of the doctrine it selfe and then of the vse and applying of it The second Chap. Of the euerlasting counsayle of God hyd in him selfe which notwithstanding is in the ende vnderstoode by the effectes The. 1. Aphorisme â—HE waies of 1 almightie God are 〈◊〉 vnsearcheable 2 without whose eâ—â—nall and vnchaÌ„geable decree nothing â—one any where of any man neyther â—erally nor particularly no not those â—â—gs are to be excepted 3 which albeâ—t in respect they are decreed of God â—g alwayes good and iust but in reâ—â—t they are done by Sathan and other â—â—l instrumentes are euyll and therâ—â— to bee detested and abhorred Proues out of the worde of God. Rom. 11. 33. O the déepe ryches both â—â—e wisdome and knowledge of God â—vnsearcheable are his iudgements â—his wayes paste finding out Rom 9. 20. But O man who art thou which pleadest against God Iob. 9. 10. 11. 12. Who doeth great thinges and vnsearchable yea marueylous thinges without number Loe he goeth by mee and I sée him not he passeth hye and I perceyue him not Doubtlesse he wyll take awaye who wyll cause him to restore againe who shall saye vnto him what doest thou Gen. 27. 20. And Isaac sayde vnto his sonne what is this that thou hasâ— found it so quickly my soÌ„ne who sayd because Iehoua thy God made it to come vnto my hande Ephe. 1. 11. In whome also we are chosen when we were Predestinate according to his purpose which bringeth to passe all things after the counsell of his owne wyll Exod 21â— 13. But he that hath not sayd wayte for him but God was the cause that he came to his hand then wyl I appoynt thee a place whyther hée shall flee Prou. 16. 33. The lotte is cast into the lappe and all the iudgement thereof is â—rom the Lorde â—Prouer 20. 24. The steppes of a man â—â—re ruled by the Lorde and howe shall a â—an vnderstande his owne way â—Prouer 21. 1. As the ryuers of waters â—â— is the Kings heart in the hande of the â—orde he turneth it whether soeuer it â—leaseth him â—Esa 14. 27. Because the Lord of hoasts â—â—th determined it who shall disanull â— his hande is stretched out and who â—all turne it away â—Iere 10. 23. O Lord I knowe that the â—aye of man is not in him selfe neither â—it in man that walketh to make reaâ—â—e his steppes â—Dan 4. 32. And all the dwellers of the â—â—th are coumpted as nothing and he â—th according vnto his wyl in the hoast â—heauen and in the dwellers of the â—â—rth neyther is there any that can â—aye his hande and saye vnto him â—hat doest thou â—Math 10. 29. Are not two Sparrowes â—ld for a farthing one of them shal not 〈◊〉 on the ground without your Father Eph. 2. 1. 2. And you hath he quickened when you were dead in trespasses and sinnes wherin in times past ye walked according to the course of this world after the Prince which hath rule of the ayre and of the spirite that nowe worketh in men that are disobedient 1. Sam. 16. 14. But the spyrite of the Lorde departed from Saul and an euyll spyrite sent of the Lorde feared him 2. Tim. 2. 26. And being escaped out of the snare of the Deuyll of whome they are taken captiues Gen. 45. 8. Nowe therefore you haue not sent mée hyther but God. Gen. 50. 20. When yée thought euyll against mée God disposed it vnto good that hée might doo according vnto this daye and saue much people a lyue Exo. 4. 21. And I wyl harden his heart that he shall not let the people goe Exo. 7. 3. But I wyll harden Pharaos heart and multiply my myracles and wonders in the lande of Egipt Exod 9. 12. And the Lorde hardened the heart of Pharao neither dyd he obey them according as the Lord had spoken vnto Moyses Exod. 10. 1. Goe in vnto Pharao For I haue hardened his heart and the heart of his seruauntes 20. And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharao Exod. 11. 10. But the Lorde hardened Pharaos heart he suffred not the children of Israel to depart out of his Land. Exod. 14. 4. And I wyll harden Pharaos heart and he shall follow after you and I wyll be glorified in Pharao 17. And I behold I wyll harden the heart of the Egiptians and they shal goe in after them and I wyl be glorifyed in Pharao and in all his hoast and in his Charets and in his horsemen Deut. 2. 30. But Sihon the Kinge of Hesbon woulde not let vs passe by him for the Lord thy God hath hardened his spirite made stubborne his heart that he might delyuer him into
thine hand Ios. 11. 19. 20. There was not a Citie which made peace with the children of Israel besydes the Hiuites the inhabitantes oâ— dwellers in Gibeon all other they 〈◊〉 by battell For it came of the Lorde to harden theyr heartes to come against Israel in battell 1. Sam. 2. 25. And they hearde not the voyce of theyr Father because the Lord was minded to slaye them 2. Sam. 12. 11. So sayd the Lord behold I wyll rayse vp euyll against thée out of thine house wil take thy wiues before thine eyes and geue them to thy neighbour and he shal lye with thy wyues in the sight of this sonne 2. Sam. 24. 1. And the wrath of the Lord was moreouer angry against Israel and he styrred vp Dauid against them saying goe number Israel and Iuda 1. King. 12. 15. And the King heard not the people for the cause was from the Lorde that he might performe his word which he had spoken by the hand of Ahiiah the Silonite vnto Ieroboam the soÌ„ne of Nebat 1. King. 22. 23. Nowe therefore behold the Lorde hath put a spirite of lying in the moâ—th of all these thy Prophetes 2. Kin. 18. 25. And now haue I comen vp against this place without the Lord to destroy it The Lord sayd vnto mee goe vp against this Land and destroy it 2. Chron. 11. 4. Thus sayd the Lorde Goe not vp nor fyght against your brethren returne euery man vnto his own house for this thing is done of mee 2. Chro. 22. 7. And the treading down of Ochozias came of God. 2 Chron. 25. 20. And Amazias held not him selfe contented for it was of God that hee myght delyuer them into the hande of the enemie Nehem 9. 36. 37. Beholde we are seruants this day that in the land which thou gauest vnto our Fathers c. And it yéeldeth much fruit vnto the Kings which thou hast set ouer vs for our sinnes Iob. 1. 21. The Lorde hath geuen and the Lorde hath taken away the name of the Lorde be blessed Iob. 34. 30. Because a man that is an hypocrite raigneth and because of the offence of the people Psal. 105. 25. He turned their heart that they should hate his people and practise disceypt against his seruauntes Esa. 10. 15. Shall the axe boast it selfe against him that he weth therewith or shall the sawe set vp it selfe against him that moueth it as if the rodde should lift vp it selfe against him that taketh it vp or as if the staffe should exalt it selfe as though it were no woodde Esa. 54. 16. Beholde I haue created the Smyth that bloweth the coales in the fyre and him that bringeth forth an instrument for his worke I I saye haue created the destroyer to destroy Esa. 63. 17. Lorde why hast thou made vs to erre froÌ„ thy wayes and made vs to depart from thy feare Iohn 12. 40. and Esa. 6. 10. He hath blinded theyr eyes hardened theyr hearts least they should see with their eyes and vnderstand with theyr heart and should turne and I should heale them Iere. 48. 10. Cursed be he that doth the worke of the Lorde negligentlie and cursed bee hee whiche kéepeth backe his sworde from blood Act. 2. 23. Him I saye when you had â—aken being delyuered by the determiâ—ed counsell and prouidence of God ye haue slayne with wycked handes being fastened to the crosse Act. 4. 27. 28. For doubtlesse against â—hine holy sonne Iesus whom thou haddest annoynted both Herode and Ponâ—tius Pilate with the Gentiles and theâ— people of Israel were gathered together â—to doo whatsoeuer thine hand thy couÌ„sell had determyned before to be done Rom. 9. 18. Therefore he hath mercy on whome he wyll haue mercy and hardeneth whome he wyll harden 19. Thou wylt saye then vnto mée why is ye yet angrie for who hath resysted his hyll Rom. 11. 32. For God hath shut vp all in disobedience that he might haue mercy on all Gal. 3. 22. For the scripture hath shut vp all thinges vnder sinne that the promyse by the fayth of Iesus Christ might be geuen to them that beléeue â— Thes. 3. 3. That no man should bée moued in these afflictionsâ— For ye your selues knowe that wee are appoynted there vnto Rom. 8. 29. For whome he knew before those hee also Predestinated to bee made lyke the image of his sonne 1. Pet. 3. 17. For it is better if the wyll of God wyll so haue it that ye suffer for euyll doing 1. Pet. 4. 19. Wherefore let them that suffer according vnto the wyll of God commytte their soules vnto him in well doing as vnto a faithfull creatour The seconde Aphorisme THe selfe same God from euerlasting hath purposed and decreed in himselfe to create all things at their seasons to his glorye but namely men and that after two sorts altogether diuers the one to the other to wyt in such maner that some whome it pleaseth him according vnto his secreete wyl he maketh through mercy partakers of his glorie whom out of the word of God we do call vesselles of honour elect or chosen soÌ„nes of the promise and Predestinate or fore-ordained vnto saluation and in other whome also it pleaseth him to styrre vp to that ende he sheweth his wrath and his power that in them also he might be glorified whome lykewise we call vessels of dishonour and wrathâ— and vnapte to euerie good worke Proues out of the worde of God. Prou. 16. 4. The Lord hath made all things for his owne sake yea euen the wicked for an euyll daye Esa. 43. 6. I wyll say vnto the North geue and vnto the South kéepe not back Bring my sonnes froÌ„ farre my daughters froÌ„ the vttermost part of the earth 7. All shal be called by my name and I created them for my glory I formed them and also made them Eph. 1. 5. 6. Who hath predestinate or foreordayned vs whome he would adopt or chose into his sonnes through Iesus Christ vnto him selfe according to the good pleasure of his wyl vnto the praise of his glorious grace wherwith he hath made vs to be accepted or to be lyked of in that his beloued Rom. 9â— 23. And that he might make known the ryches of his glory towards the vesselles of his mercie the which he hath prepared vnto glory Rom. 8. 29. For whome he hath foreknown those also hath he Predestinate that they might bée made lyke the Image of his sonne Rom. 9. 7. 8. But in Isaac shal thy séede be called that is not they which are the children of the fleshe are the children of God but they whiche are the sonnes of the promise are coumpted in the séede Ro. 9. 21. Hath not the Potter power ouer the claye to make out of the same lumpe one vessel vnto honour and another vnto dishonour 1. Cor. 2. 7. But we speake the wisdom of God lying in a mistery that is euen the hyd wisedome which God had determyned
before the worlde vnto our glorye Eph. 1. 4. As he hath chosen vs in him before the fouÌ„dations of the world were layd that wee should be holy and without eame before him in loue 2. Thes. 2. 13. But we ought to gyue thankes alwayes to God for you brethren beloued of the Lorde because God hath chosen you from the beginning vnto saluation through sanctificatioÌ„ of the spirite and faith geuen to the trueth 1. Pet. 1. 2. Chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father vnto sanctification of the spirite Exod 9. 16. And in déede for this cause haue I appointed thée to wytte to shew thée my power and that they should declare my name throughout the whole worlde Prouerb 16. 4. The Lord hath made all thinges for his owne sake yea euen the wicked for an euyll daye Rom. 9. 22. What and if God minding to declare his wrath and to make his power known hath suffered with much gentlenesse the vesselles of wrathâ— couched together to destruction The thirde Aphorismâ— THis election and chosing or Predestination and forcordaining vnto saluation being considered in the purpose of God it selfe that is to saie the decree it selfe and purpose of electing or chosing is the first fountaine of the saluation of the Sonnes of God and doeth not spring as some woulde haue it from the forâ—knowledge eyther of their faith or workes but rather of that onelie which is in the good pleasure of God it selfe from the which afterwarde doo both election or chosing and also faith and all good workes spring Proues out of the worde of God. Deut. 4 37. And because he loued thy Fathers he chose their seede after them and hath brought thée out of Egipt before him by his most mightie power Deut. 7. 7. 8. God hath not loued you and chosen you because you were more in number then al other people but because the Lorde loued you c. Ios 24. 2. And Iosua sayde to all the people Thus sayeth the Lorde God of Israel your Fathers dwelled beyonde the floodde in olde tyme as Thare the father of Abraham and the father of Nachor and serued other Gods c. Psal. 44. 3. For they possessed not the Lande with their owne sworde neither dyd their owne arme saue them but thy ryght hande and thy arme and the light of thy countenannce because thou â—aâ—oâ—â—edst them Iohn 15. â—6 You haue not chosen mée but I haue choseÌ„ you and ordained you that ye goe and bring forth fruite c. Act. 13. 48. And when the Gentyles heard these things they reioyced and glorified the worde of the Lord and beleued as manie as were ordeined vnto euerlasting lyfe Act. 22. 14. And he sayd the God of our fathers hath chosen thee that thou shouldest knowe his wyl and see that iust one shouldest heare the voice of his mouth Rom. 5 6. For Christ when we were yet of no strengthe at his tyme dyed for the vngodlye Ro. 9. 11. 12. For the children being not yet borne wheÌ„ as they had done neither good nor euyll that the purpose of God which is according vnto his electioÌ„ that is to say not of workes but of him y calleth might remaine sure it was said vnto her the elder shal serue the younger 13. As it is written I haue loued Iacob and haue hated Esau. 14. What shall we say then Is there any vnrighteousnesse with God God forbyd 15. For he sayth vnto Moyses I wyll haue mercie on him on whome I wyll haue mercy I wyl haue compassion on him on whome I wyl haue compassion 16. So then Election is not in him that wylleth neyther in him that runneth but in god that sheweth mercie 18. Therfore he hath mercy on whome he wyl and whome he wyl he hardneth 25. And that he might make knowne the ryches of his glory vpon the vessels of mercie which hée hath prepared vnto glorie Rom 11. 7. What then Israell hath not obtained that which he séeketh but the Elect haue obtained it and the rest haue beene hardened 35. Or who hath geuen vnto him first and it shall be geuen vnto him againe 1 Cor. 4â—7 For who separateth thee and what hast thou that thou hast not â—eceaued If thou hast receyued it why reioycest thou as though thou haddest not receyued it Eph. 1. 4. As he hath chosen vs in him before the foundatioÌ„ of the world were laide that we shoulde be holy and without blame before him in loue 5. Who hath Predestinate or foreordained vs whome hée woulde adopt or chose into sonnes through Iesus Christ vnto him selfe according to the good pleasure of his wyll 11. In whom also we are chosen when we were Predestinate or foreordayned according to the purpose of him which worketh al things after the counsell of his owne wyll Ephe. 2. 10. For we are his workmanshyp created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which God hath ordained that we should walke in them Colos. 1. 12. Geuing thankes vnto the Father which hath made vs meete to bée partakers of the inheritaunce of the Saintes in lyght 2. Tim. 1. 9. Who hath saued vs and called vs with an holy calling not according vnto our works but according vnto his owne purpose and grace which was geuen vs in Christe Iesus before the tymes of the worlde The fowrth Aphorismâ— THerefore the Scripture as ofâ—en as it vvyll strengthen the sonnes of God vvith assured hope stayeth not eyther in the testimonies or vvitnesses of the second causeâ— that is to saye in the ftuites of faith nor yet in the seconde and next causes them selues to wyt faith and vocation or calling but ascendeth or clymeth vp vnto Christ him selfe in whom notwithstanding as in the head we are in very deede electe and adopted and afterward goeth vp euen vnto that euerlasting purposeâ— vvhich God hath purposed in no other than in him selfe Proues out of the worde of God. Math. 25. 3 Then shal the King say vnto them which shall be at his right hand come ye blessed of my Father possesse the kingdom prepared for you before the foundation of the world were layde Iohn 6. 40. And this is the wyl of him which sent mée that euery one which sâ—â—th the sonne beleeueth in him should haue euerlasting lyfe and I wyll rayse him vp at the last daye Act. 13. 48. And the Gentyles hearing these thinges reioyced and glorified the word of the Lord beléeued as many as were ordayned vnto euerlasting lyfe Rom. 8. 29. For whome he hath foreknowen the same also hath he Predestinate or foreordained that they should be lyke the Image of his sonne Rom. 9. 8 Not they which are the children of the flesh are the children of God but they which are the chyldren of the promise are coumpted in the seede 11. For the chyldren not being yet born when as they had done neyther good nor euyl that the purpose of God which is according vnto his election that is to
say not by workes but by him that calleth myght remaine sure c. 16. So then the election is not in him that willeth nor in him that runneth but in God that taketh mercy 23. And that he might make knowne the ryches of his glorie vpon the vessels of mercie which he hath prepared vnto glorye 11. What then that Which Israell séeketh c. Ephes. 1. 4. As he hath chosen vs in him before the foundacions of the world were layde c. â—5 Who hath predestinat or fore ordeined vs whom he woulde adopte or chose into his sonnes through Iesus Christ vnto him selfe 9. The mysterie of his wyll beynge reuealed vnto vs acording vnto his frée good will which he hath purposed in him selfe 11. In whome also wear chosen c. 2. Tim. 2. 19. Yeat the foundacion of God remaineth sure haâ—ing this seale the Lord knoweth who are his and let euery one that calleth on the name of Christe departe from iniquitie 1. Cor. 2. 7. But we speake the wisdom of God lying hid in a mistery euen that hyd wisdome which God had determined before the world vnto our glorie 10. But God hath reueled those things vnto vs by his spirit For the spirit searcheth all thinges yea the deepe thinges of God. 1. Pet. 1. 19. 20. But being redéemed with his pretious blood as of a Lambe without spotte and vndefiled to wyt Christ which was foreordained before the fouÌ„dations of the world were layd but was declared in the last tymes for your sakes The fifth Aphorisme ALso wheÌ„ there is intreated of the destruction of the reprobats or ofcasts 1 albeit the whole fault remaine within them selues 2 yet sometimes as often as it is so needefull the spirite of God to make known the ryches of his glorie vpon the vesselleâ— of mercie and his excellent power and also gentlenesse the better by comparison lifteth vs vp euen vnto that highe misterie vvhich in order goeth before all the causes of their damnation Of vvhich secreete doubtlesse there is no other cause known vnto men besides his righteous vvyll the which we ought reuerently to receaue as comming vndoubtedly from him vvhâ— is naturally iust and can no other vvay be conceyued of men nor of any other Proues out of the worde of God. Hos. 13. 9. Thy iniquity hath destroied thee O Israel but in mee is thy helpe Iohn 3. 19. And this is the condempnation that lyght is come into the worlde but men haue loued rather darkenesse than lyght Rom 9. 23. And that hée might make knowne the ryches of his glory vppon the vessels of mercy the which he hath ordained vnto glory Exod. 9. 16. And in déede for this cause I haue appointed thée euen to shew thee my power and that they should declare my name in the whole earth Psa. 33. 15. Which hath fashioned their heartes euery one considering al theyr workes Prou. 16. 4. The Lord hath made all things for his owne sake yea euen the wicked man for an euil day Rom 9. 11. For the children not being yeat borne when as they had done neyther good nor euyll that the purpose of God according vnto his electon that is not by works but by him that calleth might remaine sure c. 13. As it is writteÌ„ I haue loued Iacob but hated Esau. Where he doth not onlye say that Esau before he had done any good was ordeined vnto â—atred for after this sorte he might seeme to touch none but actual sinnes as they say or vnbelefe but faith plainlie before he was borne By which words he excludeth or shâ—tteth out froÌ„ the cause of hatred original sinne also whatsoeuer in the person of Esau might be reckoned from his very birth Therfore wheras a litle after he bringeth in the reprobates or ofcastes parting here against he doth not attrybute vnto them such like kind of speach why doth not God beare the same hatred towards others also for asmuch as they are borne in y same corruption that we are I saye there is no such thing read in the word of the Apostle but he setteth this theyr exception against it who shal withstande his wyll For herevppon mannes reason gathereth that they are vnworthely condempned Neyther doth Paul auâ—swere that God dyd so wyll it because he dyd foresée that they woulde bée corrupted and so that the cause of the decree was grounded vppon theyr wickednesse which defence was plaine and readie if it had béene true but whylste he confesseth that it so pleased God and that it was not in their wyll to chaunge it doubtlesse hée abateth the pryde of mannes wisedome that it maye reuerentlye esteeme of the secréetes of God as is most meete But the electe or chosen he exhorteth to beholde the grace of God the which he setteth foorth with suche comparison So therefore must other testymonies be expounded in the which wee goe vp vnto the hyghest wyll of God which is the onely rule of iustice Esa. 54. 16. Beholde I haue made the Smyth that bloweth coales in the fyre and bryngeth forth an instrument for his worke I I saye haue made the destroyer to destroye Ioh. 6. 44. No man can come vnto mée vnlesse the Father that sent mée drawe him Iohn 10. 26. But you beléeue not for you are not of my shéepe as I saydâ— vnto you Ioh. 12. 39. 40. and Esa. 6. 10 Therfore they coulde not beleeue because â—saias hath sayde againe He hath blinded their eyes and hardened theyr hearts least they should sée with their eyes and vnderstande with their hearts and should turne and I should heale them 1. Pet. 7. 8. And a stone to stumble at a rock of offeÌ„ce vnto them which stumble at the word being disobedient vnto the which thing they were euen ordained And in many other places Iud. 1. 4. For there haue crept in certaine men being before of olde ordained vnto this condempnation The sixt Aphorisme FOr vvee must make a difference betweene the purpose of reprobating or ofcasting and betweene reprobation or ofcasting it selfe For the misterie or secrete of that God would haue to be hyd from vs But of this and of the destruction also that dependeth or hangeth vpon it vve haue causes expressed in the word of God to vvyt the corruption vnbeleefe and sinne the vvhich are necessary or must needes bee in respect of the falling out of them of the vesselles madâ— vnto dishonour Proues out of the worde of God. 2. Thes. 2. 9. The coÌ„ming of the which wicked man is by the working of Sathan with all power and signes and lying wonders 10. And with all deceyuâ—ablenesse of vnrighteousnesse among them that perishe for that they receyued not the loue of the truth that they might be saued 11. And therefore God shal send them strong delusion that they should beléeue â—yes 12. That all they might be dampned which haue not beleeued the trueth but had pleasure in vnrighteousnesse Rom. 11. 20. Well through vnbeléefâ— they are broken
kingdome being yet scarce borne or in their first yeares the vvaie is more compendious or shorter 1 For vvhen as hee comprehendeth in his free conenaunt vvhereof Christ is mediator not onely the faithfull but also their posteritie vnto a thousande generations so that hee doeth plainlie pronounce it to bee holie there is no doubte but that he hath geuen the children of holie men vvhich pertaine vnto his election whom he alone doth know vnto his sonne who surelie vvyll not cast forth these also Proues out of the worde of God. Gen. 17. 7. And I wyll establishe my coueâ—aunt betweene mee and thée and betweene they seede after thée in theyr â—â—eration with an euerlasting coueâ—â—nt to wyt to be God vnto thée and 〈◊〉 séede after thée â—â— Exod. 20. 6. And shewing mercie vnâ—â—thousandes that loue mee and keepe 〈◊〉 commaundements â— Cor. 7. 14. For the vnbeléeuing husâ—ande is sanctified by the wyfe and the â—â—nbeléeuing wyfe is sanctified by her â—usbande else doubtlesse were your â—hildren vncleane but nowe are they â—olye Ioh. 6. 37. Whatsoeuer my Father â—eueth mée shall come vnto mée and â—â—im that commeth vnto mée doo I not â—cast forth The fifth Chapter ¶ In what order the Lorde doeth beginnâ— to execute or fulfyll and in deede are effectuallie to declare his counsell of reprobation or of casting The first Aphorisme IT may easily be vnderstaÌ„ded by those thinges vvhich vve haue sayde before howe the Lorde doeth bring to passe 1 that they maye goe vnto their owne place 2 whome he hath created therefore that he might be glorifyed in their iust condemnation 3 For lyke as Christ the seconde Adam from heauen is the foundation and whole substaunce of the saluation of the electe or chosen so also the fyrst Adam from the earth because he fell is therefore the fyrst causer of hatred and destruction the vvhich shall come vpon the reprobates or ofcastes Proues out of the worde of God. Act. 1 25. That hée maye take the rowme of this mynisterie and Apostlewyppe from which Iudas hath gone astraye to goe to his owne place Rom. 9 22. But what if he mynding to declare his wrath to make knowne his power hath suffered with muche gentlenesse the vesselles of wrath ordained to destruction Math. 25. 41. Then shall he also say to them that shall be on his left hande ye cursed depart from mee into euerlasting â—yre which is prepared for the Dâ—â—â—and his Aungelles Rom. 5. 18. Lykewise then as by one â—offence the faulte came on all men to condempnation so by one iustifying the benefite abounded on all men vnto the iustification of lyfe â— Cor 15. 21. For since by man came death by man came also the resurrection or rysing againe from the dead 22. For as in Adam all dye euen so in Christ shall all be made a lyue The second Aphorisme FOr when as the Lorde being moued therevnto vvith such causes as hee alone knewe 1 had purposed to create them to this ende that he might shewe foorth his vvrath and power in them vvith all hee ordained as it vvere by degrees and steppes those causes by the vvhich it shoulde come to passe that the whole blame of their destruction should lye in them selues according as vve haue shewed before Man therefore falling vvyllinglie and of his owne accorde into that miserable estate 2 the Lorde whâ—â— vvorthelie hateth the reprobate or ofâ—castes for so much as they are corrupteâ— sheweth forth his iust anger vpon someâ— of them so sone as they are borne Proues out of the worde of God. Rom. 9. 17. For the scripture sayth vnto Pharao for this same purpose haue I stirred thee vp that I might shew my power in thée and that my name might be declared through out all the earth 22. What and if God would to shewe his wrath and make his power knowen suffer with long patience the vessels of wrath prepared to distructionâ— Exod. 20. 5. I the Lord the God am a gealous God visiting the sinne of the fathers vpon the children vnto the thyrde fowrth generation of them that hate mée Ephes. 2. 3. Among whome also wée al had our conuersation in times past in the lustes of our â—lesh doing such things as lyked our fleshe and myndes and were the sonnes of wrath as well as others Rom. 5. 14. But death reigned from Adam vnto Moises euen ouer them also which had not synned after the lyke manner of the transgression of Adam which was the fygure of him that was to come The thirde Aphorisme BVt in them that are growen to full age he obserueth or vseth two other vvayes altogether diuerse and contrarye one to the other for hee vouchsaueth not some once this much fauour as to heare any thing at all of Christe 1 in vvhome alone is saluation 2 But letteth them goe in their owne vvayes and to make haste vnto assured destruction 3 For such testimonies or vvitnesses of his Godhead as hee hath left vnto them are of force onelye thus farre that they haue nothing to pretend or alleadge for their excuse 4 yet through their owne faulte for asmucâ—â— as this their selfe same ignoraunce anâ—â— slaggishnesse in vvhich they are is a puâ—nishment of that same corruption wherâ— in they vvere borne And truelie vvhatsoeuer they can see in matters touchingâ— God by this light or rather darkness ofâ— nature albeit they dyd not faint in theâ— midle of their race yet it is such as it can by no meanes be suffycient vnto saluation 5 For it is necessarie vnto saluation that we know God not only as God but also as a father in Christ 6 the whiche secreete fleshe and blood doeth not reueale or open but the Sonne him selfe to those onelie vvhome he hath receaued of his Father Proues out of the word of God. Mat. 1. 21. And she shall bring forth a sonne and thou shalt call his name Iesus For he shall saue his people from their sinnes Act 4. 12. Neyther is theyr saluation in any other For there is no other name vnder heauen which is geuen among men by which we must be saued Act 14 16. Who in the ages that are passed suffered all Nations to walke in their owne wayes Rom. 1. 24. Wherefore also God gaue them ouer vnto the lustes of their owne hartes to vncleanesse c. Ephes. 2. 11. Remember that you were sometimes Gentyles in the flesh which were called vncircumcision c. â— That you I say were at that time without Christ and were alians from the common wealth of Israell straungers from the couenaunts of promiseâ— c. Rom. 1. 19. For that which may bee knowne of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it vnto them Act. 14. 17. Albeit he hath not suffered him selfe to be without witnesse by doâ—â— good vnto vs c. Act. 17. 27. That they should séeke God if paraduenture they might finde him by feeling c. Rom. 1. 20. For his inuisible things
conceyue any euyll opinion of God euery good gyfte and euerie perfyte gyfte is from aboue descending from the Father of lyght with whom is no variablenesse neither change into darkenesse that hée shoulde geue nowe good things nowe euyll now lyght nowe darkenesse No sayth the Apostle Paule let God be true and all men lyars Can God be vniust Howe shall he then iudge the worlde Rom. 3. Againe God sayeth by his Prophete Ezechiel I wyll not the death of a sinner but I wyl rather that the sinner conuert repent and lyue And vnto wicked Ierusalem sayth our sauiour Christ O Ierusalem Ierusalem which slayest the Prophetes and stonest them that are sent vnto thée Howe ofte would I haue gathered together thy chyldren as the Hen gathereth her Chickins vnder her wings and thou wouldest not Loe thy house therefore is left desolate Mat. 23. Loe héere appeareth the goodnesse of the lyuing Lord so dillygently callyng the wicked to him by his worde by his Prophetes by his messengers and at the length by his owne sonne that he can not in any case be accoumpted the Aucthor of theyr euyl nor cause of theyr fal But contrary wise theyr owne wylfull and wycked stubbernesse is the cause of their euyl and the onely occasion of theyr fall as it is written Thy perdition and destruction is of thine owne selfe but onely of me is thy saluation And infinite scriptures to the same purpose appertayning That wée may saye with Daniel vnto thée O Lord belongeth ryghteousnesse and to vs the shame and couering of our faces Daniel 9. Secondly The testimony of the consciences of the wycked which shall accuse or excuse them at the great dayâ— which is alwayes of the force and valure of a thousande wytnesses which is the worme that shall neuer dye but gnawe the wycked for euer Esai 46. This conscience I say of theyrs shall condempne the wycked and what shall God then doo Or wherein is his dreadfull maiestie to bée charged Caine by his owne conscience is compelled to confesse greater is my wickednesse then can be râ—â—ytted Thou castest mée from the face of the earth sayth hée and I must hyde mée from thy face Loe the iust iudgement of God and his worthy condempnation openly confessed Who dare then blame God Caine dare in no wyse doo it Neyther yet prowde Pharao who condempned in his owne harte and conscience accuseth him selfe and his people and iustiâ—yeth God delyuering all men from this wicked blasphemy saying openlye I haue sinned nowe the Lord is iust and I and my people are wycked Exo. 9. What doeth Iudas Doeth hee not crye lykewyse I haue synned betraying this innocent blood Math. 27. And to vtter in dâ—â—de that thing he felt within his brâ—ast he is compelled to take aduengaunce and execute a iudgement moste terryble against him selfe vttering to all the world him selfe most wicked and that the iustice of God punishing suche wycked Traytours and murtherers ought most worthily to bée feared magnifyed and reâ—erenced throughout the whole worlde Lyke as all the other wycked and desperate persons which for anguishe of harte and terrour of conscience doo murther themseluos doth euidently and continually witnesse vnto the worldes ende that there is a iust Lorde the God of iudgement whome they doo feare and before whose face they dare not appeare to accuse him of any sinne but rather taking the crime blame shame and punishment vnto them selues who worthily by theyr owne conscience haue deserued it doeth thus torment themselues and with violent handeâ— aduenge the sinne they haue commytted in theyr owne synfull souleâ— and bodyes Thus must God alwayes bée founde iust and ouercome when he is iudged by the testimony of our owne conscience which shall accuse or excuse vs at the great daye Roma 2. Wherefore let no man be so foolyshe to saye that God is the Author of euyll vnlesse he wyll bée accompted worse than Cain more proude than Pharao more wycked than Iudas or any other the Reprobate from the begynningâ—â— Thirdly the nature of sinne being deâ—yned by the authorytie of Scriptures to bée a thought worde or deede contrary to the wyl of god For such things onely defyle the man as Christ our master sayth Math. 15. And therefore are onely to bée accompted sinne No such thought can bée attrybuted or ascrybed vnto God as can be against his wyll therefore no sinne can bée his worke Neyther can he bée the Aucthour of euyll which therefore is called God because he is the Aucthour and geuer of all good and so farre from euyll that he turneth all our euyll to some good our sinne to the vttering of his grace our lyes to the declaration of his trueth No this is the perfit workemaster which worketh all things without fault or trespasse all other doo fayle faulâ—e â—â—espasse and sinne in al their workes that he may be iustifyed in all his dooings and al creatures fal down before his face presence Who though he doo worke al in al things yet doth he worke the same to such godlye ende and purpose knowne onely to his maiestie that though we be compelled to say God is the author of the faâ—t yet must we answere but not of the cryme Because he is the Maister of the house and Lorde ouer the family and therefore may doo any thing without the blame of his seruaunts And lyke as that which is no faulte in the maister of the house is a great faulte many tymes in any of his seruaunts because it is the breaking of theyr maisters commaundement Euen so doubtlesse the selfe same worke is sinne in God his seruaunts and creatures which to God is no â—â—nne but an ordinary worke appoynted â—or some speciall purpose eyther for the manifestation of his power as was the hardeninge of Pharao or for the declaration of his mercye as was the fall of Dauid of Peter of Marie Magdalen and all other repentant sinners And whereâ—ore I pray you may not this Lorde thus vse his owne seruauntes without any blame of sinne seeing that hée hath created and made them all onely to serue hys glorye hys iustice and hys mercye Or howe can hee bee vniuste or the authour of anye synne by whome all the worlde muste bee iudged and broughte to the balance of iustice and equitye When the first worlde shall be condemned for their sinne and iniquitye and wée nowe lyuinge shall bee iudged for â—ure sinnes specially all those whiche not onely doe euyll them selues but are Authors and â—aultors to wicked doers Romaines 1. Fourthly The maiestie of God can bée subiect to no sinne bicause it can be vnder no lawe And that onely is worthely called sinne whiche is done agaynst a Lawe therefore no worke that God dothe oughte to be accompted euyll eyther that he is the occasion of any euyll whiche onely is the minde sence spirite and power of the Lawe wythout whome no lawe of it selfe is good For euerie good lawe is the minde wyll and