be made the righteousâ—esse of God in him Rom. 6. 3. Are you ignoraunt that as â—any of vs as are baptized into Christ â—esus are baptized into his death 4. We are therefore buried together â—ith him through baptysme into his â—eath that as Christ was raysed from â—e dead into the glory of his Father so â—e also should walke in a newe lyfe 5. For if being graffed with him we â—aue growen in the likenesse of his death â—â—en so shall we growe in the lykenesse â—f his resurrection or rysing againe Colos. 3. 1. Therefore if you haue ryn againe with Christ seeke the things â—hich are aboue where Christ is sitting â— the right hande of God. â— 12. Being buried together with him through baptisme by whome also you haue risen againe with him through the fayth of God working effectually which hath raysed him from the dead Ioh. 17. 17. Sanctifie them wyth thy truth thy werd is truth 19. And for them do I sanctify my self that they also may bee sanctified by the truth Heb 9. 13. For if the blood of Bulles of Gâ—ates and the ashes of an Heyser sprinckling the defiled sanctified as touching the purifiing of the flesh 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ which through the eternal spirite offered him selfe with out spotte of God purge your conscience froÌ„ dead workes to serue the lyuing God Heb. 10. 14. For with one offering hath he consecrated for euer those which are sanctified Rom. 5. 11. But yet that which God doth gratifye benefyte or pleasure vs with all is not so as the offence for if through the offence of that one many be dead muche more the grace of God and the gyfte by grace which is of one man Iesus Christ hath abounded vnto many 16. Neyther is the gyfte so as that which entred in by one that sinned for the faulte entred in of one offence vnto condempnation but that which God geueth is geuen of many offences vnto iustification 17. For if by one offence death raigned through one much more shall they which receyue that abounding grace gyfte of righteousnesse raigne in lyfe through one that is Iesus Christ. 20. Moreouer the lawe entreated that the offence shoulde bee increased but where sinne increaseth there grace aboundeth much more The syxt Aphorisme AND least this remeedie should bee voide and of none effect 1 the Lord with all decreed to giue this his soÌ„ne vnto them whome as we haue saide he ordained from euerlasting vnto saluation and in lyke manner to giue them vnto his sonne 2 that vvhen as he shall bee in them and they in him they might bee made perfite into one by those degrees or steppes which doo hereafter followe Proues out of the word of God. Rom 8. 32. He verilie that spared not his owne sonne but gaue him for vs all vnto death howe shall he not with him geue vs all thinges also Ioh. 3. 19. For God so loued the world that he gaâ—e his only begotteâ— sonne that who soeuer beléeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting lyfe Ioh. 17. 2. As thou hast geuen him power ouer all fleshe that he shoulde geue euerlasting life to so many as thou hast geuen him 9. I haue declared thy name vnto the men which thou hast geuen me which are chosen out of the world they were thyne and thou haste geuen them vnto mee and they haue kepte thy worde 11. And I am no more in the worlde but these are in the worlde and I come â—nto thée Holy Father kéepe them â—rough thy name which thou hast geâ—en mée that they maye bée one as we â—re 12. Whyle I was with them in the worlde I kept them in thy name those which thou gauest vnto mée I haue kept and none of them is loste but that childe of perdition Ioh. 17. 23. I in them and thou in mée that they may be made perfit in one and that the â—orld may know that thou hast sent mee and louest them as thou louest mée The Seuenth Aphorisme FOr 1 first at what time it pleaseth him to reueale and open that secreete ordained from euerlasting 2 at that time I saie in which they thinke not of these thinges 3 as men that are verie blind and yet notwithstanding they thinke that they do most sharplie see 4 whervpon assured destruction hangeth ouer their heads 5 beholde at vnwares and sodainlie he setteth before their eyes the great daunger that they are in and that they maie bee the more pearsed for a vvitnesse vnto their conscience lying as it were buried and fornummed 6 hee ioyneth therevnto the preaching of his law adding examples of his iudgements that they should be afraide tremble at the remembrance of their sinnes 7 yet doth he not this for this intent that they should remaine in this feare and trembling but rather that turning to beholde the greatnesse of the daunger whiche compasseth them about they shoulde flie vnto that onelie mediatour Iesus Christ. Proues out of the worde of God. Gen. 3 15. Moreouer I wyll put enmity betweene thée and the woman and betweene thy séede and her seede It shal breake thine head and thou shalt bruyse his héele Gen. 22. 18. And in thy séede shall all the Nations of the earth be blessed because that thou hast obeyed my voyce Rom. 3. 25. Whome God hath set forth â— bee an appeasement through faith in â—is blood to declare his righteousnesse â—y forgeuenesse of sinnes that are past Rom. 16. 25. To him nowe that is able â—o establishe you according to my Gospell and preaching of Iesus Christ by the reuelation of the mistery which was kepte secréete from times euerlasting 26. But now is opened c. 1. Cor. 2. 7. But wée speake the wisedome of God lying hyd in a mystere or secréete that is to saye that hydden wisdome which God hath forcordayned before the worldes for our glorie Gal. 4. 4. But after the ful tyme came God hath sent forth his sonne made of a woman made subiect vnto the lawe Eph. 1. 9. The mysterie or secreete of his wyl being opened vnto vs according vnto his free good wyl which he had purposed in him selfe 10. To wyt that in the dispensation of the full tyme he might gather all things in Christ. Col. 1. 26. To wyt the mistery hid since the world began and from all ages but now is made manifest vnto his Saints 2. Tim. 1. 9. Who hath saued vs and called vs with an holy calling not according vnto our workes but according vnto his owne purpose and grace which was geuen vnto vs in Christ Iesus before the tymes of the worlde 10. But is nowe made manifest by that glorious comming of our Sauiour Iesus Christ. Tit. 1. 2. 3. Unto the hope of euerlasting lyfe which God that can not lye hath promised before the tymes of the world but hath made it manifest in his due tyme. 1. Pet. 1. 18. As those who know that you
of and thou standest by â—ayth be not hye mindeâ— but feare 2. Cor. 4. 3. But if our gospell be hidden it is hyoden to them that perishe 4. In whome the God of this worlde hath blynded their myndes that is in the vnfaithfull least the light of the gospell of the glory of Christ which is the Image of God shoulde not shine vnto them Hebr. 12. 16. Let there be no fornicatour nor prophane or vncleane person as Esau which for one messe of meate solde his byrth right 17. For ye knowe howe that afterwarde also when he woulde haue obtained the blessing by the ryght of inherytaunce he was cast of for he founde no place of repentance although he sought that blessing with teares The seuenth Aphorisme SO when as the question of the sorting of the causes of saluatioÌ„ into degrees placing of theÌ„ as it were in a certaine new order in the saluation of the elect we do distinguish or make a differeÌ„ce between the purpose of electing or chosing the whiche God hath decreed in him selfe and the election or chosing it selfe the which is ordained in Christ so that this purpose of God in the rule and order of causes goeth before this election and all other thinges which follow after Proues out of the wordâ— of God. Rom. 8. 30. And whome he hath Predestinate or foreordained those also hath he called whome he hath called those also hath he iustified or made righteous And whome hée hath iustified or made righteous those also hath he gloryfied Ephe 1. 4. As he chose vs in him before the foundation of the worlde were layde c. 5. Who hath Predestinate or foreordained vs whome he woulde adopte or â—â—ose for his sonnes through Christ vnâ—â— him selfe according to the good pleaâ—â—re of his wyll The third Chap. ¶ Of the execution or fulfylling of the euerlasting counsaile in that which is common both to the elect or chosen and also to the reprobates or ofcastes The first Aphorismâ— THe Lorde to the ende he might execute or fulfyll that euerlasting counsayle vnto his glorie prepared him selfe away according vnto his infinite or endlesse wisedome which is common both to them which were to bee chosen and also to them which were to bee ofcastes For when as he had determined to shew forth a notable example of his mercie in the saluation of the chosen and also to make manifest his iust iudgement in condemning the ofcastes 1 It was of necesâ—itie that he shoulde shutte vp both of them vnder contumacie or disobedience and sinne that he might haue mercie on all the beleeuers 2 that is on the elect or chosen 3 for faith is a gifte of God peculiar or proper vnto the elect â— 4 and contraâ—y wise that he might finde matter of iust dampnâ—tion in those vnto whom it is geuen neither to beleeue neither yet to know the misteries or secretes of God. Proues out of the word of God. Rom. 11. 32. For God hath shut vp al vnder disobedience that he might haue mercy on all Gal 3 22. But the Scrâ—pture hath shut vp all things vnder sinne that the promise by the faith of Iesus Christ might be geuen to them that beléeue Act. 13 48 And the Gentiles hearing these things reioyced and glorified the word of the Lord and as many as were ordeyned vnto eâ—eâ—lasting life beléeued Eph. 2. 8. For ye are saued by grace through sayth and that not of your selues it is the gifte of God. 2. Thes. 3. 2. Fayth is not of all men or all men haue not fayth Tit 1. 1. According to the fayth of Gods elect or chosen and the knowledge of the trâ—th which is according vnto Godlynes 2. Unto the hope of eternall lyfe the which God that can not lye hath promised before the world beganne Phil. 1. 29. For vnto you it is geueâ— in Christ his cause not onelyâ— to beleeue in him but also to suffer for him Gal 3. 22. But the frute of the spirit is loue ioye peace long suffering gentlenesse goodnesse fayth c. Math. 13. 11. For vnto you it is not geuen to know the secréets of the kingdom of heauen but to them it is not geuen loh. 12. 37. And though he had done so many myracles before them yet they beleeued not in him 38. That the saying of Esay the prophet might be fulfilled which he spake Lord â—oho beleued our saying and vnto whom â—is the arme of the Lord opened 39. Therfore they could not beléeue becauâ— that Esay sayth againe 40. He hath blynded their eyes and hardened theyr hearts that they should not see with theyr eyes and vnderstand with theyr heart and should be conuerted and I should heale them The second Aphorisme THis therefore he did vvith such vvisdom that the whole faultes of the reprobates or ofcastes damnation resteth in themselues and that the vvhole praise of the saluation of the electe or chosen is vvholie to to be referred vnto his mercy for he dyd not create man in sinne for so vvhich God forbyd should he him selfe haue beene the Author of sinne and of his iustice he might not punishe it but rather hee made him after his owne Image that is in cleanesle and holynesse Proues out of the worde of God. Gen 1. 27. Therfore god created man after his owne image after the Image of god created he him male and female created he them Ephes. 4. 24. And put on that new man which after God is created in righteousnes and true holynes The thyrd Aphorisme HE afterwardes constrayned by none at all and driuen also by no necessity of concupiscence or lusteâ— as concerning his vvyl for as yet it vvas not bond vnto finne of his owne accorde and freely rebelling against God bequeathed himself vnto sinne and vnto both deaths That is of bodie and soule Proues out of the worde of God. Gen 2. 17. In the daye that thou eatest of it dying thou shalt dye Ro. 7. 20. But yet if I doo that I would not then is it not I that doo it but sinne that dwelleth in mée Rom. 5. 12. Wherefore as by one man sinne entered into the worlde and death by the meanes of sinne and so death went ouer all men insomuch as all men haue sinned The fourth Aphorisme YEt vve must confesse that this fall of man happened not by chaunce vvhen as the prouidence of God is stretched forth euen vnto the verie smallest things neither can any thing be saide to come to passe God not knowing of it oâ— else altogeather vvynking at it for so thinking the vvhich God forbyd vvee must be of the opinion of the Epicures Proues out of the worde of God. Mat. 10. 29. Are not two sparowes sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your father 50. But the verie heyres of your heaâ— are all numbred Prou. 16. 33. The lotte is cast into the lappe but the whole iudgement of it
is from the Lorde The fifth Aphorisme NEyther yet dyd it happen by any baâ—e and ydle peâ—mission or suffering vvhich is seuered from his vvyl and decreeâ— for when as he hath ordained the eâ—de it must needes be also that he hath appointed the causes leadinge vnto that ende vnlesle vvee vvyll affyrme that the same ende came to passe either at all aduentures or â—lse by caâ—ses â—rdayned by some other God after the opinion of the Manichees Moreouer it can not bee â—nce so much as â—â—oughtâ— that any thing â—ommeth to passe against the vvyll of God and vvhether hee vvyll or nâ— but that vvith great vngodlâ— nesse vve must denie him to bee almighty the which thing Augustin also lib. De correp et grat Cap. 104. hath plainly noted It doeth therfore remaine that this fall did in such sort issue from the wylling motion or sturring of Adam as that yet it happened not against the wyl of God vvhome after a certaine vvonderfull and vnconceiueable maner it pleaseth that eueÌ„ the same thing vvhich he doth not allow in that it is sinne coÌ„meth not to passe vvith out his vvyll and that as vve haue sayde before that the shoulde shewe the ryches of his glorie vpon the vesselles of mercy and declare his wrath and power in those vesselles vvhich he hath made theâ—fore that hee might set foorth his glorie by theyr iust dampnation For neyther is the saluation of the elect or chosen nor yet the dampnation of the reprobates or ofcastes the laste ende of the counsayles of God but the setting forth of his glory aswell in sauing them of mercy as in condemning these by his iust iudgement Proues out of the worde of God. Rom. 9. 21. Hath not the potâ—er power ouer the clay to make of the same lump one vessel to honour and an other to dishonour 22. What and if God minding to shew his wrath and to make his power knowen did suffer with much patience the vesselles of wrath prepared to destructionâ— c. 1. Pet. 2. 8. And a stone of stumblyng and a rocke of offence to them which stumble at the word being disobedient vnto the which thing they were then oâ—dained Exod. 9. 16. And in deed for this cause haue I appointed thee to wytt to shewe thée my power and to declare my name through out the whole worlde Prou. 16. 4. God hath made al thinges for him selfe yea euen the wicked man for the day of euyll Esa. 54. 16. Behold I haue created the â—mith that bloweth coles in the fire and â—ringeth forth a tole for his worke I I say haue created the destroyer to destoy Rom. 9. 11. For the chyldren beeing not yeat borne when as they had done nothing neyther good nor euyll that the purpose of god which is according vnto his election that is to say not of workes but of him that calleth might remaine sure c. 13. As it is written Iacob haue I loued and Esau haue I hated 17. For the scripture sayth vnto Pharao for this same purpose haue I styrred the vp that I might shew my power in thée and that my name might be declared thorough out all the earth 18. Therefore hee hath mercie on whome he wyll and whome he wyll he hardeneth The sixt Aphorisme THerefore that vve may auoide these blasphemies into the vvhiche the vveakenesse of mans vvyt doth draw vs let vs confesse that the corruption of the chiefe vvorkemanshippe made by God came to passe neither by chaunce nor yet vvithout his vvyl vvho of his incomprehensible or vnconceyueable vvisedome maketh and ordreth all things to his glorie let vs neuerthelesse graunt albeit that iudgemeÌ„t of man vvrestle neuer so much against it the vvhich in the begyâ—ning vvas both compassed about with certain bounders and vvas also afterward miserablie corrupted or made yll that the vvhole fault of destructioÌ„ resteth in maÌ„ because that betweene that secreete and vnceyueable vvyll of God and the same corruption of mankind which properly is the true and the first original or beginning of the destruction of the reprobatâ— or ofcasts the wyl of that first man commeth in the vvhich vvyl vvheras it vvas created good of his owne accord depraued or made it selfe naught and therfore made open an entrie vnto the iust iudgement of God to destroie al those vvhom he vvyll not vouchsafe to shewe his mercie vnto Now if these pleading againe â—â—o obiecte that they coulde not bee aâ—ainst this wyll of God well let vs leâ—â—em alone vnto their owne destruction â— reason against him who wyll easilye â—efende his owne righteousnesse against â—heir foolishe quarellings Let vs rather â—euerence that thing which is aboue the â—eache of our vvyt and turne al the conâ—eites and imaginations of our minde to the setting forth of his mercie which of his owne onely goodnesse hath saused vs being no lesse wicked and worthie of any kinde of punishment then they are Proues out of the worde of God. Rom. 9. 13. As it is written Iacob haue I loued and Esau haue I hated 14. What shall we say then is there any vnrighteousnesse with God God forbyd 15. For he sayth vnto Moyses I wyl haue mercie on him to whome I wyll shewe mercie and I wyll haue compassion on him on whome I wyll haue compassion 19. Thou wylt then sayâ— vnto mée why is he yet angrie For who hath resisted his wyll 20. But O manâ— who art thou which pleadest against God shal the thing formed say to him that formed it why hast thou made mee thus The fourth Chap. By what order of causes God hath opened the waie to declare his election and in some part to extende or perfourme it The first Aphorisme NOwe vvhen as God had determined those former thinges vvith him self as vve haue sayd afterwards in the next and yet eternall or euerlasting rule of causes as all things are present vnto him he seuerallie ordained all those degrees or steppes by the vvhich he vvould lyfe vp into his kingdome those of his which vvere to be chosen Therfore because he is in such vvyse mercifull that in the meane vvhyle he neither ought nor can â—orget his iustice fyrst of all there must â—eedes haue beene some one ordained to â—e a mediatour by vvhome man might â—ee vvholie restored into his former eâ—tate and that of free mercie vvhiche should appeare in the saluation of his But man besides that he is more vveake then that hee can sustaine or beare the force of God his wrath 1 doeth also so please himself in that his most miserable blindnesse that he seeth it not 2 as being vvholye brought into slauerie and bondage vnto the kingdome of sinne 3 insomuch that the lawe of God turneth vnto him vnto death so farre of is it that he shoulde be able there to set him selfe at lybertie or else to satisâ—ie or make aunswere vnto the lawe of God euen in the verie least point Proues out of the worde of God. Ioh.
9 41. If ye were blinde ye should haue no sinne but nowe ye saye we sée therefore your sinne remaineth Rom. 1. 18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heauen against all vngodlinesse vnrighteousnesse of meÌ„ which with holde the truth vnrighteouslie 24. Wherfore also God hath geuen them vp to their hearts lustes vnto vncleanes to defile their owne bodies betweene them selues Rom. 7. 14. For we knowe that the lawe is spirituall but I am carnall or fleshly soulde vnder sinne Ephe. 2. 3. Among whom we also had our conuersation in times past in the lustes of our flesh doing such thinges as lyked our fleshe and thoughtes and were by nature the sonnes of wrath as well as others 1. Cor. 2. 14. But the fleshly man can not conceiue the things of the spirit of God for they are foolyshnes vnto him neyther can he knowe them because they are spiritually discerned 2. Cor. 3. 7. If then the ministration of death ingrauen with letters in stones was glorious so that the children of Israell coulde not beholde the face of Moiâ—es for the glory of his countenance which glorie is done away c. 9. For if the ministery of condemnation was glorious much more doeth the ministration of righteousnesse exceede in glory Rom 7. 10. But I dyed and the same commaundement which was ordained vnto lyfe was found to turne vnto mee vnto death The eleuenth Aphorisme GOd therefore the most gentle father of the elect and chosen tempering that his iustice vvith infinite or endlesse mercy appointed his onely sonne of the same substance vvith him and also God euerlasting vvho at the time appointed should be made a verie or true man. Proues out of the word of God. Math. 1 20. Ioseph thou sonne of Dauid feare not to take Marie thy wyfe For that which is conceyued in her is of the holye ghost Luke 1. 35. The holy ghost shall come vppon thee and the power of the highest shal ouershadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be borne of thée shall be called the sonne of God. Ioh. 1. 14. And the worde was made flesh and dwelt amongeste vs and we saw the glorie therof the glorie I say as of the onely be gotten of the father Gal. 4. 4. But after that the full time came God sent forth his sonne made of a woman made subiect vnto the lawe 1. Ioh. 1. 1. That which was from the beginning which we haue hearde which we seene with our eyes which we haue loked vpon and our handes haue handled of the words of lyfe 2. For the lyfe appeared and we haue séene it and beare witnesse and shewe vnto you that eternall lyfe which was with the father and appeared vnto vs 3. That I saye which we haue seene and heard declare we vnto you c. Rom. 1. 3. Concerning his sonne made of the seede of Dauid according the flesh 4. And declared mightily to bée the sonne of God touching the spirit of sanctification by the resurrection from the dead 2. Cor. 5. 19. To wit because God was â—â— Christ reconcyling the worlde vnto â—im selfe Philip. 2. 6. Who when as he was in â—e fourme of God thought it no robbeâ—e to be equall with God. 7. But he made him selfe of no repuâ—ation taking vpon him the fourme of a â—eruaunt being made lyke vnto man. Colos. 2. 9. For in him dwelled all the â—ulnesse of the godhead bodily The thirde Aphorisme FYrst that two natures beeing ioyned togeather into one Iesus Christ that vvhole corruption of man myght bee wholie repaired and ameÌ„ded in one man. Proues out of the worde of God. Rom. 8. 3. For when as the weakenesse of the lawe coulde doo nothing in the fleshe God sending his owne sonne being made lyke vnto fleshe subiect vnto sinne and that for sinne condemned â—inne in the fleshe The fowrth Aphorisme SEcondlie vvhiche mighgt fulfyll all rigteousnesse and might be both able inough to sustaine or beare the iudgement of his father and also bee an highe priest worthy inough to pacifie his heauenlie father dying righteous for the vnrighteous and by his obedience doing awaie the stubbornenesse of Adam and cleansing all the iniquities of vs all beeing laide vpon his shoulders Proues out of the worde of God. Mat. 3 15. And Iesus answering sayde vnto him let mée alone now for thus it becoÌ„meth vs to fulfyl al righteousnesse Math. 5. 17. Thinke not that I came to breake the law or the prophets c. Rom. 5. 18. To wit then likewise as by one offence the faulte came on all men vnto condemnation c. 1. Cor. 1. 30. But ye are of him in Christ Iesus who of God is made vnto vs wisdom and righteousnes and sanctification and redemtion The fyfth Aphorisme FYnallie that with one 1 oblation or oâ—â—ering of his owne selfe he might â—anctifie or make holy all them that were â—o bee chosen destroying and burying 2 sinne in them by the communicating â—r imparting of his death and buryall vvith them and quickening them intoâ—â— newe lyfe by his resurrection or rysingâ—â—gaine 3 insomuch that they doo also â—â—nde more in Christe then they lost in Adam Proues out of the wordâ— of God. Esa. 53. 4. Surely he hath borne our grieffes he hath carried our sorrâ—ws â—et we did iudge him smitten c. â—5 But he was wounded for our iniquiâ—ies he was broken for our sinnes 11. He shall sée of the trauaile of his â—oule and shall bée satisfied and by his â—octryne shall my righteous seruaunt â—ustifie or make manie righteous Rom. 3 25. Whom God hath set forth â—o be an appeasement through fayth in â—is blood to declare his righteousnes by â—he forgeuenesse of the sinnes that are â—assed Act 20. 28. Take héede therefore vnto your selues and to all the flocke in the which the holy ghost hath made you ouersaers to féede the Churche of God which he hath purchased with his owne blood Colos. 1. 20. And peace being made through his blood by him to reconcyle all things vnto him self both the things which are in earth and the thinges in heauen 21. And you which were in tymes past straungers and enemies because your mindes were set in euyll workes hath he nowe truely reconcyled 22. In the body of his fleshe through death to make you holy and vnblameable and without faulte in his sight Rom. 5. 19. For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many also he made righteous 1. Pete 2. 24. Who bare our sinnes in his bodie on the trée that we being dead vnto sinne shoulde lyue vnto rightcousnesse by whose stripes ye are healed 1. Pe. 3. 18. For Christ also once suffereâ—â—or sinnes the righteous for the vnrighâ—eous to bring vs vnto God being in â—éede mortified or become dead in the â—â—eshe but quickened in the spirite 2. Cor. 5. 21. For he hath made him to â—e sinne for vs which knewe no sinne â—hat we shoulde
24. Reade the Parrable of the Sower Act. 1. 16. Men and brethren this Scripture must needes haue beene fulfylled which the holie ghost foretolde by the mouth of Dauid as concerning Iudas c. 17. For he was numbred with vs and had obtained part of his ministerie Ioh. 6. 37. Whatsoeuer my Father geueth mee shall come vnto mee and him that coÌ„meth vnto mée I cast not away Ezec. 13. 9. And mine hande shall be vpon the Prophets that sée vanity and diuine lyes they shall not bée in the assemblye of my people neither shal they be written in the writing of the house of Israell c. 1. Ioh. 2. 19. They went out from vs but they were not of vs for if they had béene of vs they would doubtles haue continued with vs c. Ioh. 8. 34. Uerily veryly I say vnto you whosoeuer committeth sinne is the seruaunt of sinne Rom. 5. 12. Therefore like as by one man sinne hath entred into the world and by sinne death and so death went ouer all men in as much as al men haue sinned Rom. 6. 20. For when as ye were serâ—auntes of sinne ye were fréede from righteousnesse Rom. 7. 14. We know that the law is spirituall but I am carnall or fleshly sould to be subiect vnto sinne Rom. 8. 7. Because that the vnderstanding of the fleshe is enmitie against god For it is not subiecte vnto the lawe of God neyther in deede can bée 2. Pet. 2. 22. But it happeneth vnto theÌ„ which is wont to be sayd in the prouerb the dogge is turned againe vnto his vomyt and the sowe that was washed to hyr wallowing in the myre 1. Tim. 4. 1. For the spirit sayth plainly that it shall come to passe that in the latter times some shall fall from the fayth geuing héede vnto disceauing spirites and vnto doctrines of Deuyls Math. 12. 43. Read the parable of the seuen spirites Rom. 9. 19. Thou wilt then say vnto mee why is he yet angry For who hath withstood his wyll 2. Thes. 2. 6. Whose comming is by the working of Sathan with al power and signes and lying wonders 10. And wyth all diceit of vnrighteousnes in them that perish for that they haue not receaued the loue of the truth that they might be saued 11. And therefore God shall sendâ— them strengthe of disceyuing that they should beleeue lyes Ioh. 3. 19. And this is the condemnation that light is commen in the worlde but men haue loued darknes more then light because their workes are euyl Esa. 63. 1â— Wherefore hast thou O Lorde made vs to goo a straye from thy wayes thou haste made our hearte goo backe from thy feare Exod. 4. 21. Sée that thou doo all the wonders before Pharaoh which I haue put in thine hande and wyll harden his hearte that hée shall not let the people goe ¶ There are also moeâ— places vvhiche vve haue rehearted aboue Chap. 2. Aphorisme 1. Esa. 6. 10. Harden the hearte of this people and make his eares heauy and daube his eyes leste happyly he should see with his eyes and heare with his eares and his heart should vnderstand and when he is conuerted there should 〈◊〉 â—â—aling vnto him Rom. 11. 32. For God hath shut vp all 〈◊〉 vnder dissobedience that he might 〈◊〉 mercy on all Exod. 8 32 And Pharaoh hardened his 〈◊〉 this time also and let not the 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 9â— 8. Harden not your heartes as 〈◊〉 Meriâ—ah as in the day of Massah in the Wildernesse Act. 7. 42. And God turned him selfe away and gaue them vp into the seruice of 〈◊〉 hoast of heauen as it is written in booke of the prophets Rom. 1. 29. Wherefore the Lord gaue thâ—â— ouer vnto filthy lustes 2. Reg. 22. 23. Now therefore beholde 〈◊〉 Lord hath put a spirit of lying in the 〈◊〉 of al thy Prophets and the Lord 〈◊〉 spoken euil vpon thee â—oh 1. 3. 2. The Deuyll put in the heart of Iudas to betray Iesus 2. Cor. 43. 4. But if our gospell bée hidden it is hidden in them that perish in whome the God of this worlde hath â—â—nded their mindes that is to say in the Infidelles or vnbeléeuers that the lyght of the glorious gospell of Christ who is the Image of God shoulde not shine vpon them 2. Tim 2. 26. And that being escaped out of the snare of the Deuyl by whome they are kepte prisoners they might receyue health of minde to his wyll 1. Tim. 1. 19. Hauing fayth and a good conscience which some haue put away and as concerning fayth haue made â—hypwracke Prouer. 16. 4. God hath made al things for him selfe yea euen the wicked man for an euyll daye Exod. 9. 16. And truely for this cause haue I ordayned thée that I might shew vnto thée my power and that they shoulde declare my name in the whole yearth Rom. 9. 21. Hath not the potter power ouer the clay to make of the same lump one vessell vnto honour and an other to dishonour 22. What and if God wyllyng to shew forth his wrath and to make knowen â—is power suffered with much gentleâ—esse the vesselles of wrath prepared to â—estruction The sixt Chap. Of the laste and full execution or performing of the counsell of Godâ— both in the chosen and also in the ofcastes The first Aphorisme FOrasmuch as God is verie righteousnesse it selfe it is meete that he should saue the ryghteous and condempne the vnrighteous 1 But they onelie amongste men are righteous vvho being vnyted and graffed in Christe by saith yea and also rooted in him and being made one bodie vvith him 2 are in him and by him iustifyed and sanctified that is made righteous and holie VVhereby it is proued 3 that the lyfe wherevnto they are ordained to the glorie of God doeth by a certaine right appertaine vnto them onelie Proues out of the word of God. Ioh. 17. 21. That all may be one as thou Father arte in mee and I in thee that they also maye bee one in vs that the worlde maye beleeue that thou hast sent mee Rom. 9. 5. For if being planted with him we haue growne in the likenesse of his death euen so shall we growe in the lykenesse of his resurrection or rysing againe Col. 2. 7. Rooted and buylt in him and stablished in the faith as ye haue beene taught abounding therein with thankes geuing 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 the bodie of Christ Rom. 8. 50. And whome he hath predestinated or foreordained these also hath he called and whome he hath calâ—ed those also hath hée iustified or made â—ighteous And whome he hath iustified 〈◊〉 made righteous those also hath hee â—â—lorifyed 1 Cor. 1. 30. But ye are of him in Christ â—esus who of God is made vnto vs wisâ—om and righteousnesse and sanctiuÌ„caâ—on and redemtion 2 Cor. â— 5.
hath entred into the world and by sinne death and so death hath gonne ouer al men in that al men haue sinned Rom. 7. 14. For we know that the law is spiritual but I am carnall or fleshly soulde to be subiect vnto sinne Eph. 2. 3. Amongst whome also wée some times had our conuersation in the lustes of our flesh doing the things that like◠〈◊〉 flesh and thoughtes and were by naâ—â—re the sonnes of wrath as well as others Luck 16. 23. And being in hell lyfting vp his eies when as hee was in tormentes he saw Abraham a far of and Lazarus in his bosome 24. Then he crying sayde Father Abraham take pity vpon mée and sende Lazarus that hée maye dyppe the typpe of his fynger in water and câ—â—le my tongue because I am tormented in this flame Math. 25. 41. Then he shall also say to those which shall be one his left hand ye cursed departe from mée into euerlasting fire which is prepared for the Deuyll and his Angels The fyfte Aphorisme AFter these two vvaies then and the same being cleane diuerse one from another shall the last ende of the iudgementes of God laie open his glorie vnto all men as who in his electe or chosen hath declared him selfe to bee both most exceeding just and also most exceeding mercifull to wyt iust in that hee hath with greatest seueritie or sharpnesse punished all the sinnes of his chosen in the person of his sonne and hath not receyued them into his fellowship before that hee hath fullye and whollie made them righteous and holie in him and in this infinitelie or without ende mercifull that hee hath purposed to chose them freelie in him selfe and afterwarde as he pâ—rposed hath freelie adopted them in his sonne to wyt by calling iustifying and glorifying them that faith coÌ„ming in between the which he being moued with like gentlenesse hath graunted vnto them Now on the other parte which concerneth the reprobates or ofcastes theâ—r corruption and vnbeleefe with the fruites springing from the same and the testimonie or vvytnesse of their owne conscience shall so reproue them that a beit they vvrestle neuer so muche against it yet God his exceeding iustice in their iust condempnationâ— all men approuing it maie appeare The seuenth Chap. ¶ VVhat waie this doctrine maie profiâ—ablie bee openlie set forth and taught HAuing declared the summe of the doctrine it selfe there remayneth that we shewe what wee thinke is espatiallye to bee obserued or marked in the Preaching and also peculyar applying of it For where as it seemeth to many to bée so harde that they flee from it as from a rocke this is to be attributed or geuen partlie to the lewdnesse and arrogancie or pryde of men partly also to the lacke of foresyght in some which goe about to open these secréetes vnaduisedlye and without any choyce and fynalliâ— to the vnskylfulnesse of some which knowe not orderly to applie vnto them selues the thinges which otherwyse are faithfullie and truely declared Therefore as concerning those first which sinne of mallice it belongeth vnto God alone to amend their fault which doubtles he hath allwayes done in his time and wyll lykewise do hereafter in those who me in the ende he hath purposed to haue mercy on and as for the others which abide stubborne and stiffe in their wickednesse there is no cause why we should be so moued either with their number or autority that God his truth should be dyssembled Nowe as touching the others these things I had which I thought néedeful to be obserued or taken heede of in the preaching and setting forth of this mystery or secreete First that as in other poyntes 1 so especially in this secréet of predestination or foreordeining they diligently take heede least in steede of the plaine truth of God they bring vaine and curiouse speculations which they must needes do who to make these hiddeÌ„ iudgments of God to agree with mannes braine doo not onelye distinguishe or make a diffâ—rence betweene the foreknowledge and the purpose of God as it is altogeather néedefull for to doo but do also separate or seuer them or else do imagin a naked idle permission or sufferaunce or else make a double purpose of God from which errours when as they must nâ—edes fall into other endlesse and fonde errours they are partly constrained to denye such thinges as doo wholy cleaue fast togeather partly also they doo inuent both folishe and many darke distinctions or differences in the which the farther they wade the more doo they entangle them selues so that they can neuer get out of these Labyrinthes or maâ—ées These therefore must bée dilygentlie taken heede of in this argument espetially than the which none other is more méete in the Churchof God to bée purelye and sincerelye or vncorruptlye taught Moreouer that there bée no kindes of speaking so farre as may bée for for teaching sake we maye sometymes godly and relygiously aduenture some thing vsed which are straunge to the scriptures and that such as come to hand in the word of God be expounded with an apt interpretation lest som ignoraunt person take any occasion of offence Also 2 there must bée great regarde had of the Auditours or hearers where in againe wée must make a difference betwéene the craftye and the symple betwéene those that are wilfully ignoraunt and them that are taken wyth simple ignoraunce and such as is vsuall vnto man 3 For vnto the one the Lorde is woonte playnlye to denounce or threaten the iudgement of his Father 4 and the other we must leade by little and little vnto the knowledge of the truth This also in this case must bee looked vnto that we haue not so much regard of the weake that whylest wée haue care of them wée take no kéepe of others of which wisedome we sée notable examples in Paule especiallye in the Epistle to the Romaines Chap. 9. 10. 11. 14. and. 15. Also that vnlesse some verie great reason let them they goe vp from the lowest degrees vnto the â—yghest aâ— Paule doeth in the Epistle to the Romaines which is the Method or orderlie manner of teaching of all Diuinitie hee proceedeth from the lawe to forgeuenesse of sinnes and from thence by lyttle and lyttle vnto the highest degree or that they staye in that whiche shall bee moste fyttest for the place of Scripture whiche they haue taken in hande to handle rather then to come downe from the hyghest degrée vnto the lowest For the brightnesse of God his Maiestie sodainlie offered is woont mightilie to stryke the eyes in so muche that afterwarde they are dymme in beholdinge other thinges vnlesse they haue beene vsed a long season and oftentymes to beholde that lyght Moreouer whether they goe vp from the lowest vpwardes or contrarywise come downe from the hyghest downewardes you must take héede that you râ—nne not out from one extréeme vnto the other ouerpassing the middes
notâ— or consideration which is to considerâ— whether a man in this lyfe maye be certaine of his election To answere this question we haue first to vnderstand that although our election and vocation simply in déede he knowen to God onely him selfe a Priore yet not withstanding it may be knowne to euery particular faithful man a Posteriore that is by meanes whiche meanes is fayth in Christ Iesus crucified for so much as by his fayth in Christ a man is iustified and therebye made the childe of saluation reason must needes leads the same to bée then the chylde of election chosen of God vnto euerlasting â—yfe for howe can a man be â—aued but by consequence it followeth that hee must bée elected And therefore of election is truely sayde De electione indicandum est A posteriore that is to saye We must iudge of election by that whiche commeth after that is by our fayth and beléefe in Christ which fayth although in tyme it followeth after election yet is it the proper and immediate cause assygned by the Scripture which not onely iustifyeth vs but also certifyeth vs of the election of God. Wherevnto lykewise well agréeth this saying Election albeit in God it be the first yet to vs it is the last opened And therefore begynning first with creation I come from thence to redemption and iustification by fayth and so to election Not that fayth is the cause efficient of election being rather the effecte thereof but is to vs the cause certifycatorie or the cause of our certifycation whereby we are brought to the feeling and knowledge of our election in christ For albeit that election fyrst be certaine in the knowledge of God yet in our knowledge fayth onely that wée haue in Christ is the thing that geueth to vs our certyficate comfort of this election Wherefore whosoeuer desireth to be assured that he is one of the elect number of God let him not clyme vp to heauen to knowe but let him descend into himselfe and there searche his fayth in Christ the sonne of God Which if hée fynde in him not fayned by the working of Gods holy spyrite accordingly therevpon let him staye and so wrappe himselfe wholy both body and soule vnder Gods generall promyse and â—umber his head with no farther speculations knowing this that whosoeuer beleeueth in him shall not perysh loh 3. Shall not be confounded Rom. 9. Shal not see death Ioh. 8. Shall not enter into iudgement Ioh. â— Shall haue euerlasting lyfe Iohn 3. 7. Shall be saued Math 28. Act. 16. Shall haue remyssion of all his sinnes Act. 10. Shall be instifyed Rom. 3. Gal. 2. Shall haue flooddes flowing out of him of water of lyfe Ioh. 7. Shall neuer dye Ioh. 11. Shal be raysed in the last daye Ioh. 6. Shall fynde rest to his soule and shall bée refreshed Math. 11. Nowe then for so muche as we sée fayth to be the grounde wherevpon dependeth the whole condition of our iustifying let vs discusse in lyke maner what is this faith wherof the scripture so much speaketh of for the more plaine vnderstanding of the symple For many kyndes there be of fayth As a man maye beléeue euery thing that is true yet not euery trueth doeth saue neyther doeth the beleeuing of euery trueth iustifie a man He that beleeueth that God created all thinges of nought beléeueth trueth He that beléeueth that God is a iust God that he is omnipotent that he is mercyfull that he that is true of promyse beléeueth well and holdeth the trueth So he that beléeueth that God hath his election from the begynning and that he also is one of the same elect and Predestinate hath a good beleefe and thynketh well But â—et this beleefâ— alone except it be seasoned with another thing wyll not serue to saluationâ— As it aâ—ayled not the olde Iewes which so thought of themselues and yet thinke to this daye to bée onely Gods electe people Onely the fayth which auayleth to saluation is that whose obiect is the body and passion of Christ Iesus crucifyed so that in the aâ—te of iustifying these two fayth and Christ haue a mutuall relation and must alwayes concurrs together fayth as the action which apprehendeth Christ as the obiect which is apprehended For neyther doth the passion of Christ saue without fayth neyther doeth fayth helpe except it be in christ As we see the body of man sustayned by bread and drinkeâ— not except the same be receaued and conueyed into the stomacke and yet neyther doth tho receyuing of any thing sustaine mans body except it be meate and drinke which haue power to geue nourishment In lyke sort it is with fayth for neyther doeth the beléeuing of euery thing saue But onely fayth in the blood of Christneyther doeth againe the same blood of Christ profite vs except by fayth it be receaued And as the sonne being the cause of all lyght â—â—yâ—eth not but to them onely which haue eyes to see nor yet to them neyther â—â—esse they wyll open theyr eyes to receaue the lyght So the passion of Christ is the efficient cause of saluation But fayth is the condition whereby the sayde Passion is to vs effectuall And that is the cause why wee â—aye with the Scrypture that fayth onelye iustifyeth vs not excludinge thereby all other eâ—terne causes that goe before fayth As grace mercye election vocation the death of Christ c. All which be externe causes working our saluation through fayth But when we saye that fayth onely iustifyeth vs the meaning thereof is this that of all internall actions motions or operations in man geuen to him of God there is no other that contenteth and pleaseth God or standeth before his iudgement or can helpe any thing to the iustifying of man before him but onely this one action of fayth in Christ Iesu the sonne of God. For although the action of praying fasting almes patience charitie repentaunce the feare and loue of God bee his gyfts in man and not of man geuen of God to man yet bee none of all these actions in man imputed of God to saluation but onely this one action of faith in man vpon Christ Iesus the sonne of god Not that the action it selfe of beleeuing As it is a qualyty in man doeth so deserue but because it taketh that dignity of the obiect For as I sayde in the acte of iustifying Fayth as it is an action in man is not to be considered alone but must euer goe with this obiect and taketh his vertue thereof Lyke as the looking vp of the olde Isralytes dyd not of it selfe procure any health vnto them but the promyse made in the obiect which was the brasen Serpent wherevppon they looked gaue them health by their looking vp Euen so after lyke sort are we saued by our fayth and spyrituall looking vppe to the bodye
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
to beare his Image vpon earth of iustice righteousnesse innocency But because this Image could by no creature perfectlye bée expressed vnlesse the same were fully replenished with the self same Godhead because that all things besidesfoorth had some imperfection bewraying theyr originall the darknesse as Iohn calleth it the Tohu and Bohu as Moyses doeth it name The vaine vanitie and wylde deformitie whence they were by creation altered recouered and brought into lyght and lyfe as appeared in Adam fallyng from trueth to lyes straight at the begynning nowe of necessitie the sonne of God who onely is good of nature becommeth man and taketh this office to beare the Image of God inuisible Colo. 1. And to be the head of that spyrituall perfection which was to be wrought in mankinde by his aforeappointed purpose and becommeth the fyrst begotten of all creatures for by him were all thinges created both in heauen and earth visible and inuisible maiestie Lordshyp rule power by whome and in whome all things are created and hée is before all creatures and in him all thinges haue their beeing And he is the head of the bodie he is the begynning and first begotten of the head that in all things he might haue prehemineÌ„ce For it pleased the father that in him should dwell al fulnesse and by him to reconcyle all thinges to himselfe And to set at peace by him through the blood of his crosse both things in heauen and things in earth for euen you sayth Paule which in tymes paste were straungers because your minds were set in euyl works hath he now reconcyled in the body of his flesh through death to make you holye and blamelesse and without fault in his sight Seeing then that this cannot be denied to be the course of God his holy working to dryue away this darknesse and to bring man to his lyght to take away sinne to bring man to a lyfe blamelesse the state of innocencieâ— and his owne likenesse shal it not bee most necessarye to haue Preachers Teachers to tell vs the same and to admonishe vs wherevnto we be called seeing of our selues and our owne reasons no such thing can be perceyued Therefore haue we preachings exhortations as Paule sayth for when the worlde thorowe wisdome knew not God in the wisdome of God it pleased God through the foolyshnesse of Preaching to saue them that beleeued 1. Corin. 1. And as hee also sayth of him selfe in another place Wée doo Preach this ryches in Christ the hope of your glory warning all men and teaching all men in all wisedome to make all men perfyte in Christ Iesu. Thus serueth then exhortations dehortations comminations and publycations of the lawes and wyll of our Lorde God that hee maye bee knowne the Lord and gouernour ouer all the thynges hée hath created and the onely lawe maker amongst his creatures publyshing vnto all that perfecte equitie and iustice which ought in no case to be resysted Whervnto if they can not attayne they must confesse and knowledge their owne infirmity and weakenesse and submyt them selnes vnder the mightie hande of God and so dooing they shall be receyued as chyldren of the most louing and most mercyfull father in suche degrées of perfection as hee hath appoynted to the beautifying of the bodie of his sonne our head So that the Lorde God doeth teache all and lyghten all men that come into the worlde bothe chosen and Reprobate with such a knowledge as doth the good Prince which vnto all his Subiects proclaimeth his statutes and publysheth his lawes but lyke a good and tender father he leadeth his children regenerate and borne a newe neyther of fleshe nor blood nor the wyll of man and guydeth them with his fatherly spyrite in the pathes of the same lawes wryting in theyr hartes what is his good wyll and pleasure In the which course of God his wonderfull worke the wicked hath no cause to complayne for as theyr father whom they doo followe is named the Prince of this world so they haue the world at wyll and are riche roysters and welthy worldlings tramplyng vnder theyr feete poore Abel and the despysed Christians neyther wyl they change their estate with any such no when they are called from darknesse to be partakers of light of life and the heauenly daynties layde vp in poore Christ they despised that estate excusing their purchases theyr marchaundice and their earthly lustes and delyghtes Luke 14. Wherfore in the other worlde they that héere are â—ppressed shall haue comfort and the other forment Such is the order then of God his working that by the contrarietie of the chosen and reprobate of Iacob and Esau of Pharao and Israel and the wisedome of God and the wisedome of the world he wyl set forâ—h his maiestie his power his diuinityâ— his Godhead so much as may be knowne vnto man that is to say in his wisdome iustice mercy almightynesse For comparing his wisedome to any other wisedome nowe appeareth the contrarie that it is very foolishnesse euen darknesse compared vnto lyght death vnto lyfe lyes vnto trueth as Paule sayth When they accoumpted themselues wyse they were made very fooles and chaunged the trueth with lyes the glory of the immortal God to mortall corruptyble creatures They following their owne righteousnesse could not come to the ryghteousnesse of God in Iesu Christ. Wherefore of necessitye God dyd shut all vnder synne that his mercie myght flow ouer all And that his mighty power myght appeare hée hath created the heauens and earth wherein we doo see lyght and darknesse death and lyfe shame and glorye weaknesse and strength lyes and trueth ryghteousnesse and vnryghteousnesse to serue to the settying foorth of his glorie that man may bée dryuen to saye with Paule O the depth of the ryches of the wisdome and knowledge of god How incomprehensyble are his wayes Howe vnsearchable are his iudgemeÌ„ts For who hath knowne the minde of the Lorde Or who hath bene his couÌ„seller Or who hath giuen him ought aforehand that he might bée repayed For by him and through him and in him are all things to him bee prayse for euer Amen And as this holy Apostle Paule doeth submytte him selfe to the great depth of the wysdome of God and his wonderfull Regiment and prouidence and woulde â—eate and dryue downe all fleshe by the consideration of the same So also all our Fathers from the begynning hath layde this the onely foundation of theyr fayth Wherefore Moyses beginneth to stablish the fayth of man at the historie of the creation and so foorth by the order of God his present gouernaunce about the things made and created And Dauid for a confession of his fayth pronounceth of this prouidence Psalm 95. I doo knowe that thou art a great Lord and a Lord aboue all Gods. All thinges whatsoeuer the Lordes pleasure was hée hath made in the Heauens the earth the Seas and the bottomlesse waters Againe by the worde of God