then contrariwise to begin at the very top of this mysterie and so come downe to the foote For the brightnes of Gods maiestie sodenly presented to the eies doth so 〈◊〉 and dazle the sight that afterwards if they be not through long continuance accustomed to the same they wexe blind when they should see other things VVhat then remaineth that vvhether they beginne beneath ascend vpwards or contrariwise aboue and come downeward to the lowest degree they take alwaies heed lest omitting that which ought to bee in the midst they leape from one extreamitie to another as from the eternall purpose to saluation and much more from saluation to the eternall purpose Likewise from Gods eternall counsell to damnation or backward froÌ„ damnation to his purpose leauing the neer and euident causes of Gods iudgement Except perchance they haue to doe with open blasphemers and contemners of God who haue need of nothing else but the sharpe pricks of Gods iudgement or else with men so trayned and exercised in Gods word that there be no suspicion of any offence Finally that they neuer so propound this doctrine as if it should be applied to any one man particularly 9 although men must be vsed after diuers sorts some by gentlenesse and some by sharpnesse vnlesse some Prophet 7 of God be admonished by some speciall reuclation vvhich thing because it is out of course and not vsuall ought not lightly to be belieued When the Ministers also visite the sicke or vse familiar and priuate admonitions it is their dutie to lift vp and comfort the afflicted consciences with the testimonial of their election and againe to wound and pearce the wicked and stubborne with the fearefull iudgement of God so that they keepe a meane refrayning euer froÌ„ that last sentence which admitteth no exception nor condition For this right and jurisdiction onely appertaineth to God 8. CHAP. VIII How euery man may with profit apply this uniuersal doctrine to himselfe IT is most euideÌ„t that they which teach that mans saluation either in part or wholly dependeth and is grounded in works destroy the foundation of the Gospel of GOD 1. And contrariwise they that teach iustification freely by faith ground on a sure foundation but so that they build vpon that eternal counsell of God whereupon Christ himselfe 2 and the Apostle Paul folowing Christs steppes groundeth his doctrine 3. For seeing perseuerance in faith is requisite to saluation 4 to what purpose shall saith serue me except I be sure of the gift of perseuerance nor we need not fear least this doctrine make vs negligent or dissolute for this peace of conscience whereof wee speak 5 ought to be distinct and separat froÌ„ foolish securitie and he that is the sonne of God seeing hee is mooued and gouerned by the spirit of God 9 vvill neuer through the consideration of Gods benefit take occasion of negligence and dissolution Then if by this doctrine we had but this one commoditie that wee might learn to assure cofirme our faith against all brunts that might happen it is manifest that they which speak against resist this article of religion either through their wickednes or else through their ignorance or some foolish blind zeale which hapneth when men will meâ—sure God according to the capacity of their own wits subuert destroy the principall ground foundation of our saluation And in very deed though some as I must coÌ„fesse do it not purposely yet doe they open notwithstanding the dore to al superstition impiety As for theÌ„ which nowadaies maliciously oppugne the truth I beseech the lord euen from my hart either to turne their mindes if so be they appertaine to the elect or else to send them a most speedy destruction that by their owne example they may confirme and establish that doctrine which so maliciously they resist These other I will desire most instantly and require them in the name of God that they would better aduise themselues what they doe Now to touch briefly how this doctrine may bee applied let vs marke that all the works of God euen the least of all are such that man cannot iudge of them but in two sorts that is either wheÌ„ they are done or else by foreseeing them to come to passe by the disposition of the second and manifest causes whose effects haue been diligently and by long vse obserued as men accustome in naturall things to do wherin notwithstanding men are wonderfully blind In this matter then which is most obscure of all others it is no maruel if mans wit be driuen into this straight that it can not otherwise vnderstand but by this meanes what is determined as touching him selfe in this secret counsell of God But because these are most high mysteries therfore stand in the obseruation of those causes which passe all naturall things wee must needs seeke farther come to Gods word which forasmuch as without all comparison it is more certain then mans comectures so it can best directvs heerein and assure vs. The Scripturne then witnesseth 7 that all those that God hath according to his counsell predestinate to be adopted his children throgh Iesus Christ are also called in their time appointed yea so effectually that they hear the voice of him that calleth and belieue it 8 so that beeing iustified and sanctified in Iesus Christ they are also glorified Wilt thou then whatsoeuer thou art be assured of predestination and so in order of thy saluation which thou lookest for against all the assaults of Satan assured I say not by doubtful coniectures or our owne fantasie but by arguments and conclusions no lesse true and certaine 9. then if thou were ascended into 〈◊〉 and had heard of Gods owne mouth his eternall decree and purpose Beware thou begin not at that most high degree for so thou shouldest not be able to sustaine the most shining light of Gods maiestie Begin therefore beneath at the lowest order and when thou shalt heare the voice of God 10 sound in thine eares and in thy hart which calleth thee to Christ the onely Mediator consider by little and little try diligently 11 if thou be iustified sanctified in Christ through faith for these two bee the effects or fruites whereby the faith is known which is their cause As for this thou shalt partly know by the spirit of adoption which cryeth within thee Abba Father 12 and partly by the vertue and effect of the same spirit which is wrought in thee As if thou fall and so declare indeede that although sinne dwell in thee yet it doth no more raigne in thee 13. For is not the holy Ghost hee that causeth vs not to let slip the bridle and giue libertie willinglie to our naughtie and vile concupiscences 14 as they are accustomed whose eyes the prince of this world blindeth 15 or else who mooueth vs to pray when we are cold and slothfull who stirreth
A Briefe Declaration of the chiefe points of Christian religion set forth in a Table Made by THEODORE BEZE GAL. III. D. The Scripture hath shut vp all vnder sin to the intent that the promise by the faith in Iesus Christ should be giuen to them that belieue At London Printed for Tho Man 1613. GOD the eternall purpose to elect Christ An effectuall vocation Free mercie faith Iustification and sanctification Glorification to life everlasting By mercie and uustice The Iudgement of God the last end of Gods councell is his glory The creation of man Corruption loue hate to forsake Adam no vocation hardening of hart no knowledge of the Gospell Iniustice and pollution Condemnation to death euerlasting By iudgement The Iudgement of God the last end of Gods councell is his glory contempt of the Gospell an vnprofitable vocation prescience or foreknowledge A briefe Declaration of the Table of Predestination CHAP. I. The question of Gods eternall Predestination is not curious or vnprofitable but of great importance and very necessary in the Church of God SAint Augustine in his booke of The profit of Perseuerance chap. 14. saith that they which were against him as Aduersaries in this question did alleadge that this doctrine of Predestinaon did hinder the preaching of Gods word coused that it could not profit As if saith he this doctrine had hindered the Apostle Saint Paul to doe his dutie vvho so oftentimes dooth commend vnto vs and teach Predestination and yet neuer ceaseth to preach the vvord of God Also saith moreouer As hee that hath receiued the gift can better exhort and preach so hee that hath receiued this gift dooth heare the Preacher more obediently and with greater reuerence c. VVee doe therefore exhort and preach but they onely which haue eares to heare doe heare vs quietlie and to their comfort in those that haue them not this sentence is fulfilled that hearing with their eares they doe not heare for they heare with the outward sense but not with the inward consent Now why some men haue these eares and others not it is because it is giuen to some to come and to others not Who knew Gods counsell must that bee denied which is plaine and euident because that cannot bee knowne which is hid and secret Again in the 15. chap. I pray you saith hee if some vnder the shadow of Predestination giue themselues to slothfull negligence and as they are bent to flatter their flesh so followe their owne lusts must wether foreiudge that this which is written of the fore-knowledge of God is false Now surelie this is verie handsome and to the purpose that vvee shall not speak that which by the Scripture is lawfull to speak Oh wee 〈◊〉 say you least he should be offended which is not able to vnderstand and take it And shal we not feare say I lest whiles we hold our tongue he that is able to take the truth be taken and snared with falshood and error Also in the 20 chapter of the same book he writeth in this sort If the Apostles Doctors of the Church vvhich came after them did the one and the other both teaching the eternal election of God purely and truly and also retaining the faithfull in godly life and manners what moueth these our Aduersaries seeing they are ouercome with the manifest and inuincible truth to thinke they speake wel saying Although this doctrine of Predestination bee true yet it ought not to be preached to the people Nay so much the rather it is good to be throughly preached that he that hath eares to hear may heare And who hath them but hee that hath receiued them of God who promiseth to giue them And as for him that doth not receiue it let him refuse it if he wil so that he that doth receiue it may take it drinke it be suffised and haue life For as wee must preach the feare of God to the end that God may be truly serued so must we preach predestination that he which hath eares to heare may hear reioyce in God not in him selfe for the grace of GOD towards him This is the mind of that excellent Doctor as touching this point Which notwithstanding bindeth vs to two conditions the one is that wee speake no further heerein then Gods word doth limit vs the other that we set forth the same thing which the Scripture teacheth accordingly and to edification Wherefore vvee will briefly speake of both these parts first of the doctrine it selfe and next of the vse and applying of the same CHAP. II. Of the eternall counsell of God hid in himselfe the vvhich afterwards is known by the effects thereof GOd whose iudgements no man can comprehend whose waies cannot be found out and whose vvill I ought to stoppe all mens mouthes 2 according to the determinate vnchangable purpose of his wil by the vertue vvhereof all things are made 3 yea eueÌ„ those things which are euill and execrable not in that they bee wrought by his diuine couÌ„sell but forasmuch as they proceede of the Prince of the aâ—re that spirit which worketh in the children 4 of disobedience hath determined 5 from before all beginning with himselfe to create all things in their time for his glory 6 namely men whoÌ„ he hath made after two sorts cleane contrary one to the other Whereof hee maketh the one sort which it pleased him to chuse by his secret will and purpose partakers of his glory through his mercie 7 and these vvee call according to the word of God the vessells of honour the elect the children of promise and predestinat to saluation 8 and the others whom likewise it pleased him to ordain to damnation that hee might shew foorth his wrath and power to be glorified also in them wee doe call the vessels of dishonour and wrath the reprobat and cast off from all good works 9. This election or predestination to euerlasting life being considered in the will of God that is to say this selfe same determination or purpose to elect is the first fountaine and chiefe originall of the saluation of Gods children neither is it thereon grounded as some say because God did foresee their faith or good workes but onely of his owne good will 10 from whence afterwards the election the faith the good workes spring foorth Therefore when the Scripture will confirme the children of God in fuâ—l and perfit hope it doeth not stay in alledging the testimones of the second causes that is to say in the fruites of faith nor in the second causes themselues as faith calling by the Gospell neither yet sometimes in Christ himselfe in whom notwithstanding we are as in our head elected and adopted but ascendeth higher euen vnto that eternall purpose vvhich GOD hath determined onely in himselfe 11. Likewise when mention is made of the damnation of the reprobate although the whole fault thereof bee in
of executing Gods iudgements aswel in these as in the other which are elected are in three sorts whereof we haue already declared the first For the elect in that same moment that they haue receiued the gift of faith haue after a certain sort passed froÌ„ death to life 8 whereof they haue a sure pledge 9. But this their life is hid in Christ till this corporall death make them to step a degree further and that the soule being loosed out of the bands of the bodie enter into the ioy of the Lord. Finally in the day appointed to iudge the quicke and the dead 11 when that which is corruptible and mortall shal be clad with incorruptiblenesse and immortalitie and GOD shall bee all in all things then they shall see his maiestie face to face and shall surely enioy that vnspeakeable comfort and ioy which before all beginning was prepared for theÌ„ which is also the reward that is due to the righteousnesse and holinesse of Christ who was giuen for their sinnes raysed againe from death for their iustification by whose vertue and spirit they haue proceeded and gone forward from faith to faith as shall manifestly appeare by the whole course of their life good works 12. Whereas altogether contrary the reprobate conceiued borne and brought vp in sin death and wrath of God 13 when they depart out of this world they fall into another gulfe of destruction their soules are pluÌ„ged in that endless paâ—tie 14 vntill the day come that their bodies and soules being ioyned againe they shall enter into euerlasting fire which is prepared for the diuel his Angels 15. Then by these two wayes which are cleane contrarie one to another the last issue and end of Gods iudgements shall set forth manifestlie his glory to all men forasmuch as in his elect he shall declare him selfe most iust and most mercifull Most iust I say for that he hath punished vvith extreame rigor and seueritie the sinnes of his elect in the person of his Sonne neither did receiue them into the felowship of his glory before he had fully perfectly iustified and sanctified them in his sonne And most mercifull forasmuch as hee freely appointed with himselfe to elect them and according as he had purposed chose them freely in his Son by calling iustifying and glorifying them by meanes of that same faith which he had giuen them through the same grace and mercie On the other side touching the reprobate their corruption and infidelitie with such fruites as come thereof and testimony of their owne conscience shall so reproue and accuse theÌ„ that although they resist kick against the prick yet the most perfit iustice of God shal be manifest and shine by all mens confession in their iust condemnation CHAP. VII After what sort this doctrine may bee preached vvith most profit SIth wee haue now declared the effect of this doctrine it remaineth also that we shew what order we think best to be obserued in preaching and applying the same to euery particular man Whereas many finde this matter so sharpe and strange that they flie from it as from a dangerous rock it is partly to be attributed to the malice and arrogancie of men and partly to the rashnes lack of discretion of them that teach it and thirdly it is to bee imputed to their ignorance which cannot orderly apply the same to theÌ„selues which faithfully and truly hath been taught of others Concerning them which sin of malice it onely appertaineth to God to amend them which surely hee hath done alwaies in his season and like wise will doe from time to time to whom hee hath appointed to shew mercy But for others which remain obstinate in their sinne and wickednes there is no cause why we should be mooued either for their number or authority to dissemble Gods truth And as touching the second sort I haue thought these things principally to be obserued in preaching this mysterie First as in al other things 1 so chiefly in this matter of predestination they ought to take diligent heed that in stead of Gods pure and simple truth they bring not forth vaine and curious speculations or dreams 2. which thing they cannot chuse but do which goe about to compasse and accord these secret iudgements of GOD vvith mans wisedome and so doe not onely put difference betwixt predestination and the purpose of God which thing they must needs do but separate the one from the other for they either imagine a certaine naked and idle permission or else make a double purpose counsell in God From the which errors they must needs fall into many great absurdities For sometimes they are constrained to diuide those things which of themselues are ioyned most straightly and sometimes they are compelled to inuent a great sort of foolish darke distinctions wherein the far her they occupy theÌ„selues and search the vvider they stray from the purposeâ— and so intangle their miserable braines that they can find no way out This then ought to be auoided vvith all carefull diligence chiefly in this matter which aboue all other ought purely and sincerely to be taught in the Church of God Moreouer as much as is possible let them take heed though some-times for a more cleere vnderstanding of thinges a man may bee bold godlie and reuerently to do that no strange maner of speech or not approoueable by Gods word be vsed and also that such phrases words which the Scriptures approue be expounded fitly lest otherwise any man should take occasion of offence which as yet is rude ignorant Furthermore wee must haue good respect vnto the hearers 3 wherein also wee must make distinction betwixt the malicious and the rude and againe betwixt theÌ„ which are wilfull ignorant those which are not capable through a simple and common ignorance For to that further sort our Lord is accustomed to set forth plainly the iudgement of God 4 but the other must be led by litle and litle to the knowledge of the truth 5. Likewise we must take heed that wee haue not so much respect to the weak that they in the mean season which are apt to vnderstand be neglected not sufficiently taught wherof we haue notable examples in S. Paul which declare to vs the wisedome and circumspection which hee obserued in this matter chiefly in the 9. 10. 11. 14. and 15. chapter of the Epistle to the Romans Also except some great cause let that they beginne at the lowest and most manifest causes so ascend vp to the highest as Paule in his epistle to the Romans which is the right order and way to proceed in matters of diuinitie from the lawe goeth to remission of sinnes and thence by steppes he mounteth til he come to the highest degree or else let them insist in that point which is most agreeable to the text or matter which they haue in hand rather