A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

2 Observe that God is not the cause of mans transgression or damnation. Jam. •.13. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God. Seneca hath a saying not unlike of the gods; Hii nec habent, nec dant malum. But it is objected; It is Gods will that I should thus sin, and thus fall. Rom. 9.19. Why doth he yet find fault? who •ath resisted his will? My will is borne by the stream of his inevitable will, I sin by compulsion; why doth he then complain? ô detestable speech, that charges God with our iniquity; than which the grand devil could not roar a worse above ground. Consider their dilemma: evil is done, and God doth suffer it; whether then doth •e suffer it against his will, or with it? If against his will, this takes away his omnipotence: if with his will, than he willed it. For answer, the will of God is partly secret, wholly just: it is two ways considered. First as it is Signata, written in tables published by a trumpet, seconded with blessings, curses, Then as Reservata, con•ealed, written in another book, wrapped up in the counsels of his own breast. What God formerly wills, is not done always, yea is done seldom: what in the •ther respect he wills, is infallible. Sennacherib is a fool to challenge to himself; What God can deliver out of my hand? Nero to plead; my authority gives me licence •o do all things. Rome, to challenge to her chair an impetuous, imperious, and masterless will; to whom no man must say, as to the Lord, Cur ita facis, why doest •hou so? Thus they ground it. Esa. 10.15. Shall the saw magnify him that shaketh […]? The saw must not lift up it self against him that moveth it; ergo let no man •udge the Pope. But they shall find to their woe, that this is only true of God; who •oeth whatsoever he will. If we press further into his secrets, we are bid stand back. Adam was driven out of Paradise for affecting too much knowledge: the Israelites •ad died the death, had they past their bounds, and climbed up to the Mount. Fifty thousand threescore and ten men of the Bethshemites were slain for looking into he Ark.