Gods wisdom (as the Scripture saith) disposeth all things sweetly,1 and in one instant foreseeth the end,2 and means that be necessary to the end. If he promise any man life everlasting, withal he giveth him grace also to do good deeds,3 whereby to obtain the same. Whom he hath glorified (saith S. Paul) them he hath justified and called. So whereas he hath by force of his prayer made to the Father, promised to Peter,4 and for the safety of the Church,* to every Peters Successor, that his faith shall not fail, and therefore hath willed him to confirm his brethren, that is, to remove all doubts and errors from them: we are assured, he will give him such wit, diligence, learning, and understanding, as this firmness, and infallibility of faith, and confirming of brethren requireth. Shall we stand in doubt whether that happeneth in things supernatural, which we see to be in things natural, that who giveth the end, he giveth also things, that pertain to the attaining of the end? If God would ⟨p. 613⟩promise us abundance of corn for the next year to come,6 what were more foolish, then to doubt, and say like to this Defender, how if, and what if men will not till the ground, nor so we any seed? Doubtless if they so we, they shall reap if they sow not, neither shall they reap. But what? We may gather of the promise of God, that we shall have not only fair and seasonable weather, whereby the fruits of the earth may prove plentiful, but also that the husbandmen shall employ their endeavour, pains, and labour. For the abundance of corn so promised shall not be given but to such, as till, so we, and travail Even so whereas Christ hath promised to the* Successors of Peter, firmness of Faith, to the Apostles and their Successors the spirit of Truth, and likewise to Councils gathered in his name: we must persuade our selves, that nothing shall want necessary for the controversies, touching faith, to be decided.
Gods wisedome (as the Scripture saithe) disposeth al thinges sweetly,1 and in one instant forseeth the ende,2 and meanes that be necessary to the end. If he promise any man life euerlasting, withal he geueth him grace also to do good dedes,3 whereby to obteine the same. VVhom he hath glorified (saith S. Paule) thē he hath iustified and called. So whereas he hath by force of his praier made to the Father, promised to Peter,4 and for the safetie of the Churche,* to euery Peters Successour, that his faithe shal not faile, and therfore hath willed him to confirme his brethren, that is, to remoue al doubtes and errours from them: we are assured, he wil geue him sutche witte, diligence, learninge, and vnderstandinge, as this firmnes, and infallibilitie of faithe, and confirminge of brethren requireth. Shal we stande in doubte whether that happeneth in thinges supernatural, whiche we see to be in thinges natural, that who geueth the ende, he geueth also thinges, that perteine to the atteininge of the ende? If God woulde ⟨p. 613⟩promise vs abundance of corne for the nexte yeere to come,6 what were more folish, then to doubte, and saie like to this Defender, howe if, and what if men wil not til the grounde, nor so we any seede? Doubtles if they so we, they shal reepe if they sowe not, neither shal they reepe. But what? VVe maie gather of the promise of God, that we shal haue not onely faier and ceasonable wether, wherby the fruites of the earth maie proue plentiful, but also that the husbandmen shal emploie theire endeuour, paines, and labour. For the abundance of corne so promised shal not be geuen but to sutch, as til, so we, and truail Euen so wheras Christe hath promised to the* Successours of Peter, firmnes of Faithe, to the Apostles and theire Successours the spirite of Truthe, and likewise to Councels gathered in his name: we muste perswade our selues, that nothinge shal wante necessary for the controuersies, touchinge faithe, to be decided.
- 1Sadly, and sagely, and much to the purpose.Sadly, and sagely, and mutche to the purpose.
- 2Sapien. 8.
- 3Rom. 8.
- 4Matt. 16. Luc. 22.
- *Untruth, fond, and childish: For Christ prayed nomore for Peter, thē for others: nor ever made mention of Peters Successors.Vntruthe, fonde, and childishe: For Christ praied nomore for Peter, thē for others: nor euer made mention of Peters Successours.
- 6O worthy, & grave reasons.O vvoorthy, & graue reasons.
- *Untruth. For Christ never entered into such covenant with Peters Successors.Vntruthe. For Christe neuer entred into sutche couenāte vvith Peters Successours.
