The first argument of them which abuse gods holy predestination is easily solved,1 their argument is this. where so ever there is election, there is also reprobation of the same sort. But God elected some men afore the foundations of the world. Ergo he reprobated some other men afore the world. The first part of this argument is false, That where so ever there is election, there is also reprobation of the same sort. for gods election afore the world hath no respect unto his contrary reprobation afore the world. Yea there is no such word nor phrase in the hole scripture but gods election afore the world, is general to all men, as his calling is general without respect of persons. This is all ready sufficiently proved, yet some of you do grant gods calling to be general, but not his §3election. And in this ye accuse God of hypocrisy, you would make him a dissembler like unto your selves, which often times with your mouth do offer and promise that which ye mind never to perform.§4 But God is faithful which is willing to perform all that he promiseth even to them that refuseth him. And though they attain not the promise because of their unbelief, yet all the time of their calling be they in the general election, as those whom the king called to the marriage, Notwithstanding they came not, yet were they chosen to be partakers of the marriage, and the servant §5to whom the master forgave all his debts, was chosen notwithstanding he attained not that,2 whereunto he was chosen, but became a reprobate, abusing the goodness of his master. God is no hypocrite, which calleth men outwardly, and forgiveth debts only with the mouth, but even from the heart, willing to give salvation to all them to whom he offereth it. And the cause why such do perish is their obstinateness to gods grace: and as the Lord sayeth their stiff neck which hath an iron vain and their brows of brass which despise the goodness of God, they became cast aways, Because (as saint John sayeth) they love darkness ⟨p. 108⟩better then light, And as Esdras3 sayeth they kept not that which was sown in them. whereof we may gather that they become reprobates,4 because they rather refuse the grace offered and grafted in them, then that they are refused. Notwithstanding both may be conveniently spoken: for because they have forsaken me, I will also forsake them, sayeth the Lord. And again sayeth the holy Ghost.
The first argument of them which abuse gods holie predestination is easely soluted,1 their argument is this. where so euer there is election, ther is also reprobation of the same sorte. But God elected som men afore the foundations of the world. Ergo he reprobated som other men afore the world. The first part of this argument is false, That wher so euer there is election, there is also reprobatiō of the same sorte. for gods election afore the world hath no respect vnto his cōtrarie reprobation afore the world. Yea there is no such word nor phrase in the hole scripture but gods election afore the world, is generall to all men, as his calling is generall without respect of persons. This is all redie sufficiently proued, yet som of you do grant gods calling to be generall, but not his §3election. And in this ye accuse God of hypocrisie, you wold make him a dissembler lyke vnto your selues, which often times with your mouth do offer and promes that which ye mind neuer to perfourme.§4 But God is faithfull which is willing to perfourme all that he promiseth euen to them that refuseth him. And thogh they attein not the promes because of their vnbeleue, yet all the tyme of their calling be they in the generall election, as those whom the king called to the mariage, Notwitstanding they came not, yet were they chosen to be partakers of the mariage, and the seruant §5to whom the master forgaue all his debtes, was chosen notwithstanding he atteined not that,2 wherunto he was chosen, but became a reprobate, abusing the goodnes of his master. God is no hypocrite, which calleth men owtwardly, and forgeueth debtes onely with the mowth, but euē from the hearte, willing to giue sal•ation to all them to whom he offereth it. And the cause why such do perish is their obstinatnes to gods grace: and as the Lord saieth their stifneck which hath an yron vaine and their browes of brasse which dispyse the goodnes of God, they became cast awayes, Becaus (as saint Iohn saieth) they loue darknes ⟨p. 108⟩better then light, And as Esdras3 saieth thei kept not that which was sowē in them. whereof we may gather that they becom reprobates,4 because they rather refuse the grace offered and grafted in them, then that they are refsed. Notwithstāding both may be conueniently spoken: for because they haue forsaken me, I will also forsake them, saieth the Lord. And agane saieth the holie Gost.
- 1The fourteenth section.The fourtēth section.
- 2Isaia. 48
- 3Esdr. 9.
- 4Jerem. 2.I•rem. 2.
