An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations

for we most constantly affirm ⟨p. 339⟩that the damnation of the devil, the induration of Pharaoh, the deceiving of Ahab, and other such, in so far as they proceeded from God, are his just and good works, because they are the punishment of sin, the execution of his just judgements, and a declaration of his justice. which justly is armed against the obstinate rebellion of Angels, and men. but thereof to conclude, ergo their evil thoughts, their malicious minds, their hatred and cruelty came immediately from God, is more then a blasphemy. for all these be, and are found within the offenders, which God doth use not by an idle permission (for that is a thing most contrarious to his justice) but effectually as his wisdom best knoweth, they shall serve to his glory, & that for utility of his chosen children. I say it is a thing most contrarious to gods justice & power, idly to suffer iniquity to be done, if he had no further respect then to the fact, as it is committed. for as a man can not be excused, who may impede murder and doth it not, so can not gods justice be excused by your idle permission, if he had no further respect, but to things as they be done by man. And so is gods justice rather accused then maintained by the foolishness of your curious brains, saying God permitteth many things which he would not. what vanity is this? Is it not a thing confessed amongest all, that gods power is omnipotent? who then can compel him to suffer, that which he would not? And why doth he willingly suffer things, which in his law, he hath forbidden? I answer, for the manifestation of his own glory which is more precious then the heaven and the earth, and all the creatures in the same contained. And thus doth vanity cause you to fear that gods justice shall fall into decay, except it be underset & upholdē with your foolish distinction, betwixt his will & his permission. but we fear not to affirm that he permitteth nothing, which in some respect he will not. for as he is omnipotent & a most loving father so should he suffer ⟨p. 340⟩no calamity to come nor cruelty to be used against his children▪ except he did before see, yea and before determine their comfort & his glory to arise of the same. And will you say that gods glory the comfort and y• preservation of his Church is an evil work?