A08483:115
An exposition of the Symbol of the ApostlesAn exposition of the Symbole of the Apostles
An exposition of the Symbol of the Apostles, or rather of the articles of faith In which the chief points of the everlasting and free covenant between God and the faithful is briefly and plainly handled. Gathered out of the catechising sermons of Gasper Oleuvian Trevir, and now translated out of the Latin tongue into the English for the benefit of Christ his Church. By John Field.An exposition of the Symbole of the Apostles, or rather of the articles of faith In which the chiefe points of the euerlasting and free couenant betweene God and the faithfull is briefly and plainly handled. Gathered out of the catechising sermons of Gasper Oleuvian Treuir, and now translated out of the Latine tongue into the English for the benefite of Christ his Church. By Iohn Fielde.
London: printed by H. Middleton for Thomas Man, 1581
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Is God therefore the author of sin?
Is God therefore the author of sinne?
God forbid. For God so governeth all things by his providence, that in mean time he continueth free from all sin: first because he putteth not malice into man, but the same is of the devil. John, 8. Although God use the same as an instrument to the setting forth of his glory. Secondly because all actions are discerned by their ends: God in all actions hath an end agreeable with his unchangeable and everlasting righteousness. Now men whiles they err from the mind of God, and from his righteousness revealed in his word, they sin. The brethren of Joseph have an other end then God. You, saith Joseph,1 thought evil against me, but God disposed it to good, that he might bring to pass as it is at this day, and save much people alive. The devil in afflicting Job, hath this end, that he may cause him to blaspheme God,2 & draw Job to destruction. The Chaldeans also have their scope, that they may wax rich by robbery. ⟨p. 98⟩But God in all this business so dealeth as he may try Jobs faith and patience,3 and manifest his own glory, and at length deliver him with Satan's confusion. So David acknowledgeth God to deal rightly and justly by Simey, as he saith: Suffer him, for God hath commanded him to curse me: When as notwithstanding the same David pronounceth of the same deed that Simey sinned grievously.