A Golden Chain

Thus we see what is to be held touching Gods counsel: now for the better clearing of the trueth, three objections of some difficulty are to be answered. First may some man say, if God decree and ordain all things whatsoever, then he decreeth and ordaineth sin: but God decrees not sin in as much as it is against his will: and therefore he decrees not all things. Ans. We use not to say that God doth simply will or decree sin, but only in part, adding withal these caveats: I. That God willeth and decreeth sin, not properly as it is sin, but as it hath in it sundry regards and respects of goodness, so far forth as it is a punishment, or chastisement, or trial, or action, or^a hath any existence in nature. II. God can so use evil instruments, that the work done by them being a sin, shall nevertheless in him be a good work: because he knows how to use evil instruments well. If it be further alleged, that God willeth no wickedness, Psal. 5.5. we must know, that Gods will is two-fold, general, and special. General, whereby God willeth and decreeth that a thing shall be: and by this kind of will he may be said to will sin; and that without sin. For though he decree it thus, yet doth he not instill wickedness into the heart of any sinner, and his decree is only for a most excellent end. For in regard of God which decreeth, it ^bis good that there should be evil. To this purpose Augustine saith excellently, By an unspeakable manner it comes to pass, that that which is against Gods will, is not without his will. ^cNow the special will of God is that whereby he willeth any thing in such manner, that he approveth it, and delighteth in it. And thus indeed we cannot say without blasphemy, that god willeth sin. Thus then we see in what manner and how far forth God may be said to decree sin, that is, to will and appoint the permission of it.

Thus wee see what is to be held touching Gods counsell: nowe for the better clearing of the trueth, three obiections of some difficultie are to be answered. First may some man say, if God decree and ordaine all things whatsoeuer, then he decreeth and ordaineth sinne: but God decrees not sinne in as much as it is against his will: and therefore he decrees not all things. Ans. Wee vse not to say that God doth simply will or decree sinne, but onely in part, adding withall these caueats: I. That God willeth and decreeth sinne, not properly as it is sin, but as it hath in it sundry regards and respects of goodnes, so farforth as it is a punishment, or chastisement, or triall, or action, or