A Golden Chain

Thirdly, some will yet object against this doctrine, that if all things come to pass according to Gods unchangeable decree, then what needs the using of any means? what needs the preaching of the word, and receiving of the Sacraments? what needs any laws, Princes, Magistrates, or government? what needs walking in mens ordinary callings? all is to no end: for let men play or work, sleep, or wake; let them do what they will: all is one: for Gods eternal counsel must needs come to pass: therefore it may seem in vain for men to busy themselves about such things. Answ. But we must know, that as God hath appointed all things to come to pass in his eternal and unchangeable counsel; so in the same decree, he hath together set down the means and ways whereby he will have the same things brought to pass: for these two must never be severed; the thing to be done, and the means whereby it is done. We may read in the Acts in Pauls dangerous voyage towards Rome, and Angel of the Lord told Paul,¹ that God had given him all that sailed with him in the ship: now the soldiers and mariners hearing this, might reason thus with themselves: Seeing God hath decreed to save us all, we may do what we will, there is no danger, for we shall all come to land alive: but mark what Paul saith,² except these abide in the ship, ye can not be safe: where we see, that as it was the eternal counsel of God to save Paul, and all that were with him: so he decreed to save all by this particular means of their abode in the ship. King Hezekiah was restored to his health,³ and received from God a promise that he should have 15. years added to his days, and the promise was confirmed by sign: now, what doth he? cast off all means? no: but as he was prescribed, so he applieth a bunch of dry figs to his sore, and useth still his ordinary diet. Therefore it is gross ignorance and madness in men to reason so against Gods decree; God in his unchangeable counsel, hath decreed and set down all things how they shall be; therefore I will use no means, but live as I list: nay rather we must say the contrary; because God hath decreed this thing or that to be done: therefore I will use the means which God hath appointed to bring the same to pass.

Thirdly, some will yet obiect against this doctrine, that if all things come to passe according to Gods vnchangeable decree, then what needes the vsing of any meanes? what needs the preaching of the word, and receiuing of the Sacraments? what needes any lawes, Princes, Magistrates, or gouernment? what needes walking in mens ordinarie callings? all is to no ende: for let men play or worke, sleepe, or wake; let them doe what they will: all is one: for Gods eternall counsell must needes come to passe: therefore it may seeme in vaine for men to busie themselues about such things. Answ. But we must know, that as God hath appointed all things to come to passe in his eternall and vnchangeable counsell; so in the same decree, he hath together set downe the meanes and waies whereby he will haue the same things brought to passe: for these two must neuer be seuered; the thing to be done, and the meanes whereby it is done. We may read in the Acts in Pauls dangerous voyage towardes Rome, and Angel of the Lord tolde Paul,