A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

The contrary arguments be of three sorts; places of scripture, Examples, and Reasons: for the first, Exod. 32, 32. When the Israelites had sinned that great sin of Idolatry, Moses prayeth God to forgive them; If not (saith he) blot me out of thy book. Hence they gather, that a child of God may be blotted out of Gods book of life, and so finally perish. Answ. That place must be understood with this condition: If is be possible; as in the like prayer it is expressed by Christ: Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. This ⟨p. 84⟩condition must needs be added: for else we must say, that Moses prayed for that which he knew was impossible; namely, that one private man should suffer eternal punishments for the sins of others, though in temporal punishments such a thing may be, yet in eternal, it is impossible. Again, Moses in this prayer doth principally show his exceeding affection and zeal for Gods glory, and for the safety of his brethren, both which he preferred before his own life; as if he should say: Lord pardon them, and rather than thy name should loose glory, blot me out of thy book. The like affection was in Paul, when he said, ^(a)He could wish himself to be separate from Christ for the love of his brethren the Jews. They further urge the Lords answer to Moses, vers. 33. Whosoever hath sinned against me, I will put him out of my book. But as the Lord therein answereth to Moses prayer, so must it be understood, with the like exception.

The contrarie arguments be of three sorts; places of scripture, Examples, and Reasons: for the first, Exod. 32, 32. When the Israelits had sinned that great sinne of Idolatrie, Moses prayeth God to forgiue them; If not (sayth he) blot mee out of thy booke. Hence they gather, that a child of God may bee blotted out of Gods booke of life, and so finally perish. Answ. That place must be vnderstood with this condition: If is be possible; as in the like prayer it is expressed by Christ: Father, if it be possible, let this cup passe from me. This ⟨p. 84⟩condition must needs be added: for els wee must say, that Moses prayed for that which he knew was impossible; namely, that one priuate man should suffer eternall punishments for the sinnes of others, though in temporall punishments such a thing may be, yet in eternall, it is impossible. Againe, Moses in this prayer doth principally shew his exceeding affection and zeale for Gods glorie, and for the safetie of his brethren, both which hee preferred before his owne life; as if hee should say: Lord pardon them, and rather than thy name should loose glorie, blot me out of thy booke. The like affection was in Paule, when hee sayd,