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…

It will be said again, if things come to pass by necessity, then it is in vain to use any means for the effecting of them, for Gods will must be done, do we what we will. Answ. This is mans corrupt reason: these men must consider, that as God hath appointed what things must come to pass; so he hath appointed the means how they shall be effected: and seeing the Lord hath appointed as well the means as the end, we should by this necessity rather be induced to use the means, than any way moved to neglect the same. To make this more plain, we must know there is a double necessity: one is absolute; another in part. I call that absolute necessity, which cannot be otherwise possibly: as that God liveth, and cannot die, is omnipotent, infinite, &c. Necessity in part is, when any thing done is necessary only, because it depends on necessary causes: as fire to burn is necessary, in regard of that order which God hath set in nature by creation: yet this necessity is not absolute; for fire would not burn, if God should please to change that order set in nature, as he did when the three children were cast into the hot fiery oven, Dan. 3.27. Now, whereas we say, Things to come must necessarily be done, it must be understood of necessity in part, and not of absolute: for in themselves they be changeable and contingent, and necessary only in regard of Gods decree, appointing them which is unchangeable: in regard whereof all things to come be necessary. And yet we may not think, that the ⟨p. 6⟩unchangeableness of Gods decree doth take away freedom from mans will, it only inclines the same to one part, & so disposeth, that man should freely will that to be, which God eternally hath decreed.

It will be said againe, if things come to passe by necessitie, then it is in vaine to vse any meanes for the effecting of them, for Gods will must be done, do we what we will. Answ. This is mans corrupt reason: these men must consider, that as God hath appointed what things must come to passe; so he hath appointed the meanes how they shall bee effected: and seeing the Lord hath appointed as well the meanes as the end, wee should by this necessitie rather be induced to vse the meanes, than any way moued to neglect the same. To make this more plaine, wee must know there is a double necessitie: one is absolute; another in part. I call that absolute necessitie, which cannot be otherwise possibly: as that God liueth, and cannot die, is omnipotent, infinite, &c. Necessitie in part is, when any thing done is necessarie onely, because it depends on necessarie causes: as fire to burne is necessarie, in regard of that order which God hath set in nature by creation: yet this necessitie is not absolute; for fire would not burne, if God should please to change that order set in nature, as he did when the three children were cast into the hot fierie ouen,