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…

Now, whereas some do charge the doctrine of our Religion to be sundry ways scandalous, they may be easily answered: First they say, it is a doctrine of desperation: because it imports, that God created men so, as he will save but a few, making them for this end, to cast the greatest number to hell. To this I answer two things: First, touching the number of them that are to be saved: of which little is said in Scripture, & therefore I will not say much: yet this may be averred, The number of the elect in it self is ^(b)a great company, but being compared with them that shall be damned, it is but small. Secondly, touching the end of mans creation, our doctrine is not, that God created men for this end, to cast them to hell: but this we teach, that God created all men, to manifest his glory in them: in some, by their just and deserved damnation for sin. We teach not, that men ⟨p. 119⟩are otherwayes condemned than for their sins, and therefore he that is condemned hath his just reward. II. Charge, They say further our doctrine is a doctrine of blasphemy; for that we teach God to have decreed the fall of man, and so make God the author of mans sin. Ans. We teach indeed that God decreed Adams fall, but thence it followeth not, that he is the author of mans sin. For Gods will is twofold, general, and special. Gods general will is, to permit that which is evil, not simply, but because with God evil hath some respect of good, and in this respect we say God decreed Adams fall. Gods special will, is his approving will; whereby he taketh pleasure and delight in that which is good: and in this regard God nilled Adams fall, and mans sins: And yet in some respect he may be said to will them. A magistrate, though he take no comfort or delight in the death and execution of a malefactor: yet he decreeth and appointeth it, and so may be said to will it. Even so God, who out of light can bring darkness, permitteth evil because with him it hath some respect of good, and so may be said to will it. III. Charge. They say also that the doctrine of our church is a doctrine of security: because we teach, that a man may be certain of his salvation, and of perseverance in the faith unto the end. Answ. This is not a doctrine of carnal security;

Now, whereas some doe charge the doctrine of our Religion to bee sundry wayes scandalous, they may be easily answered: First they say, it is a doctrine of desperation: because it imports, that God created men so, as he will saue but a few, making them for this end, to cast the greatest number to hell. To this I answere two things: First, touching the number of them that are to bee saued: of which little is sayd in Scripture, & therefore I will not say much: yet this may be auerred, The number of the elect in it selfe is