A09918:175
An evident display of Popish practises, or patched Pelagianism Wherein is mightily cleared the…An euident display of Popish practises, or patched Pelagianisme Wherein is mightelie cleared the…
An evident display of Popish practises, or patched Pelagianism Wherein is mightily cleared the sovereign truth of Gods eternal predestination, the staid groundwork of our most assured safety by Christ. Written in Latin by that reverend father, master Theodore Beza, and now lately Englished by VV.H. preacher of the Gospel.An euident display of Popish practises, or patched Pelagianisme Wherein is mightelie cleared the soueraigne truth of Gods eternall predestination, the stayd groundworke of oure most assured safetie by Christ. Written in Latin by that reuerend father, mayster Theodore Beza, and now lately Englished by VV.H. preacher of the Gospell.
London: printed by Ralph Newberie, 1578
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Yet this universal working of God, doth not let but that all creatures both in heaven and earth, may receive their quality and nature, and follow their proper inclination. The other way whereby God worketh in his creatures, is that he compelleth them to the obedience of his goodness, justice, and judgement: even as be will now help ⟨p. 90⟩his servants, now punish the guilty, now try the patience of the faithful, or chasten them with a fatherly affection. So when he will bestow abundance of fruits, he giveth Rains in his time, sendeth warmth by his Sun, and lightsome and fair days: then also he useth other natural means as instruments of his loving kindness. But when he doth withdraw his hand unto himself, the heaven becometh as it were brassy, the earth as irony. Therefore it is he that maketh Thunders, Frost, Hails, and Tempests, and he causeth barrenness. Therefore whatsoever the Ethnics & ignorant attribute to fortune, we must ascribe to the divine providence: not so much to that universal power, whereof we have spoken, but to his special moderation whereby he governeth all things,1 as seemeth best and most to his glory. And that he teacheth, when he sayeth by the prophets, that he createth light and darkness, sendeth life & death: that nothing good or evil cometh but from his hand: in so much that he saith that he governeth also lots, and other things which seem casual.2 But if some one be casually slain not by fore practice, that he is cause of his death, and hath so appointed, least we should deny any to fall by chance, but all things by the determination of his counsel. And he is vehemently offended, when we think that any thing rommeth from other where, and do not look upon him, that we may acknowledge him, not only as the principal cause of all, but also as the Author, determining by this or that mean all things by his counsel. So therefore let us conclude, that as well prosperity as adversity, Rains, Winds, Hails, Frost, Brightness, Abundance, Famine, War, and Peace are the works of God, and that the creatures, which be inferior causes, be only instruments which he hath in use to execute his will: and therefore vieth them at his pleasure, turneth those things which ⟨p. 91⟩way soever it pleaseth him, & bringeth them to that pass, that that undoubtedly may be done which he hath determined.