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…

do not these suffice thee in the manifesting of Calvins mind, and proving thy falsities: Let us therefore add those things which he wrote upon that place, where Peter upbraideth the Jews, that by the hand of wicked men they crucified Jesus,¹ who was delivered by the foreknowledge and determinate counsel of God, because (sayeth he) Peter seemeth to signify, that the wicked did obey God, hence followeth one, of two absurdities, either that God is the author of evil, or that men, in doing whatsoever wickedness, do not sin. I answer, that men, after a sort, to execute the same thing which God with himself hath determined, and yet do nothing less than obey God, for obedience riseth of a voluntary affection, and we know that the wicked have a far other intent. Again, no man obeyeth God, but he that knoweth his will, obedience therefore dependeth of the knowledge of the divine will. Further in his law, God hath manifested his will to us, wherefore, they finally obey God, who measure their works by the rule of his law, and then willingly submit themselves to his government. We see no such thing in all the wicked, whom skilnesse, God enforceth hither or thither. Now therefore by this pretence will say they be excusable, because they give place to God, seeing we are to seek the will of God in his law, and they as much as in them is, endeavour to rebel against God. As much as appertaineth to the other, I deny that God is the author of evil, because in this speech there is a certain testimony of a wicked affect, for an evil act is esteemed of the end whereto every one tendeth. When men commit either theft or murder, they therefore sin, because they are thieves or murderers. In their theft of murder their wicked purpose is to ⟨p. 109⟩be weighed. God who useth their iniquity, is to be placed in an higher degree. For he intendeth a far other matter, because he will correct one, and exercise the patience of an other: and so he never declineth from his nature, that is from perfect equity. So in so much as Christ was delivered by the hands of wicked men, and in that he was crucified, it is done by the appointment and ordinance of God. But the betraying, which of it self is wicked, and the murder which containeth in it such heinous offence, ought not to be deemed as Gods work. What wilt thou more?

do not these suffice thée in the manifesting of Caluines minde, and prouing thy falsies: Lette vs therefore adde those things whiche hée wrote vppon that place, where Peter vpbraydeth the Iewes, that by the haude of wicked men they crucifyed Iesus,