HOW false this slander is it shall appear by the very self writing of Calvin. For thus he saith. I say (saith he) with Augustine, that the Lord created some whom he undoubtedly foreknew should be damned, and that it was so, because he would so. But wherefore he would so, it appertaineth not to us to enquire, who are not able to ⟨p. 9⟩comprehend it: nor is it lawful that the divine will should be called in question of us: whereof so oft as any mention is made, the very sovereign rule of Justice is under that title named. Again,1 because (saith he) the scripture doth plainly show it, we say that the Lord in his eternal, and unchangeable counsel, hath once determined whom in their time he would receive unto life, & whom also he would give over unto death. Those to whom he vouchsafeth eternal life, we say to be adopted by his free mercy, & in no respect of their own worthiness. Whom he giveth over unto death, those truly in his just and irreprehensible, but that also incomprehensible justice, he abridgeth the way of life. Again,2 if we (saith he) are not ashamed of the gospel, it is requisite that we acknowledge whatsoever is therein manifestly set down: that God in his eternal decree, whose cause dependeth upon none other, refusing others, hath ordained whom he saw good to eternal life, and whom by his free adoption he vouchsafeth to lighten with his holy spirit, that they may receive eternal life offered in Christ: that others being of themselves unbelieving, destitute of the eyes of faith may remain in darkness. Again, as Augustine writeth,3 so far forth (saith he) the will of God is the very sovereign rule of Justice, that whatsoever he will, even in that he will it is to be holden righteous. Therefore when soever it is demanded why the Lord hath done so, it is to be answered because he will: but if thou proceedest in asking why he will so, thou seekest some greater or higher thing than the will of God which cannot be found.4 Also we must ever return (saith he) to the alone determination of his will, the cause whereof is secrete in himself. Again the Apostle sought not starting holes, as if he were taken tardy, but showed that the consideration of Gods Divine justice is more sovereign than that it may either be measured after any humane ⟨p. 10⟩sort, or be comprehended with the weakness of mans wit.
HOW false this slaunder is it shal appeare by the very selfe writing of Caluine. For thus he saith. I say (saith he) with Augustine, that the Lorde created some whome he vndoubtedly foreknew should be damned, and that it was so, bycause he would so. But wherefore he would so, it appertayneth not to vs to enquire, who are not able to ⟨p. 9⟩comprehende it: nor is it lawfull that the deuine will should be called in question of vs: whereof so ofte as any mention is made, the very soueraigne rule of Iustice is vnder that title named. Againe,1 bycause (saith he) the scripture doth playnely shew it, we say that the Lorde in his eternal, and vnchangeable counsel, hath once determined whom in their time he would receyue vnto life, & whome also he would giue ouer vnto death. Those to whome he vouchsafeth eternall life, we say to be adopted by his frée mercie, & in no respect of their owne worthinesse. Whom he giueth ouer vnto death, those truly in his iuste and irreprehensible, but that also incomprehensible iustice, he abridgeth the way of lyfe. Againe,2 if we (sayth he) are not ashamed of the gospel, it is requisite that we acknowlege whatsoeuer is therein manifestly set downe: that God in his eternal decrée, whose cause dependeth vpō none other, refusing others, hath ordayned whom he saw good to eternall life, and whom by his frée adoption he vouchsaueth to lighten with his holy spirite, that they may receyue eternall life offred in Christ: that others beyng of themselues vnbeleuing, destitute of the eyes of faith may remaine in darknesse. Againe, as Augustine writeth,3 so farforth (saith he) the wil of God is the very soueraigne rule of Iustice, that whatsoeuer he will, euē in that he wil it is to be holden rightuous. Therefore when soeuer it is demaunded why the Lorde hath done so, it is to be answered bicause he wil: but if thou procéedest in asking why he wil so, thou séekest some greater or higher thing than the will of God which cannot be found.4 Also we must euer returne (saith he) to the alone determination of his wil, the cause wherof is secrete in himselfe. Againe the Apostle sought not starting hooles, as if he were taken tardie, but shewed that the consideration of Gods Diuine iustice is more soueraigne than that it may either be measured after any humayne ⟨p. 10⟩sorte, or be comprehended with the weakenesse of mans witte.
- 1The same chapt. the 5. Sect.
- 2Lib. of the eternal Predestination of God.Lib. of the eternall Predestination of God.
- 3Christ. Inst. cap. 14. sect. 13.
- 4The same Sect. 15. Ibidem.
