A09918:290
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.
Albeit Satan and Infidels can not execute, be it never so little, either against the godly, or ungodly, except God decree it, will it, and permit it. Yet it followeth not, that the sin which they do, they should do it by the will of God. For albeit God willeth that same thing which Satan & Infidels will, yet he willeth not after the same forte, and in that respect, as Satan and Infidels will. For God willeth justly, and worketh by them justly, that which these both will and do wickedly: by cause they are so enforced of God, that yet they do their own parts, that is, with counsel and will depraved. There is therefore great dissension, where there seemeth to be greatest agreement, and of the contrary great agreement, where there seemeth to be much discord. Of the which matter I think good to add that excellent place of Augustine, that thy slander may be the better seen.1 So therefore he writing to Laurentius saith, which place Calvin hath aptly cited, and adorned with excellent examples. Sometimes, ⟨p. 173⟩(sayeth he) man willeth that with good will, which God will not, yea, he with good will much more, and much more certain: as if a good son would his father should live, whom God with good will will have to dye. And again, it may be, that Man will that with an evil will, which God willeth with good will, as if an evil son would his father should die, also God willeth it: the other truly willeth that which God willeth not: but this willeth that which God willeth, and yet the godliness of the other, albeit willing an other thing, is rather consonant to the good will of God, than the ungodliness of this, who willeth the same thing. So much it differeth what man willeth, and what be agreeable to God, and to what ends every one refer his will, that either it be approved or improved. For God performeth certain his wills, and that good, by the evil wills of wicked men, as by the evil willing Jews, by the good will of the father Christ is stain for us, which was so great a good, that the Apostle Peter, when he would not it should be done of him that would be stain, be was called Satanas. Howe good appeared the good wills of the godly faithful, which would not that the Apostle Paul should go up to Jerusalem, least he should suffer those evils there, which Agabus the prophet had foretold?
ALbeit Satan and Infidels can not execute, be it neuer so little, eyther against the godly, or vngodlye, excepte God decrée it, will it, and permitte it. Yet it followeth not, that the sinne which they do, they should do it by the wil of God. For albeit God willeth that same thing which Satan & Insidels will, yet he willeth not after the same forte, and in that respect, as Satan and Infidels will. For God wylleth iustly, and worketh by them iustly, that which these both will and do wickedly: by cause they are so enforced of God, that yet they do theyr owne partes, that is, with counsell and will depraued. There is therefore greate dissention, where there séemeth to be greatest agréement, and of the contrarie greate agréemente, where there séemeth to be much discorde. Of the which matter I thinke good to adde that excellent place of Augustine, that thy slaunder may be the better séene.