A09918:377
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.
But also we say that, That God is so the first mover ⟨p. 202⟩of all things, that yet every thing be moved by his beginnings, which if they be pure, pure motions ensue: but if they be unclean, unclean motions do follow. Seeing therefore in these, which are indeed not only with desire but with understanding and will, the motions proceed from the beginning, it is no marvel, if by the mean of diverse beginnings, we esteem the motions and actions themselves diversly. Of which distinction let this be an example.
But also we say that, That God is so the first mouer ⟨p. 202⟩of al things, that yet euery thing be moued by his beginnings, which if they be pure, pure motions ensue: but if they be vncleane, vncleane motions do follow. Seing therfore in these, which are indéede not only with desire but with vnderstanding and will, the motions procéede from the beginning, it is no maruell, if by the meane of diuerse beginnings, we estéeme the motions and actions themselues diuersly. Of which distinction let this be an example.
The Lord by the hand of a thief will punish another thief: for so he hath often used to join the wicked with the wicked: as may appear by the example of the Midianites. He therefore exciteth the wicked will of one thief to kill another: nor being satisfied with that,1 he even guideth his hand and weapon, that he may be slain whom he hath decreed to just slaughter. For as much therefore as this slaughter springeth from this beginning, that is, from God justly enforcing the will of the thief, albeit it be evil, and directing the hand and weapon of the thief, yet is neither the enforcement evil, nor the work evil, but it is counted of God just and holy, which punisheth the thief with just torments. For God did neither enforce the thief, nor gave him wickedness, but the will of the thief which was evil already, he well and justly stirred to a good and holy work. But for as much as this slaughter proceedeth from an other beginning, that is, of the will of the thief which is so enforced, not as a stone or block, but as a will, which also it self is so urged, that it worketh, and is so moved, that it moveth it self, with an inward motion, and that his own: thus far I say, both this motion springing from an evil beginning, is evil, and endeth into an evil action, that is manslaughter: which it