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…

Boethius in his Topics, saith, ye [Greek or Hebrew] destiny is named [Greek or Hebrew] of drawing ⟨p. 236⟩and yielding consequently. GOD indeed draweth all things, but so he after a sort yieldeth, that he disordereth nothing. So, albeit that things of their own nature remain indifferent unto both parts, yet of GOD they are more inclined into the one. The will of Saul was by his nature no more inclined to go, that to tarry. But when GOD would send him to Samuel, he began to incline his will into the one part. Therefore GOD setteth before his understanding the will of his father, and bringeth to pass that that might urge, and effectually enforce his mind, that all other desires of sloth and idleness, if any were which might deceive him, should fail. Therefore it came to pass, that the will of Saul should obey the providence of God. Yet, in the mean time, the nature of the thing is not violated, but that the will of Saul was equally free to both parts. Hence it appeareth what need we have of the grace of GOD. For our will as it is depraved in all respects, it turneth all into the worse part. Also there be many things which would dull and make blind our understanding, that will should not easily incline. GOD therefore setteth before our understanding that which is good: then be kindleth our confidence, and stirreth up the dullness, that we may will effectually. But thou wilt say, wherefore is any thing called Casual, seeing it is already decreed of God into the one part, and so is made of necessity? I answer, every thing by his own proper beginning is casual: but the providence which bringeth necessity, is a foreign cause, from which the name should not be given to things. I know there be many that determine those things, which cannot thereto be brought of God by mans strength, that our will can either choose or refuse, & that there the providence of God ⟨p. 237⟩doth stay, neither proceedeth further, and when God fore saw what every one would choose, and what refuse, that his foreknowledge is nothing hindered. But these do not sufficiently accord with Divine Scriptures. For they teach, that God doth not so provide for things, that he may leave them, but as we have said, that he may bring them to their determinate ends: And the ends themselves do yield loyalty to the providence of God.

Boetius in his Topicks, sayth, ye 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 destinie is named of drawing