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…

THE REFUTATION.

THE REFVTATION.

God suppress thee (Satan) who heapest together so many lies without all shame. We have plentifully proved, that men are inexcusable before the precept, that is, before the knowledge of the precept, as those which are borne the children of wrath. Where thou gatherest hence, that there is no need of the precept to make this inexcusableness, it is foolish and ridiculous. Why may not an evil estate be made worse? And thou art wonderfully deceived, if thou thinkest, that we judge all men to be alike inexcusable, when the Lord testifieth, that there be many,¹ which shall be punished with a greater judgement, and beaten with moe stripes. Whereas thou sayest, that the rejected are wicked before they be, that is, from everlasting, it is not our doctrine, but the Apostles, who witnesseth, that Esau was hated (that is, was ordained to battered, as we have showed in his place) before be was born and had done any evil, and that God, as a Potter, maketh vessels of dishonour. Therefore this doctrine is true, if in deed thou considerest reprobation in the purpose of God: but if thou considerest it, in that it cometh forth already into act (as they speak) or in that the Lord beginneth now to execute his determination in effect, or foreknoweth the execution thereof, it is false that thou sayest. For God in effect rejecteth none, but those that are corrupted in Adam, and with whom therefore he is worthily displeased. Whereas thou sayest, that the reprobates sin of necessity, it is not truly said of thee. For the purpose of necessity is not the cause of that necessity, but Adams sin which issued forth upon all men. Whereas thou sayest, that the reprobates are damned before the precept, it is false in every respect: for there is no man ⟨p. 249⟩