A09918:487
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.
The Apostle verily, when he dealeth of these things, that is, of the first original of our bondage, he attributeth it to the disobedience of one man, which thou seemest to refer to the rebellion of every man, as if in deed every one did cast himself into the fetters of this necessity by imitation and long practise, and that we are not rather borne bondslaves even from our conception.1 Therefore I admit not this, except thou expound thy mind in this matter more plainly. Finally that which thou adjoinest, that God never denied to any a benefit, praying to him, we acknowledge for true, but with a double conjunction annexed. For they all do not ask, but only those which are touched with knowledge of their lack: and many also ask they wot not what, or they ask not of faith, and therefore they receive not. Because therefore none asketh, or if he ask, he asketh not aright, except he which is moved of the spirit of God, and therefore which is the son of God:2 therefore I affirm, that this benefit of GOD belongeth not to every one as thou wouldest, but only to all the elect of GOD also, whose peculiar badge this is, that they alone do rightly call upon the father, and therefore are only heard.
The Apostle verily, when he dealeth of these thyngs, that is, of the first originall of our bondage, he attributeth it to the disobedience of one man, whiche thou séemest to referre to the rebellion of euery man, as if in déede euery one did cast himselfe into the fetters of this necessitie by imitation and long practise, and that we are not rather borne bondslaues euen from our conception.1 Therefore I admitte not this, excepte thou expounde thy minde in this matter more plainely. Finallye that which thou adioynest, that God neuer denyed to anye a benefite, praying to him, we acknowledge for true, but with a double coniunction annexed. For they all doe not aske, but onely those which are touched with knowledge of theyr lacke: and many also aske they wotte not what, or they aske not of faythe, and therefore they receyue not. Bycause therefore none asketh, or if hée aske, he asketh not arighte, excepte he whiche is moued of the spirite of God, and therefore which is the sonne of God:2