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…

But the fourth is the most sure mean, and without all exception the most sure, because it judgeth (as they say) of the latter. I therefore say there are two things, which not only the word of GOD, but also common reason doth show us. One is, that God is never changed, and therefore that that thing cometh to pass by the eternal and immutable decree of Gods counsel, that things are often altered. For God not only decreeth those things, which are of stayed nature, of which forte there be very few, but also those things, that for the most part are changed every hour, but not without assigned rules of alteration by him.

But the fourth is the moste sure meane, and wythoute al exception the most sure, bicause it iudgeth (as they say) of the latter. I therefore say there are two things, which not only the worde of GOD, but also common reason doth shewe vs. One is, that God is neuer chaunged, and therefore that that thing commeth to passe by the eternal and immutable decrée of Gods counsell, that thinges are often altered. For God not onely decréeth those thinges, whiche are of stayed nature, of which forte there be very fewe, but also those thinges, that for the moste parte are chaunged euery houre, but not without assigned rules of alteration by him.

For example sake, the Lord blessed the earth which he made, which after Adams sin he cursed. But is God changed? no indeed: but in the beginning only for a time he blessed that, which being fulfilled, he had determined to curse the same for the sin of Man. If any ask me whence I have them, I will answer, that I have it from the success. For seeing God is not changed, and that it came so to pass as I said, of necessity it is we confess, that it was so determined with God from the beginning. Also the Lord gave the ceremonies of the law to his ⟨p. 45⟩Church by Moses, who notwithstanding by the Apostle pronounceth afterwards, if you be circumcised, Christ profiteth you nothing. But doth the Lord change his purpose, that he should allow that which before he disallowed? no indeed. For he ordained the ceremonies but for a time, that is, to the preaching of Christ, at whose coming it was requisite, that they should vanish away, as darkness in the day spring.