A10213:965
The treasure of trueth touching the ground work of man his salvation, and chiefest…The treasure of trueth touching the grounde worke of man his saluation, and chiefest…
The treasure of trueth touching the ground work of man his salvation, and chiefest points of Christian religion: with a brief sum of the comfortable doctrine of God his providence, comprised in .38. short aphorisms. Written in Latin by Theodore Beza, and newly turned into English by John Stockwood. Whereunto are added, these godly treatises. One of the learned and godly Father. Master I. Fox. In the which the chiefest points of the doctrine of God his election, are so plainly set forth, as the very simplest may easily understand it, and reap great profit thereby. The other of Master Anthony Gylbie, wherein the doctrine of God his election and reprobation, is both godly and learnedly handled. Seen and allowed, according to the order appointed.The treasure of trueth touching the grounde worke of man his saluation, and chiefest pointes of Christian religion: with a briefe summe of the comfortable doctrine of God his prouidence, comprised in .38. short aphorismes. VVritten in Latin by Theodore Beza, and nevvly turned into English by Iohn Stockvvood. VVhereunto are added, these godly treatises. One of the learned and godlie Father. Maister I. Foxe. In the which the chiefest poyntes of the doctrine of God his election, are so plainely set foorth, as the verie simplest may easily vnderstand it, and reape great profite thereby. The other of Maister Anthonie Gylbie, wherein the doctrine of God his election and reprobation, is both godly and learnedlie handeled. Seene and alovved, according to the order appoynted.
London: printed by J. Charlewood for Thomas Woodcocke, 1576
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Thirdly, the nature of sin being defined by the authority of Scriptures, to be a thought, word, or deed, contrary to the will of God. For such things only defile the man, as Christ our master saith, Math. 15. And therefore are only to be accounted sin. No such thought can be attributed or ascribed unto God, as can be against his will, therefore no sin can be his work. Neither can he be the Author of evil, which therefore is called God, because he is the Author and giver of all good, and so far from ⟨image 125⟩evil, that he turneth all our evil to some good, our sin to the uttering of his grace, our lies to the declaration of his trueth. No, this is the perfect workmaster which worketh all things without fault or trespass, all other do fail, faul•e, & trespass and sin in all their works, that he may be justified in all his doings, and all creatures fall down before his face & presence. Who though he do work all in all things, yet doth he work the same to such godly end and purpose, known only to his majesty, that though we be compelled to say, God is the author of the fa•t, yet must we answer: but not of the crime. Because he is the Master of the house, and Lord over the family, and therefore may do any thing without the blame of his servants.
Thirdly, the nature of sinne being de•yned by the authorytie of Scriptures, to bée a thought, worde, or deede, contrary to the wyl of God. For such things onely defyle the man, as Christ our master sayth, Math. 15. And therefore are onely to bée accompted sinne. No such thought can bée attrybuted or ascrybed vnto God, as can be against his wyll, therefore no sinne can bée his worke. Neyther can he bée the Aucthour of euyll, which therefore is called God, because he is the Aucthour and geuer of all good, and so farre from ⟨image 125⟩euyll, that he turneth all our euyll to some good, our sinne to the vttering of his grace, our lyes to the declaration of his trueth. No, this is the perfit workemaster which worketh all things without fault or trespasse, all other doo fayle, faule, & espasse and sinne in al their workes, that he may be iustifyed in all his dooings, and al creatures fal down before his face & presence. Who though he doo worke al in al things, yet doth he worke the same to such godlye ende and purpose, knowne onely to his maiestie, that though we be compelled to say, God is the author of the fat, yet must we answere: but not of the cryme. Because he is the Maister of the house, and Lorde ouer the family, and therefore may doo any thing without the blame of his seruaunts.