A10250:151
Propositions and principles of divinity propounded and disputed in the university of GenevaPropositions and principles of diuinitie propounded and disputed in the vniuersitie of Geneua
Propositions and principles of divinity propounded and disputed in the university of Geneva, by certain students of divinity there, under M. Theod. Beza, and M. Anthony Faius ... Wherein is contained a methodical summary, or epitome of the common places of divinity. Translated out of Latin into English, to the end that the causes, both of the present dangers of that Church, and also of the troubles of those that are hardly dealt with else-where, may appear in the English tongue.Propositions and principles of diuinitie propounded and disputed in the vniuersitie of Geneua, by certaine students of diuinitie there, vnder M. Theod. Beza, and M. Anthonie Faius ... Wherein is contained a methodicall summarie, or epitome of the common places of diuinitie. Translated out of Latine into English, to the end that the causes, both of the present dangers of that Church, and also of the troubles of those that are hardlie dealt vvith els-vvhere, may appeare in the English tongue.
Edinburgh: printed by Robert Waldegrave, 1591Edinburgh: printed by Robert Waldegraue, 1591
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Section 10: THE SECOND SORT OF PRINCIPLES CONCERNING GODS PROVIDENCE.
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.
III As he alone doth ordain all things; so he alone doth work all things; though not always without second causes, which he so useth; as he doeth not idly impose upon them the burden of effecting, that which he hath once decreed, (as many things are done in the names of Kings and Princes, and said to be wrought at their commandment, which yet, because they are done by other officers, they scant know, either how, or by what means they are brought to pass) but doth uncessauntlie, without any discontinuance, work & bring to pass, by a determinate appointment, & unto their right ends; all things, even the least matters: doing justly, even when he useth most evil instruments; to be short, he continually worketh all in all things.
III As he alone doth ordaine all things; so he alone doth worke all things; though not alwaies without second causes, which hee so vseth; as hee doeth not idlie impose vpon them the burthen of effecting, that which he hath once decreed, (as many thinges are doone in the names of Kings and Princes, and said to bee wrought at their commandement, which yet, because they are doone by other officers, they skant knowe, either how, or by what meanes they are brought to passe) but doth vncessauntlie, without any discontinuance, worke & bring to passe, by a determinate appointment, & vnto their right ends; al things, euen the least matters: doing justlie, euen when he vseth most euill instruments; to be short, he continuallie worketh all in all things.
1 Wherefore, we do condemn all ungodly Epicures, who dream of a certain idle and dainty GOD, that neither regardeth his own, nor yet other mens affairs: who also think, that all things are turned and rolled by the blind power of Fortune; and do account the eternal punishments of the wicked, and those blessed joys, after this miserable life, for no better, then toys and fables. 2 We detest those Sacrilegious men also, who make a subalternall or second providence, that is; do attribute unto the true God a general kind of providence, whereas they ascribe unto Saints or false Gods, a more special: whence it ⟨p. 19⟩