For the former of these, we are first to premise these notes. First, a work done may be Sub duplici genere Boni, it may be measured by Two sorts of Goodness; first there is Goodness ethical or moral, in relation unto manners, and in order unto men; and secondly, there is Goodness theological or divine, in relation to Religion, ⟨p. 238⟩and in order unto God. A thing is morally Good, when it is Good in the sight of men, good unto humane purposes, good by way of Example, or by way of Edification1 to others, who judge as they see. But a thing is then done divinely when it is done with the spirit of holiness and of truth (for the Father seeketh such to worship him) when it is done in obedience to the word; for we are to note that a thing may be done by a man rationally out of the sway and rule of right reason, and a certain generousness and ingenuity of spirit, which loves not to condemn it self in the thing which it allows, and to walk cross to the evidence of its own rules, and yet that thing is all this while done but unto himself, and his own reason is set up as an idol in Gods place, to which all the actions of his life do homage: or a thing may be done obedientially, with an eye unto Gods will that requires it, not only in a common conviction, but in a filial and submissive affection, as unto him; when you fasted and mourned, saith the Lord, did you at all fast unto me, even to me? If you will return o Israel, return unto me saith the Lord, Zach. 7. 5. Jer. 4. 1. A notorious sinner walks contrary to the principles of his own reason and nature Ro. 1. 32. 1. Cor. 11. 14. contrary to the prosperity and security of his present life, Levit. 26. 14. 1. Cor. 11, 30. and contrary to the will and Law of God. Now when a man breaks of a sinful course, with aim only at his own reason, or prosperity, though this be to return, yet it is to turn to our selves, and not unto God. They assemble themselves for corn and wine, saith the prophet, and so seem to return, but though they return, it is not to the most high: but like a deceitful bow, though it seem to direct the arrow to the mark, yet indeed it sends it out another way, Hos 7. 14 16.
For the former of these, we are first to premise these notes. First, a worke done may bee Sub duplici genere Boni, it may be measured by Two sorts of Goodnesse; first there is Goodnesse ethicall or morall, in relation unto manners, and in order unto men; and secondly, there is Goodnesse theologicall or divine, in relation to Religion, ⟨p. 238⟩and in order unto God. A thing is morally Good, when it is Good in the sight of men, good unto humane purposes, good by way of Example, or by way of Edification1 to others, who judge as they see. But a thing is then done divinely when it is done with the spirit of holinesse and of truth (for the Father seeketh such to worship him) when it is done in obedience to the word; for wee are to note that a thing may bee done by a man rationally out of the sway and rule of right reason, and a certaine generousnesse and ingenuitie of spirit, which loves not to condemne it selfe in the thing which it allowes, and to walke crosse to the evidence of its owne rules, and yet that thing is all this while done but unto himselfe, and his owne reason is set up as an idoll in Gods place, to which all the actions of his life doe homage: or a thing may be done obedientially, with an eye vnto Gods will that requires it, not onely in a common conviction, but in a filiall and submissiue affection, as unto him; when you fasted and mourned, saith the Lord, did you at all fast unto me, even to me? If you will returne o Israell, returne unto me saith the Lord, Zach. 7. 5. Ier. 4. 1. A notorious finner walkes contrary to the principles of his owne reason and nature Ro. 1. 32. 1. Cor. 11. 14. contrary to the prosperitie and securitie of his present life, Levit. 26. 14. 1. Cor. 11, 30. and contrary to the will and Law of God. Now when a man breakes of a sinfull course, with ayme onely at his owne reason, or prosperitie, though this bee to returne, yet it is to turne to our selv•s, and not unto God. They assemble themselves for corne and wine, saith the proph•t, and so seeme to returne, but though they returne, it is not to the most high: but like a deceitfull bow, though it seeme to direct the arrow to the marke, yet indeede it sends it out another way, Hos 7. 14 16.
- 1Quamvis viden• […] cor• & ratio vi• […] […] […] […] servit, nullo […] […] […]—[…] virtues quas si• videtur—Nisi ad Deum […], etiam ipsae […] su•t potius quam virtutes. […] lib. 19. cap. 25. Non […] qui […] […] […] pauperi […] Deosae•, […] sunt vitia virt• thu•; […] est […] […] […] […] […] […] […] […] […] […] […] […] […] operib. To. 4. c. 7.Quamvis viden• 〈…〉 cor• & r•tio vi• 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 servit, nullo 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉—〈…〉 virtu•es quas si• videtur—Nisi ad Deum 〈…〉, etiam ipsae 〈…〉 su•t potius quam virtutes. 〈…〉 lib. 19. cap. 25. Non 〈…〉 qui 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 pauperi 〈…〉 Deosae•, 〈…〉 sunt vitia virt• thu•; 〈…〉 est 〈…〉 〈…〉 operib. To. 4. c. 7.
