The Sum of Christian Religion

For if God in that sense would not sin to be committed, then those absurdities should follow which they speak of. But when we say that God will not sin, we understand that they do greatly displease him, and yet that god hindereth them not from being committed: which also is not, to will, but to not will sin. For god can will nothing, but that which is agreeable to his own nature and goodness: neither doth the holy Scripture show any where that god will those things which are contrary to his nature, in such sort as they are contrary.

For if God in that sense woulde not sinne to bee committed, then those absurdities shoulde follow which they speake of. But when we say that God will not sinne, we vnderstand that they doe greatly displease him, and yet that god hindereth them not from being committed: which also is not, to will, but to not will sinne. For god can will nothing, but that which is agreeable to his owne nature and goodnes: neither doth the holy Scripture shewe any where that god will those thinges which are contrarie to his nature, in such sort as they are contrarie.

This is also objected:¹ He that is the cause or the efficient of a cause, is also the author of the effects of that cause, if not the next, yet a far off. But god is the cause of that will, which is the cause of sin: therefore is he the cause of the effect of the will, that is of sin. We answer to the Major, by distinguishing of the cause. For a cause which is a far off a cause, is sometimes by it self, and sometimes only by an accident a cause. That is a cause by it self, of an effect, which doth not only bring forth the next cause of the effect, but also doth move and govern it in bringing forth the effect, which it self intended, or unto the which it was appointed: as when god frameth and bendeth the will of men which himself made, to good works, or to such actions as himself will have done: when the Father or Master bringeth up his Son or his Scholar to good things, and the learning which he instilleth into his mind moveth him to do well: when the Sun and rain make the earth fertile, and the earth bringeth forth Corn. But when the cause which is a far off a cause either doth not move the next cause of the effect, or doth not intend and mind the effect, neither is appointed thereunto; it cannot be said to be a cause of that effect, but by an accident: as when of a good father is borne an evil and evil-living son: or of a good father a good and well-living son: when a godly Magistrate by his commandment moveth the will of a wicked executioner, to execute a guilty person, and he being impelled either by desire of revenge, or by hatred, or by cruelty, rejoiceth at his evil, whom he executeth, and so committeth murder before God: and lastly, when one maketh a sword, and another useth it either well, or il. Now as often as the next cause is either before the bringing forth of the effect depraved, or in the very bringing of it forth, either by it self, or by another cause: then bringeth it forth a bad effect, which the cause removed or a far off, that either bringeth forth or moveth this next cause, neither intendeth, neither as by any ordination or appointment unto it, produceth: As when the will & hand of the cleaver purpose to cut a thing, and the iron being too dull causeth that to break which is taken in hand to be cut. So also God maketh and moveth the will: