The Sum of Christian Religion

¹But against that, where it was said, that the wills of all creatures are so guided by God, that neither they are able to will, what he from everlasting hath not decreed, neither not to will, what he hath decreed for them to will: more question is used to be made. 1 That which is ruled by the unchangeable will of God, doth not work freely; The will of Angels and men is ruled by the unchangeable will of God. Therefore either it hath no liberty, or the choice which it maketh is not tied to the will of God. Answer we make to the major by a distinction. It is not a free agent which is so ruled by God, as it hath no deliberation and election of his own. But that which GOD so ruleth, as he showeth the object unto the understanding, and by it effectually moveth and affecteth the will to choose it; that doth notwithstanding freely work, albeit it be inclined, at the beck and will of GOD, whither he will have it. For to work freely in the creatures, is not to work without any ones government, but with deliberation, and with a proper and self-motion of the will, although this motion be elsewhence raised & ruled. Wherefore it is not the immutability and operation of the divine will and providence, which is against this liberty, but a privation and constraint of judgement, which is an impulsion or a motion proceeding not from an inward cause or faculty, but only from an outward cause, beside or against the nature of that which is moved. Now such an impulsion falleth not into the will: but God moveth it, leading and bringing it on as it were by objects, to choose that which he will. For the faculty or ability and power of the will cannot be brought into act, that is, to show and express it self, without an object; and, We are, live and move in God, Acts. 17. But to be moved of no other cause but of himself only,² this is exceeding and infinite perfection and liberty, agreeing to God alone, which the creature cannot desire, much-less arrogate and challenge unto it self, without notorious blasphemy.

¹But against that, where it was said, that the wils of all creatures are so guided by God, that neither they are able to will, what hee from euerlasting hath not decreed, neither not to will, what hee hath decreed for them to will: more question is vsed to bee made. 1 That which is ruled by the vnchangeable will of God, doth not woorcke freelie; The will of Angels and men is ruled by the vnchangeable will of God. Therefore either it hath no libertie, or the choise which it maketh is not tied to the will of God. Answere wee make to the maior by a distinction. It is not a free agent which is so ruled by God, as it hath no deliberation and election of his owne. But that which GOD so ruleth, as hee sheweth the obiect vnto the vnderstanding, and by it effectuallie mooueth and affecteth the will to choose it; that dooth notwithstanding freelie woorke, albeit it bee inclined, at the becke and will of GOD, whither hee will haue it. For to woorcke freely in the creatures, is not to woorcke without anie ones gouernment, but with deliberation, and with a proper and selfe-motion of the will, although this motion be elsewhence raised & ruled. Wherefore it is not the immutabilitie and operation of the diuine will and prouidence, which is against this libertie, but a priuation and constrainte of iudgement, which is an impulsion or a motion proceeding not from an inwarde cause or facultie, but onely from an outwarde cause, beside or against the nature of that which is mooued. Nowe such an impulsion falleth not into the will: but God moueth it, leading and bringing it on as it were by obiects, to choose that which he will. For the facultie or abilitie and power of the will cannot be brought into act, that is, to shewe and expresse it selfe, without an obiect; and, We are, liue and mooue in God,