A15013:1007
Prototypes, or, The primary precedent presidents out of the book of Genesis showing, the…Prototypes, or, The primarie precedent presidents out of the booke of Genesis shewing, the…
Prototypes, or, The primary precedent presidents out of the book of Genesis showing, the [brace] good and bad things [brace] they did and had practically applied to our information and reformation / by that faithful and painful preacher of Gods word William Whately ... ; together with Mr. Whately's life and death ; published by Mr. Edward Leigh and Mr. Henry Scudder, who were appointed by the author to peruse his manuscripts, and printed by his own copy.Prototypes, or, The primarie precedent presidents out of the booke of Genesis shewing, the [brace] good and bad things [brace] they did and had practically applied to our information and reformation / by that faithfull and painefull preacher of Gods word William Whately ... ; together with Mr. Whatelyes life and death ; published by Mr. Edward Leigh and Mr. Henry Scudder, who were appointed by the authour to peruse his manuscripts, and printed by his owne coppy.
London: printed by G.M. for Edward Langham book-seller, 1640London: printed by G.M. for Edvvard Langham booke-seller, 1640
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.
Of Jacob we must show three things, as in former Examples. His birth, life, and death.
Of Iacob we must shew three things, as in former Examples. His birth, life, and death.
Concerning his birth,1 the time and parents were the same which we noted before of Esau, the manner was as you have heard, as if he had wrestled with his brother for the birth-right even in the birth; in which may seem to be signified the great stir that should be betwixt their Successors as well as themselves, yea, and betwixt the good and bad in all ages, even those that are heirs of the promise, and those that be contemners of the promise. For the Lord had foretold, that two Nations were in Rebekkahs womb, which should be separated one from the other, and in them the Lord did manifest the freedom of his Election, seeing he chose the younger before the elder to inherit the promises, and that before they had done good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might remain (or be firm) not of works, but of him that calleth: meaning, ⟨p. 42⟩that Gods intention of saving by his grace, who freely calleth, not of any works in any person, whether repenting, believing, or any other works, might be steadfast and stable. No works cause God to call one, or to purpose to call one, or not to call another, but alone his good pleasure, whereof though it be sure that God hath in himself just reason (for he is a reasonable agent, and doth all things, and most understandingly) yet he sees it not good to reveal to us any reason, because he would make us see what subjection we owe to him (that is to say) to rest in his will as a sufficient reason to satisfy us. God might have purposed to call, and also have called all without any picking or choosing, or preferring one before another, but his purpose was according to election or choice, he intended not to raise up all out of the miserable estate into which Adam brought all, but alone some; and in his choosing he might have left whom he took, and contrarily, but he would take some, not all, and these, not those because in his wisdom he saw it fit; and so great is his power and sovereignty, that we ought to be contented with this reason, God would have it so.