Whereas therefore the glory of God is made clear by our sin, that is not the work of man, but of God: who as a wonderful workman, knoweth to subdue our wickedness and to convey it to another end, that besides that end it is appointed unto of us, he converteth it to increase his glory. GOD hath prescribed unto us a manner how he will be glorified of us: namely, piety, which consisteth in the obedience of his word. He that passeth these bounds doeth not go about to honour God but rather to dishonour him. In that it falleth out otherwise, that is to be ascribed unto the providence of God, and not unto the wickedness of man, which letteth nothing but the Majesty of God may be utterly overthrown, much less letteth it that the same should not be violated. As we are blamed: Seeing Paul entreated so reverently of the secrete judgements of God, it is marvellous that the enemies fell to such waywardness,1 to calumniate him: but there was never yet so great religion and sobriety in the servants of GOD, which could bridle impure, and poisonable tongues. It is not therefore a new example, that the adversaries at this day do charge us with false accusations, and make our doctrine odious (which both we our selves know, and all, both angels and faithful men witness with us, that it is the pure Gospel of Christ.) Nothing can be imagined more monstrous, then that we read here to have been laid to the charge of Paul: and all to the end his preaching might be made odious or contemptible to the ignorant. Let us therefore bear it, that the wicked by malicious detractions do deprave the truth which we preach, and let us not therefore cease to defend the simple confession thereof: seeing it hath in it self sufficient virtue to overcome and vanquish their lies. Nevertheless, by the example of the Apostle, let us as much as in us lieth, resist their malicious subtleties, least ungracious and naughty Wretches should freely blaspheme the Creator. ⟨p. 35⟩Whose judgement is just. some take this actively, only that Paul should agree unto them, that that was absurd which they objected, least the doctrine of the Gospel should be thought to be joined with such strange and absurd things. But I like better of the Passive signification.
Whereas therefore the glorye of God is made cleare by our sinne, that is not the worke of man, but of God: who as a wonderfull workeman, knoweth to subdue our wickednesse and to conueigh it to another ende, that besides that ende it is appointed vnto of vs, hee conuerteth it to increase his glory. GOD hath prescribed vnto vs a manner howe hee will bee glorified of vs: namely, pietie, which consisteth in the obedience of his worde. Hee that passeth these boundes doeth not goe about to honour God but rather to dishonour him. In that it falleth out otherwise, that is to bee ascribed vnto the prouidence of God, and not vnto the wickednesse of man, which letteth nothing but the Maiestie of God may bee vtterly ouerthrowne, much lesse letteth it that the same shoulde not bee violated. As wee are blamed: Seeing Paule intreated so reuerently of the secrete iudgements of God, it is marueilous that the enemies fel to suche waywardnesse,1 to calumniate him: but there was neuer yet so great religion and sobrietie in the seruants of GOD, whiche coulde bridle impure, and poysonable tongues. It is not therefore a newe example, that the aduersaries at this daye doe charge vs with false accusations, and make our doctrine odious (whiche both wee our selues knowe, and all, both angels and faithfull men witnesse with vs, that it is the pure Gospell of Christe.) Nothing can bee imagined more monstrous, then that wee reade heere to haue beene laide to the charge of Paule: and all to the ende his preaching might be made odious or contemptible to the ignorant. Let vs therefore beare it, that the wicked by malicious detractions doe depraue the truth which wee preach, and let vs not therefore cease to defende the simple confession thereof: seeing it hath in it selfe sufficient vertue to ouercome and vanquish their lyes. Neuerthelesse, by the example of the Apostle, let vs as muche as in vs lyeth, resiste theyr malicious subtilities, leaste vngracious and naughtie Wretches shoulde freely blaspheme the Creator. ⟨p. 35⟩VVhose iudgement is iuste. some take this actiuelie, onelye that Paul should agree vnto them, that yt was absurd which they obiected, least the doctrine of the Gospell shoulde bee thoughte to bee ioyned with such strange and absurd thinges. But I like better of the Passiue signification.
- 1Let the servants of God deal as circumspectly as may be in the mysteries of god yet will the wicked speak evil.Let the seruāts of God deale as circumspectly as may be in the mysteries of god yet will the wicked speake euill.
