A17727:117
Three propositions or speeches, which that excellent man M. John Calvin, one of the…Three propositions or speeches, which that excellent man M. Iohn Caluin, one of the…
Three propositions or speeches, which that excellent man M. John Calvin, one of the pastors of the Church of God in Geneva had there To which also is added, an exposition upon that part of the catechism, which is appointed for the three and fortieth Sunday in number. Translated into English, by T.VV.Three propositions or speeches, which that excellent man M. Iohn Caluin, one of the pastors of the Church of God in Geneua had there To which also is added, an exposition vpon that parte of the catechisme, which is appointed for the three and fortieth Sunday in number. Translated into Englishe, by T.VV.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for George Bishop, 1580
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
And also there are ⟨p. 78⟩at this day varlets and fantastical men, who blaspheme, when such things are spoken, and would that all this were blotted out of the holy scripture, & vex them selves when we read that God blindeth men, after that he seeth that they are hardened. And is it so? yea indeed: but that is attributed to God, as to a just Judge. As if a Judge sit in his seat, and say:1 Tomorrow I will cause a whoremonger to be punished if he amend not: and yet notwithstanding he letteth him go on forward in his villainy. If a Judge say so, what reason is there against it? So then we see that there is good reason, that God strike them with blindness, that are reprobate and rejected from him: wherefore let us not any longer think this petition strange, which we make: to wit, that God lead us not into temptation. It is true, that at the first show, this goeth beyond our capacity and reason as I have already said: but we must come thus far, that Gods judgements are bottomless depths, and so that ⟨image 95⟩God leadeth into temptation, those whom it pleaseth him.2 And after what sort doth he perform this? not only because that evil proceedeth from us, but also because he condemneth them, whom he hath forsaken, and rejecteth them, that they may be overcome of all temptations. He delivereth them to Satan, as the hangman appointed to put them to death, and the executor of his justice. Even as a Judge having pronounced his sentence against an evil doer, will deliver him afterwards into the hands of the executioner: So doeth God deal in this behalf. Behold then how he leadeth into temptation those, that are not of the number of his children, and whom he hath not in his guiding and government. And therefore let us mark, that if it pleased God to use rigour against us, it is certain, that after he hath taken his power from us, he should not only leave us for such as we are, but he should deliver us into the hands and power of Satan. As it is said, that he will send strength of error, and strong delusion. That word is very meet to be weighed,3 for Saint Paul saith not, ⟨p. 79⟩