Reli. Indeed this is the only refuge whereto the fox flieth, being hunted from every other haunt: But the Lord will one day unkennel him, when his case & carcass both, shall pay tribute to the father of foxes, if mean whiles he offer not to God a more acceptable sacrifice: These be they that make ship wrack of all religion, although some whiles under ⟨p. 81⟩the veil thereof, they would seem for credit sake, to have some little smack of y• fear of God: But they which be the children of God, either know or will know, yea & the wicked also shall know, not only, that in that security which they would draw from hence, resteth the utter contempt of Christ, and of all true knowledge of God, but also that doctrine1 is appointed as an under servant to the Lord, whereby he doth justly accomplish that, which he had purposed touching his elect, as also the reprobate.
Therefore I pray you what is the drift of this objection other then that the Lord should leave all things at large, according to the opinion of Epicure, & the Papist, to a careless happening, whereby man for his behoof, pausing upon his own ways, might address himself, as of his own proper power, to will and work these things, that should win Salvation? truly if they were called together among them all, is not one to be found, that can clear him-self of this intent.
Therefore it is manifest, that they are not enemies alone to the predestination of God, according to whose foreknowledge ⟨p. 82⟩a covenable necessity • things is prescribed, as best beseeme•• his omnipotency: but also that they ar• 2angry with free justification, where-upon they will either convey them▪selves in to the place of Christ, or at least become assistant in his office.
But why should the reprobate him self account Doctrine unnecessary, •• beit he will not yield himself obedient is he not thereby left utterly without excuse before the Lord?
Moreover it is commanded to b• set before the reprobate, not because it might intercept that thing that God hath purposed of him, but that by •• 3incredulity, it should appear and b• more manifest, how forcible the grace of secret election is: for wherein m• the same more evidently be perceive then when in one self same doctrine and in one self same calling, there should fall out among these men sundry or se•• rall effects, one reverently to embrace another stubbornly to scorn and •• ▪ject it:
Reli. Indeed this is the onely refuge whereto the fexe flyeth, being hunted from euery other haunt: But the Lord wil one day vnkennel him, when his case & carkasse both, shal pay tribute to the father of foxes, if meane whiles hee offer not to God a more acceptable sacrifice: These be they that make ship wracke of all religion, although some whiles vnder ⟨p. 81⟩the vayle thereof, they would seeme for credit sake, to haue som little smack of y• feare of God: But they which bée the children of God, eyther know or will know, yea & the wicked also shal know, not only, that in that security which they would draw from hence, resteth the vtter contempt of Christ, and of all true knowledge of God, but also that doctrine1 is appointed as an vnder seruant to the Lord, whereby he doth iustly accomplish that, which he had purposed touching his elect, as also the reprobate.
Therfore I pray you what is the drift of this obiection other then that the Lord should leaue al things at large, according to the opinion of Epicure, & the Papist, to a carelesse happening, whereby man for his behoof, pausing vpon his owne wayes, might addresse himselfe, as of his owne proper power, to will and worke these things, that should win Saluation? truly if they were called together among them al, is not one to be found, that can cleare him-selfe of this intent.
Therfore it is manifest, that they are not enemies alone to the predestination of God, according to whose foreknowledge ⟨p. 82⟩a couenable necessity • things is prescribed, as best beséeme•• his omnipotency: but also that they ar• 2angry with frée iustification, where-vpon they will eyther conuey them▪selues in to the place of Christ, or at least become assistant in his office.
But why should the reprobate him selfe accompt Doctrine vnnecessary, •• beit he will not yéeld himselfe obedient is he not therby left vtterly without excuse before the Lord?
Moreouer it is commanded to b• sette before the reprobate, not because it might intercept that thing that God hath purposed of him, but that by ••
- 1Doctrine under servant.Doctrine vnder seruant.
- 2Doctrine leaveth the reprobate without excuse.Doctrine leaueth the reprobate vvithout excuse.
- 3The grace of secret election.
