Reli. Certainly my very soul doth1 fear, least by over much boldness, I should violate, or seem to neglect that rule of reverence, that in Gods behalf, is to be observed: On the other side I would be loath, that by to much cowardice, I should dishonour the truth: therefore as there want not testimonies of scripture, to warrant this doctrine, so I think it not unmeet, that herein, I follow that general sentence of the Apostle, whereof we have already spoken, namely, that2 God bringeth all things to pass according to the counsel of his own will, and least I may s•en•e to give to much liberty, to my own interpretation, I will also incline to the doctrine of Saint Augustine who saith to the very same effect. The will of God is the chief and principal ⟨p. 15⟩cause of all manner of actions, & motions whatsoever, for there is nothing, that 3proceedeth not from that unsearchable wisdom and will of his. Of these two we gather, that if the will of God, be the principal, and original cause of all things, that is to say, of all actions and motions: Either that sin doth come to pass according4 to that sovereign will of his, or else that sin is nothing at all: that is to say neither action, nor motion, which absurdity by no means can be granted: wherefore under these two banners, though the first may animate a right cowardly soldier, I dare now more boldly show thee a reason of mine own, & this it is: By Angels & men did sin take possession of this world, as appeareth rightly, in the declining of our first parents. Adam and Eve. But neither Angels nor5 men, were ever separated from the government, and subjection of their Lord and maker. Ergo. Sin doth possess the world, by the ordinance, that is to say the will and appointment of God: This thing is witnessed by the ••ostle. who saith, that: No man shall re•i••••e will of God. Moreover behold saith the ⟨p. 16⟩6Lord I have created the Smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and him that bringeth forth an Instrument for his work.7 I, I say, have created the destroyer to destroy. Many such testimonies may be recited out of the word of God; But because the wicked will here take the bit in their teeth (accounting God the author8 of sin) and run on head-long after their own appetite, to all kind of mischief as though it were not merely unlawful:
Reli. Certainely my very soule doth1 feare, least by ouer much bouldnesse, I should violate, or séeme to neglect that rule of reuerence, that in Gods behalfe, is to be obserued: On the otherside I would be loath, that by to much cowardize, I should dishonor the truth: therefore as there want not testimonies of scripture, to warrant this doctrine, so I thinke it not vnméete, that herein, I follow that generall sentence of the Apostle, whereof wee haue already spoken, namely, that2 God bringeth all things to passe according to the councell of his owne will, and least I may s•en•e to giue to much liberty, to my owne interpretation, I wil also incline to the doctrine of Saint Augustine who sayth to the very same effect. The wil of God is the chiefe and principall ⟨p. 15⟩cause of all maner of actions, & motions whatsoeuer, for there is nothing, that 3proceedeth not from that vnsearcheable wisdome and will of his. Of these two we gather, that if the wil of God, be the principall, and originall cause of all things, that is to say, of all actions and motions: Either that sinne doth come to passe according4 to that souereigne will of his, or else that sinne is nothing at all: that is to say neither action, nor motion, which obsurdity by no meanes can be granted: wherefore vnder these two banners, though the first may animate a right cowardly soldier, I dare now more bouldly shew thée a reason of mine owne, & this it is: By Angels & men did sinne take possession of this world, as appeareth rightly, in the derlining of our first parents. Adam and Eue. But neither Angels nor5 men, were euer seperated from the gouernment, and subiection of their Lord and maker. Ergo. Sinne doth possesse the world, by the ordinance, that is to say the will and appointment of God: This thing is witnessed by the ••ostle. who saith, that: No man shal re•i••••e wil of God. Moreouer behold saith the ⟨p. 16⟩
- 1Neither rash, nor ••morous.
- 2Ephes. 1. 11
- 3August. de trinitat. lib. 3.
- 4All things are done by the will of God.
- 5Argument.
- 6Rom. 9. 19.
- 7Isaiah 56 41.Esay 56 41.
- 8A restraint to the wicked.A restraint to the vvicked.
