Rel. I will therefore take the case to1 stand thus: A King consulting with himself, and purposing to declare his honour, and authority, enacteth such laws, and statutes, as the best industry of his subjects, shall not be able to observe: pretending nevertheless, of his own especial grace, to be favourable, or merciful to some, and upon the rem••nt of transgressors, to execute Justice: From this head-spring, to wit, the honour of th• King: do distil two streams, the on• for his beloved subjects to drink at, and •ive, the other for the malignant, to brown themselves in: the courses of thes• two being made contrary in effect, as i• ⟨p. 57⟩respect of their property, by him that had the law in his hand, be nevertheless made fast in the bosom of the fountain, and do meet together again, together in the uttermost point, to wit, the honour of a King, as a Bee going out empty, doth return laden with honey to her Hive: for as the King without laws, had bin no King, nor his dignity discerned: so by his laws his honour is become twofold as in punishing ••home he list, and in showing mercy on whom he will; so that his mercy and justice (if he had had no laws, or if his laws had been capable to all his people) that had never been known, are two notable pillars of his Kingdom to his only honour; and the great dread and admiration of his subjects, Assure thy self, y• so it is in that wonderful ordinance of the almighty, whose purpose is not of election and reprobation,2 nor of any other success of common things (which not withstanding he ordereth as is said already) so much, as of his own glory, according to the saying. For my glory I created, formed,3 and made man. This thing the heavenly wisdom of God did perceive might ⟨p. 58⟩come to pass most conveniently by such a prescription, as should enforce the like effects to the law aforesaid (though in the first man his justice is very well defended,) yet note, always between the purpose going before the law (which is the glory of GOD) and the effects of the law (which are his mercy and4 justice) is no repugnancy, but one pure and peaceable agreement, for the law condemning all men in the purpose of GOD, doth show forth his glory, in the most lively colours of5 mercy, and justice, according to his first intent.
Rel. I will therfore take the case to1 stand thus: A King consulting with himselfe, and purposing to declare his honor, and authority, enacteth such lawes, and statutes, as the best industry of his subiects, shall not be able to obserue: pretending neuerthelesse, of his owne especial grace, to be fauorable, or mercifull to some, and vppon the rem••nt of transgressors, to execute Justice: From this head-spring, to witte, the honour of th• King: doe distill two streames, the on• for his beloued subiects to drink at, and •iue, the other for the malignant, to brown themselues in: the courses of thes• two being made contrary in effect, as i• ⟨p. 57⟩respect of their property, by him that had the lawe in his hand, be neuerthelesse made fast in the bosome of the fountaine, and doe méete together againe, together in the vttermost point, to wit, the honor of a King, as a Bée going out empty, doth returne laden with honny to her Hiue: for as the King without lawes, had bin no King, nor his dignity discerned: so by his lawes his honor is become twofould as in punishing ••home he liste, and in shewing mercy on whom he will; so that his mercy and iustice (if he had had no lawes, or if his lawes had béene capable to all his people) that had neuer béene knowne, are two notable pillors of his Kingdome to his onely honor; and the great dread and admyration of his subfectes, Assure thy selfe, y• so it is in that wonderfull ordinance of the almighty, whose purpose is not of election and reprobation,2 nor of any other successe of common things (which not withstanding he ordereth as is said already) so much, as of his owne glory, according to the saying. For my glory I created, formed,3 and made man. This thiug the heauenly wisdome of God did perceaue might ⟨p. 58⟩come to passe most conueniently by such a prescription, as should enforce the like effects to the law aforesaid (though in the first man his iustice is very well defended,) yet note, alwaies betwéene the purpose going before the law (which is the glory of GOD) and the effects of the law (which are his mercy and
- 1God like to a King.
- 2Note.
- 3Isaiah. 43. 7.Esay. 43. 7.
- 4No repugnancy in God.
- 5A worldly objection.A worldly obiection.
