The sum of sacred divinity briefly & methodically propoundedThe summe of sacred diuinitie briefly & methodically propounded

This is it which he himself saith, Psal. 81. 13. Because my People harkened not to my voice, nor Israel would none of me, therefore dismissed I them to the fancy of their own heart, to walk after their own counsel. And the Apostle to the ^dRomans, Therefore God delivered them up unto the lusts of their hearts, unto uncleanness, to defile their bodies among themselves, as those which changed the Truth of God into a lye, and worshipped and served the Creature, neglecting the Creator. For this cause God delivered them unto unclean affections: for their women changed the natural use into that which is contrary to Nature. Likewise also the male, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one towards another, Males with Males committing filthiness, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was meet for their error. And as they regarded not to acknowledge God, so God delivered them up unto a mind void of all judgement, to do the things that were not seemly, filled with all Unrighteousness, Malice, Whoredom, &c. Again, 2. Thess. 2. 11, 12. For this cause (because they embraced not the love of the Truth) God will send unto them effectual errors, that they should believe lies, that all might be condemned which believe not the Truth, but take pleasure in unrighteousness. So doth ⟨p. 94⟩the Lord our God in his most just and provident dispensation ^eset a stumbling block before them for their ruin, turning their iniquity upon themselves, and ^fcutting them off through their own wickedness. These things considered, it will appear, that howsoever we say with the Scriptures, that God powerfully worketh in a sinful action, in such sense as before was showed; yet that nothing impeacheth the purity and uncorruption of his most holy Nature, neither doth the least stain or speck of uncleanness cleave unto him: nay, his wonderful Goodness and Wisdom come herein to be admired, who both worketh good things by evil instruments, and maketh sin it self to serve unto his glory: So that albeit sin be evil of it self, yet that there should be sin, it becometh exceeding good: Not that we reject the term of suffering or permission, which it pleaseth the Holy Ghost himself to use, as