The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

But now moral Good and Evil are not only such because God commands the one, and forbids the other, but because the things themselves are so, essentially and unalterably. As Mathematical truths and proportions are not such only because God will have them so, but because the nature of the things cannot be otherwise. Almighty power it self (reverently be it spoken) cannot make two parallel lines or surfaces meet, though extended infinitely, or the three angles of any straight-lined triangle, amount to any less or more then two right angles in Geometry, or in Arithmetic alter the proportions between two and four, to any other then that of double and half, or between three and nine, then that of a root and square, or (to name no more) is it possible that a Seventh in Music should ever become a Concord, or a Unison, fifth, or eighth, a Discord, for these things are in their very nature fixed, and unchangeable, they must be what they are, or not be at all. Thus there is an eternal Reason, why that which is good should be so, and commanded, and why that which is evil should be so, and forbidden, which depends not so much on Gods will, as on his nature. For if God could will, that good should be evil, and evil good, he could deny himself, and change his own unchangeable Divinity which is impossible: And therefore I look upon that opinion of a modern^‖ Dutch Author (though I would be so charitable, as to believe he knew not, and therefore meant not what he said) as overthrowing all Religion: The thing is this, That God may if he please out of the vast sovereignty of his Will, command all that wickedness which he hath forbidden, and make it out duty; also forbid all that holiness which he hath commanded, and make it become sin to us.

But now morall Good and Evil are not only such because God commands the one, and forbids the other, but because the things themselves are so, essentially and unalterably. As Mathematical truths and proportions are not such only because God will have them so, but because the nature of the things cannot be otherwise. Almighty power it selfe (reve•ently be it spoken) cannot make two parallel lines or surfaces meet, though extended infinitely, or the three angles of any straight-lined triangle, amount to any lesse or more then two right angles in Geometry, or in Arithmeticke alter the proportions between two and four, to any other then that of double and half, or between three and nine, then that of a root and square, or (to name no more) is it possible that a Seventh in Musique should ever become a Concord, or a Ʋnison, fifth, or eighth, a Discord, for these things are in their very nature fixed, and unchangeable, they must be what they are, or not be at all. Thus there is an eternal Reason, why that which is good should be so, and commanded, and why that which is evill should be so, and forbidden, which depends not so much on Gods wil, as on his nature. For if God could will, that good should be evil, and evill good, he could deny himself, and change his own unchangeable Divinity which is impossible: And therefore I look upon that opinion of a modern