Also saith moreover. As he that hath received the gift, can better exhort and preach: so he that hath received this gift, doth hear the Preacher more obediently, and with greater reverence &c. We do therefore exhort and preach; but they only which have ears to hear, do hear us quietly, and to their comfort: & in those that have them not, this sentence is fulfilled, that hearing with their ears, they do not hear, for they hear ⟨p. 5⟩with the outward sense, but not with the inward consent. Now, why some men have these ears, and others not, it is, because it is given to some to come, and to others not. Who knew Gods counsel? must that be denied which is plain and evident, because that cannot be known which is hid and secret? Again in the 15. chap. I pray you (saith he) if some under the shadow of Predestination give themselves to slothful negligence, and as they are bent to flatter their flesh, so follow their own lusts, must whether forejudge, that this which is written of the fore-knowledge of God is false? Now surely this is very handsome, and to the purpose, that we shall ⟨p. 6⟩not speak that which by the Scripture is lawful to speak. Oh we […] (say you) least he should be offended, which is not able to understand and take it. And shall we not fear (say I) lest whiles we hold our tongue, he that is able to take the truth, be taken and snared with falsehood and error? Also in the 20 chapter of the same book, he writeth in this sort. If the Apostles, & Doctors of the Church which came after them, did the one and the other, both teaching the eternal election of God purely and truly, and also retaining the faithful in godly life and manners: what moveth these our Adversaries (seeing they are overcome with the manifest and invincible truth) to think they ⟨p. 7⟩speak well, saying, Although this doctrine of Predestination be true: yet it ought not to be preached to the people. Nay, so much the rather it is good to be throughly preached, that he that hath ears to hear, may hear. And who hath them, but he that hath received them of God, who promiseth to give them?
Also saith moreouer. As hee that hath receiued the gift, can better exhort and preach: so hee that hath receiued this gift, dooth heare the Preacher more obediently, and with greater reuerence &c. VVee doe therefore exhort and preach; but they onely which haue eares to heare, doe heare vs quietlie, and to their comfort: & in those that haue them not, this sentence is fulfilled, that hearing with their eares, they doe not heare, for they heare ⟨p. 5⟩with the outward sense, but not with the inward consent. Now, why some men haue these eares, and others not, it is, because it is giuen to some to come, and to others not. Who knew Gods counsell? must that bee denied which is plaine and euident, because that cannot bee knowne which is hid and secret? Again in the 15. chap. I pray you (saith hee) if some vnder the shadow of Predestination giue themselues to slothfull negligence, and as they are bent to flatter their flesh, so followe their owne lusts, must wether foreiudge, that this which is written of the fore-knowledge of God is false? Now surelie this is verie handsome, and to the purpose, that vvee shall ⟨p. 6⟩not speak that which by the Scripture is lawfull to speak. Oh wee 〈…〉 (say you) least he should be offended, which is not able to vnderstand and take it. And shal we not feare (say I) lest whiles we hold our tongue, he that is able to take the truth, be taken and snared with falshood and error? Also in the 20 chapter of the same book, he writeth in this sort. If the Apostles, & Doctors of the Church vvhich came after them, did the one and the other, both teaching the eternal election of God purely and truly, and also retaining the faithfull in godly life and manners: what moueth these our Aduersaries (seeing they are ouercome with the manifest and inuincible truth) to thinke they ⟨p. 7⟩speake wel, saying, Although this doctrine of Predestination bee true: yet it ought not to be preached to the people. Nay, so much the rather it is good to be throughly preached, that he that hath eares to hear, may heare. And who hath them, but hee that hath receiued them of God, who promiseth to giue them?
