Gods husbandry

Next,¹ let us consider why the Lord of heaven will have it to be so, rather than otherwise. In truth it should be an intolerable presumption and sauciness in us, to demand a reason of Gods actions, if himself did not vouchsafe to stoop so low, as to render us a reason thereof himself. But in this matter the Scripture saith plainly, that God hath shut all under sin, that he might have mercy upon all. Doubtless this is principally to be understood of giving over man to be sinful in his first corruption, showing the reason why God did permit and appoint it so to be: but withal, it may very fitly serve to inform us in the present matter, showing why the Lord doth please to leave even his own servants, after their engrafting into Christ, unto the sinfulness of their nature, so far, that they shall not be wholly free from it; namely,² that it might most manifestly appear that they be saved of grace, and not of merit, and that he may fully and unquestionably enjoy the praise of having given it them of free will and bounty, not paid it them as a thing earned by the worthiness of their works, although in another respect, the Lord pleaseth to call it a wages, viz. (not in regard that it is given ⟨p. 70⟩for the dignity of the works, but) because of the certainty of such an over-abundant requital. For as an honest man will surely pay his labourer his hire (according to the Law,) so the Lord will surely give eternal life unto his servants, that by continuance in well doing do labour for the same.

Next,¹ let vs consider why the Lord of heauen will haue it to be so, rather thē otherwise. In truth it should be an intolerable presumption and sawcinesse in vs, to demand a reason of Gods actions, if himselfe did not vouchsafe to stoope so low, as to render vs a reason thereof himselfe. But in this matter the Scripture saith plainly, that God hath shut all vnder sinne, that hee might haue mercy vpon all. Doubtlesse this is principally to be vnderstood of giuing ouer man to bee sinfull in his first corruption, shewing the reason why God did permit and appoynt it so to be: but withall, it may very fitly serue to informe vs in the present matter, shewing why the Lord doth please to leaue euen his owne seruants, after their ingraffing into Christ, vnto the sinfulnesse of their nature, so farre, that they shall not be wholly free from it; namely,