A69075:2414
Christian religion
Christian religion: substantially, methodically[e,] [pla]inlie, and profitably treatisedChristian religion: substantially, methodicalli[e,] [pla]inlie, and profitablie treatised
London: printed by Felix Kingston for Thomas Man, 1611
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
How else are Gods actions discerned from the actions of the wicked?
By the end whither they tend: for Josephs brethren sent him, to the end he should not come to the honour he foretold out of his dream: but God sent him to provide for his Church, and to fulfil that was foretold. Shimei cursed, to drive David to despair: but God directed him for exercise of Davids patience: The devil lied in the false Prophets, to ruin Ahab; but God justly to punish him for his Idolatry. Rehoboam to satisfy the desire of his young beardless counsellors: but God to perform the word that he had spoken by his Prophet. Pilate to please the people, and to keep his credit with Caesar: Judas for the obtaining of the money he desired; and the Jews, that our Saviour Christ should not reign over them; but God and Christ to save his people.
By the end whither they tend: for Iosephs brethren sent him, to the end he should not come to the honour he foretold out of his dreame: but God sent him to prouide for his Church, and to fulfill that was foretold. Shimei cursed, to driue Dauid to despaire: but God directed him for exercise of Dauids patience: The diuell lied in the false Prophets, to ruine Achab; but God iustly to punish him for his Idolatrie. Rehoboam to satisfie the desire of his yong beardlesse counsellors: but God to performe the word that hee had spoken by his Prophet. Pilate to please the people, and to keepe his credit with Caesar: Iudas for the obtaining of the money he desired; and the Iewes, that our Sauiour Christ should not reigne ouer them; but God and Christ to saue his people.
But were it not better to say that these things were done by Gods permission, then by his providence and government, thereby to avoid an absurdity in Divinity, that God is the author of evil?