pp. 52–533 passages
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.
GOD is the Husbandman that dresseth this ground, and causeth in it Fertility. It was the Pelagian errour. A Deo habemus qu•d homines sumus, a nobis ipsis autem quod justi sumus. We are beholding to God that we are men,1 to our selves that we are good men. But the contrary is here evident. God doth not only make the ground, but he makes the ground fruitful: he rains upon it, he dresseth it, he blesseth it. Christ said not,2 Sine me parum potestis facere, sed sine me nihil. Without me ye can do nothing, saith our Saviour, and to the best men, even the Apostles: not a little, but nothing. If God had only made thee a man, and thou made thy self a good man, then is thy work greater then Gods work.3 For, Mel us est justum esse, quam te hom• n•m esse. Our meere being is not so happy, as our better being. No, this Text convinceth that lye. For, according to that distinction of grace. 1. Here is Gratia operans, God begins the work; he makes the ground good. sanctifies the person. 2. Here is Gratia cooperans, God that begins, performs the work; he raineth upon, he dresseth the heart, and so causeth it to produce herbs. 3. Here is Gratia saluans, whereby he crowneth our will and work in the day of our Lord JESUS. It receiveth blessing from God. So ⟨p. 53⟩Qui viret in foliis, venit a radicibus humour.
GOD is the Husbandman that dresseth this ground, and causeth in it Fertillitie. It was the Pelagian errour. A Deo habemus qu•d homines sumus, a nobis ipsis autem quod iusti sumus. We are beholding to God that we are men,1 to our selues that we are good men. But the contrary is here euident. God doth not onely make the ground, but hee makes the ground fruitfull: he raines vpon it, hee dresseth it, hee blesseth it. Christ sayd not,2 Sine me parum potestis facere, sed sine me nihil. Without me ye can doe nothing, sayth our Sauiour, and to the best men, euen the Apostles: not a little, but nothing. If God had onely made thee a man, and thou made thy selfe a good man, then is thy worke greater then Gods worke.3 For, Mel us est iustum esse, quam te hom• n•m esse. Our meere being is not so happie, as our better being. No, this Text conuinceth that lye. For, according to that distinction of grace. 1. Here is Gratia operans, God begins the worke; he makes the ground good. sanctifies the person. 2. Here is Gratia cooperans, God that begins, performes the worke; he raineth vpon, he dresseth the heart, and so causeth it to produce herbes. 3. Here is Gratia saluans, whereby hee crowneth our will and worke in the day of our Lord IESVS. It receiueth blessing from God. So ⟨p. 53⟩Qui viret in foliis, venit a radicibus humor.
The sap of grace which appears green and flourishing in the branches and fruit, comes from the root. Now in all this Deus non necessitat, sed factl•tat: God induceth the good to good by alacrity, not enforceth against their wills. Quoniam probitate coacta, 1Gloria nulla venit. For God doth not work upon us, as upon blocks and stones, in all and every respect passive: but converts our wills to will our own conuersion.2 Qui fecit te sine te, non justificabit te sine te. Fecit nesc• entem, Justificat volentem. He that made thee without thy self, will not justify thee without thy self. (without thy merit indeed, not without thine act). He created thee when thou knewest it not, he doth justify thee with the consent of thy own will. Let this consideration lay us all prostrate before the foot-stool of God, kissing the feet of his mercy,3 who is the Beginner and finisher of our faith. Who hath made the ground good, and increased the number of herbs with his holy dues from heaven; dressed it with his graces, and promised to reward it with his blessings. Thus By whom: now For whom.
The sappe of grace which appeares greene and flourishing in the branches and fruit, comes from the root. Now in all this Deus non necessitat, sed factl•tat: God induceth the good to good by alacritie, not enforceth against their wills. Quoniam probitate coacta, 1Gloria nulla venit. For God doth not worke vpon vs, as vpon blockes and stones, in all and euery respect passiue: but conuerts our wils to will our owne conuersion.2 Qui fecit te sine te, non iustificabit te sine te. Fecit nesc• entem, Iustificat volentem. Hee that made thee without thy selfe, will not iustifie thee without thy selfe. (without thy merite indeed, not without thine act). He created thee when thou knewest it not, he doth iustifie thee with the consent of thy owne will. Let this consideration lay vs all prostrate before the foot-stoole of God, kissing the feete of his mercy,
