The first Aphorism•.

The first Aphorism•.

The Lord to the end he might execute or fulfil that everlasting counsel unto his glory,¹ prepared him self away according unto his infinite or endless wisdom, which is common both to them which were to be chosen, and also to them which were to be outcasts. For when as he had determined to show forth a notable example of his mercy, in the salvation of the chosen: and also to make manifest his just judgement, in condemning the outcasts, (1) It was of necessity that he should shut up both of ⟨image 22⟩them under contumacy or disobedience and sin that he might have mercy on all the believers, (2) that is, on the elect or chosen, (3) for faith is a gift of God peculiar or proper unto the elect:• (4) and contrary wise, that he might find matter of just damnation in those, unto whom it is given neither to believe, neither yet to know the mysteries or secretes of God.

THe Lorde to the ende he might execute or fulfyll that euerlasting counsayle vnto his glorie,¹ prepared him selfe away according vnto his infinite or endlesse wisedome, which is common both to them which were to bee chosen, and also to them which were to bee ofcastes. For when as he had determined to shew forth a notable example of his mercie, in the saluation of the chosen: and also to make manifest his iust iudgement, in condemning the ofcastes, (1) It was of neces•itie that he shoulde shutte vp both of ⟨image 22⟩them vnder contumacie or disobedience and sinne that he might haue mercie on all the beleeuers, (2) that is, on the elect or chosen, (3) for faith is a gifte of God peculiar or proper vnto the elect:• (4) and contray wise, that he might finde matter of iust dampntion in those, vnto whom it is geuen neither to beleeue, neither yet to know the misteries or secretes of God.