The third Aphorism•.The thyrde Aphorism•.

The third Aphorism•.

The thyrde Aphorism•.

Now as touching the other part, in as much as the purpose of electing ⟨image 82⟩or choosing can not come into any ma•• his mind, but therewith the contrary o• it, and that in like degree, must needs run in his thought, that in the mean season I say nothing of that which is manifest,¹ to wit, that these two are very oftentimes knit together in the word of God, it appeareth (I think) that they do great wrong unto the spirit of God, which would have this part buried, as curious or not necessary. This therefore is also to be considered,² but yet such moderation being used, that the depth of God his judgements may put a bit into man his curiosity: and in such finally,³ that it be not applied privately, either to any man, or unto any certain multitude. For in this point it doth also differ from election, that election, as we have showed before, is revealed or opened, unto us by the spirit of God, not in others, whose heart we can not see, but in our selves: and reprobation⁴ or of casting, is alway for the most part hidden from men, unless it be opened by God out of order, or more then ordinarily. ⟨image 82⟩For who knoweth, whether God •ave determined (1) at the very last moment of his life to have mercy on him, which hath spent all his whole life n wickedness and sin? And yet there is no cause why this hope should strength then any man in his wickedness, when as I speak of those things which we ought to observe and mark in others, and such examples of God his goodness are but rare or seldom, and no wise man will promise him self upon vain security or recklessness, that which is not in our hand. (2) It is therefore sufficient that we know generally that there are certain vessels prepared to destruction, (3) which for as much as God hath not showed unto us,