CHAP. I.
The question of Gods eternall Predestination is not curious, or vnprofitable, but of great importance, and very necessary in the Church of God.
SAint Augustine in his booke of The profit of 1 Perseuerance, chap. 14. saith, that they which were against him as Aduersaries in this question, did alleadge that 2 this doctrine of Predestinaon, did hinder the preaching of Gods word, & coused that it could not profit. As if 3 (saith he) this doctrine had hindered the Apostle Saint Paul to doe his dutie: vvho so oftentimes dooth commend vnto vs and teach Predestination, and yet neuer ceaseth to preach the vvord of God.
Also saith moreouer. As hee that hath receiued the gift, can better exhort and preach: so hee that hath receiued this gift, dooth heare the Preacher more obediently, and with greater reuerence &c. VVee doe therefore exhort and preach; but they onely which haue eares to heare, doe heare vs quietlie, and to their comfort: & in those that haue them not, this sentence is fulfilled, that hearing with their eares, they doe not heare, for they heare with the outward sense, but not with the inward consent. Now, why some men haue these eares, and others not, it is, because it is giuen to some to come, and to others not. Who knew Gods counsell? must that bee denied which is plaine and euident, because that cannot bee knowne which is hid and secret? Again in the 15. chap. I pray you (saith hee) if some vnder the shadow of Predestination giue themselues to slothfull negligence, and as they are bent to flatter their flesh, so followe their owne lusts, must wether foreiudge, that this which is written of the fore-knowledge of God is false? Now surelie this is verie handsome, and to the purpose, that vvee shall not speak that which by the Scripture is lawfull to speak. Oh wee ⟨…⟩ (say you) least he should be offended, which is not able to vnderstand and take it. And shal we not feare (say I) lest whiles we hold our tongue, he that is able to take the truth, be taken and snared with falshood and error? Also in the 20 chapter of the same book, he writeth in this sort. If the Apostles, & Doctors of the Church vvhich came after them, did the one and the other, both teaching the eternal election of God purely and truly, and also retaining the faithfull in godly life and manners: what moueth these our Aduersaries (seeing they are ouercome with the manifest and inuincible truth) to thinke they speake wel, saying, Although this doctrine of Predestination bee true: yet it ought not to be preached to the people. Nay, so much the rather it is good to be throughly preached, that he that hath eares to hear, may heare. And who hath them, but hee that hath receiued them of God, who promiseth to giue them?
And as for him that doth not receiue it, let him refuse it if he wil; so that he that doth receiue it, may take it, drinke it, be suffised, and haue life. For as wee must preach the feare of God, to the end that God may be truly serued: so must we preach predestination, that he which hath eares to heare may hear, & reioyce in God, not in him selfe, for the grace of GOD towards him.
This is the mind of that excellent Doctor, as touching this point. Which notwithstanding bindeth vs to two conditions: the one is, that wee speake no further heerein, then Gods word doth limit vs: the other, that we set forth the same thing which the Scripture teacheth, accordingly, and to edification. Wherefore vvee will briefly speake of both these parts: first of the doctrine it selfe, and next of the vse and applying of the same.