V ER. [ I. Epbeffans,Chap. I. tioned ; Let us firít then confider ofthe meaningofthe words. Second- lyofthe fcope, for which they are brought in. Thirdly, ofthe doétrines tobe marked in them. Firft, this word [warketh,] Both fignifiefuch á working, which hath efficacieto the bringing forth the beingof that which it worketh. All things.] Noteth outwhatfoever thingsare,whether good orevil!. counfell.] Noteth fometime the facultie of wifdome, which giveth advife touching things tobe done, and meanes of doing them:. And thus, accordingas the natureofthe thing hathit felfeto himwhogiveth advife, is fomething prefent and ready, fometime needing delibera- tion ;'-but deliberation fo farre as it is grounded in imperfection of knowledge, and argueth doubtfulneffe, cannot be afcribed, but onely fofarre as it fignifieth the maturity and ripeneffe ofcounfell. Second- ly, counfell fignifieth not the faculty, but theeffeét, wife advife given in any cafe from that facultie of wifdome which giveth counfell. Thus weunderftand when we fay ; What counfell did fuch a one give yourNow thus it is here taken for that wifeorder of things,and means, which Gods wifdome fuggefted. Laftly , it is to be confidered, why it is called counfell of his will. Firft, becaufe it is propounded to his will ; Secondly, it is accepted of by hiswill: The meaning is, we obtaineall thefe bleffingsbefore named, having beetle predeftinated according to that gracious purpofe of God towards us, whofe working bringeth about all things, according to that wifeorder which his coun- fell did propound, and his will for the liberty ofit did freely accept. Now the fcopeofthis defcription tendeth hither, to prove that we attaine the benefits before named, having beene predettinatetVbyGods counfell(for predeftination is an ad ofGods counfell,as I have faid be fore)thereunto ; he proveth this particular, by this general!; He who worketh all things after the counfell of his will, he dothworke thefe benefits in us, his counfell having predeftinated us to them ; But God workethall things, &c. Thefe are frivolous exceptions, that God fpea- keth onely ofthe things before, which he doth out of his gracious pleafure : for this were an impertinent fuperfiuitie, to fay that God had wrought us thefebenefits, when his counfell had predeftinatedus,who dothworke thefe benefits according to his counfell ; He hath wrought them inus according to his counfell, whodoth worke them according to hiscounfell. Secondly, whatfoever things are according to Gods counfell, thofe he is faid to worke ; for thefeTaft words may as well determine the fub- jeet, as Phew the manner ofhisworking. Thirdly, whatreafon is it to fay, heworketh there things after coun- fll as if all the workesofGod werenot alike after counfell. Lafily, to fay he fpeaketh of things hedoth out of gracious plea - fure, is in their felfe, who excepr,frivolous : for he faith not; the coun- fell ofhis dt.Poxfa, but ofhis skin a. Betidethat,the Scripturedoth attribute thofe things; which as judgments God doth execute in reprobates, to Gods4,f`.xfa, meere free pleafure,Mat.I1.25and13.11.7houk fthidden M thefe.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=