72 , bide atelanch. Enarr. in epi/1. ad Rcrn. p. z3, ear, gpift, P:384. The Abfolute end determined that by their free actions they (hall attein unto it. In bad and wic- keda&ions of the reprobate theirfreedome of will is not vain; becaufe thereby their confciences are convicted of their ;guild- neffe and mifdeferts , and Gods jufiice is cleared in their damnation. Neither is there any indeclinable or infiperable necefitiedomi- neering over free-will, morethenin the opi- nion of the Remonfirants. Melanchthon took offenfe at the manner of delivering the doctrine of Predefiinati- on and Reprobationwhich fome ïnfified up- on, but for the fubfiance of doctrine he ac- knowledgeth his agreement with Calvine. That men muff come to knowledgeoftheir Election from their faith and holy life, was Melanchthons opinion : but, That their forefeen faith and holineffe was thecaufe or condition or motive upon which God founded his decree of Election, was farre from his mind f For the Stoicks, it was ,before chewed that theywere the Patrones offree-will,and of virtue and happineffe growing out of mans: free-will, as it is to be feen in Tullie's Stoical! Paradoxes. For the Manichees , who derived evil from an evil Gods they were in a foul er- rour : But thofe.whoderive the evil actions of men from their own free-will as the pro- per
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=