Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

*I0 of the will of God, and how . the other of the inffrument, evil. God then is the caufe of the aftion, but not of the corruption; but yet ufeth, ordereth, difpofeth the corruption of the inf{rument for the execution of his own good work. When the Lord gave his Sonne to death, he ufed Judas as his inilrument. The action is the de- livering of Chrif}: which as it came from God, was a moft glorious work, John 3. i6. Rom. 8. 32. But quern D eus tradidit labs prodadit, whom God delivered Judas betrayed. When God will chaflife his fervant, he ufeth force wicked man as his inftru- ment to Ali& him : This afhiéion, as it cometh from God, is caftigatio, a chaitifement: but, as from the infirument, perfeeeutio, rapina, be. perfecution, rapine, &c. A man that rideth on a lame horfe is the caufe why he goeth, but not why he halteth. A4 gain, Deus non of autor ejus eujus eft altor, God is not the authour of that of which he is the punifher and revenger. Thus we fee that how foever God doth volunta- rily permit finne, and allo ufeth, ordereth, and dif- pofeth the fame to good ends ( for fuch is his wif- dome that he knoweth how to ufe that well which is evil ) yet he cannot be Paid properly to will finne, which he hateth; or to be the authour of it, which he revengeth. For this priviledge Gods will hath, Whatfoever it willeth it is therefore good: but finne as it is finne cannot be good. Gods ferret But to return to my purpofe: That this abfolute an d abfolute will of God be performed we need not to pray,un- here meant. leffe it be to Thew our affeCtion to Gods glory, and conformity & fubmiflion to his will: As in the time of