CiiAP.f. Epiffleto the Thalenians. VHR. r7. What marucll, if all blefíings ofGod turnevnto them to curies ? and the very mean es of faluation,become occafi- on of their greater hardnetfe, anddeeper condemnation? A fccond fort there are,not flicking to difpute againft the neceflitie ofthis duty; and to oppofe principles of Doftrine, againft precepts of dutie. So force write of c 2Í!aximní Tyriur, a Philofopher; that he thus reafoned deferately againft this precept of the Holy Ghoft.Gods prouidence and appointments are immutable; prayer cannot alterthem ; what he intends to giue, he will giue, though we pray not.W hat he will nor giue, no importu- nity of prayer (hall obtaine. This deuotion therefore ut- terly vnnecetlary. For anfwer, confider Gods ordinary prouidence,and the appointments thereof (hut not out, but include fc- cond caufes. And therein are difpofed, not onely what effefts !hall be produccd,but by what caufes,and in what order they (hall haue their producement. His will and e- ternall appointment bath freely linked together, & fub- ordinated the creatures to the execution of his purpofes; fo fee wee in the generation of the fruits of the earth, there is an ordinary concurrence of Stars influence, heat of Sunne,diftilling of Showres,&e. And this knitting to- gether offecond caufes with the Eft, is fo indiffoluable in the purpofe and appointment ofGod, that without them the efffts ordinarily follow not: fo muflwe con - ceiue prayer for Gods,blcflings to bee, though no caufc naturali, yet a meanes appointed by the Will of God, ro obtaine them. They erre, that thinke his appointments abfolute, without refpeEt to fecond caufes, as meanes of their aceomplithment. Ipfa regni stern pradefivatioita eft ab omnspotenti Deo difpofita,faith G R E G o R r E,gwate- nut ad hoc Bleat ex labore perueniant ;vt ipfl orando noerean- tur accipere, quad eis omnipotent Dent antefacula di fp ofnit dare. Neither pray we to alter Gods difpofition, but to obtaine, what 'Ice bath difpofed and ordered to bee I i z obtained Gregor.lib. r. Dialog.
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