88 An Expofation upon Sins nor per fe but per atti, dens, are cau(es of Gods glo- pra &ife, but for confirming or eftabli Thing, as afterward in the fift Chapter, God commendeth his love; that is , con - firmeth his love. Tr x. How is this true, that mans un- beliefe doth confirm Gods truth, and mane it more glorious ? S t L. This is not in the Nature of unbeliefe, which in it felfe properly doth obfcure Gods glory, rather then confirm it: but Accidentally as the uprightneffe of a Judge appeareth in condemning a MalefaEtor, yet no thankes to the Malefaáor : even fo, whilft God doth forgive perfidious fin- ners, it happeneth by his owne good - neffe and favour,that thus his truth is more renowned and eftablifhed, it is no thankes to finne,whofe nature is to dif- honour God; from whence, malicious men did colle& this bad confequence: that feting his goodneffe and truth was fet forth by mans finne, therefore God could not juftly punifh Gnne. Tr x. Wherein was this Confequence and Colle£ lion faulty? S r L. Herein,becaufe that unbeliefe and finne being of it felfe filthy and worthy of blame, did difhonour God, and thereby deferved punifhment : and whereas God was glorified by finne,that came of his owne free mercy, not at all through finne. Ti x. What war taught from hence? S i L. Fir'', that the truth is often wrefted to a wrong end by corrupt min- ded men, who of true premiffes gather falfe conclufions: which being done to Pails Dotrine, no marvaile if the like be offered to other minifters. Se- condly, it is the nature of wicked men, to promife to themfelves freedome of punifhmentfor their finne: they would be glad after finno to goe fcotfree, be- caufe they would finne more boldly. Thirdly, k is a figue of great degree in wickedneffe,.when men had rather have God charged for unjuft, then themfelves to be found culpable. TIx. But why it punifhment called wrath ? S I L. Becaufe it proceedeth from God, being wrathful' and angry with finne. Chap.3, Ti N. What wat taught from Bence ? S r L. That all punifhments be fo many tokens of Gods wrath. Secondly, that Dane is to be avoided as a fearfull thing, Peeing it doth provoke God to wrath, whore wrath is more heavy then any mountaine. Ti x. What mat confidered in Pau!, an fwer ? S i L. Three things : the firft is an Apologie,in theft words:I fpeakae aman. Tr x. What was the meaning of tbefe words? S r L. Thus much, that the former obje&ion did not come from himfelfe, but was the fpeech of Tome carnali man, which did judge amifs of Gods juftice : in their perfon he fpeaks,not in his owne. Ti M. What was taught from hence? S i L. That whenfoever we open our mouths againft the truth of God, then we Phew our felves to be but men, and led by the wifdomeof a man. T r so.Wbat war the fecond thing confzde- red ? S i L. A deniall of the colleaion,with a Proteftation(Godforbid)as who fhculd fay,farre be it from me,or any other to teach or think God unjuft in punifbing. T I x. What wan learned by Ibis ? S a L. That we muft have every thing in abomination which is uttered con - trarÿ to Gods glory,which ought to be fo precious and deere, as we fhould not endure in our Selves the leali thought,or in others the leaft word again fl it. T Im. What is the thirdpart ofthe anfwer? S r L. An argument to prove his de- nial', taken from the proper office of God; which is, to be Judge of all the world. This argument is thus framed form hence :.If God be unjuft in pu- nilhing,, then he cannot be the Judge of the world : but it is his office to judge the world; therefore he is not unjuft, but they rather wicked which dare fo charge him. Ti M. Wherein dash God declare bitn- felfe to be Judge? Si L. In two things : Firft ,in the go- vernment of the world,evhich he rukth with great equity. Secondly, in the execu-
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=