A Briefe Declaration of the chiefe points of Christian religion set forth in a Table.

Made by THEODORE BEZE.

GAL. III. D.

The Scripture hath shut vp all vnder sin, to the intent that the promise by the faith in Iesus Christ should be giuen to them that belieue.

At London, Printed for Tho: Man. 1613.

GOD

• the eternall purpose

• to elect

• Christ

• An effectuall vocation

• Free mercie

• faith

• Iustification and sanctification

• Glorification to life everlasting

• By mercie and uustice

• The Iudgement of God

• the last end of Gods councell is his glory

• The creation of man

• Corruption

• loue

• hate

• to forsake

• Adam

• no vocation

• hardening of hart

• no knowledge of the Gospell

• Iniustice and pollution

• Condemnation to death euerlasting

• By iudgement.

• The Iudgement of God

• the last end of Gods councell is his glory

• contempt of the Gospell

• an vnprofitable vocation

• prescience or foreknowledge

A briefe Declaration of the Table of Predestination.

CHAP. I.

The question of Gods eternall Predestination is not curious, or vnprofitable, but of great importance, and very necessary in the Church of God.

SAint Augustine in his booke of The profit of 1 Perseuerance, chap. 14. saith, that they which were against him as Aduersaries in this question, did alleadge that 2 this doctrine of Predestinaon, did hinder the preaching of Gods word, & coused that it could not profit. As if 3 (saith he) this doctrine had hindered the Apostle Saint Paul to doe his dutie: vvho so oftentimes dooth commend vnto vs and teach Predestination, and yet neuer ceaseth to preach the vvord of God.

Also saith moreouer. As hee that hath receiued the gift, can better exhort and preach: so hee that hath receiued this gift, dooth heare the Preacher more obediently, and with greater reuerence &c. VVee doe therefore exhort and preach; but they onely which haue eares to heare, doe heare vs quietlie, and to their comfort: & in those that haue them not, this sentence is fulfilled, that hearing with their eares, they doe not heare, for they heare with the outward sense, but not with the inward consent. Now, why some men haue these eares, and others not, it is, because it is giuen to some to come, and to others not. Who knew Gods counsell? must that bee denied which is plaine and euident, because that cannot bee knowne which is hid and secret? Again in the 15. chap. I pray you (saith hee) if some vnder the shadow of Predestination giue themselues to slothfull negligence, and as they are bent to flatter their flesh, so followe their owne lusts, must wether foreiudge, that this which is written of the fore-knowledge of God is false? Now surelie this is verie handsome, and to the purpose, that vvee shall not speak that which by the Scripture is lawfull to speak. Oh wee 〈◊〉 (say you) least he should be offended, which is not able to vnderstand and take it. And shal we not feare (say I) lest whiles we hold our tongue, he that is able to take the truth, be taken and snared with falshood ...