The suruey of popery vvherein the reader may cleerely behold, not onely the originall and daily incrementes of papistrie, with an euident confutation of the same; but also a succinct and profitable enarration of the state of Gods Church from Adam vntill Christs ascension, contained in the first and second part thereof: and throughout the third part poperie is turned vp-side downe.

The fift doubt.

God is not the author of sinne, neither tempteth he any man Iames 1. ver 13. but to spoile our neighbours of their owne goods, is a great sinne, and flat theft: which thing for all that God commaunded the Israelites to do, Exodus 12. verse 35. [ 1] Exod. 3. verse 22. I say first, that as the schooles truly teach, the law negatiue bindeth alway and at euery instant, so that whatsoeuer is prohibited by a precept negatiue, can at no in∣stant be lawfully done; although that which is commanded to be done by the law affirmatiue, may at some instant be omit∣ted [ 2] without sinne. I say secondly, that sinne hath no positiue cause, but onely a cause deficient, and consequently, God be∣ing voide of all imperfections and defects, as who is not onlie good, but the high goodnesse it selfe, can not be the authour of [ 3] sinne. I say thirdly, that theft (as all learned diuines graunt with vniforme consent) is the taking or detaining of an other mans goodes, against the will of the owner. Whereuppon it followeth, that since God almightie is the chiefe lorde and ow∣ner of all riches, goods, lands and possessions, God comman∣ded not the Israelites, to take frō the Egyptians their goods,

but that which was his owne, and by best right due vnto him. Yea, as a most iust iudge he appointed them so to doe,* 1.1 in re∣compence of their labours.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A. M. 2513