Good counsells for the peace of reformed churches by some reverend and learned bishops and other divines ; translated out of Latine.

The other CONTROVERSY. Concerning that unfathom'd mystery of Praedestination upon the foresight of Faith and Workes.

THis is that other Question (as I ga∣ther from your Letter) whereon as on a rock divers men (otherwise desirous of Peace) have dasht and split themselves. That therefore men may knowe, I have not of my owne accord sought after and catcht at this opportunity to dispute, but rather am cast upon it against my will, my proceeding herein shall be not by way of disputation, but (as the Times rather re∣quire) by way of exhortation & advice.

I hope therefore the learned Divines of Saxony will take this my advice in good

part, wherein I earnestly pray and beseech them, first, that they would be reconciled to their owne Luther in this Point, who (as it did well become a child of Grace) did constantly hold and maintaine that the Grace of God is every way free and gratuitous. Next, that they would not, in the patronizing and vindicating of Divine Grace, suffer themselves to be outstript by Papists, nay Jesuites, and the prime Do∣ctors too of that sect, Bellarmine, Tolet, Pe∣rerius, Suarez, Salmeron, Maldona•••• who have all of them exploded this Doctrine of Praedestination upon the foresight of Faith and Workes, as pure Pelagianisme. Last of all, it is some wisdome for a man to profit by his enimy: there came out a book two yeares agon, written by Will: de Gibieuffe, of the Oratorian Order, Priest and Doctor of the Sorbon, dedicated to the present Pope Vrban: wherein are inserted the words of Pope Clement the eighth concer∣ning the Auxilia Gratiae: the summe whereof is this; that this whole Doctrine ought to be squared and conformed to S. Au∣stin's

judgement in the Point of Grace; that the same S. Austin ought be acknowledged and followed as a guide and leader, for asmuch as that good Father seeme's to have omitted no∣thing which concernes the said Controversies: and because (saith he) many of our Praede∣cessours have stood up so stoutly for that Do∣ctrine of S. Austin concerning Grace as if they desired to have it continued in the Church as her right of inheritance, it is not meet I should suffer her to be deprived of this her patrimony. Thus farre that Pope: unto whose judge∣ment (J will not say, for the authority, but the trueth of it) I nothing doubt but Cal∣vin himselfe, were he now living, would subscribe: And he that shall read Calvin's writings, will quickly grant, that in these Controversies he had more than an ordi∣nary share of S. Austin's Legacy.

Thus you see, Sir, how that partly your importunity (who are such an earnest Fa∣ctour for Peace) and partly my own zeale in so necessary a Cause, have made me ex∣ceed the accustomed bounds of a Letter. wherein, if you finde not much judge∣ment,

yet may you behold my care & de∣sires for Christian Peace. The author of all true peace, our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen and enable you by the power of his holy spirit cheerefully to goe tho∣rough with this so waighty an employ∣ment for the publike Peace of his Church. Farewell.

THOMAS DURHAM.

Postscript.

That we should thus first seek and sue for bro∣therly love & unity, is so farre from being any prejudice to our cause, as that it is ra∣ther to be counted an honour to us: in that we herein follow the precept and practice of God himselfe; of whom the Evangelist saith, 1. Joh. 4.10. He first loved us.

Notes

• Guil. de Gi∣bieuffe de li∣bertate Dei & Creatura∣ruta.