The illustrating History in concerning Tiberius Caesar, of whom Suetonius saith, Circa Deos & Religiones negligentior erat, quippe addictus Mathematicae, persuasionisque plenus, omnia fato agi.
The evincing Story is the miserable example of the Landgrave of Turing (related not by Heistibachius, but Heisterbachius,) who being admonished of his vitious con∣versation, and dangerous condition, made his Friends this Answer, Si praedestinatus, nulla peccata poterint mihi Regnum Coelorum auferre; si praescitus, nulla opera mihi illud valebunt conferre.
A man would almost think that this prophane Land-grave was a piece of an Arminian, because he opposeth prae∣destinatus & praescitus: whereas the Calvinists take Pre∣destination in its latitude, and make Election and Repro∣bation to be contained under it. But however, this I am sure of, that a Monk in S. Austin's time, being reproved by his Friends for his wickedness, answered, Whatsoever I am now, I shall be such as God foreseeth I will be. Shall we deny God's Prescience, because a wretched Monk abused it? No more must we deny Predestination, because the Land-grave of Turing did turn it into wantonness and la∣sciviousness. Had either Supralapsarian, or Sublapsarian, been present when the Land-grave uttered these words, it would have been answered, That though he were Pre∣destinated, yet should he never be saved if he continued in his sins; and That though he were Reprobate, yet he should not miss of Heaven, if he continued by patience in well-doing to seek for it. Salvation and Damnation are alway (if we speak of the adult) secundum bona, & mala opera.
Tiberius confuted himself; for though he pretended a full perswasion of a Mathematical fate or destiny, yet, as the same Historian observeth, he was out of measure afraid of Thunders, and when the Air was cloudy, he always did wear on his head a Crown of Laurel. We may pity his ignorance, in thinking that there was any virtue in the Laurel to keep him from Thunder; but cannot choose but detest his Hypocrisie, who in words maintained a Fate, and yet endeavoured to secure his life by as many means as were used by them that held no Fate. As much