This is against the manifest word and decree of God. Act. 14.22.

A man may will a diuerse thing from that, which God wil∣leth, and yet without sinne.* Paul desired to preach the word in Asia, and Bethinia but he was hindred by the spirit, yet no con∣trarietie twixt Paul and the spirit of God, but (for all that shew of discord) great consent. For that which Paul willeth well, the spirit of God willeth not, but yet by a better will, though the reason hereof be secret;* and the reason of Pauls will be ma∣nifest. The same Apostle desireth for himselfe, and other the Saints that they might be clothed vpon with heauenly glo∣ry without death comming betweene. For we (saith he) that Page  46are in this tabernacle figh and are burdened because we would not be vnclothed but clothed vpon,* that mortalitie might be swallowed of life, which yet we know God had otherwise de∣termined. And Saint Peter was tould aforehand that be must die some violent death, for so our Sauiour prophecied, yet that Apostle in some sort did will otherwise then God his manifest will was.* For Iohn 21.18. another shall gird thee and lead thee whither thou wouldest not. The Prophet Dauid in Psalme 55. wisheth that he had the wings of a Doue, then would be file, &c. No manifest word or decrec of God knowne to auouch this wish and earnest prayer.* But the note which the Philosopher in his wisedome of gentile learning giueth is not amisse; Election is carried onely vnto things possible, but the will sometimes proposeth those things which cannot be, and yet no fault at all in so doing. As for example, the Mini∣ster in charitie reputing the whole congregation to be Elect in an holy manner. seekes and willeth the saluation of euery one which neuerthelesse the Lord in his eternall counsell willeth not, twixt which two wils, a difference without contrarietie. For one good thing as it is good may differ from another, but cannot be contrary vnto it. We are not alwaies to will (saith Saint Austin) that done which God will haue done, or hath decreed in the will of his secret pleasure. For God may wish one thing,* and man another, and sometimes it falleth out that he wisheth better, though crosse to Gods Decres then he that wisheth happily what God intendeth. The wic∣ked Iewes would haue Christ put to death, Ioseph of Arimathea would not consent to his death. Luke 23. which God had decreed, yet he did well, they did ill: That we must through many afflicti∣ons enter into the kingdom of heauen, that all who will liue god∣ly in Christ Iesus shall suffer tribulation, that in the world we shall haue it, as they are the manifest words of God, so is it ma∣nifest they are much wronged in being vrged against this clause (freedome from all aduersitie.)* For as it was true that the treason of Iudas must be, so is it true that heresies and offences must be. As much necessitie of one as of the other, and the same words are deliuered of them all. They must be, shall be, must needs be, &c. Now, though offences must be, wherein the decree of Page  47God appeareth, yet who is he that with the Apostle prayeth not for himselfe, and for others, that they neither giue, nor take offence but that in their course of a Christian life,* they may carry themselues wth an euen foote in all things possibly inde∣nouring to please all men, and yet such a necessitie of offences our Sauiour mentioneth as that it cannot be otherwise,* nor can they be auoyded. Iudas must betray his Master, and that his Lord & Master well knew, yet no preiudice to the prayet made that the Cup might passe which our Sauiour would neuer haue so done if he might not haue so prayed: (Heresies must be) that no hinderance wherfore we should not teach, instruct, pray, and vse all good meanes to roote them vp. For as a Gardiner well knoweth that wéedes will grow, and the husbandman find∣eth that the enuious man soweth tares, & therefore so much the more imployeth himselfe painfully, in all which he offendeth not, but well pleaseth the Lord, so beséemeth it the mother with her children to pray, exhort, informe, & doe all diligence for succouring her selfe and hers in the times of all aduersitie, & to striue with God in all humblenesse, and true repentance, that they may be preuented (if the Lord will,) or lessened, or withall patience meekely indured. Saint Austin saith well, What is he that can finde in his hart to suffer troubles and difficulties?* God commaundeth vs to tolerate them not to loue them. No man loueth, that which he must tolerate: For although he reioyce to tolerate them, yet had he rather there were none for him to tolerate.