Of the redemption of mankind three bookes wherein the controuersie of the vniuersalitie of redemption and grace by Christ, and of his death for all men, is largely handled. Hereunto is annexed a treatise of Gods predestination in one booke. Written in Latin by Iacob Kimedoncius D. and professor of Diuinitie at Heidelberge, and translated into English by Hugh Ince preacher of the word of God.

CHAP. I. The preface and diuision of the doctrine in hand.

THE disputation of Predestination is of it selfe weightie and difficult, and by reason of the curiositie and boldnes of mans wit, it is besides not a little intri∣cate and very dangerous, while mans reason thrusting it selfe into the secrets of Gods iudgements and wisedome, ei∣ther seeketh into things forbidden, or contemneth and scor∣neth those things he vnderstandeth not, yea cannot surely perceiue: because they be foolishnes vnto him, and are (as the Apostle saith) spiritually discerned.* 1.1 For who hath known the minde of the Lord, that he might instruct him? But we haue the minde of Christ, who being in the bosome of his e∣ternall father, hath gratiously reuealed vnto vs in his worde, all the counsell of God, as much as concerneth vs to know in this point, as in other things to our saluation.

Therefore following this rule of trueth and righteousnes, and nothing fearing the ill report of detractors, through the helpe of God,* 1.2 in whose hand both wee and also our words are, we will consider of Predestination:

1. What is predestination.

2. What be the causes of it,

3. What the effects.

4. Whether it be vnfallible and vnchangeable.

5. Whether and how we may bee certaine of our prede∣stination to eternall life.

6. And lastly we will speake somewhat of the vse of this doctrine, against those men, who thinke, that albeit the things were true that we teach, yet they ought not to bee disclosed, but buried in silence, as being against edification. And the consideration of all these things, shall be profitable both for other vses, which shal be shewed in their places, and also for the greater certaintie of those things, that hitherto wee haue declared concerning the vniuersalitie of grace and redemp∣tion. For the remnants of the Pelagians of old, as also at this day, affirming none at al to be excepted from the redemption of Christs blood, and in respect of God, maintaining eternall life to be prepared for al, are therfore fallen to the extolling of such grace; because they would auoide to confesse, that God according to the purpose and counsell of his owne will, in his secret iudgement, but manifest worke, maketh one vessell to honour, another to dishonour; nor would assent hereto, that the number of them that be predestinate, can neither be increased, nor diminished.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1. Cor. 1.
• * 1.2

  Wisd. 7.16.