Propositions and principles of diuinitie propounded and disputed in the vniuersitie of Geneua, by certaine students of diuinitie there, vnder M. Theod. Beza, and M. Anthonie Faius ... Wherein is contained a methodicall summarie, or epitome of the common places of diuinitie. Translated out of Latine into English, to the end that the causes, both of the present dangers of that Church, and also of the troubles of those that are hardlie dealt vvith els-vvhere, may appeare in the English tongue.

THE NINTH SORT OF PRINCIPLES, CONCERNING THE GOODNES, FAVOR, LOVE, AND MERCIE OF GOD.

THe goodnes of God, we call that essentiall proprietie of his, whereby hee is good in himselfe, and bountifull to∣wards all his creatures.

2 God is so exceedinglie good, that from him can pro∣ceed nothing but good.

Whence it is, that euill is directlie repugnant vnto his na∣ture, much lesse, can he be thought to be the authour of euil.

3 And although a proofe of Gods goodnes, bee powred vpon euery creature, general and perticular: yet he doth not in the same measure, communicate the same vnto al of them.

4 Now, whereas this goodnes turneth vnto the distructi∣on of the wicked, the fault is their owne; and that because they do either not imbrace the same, with a sure confidence, or els doe contemptuouslie refuse it.

5 The word Grace or Fauor, which is taken in diuerse sens, doth in this place signify the free fauor of God, which is only peculiar vnto the elect, which doth not only frame our will, being freed from corruption, to will & to do that which is good, but also doth continually vphold the same, which otherwise would fall to decay of it selfe, vnlesse that supplying grace, did make the first grace to be of efficacie and force.

6 This grace is neither from nature, as the PELLAGI∣ANES did falsly judge, neither yet is it any habit infused in vs: neither doth it become ours by any other means, then as farre as we apprehend the same by true fayth in Christ.

This ground being layed, wee affirme, that grace and merits of worke, can in no wise stand together.

7 The loue that is in God, is no passion arising of some good that it aprehendeth, but it is the verie simple essence of God, who is graciously affected towardes his creatures, and blesseth them as he thinketh good.

8 But the cause of that loue of his, is not in the cre∣atures, as though they were such, as could allure God to loue them, but it is rather in God, who of himself is good, and powreth goodnes vpon his creatures.

9 In like sort, God is called mercifull; not because hee is subject vnto any perturbation, but in asmuch as hee re∣pelleth misery from those whome he loueth.

And although amongst men, mercie seemeth to be op∣posed vnto judgement, as a thing that can not stand with it, yet in God, these two doe verie well agree, seeing mercy is not contrary vnto judgement; but justice being as it were subdued by mercie; doeth in respect of vs, seeme to giue place vnto mercie.

Defended by DOMINICVS BAYDIVS a flemming.