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THere are two sorts of necessity, viz. a violent necessity which forceth and compelleth, and there is a conditionall necessity, when a thing is said to be necessary, another thing presupposed. So Pharaohs disobedience and obstinacy was the second way neces∣sary upon the proposall of Gods presience, but the first way it was not necessary.
The first of these is coactive, the second is voluntary; the first neither justifieth a man if he doe well, being forced thereunto, nor condemneth him if he doe evill, but the second hath place in both; for by it the righteous have praise (whose obedience in respect of Gods ordinance is necessary, and infallable;) and con∣trariwise the wicked are condemned, who sinne willingly, not∣withstanding (Gods presience considered) in some sort, it is also necessary. As our Saviour said concerning Judas, It is ne∣cessary that offences should come, but woe be to him by whom they come, Mat. 18. 7. It was necessary that Christ should suffer, be∣ing the determinate counsell and fore-knowledge of God, Act. 2. 23. but Judas did not know that he was appointed to be the man that should act that treason, but he did it voluntarily, out of his covetous affection to money, as doth evidently appeare by his owne expressions, What will ye give me and I will betray him un∣to you, Mat. 26. 14.
Again, it was necessary that the Prophets and Wise men should be killed, crucified, scurged, and persecuted by the Jewes, as Christ had foretold, Mat. 23. 34. but neverthelesse the Jewes did it out of a voluntary hatred they had to Christ, and his Gos∣pel, as plainly appeareth in Scripture.