To the Christian Reader
There are at this day four several opinions of the order of God's predestination. The first is, of the old and new Pelagians; who place the cause of God's predestination in man; in that they hold, that God did ordain men either to life or death, according as he did foresee, that they would by their natural free will, either reject or receive grace offered. The second of them, who (of some) are termed Lutherans; which teach, that God foreseeing, how all mankind being shut up under unbelief, would therefore reject grace offered, did hereupon, purpose to choose some to salvation of his mere mercy, without any respect of their faith or good works, and the rest to reject, being moved to do this, because he did eternally foresee that they would reject his grace offered them in the Gospel. The third Semipelagian papists, which ascribe God's predestination, partly to mercy, and partly to men's foreseen preparations and meritorious works. The fourth, of such as teach, that the cause of the execution of God's predestination, is his mercy in Christ, in them which are saved; and in them which perish, the fall and corruption of man: yet so, as that the decree and eternal counsel of God, concerning them both, has not any cause beside his will and pleasure. Of these four opinions, the three former I labor to oppugn, as erroneous, and to maintain the last, as being true, which will bear weight in the balance of the Sanctuary.
A further discourse thereof, here I make bold to offer to your godly consideration: in reading thereof, regard not so much the thing itself, penned very slenderly, as my intent and affection: who desire among the rest, to cast my mite into the treasury of the church of England, and for want of gold, pearl, and precious stone, to bring a ram's skin or two, and a little goat's hair, to the building of the Lord's tabernacle (Exodus 35:23).
The father of our Lord Jesus Christ grant that according to the riches of his glory, you may be strengthened by his Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your heart by faith; to the end that you being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and height thereof; and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you may be filled with all fullness of God. Amen.
Farewell. July 23, the year of the last patience of saints, 1592. Yours in Christ Jesus, W. P.
