John Norton on middle knowledge

[Reformed Covenanter]

The Doctrine of the Jesuits, who albeit they teach the concurrence of the first cause, to be necessary unto each operation of the second cause: yet so, as it doth not determine, but is determined by the second cause: thus Bellarmine. So as not fore-going, only accompanying of the second cause: thus Vasquez. So as it co-operates with the second cause, not after the manner of a principle, but after the manner of an action: thus Suarez.

It determineth the second cause (say they) negatively, not by way of influence: which mystical sense of the Jesuits. Hurtado (himself also a Jesuit) opens by a familiar comparison, thus: As (saith he) in case you can write with two pens, and I holding one of them, hinder you writing with it, permitting you to write with the other: this permission compelleth not you to write, you are free to both: but if you write, it must be with that pen which I leave, not with that which I hold in my hand.

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John Norton on middle knowledge

The Doctrine of the Jesuits, who albeit they teach the concurrence of the first cause, to be necessary unto each operation of the second cause: yet so, as it doth not determine, but is determined b…

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