The Will of God, though in it self it be but one, as is his Essence, yet in respect of the diversity of objects and effects it is called in the Scriptures by divers names: as,
1 Love, whereby is meant Gods eternal agood-will, whereby he ordaineth his elect to be freely saved through Christ, and bbestoweth on them all necessary graces, for this life & that to come, 3taking pleasure in their persons and service.
2 Justice *is Gods constant will, whereby he drecompenseth men ⟨p. 53⟩and *Angels, according to their works: punishing the impenitent according to their deserts, called the justice of his wrath: and erewarding the faithful according to his promises, called the Justice of his grace.
3 Mercy, which is 8Gods mere good-will, and ready affection to forgive a penitent sinner notwithstanding all his sins and ill deserts.
4 Goodness, gwhereby God willingly communicateth his good with his creatures: and because he communicates it ⟨p. 54⟩freely, it is termed Grace.
5 Truth, whereby hGod willeth constantly those things, which he willeth: effecting, and performing all things, which he hath spoken in his appointed time.
6 Patience, whereby God willingly forbeareth to punish the wicked so long as it may stand with his Justice, and until their sins ibe ripened.
7 Holiness, kwhereby Gods nature is separated from ⟨p. 55⟩all profaneness: and abhorreth all filthiness: and so being wholly pure in himself, delighteth in the inward and outward purity and chastity, of his servants, which he infuseth into them.
8 Anger, lwhereby is meant Gods most certain and just will, in chastening the elect, and in revenging and punishing the reprobate for the injuries they offer to him and his chosen: and when GOD will punish with rigour, and severity, then it is termed Wrath, mtemporal to the elect: neternal to the Reprobates.
The Will of God, though in it selfe it be but one, as is his Essence, yet in respect of the diuersitie of obiects and effects it is called in the Scriptures by diuers names: as,
1 Loue, whereby is meant Gods eternal agood-will, whereby hee ordeineth his elect to bee freely saued through Christ, and bbestoweth on them all necessary graces, for this life & that to come, 3taking pleasure in their persons and seruice.
2 Iustice *is Gods constant will, whereby hee drecompenceth men ⟨p. 53⟩and *Angels, according to their workes: punishing the impenitent according to their deserts, called the iustice of his wrath: and erewarding the faithful according to his promises, called the Iustice of his grace.
3 Mercy, which is 8Gods meere good-wil, and ready affection to forgiue a penitent sinner notwithstanding all his sinnes and ill deserts.
4 Goodnesse, gwhereby God willingly communicateth his good with his creatures: and because hee communicates it ⟨p. 54⟩freely, it is termed Grace.
5 Truth, whereby hGod willeth constantly those things, which he willeth: effecting, and performing all things, which he hath spoken in his appointed time.
6 Patience, whereby God willingly forbeareth to punish the wicked so long as it may stand with his Iustice, and vntill their sinnes ibee ripened.
7 Holinesse, k
- a1 Joh. 3.1.1 Ioh. 3.1.
- bPsal. 45.7.
- 3Gen. 4.4.
- *Norma· Justitiae divinae, est Dei v• luntas, Quia enim vult, ideo est Justum, non quia justum ideo vult, Ephes. 1.11.Norma· Iustitiae diuinae, est Dei v• luntas, Quia enim vult, ideo est Justum, non quia iustum ideo vult, Ephes. 1.11.
- dRom. 2.5. &c. 2 Th. 1.6. &c. 2 Tim. 4.8. Deu. 7.9.10.
- *Deus principiū & sinē & media rerum omnium tenens, rectaque linea incedens, è vestigio habet [Greek or Hebrew] divinae legis vindicem simul ut quicquā sanctionū eius praetermissum est. Arist. lib. de mundo.Deus principiū & sinē & media rerum omnium tenens, rectaque linea incedēs, è vestigio habet 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 diuinae legis vindicem simul vt quicquā sāctionū eius praetermissum est. Arist. lib. de mundo.
- eRom. 9.15.16. Ezek. 16.6. Psal. 103 8. &c.
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