The third point concerning the decree of Reprobation, is the Judgement to be given of it. This judgement belongeth to God principally and properly, because he knoweth best what he hath determined concerning the estate of every man, and none but he knows who they be which are ordained to due and deserved damnation. And again, he only knoweth the hearts and wills of men, and what grace he hath given them, what they are, and what all their sins be, and so doth no angel nor creature in the world beside. As for men, it belongs not to them to give judgement of reprobation in themselves or in others, unless God reveal his will unto them and give them a gift of discerning. This gift was bestowed on sundry of the Prophets in the old testament, ⟨p. 472⟩and in the new testament on the Apostles.1 David in many psalms makes request for the confusion of his enemies, not praying only against their sins, (which we may do) but even against their persons, which we may not do. No doubt he was guided by Gods spirit, and received thence an extraordinary gift to judge of the obstinate malice of his adversaries. And Paul prays against the person of Demetrius, saying, The Lord reward him according to his doings. 2And such kind of prayers were lawful in them, because they were carried with pure and upright zeal, and had no doubt a special gift whereby they were able to discern of the final estate of their enemies. Again, God sometimes gives this gift of discerning of some mens final impenitency to the Church upon earth, I say not, to this or that private person, but to the body of the Church or greater part thereof. S. John writing unto the Churches saith,3 There is a sin unto death (that is, against the holy Ghost) I say not that thou shouldest pray for it: in which words he takes it for granted, that this sin might be discerned by the Church in those days. And Paul saith, If any man believe not the Lord Jesus,4 let him be had in execration, Mara-natha, that is, pronounced accursed to everlasting destruction. Whence it appears, that the Church hath power to pronounce men rejected to everlasting damnation, upon some special occasions, though aI dare not say ordinarily and usually. The primitive Church with one consent prayed against Julian the Apostate, and the prayers made were not in vain, as appeared by the event of his fearful end.
The third point concerning the decree of Reprobation, is the Iudgement to be giuen of it. This iudgement belongeth to God principally and pro•erly, because he knoweth best what he hath determined concerning the estate of euery man, and none but he knowes who they be which are ordained to due and deserued damnation. And againe, he onely knoweth the hearts and wills of men, and what grace he hath giuen them, what they are, and what all their sinnes be, and so doth no angel nor creature in the world beside. As for men, it belongs not to them to giue iudgement of reprobation in themselues or in others, vnlesse God reueale his will vnto them and giue them a gift of discerning. This gift was bestowed on sundrie of the Prophets in the olde testament, ⟨p. 472⟩and in the newe testament on the Apostles.1 Dauid in many psalmes makes request for the confusion of his enemies, not praying onely against their sinnes, (which we may do) but euen against their persons, which we may not doe. No doubt he was guided by Gods spirit, and receiued thence an extraordinarie gift to iudge of the obstinate malice of his aduersaries. And Paul praies against the person of Demetrius, saying, The Lord reward him according to his doings. 2And such kind of praiers were lawful in them, because they were carried with pure and vpright zeale, and had no doubt a speciall gift whereby they were able to discerne of the finall estate of their enemies. Againe, God sometimes giues this gift of discerning of some mens finall impenitencie to the Church vpon earth, I say not, to this or that priuate person, but to the bodie of the Church or greater part thereof. S. Iohn writing vnto the Churches saith,3 There is a sinne vnto death (that is, against the holy Ghost) I say not that thou shouldest praie for it: in which wordes he takes it for graunted, that this sinne might be discerned by the Church in those daies. And Paul saith, If any man beleeue not the Lord Iesus,4 let him be had in execration, Mara-natha, that is, pronounced accursed to euerlasting destruction. Whence it appeares, that the Church hath power to pronounce men reiected to euerlasting damnation, vpon some speciall occasions, though aI dare not say ordinarily and vsually. The primitiue Church with one consent praied against Iulian the Apostata, and the praiers made were not in vaine, as appeared by the euent of his fearefull ende.
- 1Psal. 69. & 109.
- 22. Tim. 4.14.
- 3•. Joh. 5.16.•. Ioh. 5.16.
- 41. Cor. 16.22.
- aSic Chrysost.
