A14095:1228
A discovery of D. Jacksons vanity. Or A perspective glass, whereby the admirers of…A discovery of D. Iacksons vanitie. Or A perspective glasse, wherby the admirers of…
A discovery of D. Jacksons vanity. Or A perspective glass, whereby the admirers of D. Jacksons profound discourses, may see the vanity and weakness of them, in sundry passages, and especially so far as they tend to the undermining of the doctrine hitherto received. Written by William Twice, Doctor of Divinity, as they say, from whom the copy came to the pressA discovery of D. Iacksons vanitie. Or A perspective glasse, wherby the admirers of D. Iacksons profound discourses, may see the vanitie and weaknesse of them, in sundry passages, and especially so farre as they tende to the undermining of the doctrine hitherto received. Written by William Twisse, Doctor of Divinitie, as they say, from whom the copie came to the presse
Amsterdam: printed by the successors of Giles Thorp, 1631
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The last part of your devout asseveration is, Far be it from us to think that God should proclaim an universal pardon to all the sons of Adam, under the seal of his oath, and yet exempt many from all possibility of receiving any benefit by it. Here you seem to show your teeth, but I had rather understand your meaning: for to proclaim pardon to all is ambiguous; for ⟨p. 551⟩it may be done absolutely, as kings on earth grant pardons; and usually our kings grant pardons at the end and conclusion of parliaments. I do not think this is your meaning; for then all should be pardoned; for to proclaim pardon is to signify his Majesties pleasure that he doth pardon them. But if conditionally; it is true, God proclaims, that whosoever believeth shall be saved, this is a known truth, no man takes exception against it. And how do we exempt any from all possibility of receiving it? You will say, that this we do, in exempting many from all possibility of performing the condition, to wit, of believing. I answer, that your own opinion is to be charged with this, ours is not; for you maintain that Pharaoh after the seventh wonder, was exempt from all possibility of repentance; and the like you avouch of all reprobates, and such as have filled up the measure of their sin, which according to your opinion, may be many years before their death: and in the seventh Section following, you express it thus, Having their souls betrothed unto wickedness: such undoubtedly was Ahab, that sold himself to work wickedness, and many such like.
The last part of your devout asseveration is, Farre be it from us to thinke that God should proclaime an universall pardon to all the sonnes of Adam, under the seale of his oath, and yet exempt many from all possibilitie of receiving any benefit by it. Here you seeme to shew your teeth, but I had rather understand your meaning: for to proclaime pardon to all is ambiguous; for ⟨p. 551⟩it may bee done absolutely, as kings on earth grant pardons; and usually our kings grant pardons at the end and conclusion of parliaments. I doe not thinke this is your meaning; for then all should be pardoned; for to proclaime pardon is to signifie his Majesties pleasure that hee doth pardon them. But if conditionally; it is true, God proclaimes, that whosoever believeth shall be saved, this is a knowne truth, no man takes exception against it. And how doe we exempt any from all possibility of receiving it? You will say, that this we doe, in exempting many from all possibility of performing the condition, to wit, of believing. I answer, that your owne opinion is to be charged with this, ours is not; for you maintain that Pharaoh after the seventh wonder, was exempt from all possibility of repentance; and the like you avouch of all reprobates, and such as have filled up the measure of their sinne, which according to your opinion, may be many yeares before their death: and in the seventh Section following, you expresse it thus, Having their soules betrothed unto wickednesse: such undoubtedly was Ahab, that sold himselfe to worke wickednesse, and many such like.