The sum of sacred divinity briefly & methodically propoundedThe summe of sacred diuinitie briefly & methodically propounded

Lastly, for the thorough justifying of Gods most righteous Decree, especially of Reprobation, which profane Dogs do most of all bark against, he both allegeth the Will of God, as the rule of all Righteousness, and his Sovereignty as the Lord and Creator of all things; in whose hands we be, as Clay in the hands of the Potter, to deal with us as seemeth good in his own eyes, and to conclude his wonderful lenity and mildness, not only in so long suffering and forbearing of the wicked, but besides, in the abundance of blessings, wherewith he loadeth them, which bring upon them a more just Damnation. Wherefore that which some object out of the Prophet, that God will not, that¹ is, delighteth not, nor taketh pleasure in the death of a Sinner, hath a ready answer: for God, so far forth as it is the overthrow and destruction of his Creature, hath no pleasure in it, but as it is a punishment of sin, and a means to declare his Justice: Neither can God therefore be said first, and of himself to hate his Creature; for he hateth none which have not in themselves the cause of hatred, even their own sin being that, for which alone he actually hateth any thing: & his Decree to destroy them, was not because he hated them: for the cause of this Decree is his own most holy pleasure, that so he might manifest in them the glory of his Justice.

Lastly, for the thorow iustifying of Gods most righteous Decree, especially of Reprobation, which prophane Dogges doe most of all barke against, hee both alleageth the Will of God, as the rule of all Righteousnesse, and his Soueraigntie as the Lord and Creatour of all things; in whose hands wee bee, as Clay in the hands of the Potter, to deale with vs as seemeth good in his owne eyes, and to conclude his wonderfull lenitie and mildnesse, not onely in so long suffering and forbearing of the wicked, but besides, in the aboundance of blessings, wherewith hee loadeth them, which bring vpon them a more iust Damnation. Wherefore that which some obiect out of the Prophet, that God will not, that¹ is, delighteth not, nor taketh pleasure in the death of a Sinner, hath a readie answere: for God, so farre forth as it is the ouerthrow and destruction of his Creature, hath no pleasure in it, but as it is a punishment of sinne, and a meanes to declare his Iustice: Neither can God therefore be said first, and of himselfe to hate his Creature; for he hateth none which haue not in themselues the cause of hatred, euen their own sin being that, for which alone he actually hateth any thing: & his Decree to destroy them, was not because hee hated them: for the cause of this Decree is his owne most holy pleasure, that so he might manifest in them the glory of his Iustice.