Reprobation asserted, or, The doctrine of eternal election & reprobation promiscuously handled in eleven…

The Fifth REASON.

Fifthly, God willeth and commandeth the Gospel should be offered to all, that thereby distinguishing Love, as to an inward and spiritual work, might the more appear to be indeed the fruit of special and peculiar Love. For in that the Gospel is tendered to all in general, when yet but some do receive it; yea, and seeing these some are as unable, unwilling, and by nature as much averse thereto, as those that refuse it, and perish; it is evident that something more of Heaven and the operation of the Spirit of God doth accompany the Word thus tendered for their Life and Salvation that enjoy it; not now as a Word barely tendered, but backed by the strength of Heaven: Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the Children of God! even we who ⟨p. 40⟩believe according to the working of his mighty Power which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead. This provoketh to distinguishing admiration, yea and also to a love like that which hath fastened on the Called, the Preserved, and the Glorified: He hath not dealt so with any Nation; and as for his Judgements, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord. Now are the Sacrifices bound even to the Horns of the Altar, with a, Lord how is it, that thou shouldst manifest thy self to us, and not unto the World! He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many Waters, he delivered me from my strong Enemy, and from them that hated me, for they were too strong for me. 1 Thes. 1.4, 5, 6, 7. 1 Joh. 3.1, 2, 3. Psal. 147.20. Joh. 14.22. 2 Sam. 22.17.