But now I say, Gods dealing with the Non-Elect, is far otherwise, they being under the consideration of eternal Justice, even then when in the enjoyment of present Grace and Mercy. And hence it is that as to their standing before the God of Heaven, they are counted Dogs, and Sows, and Devils, even then when before the Elect of God themselves they are counted Saints and Brethren: The Dog is returned to his own vomit again, and the Sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire. And the reason is, because notwithstanding all their show before the world, their old nature and corruptions do still bear sway Within, which in time also, according to the ordinary Judgement of God, is suffered so to show it self, that they are visible to Saints that are Elect, as was the case of Simon Magus, and that wicked Apostate Judas, who went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they should no doubt have continued with us; but they went out from us, that it might be manifest they were not all of us: They were not Elect as we, nor were they sanctified as the Elect of God themselves; wherefore eternal Justice counts them the sons of Perdition, when under their Profession. And I say they being un\der this Eternal Justice, it must needs have to do with them in the midst of their Profession; and because also it is much offended with them for conniving with their lusts, it taketh away from them, and that most righteously, those Gifts and Graces, and Benefits and Privileges that present Mercy gave them; and not only so, but cuts them off for their iniquity, and layeth them under wrath for ever. They have forsaken the right way, saith God; they have followed the way of Balaam the son of Bosor; these are Wells without Water, Clouds that are carried with a tempest, Trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 1 Joh. 2.19. Joh. 17.12. Mat. 13.12, & 25.29. Mark 4.25 Luk 8.18. 2 Pet 2.5, 16, 17. Jude 11, 12, 13.
But now I say, Gods dealing with the Non-Elect, is far otherwise, they being under the consideration of eternal Justice, even then when in the enjoyment of present Grace and Mercy. And hence it is that as to their standing before the God of Heaven, they are counted Dogs, and Sows, and Devils, even then when before the Elect of God themselves they are counted Saints and Brethren: The Dog is returned to his own vomit again, and the Sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire. And the reason is, because notwithstanding all their shew before the world, their old nature and corruptions do still bear sway Within, which in time also, according to the ord•nary Judgement of God, is suffered so to shew it self, that they are visible to Saints that are Elect, as was the case of Simon Magus, and that wicked Apostate Judas, who went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they should no doubt have continued with us; but they went out from us, that it might be manifest they were not all of us: They were not Elect as we, nor were they sanctified as the Elect of God themselves; wherefore eternal Justice counts them the sons of Perdition, when under their Profession. And I say they being un\der this Eternal Justice, it must needs have to do with them in the midst of their Profession; and because also it is much offended with them for conniving with their lusts, it taketh away from them, and that most righteously, those Gifts and Graces, and Benefits and Priviledges that present Mercy gave them; and not only so, but cuts them off for their iniquity, and layeth them under wrath for ever. They have forsaken the right way, saith God; they have followed the way of Balaam the son of Bosor; these are Wells without Water, Clouds that are carried with a tempest, Trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 1 Joh. 2.19. Joh. 17.12. Mat. 13.12, & 25.29. Mark 4.25 Luk 8.18. 2 Pet 2.5, 16, 17. Jude 11, 12, 13.
