An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

First, Here is a false and an odious representation of the Calvinists Doctrine; and if their opinion, as they truly state it out of the Scripture, be thought to be against the nature of Gods mercy, it's because they do not consider Gods supreme dominion, his Justice and Holiness, as well as his Mercy. But that the Calvinists do not any ways diminish the gracious and merciful Nature of God, by their opinions in the Doctrine of Election, efficacious Conversion, &c. will easily appear to those that are candid and ingenuous. I suppose Election to be an Act of mercy, relating to our misery in Adam's fall, though the learned Doctor Twiss disputeth much against it, Lib. 1. contra Armin. digr. 9. For

First, Here is a false and an odious representation of the Calvinists Doctrine; and if their opinion, as they truly state it out of the Scripture, be thought to be against the nature of Gods mercy, it's because they do not consider Gods supream dominion, his Justice and Holiness, as well as his Mercy. But that the Calvinists do not any wayes diminish the gracious and mercifull Nature of God, by their opinions in the Doctrine of Election, efficacious Conversion, &c. will easily appear to those that are candid and ingenuous. I suppose Election to be an Act of mercy, relating to our misery in Adam's fall, though the learned Doctor Twiss disputeth much against it, Lib. 1. contra Armin. digr. 9. For

1. They hold, That there is no man is damned, but for his sin; Their destruction is of themselves. Neither do they say, That God by any Decree compelled Adam to sin at first, but Adam sinned as voluntarily, and as freely, as if God had made no permissive Decree about his fall. It is true indeed we say, That God hath predetermining Decrees efficacious about what is good permissive, about what is evil; but yet we say, These Decrees do not alter the nature of second causes, but according to the nature of them, so is Gods providence attempered thereunto. Therefore we acknowledge that of Austin's, Malevola est illa misericordia, quae facit esse miserum, ut misereatur, That is cruel mercy, which makes miserable, that it may show mercy; Adam did voluntarily sin, so that God was not to be blamed.