A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is

then he further exemplifieth in Esau and Jacob, born both of the same father, and of the same mother, and at the same time, and yet before they had done good or evil; The one even the younger was loved of God, and the Elder to whom the birthright did belong was hated. Whether these instances be propounded as types only (so that for all this both Ishmael and Esau might be elected, as some have charitably thought of Esau, that he repented of his cruel intentions to his brother, changing his mind to him, and so (as they think) dying a converted man, or whether they be propounded as Examples also as well as Types (viz.) as those persons whom God had excluded from grace, and therefore the Scripture giveth this Character of Esau that he was a profane man,) is not much material. This is enough, that the Discourse of Paul is carried on with great strength: And whereas it might be objected, That God was unrighteous in making such a difference between those that were equal, the Apostle answereth from a Text of Scripture, Exod. 33. 19. where Moses desiring to see the glory of God, God grants his request, giving this reason, I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and merciful to whom I will be merciful: Thus even Moses hath that great glory put upon him, even to speak to God face to face, and that not for any worth or dignity in himself, but the mere gracious will of God; Therefore there is no unrighteousness in this act, whereby God receiveth one and leaveth another, because this Assumption is an act of grace and savour, and in things of favour ⟨p. 292⟩and liberality, there is no injustice: If I meet two poor men equally indigent, and I relieve one passing by the other, there is no injustice in not relieving of him. Now from this expression of God to Moses, the Apostle maketh this inference in my Text, removing all causes and merits of the grace of God from man, and attributing it wholly to God.

then he further exemplifieth in Esau and Jacob, born both of the same father, and of the same mother, and at the same time, and yet before they had done good or evil; The one even the younger was loved of God, and the Elder to whom the birthright did belong was hated. Whether these instances be propounded as types only (so that for all this both Ishmael and Esau might be elected, as some have charitably thought of Elau, that he repented of his cruel intentions to his brother, changing his mind to him, and so (as they think) dying a converted man, or whether they be propounded as Examples also as well as Types (viz.) as those persons whom God had excluded from grace, and therefore the Scripture giveth this Character of Esau that he was a profane man,) is not much material. This is enough, that the Discourse of Paul is carried on with great strength: And whereas it might be objected, That God was unrighteous in making such a difference between those that were equal, the Apostle answereth from a Text of Scripture,