2. This putteth men upon speaking and preaching contradictions: 1For so some have said, that the Calvinists; though they be Calvinists in their Doctrines, yet they are Arminians in their Uses. And they say, How incongruous is it, to tell us we can do nothing of our selves, and then to make this use, Therefore let us seek out for the grace of Christ? But to answer, 1. This contradiction may be cast as well upon Christ and Paul: Take Christ for an instance, John 6. in that Sermon, he bade the Jews labour for that meat that perisheth not, and yet at the same time said, None can come unto me, except my Father draw him. Might not the Arminian ⟨p. 96⟩say, How can these two things stand together? So John 15. our Saviour telleth them, Without him they can do nothing, and yet at the same time he exhorteth them, to abide in him, and keep his commandments: So Paul; take two instances from him, Rom. cap. 9. & cap. 11. The Apostle there showeth, God will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and that it is not of him that runneth or willeth, but of God that calleth; yet he bids them that stand take heed lest they fall: and, Be not high-minded, but fear. So Phil. 2. 12, 13. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it's God that worketh in you both to will and to do. This reason, in their sense, would quite overthrow the former. Nay (say they) it being attributed thus to God, and to man, it seemeth both do it How this may be answered, we shall see anon. But to make u• speak contradictions, because we press a duty, and yet acknowledge Gods grace or gift to do it, is to make a perpetual discord between precepts and promises: For the same things which God commands us to do, doth he not also promise to do for us, as, to circumcise our hearts, and, to walk in his commandments How much better is that of Austin, O man, in Gods precepts acknowledge what thou oughtest to do, in his promises acknowledge that thou canst not do it? But 2. we may return upon them, that their Sermons and Prayers are contradictions; they say, they can do it, and then they pray God they may do it: They say, the Will may receive the grace of God, and may obey God calling; and then they pray, God would make them obey his calling; as much as to say, O Lord, make me to obey if I will.
2. This putteth men upon speaking and preaching contradictions: 1For so some have said, that the Calvinists; though they be Calvinists in their Doctrines, yet they are Arminians in their Uses. And they say, How incongruous is it, to tell us we can doe nothing of our selves, and then to make this use, Therefore let us seek out for the grace of Christ? But to answer, 1. This contradiction may be cast as well upon Christ and Paul: Take Christ for an instance, John 6. in that Sermon, he bade the Jewes labour for that meat that perisheth not, and yet at the same time said, None can come unto mee, except my Father draw him. Might not the Arminian ⟨p. 96⟩say, How can these two things stand together? So John 15. our Saviour telleth them, Without him they can doe nothing, and yet at the same time he exhorteth them, to abide in him, and keep his commandements: So Paul; take two instances from him, Rom. cap. 9. & cap. 11. The Apostle there sheweth, God will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and that it is not of him that runneth or willeth, but of God that calleth; yet he bids them that stand take heed lest they fall: and, Be not high-minded, but feare. So Phil. 2. 12, 13. Work out your salvation with feare and trembling; for it's God that worketh in you both to will and to doe. This reason, in their sense, would quite overthrow the former. Nay (say they) it being attributed thus to God, and to man, it seemeth both doe it How this may be answered, wee shall see anon. But to make u• speak contradictions, because we presse a duty, and yet acknowledge Gods grace or gift to doe it, is to make a perpetuall discord between precepts and promises: For the same things which God commands us to doe, doth hee not also promise to doe for us, as, to circumcise our hearts, and, to walk in his commandements How much better is that of Austius, O man, in Gods precepts acknowledge what thou oughtest to doe, in his promises acknowledge that thou canst not doe it? But 2. we may returne upon them, that their Sermons and Prayers are contradictions; they say, they can doe it, and then they pray God they may doe it: They say, the Will may receive the grace of God, and may obey God calling; and then they pray, God would make them obey his calling; as much as to say, O Lord, make me to obey if I will.
- 1To press a duty, and yet to acknowledge Gods grace or gift to do it, is no contradiction.To presse a duty, and yet to acknowledge Gods grace or gift to do it, is no contradiction.
