A30345:531
A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the gradual breakings out of Gospel…A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the graduall breakings out of Gospel…
A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the gradual breakings out of Gospel grace from Adam to Christ are clearly discovered, the differences betwixt the Old and New Testament are laid open, divers errors of Arminians and others are confuted, the nature of uprightness, and the way of Christ in bringing the soul into communion with himself ... are solidly handled / by that faithful servant of Jesus Christ, and minister of the Gospel, John Ball ; published by Simeon Ash.A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the graduall breakings out of Gospel grace from Adam to Christ are clearly discovered, the differences betwixt the Old and New Testament are laid open, divers errours of Arminians and others are confuted, the nature of uprightnesse, and the way of Christ in bringing the soul into communion with himself ... are solidly handled / by that faithfull servant of Jesus Christ, and minister of the Gospel, John Ball ; published by Simeon Ash.
London: printed by G. Miller for Edward Brewster, 1645
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
They ask, what sign doth God show of desire or approval that men should believe, when he gives them not power so to do. This that he commandeth, entreateth, persuadeth them to repent and believe, waiteth with long-suffering and patience for their amendment, promiseth mercy if they will return, convinceth them of their wilfulness, and though he change not their hearts by the effectual work of his Spirit, is wanting to them in nothing, which in justice or promise he is bound to give, specially when their impenitency is not from lack of grace, but from perverseness. If this satisfy them not, let them answer themselves, how God doth will the repentance of them that be cast off, and left to the hardness of their hearts? How he doth will, desire and approve the conversion of such as he hath blinded and hardened for their sins, even when they are so blinded and hardened; as of1 Cain, who was of the wicked one, and slew his brother, because God had respect unto his sacrifice, and of the Jews, whose eyes were closed, and hearts hardened, that they should not convert.
They aske, what signe doth God shew of desire or approvall that men should believe, when he gives them not power so to doe. This that he commandeth, intreateth, perswadeth them to repent and believe, waiteth with long-suffering and patience for their amendment, promiseth mercy if they will returne, convinceth them of their wilfulnesse, and though he change not their hearts by the effectuall worke of his Spirit, is wanting to them in nothing, which in justice or promise he is bound to give, specially when their impenitency is not from lack of grace, but from perversenesse. If this satisfie them not, let them answer themselves, how God doth will the repentance of them that be cast off, and left to the hardnesse of their hearts? How he doth will, desire and approve the conversion of such as he hath blinded and hardened for their sins, even when they are so blinded and hardened; as of1 Caine, who was of the wicked one, and slew his brother, because God had respect unto his sacrifice, and of the Jews, whose eyes were closed, and hearts hardened, that they should not convert.