Gospel reconciliation, or, Christ's trumpet of peace to the world

Ans. I Answer who a•t thou O man! that reasonest against God? but if you will have reasons, there are many to be given.

Ans. I Answere who a•t thou O man! that reasonest against God? but if you wil have reasons, there are many to be given.

First because God having to work with a rational creature, he will work suitable to the nature of that creature that he is working upon. If God were to work merely upon stones, to raise out of the stones children unto Abraham, then God would but only speak the word and say let it be done, & it should be done, but the Lord loves to do it in a way suitable to a rational creature, now that way is this.

First because God having to work with a rational creature, he wil work suitable to the nature of that creature that he is working upon. If God were to work meerly uppon stones, to raise out of the stones children unto Abraham, then God would but only speak the word and say let it be done, & it should be done, but the Lord loves to do it in a way sutiable to a rational creature, now that way is this.

First that the understanding should be enlightened, and the heart should be gained and wrought upon, they knowing what it doth, it should come to do what it doth freely and willingly (though we have no free will at the first) yet when we do embrace the gospel, then the Lord doth cause the hearts of men to embrace it willingly, and this is a great part of the gospel of God to show himself to his creature, he will work his own work: but such a way as shall be suitable to his creature. Again, (if the Lord should bring in sinners to himself by his almighty power) then there would not so much of the beauty, and riches of his grace appear as there doth this way. If God should effectually work it by his own hand (I say) the glory of his grace would not so gloriously shine forth. Now it is the special design that God hath in all his works about redemption; that the glory of the riches of his grace might appear to men, and Angel's that they might magnify it. Now what can be more to magnify grace? then when a sinner shall come