Impossibilities are of two sorts, 1. Some are absolute 1that exceed the compass of our being, or all that ability we ever received. 2. Impossibilities by supposition, which though the things be possible, yea; easy in their Nature, and with reference to their first order, and institution; yet by reason of some inconveniences, hindrances, weaknesses which fall in beside, and cross to the ⟨p. 308⟩course and constitution of things as they were at first; that which formerly might easily have been compassed, there is in ordinary course no possibility to attain unto it. And to such […], a man may be justly tied, and failing in his performances, may justly be punished by the Law of Nature, Nations, right Reason, and the righteous Rule of God. The […] hath borrowed so much money, which he may improve, and is bound to repay at such a day appointed; if he through his prodigality and riot, shall vainly mis-spend, not only the Sum he borrowed, but his stock, a fair estate unto which he was born, so that it's now impossible to him, thus impoverished to satisfy. May not the Creditor according to all the Rules of Right and Reason require his Money, & in the default of payment, punish or imprison? No Nation ever questioned it. It was not only possible for Adam, but easy to love God above all; if he through his fall, hath brought impossibility of payment upon himself, the Lord may in Justice require it, and punish him for it. And certain it is, God justly may and doth deny Reprobates Grace; not only because they do not what they may, but also because they do that which through the corruption of their own hearts they cannot avoid: As namely because of the enmity of the wisdom of the flesh, they are not, nor cannot be subject to the Law, and […] Will of God, Rom. 8. 7.
Impossibilities are of two sorts, 1. Some are absolute 1that exceed the compass of our being, or all that ability we ever received. 2. Impossibilities by supposition, which though the things be possible, yea; easie in their Nature, and with reference to their first order, and institution; yet by reason of some inconveniences, hindrances, weaknesses which fall in beside, and cross to the ⟨p. 308⟩course and constitution of things as they were at first; that which formerly might easily have been compassed, there is in ordinary course no possibility to attain unto it. And to such 〈…〉, a man may be justly tyed, and failing in his performances, may justly be punished by the Law of Nature, Nations, right Reason, and the righteous Rule of God. The 〈…〉 hath borrowed so much money, which he may improve, and is bound to repay at such a day appointed; if he through his prodigality and riot, shal vainly mis-spend, not only the Sum he borrowed, but his stock, a fair estate unto which he was born, so that it's now impossible to him, thus impoverished to satisfie. May not the Creditor according to al the Rules of Right and Reason require his Money, & in the default of payment, punish or imprison? No Nation ever questioned it. It was not only possible for Adam, but easie to love God above all; if he through his fall, hath brought impossibility of payment upon himself, the Lord may in Justice require it, and punish him for it. And certain it is, God justly may and doth deny Reprobates Grace; not only because they do not what they may, but also because they do that which through the corruption of their own hearts they cannot avoid: As namely because of the enmity of the wisdom of the flesh, they are not, nor cannot be subject to the Law, and 〈…〉 Will of God, Rom. 8. 7.
- 1Answ.
