A55305:431
The divine will considered in its eternal decrees, and holy execution of them. By…
The divine will considered in its eternal decrees, and holy execution of them. By Edward Polhill of Burwash in Sussex Esquire
London : printed, and are to be sold by Thomas Shelmerdine, at the sign of the Rose-Tree in Little-Britain, 1695
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.
Seeing then the holy Spirit (who works in men more or less according to the Fathers Love and Sons Merits) works in such a special way in the Elect, 'tis as clear as if it were written with a Sunbeam, that the Father loves them and the Son died for them in a special way. Hence we find these three folded and wrapped up together by the Apostle, Elect according to the foreknowledge of the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 1. 2. And again, The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the holy Ghost be with you all, 2 Cor. 13. 14, If the Father's Love and the Son's Blood had ⟨p. 338⟩respected all men as much as the Elect, doubtless the holy Spirit (who in Subsistence proceeds and in Operations works from them both) would have converted all as well as the Elect; why then are not all men actually converted? Is it because the holy Spirit works not equally in all, or because the holy Spirit is resisted in some? Is it because the holy Spirit works not equally in all? I answer, That the Spirit is sent forth from the Father and the Son, and works exactly according as it is sent; the inward impulsive Cause of pouring out the Spirit is the Father's Love, and the outward meritorious cause of it is the Son's Blood: Wherefore if the Father equally love all, and the Son equally died for all, the Spirit works equally in all; for there can be no breach in the sacred Trinity. Or is it because the Spirit is resisted in some? I answer; Their resistance is a grand Obstacle to the work, but if the Spirit did roll away the Stone, and new-mould the Heart, and work the Will in all, as he doth in the Elect, that Obstacle would at last be removed out of the way.
Seeing then the holy Spirit (who works in men more or less according to the Fathers Love and Sons Merits) works in such a special way in the Elect, 'tis as clear as if it were written with a Sunbeam, that the Father loves them and the Son died for them in a special way. Hence we find these three folded and wrapt up together by the Apostle, Elect according to the foreknowledge of the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ,