A64002:1102
The riches of Gods love unto the vessels of mercy, consistent with his absolute…The riches of Gods love unto the vessells of mercy, consistent with his absolute…
The riches of Gods love unto the vessels of mercy, consistent with his absolute hatred or reprobation of the vessels of wrath, or, An answer unto a book entitled, Gods love unto mankind ... in two books, the first being a refutation of the said book, as it was presented in manuscript by Mr Hord unto Sir Nath. Rich., the second being an examination of certain passages inserted into M. Hord's discourse (formerly answered) by an author that conceals his name, but was supposed to be Mr Mason ... / by ... William Twice ... ; whereunto are annexed two tractates of the same author in answer unto D.H. ... ; together with a vindication of D. Twice from the exceptions of Mr John Goodwin in his Redemption redeemed, by Henry Jeans ...The riches of Gods love unto the vessells of mercy, consistent with his absolute hatred or reprobation of the vessells of wrath, or, An answer unto a book entituled, Gods love unto mankind ... in two bookes, the first being a refutation of the said booke, as it was presented in manuscript by Mr Hord unto Sir Nath. Rich., the second being an examination of certain passages inserted into M. Hords discourse (formerly answered) by an author that conceales his name, but was supposed to be Mr Mason ... / by ... William Twisse ... ; whereunto are annexed two tractates of the same author in answer unto D.H. ... ; together with a vindication of D. Twisse from the exceptions of Mr John Goodwin in his Redemption redeemed, by Henry Jeanes ...
Oxford: printed by L.L. and H.H. for Tho. Robinson, 1653
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.
Solvite mortales ammos, curisque levate, Totque supervacuis animum deplete querelis: Fata regunt orbem, certa stant omnia lege.
From these three premises laid together, it follows directly, that the doctrine of an absolute decree, which determines mens ends precisely; is no friend to a Godly life. For if events absolutely decreed be unavoidable; if mens actions about unavoidable ends be unprofitable; it in unprofitable employments men will have no hand willingly: men that know and consider this, will have nothing to do with the practice of Godliness. For their ends being absolutely pitched and therefore unavoidable; they will conclude, that their labour in Religion will be unprofitable, and so will not labour in it at all.
From these three premises laid together, it followes directly, that the doctrine of an absolute decree, which determines mens ends precisely; is no friend to a Godly life. For if events absolutely decreed be unavoydable; if mens actions about unavoydable ends be unprofitable; it in unprofitable imployments men will have no hand willingly: men that know and consider this, will have nothing to doe with the practice of Godlinesse. For their ends being absolutely pitched and therefore unavoydable; they will conclude, that their labour in Religion will be unprofitable, and so will not labour in it at all.
That which hath been said, may be yet farther confirmed by two witnesses. The one of them is by two witnesses. The one of them is our Calvin, who in his Institutions hath these words: Si quis it a plebem compellet; si non cred it is, ideo fit, quia jam divinitus exitio praedestinati estis; is non modo ignaviam 1fovet: sed etiam in dulget malitiae. If any man (saith he) should speak thus to people; If there be any among you that believe not, it is because ye are ordained to destruction; this man would not only cherish slothfulness, but wickedness also. Which is as much to say (me thinks) as this; If a man should set out the doctrine of absolute reprobation in its colours, and explain it to a people in a clear and lively fashion, he would hereby open a door to liberty and profaneness.