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…

First if he conceives destination unto damnation, goes before Gods decree to deny faith: this I utterly deny, and have already proved, that in no moment, of reason doth the decree of damnation precede the decree of denying grace. Therefore Gods decree to deny them grace, is rather the cause why they believe not then the decree of damnation. Secondly whether we take it of the one or of the other, or of both, yet the proposition is utterly untrue. For it doth not follow, that because a man doth not as yet believe, therefore God hath decreed to deny him faith; and because he hath so decreed, therefore he denies him faith. For he that believes not to day, may believe to morrow. Saul was sometimes a persecutor of Gods Church; but was it at that time lawful to conclude, that because he did not then believe therefore he was destinated unto damnation: so that the reason indeed is, either because God hath not decreed at all to give them faith, or because the time which God hath ordained for their conversion is not yet come. This is so clear that Calvin himself were he alive, would not gainsay upon consideration. Neither doth he justify this discourse, but only saith, we must be more wise, then so to discourse to our Auditors. But this Author in saying, this is to set down our doctrine of reprobation in its colours, delivers that which is shamefully untrue, and nothing suitable with our doctrine. More near to the matter we should say rather, That like as therefore a man heareth Gods word because he is of God (that is as I interpret it, because he is regenerated of God) so therefore men hear them not, because they are not of God, that is not yet regenerated; but yet nevertheless they may be in good time. Yet here also there is some defect for want of clear explication of this truth; For will you conclude hence, that non-regeneration is the cause of infidelity (as some do in effect)? Why but this is either notoriously false, or if true it is true in such a sense, as whereby God is no more the cause thereof, then a Physician is the cause of a disease, because he will not cure it. For infidelity is a natural fruit of mans hereditary ⟨p. 240⟩corruption, and God alone can cure it, but if he will not, God is not to be said to be the cause of any disobedience issuing therefrom, otherwise then per modum non removentis, by way of not removing the cause of it;

First if he conceives destination unto damnation, goes before Gods decree to deny faith: this I utterly deny, and have already proved, that in no moment, of reason doth the decree of damnation precede the decree of denying grace. Therefore Gods decree to deny them grace, is rather the cause why they believe not then the decree of damnation. Secondly whether we take it of the one or of the other, or of both, yet the proposition is utterly untrue. For it doth not follow, that because a man doth not as yet believe, therefore God hath decreed to deny him faith; and because he hath so decreed, therefore he denies him faith. For he that believes not to day, may believe to morrow. Saul was sometimes a persecutor of Gods Church; but was it at that time lawfull to conclude, that because he did not then believe therefore he was destinated unto damnation: so that the reason indeed is, either because God hath not decreed at all to give them faith, or because the time which God hath ordained for their conversion is not yet come. This is so cleare that Calvin himselfe were he alive, would not gainsay upon consideration. Neither doth he justify this discourse, but only saith, we must be more wise, then so to discourse to our Auditors. But this Author in saying, this is to set downe our doctrine of reprobation in its colours, delivers that which is shamefully untrue, and nothing sutable with our doctrine. More necre to the matter we should say rather, That like as therefore a man heareth Gods word because he is of God (that is as I interpret it, because he is regenerated of God) so therefore men heare them not, because they are not of God, that is not yet regenerated; but yet neverthelesse they may be in good time. Yet here also there is some defect for want of cleare explication of this truth; For will you conclude hence, that non-regeneration is the cause of infidelity (as some doe in effect)? Why but this is either notoriously false, or if true it is true in such a sense, as whereby God is no more the cause thereof, then a Physitian is the cause of a disease, because he will not cure it. For infidelity is a naturall fruit of mans hereditary