A64002:1148
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.
Thus we may maintain, that albeit every man hath power to believe if he will, and repent if he will, a will to believe and a will to repent being the greatest work in the work of grace, I mean the renovation of the will, and making it willing to that which is good, though it requires strength also to master the lusting of the flesh, whereby it grows simply and absolutely potent to do every good thing, without any effectual impediment from within, yet nevertheless, till this renovation be wrought by the hand of God, we may well say there is an utter impotency moral to do any thing that is good and pleasing in the sight of God, whereby they cannot believe, they cannot repent, they cannot be subject to the law of God, And if to Preach this doctrine be to breed sloth, to drown men in carnal security, and to countenance carnal liberty; then our Saviour did breed sloth &c. when he told his hearers plainly, He that is of God heareth Gods words, ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God, Joh. 8. 47. As likewise when he Preached unto them in this manner. No man can come to me, except the Father which sent me draw him. Joh. 6. 44. And the Evangelist also in saying, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Joh. 12. 40. And none more then Moses, when he tells the people of Israel in the Wilderness, saying, Ye have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, unto Pharaoh and unto all his servants, and to all his land. The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, those great miracles and wonders, yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear unto this day. Yet this Author confesseth that our Saviours hearers, and Moses his hearers, many of them might be Godly men;
Thus we may maintaine, that albeit every man hath power to believe if he will, and repent if he will, a will to believe and a will to repent being the greatest worke in the work of grace, I meane the renovation of the will, and making it willing to that which is good, though it requires strength also to master the lusting of the flesh, whereby it growes simply and absolutely potent to doe every good thing, without any effectuall impediment from within, yet neverthelesse, till this renovation be wrought by the hand of God, we may well say there is an utter impotency morall to doe any thing that is good and pleasing in the sight of God, whereby they cannot believe, they cannot repent, they cannot be subject to the law of God, And if to Preach this doctrine be to breed sloth, to drowne men in carnall security, and to countenance carnall liberty; then our Saviour did breed sloth &c. when he told his hearers plainly, He that is of God heareth Gods words, ye therefore heare them not, because ye are not of God,