A64002:1188
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.
Yet the vanity of this argumentation I have formerly showed by representing first the vast number of Heathens in all ages in comparison unto Christians. Secondly the variety of Sects in Christian Religion, and that most of them miserably corrupt, together with the vast number of profane persons on the on side, and of Hypocrites on the other, why should any man that is privy to his own heart, as looking towards Heaven, be carried away with so base a pretence, as to conceive himself to be a Reprobate, especially considering the nature of man to hope the best of his fortunes, and that upon no ground to speak of, as it appears in those who venture in Lotteries. Whereas every true Christian believing in the Christ hath a certain ground for the assurance of his election by our doctrine. And truly I am verily persuaded the Devil is more wise then to think so base an illusion as this, is likely to prevail; Save that in case this Author or his Informator do believe as they pretend, hereupon he may take advantage to work upon them according to their own rules to persuade them thereby, that they are Reprobates: and 'till we find he hath prevailed so with them, we have no reason to conceive that it is an easy matter for him to persuade us that we are absolute Reprobates; no nor then neither considering that we make no such rules, but rather conceive them to be the fancies of cracked or crazed brains. And the Devil had need be more wise then so, if he ⟨p. 259⟩practice to prevail with us, which undoubtedly, so long as God be pleased by his grace to keep us in our right wits, he never shall: Certainly if they desire to bring this rule into our faith, they must first manifest that the Devil hath so prevailed with them to make them conceive themselves to be Reprobates; otherwise it cannot be they should conceive so easy a matter for the Devil to persuade any of us upon so sorry a ground as this, that we are absolute Reprobates. As for them that are fallen, (to prosecute that distinction this Author gives according to the parts of it, which the Author himself doth not) Christians fallen may be understood two manner of ways, either as fallen from the state of grace, or as fallen only into sin, but still standing in the state of grace.
Yet the vanity of this argumentation I have formerly shewed by representing first the vast number of Heathens in all ages in comparison unto Christians. Secondly the variety of Sects in Christian Religion, and that most of them miserably corrupt, together with the vast number of prophane persons on the on side, and of Hypocrites on the other, why should any man that is privy to his owne heart, as looking towards Heaven, be carried away with so base a pretence, as to conceive himselfe to be a Reprobate, especially considering the nature of man to hope the best of his fortunes, and that upon no ground to speake of, as it appeares in those who venture in Lotteries. Whereas every true Christian believing in the Christ hath a certaine ground for the assurance of his election by our doctrine. And truly I am verily perswaded the Devill is more wise then to think so base an illusion as this, is likely to prevaile; Save that in case this Author or his Informator doe believe as they pretend, hereupon he may take advantage to work upon them according to their own rules to perswade them thereby, that they are Reprobates: and 'till we find he hath prevailed so with them, we have no reason to conceive that it is an easy matter for him to perswade us that we are absolute Reprobates; no nor then neither considering that we make no such rules, but rather conceive them to be the fancies of crackt or crazed braines. And the Devill had need be more wise then so, if he