A64002:1247
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.
CONSIDERATION.
He proceeds very judiciously I confess, by way of gradation from the Apocryphal, to the Canonical; but at once he makes use both of corruptor stilus, and adulter sensus. The very words of the Apostle he corrupts; for the Apostle no where saith that God would have all to be saved, that God would have none to perish; 'tis [Greek or Hebrew] who will have all to be saved in the one; and [Greek or Hebrew], not willing any to perish in the other. Men would do many things that they cannot; it is not so with God. And if it be not adulter sensus, to apply this to all and every one, here is comfort indeed with a witness; For if God will save every one; and withal can save them, whereof there is no doubt to be made, then there are no Reprobates at all; every one is predestinate to salvation by the will, that is, by the decree of God; And who hath resisted his will, saith S. Paul. And will he not have all & every one to believe & repent? If not, then seeing he will have all to be saved, it follows that God, will have all men to be saved, whether they believe or no, repent or no; But if he will have all to believe & repent, by that will whereby he will have all to be saved; seeing God can give all men faith and repentance; what follows but that all and every one shall believe and repent, & be saved, and consequently, there are no Reprobates at all? But I know full well what their interpretation of this is, namely, that God is ready to give faith and repentance unto all, to wit, in case they will; but doth not God give the very will to believe and repent? Yes in case they will. Take this comfort then into thy bosom, and make the best use of it to persuade thee that thou art no cast-away; For if thou believest and repentest, all is safe, thou hast as good assurance of thy salvation as Gods word can give thee. And though faith ⟨p. 271⟩and repentance be the gift of God, yet this comforter doth assure thee, that if thou wilt believe thou shalt believe, if thou wilt repent thou shalt repent. For God doth not give the grace of faith and repentance, according to the mere pleasure of his own will, but according to mens works; for albeit the Apostle saith, God hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth; yet that is not to be understood of vocation, but rather of justification.