A64002:1271
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.
How doth God mean that the greatest part of men shall never believe and repent, by our opinion? Is it in this sense, that they shall not believe and repent if they will? When was it ever known that any of our Divines ever wrote or taught this? We think rather it is impossible it should be otherwise, & therefore say it is a very absurd thing to call this [Grace] as the Arminians do. Indeed we say that God doth not mean by his preventing grace to work the wills of the greatest part of men to believe & repent: Do not the Arminians say so too? Yes verily, and a great deal more: for they deny that he works any mans will to believe and repent in this manner; but we say God purchaseth thus to work the wills of all his chosen ones, and when he hath wrought them, to keep them by his power through faith unto Salvation; and put his fear in their hearts, that they shall never depart a way from him. Jer 32. 40. And upon this 1ground we can assure believers of their election which Arminians cannot; And them that believe not, keep from despair in better manner then the Arminians can, for they leave them to themselves to believe; whereas the Scriptures show that to be impossible: so that they take upon them to comfort such quite against the hair. But we comfort them with a possibility. of being converted unto God by representing his almighty power, whose voice is able to pierce into the graves and make dead Lazarus hear it. This power he showed in converting Saul, when he marched furiously (Jehu like) against the Church of God. Therefore be thou of good comfort, especially considering thou art as it were under the wings of God, thou hearest his voice; many come out of their graves at his call; some at one time, some at another, ⟨p. 274⟩and so mayest thou God knows how soon; then shalt thou be assured of thine election, which by Arminianism thou canst not be; in the mean time thou hast no cause to conclude that thou art a Reprobate.