A64002:1319
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.
and that such was the condition of the Ephesians, before the Gospel was Preached to them, and they converted by it; and that till they embrace 1the Gospel, all men are led captive by the Devil, to do his will. 3. What poor comfort is this to persuade a man, that he is no absolute Reprobate; when upon the same grounds, namely, that the number of Reprobates is far greater even an ⟨p. 279⟩hundred for one, then the number of Gods elect, he may still be perplexed with doubts and fears, yea and with as strong an apprehension that he is a Reprobate. And amongst all the examples that I have lighted upon, of desperation upon this ground, they have not proceeded according to this distinction of reprobates absolute or not absolute, but simply upon an apprehension that they were Reprobates, & that not upon the consideration of the small number of Gods elect, and the vast number of Reprobates, but upon the conscience of some sin or other, which they conceived to be unpardonable, a sin unto death, a sin against the Holy Ghost, and that particularly consisting in opposing Gods truth, or blaspheming it, or making war against it: which I would this Author might be pleased well to consider before his feet be too much fastened in the mire, and there be no getting out of it. His second reason followeth. 2. Because they convince the tempted that he cannot be in that condition in which he supposeth himself to be, for two contradictories cannot be true. This is no new reason at all, but a mere application of the reason formerly delivered. But this Author considers not how he mars his own course of consolation, casting his spiritual patient to believe hand over head things directly contradictory, as namely, that God wills the Salvation even of those whom he hath from everlasting ordained unto damnation; and is not his patient like to take much comfort in this speculation; namely, that albeit he be one of those whom God hath ordained to condemnation, yet he wills his Salvation. What a poor comfort is it to conceive that though God will have him to be damned, yet not inevitably; whereas Gods will is as effectual in bringing contingent things to pass contingently, as in bringing necessary things to pass necessarily:
and that such was the condition of the Ephesians, before the Gospell was Preached to them, and they converted by it; and that till they embrace