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…

Although I am no absolute reprobate, yet if I am a reprobate, and may be as much assured of it, as that there is any reprobate in the World, what comfort can arise to my poor afflicted soul from hence. Again consider, that neither we who oppose Arminians, do maintain that God hath ordained to deny any man salvation absolutely, but only conditionally, to wit, in case he dye in sin without faith, without repentance. But suppose I am persuaded, that God hath rejected me from the grace of faith and of repentance, what comfort can you Arminians administer to my sick soul in this case? For dare you deny faith and repentance to be a gift of God? So then if I conceive my self to be a reprobate from grace, will you comfort me by saying, that I am no absolute reprobate from grace? Then belike God hath determined to give or deny grace, not according to the mere pleasure of his will, but according to mens works; And have you no better balm of Gilead to administer to a sick soul, then to take sanctuary in such a Doctrine as is direct and flat Pelagianism? In the same sober manner we shall have somewhat to say against that comfort that is reached forth to an afflicted soul, from the universality of Christs death; Thou doubtest thou art a reprobate, but be of good cheer, for Christ dyed for all and every one; as much as to say, thou hast no more cause to believe that thou art a reprobate, then to believe that there is any reprobate in the world. Secondly, be of good cheer, for albeit thou art a reprobate, and God foreseeing thou wilt dye in sin, hath from everlasting ordained thee to condemnation, as well a Judas that betrayed Christ; yet I can assure thee, thou art no absolute reprobate no more then Judas was. And whereas it may be thou art verily persuaded, that he that believes and repents, and perseveres herein, shall not be damned, for as much as all confess, that God hath not ordained that damnation shall be inflicted absolutely, according to the mere pleasure of God, but merely according to mens works; but all thy fear is, least thou art reprobated from grace, and that absolutely; considering that God (as it seems) in the giving and denying of grace proceeds merely according to the mere pleasure of his will, because the Apostle saith, He hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth. Rom. 9. 18.

Although I am no absolute reprobate, yet if I am a reprobate, and may be as much assured of it, as that there is any reprobate in the World, what comfort can arise to my poore afflicted soule from hence. Againe consider, that neither we who oppose Arminians, doe maintaine that God hath ordained to deny any man salvation absolutely, but only conditionally, to wit, in case he dye in sinne without faith, without repentance. But suppose I am perswaded, that God hath rejected mee from the grace of faith and of repentance, what comfort can you Arminians administer to my sick soule in this case? For dare you deny faith and repentance to be a gift of God? So then if I conceive my selfe to be a reprobate from grace, will you comfort me by saying, that I am no absolute reprobate from grace? Then belike God hath determined to give or deny grace, not according to the meere pleasure of his will, but according to mens workes; And have you no better balme of Gilead to administer to a sick soule, then to take sanctuary in such a Doctrine as is direct and flat Pelagianisme? In the same sober manner we shall have somewhat to say against that comfort that is reached forth to an afflicted soule, from the universality of Christs death; Thou doubtest thou art a reprobate, but be of good cheere, for Christ dyed for all and every one; as much as to say, thou hast no more cause to believe that thou art a reprobate, then to believe that there is any reprobate in the world. Secondly, be of good cheere, for albeit thou art a reprobate, and God foreseeing thou wilt dye in sinne, hath from everlasting ordained thee to condemnation, as well a Judas that betrayed Christ; yet I can assure thee, thou art no absolute reprobate no more then Judas was. And whereas it may be thou art verily perswaded, that he that believes and repents, and perseveres herein, shall not be damned, for as much as all confesse, that God hath not ordained that damnation shall be inflicted absolutely, according to the meere pleasure of God, but meerely according to mens workes; but all thy feare is, least thou art reprobated from grace, and that absolutely; considering that God (as it seemes) in the giving and denying of grace proceeds meerely according to the meere pleasure of his will, because the Apostle saith, He hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardneth.