A64002:1447
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.
Well let us proceed to observe how well he performs what he undertakes. And here he saith. 1. That the Scripture makes man the principal, nay the only cause (in opposition to God) of his own ruin. We answer, the Scripture makes man the only cause of his own ruin in the meritorious cause; thus man's destruction is of himself; But this nothing hinders God from being the cause why vengeance, destruction and damnation are executed upon man; for he is the God to whom vengeance belongeth, & he delights as well in showing judgment, as in showing mercy. Indeed did we maintain that God damns the Reprobate whether man or Angels of his mere pleasure, this Argument of his were seasonable. We know full well that God of his free grace shows mercy; but judgment only upon provocation, and herein he proceeds slowly too; for he is slow to wrath, and easy to be entreated. Yet God's afflicting is not always for sin; neither doth it always proceed in the way of punishment: when we suffer for Christ we have cause to rejoice that he counts us worthy to suffer for his name; neither were the afflictions of Job brought upon him for his sins, but for the trial of his faith, and to make him an example of patience to all succeeding generations; and as for that of Ezech: I will not the death of the wicked; It ⟨p. 28⟩is the usual course of men of this Authors spirit thus to render the words, whereas our last English translation renders them thus, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Now as a man may will that wherein he takes no pleasure; as a sick-man takes a bitter potion sometimes for the recovery of his health; so God may will that wherein he takes no delight. And whether it be meant of first or second death it cannot be denied but God wills it; for he works all things according to the counsel of his own will. Then again 1if we consider the infliction of death as an execution of judgment, God not only willeth this, but delights therein also, as it is expressed. That of Prosper is nothing to the 2present purpose, we treating here of the cause of damnation, not of sinning; we say God is the God to whom vengeance belongeth, not to whom sin belongeth. Besides sin, as sin, hath no efficient cause at all, but deficient, as Austin hath delivered many hundred years ago. It is true, it is in Gods power to preserve any man from any sin;