A64002:1475
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.
1. Therefore whereas he saith there is no proportion between killing and eternal tormenting. I mark his cunning carriage, he doth not say there is no proportion between killing and tormenting with are two acts; and acts are somewhat capable of proportion. And surely if he had, killing would appear to be the worst of the two; since to kill is to torment and somewhat more, even to destroy the being of a man. Therefore the comparison which he shapes is between killing and eternal tormenting; that is not between two acts, as he pretends to from the comparison, but between one act, and the eternal duration of an other act, which is the quantity thereof in reference to time, such is this Authors juggling. Yet notwithstanding the disproportion of these things, hence it follows not, that killing is the more desirable of the two; considering that many a pain there is which man would be content to endure, rather then to loose his life? So far is it from being worse, and that beyond all proportion. Austin somewhere professing of infants pain in hell, that is poena mitissima, the mildest pain, & such as they had rather endure then to have no being at all. ⟨p. 35⟩2. But take it for an intolerable tormenting; if there be no proportion between killing and eternal tormenting; whereas there is some proportion between man and beast, then it were reasonable for any man to desire to be turned into a beast rather then to be eternally tormented: now let every reasonable creature consider, the sobriety of such a choice. 3. If only the eternity of it makes killing to be preferred before tormenting, then it is not to be denied, but tormenting a creature in hell fire a thousand or ten thousand years may be performed by God upon an innocent man, only eternal torment cannot. Yea and so ten thousand to an hundred thousand years, and so forwards until it comes to be eternal, which indeed can never be; it being a thing utterly impossible to attain from a beginning unto eternity by degrees. A finite added to a finite being never able to make it infinite. And therefore to maintain a thing infinite in quantity, Aristotle hath taught us that it is to maintain a multitude of infinites (and indeed an infinite of infinites.) For if the parts be but finite, it is impossible that the whole consisting of finite parts can be infinite. 4.
1. Therefore whereas he saith there is no proportion between killing and eternall tormenting. Imarke his cunning carriage, he doth not say there is no proportion between killing and tormenting wich are two acts; and acts are somewhat capable of proportion. And surely if he had, killing would appeare to be the worst of the two; since to kill is to torment and somewhat more, even to destroy the being of a man. Therefore the comparison which he shapes is between killing and eternall tormenting; that is not between two acts, as he pretends to from the comparison, but between one act, and the eternall duration of an other act, which is the quantity thereof in reference to time, such is this Authours jugling. Yet notwithstanding the disproportion of these things, hence it followes not, that killing is the more desirable of the two; considering that many apain there is which man would be content to endure, rather then to loose his life? So farre is it from being worse, and that beyond all proportion. Austine somewhere professing of infants pain in hell, that is poena mitissima, the mildest pain, & such as they had rather endure then to have no being at all.