A64002:1491
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.
Sect. 5.
M. Mason's Additions p. 19. 20.
M. Mason's Aditions p. 19. 20.
To the first part of this reply, namely, that it is more desirable to be in hell, then to be nothing. I oppose three things. 1. The speech of our Saviour concerning Judas: Woe be to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed, it had been good for that man if he had never been born Two things especially are set forth in these words of our Saviour. First the misery of Judas the betrayer of the Lord. Woe be &c. Secondly, the greatness of his misery, It had been good &c. It is as much as if the Lord had said, Judas the traitor shall be damned, and therefore so woeful will his condition be, that it had been good and happy for him, if he had never received a being: good in earnest, as the Interpreters do generally expound it, not in the opinion and esteem of weak minded, faint-hearted-men only as some few understand it. For first let it be granted that Scripture speaketh of things sometimes according to men's opinions, yet without reason to fasten such an exposition upon any Scripture, is to do, as dunces do in the Schools, who being not able to answer a place in Aristotle wherewith they are charged, shift it off, and say, (loquitur ex aliorum sententiâ, he speaks according to the opinion of others.) 2. This scripture cannot in reason be thus expounded. First because it is an argument and ground by which Christ declareth the truth and greatness of the misery of Judas, Woe to the man &c And why woe? Because it had been good &c. But it were no argument to show his woeful estate by, to say that it had been good for him, that he had never been born in the opinion of men, who mistake the case but not in truth. 2. because this exposition would teach and encourage men to be Atheists and Epicures. In the second of Wisdom, we read how voluptuous men do stir up one another to enjoy the good things, that are present, to fill them selves with wine and ointments, to leave some token of their jollity in every place and to practise all manner of wickedness. And what is their motive? a false persuasion that their souls shall dye with their bodies; and that they should have no being after death.