A64002:1584
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.
But if this phrase, To be of God, signify God's regenerating of them, as I think it doth, then God's not regenerating of them is made the cause of this their disobedience in not hearing God's word's: and indeed the evil of sin hath no efficient cause but deficient only, as Austin hath delivered long ago. And God is not bound to any, either to elect him, or regenerate him; so ⟨p. 68⟩that in failing to regenerate man, he doth not deficere, or fail in any culpable man ner: now let every indifferent Reader judge, whether here be not, Dignus vindice nodus a knot worthy to be loosed; & it will require some worth of learning in him that solves it. And is it decent for this Author to censure a man for a conclusion made by him out of the word of God, without showing the faultiness either of his interpretation thereof, or of his consequence framed therehence? So that this Author's wit & cunning is more to be commended in not specifying the place where Piscator delivers this doctrine, then either his learning or his honesty. He was loath to raise spirits, & afterwards to prove unable to lay them. Therefore thus I answer in behalf of Piscator; though God her by me made the cause why sone hear not God's words, to wit, in as much as he doth not regenerate them, nor give the eyes to see, nor ears to hear, & an heart to perceive according to that of Moses. Yet he doth not make God any culpable cause, neither indeed is he any culpable cause, while he fails 1to perform so gracious a work towards them: the reason whereof is this. He and he alone is a culpable cause, who fails in doing that which he ought to do: ut God all be it he doth not regenerate a man, yet he fails not of doing that which he ought to do. For it is no duty of his to regenerate any man; for he is bound to none. Now to be the Author of sin is not only to be the cause thereof, but to be a culpable cause thereof. Undoubtedly God could preserve any man from sin if it pleased him, and if he doth not, he is nothing faulty. Secondly I answer that in true account, God is only the cause, why our natural infidelity is not healed, our corruption not cured. Like as a Physician may be said to be the cause why such a man continues sick in as much as he could cure him, but will not: Soe God could cure the infidelity of all, but will not.
But if this phrase, To be of God, signifie God's regenerating of them, as I thinke it doth, then God's not regenerating of them is made the cause of this their disobedience in not hearing God's word's: and indeed the evill of sinne hath noe efficient cause but deficient only, as Austine hath delivered long agoe. And God is not bound to any, either to elect him, or regenerate him; so