A64002:1588
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.
4. It may be this Author could not be so inconsiderate as not to perceive that even those expressions concerning Gods decree, which he criminates in our Divines are Scripture expressions; therefore to help his cause here he imputes unto them, that they maintain that God decreed this immutably; as if himself could be content to grant that these things are decreed by God, but not immutably. And would this Author have the will of God to be of a mutable condition, like unto ours? I am confident he dares not profess so much; for albeit he licks his lips at a conditional decree, yet how doth he conceive this to be mutable? For to resolve to save men upon condition of faith, and repentance, and perseverance; and damn others in case they continue in infidelity and impenitency; if accordingly none be saved but such in whom faith and repentance, and final perseverance therein is found, none damned but such as persevere in sin unto death; what change is there in all this? Unless this be it, that God did not resolve to save any particular person until his final perseverance was accomplished; And so God may be said in process of time, to change from not willing to willing one man's salvation, and another man's damnation: In which case God's decree also should not be eternal, but begin in time. Again as touching that which follows of of God decreeing that Reprobates shall live and dye in sin. I answer, to decree not to regenerate Reprobates, is to decree that Reprobates shall not be regenerated, for they are not able to regenerate themselves; and to decree that they shall not be regenerated, is to decree that they shall live and dye in sin, by God's permission, he resolving never to show such mercies to take them of from their sinful courses by repentance. And so long as they are not borne of God, they will not hear his words, as our Saviour testifies saying, Ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. As for sin procured by the hand of God, which he obtrudes upon our Divines; not one passage doth he produce for that. Yet as I remember I have read such an harsh expression in Piscator dealing against 1Vorstius, which at this time doth not come to my remembrance;
4. It may be this Authour could not be so inconsiderate as not to perceive that even those expressions concerning Gods decree, which he criminates in our Divines are Scripture expressions; therefore to helpe his cause here he imputes unto them, that they maintaine that God decreed this immutably; as if himselfe could be content to grant that these things are decreed by God, but not immutably. And would this Authour have the will of God to be of a mutable condition, like unto ours? I am confident he dares not professe so much; for albeit he licks his lips at a conditionall decree, yet how doth he conceive this to be mutable? For to resolve to save men upon condition of faith, and repentance, and perseverance; and damne others in case they continue in infidelity and impenitency; if accordingly none be saved but such in whom faith and repentance, and finall perseverance therein is found, none damned but such as persevere in sinne unto death; what change is there in all this? Unlesse this be it, that God did not resolve to save any particular person untill his finall perseverance was accomplished; And so God may be said in processe of time, to change from not willing to willing one man's salvation, and another man's damnation: In which case God's decree also should not be eternall, but begin in time. Againe as touching that which followes of of God decreeing that Reprobates shall live and dye in sinne. I answer, to decree not to regenerate Reprobates, is to decree that Reprobates shall not be regenerated, for they are not able to regenerate themselves; and to decree that they shall not be regenerated, is to decree that they shall live and dye in sinne, by God's permission, he resolving never to shew such mercies to take them of from their sinfull courses by repentance. And so long as they are not borne of God, they will not heare his words, as our Saviour testifies saying, Yee therefore heare them not, because ye are not of God. As for sinne procured by the hand of God, which he obtrudes upon our Divines; not one passage doth he produce for that. Yet as I remember I have read such an harsh expression in Piscator dealing against