A64002:160
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 let us proceed to provocations unto other sins, not in the way of exasperation, but in the way of allurements. Achan was a covetous person, at the sacking of Jericho, it was his hap to light among the spoil, upon a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight. Was not so fair a prey, a sore temptation to a covetous person? How was Demosthenes taken with a rich bowl that was showed him by Harpalus, but there was great danger in it, I confess, yet if desire of prey doth sometimes overrun the sent, may it not as well overcome the fear of danger, especially considering the opportunity of secrecy to convey it closely into his Tent and hide it there? I saw, saith he, and I coveted them and took them, and behold they lye hid in the earth in the midst of my Tent, and the silver under it. Now can it be denied, but that God by his providence brought him into this temptation, and consequently into this provocation, for to tempt is to provoke 1 Chron. 21. 1. And is it not just with God, to bring any man into such temptations of what kind, or in what degree soever (seeing no temptation or provocation in this kind or degree, bereaves a man of the liberty of his will) If not, what meant our Saviour to teach his Disciples, and in them us, to pray unto God that He will not lead us into temptation? And what cause hath Achan to complain of this temptation? We do not read he did; was it not the condition of many others as well as himself? Was this prey that he seized on, the only spoil of that great City? Were there no Babylonish garments but that one, no more silver or wedges of gold, but that Achan lighted on? Yet they refrained, some out of the fear of God, that restrained them in a gracious manner, and kept them from sinning against him: others though not out out of a fear of God, yet out of the fear of punishment, were moved to beware how they transgressed. For albeit, Libertas sine gratia non est libertas, sed contumacia, as * Austin ⟨p. 20⟩1writes, yet fear of punishment ofttimes restrains from committing capital crimes, though this restraint be not gracious; and considerations of less force then these do prevail many times with carnal men, both to abstain from evil, and to do that which is good, though not in a gracious manner.
But let us proceed to provocations unto other sins, not in the way of exasperation, but in the way of allurements. Achan was a covetous person, at the sacking of Jericho, it was his hap to light among the spoyle, upon a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekells of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekells waight. Was not so faire a prey, a sore temptation to a covetous person? How was Demosthenes taken with a rich bowle that was shewed him by Harpalus, but there was great danger in it, I confesse, yet if desire of prey doth sometimes overrun the sent, may it not as well overcome the feare of danger, especially considering the opportunity of secrecy to convey it closely into his Tent and hide it there? I saw, saith he, and I coveted them and took them, and behold they lye hid in the earth in the midst of my Tent, and the silver under it. Now can it be denied, but that God by his providence brought him into this temptation, and consequently into this provocation, for to tempt is to provoke