A64002:1634
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.
Now if the absoluteness of predestination be grounded upon this, that, grace is not given according unto merits, (the scripture phrase denies it to be given according unto works. But Bellarmine acknowledgeth that in this Argument, merits and works are taken by the Ancients in one and the 1same sense.) it followeth that as many as deny the absoluteness of predestination must therewithal maintain, that, Grace is given according to men's merits or works. And the reason is evident: For if God doth not give grace according unto men's works, but of his mere pleasure decreed to give grace unto some, and not upon consideration of their works. And this is to elect absolutely, and antecedently without the foresight of any deserving, yea of any works; though by that expression which this Author useth he doth sufficiently manifest, that his opinion is, that God elects not only upon the foresight of men's, works but upon the foresight of men's deservings. It is farther considerable to prevent the reaches of such crafty foxes as we have to deal with, whose course is in joining the decree of conversion and salvation together, to translate that which belongs unto one, unto the other most unreasonably: For albeit God proceeds according to the mere pleasure, and without all respect to works, in conferring grace, and decreeth accordingly to confer it: Yet he proceeds not merely according unto pleasure, and without all respect of works in conferring glory; but according unto a Covenant which is this, whosoever believeth ⟨p. 86⟩shall be saved, and accordingly he bestows the kingdom of heaven by way of reward for faith, repentance, and good works. This hath Christ deserved at the hands of 2his Father that our weak performances should be thus rewarded. Lastly, it is farther to be considered that God, as he thus bestoweth salvation by way of reward of our faith, repentance so from everlasting he did decree to bestow salvation, namely, by way of reward. Not that either faith, or repentance, or good works, any or all of these were the cause (least of all the deserving cause) of God's decree, or antecedaneous to his decree; but of his mere pleasure decreed both to give the grace of faith and repentance, and to bestow eternal life by way of a reward thereof, as may farther be proved and that clearly divers ways. 1. By the Apostle's discourse;