A64002:1807
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.
It is a usual course with this Author to lay unto our charge, that God hath immutably 1decreed this or that; So that if we had said that all this were decreed by God not immutably, but mutably, we should not incur the danger of his displeasure so immutably, and unavoidably as we do. Now to decree not immutably, but mutably, is a phrase that I no where meet with, but among men of this Authors spirit; the congruity whereof I willingly profess, is so far from mine understanding, as no phrase more. If they would in the name of common sense expound themselves unto us, then we should soon consider what Answer we are to give in. We willingly profess, that all Gods decrees are unchangeable, but of decreeing a thing unchangeably, not any of our Divines discourse, that I know of. We say that God decreeth some things to come to pass necessarily, and some things to come to pass contingently; so doth Aquinas: and we understand his language right well, and approve his doctrine in this particular. We willingly confess that as God hath chosen some, whom he means to deliver from that bondage of sin, and Satan, whereinto all are cast by the transgression of Adam. And how to deliver them? Surely by bestowing the spirit of grace, and regeneration upon them, so to open their eyes and bring them out of darkness into light, and from the power of Satan unto God; In few words by bestowing faith and repentance upon them. All others he hath from everlasting determined not to show the like grace and favour unto. For we see by experience that to many he gives not faith and repentance. And look how he carrieth himself towards any persons in time, after the same manner he determined to carry himself from everlasting. And the Scripture expressly tells us that even of them that are called, but few are chosen; and consequently the number of reprobates must needs be far greater, then the number of the elect. Now as many as God hath decreed to deny faith and repentance unto, we hold it impossibile for them, upon this supposition, to be recovered out of the bondage of sin and Satan; because the Scripture in divers places expressly tells us, that faith is the gift of God, repentance is the gift of God;
It is a usuall course with this Authour to lay unto our charge, that God hath immutably 1decreed this or that; So that if we had said that all this were decreed by God not immutably, but mutably, we should not incurre the danger of his displeasure so immutably, and unavoydably as we do. Now to decree not immutably, but mutably, is a phrase that I no where meet with, but among men of this Authours spirit; the congruity whereof I willingly professe, is so farre from mine understanding, as no phrase more. If they would in the name of common sense expound themselves unto us, then we should soone consider what Answer we are to give in. We willingly professe, that all Gods decrees are unchangeable, but of decreeing a thing unchangeably, not any of our Divines discourse, that I know of. We say that God decreeth some things to come to passe necessarily, and some things to come to passe contingently; so doth Aquinas: and we understand his language right well, and approve his doctrine in this particular. We willingly confesse that as God hath chosen some, whom he meanes to deliver from that bondage of sinne, and Satan, whereinto all are cast by the transgression of Adam. And how to deliver them? Surely by bestowing the spirit of grace, and regeneration upon them, so to open their eyes and bring them out of darkenesse into light, and from the power of Satan unto God; In few words by bestowing faith and repentance upon them. All others he hath from everlasting determined not to shew the like grace and favour unto. For we see by experience that to many he gives not faith and repentance. And looke how he carryeth himselfe towards any persons in time, after the same manner he determined to carry himselfe from everlasting. And the Scripture expresly tels us that even of them that are called, but few are chosen; and consequently the number of reprobates must needs be farre greater, then the number of the elect. Now as many as God hath decreed to deny faith and repentance unto, we hold it impossibile for them, upon this supposition, to be recovered out of the bondage of sinne and Satan; because the Scripture in divers places expresly tells us, that faith is the gift of God, repentance is the gift of God;