A64002:266
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.
As concerning the first, I find no small equivocation in the word Ancient: For if we compare an ancient man with a younger, in all probability the ancient is likely to be more wise then the other; because he hath more experience, by reason of the length of his days, according to that of Job. 12. 12. Amongst the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days is understanding. But this holds not of that which is ancient, as it signifies that which goes before another. For it is well known, that youth goeth before old age; yet no man will say, that the opinions of men in their youth, are more likely to be sound, then the opinions of riper age. Neither doth any man call or account youth Antiquity. Yet our Fathers we call our Ancients, because they have gone before us, but little reason there is in my judgement, to count their faith the more sound by reason of such Antiquity; no more then why the opinions of man in his youth, should be reputed more sound, then the opinions of his age. For as there is a youth in man; so there is to be acknowledged a youth of the world; and so likewise of the Christian World, even of the Church of God. The Holy Ghost speaks in this language. For even they who were the great Ancestors of the Jews in the days of Jeremiah, are called the youth of Israel, as the youth of Gods Church. Jerem. 2. 2. I remember thee with the kindness of thy youth, and the love of thy marriage, when thou wentst after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. Israel was as a thing hallowed unto the Lord, &c Ezech. 16. 60. I will remember my Covenant made with thee in the days of thy youth. In like sort the Ancients counting them immediately from the Apostles days, are the very youth of the Church Christian. Now like as it is not to be expected that a man should have as great perfection of knowledge in his youth, as in his age; so neither is it to be supposed, that the Church of Christ should have as great perfection of knowledge in her youth as in her age. This is to be understood caeteris paribus; otherwise there lies a double exception against it: the One in the way of Gods extraordinary mercy, the Other in the way of Gods extraordinary judgement. For God may extraordinarily inspire a young man with the spirit of Prophecy, and so make him wiser then the aged.
As concerning the first, I find no small equivocation in the word Ancient: For if we compare an ancient man with a younger, in all probability the ancient is likely to be more wise then the other; because he hath more experience, by reason of the length of his daies, according to that of