A64002:280
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.
3. Lastly, the Ancients in their days were not so put unto it as the latter; Nothing did more quicken them, or doth us, then contentions with Heretics. And therefore look how they were exercised with Heresies, so it is to be expected they were best seen in those Articles of Faith, which were most shaken by Heretics. This both Austin and Gregory take notice of; and Austin is most frequent herein, some passages to this purpose I shall relate hereafter. Now before Pelagius his days, the Fathers were much exercised in opposing the Manichees, and accordingly gave themselves to the maintenance of Free-will, as Aniarius observes by the relation of Sixtus Senensis. But Pelagius was the first that opposed Gods grace; and therefore those 1Fathers that contended with him, gave themselves chiefly to the maintenance of Gods grace.
3. Lastly, the Ancients in their daies were not so put unto it as the latter; Nothing did more quicken them, or doth us, then contentions with Heretiques. And therefore look how they were exercised with Heresies, so it is to be expected they were best seen in those Articles of Faith, which were most shaken by Heretiques. This both Austin and Gregory take notice of; and Austin is most frequent herein, some passages to this purpose I shall relate hereafter. Now before Pelagius his daies, the Fathers were much exercised in opposing the Manichees, and accordingly gave themselves to the maintenance of Free-will, as Aniarius observes by the relation of Sixtus Senensis. But Pelagius was the first that opposed Gods grace; and therefore those 1Fathers that contended with him, gave themselves chiefely to the maintenance of Gods grace.
- 1Bibl. l. 5. annot. 101.
And now am I come to the treating of Ancients no longer in general, but in a special reference to the doctrine of predestination. Now herein the Papists themselves (who in other points labour to beat us down with nothing so much as with the noise of Antiquity) are willing to confess that in the point of grace and predestination we need not trouble our selves, with inquiry after the doctrine of the Ancients before Pelagius rose, and that upon the ground before mentioned, to wit, because they were nothing exercised hereabouts. As for example Bellarmine, De Grat. & lib. Arbitr. lib. 1. c. 14. having proposed diverse passages of the Fathers favouring, as it seemed, the doctrine wherewith Pelagius troubled the peace of Gods Church, makes Austin to answer for him, Veteres Patres qui ante Pelagium floruerunt, quaestionem istam nunquam accuratè tractasse, sed incidentèr solum, & quasi per transitum illam attigisse. Addit verò (saith Bellarmine) in fundamento hujus sententiae, quod est, Gratiam Dei non praevenire ab ullo opere nostro, sed contrà ab illâ omnia opera nostra praeveniri, ita ut nihil omnino boni quod attinet ad salutem sit in nobis, quod non sit nobis ex Deo, convenire Catholicos omnes & ibidem citat Cyprianum, Ambrosisium