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…

Arminius himself is never more plausible, then in such like extravagant discourses as a positive Theologue: But these inspirations were never derived from him; they are flowers of another garden. These have been shapen in a more Philosophical brain whereof some having gotten the reputation, give Oracles therehence, first to form interpretations of Scriptures, in congruity to these Theorems, as the true Author blusheth not to profess; which when he hath persuaded the World of, I see no cause to the contrary, but he may adventure a degree farther, and persuade the burning of the Bible, so far as it concerneth the Doctrine of Predestination and Reprobation, Grace and Free-will, and content themselves with these magisterial precepts, as most sufficient and sovereign for the endoctrinations of the Christian World in these points. But he might have spared his pains in proving this consequence, that if our Doctrine of Reprobation be contradictory to Gods principal attributes it cannot be true. I say he might have spared the proof hereof, for all that he brings in proof of this is but darkness in comparison of the domesticall light, and self-evidence, which this consequence carrieth with it. His premises here, and discourse thereof is like unto the Turks parley before the encounter, when he challenged any one of Scanderbegs army to a single combat. For as that parley was merely complementall, and to no purpose, save only, as he might conceit, to abate the fervour of his opposite, who longed to be dealing with him; so this introduction, I find to be of no Scholastical use in the world, but merely Politic, to work some impression upon the readers affections, where by it may come to pass, that when he reads of Gods mercy and justice, as here it is set forth, he may be the more inclined to judge thereof, according to the genius of human mercy and justice. Yet I am content to give my self to be wrought upon by these pretty contemplations, as far as I shall be convicted of any truth and sobriety in them: though I willingly profess I am very suspicious (for I love to betray my infirmities) that there is little or no truth and sobriety at all in them.

Arminius himselfe is never more plausible, then in such like extravagant discourses as a positive Theologue: But these inspirations were never derived from him; they are flowers of another garden. These have been shapen in a more Philosophicall brain whereof some having gotten the reputation, give Oracles therehence, first to forme interpretations of Scriptures, in congruity to these Theorems, as the true Author blusheth not to professe; which when he hath perswaded the World of, I see no cause to the contrary, but he may adventure a degree farther, and perswade the burning of the Bible, so farre as it concerneth the Doctrine of Predestination and Reprobation, Grace and Free-will, and content themselves with these magisteriall precepts, as most sufficient and soveraigne for the endoctrinations of the Christian World in these poynts. But he might have spared his pains in proving this consequence, that if our Doctrine of Reprobation be contradictory to Gods principall attributes it cannot be true. I say he might have spared the proofe hereof, for all that he brings in proofe of this is but darknesse in comparison of the domesticall light, and selfe-evidence, which this consequence carryeth with it. His premises here, and discourse thereof is like unto the Turkes parly before the encounter, when he challenged any one of Scanderbegs army to a single combate. For as that parley was meerely complementall, and to no purpose, save only, as he might conceit, to abate the fervor of his opposite, who longed to be dealing with him; so this introduction, I find to be of no Scholasticall use in the world, but meerely Politick, to work some impression upon the readers affections, where by it may come to passe, that when he reads of Gods mercy and justice, as here it is set forth, he may be the more enclined to judge thereof, according to the genius of human mercy and justice. Yet I am content to give my selfe to be wrought upon by these pretty contemplations, as farre as I shall be convicted of any truth and sobriety in them: though I willingly professe I am very suspicious (for I love to betray my infirmities) that there is little or no truth and sobriety at all in them.