A64002:716
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.
2. In their inevitable destination to destruction, under a show of the contrary. The Devils, as they are decreed to damnation, so they know it, they expect it, they look for no other: but men, even those that are appointed unto wrath, are yet fed up with hopes of Salvation, and made to believe that the whole business is put into their hands; so as that if they do perish, it is not [defectu misericordiae] because God hath no mercy on them, but [defeclu voluntatis propriae,] because they will not be saved, when yet there is no such mercy. Now if it be worse to be deluded in misery, then simply to be miserable, then the condition of men in this respect, is made by this decree to be worse then the state of Devils.
2. In their inevitable destination to destruction, under a shew of the contrary. The Devills, as they are decreed to damnation, so they know it, they expect it, they look for no other: but men, even those that are appoynted unto wrath, are yet fed up with hopes of Salvation, and made to believe that the whole businesse is put into their hands; so as that if they doe perish, it is not [defectu misericordiae] because God hath no mercy on them, but [defeclu voluntatis propriae,] because they will not be saved, when yet there is no such mercy. Now if it be worse to be deluded in misery, then simply to be miserable, then the condition of men in this respect, is made by this decree to be worse then the state of Devills.
3. In their obligation to believe, and the aggravation of their punishment by not believing. The Devils, because they must be damned, are not commanded to believe in Christ, nor is their punishment increased by not believing: but poor men, who (by this decree) can scape Hell no more then the Devils, must yet be tied to believe in Christ, and must have their torments increased if they believe not. These things being so (I think) I may conclude that this decree of absolute reprobation overthrows the mercy of God in general, and toward mankind.
3. In their obligation to believe, and the aggravation of their punishment by not believing. The Devills, because they must be damned, are not commanded to believe in Christ, nor is their punishment encreased by not believing: but poore men, who (by this decree) can scape Hell no more then the Devills, must yet be tied to believe in Christ, and must have their torments encreased if they believe not. These things being so (I think) I may conclude that this decree of absolute reprobation overthrowes the mercy of God in generall, and toward mankind.