A64002:763
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.
4. Consider though God foresaw, that being so dealt withal, as God meant they should be, they would never repent nor believe; yet seeing God had other means and motives in store, which he knew full well would prove effectual, to bring them to faith and repentance, were he pleased to use them; (as Arminius acknowledgeth, ⟨p. 141⟩as I have often cited him, and it cannot be denied by the maintainers of scientia media.) Where was Gods mercy, that would both have them brought forth, and use only such means to bring them to faith and repentance, which he knew would prove ineffectual, and resolved not to use such means with them, which he knew would prove effectual thereunto? I appeal to the judgement of every sober man, whether this proceeded not merely from Gods absolute decree to make them vessels of Wrath, that is fit vessels in whom should shine the glory of his vindicative justice; even to show the riches of his glory towards the vessels of mercy, whom he had prepared unto glory, as on whom he was pleased to bestow such means of grace, as he knew full well would prove effectual to bring them to faith and repentance, and final perseverance, that so their souls might be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ: Mark I beseech you an evident demonstration from invincible grounds of the truth, which this Author by base and superficiary considerations, labours to deface and extinguish if he could. For what if in the state of nothing, they were so intelligent as this Author feigns them, as to know to what end God made them, and thereupon, would not accept of life? What if afterwards they should curse the day of their birth, and wish they had been made Toads or Snakes? What shall God be therefore straitened in the exercise of his power, to make what creatures he will, and to what end he will? For qui dedit esse, good reason, quo fine sint habeat potestatem: What if the clay were so intelligent as to know, that it should be fashioned into a vessel for a close-stool or chamber pot, when his neighbour clay shall be fashioned into a drinking cup to serve at the table of King Agathocles, and it, out of the clayey stomach and pride thereof, shall repine and grudge to be so basely used, and say (in one of Aesops Fables) that it had rather continue clay still;
4. Consider though God foresaw, that being so dealt withall, as God meant they should be, they would never repent nor believe; yet seeing God had other means and motives in store, which he knew full well would prove effectuall, to bring them to faith and repentance, were he pleased to use them; (as Arminius acknowledgeth,