A64002:928
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.
DISCOURSE. SUBSECT. III.
That which is usually said by such as maintain the absolute decree, to clear God from hypocrisy in these things, is, That God seriously wisheth the salvation of the Reprobate, but not absolutely, he would have them to be saved, that are not saved; but yet upon condition they will repent and believe; and therefore though they do perish, yet is God can did and sincere in his offers of salvation to them; for therefore do they perish because they perform not the condition, not because God offers not seriously salvation unto them.
THat which is usually said by such as maintaine the absolute decree, to cleare God from hypocrisy in these things, is, That God seriously wisheth the salvation of the Reprobate, but not absolutely, he would have them to be saved, that are not saved; but yet upon condition they will repent and believe; and therefore though they doe perish, yet is God can did and sincere in his offers of salvation to them; for therefore doe they perish because they performe not the condition, not because God offers not seriously salvation unto them.
But this answer is too short. Tis true indeed, God will have all men to be saved only upon condition they will believe and repent; according to the speech of Saint Ambrose, Deus vult omnes salvari si & ipsi velint; for if he would absolutely have it so what can hinder it? who hath resisted his will? And it is true likewise that a conditional promise may be serious as well as an absolute; but then the condition must be possible unto them, to whom the offer and promise is made; and the performance of the condition must be a part of Gods will, as well as the salvation promised; or else the promise cannot be candid and sincere. In substance it is all one, not to offer a courtesy at all and and to offer it under a condition not possible, and in circumstance it is far better to deny a benefit absolutely, than so to promise it. For such a promise is a denial under a colour of the contrary. The Lawyers tell us that a contract Sub conditione impraestabili nullus aestimatur: And the Logicians, that propositio conditionalis quae habet annexam conditionem impossibilem, aequipollet simpliciter neganti. Any offer which is made upon a condition not performable by the party is equivalent to a bare negation. It is all one for a man to deny a piece of money flatly to one blind man, and to promise it to another blind man upon a condition that he will look upon it with his eyes, and it is all one for a man that hath a daughter to bestow in marriage to tell the suitor I will give you my daughter if you will but span the earth and touch the heavens with your finger; and to tell him plainly, set your heart at rest I will never bestow her upon you. And thus have I showed the contrariety of this opinion to the principal attributes of God: which is my second general reason against it