31 After he hath thus performed these things, he descendeth to one Seruetus, and answereth severally to all his Arguments: and that both plainly and briefly. This Seruetus objecteth, that all they abide in death, which believe not the Son of God, and that the wrath of God abideth in them:1 and therefore Infants which cannot believe, lye in their damnation. But Christ speaketh not of the general guiltiness ⟨p. 245⟩wherewith all the posterity of Adam are wrapped, but only threateneth the despisers of the Gospel, which do proudly and stubbornly refuse the grace offered them. Again he sayeth, that whosoever is bo•ne of the Spirit, heareth the voice of the Spirit: which is nothing else but that the faithful are framed to obedience, according as the spirit which worketh in them. Although they which are borne of the faithful are by nature damned: yet by supernatural grace, they are saved:2 but he allegeth an Allegory,3 that David going up to the Tower of Zion, did lead neither blind men nor lame men with him, but strong soldiers: but the Parable may be set against it, wherein God calleth to the heavenly banquet, blind men and lame men.
31 After he hath thus performed these things, he descendeth to one Seruetus, and answereth seuerally to all his Argumentes: and that both plainely and briefly. This Seruetus obiecteth, that all they abide in death, which beleeue not the Sonne of God, and yt the wrath of God abideth in them:1 and therefore Infantes which cannot beléeue, lye in their damnation. But Christe speaketh not of the generall giltinesse ⟨p. 245⟩wherewith all the posteritie of Adam are wrapped, but only threateneth the despisers of the Gospel, which do proudly and stubbornly refuse the grace offered them. Againe he sayeth, that whosoeuer is bo•ne of the Spirite, heareth the voice of the Spirite: which is nothing els but that the faythfull are framed to obedience, according as the spirite which worketh in them. Although they which are borne of the faythful are by nature damned: yet by supernaturall grace, they are saued:2 but hée alledgeth an Allegorie,3 that Dauid going vp to the Tower of Sion, did leade neither blind mē nor lame men with him, but strong souldiours: but the Parable may be set against it, wherin God calleth to the heauenly banquet, blind men and lame men.
- 1John. 3.36Iohn. 3.36
- 21. Cor. 7.14▪
- 32. Sam. 5.8.
