The collegiat suffrage of the divines of Great Britaine, concerning the five articles controverted in the Low Countries VVhich suffrage was by them delivered in the synod of Dort, March 6. anno 1619. Being their vote or voice foregoing the joint and publique judgment of that Synod.

THE SIXT POSITION.

NOtwithstanding this generall Covenant of saving those that beleeve, God is not tyed by any co∣venant or promise to afford the Gospel, or saving grace, to all and every one. But the reason why hee affords it to some, and passeth by others, is his owne mercie and ab∣solute freedome.

1 CHrist hath no otherwise established this covenant, then that the communica∣tiō of this covenant shold remaine, in the free & full power of the Father. But God in giving one grace is not tyed to the giving of another. Matt. 10.15. Is it not lawfull for me to doe with my owne what I will?

No such covenant or promise is to be found in the Scriptures. God promiseth in the old

Testament, that the preaching of the Gospell should be communicated to the Gentiles. In the new Testament the partition wall is bro∣ken downe, and it is given in charge to the Apostles, Marke 16.15. Goe into all the world and preach the Gospell unto every creature: but God no where promised, that universally in the world, at one and the same time it should be preached.

* 1.1Nay rather (as is well noted by Prosper,) Even at that very time, in which the preaching of the Gospell was sent to all Nations, hee, who would have all men to be saved, and come unto the know∣ledge of the truth, yet forbad the Apostles to goe to some places. And so by this stopping or delaying of the Gospel, many were so foreslowen, or hindred, that they dyed without the knowledge of the truth, and without sanctifying regeneration. Let the Scripture speak what was done. But passing through Phrygia, and the Region of Galatia, they are forbidden by the holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, but after they were come to Mysia, they assayed to goe into Bithy∣nia, but the spirit suffered them not; Thus farre Prosper.

2 Moreover, it is plainly evident (notwith∣standing

this universal Covenant, which was of force even in the old Testament) that God revealed not the knowledge hereof unto the Gentiles, Psal. 147.8.19.20. Hee sheweth his word unto Iacob, he hath not dealt so with any Na∣tion, and therefore they knew not these lawes. Acts 14.16. God in times past suffered all Nations to walke in their owne wayes. Yea and in our daies scarce the sixt part of the habitable world have given their names to Christ. But if in fact and event God hath never vouchsafed the preaching of the Gospel to all and every one, certainly then hee is not bound so to afford it. For he doth, whatsoever he hath bound him∣selfe to doe.

The same also is to be said of saving grace. We no where in the Scriptures meet with a∣ny mention of any promise, by which God hath bound himselfe to impart this grace to all and every one. Nay rather the Scripture makes mention of Gods liberty in commise∣rating, Rom. 9.18. God hath mercy on whom hee will have mercy, notwithstanding this cove∣nant grounded in the blood of Christ. And although God doth blesse with many bene∣fits

all men, yea even the most ungratefull, w^ch live without the lists of the Church, and al∣though all men (as being sinners) stand in need of saving graces, yet is hee obliged to none, either to bestow the one or the other.

3 Lastly, it is concluded out of the holy Scriptures, that some are iudged and condem∣ned for sinnes committed onely against the law of nature, Rom. 2.14.15. Whereby is im∣plyed, that upon invincible ignorance they are excused for not fulfilling the Law of faith. Which excuse can have no place, where God proclaimes his Law, and men are bound to obey.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Epistola ad Russ. & de vocat. gent. lib. 2 cap 3.