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 ...

CONSIDERATION.

How doth God meane that the greatest part of men shall never believe and repent, by our opinion? Is it in this sence, that they shall not believe and repent if they will? When was it ever knowne that any of our Divines ever wrote or taught this? We think rather it is impossible it should be otherwise, & therefore say it is a very absurd thing to call this [Grace] as the Arminians doe. Indeed we say that God doth not meane by his preventing grace to work the wills of the greatest part of men to believe & repent: Doe not the Arminians say so too? Yes verily, and a great deale more: for they deny that he workes any mans will to believe and repent in this manner; but we say God purchaseth thus to worke the wills of all his chosen ones, and when he hath wrought them, to keepe them by his power through faith unto Salvation; and put his feare in their hearts, that they shall never depart a way from him. Jer 32. 40. And upon this * 1.1 ground we can assure believers of their election which Arminians cannot; And them that believe not, keepe from dispaire in better manner then the Arminians can, for they leave them to themselves to believe; whereas the Scriptures shew that to be im∣possible: so that they take upon them to comfort such quite against the haire. But we comfort them with a possibility. of being converted unto God by representing his allmighty power, whose voyce is able to pierce into the graves and make dead Lazarus heare it. This power he shewed in converting Saul, when he marched furi∣ously (Jehu like) against the Church of God. Therfore be thou of good comfort, especially considering thou art as it were under the wings of God, thou hearest his voyce; many come out of their graves at his call; some at one time, some at another,

and so maist thou God knowes how soone; then shalt thou be assured of thine ele∣ction, which by Arminianisme thou canst not be; in the meane time thou hast no cause to conclude that thou art a Reprobate.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 Pet. 1. Ier. 32. 40.