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.

Let me take liberty to set down what I should think fit to answer unto such a com∣plaint, Now my Answer is this, Who hath revealed this unto thee? Art thou privy Councellour to the Almighty? We are taught that secret things belong to the Lord our God, * 1.1 but the things revealed are for us and for our Children to doe them. Now where, and when, and how hath God revealed this his counsell unto thee, namely, concerning thy re∣jection from Grace, & Glory? We know no other revelations divine then are contay∣ned in his Word: Now hath God in his word revealed unto thee more then unto me that thou art a reprobate. The word saith unto thee, If thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord Jesus: and believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved, Rom: 10. 9. Now how canst thou make it appeare that this belongs lesse unto thee then to any Martyr that ever was content to lay downe his life for Christ? Wilt thou say, Thy sinnes make thee to conceive so: I answer, are thy sinnes greater then were the sinnes of Manasses, who made his sonnes passe through the fire to Molech, gave himselfe to witchcraft and sorcery, and filled Jerusalem with bloud from corner to corner? If his sinns were not sufficient to conclude that he was a Reprobate, why should thy sins be thought sufficient to conclude that thou art a Cast-away? Are thy sinnes greater then Sauls were, who was a Blasphemer, a Persecutor of the Saints of God from Citty to Citty; Yet was he received unto mercy. Wilt thou say, Thy sinnes have been committed since thy calling? Yet are they greater then was the sinne of Peter, in denying Christ his Master, with execrations and oathes? And these sinns were committed not only after his calling; but even within his Masters hearing too. Yet he went out and wept bitterly. And Christ as soone as he was risen, sent word of his resurrection by name to Peter to comfort him. Nay hath not God taught us in his word, that the bloud of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sinne, 1 John. 1.? And how canst thou make it appeare, that any one that ever was or is, hath greater interest therein then thy selfe? wilt thou say this remedy belongs unto none, but such as believe and repent; but I doe not. I answere, in like sort there was a time when Paul believed not, and when every one believed not; yet at length they believed, and so maist thou: wilt thou say, But I cannot believe and repent? I answer, this is the condition of all till God takes away the stony heart out of their bowells, and gives them a heart of flesh, and puts his owne spirit within them; wilt thou say God gives grace to others, but not to thee? I answer, there was a time when God had not mercy on them, at length an houre came wherin he called them: so an houre may come wherin he may call thee. And thou hast no more cause to conclude that he hath rejected thee, then every Child of God had before his calling, that God had rejected him: without grace neither thou canst, nor they could believe; but grace can bring all to faith and repentance; and thou hast no more cause to think that God will not bring thee to faith, then any elect had, before his calling, to think that God would not bring him to faith. Now seeing this grace is given in the Word, doe thou wait upon God in his owne ordinance, (which any naturall man hath power to doe; as namely, to goe heare a sermon)

thou knowest not how it may worke upon thee, yea though thou commest thither with a wicked mind. For we read of some that comming to take Christ were taken * 1.2 by him. And Father Latimer taking notice of some that come to Church to take a nap, yet never the lesse (saith he) let them come, they may be taken napping.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Deut. 29:
• * 1.2

  Ioh. 7. 32, 45, 46.