Appello evangelium for the true doctrine of the divine predestination concorded with the orthodox doctrine of Gods free-grace and mans free-will / by John Plaifere ... ; hereunto is added Dr. Chr. Potter his owne vindication in a letter to Mr. V. touching the same points.

CHAP. I. Of the Creation.

THe Creation of the World was the first act of Gods Power, beginning to execute in time his Counsell, and Decree, which was from everlasting.

The World is that whole frame of Gods building, set up, perfected and fur∣nished according to the plot or modell in the minde and purpose of God, who hath built all things, Heb. 3. 4.

In it God made manifest the invisible things of his Wisdome and Goodnesse to his own glory, Rom. 1. 20.

Therein he hath made Creatures of sun∣dry Natures, Motions, and Perfections, to sundry ends.

Above others he created Man in more ex∣cellent perfections, to a more excellent end.

For hee created Man an Image of God, as farre as was meete for a Creature to partake of the Divine Nature, that was, to be Good, but Mutable.

This Image or likenesse to God was to be seen in three things; the first and second as Mans perfections; the third as his End.

• 1. In Ʋnderstanding and Will.
• 2. In Holinesse and Righteousnesse.
• 3. In Immortality & Blessednesse.

These three were subalternate one to the other: Understanding and Will to Righte∣ousnesse; Righteousnesse to Blessednesse: Blessednesse to bee the reward of Righte∣ousnesse, and Righteousnesse to bee the worke of Willingnesse: for vertue is not necessitatis, sed voluntatis.