by them, whom M. B. thinketh to load with the opinion he rejects, is but what in these and many other places of Scrip∣ture, is abundantly revealed. God from all Eternity, according to the purpose of his own will, or the purpose which is according to Election, hath chosen some, and appointed them to the obtain∣ing of life and Salvation by Christ, to the prayse of his glorious Grace. For the number of these, be they few or more, in compa∣rison of the rest of the World, the Event doth manifest.
Yet farther to evidence that this purpose of God, or intention spoken of, is peculiar and distinguishing, there is Expresse mention of another sort of men, who are not thus chosen, but lye under the purpose of God, as to a contrary Lot and condition The Lord hath made all things for himselfe, yea even the wicked for the day of evill. Prov. 16. 4. They are persons, whose names are not written in the Lambs book of Life, Rev. 13 8. Being of old ordained to condemnation, Jude 4. being as naturall bruit beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, 2 Pet. 2. 12. And therefore the Apostle distinguisheth all men into those who are appointed to wrath, and those who are appointed to the obtaining of life by Jesus Christ, 1 Thess. 5. 9. An instance of which eternally discriminating purpose of God, is given in Jacob and Esau, Rom. 9. 11, 12. which way, and procedure therein of God, the Apostle vindicates from all appearance of unrighteousnesse, and stops the Mouths of all Repiners against it, from the Soveraignty, and absolute Liberty of his Will, in dealing with all the sonnes of men as he pleaseth, v. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Concluding that in opposition to them, whom God hath made vessells of mercy, prepared unto Glory; there are also vessells of Wrath fitted to destruction, v. 22, 23.
Moreover in all eminent Effects and Fruits of Love, in all the issues and wayes of it, for the good of, and towards the Sonnes of men, God abundantly manifests, that his Eternall Love, that regards the everlasting good of men, as it was before described, is peculiar, and not universally comprehensive of all, and every one of man-kind.
In the pursuit of that Love, he gave his Sonne to dye; For God commendeth his Love to us, in that whilest we were yet sinners, Christ dyed for us, Rom. 5. 8. Here in is Love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Sonne to be the Propitiation for our sinnes, 1 Joh. 4. 10. Now though he dyed not for the Jews only, but for all, for