Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht

SECT. 15.

Obj. THe sin against the Holy Ghost is said to be irremissable, or unpardonable, not because it cannot at all be unpardoned or forgiven, but because it is hardly forgiven.

Ans. In answer to this objection, the place of the Apostle may be urged, who saith, that it is impossible for such to be renewed by repentance, Heb. 6. 6. so then that which is impossible, is not only hardly done, but not at all.

2. The Free-knowledge and Decree of God concerning the re∣jection of some is unchangeable, and cannot be altered, but God hath fore-seen some to be damned, and decreed them to be re∣jected; as Judas is called, the childe of perdition, Joh. 17. 12. therefore it is not possible for such to come to repentance, to be saved, for those things which are not predestinated, cannot be ob∣tained; but Cod hath not decreed repentance for such as are re∣jected and reprob••te, ergo they cannot repent; and where there can be no repentance, there can be no remission of sins; but some have such hearts they cannot repent, Rom. 7. 5. there∣fore the sins of such are irremissable, and cannot be forgiven; as one speaking concerning Judas, saith, that repentance in him was in vaine▪ in regard he had sinned against the Holy Ghost.

Obj. If it be so, that God hath chosen a certaine number to be saved, and the rest to be damned, then we may live as we list; if we be appointed to be saved, we must be saved; if not, we must of ne∣cessity be damned.

Ans. We ought not so to reason with our selves, but rather* 1.1 strive to make our calling and ••lection sure, for who knoweth whether he be elected to salvation or no; thou maist for the pre∣sent be a grievous sinner, and y•••• belong to the remnant of the election of grace, as may be instanced in the Apostle Paul, and the Thiese on the Crosse, for where sin aboundeth, there grace

doth superabound, but shall we therefore sin that grace may abound, no (saith the Apostle) God forbid; for so long as we continue in sin, we are the servants of sin, and who knoweth the day of his death, that he may take his owne leasure to repent; and it is a great signe of a reprobate thus to reason, and to hazzard his Sal∣vation on so desperate a point. It is true, if God have appointed thee to be saved, thou shalt be saved, otherwise not; but let us not in the meane time despaire of our selves, but use the meanes that God hath appointed to call the Elect for whom God hath called to the end, he hath also called to the meanes to obtaine the end; albeit some at the eleventh houre, therefore whosoe∣ver thou art, that despisest the meanes, maist also be sure never to obtaine the end.

The cause why I have so long insisted upon this point is, in re∣gard I would have it sufficiently opened to every Christian, it being the most absolute cause of difference betwixt Christians, the clearing of which, I am confident will give much satisfaction to the minds of many, which are unsetled in this particular, which is the hearty desire of the publisher hereof.

Notes

• * 1.1

  We ought to st••ive ••o ma••e ••u•• calling and election sure.