sinnes by his name as many as beleeve in him c. Rom. 3.24.25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood Therefore although this promise bee not divulged unto all in every time and place yet it is of that nature that it may be truly published to all and every one For the nature of the promise extends it selfe perpetually to mankinde although the knowledge of the promise according to the speciall providence of God is published sometimes to these sometimes to other Nations Marke 16.15 Goe into all the world and preach the Gospell to every creature He that beleeveth c. THE FIFTH POSITION IN the Church wherein according to the promise of the Gospel salvation is offered to all there is such an administration of grace as is sufficient to convince all impenitents and unbeleevers that by their owne voluntary default either through neglect or contempt of the Gospell they perish and come short of the benefit offered unto them CHrist by his death not onely established the euangelicall covenant but moreover obtained of his Father that wheresoever this Covenant should bee published there also together with it ordinarily such a measure of supernaturall grace should bee dispensed as may suffice to convince all impenitents and unbeleevers of contempt or at least of neglect in that the condition was not fulfilled by them Here two things are briefly to bee explained Whereof the first we put downe for a supposition That some measure of grace is ordinarily offered by the Ministerie of the Gospell The second for a position That that grace is sufficient to convince all impenitents and incredulous persons either of contempt or at least of neglect The first is plaine out of the Scriptures Esay 59. and the last verse This is my covenant with them saith the Lord My Spirit that is upon thee and my word which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth from henceforth and for ever Hence it is evident that the word and the Spirit are inseparably joyned together by the promise of God in the Ministery of the word Hence the Ministers of the new Testament are called the Ministers not of the letter but of the spirit not of the killing letter but of the spirit that giveth life 2 Cor. 3.6 The ministery of the Gospell v. 8. is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The ministration of the Spirit Hence is the Gospell styled Tit. 2.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saving grace or the grace that bringeth salvation and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 5.19 The word of reconciliation And our Saviour Luke 10.9.11 when he sent the 70. Disciples to preach the Gospell commanded them that they should say to the people to whom they preached it The kingdome of Heaven is come neare unto them Because that some supernaturall grace is offered unto them to whom the Gospell is preached It is not well said that all those are not called to grace to all whom the Gospell is preached although there may be some who obey not the Gospell The second is proved out of the 15 of Iohn 22. If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sinne but now have they no cloake for their sinne Out of this place it is certaine that Christ in propounding the Gospell did withall dispence that internall grace which so far forth sufficed that in that they accepted not or rejected the Gospell they might bee justly taxed of positive infidelity Iohn 3.19 This is condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darknesse rather then light So are men justly damned because they turne away from the light of the Gospell Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation For the neglect of salvation offered in the Gospell we are subject to just punishment therefore salvation is offered in the Gospell Heb. 4.12 The Word of God is quicke and powerfull and sharper then any two edged sword piercing even to dividing asunder of soule and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Hence it comes to be manifest that there is such power and efficacie of the word that it insinuates it selfe even into the secretest closets of the soule and as it doth without faile quicken those which truely beleeve so it doth truely inflict a deadly wound upon the stubborne Lastly the Scripture threatneth most bitter punishments to those who doe not receive who neglect who despise the preaching of the Gospell Mat. 10.14 Whosoever shall not heare your words It shall be easier for Sodom Heb. 6.4 It is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the good gift of God c. For the earth which drinketh in the raine and yet beareth thornes and bryars is nigh unto cursing THE SIXT POSITION NOtwithstanding this generall Covenant of saving those that beleeve God is not tyed by any covenant or promise to afford the Gospel or saving grace to all and every one But the reason why hee affords it to some and passeth by others is his owne mercie and absolute freedome 1 CHrist hath no otherwise established this covenant then that the communicatiō of this covenant shold remaine in the free full power of the Father But God in giving one grace is not tyed to the giving of another Matt. 10.15 Is it not lawfull for me to doe with my owne what I will No such covenant or promise is to be found in the Scriptures God promiseth in the old Testament that the preaching of the Gospell should be communicated to the Gentiles In the new Testament the partition wall is broken downe and it is given in charge to the Apostles Marke 16.15 Goe into all the world and preach the Gospell unto every creature but God no where promised that universally in the world at one and the same time it should be preached Nay rather as is well noted by Prosper Even at that very time in which the preaching of the Gospell was sent to all Nations hee who would have all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth yet forbad the Apostles to goe to some places And so by this stopping or delaying of the Gospel many were so foreslowen or hindred that they dyed without the knowledge of the truth and without sanctifying regeneration Let the Scripture speak what was done But passing through Phrygia and the Region of Galatia they are forbidden by the holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia but after they were come to Mysia they assayed to goe into Bithynia but the spirit suffered them not Thus farre Prosper 2 Moreover it is plainly evident notwithstanding this universal Covenant which was of force even in the old Testament that God revealed not the knowledge hereof unto the Gentiles Psal. 147.8.19.20 Hee sheweth his word unto Iacob he hath not dealt so with any Nation and therefore they knew not these
THE COLLEGIAT SVFFRAGE OF THE DIVINES OF GREAT BRITAINE CONCERNING THE FIVE ARTICLES CONTROVERTED IN the Low Countries Which Suffrage was by them delivered in the Synod of Dort March 6. Anno 1619. Being their vote or voice foregoing the joint and publique judgment of that Synod LONDON Printed for Robert Milbourne and are to be sold at his Shop in Pauls Churchyard at the signe of the Greyhound 1629. The five Articles controverted in the Low-Countries and discussed in the Synod of Dort 1. Concerning Gods Predestination 2. Of Christs death and mans Redemption thereby 3. Of Freewill in the state of corruption 4. Of conversion unto God and the manner thereof 5. Of the Perseverance of the Saints THE SVFFRAGE OF THE DIVINES OF GREAT BRITAINE CONCERNING THE FIRST ARTICLE That is of Election That is of Reprobation First of Election Orthodoxall which wee lay downe and confirme First of Election Erroneous which wee reiect and confute The Positions Orthodoxall which wee lay downe and confirme The Positions Erroneous which wee reiect and confute THE FIRST ORTHODOXALL POSITION THe decree of Election or predestination unto salvation is the effectuall will of God by which according to his good pleasure for demonstration of his mercy he purposed the salvation of man being fallen and prepared for him such meanes by which he would effectually and vnfallibly bring the Elect to the selfe same end THE EXPOSITION AND CONFIRMATION OF THE POSITION WE call this Decree of Election an effectuall will of God because it respects not meerely and onely a way set downe and leading to life leaving man so ordained in the power of his owne free will after such manner as Adam was ordained to happinesse but it doth respect and fore-appoint the very issue of this Ordinance For this will is conjoyned with the power of God Esa. 14.24 The Lord of hosts hath sworne saying Surely as I have thought so shall it come to passe and as I have purposed so shall it stand Psal. 113. Whatsoever the Lord would that did hee in heaven and in earth upon which place see St. Austin Enchirid. c. 75. Rom. 8.30 Whom hee hath predestinated those he glorified Iohn 6.39 This is the Fathers will that sent mee that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing And vers 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me We acknowledge no other moving cause of this will besides the meere good pleasure of God Rom. 1.18 He hath mercy on whom he will have mercy Ephes. 1.11 Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsell of his owne will Rom. 9.11 Before the children were borne when they had done neither good nor evill that the purpose of God according to Election might stand But God doth deale with certaine men after this especiall manner for manifestation of his owne mercy Rom. 9.23 That God might make knowne the riches of his glory toward the vessels of mercy Yea and to them considered in the state of Adams fall namely for the freeing them out of the masse of perdition Eph. 1.4 In him to with Christ he hath chosen vs. 1 Tim. 1.15 Christ came to save sinners Finally lest Gods working in time should vary from his eternall purpose hee who did effectually destinate the elect unto salvation doth also afford them meanes agreeable to this foresaid intention that is to say those meanes which God knew would without faile bring them to salvation 2. Tim. 1.9 Hee hath saved us with an holy calling 2 Thess. 2.13 God hath chosen you unto salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit and beleefe of the truth to which he hath also called you by our Gospell Ephes. 1.4 He hath chosen us that we might be holy and without blame Mat. 13.11 To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdome of heaven Out of which testimonies of Scripture it is evident that God by his foregoing decree of Election hath subordained all these things to wit the knowledge of the Gospell Vocation Faith Iustification Sanctification and Perseverance for the obtaining of the fore-determined salvation Out of many sayings of the Fathers wee gather a few When he predestinated us he foresaw his owne worke who maketh us both holy and without blame When God determineth to save a man no will of man resisteth God for to will or to nill is so far forth in the power of him that wils or nils that it can neither hinder the wil of God nor yet surpass his power He doth so teach them who are called according to his purpose bestowing at once both to know what they are to performe and also to performe what they know Although a great part of mankinde doe either reject or sleight the grace of the Saviour yet the elect and those which are foreknowne and so differenced from the many are reckoned for a certaine speciall collective body so that out of the whole world another entire world may seeme to be freed There is a portion of mankinde which is promoted by the meanes of faith enspired from God to high and eternall salvation by speciall graces THE SECOND POSITION CHrist is the head and foundation of the Elect so that all saving graces prepared in the decree of Election are bestowed upon the elect onely for Christ through Christ and in Christ. GOD in the eternall Election of particular men by one and the selfe same act both doth assigne Christ their head and also doth appoint them according to his good pleasure the members of Christ out of which purpose even before their vocation which is afterward performed in time God doth behold them as given unto Christ and chosen in him and accepted of himselfe Ephes. 1.3 He hath blessed us in all spirituall benediction in Christ. v. 4. He hath chosen us in him v. 7. In whom we have redemption and remission of sinnes v. 13. In him we are sealed Whatsoever is intended to the Elect from all eternity is as we may so say shut up in the will of God neither is it immediately imparted unto us but for Christ in Christ and by Christ. Coloss. 2.3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge v. 7. Wee are rooted and built up in him v. 10. Ye are complete in him Lastly he is the fountaine from which all the streames of saving grace doe flow to us Iohn 1.16 Of his fulnesse have all we received grace for grace 2 Tim. 1.9 He hath called us with an holy calling according to his purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Iesus before the world beganne As he was predestinated that one that he might be our head so we being many are predestinated that we might be his members God calls many predestinated his sonnes that hee might make them the members of his owne predestinated onely Sonne After the fall of man God would have it an act of his meere grace
If any man therefore walke in a way contrarie to Gods ordinance namely that broad way of uncleannesse and impenitencie which leads directly downe to hell he can never come by this meanes to the kingdome of heaven Yea and if death shall overtake him wandring in this by-path hee cannot but fall into everlasting death This is the constant and manifest voice of the holy Scripture Except ye repent yee shall all likewise perish Be not deceived neither fornicators nor idolaters c. shall inherit the kingdome of heaven They are deceived therefore that thinke the elect wallowing in such crimes and so dying must notwithstanding needs be saved throgh the force of election For the salvation of the Elect is sure indeed God so decreeing but withall by the decree of the same our God not otherwise sure then through the way of faith repentance and holinesse Without holinesse no man shall see God Heb. 12.14 The foundation of God standeth sure Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity 2 Tim. 2.19 As therefore it was sure out of the decree and promise of God that all those who sailed in the ship with Saint Paul should escape alive out of shipwracke and notwithstanding Pauls saying was also as certaine Vnlesse these remaine in the ship ye cannot be saved So also it was certaine that the elect servants of God David and Peter should come to the kingdome of heaven yet withall it was no lesse certaine that if they had remained unrepentant the one in his homicide and adultery the other in his denying and forswearing Christ neither of them both could have beene saved For that Theologicall rule is most true Any one defect maketh a thing bad but to make truly good no parcell requirable must bee wanting Therefore for that incomparable good of life eternall wee are not fitted out of that onely that wee are elected unlesse there concurre other things which are by Gods decree necessarily required to the accomplishing of Election If any of these things be wanting nay if the contrary hereto bee in the elected there seemes then to arise a strange impossibility thwarting on both sides As for example It is unpossible that Paul being chosen should perish T is also unpossible that Paul being a blasphemer against Christ and an unbeleever if he dye in this state should not perish Or thus It is unpossible that David being chosen should perish T is also unpossible that David being a man-slayer and an Adulterer dying impenitent should not perish But Gods providence and mercy doth easily loose this knot by taking care that none of the elect dye in such estate by which according to some ordinance of Gods will he must be excluded from eternall life THE FIFTH POSITION IN the meane time betweene the guilt of a grievous sinne and the renewed act of faith and repentance such an offender stands by his owne desert to bee condemned by Christs merit and Gods decree to be acquitted but actually absolved he is net until he hath obtained pardon by renued faith repentance THere can bee no question of the merit of damnation for such a sinne They which doe such things shall not inherit the Kingdome of God Gal. 5.21 Notwithstanding in such a guilt the faithfull are not in the like case with the wicked To the faithfull the blood of Christ is a prepared antidote at hand ready to be applyed which as soone as their faith is awaked and rouzed up they can use to the overcomming of this deadly poyson But to the unfaithfull this inward active cause is wanting to wit faith without which the remedy though soveraigne in it selfe is as if it were layed afarre off out of reach neither can it be made their owne or actually applyed to them Ad moreover hereunto Gods speciall love which though it doth not hinder but that his fatherly indignation ariseth against an undutifull sonne yet it keepes of hostile hatred such as carieth with it a purpose of condemning 1 Corinth 11.32 When we are judged wee are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world Notwithstanding in this case the Father of mercies who will not condemne with the world his children though bound with the guilt of sinne yet on the other side he will not have them lye still sleeping in their sinnes together with the world And therefore hath he set downe this order that the act of repentance must goe before the benefit of forgivenesse Psal. 32.5 I acknowledge my sinne unto thee and mine iniquitie have I not hid I said I would confesse my transgression unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sinne Ezek. 18.27 When the wicked man turneth away from the wickednesse that hee hath committed he shall save his soule alive If any man therefore would know the very moment in which after the guilt procured by a grievous sin he becommeth actually absolved Saint Cyprian seemes manifestly to have shewne it in these words When I see thee sighing in the sight of God I doe not doubt but the holy Ghost breatheth with thy sighes When I behold thee weeping I perceive God forgiving THE SIXT POSITION IN the foresaid space the right to the Kingdome of God is not taken away universall justification is not defeated the state of adoption remaineth undissolved and by the custody of the holy Spirit the seed of regeneration with all those fundamentall graces without which the state of a regenerate man cannot stand is preserved whole and sound OVr right to the Kingdome of Heaven is not founded on our actions but on the free gift of adoption and on our union with Christ. And consequently the right to the Kingdome of Heaven is not taken away unlesse that be first taken away upon which it is founded If Children then heires heires of God and coheires with Christ. Therefore adoption remaining and the engrafture into Christ the faithfull may wander out of the way which leadeth to the Kingdome of heaven but hee cannot be said to lose his right of inheritance to that Kingdome For as he which fell into a leprosie was debarred from his own house untill hee was clensed and yet in the meane space lost not his right to his owne house So the adopted sonne of God taken with the Leprosie of adultery or murder or any other grievous sinne cannot indeed enter into the Kingdome of Heaven unlesse he first be purged from this contagion by renewed faith and repentance yet all this while his hereditary right is not quite lost Furthermore that universall and most properly called justification which the Apostle so lively sets forth Rom. 3.24 25. is not frustrated by the enterposed guilt of a particular sinne though heynous and grievously wounding the conscience For against this justification is directly opposed not every guilt of every sinne but the universall unremitted guilt of all sinnes nor the guilt of every person whatsoever but the guilt of
faithfull on that side our pledge kept in the hand of God on this side Gods earnest pennie laid up in our hearts A double pledge is given for the securing not both parties but one onely to wit us And this double pledge although it be possessed on both sides yet is surely kept by the fidelitie of one part onely to wit of God Of the former Saint Paul treateth in the 2 Tim. 1.12 I am not ashamed for I know whom I have beleeved and I am perswaded that he is able to keepe that which I have committed unto him against the last day That which I have committed there is the pledge of salvation Able to keepe there is a sure preserver I know and am perswaded there is faith I am not ashamed there is confidence Concerning the latter pledge left with us the Apostle speaketh Ephes. 1.13 14. Yee were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance and 2 Cor. 1.22 Who hath given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts But if God having once given this earnest should not also give the rest of the inheritance hee should undergoe the losse of his earnest as Chrysostome most elegantly and foundly argueth in his third Sermon upon the 2 Cor. 1. And likewise in his second Sermon upon the Ephes. 1. They that truely partake of the spirit know that it is the earnest of our inheritance THE SECOND POSITION THis perswasion of faith cannot come into the act and vigor without the endeavor of holinesse and use of the meanes THe firme perswasion of Gods bestowing the gift of perseverance and of our attaining of life everlasting we attribute to the mercy of God alone and the intercession of Christ as to the originall cause but so as we withall referre it to sanctification as an unseparable companion and a most sure signe This is laid downe as an evidence of a solid faith 1 Iohn 2.3 Hereby we are sure that wee know him if we keepe his commandements This is set forth as the proper passion of justification Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus who walke not after the flesh but after the spirit But we measure this holinesse not by the degrees of it but by the endeavor and setled purpose of him that hath it and withall we professe that this holinesse and perswasion of faith may and ought to bee forwarded and confirmed by watching fasting prayer and mortifying the flesh and other meanes thereto appointed by God Mat. 14. 38. Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation 1 Cor. 9.17 I beat downe my body and bring it into subjection lest I my selfe should be reproved Notwithstanding in the meane while let us so reckon this our diligence and pious use of these meanes in the number of the exercises of our freed will that withall wee account that very diligence and endeavour amongst the helpes of assisting grace and motions of the holy Spirit dwelling in us Now it is certaine that this firme perswasion of which we speake cannot put forth it selfe without these holy endeavors 1 Because sanctification the companion of justification cannot consist without the intent of obedience An habituall purpose whereof although interrupted by many slips is sufficient to the Elect for the maintaining the state of justification entire in it selfe But for the present comfort of this confidēce is necessarily required an actuall purpose of such obediēce neither can any man out of the testimony of the spirit speaking to his heart say I doe now confidently beleeve that I shall remaine in the state of grace to the end unless he also adde out of the sincere intent of his minde I doe now most constantly purpose with my selfe to walke in the wayes of Gods holy Commandements 2 Much lesse can it be imagined that this lively act of our confidence can stand with an actuall and direct purpose of sinning For as one habit is opposed to another habit so also an act is opposed to an act Neither can we without a senselesse contradiction imagine a man concluding after this manner I am confident that life everlasting cannot be taken away from mee and yet withall I resolve with my selfe to be a slave to my alluring affections Our Saviour shewes that these contrary resolutions cannot stand together Mat. 6.24 No man can serve two Masters THE THIRD POSITION THis perswasion hath not that degree of certitude that can alwayes shut out all feare of the contrary but is sometimes lively sometimes languishing sometimes as in great temptations none at all IN spiritual gifts with which we are furnished in this life sincerity is required perfection of degrees is not to be expected Even that gift which is the hand by which wee lay hold on all the rest hath its diseases and weaknesses so that the perswasion of the faithfull concerning their owne salvation and perseverance cannot alwayes enjoy the highest degree of certitude 1 The first infirmity ariseth out of the ground it selfe whereupon this personall confidence is built which seemes to be of lower degree then the certitude of dogmaticall faith For the Articles of the Catholique Faith doe worke upon our assent as immediate and originall principles but the truth of this speciall faith is not enforced thence as a necessary consequent but is added therto by way of assumption Therefore there can be no greater certaintie of that conclusion which frameth this perswasion then such as is in the weaker of the premisses But that assumption is grounded upon experimentall arguments weighed and applied by a mans private conscience which arguments or markes since they are sometimes questioned whether or no they be true and concluding evidences nay often times are hid under the cloud of temptation so that they the while cannot shine forth to our present comfort what wonder if so bethe faithfull have not alwaies at hand a lively and firme perswasion concerning their eternall salvation Nay which is more the very principles of the Catholique faith howsoever they are by the light of revelation cleare in themselves yet for as much as they are knowne to us by the certainty not of evidence but onely of adhesion they doe not procure in us an assent of such uniforme stabilitie as is yeelded unto Mathematicall demonstrations and inbred notions admitted by all men But in our contemplating these revealed principles our of the remainder of our carnall diffidence sometime there arise as wee may so say certaine vapours or mists through which the light of divine truth in it selfe immutable to our weake eyes seemeth to tremble and suffer a kinde of refraction How much more frequent and more lasting is that mistake which may betide any of the faithfull in the viewing his own personal confidence Their eyes truly would alwayes waver except both this common revelation of the Catholique Faith and also that personall application made by the conscience were confirmed and sealed unto our hearts by the holy Ghost bearing witnesse to our spirit that