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work_n apostle_n grace_n justification_n 6,159 5 8.9380 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A61251 A vindication of the divine perfections illustrating the glory of God in them, by reason and revelation: methodically digested into several meditations. By a person of honour. Stair, James Dalrymple, Viscount of, 1619-1695. 1695 (1695) Wing S5181; ESTC R221836 207,616 368

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god_n part._n the_o semipelagian_n after_o the_o pelagian_n be_v baffle_v and_o explode_v that_o they_o dare_v no_o more_o profess_v the_o power_n of_o nature_n to_o be_v sufficient_a for_o salvation_n say_v there_o behove_v to_o be_v supernatural_a grace_n give_v of_o god_n at_o conversion_n yet_o there_o be_v preparatory_a work_n such_o as_o the_o sense_n of_o sin_n and_o of_o its_o deserve_v the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n the_o use_n of_o ordinance_n which_o they_o think_v deserve_v grace_n which_o god_n in_o justice_n can_v not_o but_o give_v these_o be_v also_o explode_v and_o be_v call_v semipelagian_n all_o the_o apostle_n paul_n argument_n against_o righteousness_n by_o the_o law_n strike_v as_o full_o against_o these_o as_o against_o any_o merit_n or_o work_v on_o man_n part_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o he_o be_v accurate_o positive_a that_o by_o faith_n only_o we_o be_v save_v without_o any_o thing_n on_o our_o part_n in_o which_o we_o may_v glory_v or_o 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work_n he_o have_v whereof_o to_o glory_v but_o not_o before_o god_n as_o if_o it_o be_v any_o thing_n whereof_o he_o can_v glory_v in_o himself_o for_o all_o glory_v and_o boast_v be_v exclude_v but_o abraham_n glory_v be_v in_o god_n who_o free_o justify_v he_o and_o he_o rejoice_v from_o that_o act_n of_o faith_n concern_v his_o son_n evidence_v the_o soundness_n of_o the_o save_a faith_n and_o the_o manifestation_n of_o his_o justification_n thereby_o both_o to_o himself_o and_o other_o man_n whereby_o he_o glori_v before_o man_n and_o not_o before_o god_n and_o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v that_o faith_n work_v by_o love_n it_o can_v be_v understand_v that_o act_n of_o love_n be_v act_n of_o faith_n for_o they_o be_v grace_n essential_o distinct_a but_o that_o faith_n be_v man_n part_n of_o the_o covenant_n whereby_o love_n be_v give_v upon_o god_n part_n nor_o do_v it_o follow_v that_o because_o faith_n be_v perfect_v by_o love_n therefore_o its_o essence_n be_v not_o distinct_a 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〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o that_o work_n can_v no_o more_o proper_o be_v call_v right_o than_o the_o evidence_n of_o land_n or_o inheritance_n be_v call_v the_o right_n thereof_o as_o sighify_v the_o same_o and_o therefore_o the_o explicatory_a word_n be_v subjoin_v and_o may_v enter_v in_o through_o the_o gate_n to_o the_o city_n all_z other_o but_o the_o romanist_n that_o bring_v in_o work_n to_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n bring_v they_o in_o as_o the_o condition_n of_o it_o but_o not_o as_o a_o deserve_a meritorious_a cause_n much_o less_o as_o a_o superfluous_a supererrogatory_n merit_n see_v christ_n have_v declare_v so_o clear_o that_o the_o first_o and_o great_a command_n of_o god_n be_v thou_o shait_fw-fr love_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n with_o all_o thy_o heart_n with_o all_o thy_o soul_n and_o with_o all_o thy_o mind_n
and_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o scripture_n and_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o christian_n that_o there_o be_v a_o difference_n between_o god_n moral_a command_n which_o be_v unchangeable_a and_o his_o positive_a command_n which_o he_o have_v change_v and_o consequent_o that_o there_o be_v a_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o moral_a and_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n so_o that_o in_o the_o positive_a law_n or_o command_n the_o matter_n be_v indifferent_a and_o become_v only_o moral_o good_a by_o and_o during_o the_o command_n as_o the_o command_n to_o forbear_v the_o eat_n of_o the_o forbid_a fruit_n he_o institute_v circumcision_n and_o all_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o levitical_a law_n and_o many_o of_o the_o judicial_a law_n therefore_o in_o the_o moral_a command_n there_o must_v be_v something_o more_o in_o the_o matter_n command_v than_o in_o the_o other_o and_o more_o than_o the_o command_n itself_o when_o the_o scripture_n say_v that_o god_n can_v deny_v himself_o it_o can_v be_v restrain_v unto_o his_o will_n nor_o that_o he_o can_v deny_v that_o he_o do_v exist_v but_o that_o he_o can_v deny_v his_o essential_a natural_a perfection_n by_o command_v or_o do_v any_o thing_n unsuitable_a to_o they_o the_o scripture_n say_v express_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o god_n to_o lie_v if_o this_o impossibility_n be_v only_o because_o of_o his_o will_n and_o decree_n than_o it_o shall_v be_v impossible_a that_o god_n shall_v not_o do_v all_o the_o act_n of_o creation_n and_o providence_n which_o he_o have_v decree_v yea_o it_o will_v lead_v to_o that_o blasphemous_a opinion_n that_o god_n have_v decree_v and_o have_v or_o will_v do_v all_o that_o be_v possible_a for_o he_o to_o do_v and_o that_o his_o power_n be_v no_o large_a than_o his_o will_n therefore_o the_o impossibility_n of_o god_n lie_v must_v not_o alone_o be_v because_o he_o have_v will_v or_o decree_v not_o to_o lie_v whatsoever_o depend_v upon_o mere_a will_n be_v ambulatory_a and_o changeable_a by_o a_o opposite_a act_n of_o the_o same_o will_n and_o both_o act_n will_v be_v equal_o good_a so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o divine_a positive_a law_n and_o precept_n which_o be_v change_v without_o changeableness_n in_o god_n because_o the_o change_n be_v suitable_a to_o his_o divine_a perfection_n especial_o to_o his_o freedom_n of_o indifferency_n and_o if_o he_o may_v so_o change_v his_o promise_n his_o faithfulness_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o expression_n no_o creature_n can_v have_v any_o ground_n of_o trust_n which_o will_v overturn_v the_o faith_n be_v it_o not_o horrid_a to_o imagine_v that_o god_n who_o have_v free_o from_o eternity_n decree_v be_v consider_v as_o prior_n in_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n though_o not_o of_o time_n to_o these_o decree_n or_o as_o abstract_n from_o these_o decree_n be_v indifferent_a as_o to_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n justice_n and_o injustice_n as_o he_o be_v to_o the_o create_v of_o creature_n or_o to_o the_o manner_n kind_n and_o individual_v of_o they_o which_o some_o have_v rather_o incline_v to_o than_o to_o suppose_v that_o in_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o wicked_a act_n god_n shall_v not_o be_v a_o actor_n to_o maintain_v a_o metaphysical_a extension_n of_o his_o be_v the_o first_o cause_n some_o have_v think_v that_o god_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o any_o obligation_n or_o debt_n to_o his_o creature_n nor_o of_o any_o other_o justice_n but_o that_o which_o be_v call_v distributive_a in_o reward_n and_o punishment_n because_o he_o can_v be_v oblige_v to_o give_v or_o perform_v to_o his_o creature_n and_o so_o not_o by_o commutative_a justice_n but_o though_o that_o kind_n of_o justice_n be_v common_o call_v commutative_a because_o it_o be_v frequent_o exert_v in_o exchange_v of_o one_o thing_n for_o another_o yet_o we_o must_v not_o measure_v thing_n mere_o by_o name_n for_o the_o obedience_n of_o child_n and_o the_o performance_n of_o every_o gratuitous_a promise_n be_v not_o by_o distributive_a but_o by_o commutative_a justice_n the_o apostle_n paul_n accurate_o discuss_v that_o great_a question_n whether_o salvation_n be_v by_o grace_n or_o by_o work_n do_v clear_o oppose_v god_n give_v any_o thing_n by_o grace_n to_o his_o give_v on_o the_o account_n of_o work_n and_o say_v in_o express_a term_n to_o he_o that_o work_v be_v the_o reward_v not_o reckon_v of_o grace_n but_o of_o debt_n here_o the_o reckoner_n and_o the_o rewarder_n be_v god_n who_o account_v himself_o debtor_n of_o a_o reward_n to_o he_o that_o work_v good_a perfect_o without_o fail_v i_o know_v it_o sound_v yet_o more_o harsh_o to_o some_o pious_a and_o well-meaning_a soul_n to_o say_v that_o god_n govern_v his_o action_n by_o a_o law_n suppose_v it_o to_o import_v that_o he_o be_v under_o a_o law_n which_o it_o do_v not_o import_v for_o god_n be_v neither_o under_o nor_o above_o his_o own_o moral_a law_n for_o he_o be_v a_o law_n unto_o himself_o and_o in_o the_o narrow_a sense_n that_o law_n be_v sometime_o take_v as_o it_o require_v a_o sanction_n by_o a_o penalty_n in_o case_n of_o transgression_n a_o law_n can_v be_v attribute_v to_o god_n but_o that_o be_v not_o essential_a to_o a_o law_n for_o many_o law_n even_o of_o man_n have_v only_o a_o reward_n annex_v and_o no_o punishment_n and_o other_o have_v neither_o reward_v nor_o punishment_n but_o the_o deed_n otherwise_o do_v be_v only_o annul_v and_o make_v void_a or_o ineffectual_a a_o debt_n or_o obligation_n can_v be_v without_o a_o law_n for_o law_n be_v the_o reason_n or_o cause_n of_o a_o obligation_n by_o which_o the_o person_n oblige_v be_v determine_v and_o rule_v himself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v call_v a_o tie_n metaphorical_o whereby_o one_o be_v tie_v to_o walk_v only_o as_o agree_v with_o that_o tie_n so_o that_o unless_o we_o shall_v say_v that_o a_o debt_n or_o obligation_n be_v without_o a_o reason_n or_o cause_n we_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o where_o a_o debt_n be_v there_o must_v be_v a_o reason_n of_o it_o which_o be_v the_o law_n it_o will_v sound_v harsh_a to_o these_o tender_a soul_n to_o say_v they_o worship_v a_o lawless_a god_n it_o breed_v horror_n to_o think_v how_o like_o these_o mistake_v will_v render_v god_n to_o tyrant_n who_o can_v hear_v of_o any_o other_o rule_n of_o their_o subject_n obedience_n but_o such_o be_v our_o pleasure_n and_o who_o will_v have_v themselves_o think_v to_o be_v above_o all_o law_n and_o to_o be_v tie_v by_o no_o obligation_n to_o their_o subject_n i_o know_v it_o be_v like_a to_o be_v think_v a_o bold_a and_o useless_a curiosity_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n decree_n and_o dispensation_n who_o do_v all_o that_o he_o will_v and_o who_o may_v say_v what_o do_v thou_o and_o who_o give_v account_n of_o none_o of_o his_o matter_n but_o god_n not_o give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o matter_n be_v not_o concern_v the_o rule_n of_o his_o holiness_n of_o which_o he_o give_v frequent_o a_o account_n but_o concern_v the_o particular_a mean_n and_o expedient_n by_o which_o he_o bring_v his_o purpose_n to_o pass_v neither_o be_v it_o the_o question_n that_o he_o do_v nothing_o but_o what_o he_o will_v do_v yea_o whatsoever_o he_o do_v he_o do_v it_o by_o his_o will_n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o he_o will_v and_o do_v upon_o a_o anterior_a motive_n not_o from_o the_o creature_n but_o from_o himself_o i_o mean_v anterior_a in_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n nor_o do_v i_o think_v that_o it_o be_v require_v of_o all_o that_o be_v save_v to_o search_v so_o high_a but_o of_o those_o only_o to_o who_o god_n have_v give_v capacity_n and_o opportunity_n for_o to_o who_o much_o be_v give_v of_o they_o much_o shall_v be_v require_v and_o though_o the_o simple_a ignorance_n of_o these_o thing_n will_v not_o be_v impute_v as_o a_o offence_n error_n in_o these_o matter_n be_v very_o dangerous_a and_o therefore_o see_v they_o be_v so_o frequent_o vent_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v not_o only_o profitable_a but_o necessary_a to_o prevent_v or_o cure_v error_n concern_v the_o representation_n and_o character_n of_o god_n reason_n be_v give_v in_o scripture_n so_o oft_o from_o such_o ground_n and_o not_o from_o mere_a will._n and_o beside_o it_o be_v of_o excellent_a use_n to_o understand_v the_o divine_a nature_n which_o raise_v and_o increase_v the_o admiration_n and_o adoration_n of_o god_n and_o the_o high_a pure_a and_o least_o selfish_a love_n to_o he_o and_o the_o great_a reverence_n and_o obsequiousness_n to_o his_o pleasure_n the_o mean_a capacity_n may_v love_v god_n because_o he_o have_v promise_v they_o happiness_n by_o repentance_n and_o faith_n and_o much_o more_o the_o love_n of_o gratitude_n may_v arise_v from_o the_o sense_n of_o his_o give_v of_o these_o grace_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o small_a proportion_n between_o the_o
plentiful_a in_o capacity_n to_o forbear_v to_o reveal_v a_o secret_a he_o lose_v nothing_o by_o keep_v it_o to_o another_o a_o man_n may_v trust_v his_o money_n without_o writ_n or_o witness_n if_o he_o know_v he_o to_o be_v virtuous_a though_o he_o be_v poor_a much_o more_o if_o he_o be_v rich_a and_o so_o under_o no_o tentation_n to_o abuse_v his_o trust._n and_o it_o be_v but_o a_o folly_n to_o require_v a_o promise_n to_o restore_v for_o there_o be_v no_o mean_n of_o proof_n he_o may_v as_o safe_o violate_v his_o promise_n as_o his_o faithfulness_n and_o will_v think_v himself_o less_o trust_v or_o oblige_v it_o be_v indiscretion_n first_o to_o relate_v a_o matter_n and_o then_o to_o say_v it_o be_v a_o secret_a or_o to_o require_v secrecy_n because_o he_o that_o accept_v the_o trust_n shall_v do_v it_o free_o his_o promise_n may_v oblige_v he_o to_o keep_v it_o close_o but_o not_o his_o faithfulness_n unless_o it_o be_v first_o tell_v he_o that_o there_o be_v to_o be_v reveal_v a_o secret_a to_o he_o which_o he_o may_v lawful_o keep_v close_a that_o he_o may_v forbid_v the_o discovery_n if_o he_o will_v not_o lie_v under_o that_o obligation_n of_o trust_n he_o that_o be_v pursue_v or_o search_v after_o for_o his_o life_n if_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o defend_v himself_o though_o he_o have_v no_o relation_n or_o confident_a near_o he_o he_o will_v run_v for_o shelter_n to_o the_o most_o virtuous_a and_o fit_a person_n that_o without_o fault_n may_v cover_v he_o in_o all_o these_o there_o be_v trust_v but_o without_o any_o promise_n or_o paction_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n which_o no_o man_n with_o prudence_n can_v believe_v in_o any_o creature_n because_o no_o creature_n can_v have_v power_n to_o give_v all_o thing_n that_o another_o may_v need_v god_n alone_o be_v absolute_o faithful_a for_o he_o be_v alsufficient_a he_o be_v boundless_o benign_a he_o can_v have_v any_o thing_n less_o by_o whatever_o he_o can_v give_v yet_o his_o faithfulness_n do_v not_o require_v that_o he_o shall_v give_v or_o do_v any_o thing_n to_o any_o but_o what_o be_v congruous_a for_o he_o to_o give_v and_o they_o to_o receive_v it_o be_v very_o incongruous_a for_o he_o to_o give_v grace_n or_o glory_n to_o one_o who_o know_v he_o or_o taste_v of_o his_o heavenly_a power_n do_v hate_v he_o with_o despite_n he_o do_v much_o good_a by_o his_o bounty_n respect_v nothing_o in_o the_o object_n but_o its_o capacity_n to_o receive_v much_o more_o by_o his_o mercy_n and_o compassion_n upon_o the_o miserable_a but_o most_o of_o all_o to_o those_o that_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o expect_v from_o he_o this_o be_v by_o his_o faithfulness_n the_o other_o be_v by_o his_o mercy_n and_o benignity_n the_o weakness_n of_o creature_n have_v make_v he_o not_o only_o promise_v but_o swear_v yet_o it_o be_v indiscretion_n to_o urge_v he_o upon_o his_o oath_n or_o even_o upon_o his_o promise_n where_o his_o faithfulness_n be_v sufficient_a no_o other_o can_v give_v grace_n or_o glory_n but_o he_o and_o those_o may_v be_v trust_v for_o by_o all_o that_o do_v not_o hate_v he_o or_o do_v cleave_v to_o their_o sin_n and_o refuse_v to_o become_v holy_a and_o there_o be_v no_o foundation_n of_o distinction_n of_o one_o man_n from_o another_o in_o this_o case_n he_o need_v not_o inquire_v whether_o he_o be_v elect_v and_o contain_v in_o the_o covenant_n between_o the_o person_n of_o the_o trinity_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o know_v that_o immediate_o but_o only_o by_o consequence_n from_o a_o true_a and_o lively_a faith_n work_v by_o love_n purify_n the_o heart_n though_o then_o confidence_n and_o assurance_n that_o it_o be_v true_a and_o save_a faith_n not_o presumption_n may_v be_v infer_v from_o a_o holy_a life_n faith_n in_o this_o sense_n be_v the_o christian_a virtue_n next_o in_o excellency_n to_o love_n and_o as_o love_n make_v the_o pleasure_n and_o glory_n of_o god_n the_o last_o end_n so_o faith_n give_v the_o resolution_n for_o pursue_v all_o the_o mean_n towards_o that_o end_n and_o towards_o the_o next_o subordinate_a end_n the_o tranquillity_n of_o the_o mind_n trust_v in_o god_n for_o direction_n in_o all_o the_o mean_n towards_o these_o end_n that_o as_o the_o natural_a man_n trust_v to_o and_o rest_v on_o natural_a mean_n for_o obtain_v his_o end_n so_o the_o spiritual_a man_n trust_v to_o and_o depend_v upon_o the_o conduct_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o supernatural_a mean_n especial_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n paul_n say_v and_o give_v warrant_n to_o all_o who_o walk_v christianly_o to_o say_v the_o life_n that_o i_o now_o live_v be_v by_o the_o faith_n in_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o love_v i_o and_o give_v himself_o for_o i_o the_o second_o point_n propose_v be_v whether_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v man_n part_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v the_o habit_n of_o faith_n or_o any_o one_o or_o more_o act_n of_o that_o habit_n in_o which_o i_o conceive_v it_o be_v very_o clear_a that_o a_o covenant_n can_v be_v enter_v and_o continue_v by_o a_o habit_n but_o it_o do_v necessary_o require_v a_o act_n of_o the_o will_n though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o habit_n of_o faith_n be_v more_o universal_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n than_o that_o act_n of_o faith_n by_o which_o man_n come_v into_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n for_o infant_n come_v into_o that_o covenant_n by_o regeneration_n when_o the_o habit_n of_o grace_n be_v infuse_v in_o their_o soul_n as_o they_o and_o all_o the_o elect_a be_v undertake_v for_o in_o that_o branch_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n which_o from_o eternity_n be_v among_o the_o person_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n yet_o they_o can_v not_o be_v say_v to_o be_v actual_o in_o the_o covenant_n till_o they_o be_v not_o only_o make_v creature_n but_o also_o new_a creature_n by_o regeneration_n and_o sanctification_n of_o the_o spirit_n it_o be_v a_o needless_a curiosity_n to_o inquire_v whether_o they_o exert_v any_o act_n of_o that_o habit_n in_o this_o life_n it_o be_v say_v that_o at_o the_o salutation_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n to_o elizabeth_n the_o child_n in_o her_o womb_n do_v spring_n for_o joy_n but_o whether_o the_o spring_a of_o the_o child_n be_v from_o his_o or_o her_o joy_n be_v not_o necessary_a to_o determine_v i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o soul_n of_o a_o infant_n be_v capable_a to_o act_v its_o imbred_a principle_n if_o it_o can_v perceive_v the_o object_n thereof_o but_o it_o be_v so_o delight_v in_o that_o tender_a case_n to_o which_o it_o be_v wed_v that_o it_o can_v think_v of_o nothing_o else_o as_o experience_n show_v of_o all_o man_n when_o in_o extreme_a passion_n their_o soul_n can_v think_v of_o nothing_o but_o of_o the_o object_n of_o these_o passion_n nor_o do_v i_o doubt_v but_o god_n may_v so_o far_o manifest_v himself_o to_o a_o infant_n be_v soul_n as_o to_o give_v it_o great_a joy_n but_o as_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n so_o there_o be_v no_o probability_n that_o such_o soul_n shall_v enter_v in_o covenant_n though_o it_o be_v most_o congruous_a to_o the_o divine_a perfection_n and_o to_o the_o way_n god_n have_v choose_v that_o all_o that_o be_v capable_a shall_v actual_o enter_v into_o a_o covenant_n with_o god_n at_o their_o conversion_n when_o it_o be_v say_v without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n i_o do_v rather_o think_v that_o by_o faith_n act_n be_v mean_v rather_o than_o the_o habit_n albeit_o the_o new_a creature_n by_o the_o habit_n be_v pleasant_a to_o god_n yet_o not_o as_o a_o act_n but_o as_o a_o quality_n whereas_o to_o please_v signify_v a_o act_n please_v and_o so_o it_o must_v relate_v to_o those_o that_o be_v capable_a to_o covenant_n with_o god_n in_o relation_n to_o who_o all_o direction_n and_o instruction_n in_o the_o world_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v i_o be_o not_o move_v by_o this_o objection_n that_o if_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v enter_v by_o a_o act_n of_o faith_n child_n and_o idiot_n must_v either_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n or_o there_o must_v be_v a_o different_a way_n of_o save_a child_n and_o man_n of_o discretion_n and_o a_o different_a covenant_n of_o grace_n for_o child_n for_o it_o be_v beyond_o question_n that_o god_n way_n with_o child_n and_o idiot_n be_v different_a from_o his_o way_n with_o other_o and_o that_o the_o rule_n and_o direction_n reveal_v in_o scripture_n relate_v only_o to_o those_o of_o discretion_n capable_a of_o they_o so_o the_o apostle_n in_o determine_v man_n part_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n oppose_v the_o hear_n of_o faith_n unto_o work_n and_o say_v likewise_o how_o can_v they_o believe_v unless_o they_o hear_v which_o neither_o relate_v to_o nor_o be_v exclusive_a
without_o a_o meritorious_a cause_n deserve_v damnation_n it_o do_v no_o way_n follow_v that_o he_o do_v save_v and_o glorify_v the_o elect_a upon_o foresight_n of_o a_o meritorious_a cause_n in_o they_o god_n independence_n can_v exclude_v the_o consideration_n of_o the_o object_n of_o his_o decree_n as_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v in_o his_o decree_n he_o can_v decree_v to_o give_v mercy_n but_o to_o a_o creature_n that_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n miserable_a he_o can_v decree_v to_o relieve_v a_o creature_n unless_o he_o consider_v it_o as_o distress_a he_o have_v clear_o declare_v and_o consequent_o decree_v that_o he_o will_v never_o pardon_v the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n therefore_o he_o behove_v to_o foresee_v who_o will_v commit_v that_o sin_n for_o he_o do_v nothing_o in_o vain_a and_o will_v never_o decree_v any_o thing_n relate_v to_o a_o case_n that_o be_v never_o to_o exist_v he_o can_v not_o decree_v to_o elect_v any_o creature_n but_o upon_o foresight_n and_o consideration_n that_o he_o be_v to_o create_v that_o creature_n and_o that_o he_o be_v never_o to_o suffer_v it_o to_o have_v hatred_n and_o despite_n against_o he_o in_o that_o golden_a chain_n who_o he_o do_v foreknow_v they_o he_o do_v predestinate_a to_o be_v conform_v to_o the_o image_n of_o his_o son_n and_o who_o he_o do_v predestinate_a they_o he_o also_o call_v and_o who_o he_o call_v they_o he_o also_o justify_v and_o who_o he_o justify_v they_o he_o also_o glorify_v the_o first_o link_n be_v foreknowledge_n of_o the_o object_n to_o be_v predestinate_v which_o with_o congruity_n to_o the_o divine_a natural_a perfection_n be_v predestinable_a prior_n in_o order_n of_o nature_n to_o predestination_n yet_o in_o none_o of_o these_o be_v the_o independence_n of_o god_n encroach_v on_o can_v a_o miserable_a or_o distress_a creature_n be_v so_o impudent_a as_o to_o pretend_v that_o its_o misery_n or_o distress_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n mercy_n or_o relief_n but_o only_o the_o object_n or_o occasion_n thereof_o the_o true_a cause_n be_v god_n mercy_n and_o goodness_n and_o so_o god_n decree_n to_o inflict_v eternal_a punishment_n upon_o his_o rational_a creature_n that_o he_o foresee_v will_v hate_v he_o or_o be_v obstinate_a in_o sin_n be_v his_o own_o justice_n and_o purity_n 2_o it_o be_v say_v in_o god_n we_o live_v we_o move_v and_o have_v our_o be_v and_o therefore_o all_o the_o motion_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o body_n must_v be_v his_o motion_n act_v by_o he_o which_o inference_n be_v no_o better_a than_o this_o in_o he_o we_o have_v our_o be_v therefore_o our_o be_v be_v his_o be_v but_o the_o true_a meaning_n be_v clear_v by_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v frequent_o say_v of_o christ_n that_o they_o be_v in_o he_o and_o yet_o be_v the_o creature_n import_v no_o more_o but_o that_o they_o be_v by_o virtue_n and_o power_n derive_v from_o christ_n and_o so_o we_o move_v in_o god_n that_o be_v by_o virtue_n and_o power_n derive_v from_o he_o 3_o it_o be_v object_v that_o if_o in_o the_o worst_a of_o action_n god_n be_v not_o actor_n he_o can_v not_o be_v the_o first_o and_o universal_a cause_n but_o thence_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v that_o the_o first_o and_o universal_a cause_n must_v still_o be_v the_o immediate_a and_o total_a cause_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o a_o universal_a predetermination_n 4thly_a the_o main_a reason_n against_o universal_a predetermination_n be_v to_o vindicate_v the_o purity_n of_o god_n which_o it_o do_v not_o for_o whosoever_o permit_v evil_a that_o he_o can_v hinder_v be_v accessary_a thereto_o and_o guilty_a thereof_o and_o so_o god_n judge_v his_o creature_n which_o will_v not_o conclude_v against_o god_n because_o creature_n be_v not_o only_o subject_a to_o the_o moral_a and_o unchangeable_a law_n of_o god_n but_o to_o his_o positive_a law_n neither_o be_v creature_n universal_o oblige_v to_o hinder_v all_o evil_a act_n that_o they_o be_v able_a to_o hinder_v for_o god_n have_v set_v up_o civil_a authority_n thereby_o oblige_v subject_n to_o suffer_v the_o legal_a execution_n thereof_o though_o unjust_a albeit_o they_o have_v sufficient_a strength_n to_o hinder_v the_o same_o this_o reason_n have_v be_v the_o chief_a inducement_n of_o the_o error_n of_o those_o who_o to_o maintain_v the_o purity_n of_o god_n encroach_v upon_o his_o power_n and_o wisdom_n hold_v that_o the_o will_n of_o a_o free_a creature_n be_v essential_o undeterminable_a by_o any_o other_o than_o by_o itself_o and_o therefore_o god_n can_v do_v no_o more_o but_o persuade_v and_o bring_v motive_n into_o the_o mind_n and_o so_o be_v blameless_a have_v do_v all_o he_o can_v do_v to_o hinder_v sin_n for_o certain_o god_n can_v have_v be_v so_o powerful_a a_o persuader_n as_o to_o make_v prophet_n and_o preacher_n go_v to_o all_o nation_n which_o he_o have_v not_o do_v and_o this_o ground_n encroach_v on_o god_n omnipotence_n that_o he_o can_v effectual_o over-rule_v his_o free_a creature_n and_o encroach_v on_o his_o wisdom_n who_o have_v no_o need_n of_o any_o creature_n create_v such_o which_o he_o can_v not_o govern_v but_o behove_v only_o to_o supplicate_v and_o persuade_v the_o 5_o reason_n assign_v for_o universal_a predetermination_n be_v bring_v from_o the_o accurate_a argue_v of_o that_o case_n by_o the_o apostle_n paul_n in_o the_o 9th_o of_o the_o roman_n where_o it_o be_v say_v of_o esau_n and_o jacob_n that_o the_o child_n be_v not_o yet_o bear_v neither_o have_v do_v any_o good_a or_o evil_n that_o the_o purpose_n or_o decree_n of_o god_n according_a to_o election_n may_v stand_v not_o of_o work_n but_o of_o he_o that_o call_v jacob_n have_v i_o love_v but_o esau_n have_v i_o hate_v against_o which_o he_o bring_v this_o objection_n be_v there_o vnrighteousness_n with_o god_n to_o which_o he_o answer_v with_o a_o strong_a denial_n god_n forbid_v for_o be_v say_v to_o moses_n i_o will_v have_v mercy_n on_o who_o i_o will_v have_v mercy_n and_o thence_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v not_o of_o he_o that_o run_v or_o of_o he_o that_o will_v but_o of_o god_n that_o show_v mercy_n whence_o he_o do_v conclude_v therefore_o have_v he_o mercy_n on_o who_o he_o will_v have_v mercy_n and_o who_o he_o will_v he_o harden_v against_o which_o conclusion_n he_o bring_v a_o new_a objection_n thus_o thou_o will_v say_v then_o unto_o i_o why_o do_v he_o yet_o find_v fault_n for_o who_o have_v resist_v his_o will_n to_o which_o he_o answer_v thus_o nay_o but_o o_o man_n who_o be_v thou_o that_o reply_v against_o god_n shall_v the_o thing_n form_v say_v to_o he_o that_o form_v it_o why_o have_v thou_o make_v i_o thus_o have_v not_o the_o potter_n power_n over_o the_o clay_n of_o the_o same_o lump_n to_o make_v one_o vessel_n unto_o honour_n and_o another_o unto_o dishonour_n thence_o the_o author_n of_o universal_a predetermination_n or_o excitation_n of_o god_n to_o the_o worst_a act_n think_v they_o have_v unanswerable_a ground_n to_o infer_v that_o god_n be_v not_o only_o the_o permitter_n but_o the_o actor_n of_o harden_v as_o well_o as_o of_o mercy_n yea_o that_o he_o have_v no_o more_o consideration_n of_o what_o the_o creature_n be_v to_o act_v in_o reprobation_n and_o damnation_n than_o in_o election_n and_o glorification_n but_o that_o of_o the_o same_o lump_n or_o mass_n of_o mankind_n he_o do_v as_o indifferent_o make_v the_o vessel_n of_o dishonour_n that_o be_v the_o reprobate_n as_o the_o vessel_n of_o honour_n that_o be_v the_o elect._n but_o the_o context_n sufficient_o clear_v the_o mistake_v of_o these_o inference_n for_o it_o infer_v nothing_o as_o to_o reprobation_n that_o the_o child_n be_v not_o yet_o bear_v have_v do_v nothing_o of_o good_a or_o evil_a the_o inference_n be_v only_o that_o election_n may_v not_o be_v of_o foresee_a work_n but_o where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n love_v jacob_n and_o hate_v esau_n though_o they_o have_v yet_o do_v nothing_o it_o do_v not_o infer_v that_o as_o there_o be_v no_o foresee_a merit_n or_o cause_n of_o love_n of_o the_o elect_n for_n that_o god_n hate_v the_o damn_a without_o a_o meritorious_a cause_n deserve_v his_o hatred_n there_o be_v no_o consequence_n from_o the_o freedom_n of_o god_n election_n and_o love_n which_o be_v act_n of_o bounty_n to_o infer_v the_o freedom_n of_o his_o hatred_n and_o reprobation_n which_o be_v act_n of_o justice_n for_o bounty_n and_o mercy_n be_v absolute_o free_a but_o so_o be_v not_o justice_n but_o the_o main_a mistake_n be_v that_o the_o vessel_n of_o dishonour_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o reprobate_n and_o the_o vessel_n of_o honour_n the_o elect_a as_o if_o god_fw-we as_o indifferent_o reprobate_n and_o elect_v as_o the_o potter_n do_v of_o the_o same_o lump_n make_v one_o vessel_n to_o honour_n and_o another_o to_o dishonour_v
infancy_n can_v it_o be_v think_v that_o man_n by_o his_o merit_n can_v deserve_v celestial_a glory_n and_o confirmation_n free_v he_o from_o the_o hazard_n of_o fall_v in_o sin_n or_o lose_v that_o bless_a state_n by_o mortality_n or_o annihilation_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n to_o doubt_v that_o as_o the_o angel_n be_v confirm_v after_o their_o trial_n so_o will_v man_n have_v be_v which_o with_o the_o immortality_n god_n have_v promise_v he_o lose_v and_o become_v mortal_a and_o miserable_a by_o eat_v the_o forbid_a fruit._n whence_o there_o be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v the_o conscience_n of_o man_n of_o god_n dispensation_n in_o suffering_n adam_n to_o fall_v whereby_o neither_o he_o nor_o any_o of_o his_o posterity_n can_v ever_o by_o themselves_o recover_v that_o bless_a estate_n which_o he_o have_v lose_v to_o himself_o and_o they_o by_o his_o fall_n albeit_o they_o can_v not_o conceive_v how_o god_n can_v eternal_o torment_v all_o his_o posterity_n for_o his_o sin_n though_o they_o have_v none_o of_o their_o own_o but_o bless_v be_v god_n that_o christ_n be_v separate_v from_o sin_n unto_o the_o end_n and_o become_v the_o second_o adam_n expiate_v sin_n and_o procure_v for_o the_o elect_a that_o blessedness_n which_o through_o adam_n fall_n they_o have_v lose_v how_o unreasonable_a then_o and_o odious_a must_v the_o meritmonger_n of_o rome_n be_v who_o not_o only_o hold_v that_o sinful_a man_n acquire_v heaven_n by_o their_o merit_n but_o that_o they_o have_v so_o great_a store_n of_o work_n of_o supererrogation_n to_o which_o they_o be_v force_v to_o flee_v when_o the_o horrid_a grossness_n of_o the_o pope_n set_v to_o sale_n indulgence_n for_o money_n through_o most_o of_o the_o dominion_n of_o his_o obedience_n have_v awaken_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o see_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a he_o can_v be_v christ_n vicar_n on_o earth_n but_o rather_o the_o antichrist_n there_o be_v no_o evasion_n with_o any_o pretence_n but_o that_o there_o be_v a_o treasure_n of_o the_o supererrogatory_n merit_v of_o the_o saint_n whereof_o the_o pope_n be_v the_o sole_a dispenser_n and_o yet_o though_o that_o treasure_n be_v not_o pretend_v to_o be_v infinite_a and_o inexhaustible_a the_o pope_n neither_o know_v what_o be_v the_o measure_n of_o it_o nor_o how_o much_o be_v exhaust_v and_o how_o much_o remain_v or_o if_o any_o thing_n at_o all_o for_o there_o be_v no_o record_n keep_v of_o what_o indulgence_n be_v give_v out_o or_o how_o much_o they_o need_v that_o get_v they_o nor_o can_v there_o be_v see_v the_o indulgence_n be_v not_o give_v by_o the_o pope_n immediate_o and_o upon_o trial_n but_o be_v gift_v and_o farm_a to_o his_o emissary_n who_o be_v the_o vile_a of_o man_n who_o render_v that_o religion_n absolute_o ridiculous_a i_o pity_v the_o deceive_v multitude_n of_o that_o synagogue_n but_o i_o abhor_v their_o chief_a leader_n and_o without_o the_o breach_n of_o charity_n i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o say_v that_o many_o of_o they_o must_v be_v convince_v of_o gross_a error_n in_o that_o church_n but_o can_v acknowledge_v they_o because_o of_o the_o canon_n already_o make_v unless_o therewith_o they_o quit_v infallibility_a which_o be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o their_o faith_n god_n punitive_a justice_n have_v not_o escape_v dangerous_a error_n not_o only_o from_o those_o who_o make_v all_o god_n law_n to_o be_v only_o oblige_v by_o his_o will_n so_o that_o he_o may_v not_o only_o dispense_v with_o they_o without_o any_o punishment_n but_o may_v abrogate_v they_o of_o which_o i_o have_v clear_v myself_o before_o in_o meditate_v upon_o his_o holiness_n but_o from_o those_o that_o think_v his_o justice_n require_v no_o exact_a proportion_n between_o the_o crime_n and_o the_o punishment_n but_o that_o it_o be_v mere_o arbitrary_a that_o god_n may_v have_v accept_v the_o sacrifice_n of_o a_o lamb_n for_o the_o great_a sin_n or_o the_o penance_n that_o man_n inflict_v upon_o themselves_o and_o that_o the_o moysaicall_a sacrifice_n do_v expiate_v sin_n of_o themselves_o not_o as_o type_n of_o the_o only_a one_o satisfy_a sacrifice_n of_o christ._n i_o be_o convince_v that_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n import_v a_o exact_a proportion_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n to_o the_o object_n of_o they_o and_o that_o therein_o god_n justice_n differ_v from_o the_o justice_n of_o man_n who_o neither_o can_v know_v the_o exact_a proportion_n nor_o can_v adjust_a a_o punishment_n to_o expiate_v any_o sin_n mens_fw-la justice_n in_o punishment_n be_v not_o to_o satisfy_v justice_n or_o to_o expiate_v crime_n past_a but_o to_o prevent_v and_o suppress_v they_o for_o time_n to_o come_v and_o therefore_o they_o become_v unjust_a and_o cruel_a by_o apply_v arbitrary_a punishment_n more_o than_o be_v needful_a to_o suppress_v the_o crime_n but_o god_n perfect_o know_v the_o just_a proportion_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n and_o he_o have_v not_o that_o indifferency_n in_o apply_v they_o as_o he_o have_v in_o his_o act_n of_o bounty_n sin_n be_v so_o opposite_a and_o so_o odious_a to_o god_n that_o his_o aversion_n to_o it_o be_v infinite_a and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v expiate_v but_o by_o a_o punishment_n infinite_a in_o value_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o damn_a punishment_n be_v only_o eternal_a because_o in_o no_o time_n the_o finite_a nature_n of_o creature_n can_v bear_v a_o infinite_a punishment_n the_o sin_n of_o the_o elect_n be_v expiate_v by_o the_o suffering_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v short_a in_o time_n but_o infinite_a in_o value_n because_o of_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o person_n that_o suffer_v yet_o god_n have_v denounce_v the_o wage_n of_o sin_n to_o be_v death_n both_o by_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n and_o by_o the_o separation_n of_o both_o from_o the_o joy_n arise_v from_o god_n countenance_n justice_n require_v that_o the_o mediator_n shall_v suffer_v both_o though_o but_o for_o a_o short_a time_n in_o his_o agony_n in_o the_o garden_n and_o on_o the_o cross_n when_o innocent_a nature_n make_v he_o cry_v out_o in_o the_o one_o that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o cup_n may_v be_v remove_v yet_o with_o voluntary_a submission_n and_o in_o the_o other_o when_o he_o say_v my_o god_n my_o god_n why_o have_v thou_o forsake_v i_o they_o must_v be_v strange_o delude_v that_o attribute_n that_o cry_v to_o the_o pain_n or_o sense_n of_o death_n for_o therein_o he_o shall_v have_v be_v exceed_v by_o innumerable_a martyr_n none_o of_o which_o cry_v that_o they_o be_v forsake_v of_o god_n and_o many_o have_v triumph_v over_o their_o tormentor_n and_o have_v sing_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o flame_n i_o think_v they_o be_v both_o bold_a and_o ignorant_a who_o presume_v to_o assert_v that_o any_o suffer_v of_o christ_n without_o death_n have_v be_v sufficient_a to_o expiate_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o elect_a none_o but_o god_n can_v know_v the_o just_a 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of_o child_n from_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n yet_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v one_o for_o all_o the_o son_n have_v covenant_v from_o eternity_n for_o all_o the_o elect_n to_o bring_v they_o into_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n by_o regeneration_n exert_v according_a to_o their_o capacity_n by_o actual_a believe_v of_o those_o who_o be_v capable_a so_o to_o act_v which_o also_o be_v a_o evidence_n that_o the_o act_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o save_v by_o any_o thing_n absolute_o necessary_a in_o itself_o but_o by_o the_o free_a choice_n and_o institution_n of_o god_n the_o three_o point_n propose_v be_v what_o act_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v by_o which_o man_n enter_v into_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o which_o be_v their_o part_n of_o the_o covenant_n many_o hold_v it_o to_o be_v a_o persuasion_n of_o the_o covenant_a person_n that_o christ_n die_v for_o he_o whereby_o it_o must_v be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o understanding_n but_o i_o see_v not_o how_o that_o can_v hold_v 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especial_o which_o do_v most_o easy_o beset_v they_o do_v cease_v and_o that_o the_o love_n to_o and_o delight_n in_o god_n do_v in_o some_o measure_n take_v place_n but_o to_o think_v to_o reach_v the_o high_a step_n of_o the_o scale_n per_fw-la saltum_fw-la be_v altogether_o without_o warrant_n unless_o it_o be_v extraordinary_a as_o in_o paul_n conversion_n paul_n to_o the_o roman_n give_v the_o true_a warrant_n of_o that_o persuasion_n as_o many_o as_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o spirit_n itself_o bear_v witness_n with_o our_o spirit_n that_o we_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o if_o child_n than_o heir_n heir_n of_o god_n and_o joint-heir_n with_o christ._n hence_o it_o be_v evident_a how_o little_a moment_n be_v in_o that_o arminian_n quibble_n so_o much_o magnify_v by_o they_o that_o christ_n must_v have_v die_v for_o all_o man_n because_o all_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v he_o die_v for_o they_o we_o must_v therefore_o yet_o inquire_v the_o particular_a convenant_a act_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v so_o necessary_a be_v many_o way_n express_v and_o set_v forth_o in_o scripture_n that_o it_o may_v be_v reach_v by_o several_a capacity_n it_o be_v call_v a_o look_v to_o christ_n for_o salvation_n look_v unto_o i_o all_o you_o end_v of_o the_o earth_n and_o be_v save_v a_o turn_n to_o god_n turn_v you_o turn_v you_o for_o why_o will_v you_o die_v o_o house_n of_o israel_n a_o come_n to_o christ_n come_v unto_o i_o all_o you_o that_o be_v weary_a and_o heavy_a laden_v and_o i_o will_v give_v you_o rest_n to_o your_o soul_n and_o to_o the_o refractory_a it_o be_v say_v you_o will_v not_o come_v to_o i_o that_o you_o may_v have_v life_n a_o draw_v near_o to_o god_n draw_v near_o unto_o god_n and_o he_o will_v draw_v near_o unto_o you_o a_o answer_v of_o god_n call_v thou_o say_v seek_v you_o my_o face_n my_o heart_n answer_v thy_o face_n lord_n will_v i_o seek_v hide_v not_o thy_o face_n from_o i_o a_o receive_n 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