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362

THE DOCTRINE OF PREDESTINATION, &c.

the operation of the Spirit: as if many causes did not concur to produce an effect, any one of which failing, the effect faileth; as if obedience to the calling of GOD, were not an act of the will of man, under the aid of the Spirit of GOD; as if the aid of the Spirit was never refused, or the grace of GOD never received in vain: whereas though GOD be almighty, and able to draw all second causes to his side, he doth not use to disturb or cross the nature of causes, or the order of things which himself hath establifhed.

3. Because it maketh GOD's covenant to differ from all covenants, even in that which is essential to a covenant. For in our covenants, each party hath something to preform, and no one party doth all in a covenant: but by this distinction, GOD is supposed both to provide infallibly to have the conditions fulfilled, and also to fulfil his own promises: whereas the term covenant is purposely borrowed from human transactions, to intimate to us a stipulation made betwixt GOD and us, whereby he promiseth his grace, and not to be wanting in his help, so far as is needful for us. Let none upbraid me then, that I am afraid to give too much to GOD, lest I should turn upon him, that he looks to be so much favoured, as to tied to nothing. Truth flattereth neither GOD nor man; *"'Tis not the part of a good and found faith," says Tertullian, "so to refer all things" to GOD's will, and so to flatter every one by saying, nothing can come to us without GOD's permission, that "we should imagine, ourfelves are able to do nothing."

* Tertul. de Exhort. Castitat. prop. Princip. 

(To be continued.
(363)
GOD's LOVE TO MANKIND. Manifefted by difproving his Abfolute Decree for their Damnation. 

[In a Letter to _________.] 

Sir,
I HAVE sent you here the reasons which have moved me to change my opinion in some controversies of late debated between the Remonstrants and their opponents. 
I rather present then to you:
[indent]1. That I may shew the respect I bear you, with my for-wardness to answer your desires.

2. I will lay down my refons againft it. Touching the firft, you know well, 
[indent]1. That the main question in thefe controversies, and that on which the the reft hand, is what the decrees of GOD are touching the overlasting condition of men.

2. That the men who have disputed thefe things, may be reduced to two forts ]The first side affirmeth, that there is an absolute and peremptory decree proceeding form the alone pleasure of GOD, without any consideration of men's final impenitency and unbelief; by which GOD casteth men off from grave and glory, and shutteth up the far greater part (even of those that are called by the preaching of the gospel to repentance and salvation) under invincible and unavoidable sin and damnation.

The other side say, that God's decree of casting men off for ever, is grounded upon the foresight of their continuance in sin and unbelief, both avoidable by grace, and consequently inferring no man's damnation necessarily.

The 

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-10 11:39:35 Old fonts used a form for s which is similar to the f and is easily misread these days. Note how the 'f' has a forward-facing bar, whereas s (e.g. 'causes' in first line) has the smallest of backward-facing bars. I have corrected. The s shape is used at word-end. We are asked not to indicate indents.