and Decrees of god, &c. Traíi. 53. in 7aban. having (hewed that God only foreknoweth mens fin, and foretelleth it (as theJews) but caufeth it not, he corneth to an: fwer John '12.39. They cóuld nob. believe &c. If they could not how Was it their fin ? Paying, "[You hear the queftion, brethren, and fee "how, deep it is: But we anfwer as we can. Why could' they not "believer If you ask me, I quickly anfwer, Becaufe theywould not._ " For God forefaw their evil will,.andforetold.it by the Prophet He "blinded their eyes; &c. And I. anfwer that their own wills deferved "thisalto. For Godblindeth and hardeneth, by forfaking and not help- "ing; which he may do by a judgement fecret, but not unjuft. This all "religious piety ought to hold. unfhaken. Far be it from us then to is fay that there is iniquity with God : If he help, he loth it mercifully ;; ?cif he helpnot, hedothjuftl y. ] . 665. By all this the Reader may fee paft all doubt, that.4ugufiine and his two difciples, (than whom noneknown to us in thewhole world then went higher for Predeftination and Grace)did plainly takeup with this, that a. GOD NEITHER CAUSED OR WILLED SIN, no, not ITS BEING, . or the forbidden ACT. 2. ThatOUR -SIN was of OUR SELVES. 3. That ALL GRACE and perferverance was OF GO D. 4. That ELECTION was ABSOLUTE of. GOD'S meer will, and not upon his foreknowledge of laymerits ofmans. q. That God predeflinated none to fin, but predeflinated men toPit nifhmenr, ONLY ON THE F ORESIGH T of their wil- ful fin. 6. That he hardened thenbdt by déferting them: 7. That he never forfook them till they forfookhim firft, and deferved it by fin. In aword, that mans deftuidtion is of himfelf, but his help of God whorefolvedly choofeth fome to falvation, and helpeth them accordingly - with that effe&ual grace, and efpecial perfeverance, which he juftly givetl not co others, though if he wouldhe could: SECT: 1 2
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