Qf Predesfination. _9 queftion this? 2. But if the word EleFfion be taken¡eomprehenfvely, then mens Holinefs, Repentance, and Faith is part of the Salvation which theyare ele&ed to : And to fay that Godabfolutely electeth Peter to live and die a Saint, let him ( after Converfion) live and die never fo wickedly; this is aputid contradi&ion, fuch paultry dealing fathom caufeth; what do youdiffer from us in all this ? 4. But as to prefiemption hereupon, I anfwer you, s. That there is no mercy which Satan will not tempt men to abufe, even Chrill, and the hopes of Heaven it felf. 2. As long as wickednefs is that evil which Ele&iondecreeth to deliver usfrom ; he that is wicked may before that he hath not the benefit nor mark, of Ele&ion, and cannot have the leali affurance that he is ele c. 3. And while he ;hat trulygodlyknoweth that he is no further ele&ed toSalvation than he is ele&ed to perfevere in godlinefs; this is no rational inducement tohim to forfake godlinef any more than to renounce Heaven, but rather toconclude, 1amdecreed to perfevere in holinefr, therefore I mutt fo do. 4. And topars by the Controverfie of perfeverance till we come to it, it is as all confers, fo fewof the Ele& that are certain of`their own Ele&ion, that this Ob- je&ion canextend but to afew. 5. Laltly, None are certain of their Ele&ion, but fuch as have firong clear alive Grace andevidence; that believe firmly, and love God much, and obey himcarefully : And fuch as there are fit to improve affurance, and to live in the fruits oflove and gratitude. Did you ever know what love, and thankfulnefr, and de- light inGod, and holinefr are, and yet can you think that they are the way to fin ? You know nothing in Religion , if you know not, that theyare the life and foul of true Religion, and the molt powerful prin- ciples ofObedience and Perfeverance. Nor do you underftand the Gofpel- defign, if you know not, that the greatefi manifeliation of the loveof God, is the greateftmeansof love, and thankfulnefs, and delire anddelight in God andgoodnefs, untoman. Eut Branlas ibid. cited by the fame Marlorate, faith, Het fententia oc- tarrit curiotati carol, que pia atote magic quam reverentcr de pre. aellinatione difercre, er pro fun ingenia iolligere, na/lum a domina advitam eternam e4Elum pojfe damupri, etian./i po(Jime vivat: ionl/um item a Do- mino ad ignora dteraum p tatum poffefalvari, etiamfe optanee vivat : fe itaq; velle pro foot ibidiete vivere. *Vid.Epiftop. inftít.Theo. li.4feii.5.cap.7.pag415. 01. 1 The ninth Crimination. A. At leafl thus * Fate is let up in the World, and all things areUnder neceflity, andunavoidable. B. Youhad this Obje&ion about neceffity before, and to the anfwer of it I refer you further,' 1. Immutable-Ele&ion doth let up but a con- folatory quietting certainty in the. World, without whichmansmind mull: Iii!! be in troublefome, unquiet, if not tormentingterrours. Is it a wrong to you, if you can beCure to be raved ? Had you rather liveand die under there apprehenfions, [I know not whether I (hall be in Hea- ven or Hell for ever ? ] If you have not certainty, or a hope that is fomewhat near it; I think thisconclufion, if you be awake, and in your wits, mutt needs make your life a confiant bondage, and the fear of death your confiant mifery, and mutt blatt all the pleafures of your H- eft Profperity. Thank God thathis Foundation ftandeth lure, and the. Lord knowethwho arehis ; and fee that you keephis mark upon you, profeffmg Chrift, and departing from iniquity. And do not cryout as if you werefatally carried to Heaven againfi your wills. 2. As for the word [Fate ] it is ambiguous : Some by fate, meanbut the certainty that God's Predi&ionsthallbefulfilled ; Juod fatur eve- niet. Some mean only the certain connexion of Caufes and Effeets D 2 under * SuetoniusfaithTiSerius was a negletter of Bell- . gion,becaufe he thought that all things were ru- led by fate. lipping Pbilonatur. to r.p 43 t. voluntas ifta abfoluta bominem tam ef- feilie fait inelutlabiliter need /rat hot ell ad imam ppotoram neteffarío ton- feringit dr determinaram- nia quo aEfa dr eventa, tutnon aliter evenire que- ant quarr eveniantt where he confuteth Pi/tatorsArguments fcr fach neceffirating De- crees, P. 432,.e9í.
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