V E R.4. gods EleBion. 45 The former propofìtion is not true; It isenough, if by Gods decree 7, ofpermtring fin, they may become finfull, which is the truth ; For God didby hisdecree ofpernsiflion (hut up all in fin, that hemight have mercy upon all. Theaffitmption is denied: Theeffeá was alike bycreation, but the S. love born to fome, in regard of life eternall, was notyeelded to other- fbme : theevent Both tellit aloud ; for why, onthe like fall and mifery ofall, .dothhe thew fuch riches ofgrace to force, above otherfome Certainly becaufe before the fall,he had loved them to life: Henceic is, thatall thegrace (hewed after fin,is but anEpiphony ofthat love which k God didbearebefore the fall. To the laft : I deny that Gods decreeof permitting fin, doth take 9. away liberty in finning. While Gods decree did not take away his judgement, but that he did work by counfell, and think the thing fach as he might do, or not doewhilehefinned with this judgement, he fin- ned freely, though never fo neceffarily. IfGods decreeto permit a fin, doth not bring on ofneceffrty thebeing ofthat fin, then God may per- mit or deliver a finnerto fin, and no fin followeth. Butthis latter is molt abfurd for God might havehis action made fru(trare, and when God giveth amanpenallyup to fin, it fhould be inthe creatures power whe- ther cods judgement lhould be executed on him, yeaor no. Thus ha- ving difcuffed this queftion, we paffeon to the lait circumltance : The next endofour election. TheLife ofthis Doctrineis, firft toendeare this love ofGod to as: ï r; We fee in humane loves, ifone haveof zo. 3o. of4o. yeares, born us good will, this circumftance of antiquity, doth make it more refpected ofus. How fhould weaccount ofthis love,which beforeall worlds,the Lord did bear us, accordingly as hehathmanifefed the fame in uswho beleeve. This doth give us to confider how conftant the Lords love is; As we finde it in time, fo he did intend it towards us from all eternity ; z. Thus he goeth on, not onely within himfelf, but towards us, without any alteration or fhadowofchange: and thus he will doe; for whomhe once loveth unto life, he dothlove him ever, as Chrift fpeaketh. Wedo feelechanges, but look as the Skieis variable, the Suh in it felf being nowhitchanged ; tjtus the effeéts ofGod in us vary, though himfelf in his affèétion (if I may fo fpeak) isimmutable towardus. Laftly; We may hence gather the freedome ofGods love,choofing us to life ; things which are not, cannot have vertue of caufing this or that: When wewere not,ne yet had done any thing,before all worlds, we were chofen by him, ergo, S. Paul, Rem. 9. faith, God theft Jacob beforehe wes,or haddone any thing,that the election might beaccording to free purpofe; and S. Paul 2 Tim. r, faith, that wee arelived, not by works, but according to gracegivenas before all worlds ; whereas merit of works, and grace given us before all worlds, are oppofed. If any fay that Paul excludeth works then prefent, when God elecìeth, it nothing hindereth but that he might from eternity fore-feeworks whereon, be- fore
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