4*4 of Convey fion, orTurning loto God. 4, Ob, erv. ObjeH. a S'rt C r,tX rather for theconverfionofa wandring Shepherd 1 Another part of his duty is, to vindicate and juftifie God; for theJews quarrelled and repined at Godspro - vidence,. alif his wayswere anègaáll,, or as if God&Idelight-in thedelrú i t' of mee, yea, though they turned from their wicked ways. Now my Teát'ís an Apology unto that calumny where the clean contrary is confirmed by an oath of-God himfdf; who though he cannot lye, and fo his word;isenough yet for condefcenfion to our capacity; and to confirm our faith, ddth fives, That he delights not in the death of sWicked man. 0 beatos not quorum caufit Deus jurat, O miferrimes f nec juranti`Dominocredimus, Tertullian. Now this Text is frequently urged and debated upon in the matterof Re- probation, corrupt Teachers concluding from hence, that there is no EleEtion or Reprobation abfolutely, becaufe God dothférionfy will every mans life, and', no wicked mans death.Someanfwer,rhat this placeis wholly itnpertinentto tb'at queftion ; for (fay they) the Prophetfpeaks not here ofeternal death, but tem- poral, and that which is by the violenceof the avord : And (fay they further) the antecedents and confequents do evidently thew, thatthe fenfe is, God doth not will thedeath of a wickedman-, if hewillturn fromhis wickednefs ; forthe Jews chargedGod foolilhly, as if they were punifhed unjultly, for they per- (waded themfeives they turnedtoGod, andyet their calamities were not taken away: This is probable; but grant the Text to be comprehenfive of Eternal death, as many other places are; fuch as that, God Would not have any to perilh, best. to ?one-to the knoWled, e'of thy truth, eWe, t Tim. a,4.Thenthe anfweris known, which-may eafily bemade good, thòugh it benotmy work now;'God'hatlì'án approving;will, and-an effeétiveeoV,decreeing will, Gods Apptovidgwill iscar- ried oat,èo the objefts, asgood in its felf; but-Gods Effeetive *ill is, when he intends to bring a thing about. Gad had an approving will, that Adorn lhould Rand, therefore he gave him a command, and threatned him if bedid fall; yet he had not an effeltive will, to make him to (land, for then who could have hindered it? Thus Chrifts tears over 7trufalem(I-low often Would Ihavegathered thee, and thou would/i not?) werenot Crocodiles tears (as tome fay the C:alvinifts make them) for though Clarilt, as God, had not decreed the converfronof the Jews, yet the thing it felf wasapproved of and commanded, and he as theMi- nifier of the NewTeftamenr, affectionately defired'it: So here inthe Text, God by this pathetical exprefion, Both declare, how acceptable and delirable a thing iris in its felt; that the Jewsfhould be converted how diftaftful and un- pleafant their damnationwas : therefore mark the expreflion,hedoth not fay, I do not will the death of thewicked, but I bave nopleafure in it: And if that of the //minionsbe true, that God doth effeftuaily will theconverfion ofall, why then arenot all converted ?Who bath refilled his Will? but I intend grapes, and not thorns; pra&ical, not controverfal matter from thisText. The firltObfervationis, That the'damnationanddelirutlionof aWicked man, isunpleafing toGod, its not that Which hodelightoin. Before I open the point, youmayobjed one known and evident place(there being many othersalfo equivalent to it) Prov.t.a6. I Will laugh at your cala- mity, and mock whenyourfearcometh : This argueth their deßrudionwas plea- fingto him. Hence judgements upon the wicked are compared to Sacrifaces,be- caufe theyare fo acceptable to him. ToAnfwer this; Both thefe are true, God delights not in the deathof a limner, yet He Will laugh at their De/lruïlion: For if you confider death and hell, as the (innersmiferymeerly, and as fin brings it, fo it is difpleafing to God; but as it is an ad of juftice punifhing the impenitent for his wickednefs ; fo it is well pleating toGod, for he is quit as well as merciful. Even as afait Judge that condemneth a malefaâtor, may pity the man condemned for his crimes, and the execution be grievous to him,as its the mans mifery; yet as he is a jolt Judge, fo he delights `alto tb have juffice done: but this ishandled in Let controverfies
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