Davenant - Houston-Packer Collection BT810 .D38 1641

2 30 The Sub apfarians docirine ting Judas t die in unbelief and finali impe nitency was grounded upon his forefeen Lin.! beliefand finali impenitency. We may now conclude, That abfolute Eleó ion and Noneletion is furely found- ed in the authority of many and manifett places of Scripture; but for conditionall E- ledion and Preterition, it hath neither many nor any, clear nor obfcure. Treatif. eEcondly, it crofi`eth (A) fóme principali AttributesofGod: L' therefore it cannot be true. For God ufeth not to make decrees contrary to his own moll glorious nature, and fuch as are incompatible with thofe excellent Attributes by which he hath difcovered part of himfeif to men. Volun- t c Dei Temper fequitur naturam perm is a rule among Divines, Gods will alwayes followeth his nature. The rea- fon why, is given by the Apotile, z. Tim.z.i3. God can- not deny hináfe. Two things are here to be premifed : T. That Gods chief (B) Attributes are thofe perfeRions in the manifeílation of which by acfls conformable to them God is moll glorified : which are Mercy, Juflice,Truth, and Holineffe. For God is more honoured by the exercife of thefe among men then by the putting forth of his unlimited Power and Sovereignty ; as a King is more renowned a= rnong his fubjeds for his equity, candour and clemency, then for his dominion and authority , or any thing that is done onely for the manifeftation thereof. And there is.good ieafon for it. For r. Power is no virtue; but Holineffe, Mercy, Juílíce,and Truth are. As of Power are not morally good in them felves, but are made good or evil by'their concomitants. If they be accompanied with Jut' ice, Mercy, &c. they are good if otherwife, they are naught. Forjuftum oportet effe, quod laudemmeretur; Nothing dèferverh praife, unleffe it be jufl. z. Power and Sovereigntymay as well be Thawed in bar- barous and unjuft aftions as in their contraries. Sala (hewed his Authority and Power to the full in flaying the Lord 0 in- compatible with Gods ATTrtI- LuT s.

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