374 a Aquin. part. i.qu. 19, art.', The Sublapfarians dotirine taketh not I I I. The Sacraments (0) alfo (by this opinion) do fignifie nothing, feat-up nothing, conferrenothing to fuch as are not faved; but are mere blanks and emptie ordinances at the beft unto them not through the fault of the men , but by the primarie and abfolutewill ofGod. I V. Laftly , Gods other gifts (P) which hebeftoweth uponmen, ofwhat nature foever theybe, are to themolt that receive them in Gods- abfolute intention, 1. Unprofitable, fuch as fhall never do them good in reference to their eternal' condition ; z. Dangerous and hurtfull, given themnot out of love but extreme hatred ; not that theymight ufe them well, and be bleffed in fo doing, but that they might ufe them ill, and by ill ufing of them procure to themfelves the greater damnation. God lifteth them up (as the devil did Chrift) to the pinnacle ofthe temple, that fo they might fall ; and load- eth them withknowledge andother goodly endowments, that with the weight of them he might fink them down to hell. And foby good confequence, Gods choiceft gifts are intended and ufed as fnares to intrap mens fouls. Men that have them have little caufe to be proudof them ; for theyare the more unhappy becaufe they have them : or fmall reafon to be thank- full for them , or to love the giver of them , but to hatehim rather; becaufe they are but giftlefe gifts, of the fame nature with a griping ufurers bountie, Jaels courtefie, Sauls marry- ing of Michol to David, or ,a bait for a poore fifh which fhe fwalloweth witha hook to boot : Munera magna guidon mifit, fedmifit in hamo : r. Arumpifieatoremryas amare potefi ? Anfwer. Whether the decree of abflùte Reprobation be contrary unto the ufeandendofGods gifts bellowed upon men. jN the following difcourfeconcerning the 1 end and ufé of Gods gifts thefe g enerall points are to be premifed : r . Firft, That if we (peak exatly and properly, á Nihil al;ud a Deo efi finis ,Dei fed
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