Davenant - Houston-Packer Collection BT810 .D38 1641

away theufe andendofGods Gifts.' tento cadit fitb prxde3inatione. 4. Lally, no decree of God can truly be faid to crof e the good end whereunto his gifts ought to be ufèd, unle{% it canbe proved that by fuch a decree the abuse of them is inforced or at leá1 caufed in wicked men. As for example ; The honour and exaltationof Pharaohunto akingdome was a gift or a good means fitting him to the ad- miniflration ofjuflice ; yet he abufed it un- to opprefzion : The plagues infli±ed upon his countrey were fit means to have hum- bled him, and to have made him yield unto Gods command ; yet he turned them to greater pride and obílinacie : Yet becaufe no decree of God cauled the obflinate wickedneffe of Pharaohs heart, the decree ofpermitting him to abufe filch gifts unto his own deft ruecion was not contrary unto_ the ufe or end whereunto thole gifts and aflions of God had a fitting ordination in their own nature. There things prcmifed we come unto our particular an{wers. What he faith concerning thegifts ofNa- A lure or Grace, namely, That they are given for the good of thole upon whom they are beflowed, we willingly yield. And therefore we let the 363 and, 364. pages paffe without contradi ion. One.- ly let this be remembred, That the in- tent, which is meafured by the nature of A a 4 the 377

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