378 The Sublapfrians docirine takethnot' 47 the means, for the event is often fruftrated by the default of mans will, and yet Gods Pimple and abfolute will never fruilrated. Nay, it was Gods abfolute will to permit force men to fail in reaping that good which by fuch means was intended unto them. Neither doth this inferreany contrarietieor croffing betwixt Gods Decrees, and his Gifts or Graces. We do not therefore deny that mans falvation is the end of thofe means, giftsand graces which God offereth unto any man in ordine adfitam ralutern : But we affirm that this may {land with an eter- nall abfolute decree of not- preparing for fore men any fuch eWretuall grace as God knoweth would eafily convert and fave them, and with an abfolute decree of per- mitting them by their own voluntary rebel- lion to incurre eternall damnation. And this is the abfolute decree of Reprobation, which is not contrary to the endof Gods gifts : becaufe topermit men toabufe them, dothneither alter thenatureof the gift nor theordination which it bath in it felfto pro- duce filch an end, nor caufe the (inner to turn thofe good means tohis own perdition. B Our Divines at Dort did truly teach, That the word, and the illuminations and motions ofGods Spirit, are ordained by God for the producing of repentance and faith in mens hearts, and for the favingof their ,.
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