of Predefination andReprobation. 5Q9 perfrvered in his blafphemy againf him, he had been raved,he would inferre a moll falfe con- clufion. For ifthefe reafonings were true, the preaching of the Gofpel would be in vain, the adminiftration of the Sacraments fuperfluous, our converuon, juftification, fandification idle and frivolous : for Prede- ftination alone would carry a man to heaven whether he would or no. But fuch dreams as thefe are to be avoided : For the decree ofPredeflination about the end to be obtein- ed cloth not exclude but include themeads andordinary way whereby men tend to that end. This conditionall propofition there- fore, Although Paul continue in unbelief he (hall befaved,is fo farre from following upon thedoctrine ofPredeftination, that thecon- tradidtory thereof may thence bededuced, namely, If Paul believe not, it is impofible he fhouldbePaved. The reafon is manifeft : Becaufe the fame God who decreed to fave Paul, decreed to fave him by faith,notby impenitence and unbelief. This may very well be illuftrated by that purpofe ofGod for fave all thofe from fhipwrack who failed together with S. Paul towards Rome : For though God had infalliblydecreedto deliver all thefe men, andby anxangel had revealed this his decree unto Paul, yet the Apoftle Xfr Z . cryeth out, Y Except the mariners abide in the fhip, they cannot be Paved. The fa,uc fay we Y v 31. con-
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