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C
A
?.I11.
§:2S.
Condit.
Purpofes
not
to
be
argued
from condit. Threats,
68
Betides, in
the
Cafe
of
Paul,though
the
infallibility
of
the
Predi
&ion
did
not
in
the
leaft
prejudice
the
Liberty
of
the
Agents, who were
tobe
imployed
for
its
accomplifhment,
but
left roome for
the Exhortation
of
Paul,
and
the
endeavours
ofthe
Souldiers,yet
it
cutts off
all pofiibility
ofa
contrary
event
and
all fuppofall
ofa
difjunetive purpofe
in
God,upon the accoinpt
whereof
he
cannot
predi&
the
iffue,or event
of
any
thing whatfoever.
But
of
this
more largely afterward.
But this
is
farther
Argued by Mr
Goodwin
, from
the
purpofes
of
God
in
4,
28.
his
threatnings,in thefe words.
Mofi
frequently the
purpofe
and
Decree
of
God,
concerning the punifhment
of
wicked
and
ungodly
men, is
expreffed
by
the
Holy
Ghofl, abfolutely
and
certainly, without the
leafy
mention
of
any
condition,
of
re-
laxation
or
reverfion
:yetfrom
other
pafages
of
Scripture
it
is
fully
evident
,
that
this
Decree
of
his
is
conditional/, in
fuch
a
fence, which
imports
a non
-
execution
of
the punifhment therein declared,
upon
the repentance
of
the
Perfons,
againfi
wheat
the
Decree is.
In
like
manner
though the
purpofe
and
Decree
of
God,
for
the
jufli-
fication
of
thofe who
are
called,
(and
fö
for
the Glorifying
of thof
e
that
(hall
be
7u-
flifzed)
be
(in
the Scripture
in
hand)
delivered in an
abfolute
and
unconditioned
forme
of
words
;yet
is
it
no way neceffary to
fupofe,
(the
mo
fi
familiar
frequent,
and
accuflomed
expref
on
in scripturein fach
cafes,
exempting
us
from
any
f
ich
necef
ty)
that
therefore
theft
Decrees
muff needs
bring
forth againft
all
pof
ble
interveniences whatever;
fa
that (for
example)
he
that
is
called
by
'the.Word
and
Spirit,
muff needs
be
uffified,
whether
he
truly
Believe or
no
and
he
that
is
fu-
flifted mull
needs
be
Glorified, whether
he Perfevere or
no.
Anf.
I.
That
the
Threatnings
ofGod
are
moral/
A
&s,
not
declarative,
as
toParticular Perfons,of
Gods
Eternall.
Purpofes,
but
fubfervient
to
other
ends
togetherwith
the
Law it felfe,whereof they are
a
Portion;(as the
avoy-
ding
of
that
for
which men
are
threatned)
is
knowne.
They
are
Appendixes
of
the Law,and
in
their Relation thereunto,declare the Connexion,that
is
be-
tweene
Sinne
and Pnnifhment,fuch
Sinnes
and
fuch
Punifhments
2.
That
the
Eternall Purpofes
of
God
concerning
the
workes
of
his
Grace,are
to
be
meafured
by
rule and
Analogy
of
his
Temporal!
Threatnings,
is
an Affertion
firiking
at
the very
Root
of
the Covenant
of
Grace, and
effi-
cacy
of the
Mediation
of
the Lord
Jefus, yea
at the
very being
Of
Divine
Perfe
&ions
of
the nature
of
God
himfelfe.
This there
is
indeed
in
all
Threat..
nings
declared
of
the
abfolute Purpofe,and Unchangeable Decree
of
God,
that all
impenitent
finners fhall
be
punifhed
,
according
to what
in his
Wif-
dome; and Righteonfneffehe bath apportioned
out unto
fuch
defervings,and
threatneth
accordingly. In this
regard there
i§
no Condition,
that
doth, or
can(in the leafl)import
a
non-execution
of
the Punifhment Decreed; Neither
do
any
of
the Texts
cited
in
the
Margent
of
our Author, proove
any
fuch
thing. They.
all
indeed
pofitively
affirme
,
Faithlefe,
Impenitent
unbelievers
hall
be Deftroyed,
which
no
fuppofall
whatfoever,
that
takes
not
away
the
Subje&
of
the
Queftion,
(and
fo
alters
the
whole
thing
in
Debate)
can
in
the
leaft
infringe. Such
affertions(I
fay)are parts
of
the
Law
of
God revealing
his
will
in
General],
to
Punifh impenitent Unbelievers, concerning which
his
Purpofe
is
abfolute,Unalterable,and
Stedfaft.
The
conclufion
then,which Mr
Goodwin
makes,
is
apparently
racked
from
the
words ,
by
flretching them upon
the unproportioned
bed
of
other
Phrafer,and
Expreffions wholly
Heterogeneous
to the
defigne
in
this place in-
tended,
Added here are fuppofed
Conditions in
generail,
not
once explay-
ned
to
keepe them from being expofed
to that
fháme
that
is
due unto
them,
when
their
(intrufion without
all
order
or
warrant
from
Heaven)
fhail
be
manifefted
;only wrapped
up in
the
Clouds
ofpoffible Interveniences,when
the
A&s