Verf. 14,15. the Epifile to the Romans. matter,who finds no caufe of loving us ou t of himfelf, unleffe we fpeak of his a &wall love which he bare us in time, andbath reference to his own image refloredin us, Pfal. 11.7. Secondly, hence we have a fpur given us to quic- ken us to thankfulneffe,when we confi- der that both for our felves and what - foever good thing we have, we are be- holding to Gods eternal mercy for it. Thirdly, we mull endeavour in every biding that we have, to fee the love of God in it, fnce his love is thefountain of al good,either temporal or fpiritual, that comes unto us.Laflly, we are war- ned as God loved us freely, fo to love him freely,not for his benefits only, or fear of punifhment, but meerly for himfelf: In loving God, fludying to love God his infinite moil fweet love, grace, mercy, bounty, and all other things in him, and for him. T [ M In what meaning is hatred apply - ed to God in Scripture ? S I L. In a three -fold fenfe t Firfl, to hate,it fignifieth not to love and chufe. Secondly,juflly to decree punifhment and inflia it, Pfal.5. 3. Thirdly, to be difpleafed with things done againft his Law. God is not Paid to hate Efau in this Taft fenfe,for he was hated of God before he had done any evill ; but in the two former meanings God' hated him :for he did not ele& him, and he appointed to deftroy him in regard of thofe fins which he fhould commit af- ter he was born. T 1 M.What is the inf}rutlion from hence? S t L. That Gods hatred is the fove- raign and chief caufe of the .damnation of the wicked, their own fins either aetuall or originall,or both, being the meritorious caufe. Secondly, by the example ofEfau we learn, that all men are not chofen, lout that there are fome reprobated, as well as ele&ed. Laftly, that Gods promifes though they be preached unto all the members of the vifible Church, yet they do sake no place in thofe which are not eleaed. 343 DIA LOGUa VII1. Verf. Iq, 15. What then? it there iniquity with God.? God forbid : for he faith to Mofes, I widldave mercy on whom I will (hew mercy,ard will have compaffion on him on whom I will have tompaffion. TI 5E OTIr aUs. Hat is the purpofe and drift o f this Text ? S 1 L.To clear God from al.linju(lice in the matter of his eternal predeflina- tion. T t M. What be the parte of this Text ? S I L. Firft, an obje &ion, veri. I ¢. Secondly,an an fwer,verl. í 5. T i M. What is the objeilion,and wherce doth it arife ? S i L. The obje&ion is, that there is iniquity with God,or that God is un- jufllt doth arife from the pride of plans corrupt reafon, rebelling againfl the counfell of God. T I M.What it it that offendeth humane reafon in the Ds?lrine office predeflination? S I L.Two things efpecially.The firfi thing is,that God íhoúld hate fome and love other,s only,for his wil fake,with- out refpe& to worthineffe or unwor- thineffe : by which means the bad may be loved, and the good may be hated. Secondly,reafon cannot perceive how ofthem which are in like cafe, fome fhould be chofcn,and others refufed, or how they which are equal, fhould un- equally be dealtwithal without inju- Rice : as if a Judge of two malefa&orsi fhould acquit one,and punifh the other: or a King of two valiant Captains, fhotïldprefer the one, and difgrace the other. Reafon feeth not this to be juif, andtherefiorethinketh it to beunjufi,in God,to fave fome men St punifh others, whereas all were (inners and loft alike. T t M. Whence comes it, that reafon doth thus cavilÍagainft Gods decree ? S I L. Firft, becaufe this Njyftery (though it be not contrary to found reafon)iket is above the reach of reafon, the natural man perceiveth it not:even Gg 3 as Scope. Parts.
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