344 An Expofition upon Chap.9, as a fore eye cannot lookeagainft the ledg God to be righteous in all his de- bri ghtneffe of the Sun. Secondly,rcafon dreameth God to be fubje& to hu- man laws,an d to be able to do no more to his creature, then a Matter to his fervant,or a King to his fubjeEt ; who are held to be unrighteous, if in diffri- buting pains or rewards, they ioe not obferve a proportion. T I M. What are we to learn from this Objelizon ? S i L. Firff, that reafon till it bere- formed,is neither fubje& to God, not., can be, Rom. 8. Therefore they muff needs erre, which in divine matters do confult with humanereafon;as he mull needs lofe his way which followes a blinde guide. Secondly, we learn, that it is no new thing to bark and cavill a- gainft the Do&rine of Gods p.redefti- nation,charging it with injuftice, and him with refpe& ofperfons; if it be fo now, it was fo in the Apoftles time. Thirdly,we learn, that the fore -know- ledge of God touching men what they would be, or not be, was no caufe of Gods decree in his ele&ion or reproba- tion ; becaufe then there had been no place for this obje&ion to charge God with injuftice;for ifhe had chofen fuch perlons only,whom he forefaw would Ibe juft and righteous, and refufed fuch as he forefaw would be wicked and un- beleevers,all men would have acknow- ledg,ed this to have been a juft proceed - ing:but when it is Paid, that for his wils fake,fuch as are equal were diftin- guifhed,fomepurpofedto life, others reprobated to death, this unto reafon favours unrighteous. T t m. How is this Objeffion anfwered.? crees,works,and words,which he Both in men, by men, or upon mcn,or any other creature whatfoever :though the caufes,reafons, and ends of his doings, may be hid from us , yet we are bound to adore them as holy and righteous. The reafons hereof be: F'irftbecaufe it v,tit.m fr is written, that God hates iniquity, Ff. hale, rood $ ¢. and that he is righteous in all his wayes. Secondly,he is the judge of the world;and therefore cannot be unjuft, ltem.3.5 Gen.25 i8.Thirdly, he will of Lien, od is the foveraign caufe of all righ- teòufne(fe:whatloever he will,mufl be, becalafehe wils it; whereat in men, thin0 mutt firft bejuft, and then they are to Will them. Laftly,ifa Creditors- having two debters, may forgive the one, and caufe the other ro pay; or if a King may punifh one Malefàftor and fpareanother, and yet be juft, how much More God,who had not been un - juft,ifall had been appointed to death? (as Augafiine faith) all being debters to God by mans fall : if he take not his debt ofone,he hath whereof to rejoice, and if he doe take it ofanother,hebath not whereof to complain. Mercy is (hewed without injuftice:mercy is free, and floweth from love undue,whereas juftice is to give every one his due. T I m. What ale of this infirultion ? S I L. It ferves to flop` the mouthes of fuch as belch out blafphemies a- gainit the righteoofneffe and juftice of Almighty God.Secondly, itadmonifh- eth us to think of God with all reve- rence & humiliation in whatfoever he doth, yea when we cannot reach the reafon of his purpofe anda&ions. For S t L. Firft,by a negation or denial; it is againft reafon to meafure Gods [God forbid.]Secondly by a confirmati- counfels and a&ions,by the rule ofour on ofthat deniall by a teflimony of, baiardly reafon. Scripture [For he faith to Mofes, &c.] T I m. How cloth Paul confirm his de- T I L. What it the denyall ? niall ? S I L. God forbid : as who (hould fay, S I L. By a teftimony of Scripture, let it never enter into the heart of any the rum whereof is thus much ; that man,to think that God fhould be un- God hath an abfolute power over all juft men to chufewhom he will,and whom T t m. What is our hill ruffianfrom this he will not chufe,to harden, deniall? T What are we to learn out of the S i L.That it is our duty to acknow- preface before the teflimony? S I L'
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