Vert. 20,2 1f. the .Epifile to the Romans. yea by any creature in earth or in hea- ven; the greateft men are under another, God at leafi is above them ; but God is fupreme, and hath none above him. T t rn. But what difference is then betwixt God,andfuch other tyrannical! rulers, as for their pleafure fake deflroy their fubjetis,as the Mufcovians, the Turks, en. S t t. Yes, there is great difference: Firft, thefe Princes made not their f6b- jeas.Seconly,their power is limitted by law, and confcience, or religion ; they be Pet up by God, and muff reign for God. Thirdly, being finful men their tuff and delire is finful, whereas Gods will is pure. Lafily, Tyrants refpea wicked ends, to fatisfie their favage cru- elty ; whereas Gods purpofe in Paving or dcftroying, refpe &s the praife of his juflice and mercy, molt holy and good ends. T t M. Tell us what ufewe are to make of tl is Doctrine ? S t L. Firft,it reproves fuch as make Gods decree of reprobation, to depend upon Gods fore-teeing fin in men. T t M. What reafons have we againft this? S t L. Firft, á plain Text, verf. 9. & i 5. Secondly, it abridgeth the abfolute will and power of God, and fubje ð his will to mens merits. Thirdly, then all men being fanners by nature, muff needs be reprobate and calf away. Fourthly, then had there been no cattle to obje& injuftice in God : for every one will confetti it juft,to reprobate for original fin forefeen, but without re- fpe& ofuuworthineffe to do it,argueth iniquity. T t st. What other ufe of this Doctrine. S e L. It ferves to teach all men pati- ence in adverfity, and thankfulneffe in profperity ; for feeing all which hap - neth, dependeth on Gods will,it is rea- fon to be patient, if ought fall out not well,and thankful to God ifall be wel. T t M. What other Dolirine from this 2 I.verfe! S t L. That all men are not ele&, be- caufe there are veffels to difhonour. Again, the fimilitude of a pot, doth warn us ofour trail and brittle eftate, howfoever ftrong we feem to be, yet we are broken afunder very quickly ; even as a pot is foon quafhed, to is man as an earthen veffel ; which confderátion fhould ferveto work both humility, feeing we are fo feeble and mortall; and watchfulneffe alto, feting we know not when the pot will break, at what hour the Theef will come, death being ever at our elbowes, and the time as uncer- tain as the thing is certain. Dintocun XIIII. Verf. 22. What and if God would to Phew his wrath, ard ro make his power known, fu ffer with long patience the veffe.`s of wrath, which he bath prepared to deflruaion ? T IMOTH EUS. 1S the reading of this verfe fo9,or it t! ere fomething lacking to perfetï the reading? S r L. There mutt be a fupply of a word or two, as thus : [Who (hall accufe God ? ] or [What haft thou to objeli againft him s] S t t. Tell us now the drift and purpofe of this Text? T t ta. The purpofe is to clear the counfel ofGods reprobation from all tyranny, by rehearfing the true caufes and reafons why God eleaeth Tome, and rejeð others ; all being equal both by creatioñ,and corruption of na- ture.This is the argument ; Whofoever having abfolute right, will do nothing but upon good caures and reafons, can be no tyrant. Such an one is God (our celeftial Potter, ) therefore he is not guilty of injuftice or cruelty, though heappointfometo glory,and others to puntfhrnent eternally;for all his ends be as righteous, as his power is foveraign. T t M. Declare unto us the fe final' caufes in refe¿t of the reprobate. S r L. There be three mentioned in thisText.Firft to Phew his wrath againfl their fins. Secondly,to make known his power by breaking them, notwithfian- dingtheir obftinacy againfi him.Third- ly, the abufe of his long fuffering and lenity. Upon thefe grounds, and for thefe 357 Scope. Summe.
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