Verf. 23. the Epiflle to the Romans. 3 59 T t M. Sheen no what ufe we are to make of this point ? S r L. Gods Minifters and children mutt by the example of their Father learn patience towards thole that be evi11,2 Tim.2.24. Ca/.3. 12. So long as there is any caufe to hope, that thy our fufferance there is any good to be done upon them : but if they grow more ob- ftinate by our lenity, then obey that in Mat.7.7. T r M. What other Doffrine from hence? S t L. It is a fearful mark of(a repro - bate,alwaies to abufe Gods patience, to the hardening of themfelves in their evils ; becaufe nonebut they do it: as nonebut Gods children can profit by it to amendment oflife. T n M. What ufe of this point ? S t t.It ferves for a trial) and exami- nation of our felves,whether we be out of the rank of reprobates, namely, ifwe finde that we have profited by the pati- ence and longfufferanCe of God to- wards us, to the reformation of our wages : alfo it ferves for terror unto fuch as are not made the better by the patience of God towards them. And laftly,it ferves for comfortto fuch as are bettered by his long-fuffering andkind- neffe, thereby learning more to fear the offending of fuch a glorious God. This is a good token and very comfortable. T i u. Skew us why reprobates are called ve9lsof wrath? S t. Veffels they are called in re- fpebt of Gods preordination and crea- tion He fore- appointed and made them to Tome fpecial ufe, (as veffels be!) even to the letting forth of his power and jullice, as was Paid before. (Veffels of wrath) in regard of their own fins, whereby they `corrupted and made themfelves worthy of his wrath and, punifhment. S t L. What is meant by[prepared,1 and by whom are they prepared to defiruEtion ? S r L. To be prepared, lignifies to be made fit and meet beforehand, andthis is done partly by God, eternally reje- aing them ; creatingthem in time, per- mitting them to fall in Adam, and juft- ly hardening them for refilling his will. Secondly, by Satan, foliciting them to fin, and infpiring into them finful mo- tions, obdurating them al Co in finful courfes Laftly,hy themfelves in regard oftheir natural corruption and volun- tary depravation,following the lulls of their ignorance with greedineffe. Thus in regard of creation, and the end to the which they are ordained,reprobates are prepared of God ; as alto in regard of fin (as it is the means to bring them to that end:) but refpe&ic:g Iin (as it is fin) which they bring oftheir own, fo they are prepared by themfelves, and by Satan. Note, that it is good divinity taught from God, by the pen of the Apoflle Paul, in plain exprefle terms, that there be Tome men which be veffèls of wrath and prepared to deftru &ion; and that they know no divinity,which deny this upon pretence, left God be found unjuft and tyrannical. It is a faIe thing, in speaking, writing, or preaching, to follow the phrafeand fpeech of the Ho- ly Ghoft,rightly taken in the true fenfe; men may not labour to be wifer then God, nor think to defend Gods juftice by a lye. Such be miferable patrons of Godand his righteoufnefle. Bon= non indigetmale, nor truth bath no need of falfhood to prop and fupport it. DIALOGUE XV. Verf. 23. Andthat he might declare the riches of his glory upon the Vefelsof mercy, which he kath prepared unto glory. TI MOT IT Eus. W Hat it the drift and purpofe of this Text ? S r L. To illuftrate and let forth the end of Gods counfel touc uiatg the re- probate (which is, the manifeftation of jultice and power in their deferved de- ftru&ion) by the contrary end, tou- ching his counfel ofele&ion, which is two -fold. Firft, Gods own glory (this is the utmoft end.) Secondly, the titer- . nail
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