Gods Goodness Vindicated, Title page – Publisher to the reader
GODS GOODNESS, VINDICATED For the help of ſuch (eſpecially in Melancholy) as are Tempted to deny it, and think him Cruel, becauſe of the Preſent and Future Miſery of Mankind; With reſpect to the Doctrine of Reprobation and Damnation.
By Richard Baxter.
Publiſhed and Prefaced by a Friend at whoſe deſire it was Written, and to whom it was Committed.
1 Joh. 4.16.
GOD is LOVE, and he that dwelleth in Love, dwelleth in God, and God in Him.
LONDON, Printed for N. Simmons, at the three Crowns near Holborn Conduit. 1671.
The Publiſher to the Reader.
HOW much the Glory of God and the Salvation of men is concerned in the right underſtanding of his Goodneſs in all his wayes and counſels towards them, is evidently ſeen by all that have any true notion of the Divine excellency and mans felicity. Gods Goodneſs is his moſt ſolemnly proclaimed Name and Glory. It is his Goodneſs duly known that leads ſinners to repentance, and unites their hearts to fear his name, and excites and for ever terminates that love which is our holineſs and happineſs to eternity. It is alſo too well known how much this amiable divine Goodneſs is denyed or doubted of. What cavils are raiſed againſt it by men of corrupt minds! What ſecret prejudice lyes againſt it and how deeply rooted in our depraved nature! Yea with how fearful ſuggeſtions and apprehenſions are ſome godly Chriſtians (eſpecially thoſe that lye in the darkneſs of Melancholy) ſometimes perplexed about it! And even ſuch as are grounded and ſetled in it, are liable to be aſſaulted, and may ſometimes ſtagger and ſtumble at it. And indeed though the kindneſs of God towards men hath appeared in the World as viſible as the Sun in the Firmament; yet mans darkned underſtanding and his connate ſenſuality and ſelfiſhneſs taking occaſion from the more myſterious parts of Providence, and thoſe eſpecially that moſt contradict the wiſdom and intereſt of the fleſh, hath cauſed diſputes and raiſed doubts againſt the truth of that which is in it ſelf as clear and ſure as that there is a God or a World, or anything exiſtent. Whereupon this Author was earneſtly deſired by a friend to collect ſome principles in a narrow compaſs, that might ſilence Cavillers, ſuccour the Tempted, and confirm the ſound mind. And for theſe ends they are with his permiſſion by his friend made publike. Hoſ. 14.9. Who is wiſe? and he ſhall underſtand theſe things; prudent? and he ſhall know them. For the wayes of the Lord are right and the juſt ſhall walk in them, but the tranſgreſſors ſhall fall therein.
April. 27. 1671.