The Riches of Gods Love, Approbation – Title page
OF All thoſe weighty parcells of Goſpell truth, which the Arminians have choſen to oppoſe, there is not any about which they ſo much delight to try and exerciſe the ſtrength of fleſhly reaſonings, as that of Gods eternall decree of Reprobation: partly becauſe the Scripture doth not ſo abound in the delivery of this Doctrine, as of ſome others, lying in a more immediate ſubſerviency to the obedience and conſolation of the Saints, (though it be ſufficiently revealed in them, to the quieting of their ſpirits who have learned to captivate their underſtandings to the obedience of Faith) and partly becauſe they apprehend the Truth thereof, to be more expoſed to the riotous oppoſition of mens tumultating carnall Affections, whoſe help and aſſiſtance they by all meanes court and ſolicite in their conteſts againſt it. Thus the Author of the Book entituled (Gods love to Mankind) being deſired to render a reaſon of the change his Faith, in paſſing over to the Tents of the Arminians, he drawes forth only this one poynt to make ſhew of, for the hinge of his alteration. Many Learned men know with what applauſe that Book of his was received and divulged, by that whole Generation which had then wrapped up the ball of the Errors promoted by it, in the gilded covering of Preferment, and carried it away before them. They being by providence removed from that ſtation and conjunction unto Power, whence they had their effectual influence on the Earth, God foreſaw (if he may be allowed to foreſee) what reinforcement upon other hands their Abominations would receive, and therefore in his tender love made proviſion for his Church before hand, as by others , ſo in eſpeciall by the renowned Author of this Treatiſe, whoſe paines herein, intended by him for the conviction of them, with whom after much forbearance God intended to take another courſe, are now ſeaſonably brought to light, to ſtop the mouthes of another Generation riſen up in their ſteed, (enemies of Gods Soverainty and Grace) untill He ſhall be pleaſed to deale otherwiſe with them. God is not mo…ed, that which men ſow they ſhall reap. It is well known what ſpheare this Learned Author moved in; how farre elevated above any poſſibility of my reaching the leaſt eſteeme to him or his labours: This (being deſi…ed by my worthy and Learned friend the Publiſher, to expreſſe my th…ughts upon its peruſall) I ſhall take the boldneſſe to ſay, that this Trea…iſe of our Author, comes not any whit behind the choyceſt of thoſ… other eminent Workes of his, wherein in this cauſe of God, he faithfull… ſerved his Generation. I doubt not but it will appeare to the Reade…, that he hath dealt with the Adverſaries of the Truth, in their chiefeſt …olds, advantages and ſtrengths, putting them to ſhame in the calumnyes and lyes which they make their refuge.
IOHN OWEN Vicecan. Oxon.
The Riches of Gods Love unto the Veſſells of Mercy, CONSISTENT WITH His Abſolute Hatred or Reprobation Of the Veſſells of Wrath. OR AN ANSWER UNTO A BOOK ENTITULED Gods Love unto Mankind, Manifeſted by Diſproving His Abſolute Decree for their Damnation. IN TWO BOOKES The Firſt being a Refutation of the ſaid Booke, As it was Preſented in Manuſcript by Mr HORD unto Sir NATH: RICH. The Second being an Examination of certain Paſſages inſerted into M. HORDS Diſcourſe, (formerly Anſwered) by an Author that conceales his Name, but was ſuppoſed to be Mr MASON, Rector of Andrews-Underſhaft in London.
By that Great and Famous Light of Gods Church, WILLIAM TWISSE D. D. And Prolocutor of the late Aſſembly of DIVINES.
Whereunto are annexed Two Tractates of the ſame Author in Anſwer unto D. H. The one concerning Gods Decrees Definite or Indefinite. The other about the object of Predeſtination. TOGETHER WITH A Vindication of D. TWISSE from the exceptions of Mr JOHN GOODWIN In his Redemption Redeemed. By HENRY JEANES Miniſter of God's Word In CHEDZOY.
Rom. 9. 20.
O Man, who art thou that replieſt againſt God, ſhall the thing formed, ſay to him that formed it, why haſt thou made mee thus?
v. 21. Hath not the Potter power over the clay, of the ſame Lump to make one veſſell to honour, and another unto diſhonour.
OXFORD, Printed by L. L. and H. H. Printers to the Univerſity, for Tho: Robinſon. Anno Salutis M. DC. LIII.