A Sober View of Dr Twisses his Considerations

Summary

Sect. I.

Dr Twisse denies Hoords State of the Question, and mends it thus. Wheras Hoord Saith, The Decrees of GOD are touching the Everlasting Condition of Men; Dr Twisse rather thinks the Resolution of the Point depends upon GODS Purpose touching Grace Efficacious. As namely, if Faith be confessed to be the Gift of GOD, it followeth here hence that Predestination to Faith, and Reprobation from Faith, Proceed meerly from the Good Pleasure of GOD, and not upon Foresight of ought in Man. Twisse Lib. 1. contr. Hoord. pag. 2.

1. 1. Hence we may observe That Dr Twiss supposeth a Wide Difference between Gods determining such a Man to Damnation or Salvation; and his decreeing to give faith and repentance to such a man, denying it to others.

2. 2. Upon his Avoiding that Rock of Shipwrack, which Hoord would expose him to, so Cautelously; we may conclude; that in his Esteem, it is an inconvenient and dangerous thing, to say, that God meerly of his own Good Pleasure ordaineth any man to everlasting Salvation or Damnation.

3. 3. That therfore when he decreeth not to give Grace to som he doth not do it to this End, that they might be damned; that is with a Direct and fell Intent to destroy them: For then, becaus that is first in the Intention, which is last in Execution; it would follow, that He first intended their Damnation, and afterward the Means leading therunto.

4. So that 4. Tho he doth determine to give Faith and without any thing foreseen in Man; he doth not determine to Damne any without somthing foreseen, nor to save any without somthing fore seen in them.

5. 5. We may observe further as a Natural Consequent of the former, that Gods refusing to give Grace absolutely to such, does not necessarily, but by accident only caus their damnation. for if it caused their Damnation necessarily, he that was the Cause of that Caus would be the Cause of their Damnation. for the Cause of the Caus causeth the Effect.