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         Grantham, Thomas, 1634-1692.
      
       
         
           1691
        
      
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             The forerunner to a further answer (if need be) to two books lately published against Tho. Grantham of Norwich wherein the spirit and temper of the Calvinists is discovered, particularly Mr. Calvin, Mr. Finch, and his little præcursor : to which is prefixed, the solid testimony of Mr. George Wither, against Calvinism, the worst of doctrines / by Tho. Grantham ...
             Grantham, Thomas, 1634-1692.
             Wither, George, 1588-1667.
          
           7 p.
           
             s.n.,
             [London? :
             1691]
          
           
             Caption title.
             Place and date of publication suggested by Wing.
             Imperfect : stained and slightly faded.
             Reproduction of original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Finch, Martin, 1628?-1698. -- Answer to Mr. Thomas Grantham's book, called, A dialogue between the Baptist and the Presbyterian.
           Calvinism -- Controversial literature.
           Baptists -- Apologetic works.
        
      
    
     
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           The
           FORERUNNER
           to
           a
           further
           Answer
           (
           if
           need
           be
           )
           to
           two
           Books
           lately
           published
           against
           
             Tho.
             Grantham
          
           of
           
             Norwich
             :
          
           Wherein
           the
           Spirit
           and
           Temper
           of
           the
           
             Calvinists
          
           is
           discovered
           ;
           particularly
           Mr.
           
             Calvin
             ,
          
           Mr.
           
             Finch
             ,
          
           and
           his
           little
           
             Praecursor
             .
          
        
         
           
             To
             which
             is
             prefixed
             ,
          
           The
           solid
           Testimony
           of
           Mr.
           
             George
             Wither
          
           against
           
             Calvinism
             ,
          
           the
           worst
           of
           Doctrines
           .
        
         
           By
           
             THO.
             GRANTHAM
             ,
          
           Preacher
           of
           glad
           Tidings
           to
           all
           Men
           in
           the
           City
           of
           
             Norwich
             .
          
        
         
           MR.
           
             George
             Wither
             ,
          
           a
           Man
           of
           great
           Judgment
           in
           many
           things
           ,
           and
           a
           faithful
           Monitor
           of
           the
           English
           Nation
           for
           many
           Years
           ;
           did
           ,
           in
           the
           Year
           1666
           ,
           publish
           his
           
             Parallellogrammaton
             ;
          
           wherein
           he
           does
           much
           perswade
           to
           Repentance
           and
           Brotherly-Love
           .
           And
           observing
           some
           great
           Impediments
           to
           both
           ,
           in
           
             p.
             61
             ,
             &c.
          
           he
           considers
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           
             Calvinists
             ,
          
           in
           denying
           universal
           Redemption
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           very
           great
           Obstruction
           thereunto
           .
           And
           thus
           he
           declares
           himself
           .
        
         
           
             I
             will
             be
             bold
             to
             aver
             —
             that
             the
             brotherly
             Love
             and
             true
             Repentance
             ,
             whereto
             I
             would
             perswade
             ,
             will
             never
             be
             effectually
             attain'd
             unto
             by
             them
             ,
             which
             knowingly
             ,
             premeditately
             ,
             and
             wilfully
             persevere
             
               in
               denying
               the
               universal
               Redemption
               of
               Mankind
               by
               Jesus
               Christ
               ;
            
             seeing
             thereon
             depends
             God's
             most
             glorious
             Attribute
             ;
             and
             in
             regard
             it
             is
             that
             for
             which
             we
             are
             much
             more
             obliged
             to
             him
             than
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             he
             cannot
             but
             be
             highly
             displeased
             with
             all
             those
             who
             confine
             the
             extent
             of
             that
             Mercy
             .
             I
             know
             many
             in
             these
             Times
             (
             some
             of
             them
             in
             other
             respects
             very
             good
             and
             learned
             Men
             )
             who
             think
             
               universal
               Redemption
            
             to
             be
             
               a
               New
               Doctrine
               ,
            
             terming
             it
             
               Arminianism
            
             and
             
               Popery
               :
            
             but
             it
             is
             neither
             new
             ,
             nor
             repugnant
             (
             as
             is
             pretended
             )
             to
             the
             Orthodox
             Doctrine
             of
             
               Election
            
             and
             
               Reprobation
               ,
            
             and
             the
             
               free
               Grace
            
             of
             God
             ;
             nor
             ascribes
             ought
             more
             to
             Nature
             by
             the
             Consequences
             thereof
             ,
             than
             tends
             to
             our
             justifying
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             our
             self-condemnation
             ,
             if
             that
             which
             he
             hath
             given
             us
             be
             not
             husbanded
             according
             as
             he
             hath
             and
             doth
             enable
             .
             The
             holy
             Scriptures
             evidence
             it
             to
             all
             who
             rightly
             understand
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
             So
             far
             is
             it
             from
             being
             a
             
               Novelty
               ,
            
             (
             as
             ignorant
             Hearers
             are
             made
             to
             believe
             )
             that
             it
             was
             received
             and
             professed
             for
             a
             necessary
             Truth
             by
             the
             Churches
             of
             God
             in
             all
             Ages
             since
             Christ's
             Birth
             ,
             and
             contradicted
             by
             very
             few
             in
             the
             first
             Times
             of
             Christianity
             :
             Yea
             ,
             it
             was
             believed
             many
             hundreds
             of
             Years
             before
             
               Arminius
            
             was
             born
             ,
             or
             Popery
             had
             any
             being
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             will
             be
             professed
             ,
             when
             the
             Opposers
             and
             Traducers
             of
             that
             Verity
             shall
             be
             quite
             rooted
             out
             of
             the
             
               Evangelical
               Kingdom
            
             —
             It
             is
             the
             well-counterfeiting
             of
             Truth
             and
             Holiness
             which
             must
             compleat
             the
             Designs
             of
             Antichrist
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             not
             any
             one
             single
             Heresy
             or
             Wickedness
             ,
             which
             doth
             so
             secretly
             ,
             and
             so
             mischievously
             supplant
             Christ
             ;
             it
             undermines
             the
             Foundation
             of
             that
             Structure
             which
             open
             Blasphemies
             above-ground
             cannot
             endanger
             ,
             and
             hath
             already
             sprung
             a
             
               Mine
            
             to
             the
             dividing
             of
             
               Lutherans
            
             and
             
               Calvinists
               ,
            
             that
             they
             will
             hardly
             be
             reconciled
             until
             all
             Controversies
             are
             at
             an
             end
             .
          
        
         
           
             Let
             us
             therefore
             consider
             well
             what
             depends
             upon
             it
             ;
             how
             much
             it
             concerns
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ;
             how
             much
             he
             is
             dishonoured
             by
             a
             contrary
             Belief
             ,
             and
             how
             much
             it
             detracts
             from
             our
             own
             Privileges
             and
             Consolations
             .
             God's
             
               Mercy
            
             is
             above
             all
             his
             Works
             .
             It
             is
             the
             
               Crown
            
             and
             
               Dignity
            
             of
             the
             
               King
            
             of
             
               Kings
               ,
            
             and
             the
             highest
             of
             all
             Treasons
             to
             clip
             it
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             A
             professed
             denial
             of
             the
             
               universality
            
             of
             
               humane
               Redemption
               ,
            
             seems
             to
             me
             a
             cursed
             
               Counter-Callol
               ,
            
             made
             and
             sung
             by
             Devils
             ,
             in
             opposition
             to
             that
             blessed
             Nativity-Song
             which
             was
             sung
             by
             Angels
             at
             the
             birth
             of
             
               Christ
               ,
               Glory
               to
               God
               on
               High
               ,
               on
               Earth
               Peace
               ,
               and
               good
               Will
               to
               Men.
            
             For
             how
             was
             God
             likely
             to
             be
             glorified
             ,
             Peace
             to
             be
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             and
             good
             Will
             to
             Men
             ,
             manifested
             by
             the
             Incarnation
             of
             his
             Son
             ,
             if
             Man's
             Redemption
             had
             not
             
               been
               Universal
               ?
            
             But
             so
             narrowed
             ,
             that
             it
             extended
             to
             a
             very
             few
             ,
             and
             those
             few
             also
             left
             without
             assurance
             they
             were
             of
             that
             small
             number
             ,
             whatsoever
             they
             should
             endeavour
             ,
             if
             there
             should
             be
             an
             Exception
             from
             the
             Act
             of
             Grace
             ,
             as
             many
             fancy
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Doubtless
             if
             it
             had
             been
             so
             ,
             it
             would
             have
             given
             occasion
             rather
             of
             howling
             than
             of
             singing
             ,
             and
             been
             rather
             
               sad
            
             than
             
               glad
            
             Tidings
             ,
             in
             regard
             of
             that
             great
             Terror
             which
             might
             have
             seized
             upon
             all
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             caused
             an
             universal
             Lamentation
             ,
             when
             they
             considered
             how
             many
             millions
             of
             millions
             were
             certainly
             exposed
             to
             everlasting
             Damnation
             ;
             how
             small
             a
             number
             in
             possibility
             to
             be
             saved
             ,
             and
             how
             few
             of
             their
             dearly
             beloved
             Parents
             ,
             Children
             ,
             and
             Friends
             might
             be
             of
             these
             few
             ,
             for
             whom
             Christ
             took
             upon
             him
             humane
             Nature
             .
             O
             horrible
             and
             unparallel'd
             Blasphemy
             !
             But
             ,
             blessed
             be
             God's
             Name
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             so
             .
             When
             the
             Children
             of
             
               Israel
            
             were
             redeemed
             out
             of
             their
             Egyptian
             Bondage
             ,
             which
             was
             a
             Type
             of
             our
             
               ●●●versal
               Redemption
               ,
            
             there
             was
             not
             one
             Soul
             ,
             no
             not
             a
             Hoof
             left
             behind
             them
             ;
             nor
             was
             one
             soul
             absolutely
             excluded
             from
             the
             benefit
             of
             Christ's
             Incarnation
             and
             Passion
             ,
             but
             they
             only
             who
             by
             their
             own
             Defaults
             ,
             and
             unrepented
             Sin
             ,
             should
             fall
             away
             ,
             as
             they
             did
             who
             perished
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             .
             For
             God
             hath
             many
             a
             time
             ,
             upon
             several
             Occasions
             ,
             pa●sed
             his
             Word
             to
             ascertain
             the
             Universality
             of
             his
             Love
             to
             Man
             without
             personal
             Respects
             ,
             where
             personal
             Sins
             without
             Repentance
             ,
             have
             not
             first
             made
             the
             Person
             uncapable
             .
             Nay
             ▪
             our
             Incredulity
             hath
             put
             him
             to
             his
             Oath
             to
             assure
             every
             Sinner
             .
             And
             if
             nevertheless
             we
             still
             distrust
             him
             ,
             continue
             in
             our
             misbelief
             of
             his
             
               Word
            
             and
             
               Oath
               ,
            
             and
             labour
             to
             draw
             others
             into
             the
             same
             Crime
             ;
             it
             cannot
             be
             an
             ordinary
             Punishment
             which
             God
             will
             at
             last
             inflict
             for
             so
             extraordinary
             and
             so
             high
             an
             Affront
             ;
             it
             being
             a
             Sin
             more
             hainous
             than
             Murder
             ,
             Adultery
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             meer
             carnal
             Sins
             put
             together
             ;
             yea
             ,
             more
             hainous
             than
             those
             the
             Jews
             committed
             by
             their
             Idolatries
             ,
             killing
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             crucifying
             Christ
             in
             the
             Flesh
             ;
             for
             the
             last
             was
             but
             a
             Sin
             against
             his
             Humanity
             ,
             and
             their
             Idolatries
             but
             the
             ascribing
             some
             part
             of
             that
             Honour
             to
             the
             Creatures
             ,
             which
             was
             due
             to
             God
             only
             :
             Whereas
             the
             limiting
             God's
             universal
             Grace
             in
             Christ
             with
             the
             concomitant
             Doctrines
             ,
             and
             the
             Consequences
             thence
             raised
             ,
             and
             the
             imputing
             to
             God
             an
             eternal
             Reprobation
             of
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             before
             they
             had
             done
             Good
             or
             Evil
             ;
             for
             those
             Sins
             also
             which
             they
             blasphemously
             say
             he
             necessitated
             them
             to
             commit
             ,
             to
             shew
             his
             Justice
             ,
             and
             manifest
             his
             hatred
             to
             Sin
             ,
             is
             a
             despoiling
             God
             of
             his
             Divine
             Nature
             ,
             of
             his
             Goodness
             ,
             and
             an
             ascribing
             unto
             him
             that
             which
             belongs
             only
             to
             the
             Devil
             .
          
        
         
           
             O
             the
             Patience
             of
             God!
             what
             can
             be
             so
             abominable
             ?
             They
             do
             not
             only
             make
             Reprobation
             older
             than
             the
             Father
             of
             it
             the
             Devil
             ,
             but
             make
             God
             also
             the
             Author
             of
             his
             Wickedness
             ,
             in
             necessitating
             him
             to
             be
             a
             Devil
             ,
             and
             consequently
             Author
             of
             all
             the
             Wickedness
             committed
             by
             all
             the
             Devils
             in
             Hell
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             wicked
             Men
             upon
             the
             Earth
             :
             which
             appears
             to
             me
             so
             horrible
             an
             Impiety
             ,
             that
             I
             wonder
             not
             to
             see
             the
             World
             so
             full
             of
             Plagues
             and
             Sins
             ,
             and
             Sins
             and
             Sinners
             become
             such
             Plagues
             to
             each
             other
             as
             they
             are
             .
             Nor
             can
             I
             believe
             there
             will
             ever
             be
             less
             Plagues
             ,
             where
             that
             Blasphemy
             is
             professed
             and
             indulged
             as
             Orthodox
             Doctrine
             ,
             until
             it
             be
             repented
             of
             .
             Nor
             shall
             I
             marvel
             if
             my
             Words
             be
             misunderstood
             ,
             and
             my
             good
             Meaning
             misinterpreted
             ;
             if
             God's
             Word
             be
             so
             mistaken
             ,
             and
             his
             Love
             so
             ill-rewarded
             .
             I
             know
             the
             bitterness
             and
             uncharitableness
             of
             their
             Spirits
             ,
             who
             shall
             be
             obstinate
             in
             this
             Judgment
             ,
             yet
             am
             neither
             afraid
             nor
             ashamed
             to
             declare
             my
             Conscience
             therein
             ;
             or
             in
             whatsoever
             else
             I
             think
             may
             concern
             God's
             Glory
             ,
             and
             the
             Peace
             of
             my
             Country
             .
             
               Thus
               far
               Mr.
            
             Geo.
             Wither
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             Th●
             
               Forerunner
            
             to
             a
             further
             Answer
             (
             if
             occasion
             serve
             )
             to
             two
             Books
             lately
             Published
             against
             
               Tho.
               Grantham
            
             of
             
               Norwich
               .
            
          
           
             Briefly
             shewing
             the
             Spirit
             and
             Temper
             of
             the
             
               Calvinists
               ,
            
             and
             particularly
             of
             Mr.
             
               Finch
            
             and
             his
             
               Praecursor
               ,
            
             &c.
             
          
           
             
               Wickedness
               proceedeth
               and
               cometh
               forth
               from
               the
               Wicked
               ,
               as
               saith
               the
               Proverb
               of
               the
               Ancients
               ,
            
             
               1
               Sam.
               24.
               13.
               
            
          
           
             IN
             
               Psal
               .
            
             94.
             20
             ▪
             this
             Question
             is
             put
             ,
             
               Shall
               the
               Throne
               of
               Iniquity
               have
            
             
             
               fellowship
               with
               thee
               ,
               which
               frameth
               Mischief
               by
               a
               Law
               ?
            
             The
             Sense
             of
             the
             place
             is
             ,
             
               No
               such
               thing
               can
               please
               God
               ,
            
             &c.
             
          
           
             Now
             of
             all
             Mischief
             ,
             Sin
             is
             the
             worst
             ,
             and
             indeed
             the
             Cause
             of
             all
             the
             rest
             .
             It
             must
             therefore
             be
             exceeding
             Evil
             ,
             for
             any
             to
             make
             the
             Holy
             God
             the
             Ordainer
             and
             Commander
             of
             
               all
               the
               Sins
               of
               Angels
               and
               Men
               ,
            
             and
             that
             
               freely
               ,
            
             without
             any
             Provocation
             ,
             and
             
               infallibly
            
             and
             
               unchangeably
            
             also
             ,
             that
             they
             must
             
               even
               so
               come
               to
               pass
               as
               he
               hath
            
             (
             not
             only
             )
             
               foreseen
               them
               ,
               but
               ordained
               and
               commanded
               them
               .
            
             This
             is
             the
             Doctrine
             which
             I
             chiefly
             opposed
             in
             my
             
               Dialogue
               .
            
             And
             though
             I
             have
             made
             this
             very
             manifestly
             appear
             to
             be
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             principal
             Men
             of
             the
             
               Presbyterian
            
             and
             
               Calvinistical
            
             Perswasion
             ,
             yet
             I
             will
             here
             add
             one
             Passage
             more
             out
             of
             Mr.
             
               Calvin
               ,
               Inst
               .
               L.
            
             3.
             
               c.
            
             24.
             
             
               Sect.
            
             6.
             where
             he
             boldly
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               That
               God
               doth
               none
               otherwise
               foresee
               the
               things
               that
               shall
               come
               to
               pass
               ,
               than
               because
               he
               hath
               ordained
               they
               shall
               so
               come
               to
               pass
               .
               It
               is
               vain
               to
               move
               Controversy
               about
               Foreknowledge
               ,
               where
               it
               is
               certain
               rather
               by
               Ordinance
               and
               Commandment
               .
            
             So
             then
             ,
             let
             the
             Action
             be
             never
             so
             wicked
             ,
             he
             makes
             it
             infallibly
             necessary
             ,
             by
             virtue
             of
             God's
             
               Ordinance
               and
               Commandment
               .
            
             Than
             which
             I
             do
             aver
             ▪
             nothing
             can
             be
             spoken
             more
             dishonourable
             to
             God
             ,
             nor
             more
             mischievous
             to
             Men.
             Yea
             ,
             
               Zanchius
            
             is
             as
             bold
             as
             
               Calvin
               ,
            
             for
             he
             saith
             ,
             
               Damus
               Reprobos
               necessitate
               p●●candi
               ,
               eoque
               &
               pereundi
               ,
               ex
               hac
               Dei
               ordinatione
               constringi
               ,
               atque
               ita
               constringi
               ut
               nequeant
               non
               peccare
               atque
               periere
               :
            
             That
             is
             ,
             
               We
               grant
               that
               Reprobates
               are
               held
               so
               fast
               under
               God's
               Almighty
               Decree
               ,
               that
               they
               cannot
               but
               sin
               and
               perish
               .
            
             These
             I
             call
             the
             worst
             Doctrines
             in
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             And
             finding
             
               this
               worst
               of
               Doctrines
            
             to
             have
             much
             prevailed
             in
             the
             City
             of
             
               Norwich
               ,
            
             I
             have
             endeavoured
             to
             make
             the
             Citizens
             sensible
             of
             the
             danger
             of
             it
             ,
             both
             by
             Preaching
             and
             Writing
             .
             For
             which
             Work
             and
             Labour
             of
             Love
             (
             and
             to
             their
             Souls
             especially
             who
             are
             most
             deceived
             by
             it
             )
             I
             have
             been
             ill
             requited
             by
             many
             Slanders
             and
             Reproaches
             ;
             and
             particularly
             by
             a
             very
             foolish
             Pamphlet
             ,
             as
             a
             Forerunner
             to
             that
             Book
             of
             Mr.
             
               Finch
               ,
            
             which
             he
             calls
             ,
             
               An
               Answer
               to
               my
               Dialogue
               ,
            
             [
             which
             scurrilous
             Pamphlet
             was
             published
             with
             his
             Privity
             and
             Allowance
             ,
             as
             I
             suppose
             ]
             in
             both
             which
             ,
             one
             great
             Design
             is
             ,
             to
             disgrace
             my
             Person
             by
             unseemly
             
               Epithets
               ,
            
             and
             very
             false
             
               Stories
               ;
            
             and
             particularly
             for
             that
             which
             I
             writ
             against
             
               Calvin
            
             for
             his
             Rage
             and
             Cruelty
             ,
             in
             procuring
             one
             
               Michael
               Servetus
            
             to
             be
             burnt
             to
             death
             at
             
               Geneva
               ,
            
             Anno
             1553.
             
             Concerning
             which
             the
             
               Pamphleteer
            
             calls
             
               Calvin
               ,
            
             a
             
               renowned
               Man
            
             a
             
               Star
               of
               the
               first
               Magnitude
               ;
            
             and
             
               Servetus
               ,
            
             an
             
               infamous
               Wretch
               ;
            
             and
             my self
             ,
             a
             
               paultry
               groveling
               Fellow
               .
            
             And
             Mr.
             
               Finch
            
             calls
             me
             ,
             a
             
               boisterous
               quarrelsom
               Man
               ,
            
             one
             that
             hath
             the
             
               Spirit
               of
               Slumber
               ,
            
             as
             
               a
               check
               and
               punishment
               to
               defame
               such
               a
               Man
               as
            
             Calvin
             ;
             and
             to
             extol
             
               Servetus
               ,
            
             an
             
               Antitrinitarian
               ;
            
             and
             says
             ,
             I
             have
             
               lost
               all
               Credit
               and
               Esteem
               with
               all
               wise
               and
               knowing
               Christians
               .
            
             But
             yet
             I
             hope
             all
             wise
             and
             knowing
             Christians
             will
             hear
             me
             speak
             for
             what
             is
             Truth
             ,
             and
             so
             for
             my self
             also
             before
             they
             condemn
             me
             .
             And
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             Wherein
             do
             I
             defame
             
               Calvin
               ?
            
             That
             he
             did
             certainly
             procure
             the
             death
             of
             
               Servetus
               ,
            
             a
             very
             learned
             Man
             ,
             and
             of
             that
             exact
             Life
             ,
             that
             nothing
             is
             objected
             against
             him
             ,
             though
             I
             doubt
             he
             did
             err
             in
             some
             things
             ;
             I
             sa
             〈…〉
             at
             
               Calvin
            
             did
             procure
             his
             Death
             ▪
             is
             p
             〈…〉
             he
             
             saith
             ,
             
               I
               freely
               confess
               the
               Accuser
               came
               out
               from
               me
               ,
               I
               hope
               at
               the
               least
               he
               shall
               be
               put
               to
               death
            
             *
             .
             I
             have
             not
             then
             defamed
             
               Calvin
               ,
            
             unless
             Mr.
             
               Finch
            
             and
             his
             
               little
               Lawyer
            
             can
             justify
             that
             cruel
             Action
             ;
             as
             indeed
             they
             seem
             willing
             so
             to
             do
             ,
             by
             approving
             Dr.
             
               Owen
            
             his
             Sentence
             ,
             who
             tells
             us
             ,
             as
             Mr.
             
               Finch
            
             quotes
             him
             ,
             
               p.
            
             115.
             
             
               That
            
             Servetus
             
               is
               the
               only
               Person
               in
               the
               World
               that
               he
               ever
               heard
               of
               ,
               that
               ever
               died
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               Religion
               ,
               in
               reference
               to
               whom
               the
               Zeal
               of
               them
               that
               put
               him
               to
               death
               may
               be
               acquitted
               .
            
             And
             thus
             Mr.
             
               Finch
               ,
            
             Dr.
             
               Owen
               ,
            
             &c.
             have
             bathed
             their
             Hands
             in
             the
             Blood
             of
             poor
             
               Michael
               Servetus
               .
            
             Behold
             ,
             and
             wonder
             !
             and
             wonder
             the
             more
             ,
             because
             neither
             of
             them
             ever
             saw
             the
             Book
             which
             
               Servetus
            
             died
             for
             ,
             but
             take
             their
             Grounds
             from
             the
             Pens
             of
             his
             Murderers
             ,
             who
             would
             not
             speak
             the
             best
             of
             him
             you
             may
             be
             sure
             .
             But
             ,
          
           
             2.
             
             Wherein
             do
             I
             extol
             
               Servetus
               ?
            
             I
             said
             he
             was
             a
             Learned
             and
             
               worthy
               Man
               ,
            
             and
             
               pious
               ,
            
             tho
             mistaken
             in
             some
             things
             perhaps
             .
             And
             do
             I
             not
             call
             him
             
               Pious
            
             in
             conjunction
             with
             
               Calvin
               ?
            
             Now
             I
             conceive
             that
             in
             Charity
             ,
             I
             may
             hope
             many
             were
             pious
             Men
             ,
             who
             did
             not
             rightly
             understand
             the
             Mystery
             of
             the
             Trinity
             .
             Yea
             ,
             I
             have
             the
             charity
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             
               Calvin
            
             was
             a
             pious
             Man
             ,
             and
             yet
             I
             believe
             and
             know
             that
             he
             was
             very
             Erroneous
             in
             many
             things
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             was
             acted
             by
             
               Cain's
            
             Spirit
             ,
             when
             he
             procured
             the
             Death
             of
             
               Servetus
               ,
            
             who
             could
             not
             deny
             either
             the
             
               Father
               ,
               Son
               ,
               nor
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               because
               he
               held
               true
               Baptism
               in
               the
               Name
               of
               all
               the
               Three
               ;
            
             though
             I
             fear
             his
             Sentiments
             were
             not
             so
             clear
             as
             they
             ought
             to
             have
             been
             concerning
             the
             Unity
             of
             these
             Three
             .
             And
             who
             can
             say
             that
             he
             so
             fully
             knows
             this
             great
             and
             glorious
             Mystery
             as
             he
             ought
             to
             do
             ?
             I
             am
             far
             from
             justifying
             
               Servetus
            
             in
             his
             Error
             ,
             yet
             I
             think
             they
             ought
             to
             have
             spared
             his
             Life
             ,
             though
             they
             had
             laid
             some
             Restraint
             upon
             him
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Let
             us
             hear
             what
             Learned
             Protestants
             have
             said
             before
             me
             ,
             in
             the
             Case
             of
             
               Servetus
               .
            
          
           
             1.
             
             
               Grotius
               ,
            
             a
             Man
             that
             had
             but
             few
             Equals
             for
             Wisdom
             and
             Moderation
             ,
             tells
             us
             ;
             
               Servetus
               Libri
               non
               Genevae
               tantum
               ,
               sed
               in
               aliis
               Locis
               ,
               per
               Calvini
               diligentiam
               exusti
               sunt
               ;
               fateor
               tamen
               unum
               me
               exemplum
               vidisse
               Libri
               Servetiani
               ,
               in
               quo
               certe
               ea
               non
               reperi
               quae
               ei
               objicit
               Calvinus
               ,
            
             Vot
             .
             pro
             p●ce
             ,
             
               p.
            
             16.
             
             That
             is
             ,
             
               By
               the
               Diligence
               of
            
             Calvin
             ,
             
               all
               the
               Books
               of
            
             Servetus
             
               were
               not
               only
               burnt
               at
            
             Geneva
             ,
             
               but
               in
               other
               Places
               .
               Yet
               I
               have
               seen
               one
               Copy
               of
            
             Servetus
             '
             
               s
               Books
               ,
               in
               which
               truly
               I
               do
               not
               find
               the
               Things
               which
            
             Calvin
             
               does
               object
               against
               him
               .
            
          
           
             And
             saith
             Dr.
             
               Pierce
               ,
            
             (
             a
             Learned
             and
             Able
             Minister
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
            
             )
             
               
                 Servetus
              
               was
               burnt
               at
               
                 Geneva
              
               for
               less
               than
               being
               a
               
                 Socinian
                 ,
              
               and
               who
               was
               not
               so
               bad
               as
               Mr.
               
                 B.
              
               (
               a
               Presbyterian
               )
               hath
               laboured
               to
               fancy
               me
               .
            
          
           
             And
             he
             tells
             us
             also
             ,
             
               That
               
                 Oecolampadius
                 (
                 a
                 Learned
                 Protestant
                 )
              
               was
               offended
               at
               the
               barbarity
               of
               the
               Sentence
               .
               Nor
               find
               I
               any
               thing
               (
               
                 saith
                 he
              
               )
               pretended
               against
               
                 Servetus
                 ,
              
               which
               was
               so
               highly
               blasphemous
               ,
               as
               to
               make
               God
               the
               Author
               or
               Cause
               of
               Sin.
               And
               how
               well
               
                 Calvin
              
               could
               tell
               his
               own
               Tale
               ,
               and
               how
               diligent
               he
               was
               in
               being
               the
               first
               Informer
               of
               his
               Affairs
               ,
               we
               may
               guess
               by
               his
               Epistles
               ,
               164
               ,
               165
               ,
               which
               he
               writ
               to
               the
               Four
               
                 Helvetian
              
               Cities
               for
               gaining
               Authority
               to
               his
               new
               Device
               —
               for
               ,
               let
               them
               say
               what
               they
               please
               to
               lessen
               the
               Guilt
               of
               that
               Cruelty
               ,
               yet
               they
               are
               Parties
               ,
               and
               must
               not
               so
               easily
               be
               heeded
               as
               other
               Men
               who
               are
               none
               .
               If
               
                 Servetus
              
               his
               Books
               were
               so
               blasphemous
               ,
               why
               was
               
                 Calvin
              
               so
               diligent
               in
               burning
               up
               the
               Impression
               which
               he
               should
               rather
               have
               preserved
               ,
               that
               Posterity
               might
               see
               some
               competent
               Cause
               for
               such
               a
               terrible
               Execution
               ?
               Yet
               ,
               by
               the
               Providence
               of
               God
               ,
               one
               or
               two
               of
               the
               Copies
               escap'd
               the
               Flames
               ;
               and
               we
               are
               assured
               ,
               by
               peerless
               
                 Grotius
                 ,
              
               that
               in
               the
               Copy
               which
               he
               saw
               ,
               he
               could
               not
               find
               those
               things
               which
               were
               objected
               by
               Mr.
               
                 Calvin
                 ;
              
               what
               
                 Melancton
              
               wrote
               ,
               it
               was
               meerly
               on
               supposition
               that
               
                 Calvin's
              
               Narrative
               was
               true
               .
               
                 Thus
                 far
                 the
                 Learned
              
               Pierce
               ,
               
                 in
                 dislike
              
               Calvin
               '
               
                 s
                 Cruelty
                 against
              
               Servetus
               .
            
          
           
           
             And
             by
             this
             we
             may
             perceive
             ,
             how
             little
             Credit
             there
             is
             to
             be
             given
             to
             Dr.
             
               Owen
            
             and
             Mr.
             
               Finch
               ,
            
             or
             his
             
               Little
               Praecursor
               ,
            
             not
             one
             of
             them
             having
             seen
             the
             Book
             which
             they
             condemn
             ,
             but
             receive
             their
             Information
             from
             them
             that
             were
             his
             Murderers
             .
          
           
             And
             grant
             that
             
               Servetus
            
             did
             err
             in
             that
             great
             Mystery
             of
             the
             Trinity
             ,
             yet
             must
             he
             for
             this
             be
             burnt
             to
             death
             ?
             Why
             then
             ,
             Dr.
             
               Owen
               ,
            
             Mr.
             
               Finch
               ,
            
             and
             his
             
               Little
               Lawyer
               ,
            
             would
             make
             bloody
             Work
             ,
             even
             in
             
               England
               ,
            
             where
             there
             are
             too
             many
             who
             are
             as
             erroneous
             concerning
             that
             glorious
             Mystery
             ,
             as
             
               Servetus
            
             was
             ,
             (
             the
             more
             is
             the
             pity
             )
             ;
             for
             seeing
             they
             justify
             
               Calvin
            
             in
             that
             bloody
             Act
             ,
             how
             can
             they
             refuse
             doing
             the
             like
             ,
             were
             it
             in
             their
             Power
             ,
             unless
             they
             will
             come
             short
             of
             that
             Zeal
             which
             they
             commend
             in
             Mr.
             
               Calvin
               ?
            
             By
             
               this
               print
               of
               the
               Foot
               ,
               we
               may
               know
               the
               stature
               of
               that
               Monster
               of
               Persecution
               ,
            
             which
             did
             not
             the
             Law
             restrain
             ,
             would
             appear
             in
             too
             many
             Professors
             at
             this
             Day
             .
             I
             speak
             what
             I
             know
             by
             the
             Usage
             I
             have
             met
             with
             in
             this
             City
             ,
             both
             from
             Professors
             and
             Prophane
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             Now
             let
             us
             hear
             how
             famous
             Mr.
             
               Calvin
            
             was
             in
             the
             Judgment
             of
             some
             Learned
             and
             Sober
             Protestants
             .
          
           
             (
             1.
             )
             He
             is
             thought
             to
             err
             in
             the
             Mystery
             of
             the
             Trinity
             as
             well
             as
             
               Servetus
               ,
            
             though
             perhaps
             not
             so
             much
             .
             These
             are
             his
             words
             ,
             (
             speaking
             of
             the
             Three
             Persons
             ,
             
               &c.
            
             )
             
               If
               the
               Names
               have
               not
               without
               cause
               been
               
                 invented
                 ,
              
               we
               ought
               to
               take
               heed
               ,
               that
               in
               rejecting
               them
               ,
               we
               be
               not
               justly
               blamed
               of
               proud
               Presumptuousness
               .
               I
               would
               to
               God
               (
               says
               he
               )
               
                 they
                 were
                 buried
                 indeed
                 ,
              
               so
               that
               this
               Faith
               were
               agreed
               of
               all
               Men
               ,
               that
               the
               Father
               ,
               Son
               ,
               and
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               are
               one
               God
               ;
               and
               yet
               the
               Father
               is
               not
               the
               Son
               ,
               nor
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               the
               Son
               ,
               but
               distinct
               by
               certain
               Properties
               .
               
                 Institut
                 .
                 L.
              
               1.
               
                 c.
              
               13.
               
               
                 Sect.
              
               3.
               
            
             And
             this
             his
             
               Tres
               Proprietates
               ,
            
             is
             objected
             against
             him
             by
             some
             of
             the
             Learned
             Protestants
             .
             And
             I
             am
             of
             Opinion
             ,
             should
             I
             write
             of
             the
             Blessed
             Trinity
             as
             Mr.
             
               Calvin
            
             has
             done
             ,
             Mr.
             
               Finch
            
             and
             his
             
               Forerunner
            
             would
             cry
             out
             
               Blasphemy
               .
            
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             He
             
               condemns
               the
               Ancient
               Fathers
               ,
            
             because
             they
             were
             not
             of
             his
             Mind
             in
             the
             Case
             of
             Irrespective
             Reprobation
             ,
             but
             hold
             ,
             That
             
               there
               was
               Salvation
               for
               all
               Men
               through
               God's
               Mercy
               in
               the
               Gift
               of
               his
               Son.
            
             He
             brands
             them
             (
             saith
             a
             Learned
             Protestant
             )
             as
             Pelagianising
             in
             their
             Opinions
             .
          
           
             But
             (
             3.
             )
             his
             
               rudeness
               of
               Speech
            
             was
             intolerable
             :
             He
             called
             great
             and
             good
             Men
             by
             Titles
             unseemly
             ;
             as
             
               Serpent
               ,
               Pest
               ,
               Lossel
               ,
               Fool
               ,
               Knave
               ,
               Devil
               ,
               filthy
               Dog
               ,
               impudent
               Hangman
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             And
             
               Bucer
            
             (
             a
             Learned
             Protestant
             )
             calls
             him
             ,
             
               Fratricide
               ,
            
             a
             
               Murderer
               of
               his
               Brethren
               .
            
             And
             
               Grotius
            
             says
             ,
             
               He
               grew
               worse
               and
               worse
               ;
               and
               that
            
             Calvin
             '
             
               s
               Disciples
               are
               such
               themselves
               in
               Disposition
               ,
               as
               they
               make
               God
               to
               be
               in
               their
               Imaginations
               towards
               the
               greater
               part
               of
               Mankind
               .
            
          
           
             And
             truly
             this
             is
             too
             apparent
             in
             two
             of
             his
             Followers
             ,
             I
             mean
             ,
             the
             
               Little
               Praecursor
            
             and
             Mr.
             
               Finch
               ,
            
             whose
             study
             has
             been
             to
             render
             me
             very
             odious
             ,
             though
             I
             am
             sure
             they
             know
             no
             Evil
             by
             me
             ,
             more
             (
             no
             nor
             so
             much
             )
             as
             they
             know
             by
             themselves
             .
             And
             yet
             thus
             I
             am
             represented
             by
             them
             ,
             
               viz.
               audacious
               ,
               impudent
               ,
               turbulent
               ,
               impetuous
               ,
               impertinent
               ,
               scurrilous
               ,
               prejudic'd
               Mechanick
               ;
            
             a
             
               Fool
               ,
               despicable
               ,
               wise
               Mr.
            
             Grantham
             ,
             a
             
               despised
               Man
               ,
               Coxcomb
               ,
               addle-Brain
               ,
               dull
               Kitching-pate
               ,
               Clown
               ,
               Blunderbuss
               ,
               dissembling
               Prater
               ,
               Brawler
               ,
               bellowing
               ,
               hideous
               ,
               bleat
               ,
               thick-skull
               Momus
               ,
            
             one
             
               decreed
            
             to
             
               steal
               ,
               wrangling
               Fellow
               ,
               Dolt
               ,
               poor
               Fop
               ,
               soft-pated
               Clod
               ,
               Caviller
               ,
               Brazen-●orehead
               ,
               inconsiderate
               Fellow
               ,
               gagling
               Goose
               ,
               a
               quarrelsome
               boisterous
               Man
               ,
               one
               that
               has
               lost
               all
               Credit
               and
               Esteem
               with
               all
               wise
               and
               knowing
               Christians
               that
               worship
               the
               Holy
               Trinity
               ;
            
             one
             ,
             
               like
               a
               Woman
               scolding
               and
               quarrelling
               in
               the
               Streets
               ,
               one
               like
               an
               impertinent
               Woman
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             So
             that
             I
             think
             these
             two
             
               Calvinists
            
             have
             come
             near
             the
             pitch
             of
             their
             Master
             .
             And
             such
             as
             will
             not
             spare
             Mens
             Reputation
             ,
             are
             not
             to
             be
             trusted
             with
             their
             Lives
             ,
             any
             more
             than
             Mr.
             
               Calvin
               .
            
          
           
             5.
             
             There
             is
             one
             thing
             which
             runs
             through
             Mr.
             
             F's
             Epistle
             and
             Book
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             a
             talk
             of
             
               special
               discriminating
               Grace
               .
            
             As
             if
             God's
             Grace
             ,
             which
             he
             gives
             to
             most
             Men
             ,
             were
             of
             little
             use
             for
             them
             that
             have
             it
             ;
             yea
             ,
             of
             no
             use
             at
             all
             ,
             in
             respect
             of
             Eternal
             Life
             .
             All
             that
             Mr.
             
               F.
            
             allows
             that
             Grace
             to
             effect
             for
             them
             in
             the
             other
             World
             ,
             is
             only
             to
             make
             their
             Punishment
             
             
               less
               in
               Hell
               ,
            
             as
             you
             may
             see
             in
             
               p.
            
             15.
             of
             his
             Answer
             ;
             which
             is
             a
             piece
             of
             as
             woful
             Divinity
             as
             ever
             was
             heard
             surely
             .
          
           
             
               Reader
               ,
            
             I
             humbly
             advise
             thee
             to
             take
             heed
             how
             thou
             receivest
             these
             Dictates
             ,
             and
             esteem
             all
             (
             even
             the
             least
             Measure
             of
             Grace
             from
             God
             )
             to
             be
             a
             special
             favour
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             in
             its
             Nature
             and
             Effect
             (
             
               if
               it
               be
               all
               that
               ●e
               design'd
               for
               thee
               ,
               be
               it
               never
               so
               little
            
             )
             will
             certainly
             lead
             thee
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             thou
             being
             a
             faithful
             improver
             of
             it
             ,
             sincerely
             ,
             though
             under
             many
             Infirmities
             ;
             and
             this
             through
             his
             own
             Goodness
             ,
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             our
             Lord
             ,
             who
             gave
             himself
             a
             Ransom
             for
             all
             to
             be
             testified
             in
             due
             time
             ,
             1
             
               Tim.
            
             2.
             6.
             
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             Again
             observe
             ,
             that
             these
             terms
             ,
             
               discriminating
               Grace
               ,
            
             &c.
             are
             not
             found
             in
             the
             Scripture
             ;
             nor
             wisely
             made
             use
             of
             to
             render
             some
             of
             God's
             Grace
             not
             to
             be
             discriminating
             ,
             (
             as
             they
             please
             to
             phrase
             it
             )
             .
             We
             know
             God
             gives
             more
             Talents
             to
             some
             than
             he
             does
             to
             others
             ,
             yet
             Grace
             is
             the
             same
             in
             Nature
             and
             Efficacy
             ,
             if
             improved
             ,
             and
             to
             leave
             the
             Receiver
             under
             unpardonable
             Guilt
             if
             not
             improved
             ,
             
               Mat.
            
             25.
             and
             we
             shall
             only
             be
             accountable
             for
             what
             God
             gives
             to
             each
             one
             ,
             and
             for
             no
             more
             ;
             nor
             will
             he
             deal
             in
             severity
             ,
             but
             where
             his
             Grace
             hath
             been
             contemned
             .
          
           
             (
             3.
             )
             Consider
             that
             very
             many
             of
             those
             who
             most
             talk
             of
             discriminating
             Grace
             ,
             are
             greatly
             destitute
             of
             that
             tender
             Love
             which
             
               Paul
            
             had
             for
             them
             that
             rejected
             Christ
             ,
             
               Rom.
            
             9.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             
             &
             10.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             but
             are
             filled
             with
             hatred
             against
             all
             that
             oppose
             their
             Conceit
             of
             
               irrespective
               Reprobation
               ;
            
             being
             indeed
             fierce
             and
             of
             a
             cruel
             Disposition
             ,
             full
             of
             Passion
             ,
             quickly
             angry
             ,
             
               &c.
               
            
             These
             things
             I
             have
             found
             to
             be
             true
             (
             God
             knows
             it
             )
             among
             such
             as
             pretend
             very
             high
             to
             discriminating
             Grace
             more
             than
             amongst
             others
             :
             but
             I
             fear
             it
             will
             prove
             but
             a
             special
             discriminating
             Conceit
             in
             the
             end
             to
             very
             many
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             There
             is
             a
             great
             talk
             also
             ,
             both
             in
             his
             Epistle
             and
             Book
             ,
             about
             God's
             absolute
             Soveraignty
             .
             As
             if
             because
             he
             is
             so
             ,
             he
             might
             make
             Angels
             and
             Men
             on
             purpose
             to
             damn
             them
             to
             Everlasting
             Fire
             ,
             without
             giving
             them
             (
             at
             any
             time
             )
             any
             Means
             sufficient
             to
             prevent
             their
             Destruction
             .
             To
             avoid
             this
             Rock
             upon
             which
             they
             often
             split
             themselves
             ,
             let
             us
             consider
             ,
             That
             though
             God's
             Soveraignty
             is
             incomprehensible
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             every
             way
             better
             both
             in
             its
             Mercy
             and
             Justice
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             both
             ,
             than
             any
             Soveraignty
             that
             Men
             do
             receive
             or
             exercise
             under
             him
             .
             Now
             we
             know
             ,
             that
             what
             Prince
             soever
             exerts
             his
             Soveraign
             Power
             ,
             to
             impose
             absolute
             Impossibilities
             upon
             his
             Subjects
             ,
             and
             Death
             for
             non-performance
             ,
             is
             a
             very
             cruel
             and
             unrighteous
             Prince
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             that
             Soveraignty
             .
             Such
             was
             
               Pharaoh
               ,
            
             Exod.
             5.
             condemned
             by
             God
             and
             Man.
             
          
           
             O
             how
             ill
             would
             it
             become
             a
             Prince
             to
             cut
             off
             the
             Feet
             of
             many
             of
             his
             Subjects
             ,
             and
             then
             Gibbet
             them
             alive
             ,
             because
             they
             do
             not
             run
             as
             well
             as
             those
             whose
             Feet
             he
             spared
             ?
             And
             yet
             even
             thus
             do
             these
             
               Calvinists
            
             represent
             the
             most
             merciful
             Soveraign
             that
             ever
             was
             :
             For
             they
             hold
             and
             teach
             ,
             that
             God
             did
             freely
             and
             unchangeably
             decree
             ,
             precisely
             such
             a
             number
             of
             Angels
             and
             Men
             ,
             Women
             and
             Infants
             ,
             to
             be
             damned
             ,
             and
             that
             
               unspeakable
               Time
               ,
            
             before
             there
             was
             either
             Angel
             or
             Man
             created
             ;
             and
             this
             ,
             not
             because
             God
             foresaw
             
               they
               would
               sin
               ,
               and
               despise
               the
               Riches
               of
               his
               Goodness
               ;
            
             but
             he
             also
             ordained
             them
             that
             they
             should
             commit
             so
             many
             Sins
             ,
             yea
             ,
             all
             the
             Sins
             that
             they
             ever
             shall
             or
             can
             commit
             ,
             that
             so
             he
             might
             glorify
             
               the
               Soveraignty
               of
               his
               Justice
            
             (
             as
             they
             speak
             )
             in
             such
             a
             voluntary
             and
             dismal
             destruction
             of
             his
             Creatures
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             These
             things
             I
             made
             evident
             from
             the
             Learned
             
               Calvinists
            
             own
             Pens
             ,
             as
             alledged
             against
             them
             by
             their
             fellow
             Protestants
             ;
             and
             Mr.
             
               Finch
            
             is
             so
             far
             from
             answering
             them
             ,
             that
             he
             plainly
             tells
             you
             ,
             he
             will
             not
             meddle
             with
             any
             of
             my
             Quotations
             ,
             and
             yet
             he
             calls
             his
             Book
             an
             Answer
             to
             mine
             .
             He
             says
             also
             ,
             he
             
               will
               not
               justify
               all
               the
               Phrases
               of
               Learned
               and
               Godly
               Men
               ;
            
             and
             thus
             he
             will
             hold
             to
             their
             Opinion
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             their
             
               Phrases
               .
            
             Hence
             he
             likes
             not
             Dr.
             
             Collings's
             using
             the
             Phrase
             ,
             as
             if
             
               God
               did
               not
               seriously
               act
               ,
            
             &c.
             when
             indeed
             he
             makes
             the
             Case
             far
             worse
             :
             for
             tho
             
               Peter
            
             told
             the
             Jews
             ,
             God
             sent
             Christ
             to
             them
             to
             bless
             them
             ,
             in
             turning
             every
             one
             of
             them
             from
             their
             Iniquities
             ,
             Mr.
             
               F.
            
             tells
             you
             ,
             
               it
               was
               far
               from
            
             Peter
             '
             
               s
               meaning
               ,
            
             p.
             21.
             
             
             And
             when
             our
             Saviour
             bewails
             
               Israel
               ,
            
             for
             not
             knowing
             the
             things
             that
             belonged
             to
             their
             Peace
             ;
             Mr.
             
               F.
            
             tells
             us
             ,
             Christ
             
               did
               not
               weep
               for
               their
               Spiritual
               Peace
               ,
            
             but
             to
             prevent
             their
             Ruin
             by
             the
             
               Romans
               ;
            
             as
             if
             Christ
             did
             more
             tender
             their
             Bodies
             than
             their
             Souls
             :
             It
             seems
             he
             had
             ordained
             the
             Devil
             should
             lead
             them
             to
             Hell
             ,
             but
             for
             this
             Christ
             would
             not
             weep
             as
             a
             Mediator
             ,
             but
             he
             wept
             as
             Man
             only
             for
             that
             they
             should
             be
             destroyed
             by
             the
             
               Romans
               ;
            
             and
             yet
             ,
             if
             you
             sound
             him
             to
             the
             bottom
             ,
             it
             was
             
               infallibly
            
             and
             
               unchangeably
            
             decreed
             by
             Christ
             as
             God
             ,
             that
             they
             should
             be
             destroyed
             by
             the
             
               Romans
               ,
            
             for
             he
             holds
             that
             God
             
               did
               unchangeably
               decree
               whatsoever
               comes
               to
               pass
               .
            
             O
             unwise
             Expositor
             !
             and
             thus
             does
             he
             abuse
             most
             of
             the
             Texts
             which
             he
             meddles
             with
             ,
             which
             speak
             of
             God's
             Love
             to
             Mankind
             universally
             ,
             as
             every
             careful
             Reader
             may
             perceive
             :
             And
             very
             unworthily
             declares
             ,
             That
             
               God
               hath
               many
               holy
               Ends
               in
               affording
               the
               preaching
               of
               the
               Word
               to
               many
               ,
               upon
               whom
               he
               never
               purposed
               nor
               intended
               to
               bestow
               special
               and
               saving
               Grace
               ,
            
             p.
             15.
             
             And
             what
             is
             this
             ,
             but
             to
             tell
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             God
             meerly
             mocks
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             Men
             to
             whom
             the
             Gospel
             is
             preached
             ?
             for
             whatever
             he
             speaks
             by
             the
             Gospel
             to
             them
             ,
             he
             never
             intended
             them
             any
             Salvation
             by
             it
             .
             And
             thus
             Mr.
             
               Finch
               ,
            
             and
             all
             such
             Preachers
             as
             he
             is
             ,
             are
             
               meer
               Hypocrites
               ,
            
             for
             they
             cannot
             intend
             any
             Salvation
             to
             all
             they
             preach
             unto
             ,
             but
             only
             to
             a
             very
             few
             ▪
             and
             they
             know
             not
             so
             much
             as
             one
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             Nay
             ,
             so
             greedily
             does
             he
             fancy
             that
             God
             will
             absolutely
             damn
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             Mankind
             ;
             that
             he
             will
             not
             spare
             the
             poor
             dying
             Infants
             ,
             but
             cast
             them
             into
             Hell
             also
             ;
             and
             his
             Reason
             is
             ,
             That
             
               as
               Men
               do
               kill
               the
               young
               Cubs
               of
               Foxes
               and
               Wolves
               ,
               though
               they
               never
               yet
               did
               any
               Mischief
               ,
            
             so
             
               God
               may
               ,
               if
               he
               please
               ,
               glorify
               his
               Justice
               upon
               Infants
               ,
               though
               they
               die
               in
               their
               Infancy
               ▪
            
             p.
             88
             ,
             89.
             
             And
             thus
             our
             gracious
             God
             is
             made
             more
             cruel
             to
             his
             Off-spring
             ,
             (
             for
             such
             is
             all
             Mankind
             ,
             
               Acts
            
             17.
             28.
             
             )
             than
             the
             very
             Wolves
             and
             Foxes
             are
             to
             their
             young
             Ones
             .
             An●
             what
             is
             now
             become
             of
             that
             gracious
             Speech
             of
             Almighty
             God
             ,
             
               Psal
               .
            
             145.
             
             
               His
               tender
               Mercies
               are
               over
               all
               his
               Works
               ?
            
             Sure
             ,
             damned
             Infants
             have
             no
             share
             at
             all
             in
             his
             Mercy
             ,
             no
             not
             so
             much
             as
             a
             
               Toad
            
             by
             
               a
               thoasand
               degrees
               .
               O
               ye
               Fools
               ,
               when
               will
               ye
               be
               wise
               ?
            
             Psal
             .
             94.
             8.
             
          
           
             Mr.
             
               Finch
            
             quarrels
             with
             the
             Title
             of
             my
             Book
             ,
             and
             says
             ,
             
               We
               read
               of
               John
               the
               Baptist
               ,
               not
               of
               Thomas
               the
               Baptist
               .
            
             But
             this
             only
             shews
             his
             weakness
             ;
             I
             speak
             not
             of
             
               Thomas
            
             the
             Baptist
             .
             I
             intend
             by
             the
             Baptist
             ,
             all
             that
             own
             the
             Doctrine
             and
             Baptism
             of
             Repentance
             for
             remission
             of
             Sins
             ,
             including
             
               John
               the
               Baptist
            
             as
             the
             first
             Teacher
             of
             that
             
               Baptism
               ,
            
             for
             
               the
               manifestation
               of
               Christ
               to
               Israel
               ,
               and
               that
               all
               Men
               through
               him
               might
               believe
               ,
            
             John
             1.
             7
             ,
             31.
             
             This
             Doctrine
             Mr.
             
               Finch
            
             and
             the
             
               Presbyterians
            
             do
             oppose
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             extent
             of
             this
             blessed
             Object
             of
             Faith
             
               for
               all
               Men
               ,
            
             by
             narrowing
             it
             up
             to
             they
             know
             not
             who
             ,
             and
             therefore
             preach
             they
             know
             not
             what
             .
             And
             also
             by
             Sprinkling
             poor
             Infants
             (
             many
             times
             fast
             asleep
             )
             in
             opposition
             to
             
               John
               the
               Baptist
               ,
            
             who
             baptized
             Repentant
             Believers
             in
             the
             
               River
               ,
            
             or
             where
             
               there
               was
               much
               Water
               ,
            
             Mark
             1.
             17.
             
             John
             3.
             23.
             
             Mr.
             
               Finch
            
             also
             quarrels
             my
             Office
             as
             a
             
               Messenger
            
             of
             the
             
               Baptized
               Churches
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             But
             of
             this
             I
             have
             given
             an
             account
             ,
             in
             my
             Book
             intituled
             ,
             
               Christianismus
               Primitivus
               ,
            
             to
             which
             I
             refer
             the
             inquisitive
             Reader
             ,
             and
             remain
             ,
          
           
             
               
                 Norwich
                 ,
              
               
                 Aug.
                 14.
                 1691.
                 
              
            
             
               A
               Friend
               and
               Servant
               to
               all
               Men
               ,
               for
               Jesus's
               sake
               ,
               THO.
               GRANTHAM
               .
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A41777-e10
           
             The
             
               Calvinists
            
             make
             God
             to
             establish
             all
             the
             mischievous
             Actions
             of
             Men
             and
             Devils
             by
             an
             unalterable
             Decree
             ,
             so
             as
             that
             they
             must
             be
             done
             of
             necessity
             .
             O
             horrible
             !
          
           
             *
             Libenter
             fateor
             (
             
               inquit
               Calvinus
               de
               se
            
             )
             ac
             prae
             me
             fero
             prodisse
             accusatorē
             ,
             spero
             capitale
             saltem
             feret
             judicium
             .
             
               Calv.
               Ep.
               ad
               Farret
               .
            
          
        
      
    
  

