4. The close of this paragraph, in the fourth place, deserveth a little more clear consideration, it containing an assertion which some would not believe when it was told them, and which hath stumbled not a few at the repetition of it. Thus, then, he proceedeth : —
" Besides, whether any such assurance of the unchangeableness of the love of God towards him that is godly, as the objection speaketh of, can be effectually and upon sufficient grounds cleared and proved, is very questionable, yea, I conceive there is more reason to judge otherwise than so. Yea, that which is more, I verily believe that in case any such assurance of the unchangeableness of God's love were to be found in, or could regularly be deduced from, the Scriptures, it were a just ground to any intelligent and considering man to ques- tion their authority, and whether they were from God or no; for that a God infinitely righteous and holy should irreversibly assure the immortal and undefiled inheritance of his grace and favour unto any creature whatsoever, so that though this creature should prove never so abominable in his sight, never so outrageously and despe- rately wicked and profane, he should not be at liberty to withhold this inheritance from him, is a saying doubtless too hard for any man who rightly understandeth and considereth the nature of God to bear."
Ans. The love mentioned in the foregoing objection is that which God beareth to them that are godly in Jesus Christ, exerting itself partly in his gracious acceptation of their persons in the Son of his love, partly in giving to them of his Holy Spirit and grace, so that they shall never depart utterly and wickedly from him, and forsake him, or reject him from being their God, Whether an assurance of this love may on good grounds be given to believers hath been al- ready considered, and the affirmative, I hope, in some good measure confirmed; the farther demonstration of it awaiting its proper sea-
414 DOCTRINE OF TUE saints' PERSEVERANCE. [CHAP.
son, which the will of God shall give unto it. This Mr Goodwin saith to him is "questionable;" yea, I suppose it is with him out of question, that it cannot he, else surely he would not have taken so much pains in labouring to disprove it. And that this is his resolved judgment he manifesteth in the next words, " I verily believe that in case any such assurance were to be found," etc.; that is, "Si Deus homini non placuerit, Deus non erit." What more contempt- ible could the Pagans of old have spoken of their dunghill deities, with their amphibolous [i.e., ambiguous] oracles? Were it not fitter language for the Indian conjurers, who beat and afflict their hellish gods if they answer not according to their desires? The whole au- thority of God, and of his word in the Scriptures, is here cast down before the consideration of an "intelligent man" (forsooth), or " a vain man that would be wise, but is like the wild ass's colt." And this "in- telligent man," it seems, may contend to reject the word of God, and yet be accounted most wise! Of old, the prophet thought not so. To what end is any farther dispute? If the Scripture speaketh not to Mr Goodwin's mind (for doubtless he is "an intelligent and consider- ing man"), he seeth sufficient ground to question its authority. By what way possible any man can more advance himself into the throne of God than by entertaining such thoughts and conceptions as these, I know not. An "intelligent man" is supposed to have from himself, and his own wisdom and intelligence, considerations of God's nature and perfections by which he is to regulate and measure all things that are affirmed of God or his will in the Scripture. If what is so delivered suit these conceptions of his, that Scripture wherein it is delivered may pass for canonical and authentic; if otherwise, "eadem facilitate rejicitur qua asseritur," which was sometimes spoken of traditionals, but, it seems, may now be extended to the written word. The Scripture is supposed to hold out things contrary to what this "intelligent man" hath conceived and considered, and this is asserted as a just ground to question its authority; and if this be not a pro- gress in the contempt of the word of God to whatever yet Papists, Socinians, or enthusiasts, have attempted, I am deceived. " To the law and to the testimony" with all the conceptions and notions of the most intelligent men : if they answer not to this rule, " it is be- cause there is no light in them."
But he addeth the reason of this bold assertion ; for saith he, " That a God infinitely righteous and holy should irreversibly," etc.
Ans. Neither yet doth this at all mend the matter. Neither doth the particidar instance given alter at all, but confirm the first general assertion, — namely, " That if there be any thing in the Scriptures contrary to those thoughts of God which an intelligent man (without the Scripture) doth conceive of him, he hath just gi'ounds to question their authority;" which wholly casts down the word of God from its
XI.] ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE DOCTRINE CONSIDERED. 415
excellency, and setteth a poor, dark, blind creature, under the notion of an "intelligent man," at liberty from his subjection thereunto, mak- ing him his own rule and guide as to his apprehensions of God and his will. And is it possible that such a thought should enter into the heart of a man fearing God and reverencing his word, which God hath magnified above all his name? There is scarce any one truth in the whole book of God, but some men, passing in the world for " intelligent and considering men," do look upon it and profess it to be unworthy of an infinitely righteous and holy God. So do the Socinians think of the doctrine of the satisfaction of Christ, the great treasure of the church. At the rate that men pass at in this world, it will be difficult to exclude many of them from the number of "in- telligent and considering men ; " and are they not all absolved here by Mr Goodwin, on this principle, from bowing to the authority of God in the Scriptures, having "just ground to question whether they are from God or no ?" The case is the same with the Papists and others, in sundry particulars. Frame the supposition how you will, in things never so uncouth and strange, yet if this be the position, that in things which appear so to men, upon their consideration, if any thing in the Scripture be held out or may be deduced from this to the contrary, they are at liberty from submitting their understandings to them, and may arraign them as false and supposititious, their whole divine authority is unquestionably cast down to the ground, and trampled on by the feet of men. Kai Tuura fisv nrpog 7-aDra. God will take care for the vindication of the honour of his word.