I deny not but God may, and perhaps sometimes doth, reveal himself to some in a peculiar and extraordinary man- ner. Whereunto tends that story in Aquinas,^ of a corpse taken up in the days of Constantine and Irene, with a plate of gold, and this inscription on it, ' Christus nascetur ex virgine, ego credo in ilium. O sol sub Irense et Constan- tini temporibus iterum me videbis.' But that this should be regular unto men living, fiera \6yov, in Justin Martyr's phrase,^ or using their naturals aright (which is impossible
* Si dedebito quaratur respcctu creaturse, in Deuni cadere non potest, nisi ex aliqua suppositione ipsi Dio voluntaria, quoi non potest esse nisi promisso aut pactio aliqua, ex quibus Cdeiitatis aut justitise debitum oriri solet. Suarez. de iibert. div. vol. disp. l.sect 2. nuni. 5.
^ Deus nulla obligatione tenetur, antequam ipse fideni suam astringat, ergo ante proniissioneni nulla justitia distributiva in Deo reperitur. Vasq. in q. 21. a. 1. disp. 86. " >' Aquiii. 2, 2. q. 2. art. 7.
I Kai 'j'i f/.n'o. hoyou fiiaj-fl-avTS; ^^trrtavol liiri. Justin. Apoi. 2.
UNCHANGEABLE, FREE MERCY. 27
they should, the right use of naturals depending on super- naturals) is wide from the word.
If there be any outward motive of granting the gospel unto any, it is some acceptable performances of theirs, holding up to the rule and will of God. Now this will and rule having no saving revelation but by the gospel, which should thus be procured by acts agreeable unto it, makes up a flat contradiction ; supposing the revelation of the gospel, before it be revealed. Doubtless according to all rules of justice to us made known, it is an easier thing to deserve heaven by obedience now under the covenant of works, than being under that covenant, to do any thing that might cause a new way of salvation, such as the gospel is, to be revealed.
With some observations I descend to application.
[1.] There is the same reason of continuing the gospel unto a people, as of sending it; especially if oppositions rise high, apt and able in themselves for its removal. Ne- ver nation as yet enjoyed the word, that deserved the con- tinuance of the word. God hath always^ something against a people to make the continuing of his grace to be of grace, the not removing of his love to be merely of love, and the preaching of the gospel to be a mercy of the gospel, free and undeserved. Though there be work, and labour, and patience for Christ's sake at Ephesus, yet there is some- what against Ephesus, Rev. ii. 4, 5. for which he might justly remove his candlestick; and if he doth it not, it is of the same mercy that first set it there. As God lays out goodness and grace in the entrance, so patience, long- suff^ering, and forbearance in the continuance. He bears with our manners, whilst we grieve his Spirit. Look upon the face of this kingdom, and view the body of the people, think of the profaneness, villany, trampling upon the blood of Jesus, ignorance, contempt of God and his ways, de- spising his ordinances, reviling his servants, branding and defaming the power of godliness, persecuting and tearing one another, and yet hear the joyful sound of the word in every corner; and you will quickly conclude, that you see a great fight of God's love against our sins, and not of our goodness for his love.
* Hos. xi. 8, 9.
28 A VISION Ol-
[2.] There is the same reason of the reformation and the doctrine of the gospel corrupted with error, and of the worship of God collapsed with superstition, as of the first implantation of the gospel. God in his just judgment of late ao-es, had sent upon the western world the efficacy of error, that they should believe lies, because they received not the love of the truth, as he foretold, 2 Thess. ii. Now whence is it, that we see some of the nations thereof as yet suffered to walk in their own ways, others called to re- pentance, some wildernesses turned into green pastures for the flock of God, and some places made barren wildernesses for the wickedness of them that dwell therein ? How comes it that this island glories in a reformation, and Spain sits still in darkness? Is it because we were better than they? Or less eno-ao-ed in antichristian delusions? Doubtless no. No nation in the world drank deeper of that cup of abomi- nation. It was a proverbial speech amongst all : 'England was our good ass' (a beast of burden) for (antichrist whom they called) the pope. Nothing but the good pleasure of God and Christ freely coming to refine us, Mai. iii. 1 — 4. caused this distinction.
[3.] Though men can do nothing towards the procuring of the gospel, yet men may do much for the expulsion of the gospel. If the husbandmen prove idle or self-seekers, the vineyard will be let to others ; and if the people love darkness more than light, the candlestick will be removed : let England beware. Now this men may do, either upon the first entrance of the gospel, or after some continuance of it. The gospel spreading itself over the earth, finds entertainment, like that of men's seeking plantations amongst barbarous nations; sometimes kept out with hide- ous outcries at the shore, sometimes suffered to enter with admiration, and a little after violently assaulted.