Answ.
To this I frame my answer thus,If God, that knows each heart of us,
Should immediatly from heaven tell
The reprobates, they are for hell
6
Or that he would not cause contrition
In them, yet exhort particularly
Such, to resent effectually,
There were some shew of mockery
In God, who is fidelity.
But here 'tis otherwise, I dare
Presume and cannot but declare:
For though the Lord doth oft entreat
Unto repent the reprobate,
Who're cast off in his secret will;
He not deludes I speak it still;
Because the Lord doth not invite
Immediately th'reprobate to light,
I mean immediately from heaven,
But mediately, by Ministers, 'tis given
To preach the Gospel, so that when
They preach, they speak unto all men;
Because they cannot say, this is rejected
Or this, my hearer is elected:
For what they know, 'tis but in part,
'Tis God alone that knows the heart:
To ev'ry man the truth they shew,
As to th'elect, for ought they know.