full Redemption From Sin and Hell without exemption They and only they the cause this The Lord knoweth all who are his 2 Tim. 2.19 This the foundation that standeth sure God will make his Elect in heart pure Will give grace to fit them for his glory By grace saves us Ephes 2.8 not like free will story By grace makes us run his Commands None shall pluck the Elect from his hands John 10.29 Once in Christ on whom Believers depend Christ loveth them still unto the end and 13.1 They are safe in Christ by Election And not like those men who by reflection Say a man may be now a Child of God In the morning yet in his life so odd Before night may be by sin so evil That he may be a Child of the Devil Reader consider understand and see What men make of God's Eternal Decree How erroneous men are and refutable Mal. 3.6 In making the Eternal God mutable Heb. 13.8 Which doth imply and also give a lift To man's free will and not as Gods gift To give grace and glory at his pleasure Psa 84.11 But as man acts at his will and leisure Eph. 1.5 Which is repugnant to Scripture clear Which by Grace I shall hereafter make appear To conclude this head with errors to deface God's general and also his special grace 2 Tim. 2.7 Are not inconsistent in their proper place Yet 't is special grace leads to eternal life Altho' some about it are still at strife How Pelagians Arminians do all flie To this the special grace of God deny Rom. 11.5 7. And that Christ did for all men die 1 Thes 5.9 With equal extent which Scriptures deny Which before is said if rightly them apply 2 Tim. 2.10 Yet those men were of great parts yet Misled their understandings wrong set Which I shall make more full appear 1 Cor. 12.31 As my Lines shall bring up the rear Sect. 4. Object SOme hold that God in 's Eternal Decree Hath not absolute appointed some to misery But that God electeth with some frequent All upon condition that they repent And believe which in effect implies still They may repent and believe if they will So consequently God rejecteth in 's station No man absolute from his salvation But that God suspendeth his determination Expecting man's repentance in his station Sol. I answer according to Scripture demonstration Prov. 16.4 That there is a particular and special reprobation Rom. 9.22 Therefore can't be an universal electation Jud. 4. That you may not in your generation Be misled Rom. 11.7 or drawn in your station To believe that God in 's eternal dispensation Hath chosen all men unto salvation Rev. 13.8 On condition leaving it wholly still To themselves to their own free will Either to ratifie it Jer. 10.23 or infringe it see What men make of God's Eternal Decree 2 Cor. 3.5 If men believe not then God's Decree's annoy'd If persevere not then Election is void Otherways if men believe and still pursue Holiness to the end then they affirm it true Election remains in full power and virtue That this Opinion may not take with you I 'll say something against it 1 Cor. 10.15 I hope true Consider what I lay before you new And that you may understand by reflections I shall endeavour to answer some Objections In which I shall follow Scripture directions According to free grace unto me given Gal. 1.11 I will lay Truth plain as my name 's Stephen Good works not the cause of Electation Tit. 3.5 Tho' sin 's the cause of reprobation Damnation is the fruit of sin's production But not why God ordains men to destruction 2 Pet. 2.1 3. God in all his determinations is free Mat. 11.26 Neither Election nor Rejection in degree Are of works God's Decree tho' by some torn Passeth on Children are not yet born Rom. 9 10. Having done neither any evil or good God is free in Election or Rejection understood Rightly 't is plain in Jacob and his Brother Chuse the one and did refuse the other Why God passeth some men by preterition I can't define the cause on no condition But only in God Eph. 1.4 5. of some to make choice And others to reject must be free grace noise God hath free mercy on whom he will And whom he pleaseth he hardeneth still Rom. 9.18 As God hath Elected some unto Salvation So God hath appointed others to Damnation God all things for himself made hath Yea the wicked for the day of wrath Prov. 16.4 As God ordains vessels of mercy 't is no story So there are vessels of wrath by preparatory To destruction on which Justice hath glory Rom. 9.22 This is very clear in the Scripture stated verse 13. Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated What other reason for this can be But his own pleasure and Eternal decree Mal. 1.3 Gods absolute power over man is intended Clear and free grace to the Elect commended Object But some may say unto me herein Don't you make God the Author of sin Sol. No for reprobation goes before sinment Jud. 4. Not as a Cause but as an Antecedent 2 Pet. 2.8 God by the decree of reprobation Don't infuse sin into man in 's station Eph. 2.5 Nor compel man to do any sin or evil Jam. 1.13 14. Sin is of 's own concupiscence and the Devil Yet God doth set sin's determination Not to confer on man a confirmation In grace to make man stand in 's station Deut. 29.4 But permits man of his own accord To commit sin Psal 81.12 as saith the Word In Scripture 't is very plainly so Ephes 4.19 Limits man how far in sin shall go 2 Kin. 19.28 Reprobation being an act of Gods power Hath no other cause but God to this hour Rom. 9.21 But sin 's the meritorious cause of damnation Hos 13.9 As Justice executed in mans condemnation Man is not condemned understand herein Because man cannot chuse but sin Ezek. 18.31 32. In regard of Gods decree of reprobation Jer. 9.14 But sins in regard of 's own inclination Tho' unregenerate men do nothing see But what God hath appointed in 's decree Acts 4.27 28. Yet understand man sinneth because still Doth all in obedience to his own will Mat. 23.37 38. And not in obedience to Gods command Whom God hath not ordain'd understand To save 1 Pet. 2.8 they from sin never depart But follow the imagination of their own Heart Till the measure of their sin is full 2 Cor. 4.3 4. Mat. 23.32 33. Then Justice on them all gives a pull Sect. 5. Some may bring forth this production Hard Object God should ordain men to destruction Shall not the great Creator be free Sol. To dispose his Creatures
see very clear As the Scriptures to us do make appear Tho' can't hinder Birds flying in the Air Over us from making nests in our Hair We are able to prevent them Eph. 6.10 to the 18. verse then take care How thou yield and entertain Sin And consider what I say to thee herein 'T is one thing to be conquer'd by an Enemy And another thing to yield and cry And surrender our selves presently Without opposition or from him fly Jam. 4.7 'T is one thing to be overcome by temptation Another thing to yield to sin in our station There 's great difference in sin remaining And in sin in our lives still reigning Rom 6.12 Don't still plead imbecility and never depart From sin in thy life this is Satan's art Use the means to overcome sin with thy heart The impotent Man did wait tho' weak At the Pool of Bethesda Joh. 5.5 as Scriptures speak Dost use all means to this end Don't flatter Thy self God will judge thee for this matter Consider what I say to thee and herein Abhor thy self Job 42.6 God's not the Author of Sin Be humble for corrupted nature take heed What thoughts concerning Sin thou breed Jam. 1.13 14. Don't plead Sin 's excuse God will confute Thy Plea without the Wedding-garment sute 1 Joh. 3.8 Make use of Reason and Understanding assent Mat 22.12 Will regulate and draw thy consent 1 Cor 14 20. Object Some may say we are weak and unstable What can we do to believe not able We by Sin can still God's Spirit grieve Why do you perswade us to believe Act 8.31 Sol. I answer here 's the cause and condition When sick don't you send for a Physician As a means of your health without delay And use all helps for the body that way Will you use means for the health of the body Rom. 13.14 And not for the Soul wilt be such a noddy Tho' not able to believe of our selves Rom. 10.16 17. saith Scripture do we use the means for Faith The Apostles did to all this Counsel give Perswaded Sinners to repent and believe Act. 3.19 16.31 Which doth imply a power from Sin to fly In us tho' the Spirit works it effectually Do we attend the Ordinances of God Eph 3.7 Appointed to this end Don't dissemble so odd For faith comes by hearing art attendant In hearing the Word Isa 40.29 30 31. as a poor dependant On God for his holy Spirit 's operation To make the word effectual to Salvation Dost wait at these Bethesda's by reflect Do you prize the means and don 't neglect No opportunity your Salvation to effect Dost love the Word and Messenger respect Heb 2.3 Such love to buy the word of truth Then sell it not whether Age or Youth Prov. 23.23 Let no worldly profit or self respect Cause you the means of Grace to neglect Have you esteem'd the word more than Food Job 23.12 Ventur'd all for it tho' sometimes withstood How did our Fore-fathers prize the Word For a few leaves of the Bible did afford A load of Hay as History doth say Now the whole Bible slighted in our day Mat. 22.5 Oh! love the Word and the Gospel prize They are Mercy to us tho' some it despise Tho' by some Scripture's slighted and deny'd Yet are to Salvation a perfect guide Rom. 1.16 Yea the power of God unto Salvation Oh! love them love them in thy Generation Live according they are no feigned story But do direct us the way to Glory Act. 20.32 The Scriptures are call'd the word of grace Let 's not in our conversations it deface Scriptures give Understanding in their station To the simple makes them wise to Salvation Psal 19.7 Love will speak for it's vindication In thy Station to hear the word move And receive it with faith and love 2 Thes 2.10 Not only in notion and speculation But let love appear in conversation Phil 1.27 Don't neglect the means in thy station How shall we escape eternal damnation If we neglect our so great salvation Heb. 2.3 Use the means don't delay rest on none For Salvation but on Jesus Christ alone As I have said before Joh 14.6 and again repeat Because our happiness is in Christ compleat Yet use the means don't thy Soul cheat If waited with many doubts and fears Yet wait still tho' be thirty eight years Some God is pleased to hold many a-day Psal 40.1 2. Before they are sure of Salvation's way Yet our duty is to wait watch and pray Some soon injoy by faith this Treasure Others God's pleas'd to hold with longer leisure What shall I say to this Ephes 1.5 't is God's Pleasure Let 's do our duty in Faith not measure God's dispensations Mat. 20.1 to the 16. verse he is God of Power Calls some the first some the eleventh hour To some God gives five Talents 25.15.26 some but one Emprovement is expected from all hereupon Must do our duty as in our Station run Must not be slothful Servants in our station Must improve our Talent work out Salvation With fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 the means attend God ordains the means as well's the end Cast off dissembling don 't still pretend Thy imbecility Psal 40 1 2 62.5 6. act Faith on Christ depend In and on the means and to be sure Thy Soul shall have an everlasting cure Rom. 10.11 SECT XXXVI Consider these things 2 Pet 3.1 2. Reader them dilate In heart they concern thy everlasting state The result of all my aim herein Is to bring thee an abhorrency of sin And to tell thee also whether great or small If did but half so much for the Soul Mat. 6. v. 31 32 33. As for the body better Christians might be all To help thee farther I will my self apply And consider what I say as thou passest by Doth Sin appear exceeding sinful Rom. 7.13 Dost cry Who shall deliver Rom. 7.24 to sin let me die Sin is a powerful and malignant Enemy So deceitful Heb. 3.13 would the ruine of thee and I. Consider thy own impotency and herein Observe thy inability to overcome Sin. Can 't nature change nor heart renew Nor of thy self thy Lusts subdue Jer. 10.23 Object Say some What must be done and we Would from sin's Dominion be set free If on what 's said hast had reflection Sol. Had been no need of this objection However in love for thy Soul 's advance I will tell thee truth as my Name 's HVSNANCE Job 42.6 Be humble obhor thy self know thy heart How deceitful 't is I need no more impart Jer. 17.9 To humble thee What a Cage of uncleannese lies In thy heart evil Thoughts Murders Adulteries Mat. 15.19 By nature desperate wicked whilst breath Watch thy heart of it comes life and Death
3.24 SECT XI TO summ up all Reader for thy Memory In love I will my self briefly apply 2 Pet 3.1 2. All my aim is thy spiritual advance I speak truth as my Name is Husnance This Method can't be unpleasing to desire Consider the my conclusion of Prayer And mind well what is said before For thy good I will say a few words more All words put in a dead form of Prayer Are not Prayer Isa 11.15 whilst the Hearts desire Is for Iniquity and after Sin doth dance Whiles the Heart 's full of sin and Ignorance When incredulity in Life doth advance And uncharitableness in Conversation The Prayer of such is an abomination Unto the Lord Prov. 15.8 9. clear in Scripture and Why call me Lord and do not my Command Prayer Luke 6.46 is not always to be banding Words in Prayer without Understanding Don't pray Luke 13.27 yet be a worker of Iniquity still This is not praying according to Gods Will. Pray in Faith and with a pure Heart And from sin in thy Conversation depart Answer the end of Prayer in Conversation In sincerity Lev. 10.3 by the Spirits Operation Pray in the Spirit whether Age or Youth In fervency sanctifie the God of Truth Pray constantly and in humility For acceptation Mat. 17.5 Christ by Faith apply This is to pray unto God then look Here is more than praying in a Book Here 's more than saying words in notion 'T is not easie to pray by the Spirits motion Without watching thereunto by Faith's desire Luke 21.36 This is to give one's self unto Prayer SECT XII FRom the Duty of Prayer I will advance And write briefly of Baptisms Ordinance There are very many Arguments among Some to whom Baptism doth belong Scripture to this point satisfaction give Seems to me it belongs to them believe Act. 8.37 Or of believing Parents as a qualification All required to believe in their Station Infants of believing Parents in Covenant Are to be baptiz'd Scriptures seem to grant The Promise being to them and their Posterity Acts 2.39 But here 's not the main of what 's in my Eye So pass it by and write of Baptisms use Briefly and also of Baptisms great abuse Baptism is an Ordinance of Christ in 's place Joh. 3.5 8. Yet the very Act doth not conferr Grace Col. 2.11 Baptism not the cause of Regeneration The Spirit may work our Renovation Tit. 3.5 Before or after Baptism a Type of Regeneration Rom. 4.11 As a Sign or Seal of our Confirmation And ingrafting into Christ in our Station Acts 4.12 Who is the only way unto Salvation Baptism admits into the Church of God Afflictions also are call'd his baptizing Rod. Mar. 10.39 Baptism is a lively Figure of Christs Death Rom. 6.3 4. By baptism ingag'd to Christ whiles breath It represents Christs Burial and Resurrection Then live to Christ depend on his Protection Being buried with Christ in baptism Col. 2.12 dy to sin And live unto Righteousness 1 Pet. 2.24 and herein By Baptism we give it under our hand To fight under Christs Banner at 's Command Deny our selves by holy real resignation Live to Christ Eph 1.7 who purchas'd our Salvation Baptism is our covenanting with God Don't live a wicked life fear his Rod. Only Covenant making is much like a Story 'T is Covenant-keeping only brings to Glory John 13.17 Seal of a Covenant makes not a Covenanter Don't live in life like a prophane Ranter Act. 2.17 Baptism rightly understood Gal 4.6 by Christs merit Brings us under a promise of the Spirit Which works in us true Baptism Gal. 5.22 saving Faith Having our Conversation holy Scripture saith Walk in love Brother-like not like a Noddy Of malice being baptiz'd into one body By the Spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 whereby we come to see Our deprav'd nature John 7.37.39 vers by sin can't happy be Without Christ to him by Faith flee In being baptiz'd only let none rest Without the end of it in life 's exprest 'T is not washing of water as I understand Doth good as in obeying Gods Command This point from Scripture I gather hence True baptism is answer of a good Conscience Towards God by the Resurrection of Christ To live holy 1 Pet. 3.21 and not in sin as we list By Baptism mayst be a Member of the Church Yet not of Christ fear what thoughts lurch In thee mayst be in a state of Damnation Tho baptiz'd if lives a wicked Conversation A Man may be sav'd Act. 8.13 to the 24. tho not baptiz'd If he believe let not Baptism be Idoliz'd Tho Baptism be necessary in its station Yet 't is nothing without the Spirits Operation Rom. 3.30 Tho Baptism be necessary in its place Col. 2.12 The end of Baptism in life don't deface For if thou dost the Truth I will tell Baptism will not save thee from Hell. Mat. 7.23 SECT XIII AS to Baptisms performance Scriptures descry Mat. 28.18 19. vers Have Christs Institution ever in thy Eye Purest Ordinances may be sinfully abus'd Much more those are superstitious us'd Take heed of Mens inventions and pollution Few now keep to Christs Institution Psal 14.3 Having Gossips and Cross in their scope Which things did derive from the Pope Baptizing Children like a Stage-plays dance With a drunken Feast is this Christs Ordinance Mat. 28.20 They be intitled Christian with a Feast 'T is not Christs way but way of the Beast Rev. 13.16 17. Baptism's efficacy is contain'd in Christ Not in the action by a time-serving Priest Psal 50.16.22 vers Who holds Regeneration on the deed done So tho never so wicked to Baptism run Gal. 1.10 Yet in their lives very wicked and odd For all their sign of Cross Enemies to God Yet say are Christians why because baptiz'd See how Baptism is abus'd and idoliz'd By most of Men Col. 3.1 2. to the 13 vers few answer the end Of Baptism tho Christians they pretend How prophane are Priests in the Nation To all wicked officiate administration How corrupt with the Popes pollution Jer. 9.13 14 15. Few of Priests keep to Christs Institution Baptizing wicked Mens Children none exempt Prov. 13.13 So bring the Ordinance into contempt How careless and promiscuously admit Before they are by Examination fit Contrary to Scripture Act. 8.37 which you may see Many Instances search Scripture free The Eunuch examin'd before baptiz'd was he If fit to receive into Church Society Acts 9.16 17. Not to baptize all come hand over head Lay aside Scripture Rule as a thing dead Like Papist Lev. 10.1 by whom Superstition is augmented The Priest admits whomsoever is presented If the Parent never so wicked not prevented And by whomsoever tho a wicked Noddy Preposterous to insert such into Christs Body The Church when in all
Reprobates in Hell by this leaven Have as much reason as a Saint in Heaven To be thankful unto God he may say But not I am sure in a Scripture way God did as much for me a foolish Elf As him Gal. 2.16 but did not so much for my self Consider on the other side mind it well May not a Saint in Heaven say and tell God hath done so much for those in Hell As ever he hath done for me by reflection For they and I had all one Election Yea God assisted them as much as me Which implies there 's nothing in Gods decree Eph. 2.9 10. For he is to all alike which implies still They have not us'd their own free will As well as I have done 't is so crav'd The only cause are damn'd and I sav'd Therefore I will thank my own free will And not God Isa 65.5 at least I have imply'd still No greater cause to thank God than Those in Hell of all the damned men If any difference be between them and me 'T is not God made it 1 Cor. 4.7 nor yet his decree But my self see how free will doth strike For God did for them and me alike Tho' they not sav'd with me the reason Did not for our selves a like in season Rom. 11.6 Therefore they are all every way I cry As much oblig'd to thank God as I. Consider this Reader and understand see Here 's free will Psal 115.1 exalted in a high degree But from such a conceit Lord Dan. 9.8 9. deliver me And let me admire thy gracious love still free Sect. 7. If any man be sav'd by free will story Rom. 8.29 30. He may thank himself in 's self glory And not in God how do men deface Gods glory or the glory of 's free grace By exalting mans corrupted will so base God hath predestinated us in our race Eph. 1.5 6. By Christ to the praise of his free grace How so not by man's own inclination still But according to the pleasure of God's will To shew God works freely in our salvation Without any impulsion or any provocation Ezek. 16.6 From External causes in his dispensation In saving us freely in his salvation We must be sav'd according to God's will And pleasure not according to our own still God must have the first and great stroke 1 Cor. 10.22 In this mercy let 's not the Lord provoke Or despise the riches of his free grace still By advancing corrupted man's free will 2 Thes 1.10 Let us all rather God's free grace admire Not free will in us or any natral desire Why God hath chosen me and neglecting Others oh this should be heart-affecting That God should take me into his Decree Luke 1.6 Whence is it what did God see in me More than in others whom God passeth by Psal 8.4 Why God did chuse me is free grace I cry What 's man that God should mindful be Of such a brute a beast by nature is he Admire the goodness of the Lord of Lords That such free grace unto man affords Man that 's corrupted Clay yea worse by sin Isa 43.15 Oh! then admire the goodness of our King We were all alike to God by reflection In the act of his free eternal Election 1 Cor. 6.11 Lay together in the same corrupted mass Of sin how came it then so to pass That God should pitch on me for alas Ezek. 16.6 I was in my blood in the same gore Of sin admired be free grace for evermore When God came to chuse a little number 1 John 5.19 In comparison of those he left to slumber In sin and corruption oh what a mercy That God should pitch on thee and me Which if free grace had not so run We had been lost Ezek. 16.5 6. and for ever undone Had God ordain'd all to salvation compleat His mercy had been out of measure great But that God ordains any to salvation When on the contrary in men's generation He hath ordain'd millions unto desolation Mat. 7.13 Whose state by nature was no way worse Than ours and strength in a natural course Was as great as ours in their generation Ephes 2 3. Yet to exempt them from eternal salvation Whose care great as ours for reconciliation In any natural way or natural creation Till God was pleas'd in mercy to prevent Us Col. 1.12 13. should not this our thanks augment To God and raise our hearts in admiration Of God's free grace in chusing us to salvation Blessed be God's grace who hath chosen us Who deserv'd as others his eternal Curse Gal. 3.13 Were no better for 's choice than other But by nature were all as Brother Eph. 2 1 2 3. Yet us when many others are rejected Free grace and love hath us respected 'T is clear for of two grinding at the Mill One taken Mat. 24.40 41. the other left implies grace still And not in the acting of their own will God's will and pleasure is the only reason Why two men equally miserable in season Are made to differ the one from the other For by nature were both as Brother Therefore not the foresight of our will Or natural inclination in us Rom. 8.7 I say still In receiving or rejecting grace propos'd Altho' free grace be by some still oppos'd Zech. 12.10 Yet free grace free grace for ever I cry And blessed be God for his rich mercy Ephes 2.4 Nothing made a difference 1 Cor. 4.7 but say I Free grace 2 Thes 1.10 which Saints will admire to eternity SECT VIII Some say if God in his eternal Decree Object Hath appointed some unto eternal Misery Mal 3.14 'T is in vain for such to hear and pray And to use the means of Salvation's way Were as good do nothing in their Station If they be Reprobated ordain'd to Damnation There is no Man knows his Reprobation Sol. Tho' sev'ral marks of it in his Conversation 'T is God's secret and to us 't is very obscure Let 's follow the Scripture a rule more sure Secret things belong to God Deut. 29.29 let 's not flatter Our selves let 's do duty and pass this matter And know this whatever any pretend God appoints the means as well as the end For as God hath appointed Men to Glory Eph. 1.4 Consider it well don't think 't is a story So God hath appointed them to Sanctification And to the use of all in their Generation 2 Thes 2.13 14. Holy means to attain the end Salvation And accordingly live in their Conversation And for ought I know one reason may be Why God from Man conceals his Decree Of Reprobation for the Lord is independant Therefore Man should be still Attendant On the use of means Isa 40.29 30 31. as a Creature-dependant On God for though Man be weak in 's station Yet from God Man