The glorious Truth of Redemption BY Jesus Christ Rescued out of the Hand of UNRIGHTEOUSNES OR The Doctrine of Redemption rightly stated WHEREIN 1. All Arminian and Pelagian glosses and absurdities are resuted 2. All carnal allegations and reasonings silenc'd 3. All concern'd Scriptures scemingly discording reconcil'd 4. The Doctrine of Redemption clearly held forth according to the harmony of Scripture and Analogie of Faith By W. L. Rom. 1. 18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men which with-hold the Truth in Vnrighteousness Gal. 1 7. Which is not another Gospel but there are some which trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ 2 Pet. 3. 16. Among which some things are hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do other Scriptures to their own destruction LONDON Printed for the Author 1653. To the Worshipful Henry Langley Dr of Divinity Canon of Christ-church and Principal of Pembrook Colledge in Oxford SIR THat undeserved respect those worthless Papers of mine which came to your hand received hath emboldned me to come now a begging to the University Although it's sad to have the Father to seek when the Child is come into the World especially to a poor mother Yet this is the condition of this poor Infant which however by Divine Providence having received a Being yet is both naked and bare and unless countenanc'd cover'd and nourish'd by your care and charity it must needs remain despicable and cast out to common odium Shall I therefore commend and commit the care thereof or rather freely bestow it on you This I am sure of it will be well provided for if once under your Roof and if you as willingly entertain it as I beg However let it receive such accomodation as seems best in the eys of so skilful a Nurse I know the Herods of our times will be hunting after it but my care is over when once under yours Sir To deal plainly this poor Paper I know will meet with much opposition therefore I as boldly as humbly tender it to your protection and as I do it out of that due Respect I owe to your self so I also aim by this broken and patch'd piece to prompt and provoke some of the able Champions of the Truths of Christ to set upon a more learned and perfect Vindication of that precious Truth of Redemption so much prevaricated and adulterated in our days And give me leave to give you a little encouragement to own it although a Mephibosheth yet it 's of the Royal Race nobly descended as legitimate as any begotten by the immortal seed of holy Scripture able to derive its Pedigree from and before Adam was Therefore setting aside all excuses I once more entreat its entertainment or else I must shamelesly leave it at your Dore to the mercy of the wide world yet comforted that there cannot be less pity harboured in your heart then was found in Pharaoh's Daughter I crave leave to pay that old debt due ever since I knew you viz. William Levitt The glorious Truth of Redemption By Jesus Christ Rescued out of the Hand of UNRIGHTEOUSNES 1 COR. 15. 22. For as in Adam all dy even so in Christ shall all be made alive ROM 5. 18. Likewise as by the offence of one the fault came on all men to condemnation so by the justifying of one the benefit abounded to all men to the justification of life FRom these and such like Scriptures men of corrupt and unstable minds with Pelâ—gius Armiâ—ius and others in all Ages have drawn corrupt and unsouâ—d conclusions so that that grand Gospel Truth of Redemption by Jesus Christ as held forth in the holy Scriptures wherein the honour of God and comfort of his Saints are priâ—cipally concerned is so exceedingly prevaricated that little of either appeareth For the removal of which evils take notice of the fond conceits of some yea too many in our times wrested from such Scriptures 1. Some hence affirm and that boldly that Jesus Christ came to save all men with an eternal salvation 2. Others there are conclude hence that Jesus Christ by his death freed all men from the guilt of Adam's transgression and consequently from the punishment due thereunto which as they say is only temporal from Gen. 3. 19. Dust thou art and to the dust thou shalt return 3. A third sort there are and of these although very many yet more skilful to deceive who hence publikely teach that Jesus Christ by his death hath discharged all mankinde from the eternal condemnation due to Adam's transgression yea and many of them although of as strong abilities as plausible conversations yet make it their study to maintain this Brat of their own breeding although they stretch both their brains as well as the Scriptures upon the Tenters of their opinion till they rend both asunder The unsoundness of all which opinions with their several absurdities are clearly manifested in the ensuing discourse and the doctrine of Redemption rightly held forth as founded upon the holy Scriptures both Prophets and Apostles nay Christ himself all agreeing in this necessary truth that neither the Death Resurrection Ascension or Intercession of Christ ever was or shall be beneficial to any but such as lay hold upon him by a true and lively faith according to John 3. 15 16. So God loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Where we see 1. The moving cause God's love 2. That Jesus Christ was the Father's free gift 3. The extent of God's love to the world terminated in the Believers who only have benefit by Christ Yea and this an act of free grace when he might justly have sent all to hell Come we now to the opinions themselves For the first That Jesus Christ came to save all men with an eternal salvation as well from actual as original sin This is so point blank against the very current of Scripture that few or none in their right senses dare owne it the Authors thereof being for the most part either ignorant or profane men not at all acquainted with the holy Scriptures which speak a clean contrary language as John 5. 29. And they shall come forth that have done good to the resurrection of life and they that have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation So also Matth. 25. 34. Then shall the King say to them on the right hand Come ye blessed of my Father Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world c. v. 41. Then shall he say to them on the left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire c. So also Mark 16. 16. and hundreds of Scriptures more But this not worth time Come to the second That Jesus Christ by his death hath freed all men from the guilt of Adam's transgression which they say procured
5. That even the people of God were somtime the children of wrath as well as others Eph. 2. 3. That all men by nature are dead in trespasses and sins Eph. 2. 1. 5. 4. That except a man be born again of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God Iob. 3. 3. 5. That Faith is the gift of God Eph. 2. 8. Col. 2. 12. 6. That we are not able of our selves to think a good thought 2 Cor. 3. 5. But this Doctrine contrary to the whole Tenure of Scripture tells us that thousands go to heaven never capable of Faith as all children nay of very Heathens and Pagans c. That we come into the world as innocent as Adam before the Fall therefore no need of Faith or Repentance or being regenerate That we have Free-will to stand or fall to be saved or damned That Faith is in our own power c. 7. Although some Scriptures seem to favour these Opinionists yet others are direct opposite so that they must set them together by the ears or else they cannot possibly have any shaddow of support from them To instance One Scripture saith Christ dyed for all as in a right interpretation he may be said to do as 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Another saith Though the children of Israel be as the sand yet but a remnant shall be saved Rom. 9. 27. and while one Text saith Christ is the Saviour of the world Iohn 4. 42. another saith The whole world lies in wickedness 1 Iohn 5. 19. that he is not sent but to the lost sheep of Israel Matth. 15. 24. that he lays down his life for his sheep Iohn 10. 15. yea that certain men are pre-ordained to condemnation Iude 4. 3. Contrary to the Analogie of Faith For 1. By Faith we believe that all men are born the children of wrath dead in trespasses and sins 2. That God hath sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world that whosoever believes in him might not perish but have everlasting life 3. That salvation is of Free grace not from any moving cause in us 4. That God is omnipotent and all-sufficient 5. That some are elected by God to be heirs of glory some rejected and pre-ordained to destruction before the world was 6. That those for whom Christ dyed for them also he rose again and whom he justifies with his blood he sanctifies with his Spirit and them also glorifies 7. That all men at the last day shall rise again some to the resurrection of life others to the resurrection of condemnation How contradictory this Doctrine is to the faith of Gods elect I shall leave all to judge If Christ hath freed all from Original guilt then we are not born dead in trespasses If none but Believers have benefit by Christ then he dyed not for all If salvation be of grace then there 's no place for free-will If God be omnipotent he is able to save all whom he pleases But this Doctrine tells us many perish that God would save If some elected and some rejected then Christ dyed not for all If he dyed for all he rose again for all and brings all to glory If some men arise to the resurrection of life others of condemnation then this Doctrine must needs be palpably erroneous 4. It magnifies the creature and vilifies the blood of Christ exceedingly For 1. Hereby we become our own Saviours for if we be all cleared from original guilt then come we into the world holy innocent and perfect as Adam 2. Hence must needs follow the Doctrine of Free-will that as the destruction of the wicked is of themselves so also the salvation of the just is likewise of themselves it being in our own power as this heresie holds forth to be saved or damned we must needs have power in our selves also to believe and repent and so salvation is ours by a Law of works not of grace 2. It vilifies the Blood of Christ For 1. Hereby Christ is held forth an half Saviour sheds his blood for millions of men and women in the world that perish everlastingly to whom it becomes vain yea for thousands pre-ordained to condemnation 2. Hence is the blood of Christ held forth as an unholy thing purchasing pardon for thousands whom it never purges justifying those whom it sanctifies not he is made sin for many to whom he becomes not righteousness a Saviour to such as for whom he is not their Advocate nor Intercessor Contrary to the whole tenure of Scripture as Rom. 8. 28 29 30. Tit. 2. 14. Acts 20. 28. 5. It derogates detracts from and utterly denies the omnipotency of God For If God would save many that perish or all that perish and cannot as this Doctrine would have us believe then where is his omnipotence and if not omnipotent where is his essence therefore they may as well tell us like down-right Atheists there is no God and so appear more palpable fools than that mention'd in Psalm 14. 1. who only saith so in his heart these proclaim it in their words and teach men so Psalm 53. 1. 6. That this doctrine tramples under foot the eternal Decree of God appears plainly For 1. If God hath elected and chosen some to be vessels of Honour from or before the foundation of the world and pre-ordained others to destruction then the blood of Christ was not shed equally for all and if for all universally indifferently and indefinitely then the Decree of God is of no effect Certainly Jesus Christ shed not his blood for those whom God never purposed to save But that God hath elected some and passed by others is plain Rom. 8. 28 29 30. That he hath predestinated some to be his adopted ones through Jesus Christ in himself according to the good pleasure of his own Will according to the purpose of him that worketh all things according to the counsel of his own Will Eph. 1. 5 11. Rom. 9. 11. Eph. 3. 11. 2 Tim 1. 9. Mat. 24. 22 31. Mark 13. 20 22. Rom. 8. 13. 11. 5 7. 1 Pet. 1. 2. 2 Pet. 1. 10. Acts 13. 48. Jude 4. All which places of Scripture and many more do so clearly hold forth the doctrine of Predestination Election Adoption and Reprobation as that if Sathan had not blinded the eyes of such men it were impossible for them to withstand so clear a light 7. This Doctrine utterly denies Gods Soveraignty over the Creature For 1. If the Lord hath not power of his own pleasure and Free-will without any moving cause in us of his owne free grace and love to make some vessels of honour and some of dishonour some on whom he may declare the riches of his grace and others to make his wrath and power known if he have not power to have mercy on whom he will and to reject others according to Rom. 9. 15. where is his Soveraignty over the Creature But certainly as the Potter hath power over the clay so hath
be saved or destroyed but as all men do not dy eternally in Adam so all men live not eternally by Christ God having chosen only a certain number to himself on whom he declares the riches of his grace while he rejects others upon whom he makes known his wrath and power The words all and world being in Scripture often put for many or a considerable part as in Luke 2. 1. John 12. 19. John 4. 43. and divers other places before mentioned And if those two words be thus interpreted the harmony of Scripture will be maintain'd even in those that seem most contradictory for no Scripture certainly intends such a sense as that all reprobates unbelievers and ungodly wretches or any of them should equally share with the Saints and peculiar people of God of whose redemption the blood of Christ is the only price He gave himself What to redeem a people from Adam's guilt and to suffer them to perish in their actual sins No God forbid Whom he pardons he puâ—ifies whom he justifies he sanctifies and them brings to glory He laid down his life to purchase a people to himself and to purifie them as well as purchase them Therefore we may safely conclude from all that hath been said that whom he brings not to glory he never sanctifies and whom he sanctifies not them he never justifies and whom he justifies not he sheds not his blood for If dogs may not partake of childrens-bread if ungodly men may not partake in external priviledges how much less in the eternal inheritance of the Saints Shall men pre-ordainâ—d to destruction partake of the portion of God's elect God forbid It 's true wicked men may and do partake of common favours the sun-shine the rain c. and in this sense the Lord Christ may be said to be the Saviour of the world as 1 Tim. 4. 10. where the Apostle saith He is the Saviour of all men but especially of those that believe he hath special favours to visit them withal So that we see how easie it is by private interpretation of Scripture to maintain the most horrid heresie while by an humble holy impartial comparing of Scriptures one with another the Truths of God are clearly held forth and all error and heresie trodden under foot I should here speak somthing in answer to those Scriptures that seemingly plead for free-will as Prov. 1. 29. For that they hated knowledge and did not chuse the fear of the Lord. Mat. 23. 27. Oh Jerusalem c. how often would I have gathered thee together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings but ye would not Although in the preceding discourse I have answered all objections of this nature yet I add that it 's true all men have power and free will by nature to do that that is sinful and evil but by reason of our depravity we have no power or will at all to do good me-thinks that natural proueness in children and youth to sin assoon as capable nay sooner capable to sin then almost any thing else that day lie experience the best men have of the remains of corruption in themselves the old man not quite destroyed when I hear that blessed Apostle Paul crying out of that body of sin and death he carryed about with him holy David confessing and lamenting the very sins of his conception nativity innocent Job telling us it 's impossible for him that 's born of a woman to be clean I cannot but wonder why men should be so destitute of common sense as to say we are all by the death of Christ put into a state of innocency Again when I hear the Scripture say we are not able to think a good thought of our selves that the best men cannot do the things they would that it 's not in him that wills nor in him that runs but in God that shews mercy Rom. 9. 16. that it's God that worketh in us to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 15. that by nature we are all children of wrath dead in trespasses and sins that faith is the gift of God c. I am forbidden to give any further answer to our free-willers till they answer those Scriptures and by that time I think silence will satisfie mean while I entreat them to consider 1. How strongly they strike at God's omnipotence and consequently at his essence when they tell us that thousands perish that God would save as if God were not able to save whomsoever he pleaseth 2. How they as much as in them lies trample under foot the eternal decree of God and deny his soveraignty over the creature 3. How by their advance of free will they usher in a Law of works and so derogate from the doctrine of free grace within one step to that popish tenent of merit that while they profess themselves Protestants they are strongly pleading not only the cause of Papists but of Atheists of the highest magnitude ten degrees beyond and above him mentioned Psalm 14. 1. Object If temporal death and all outward calamity as pain in child-bearing c. be effects of original guilt and that Christ as all confess dyed to deliver all Believers from all both original and actual Transgressions what 's the reason the godly as well as the wicked dy that believers as well as unbelievers suffer like pain Answ It 's very true the wise man saith Eccl. 9. 1 2. that all things come alike to all and the same condition is to the just and unjust to the pure and to the poluted and herein as in all other the works of God appears his wonderful wisdom and goodness that while the greatest miseries of this life befal the godly they are fatherly castigations and preparations for glory he chastens them that they might not perish with the world they having this promise that all things shall work together for the best to them that even death it self is so far from being a punishment to them that it 's only a bridge or passage to convey them to Canaan the promised land of their heavenly inheritance all things and all conditions being sanctified to them and the sting of all outward visitations and strokes taken away while every sickness pain calamity or distress to the wicked is but the yernest of that eternal torment of which they are heirs apparent and death it self the terrible sergeant that hurries and hales them nill they will they to the place of execution And now having shown the several absurdities and dangerous errors that are formed in the bowels of this monstrous doctrine of universal redemption I shall conclude all with a few directions to weak Christians who by woful experience we see so apt dayiie to be seduced to their utter undoing 1. Take heed of being moved with every wind of doctrine according to the advice of the Apostle Eph. 4. 14. Try the spirits whether they be of God yea or no 1 Joh. 4. 1. and if an Angel