CHRIST and MOSES Excellency OR Sion and Sinai's Glory BEING A Triplex Treatise distinguishing and explaining the TWO COVENANTS or the Gospel and Law AND Directing to the right understanding applying and finding of the Informing and Assuring Promises that belong to both Covenants By VAVASOR POVVELL Preacher of the Gospel in Wales Joh. 1.17 The Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ Gal. 3.21 Is the Law then against the Promises of God God forbid LONDON Printed by R. I. for Hannah Allen at the Crown in Popes head-Alley 1650. To the courteous and Christian READER Reader THis little Book is divided into three parts and it treats orderly of three things to wit of the Covenant of grace of the Covenant of works and of the promises belonging to both In the two first parts is handled most or all of the materiall Questions about the Gospel and Law also the Intent extent and efficacie of the death of Christ together with the Scriptures that declare the same and the Objections that are made about the universality thereof In the last Part are several things concerning the dividing understanding and applying of the Promises with an easie and speedy way how to finde all or most promises in the Bible alphabetically Though there be severall books extant some upon the Gospel and Law and others particularly upon the Promises yet I hope I may truly and without ostentation affirm that this hath the sum of most of them somwhat more then any of them especially concerning the Promises about which I have taken no smal paines where besides sever all other things there are a See pag. 260. c. forty five Rules gathered out of the Scriptures for to give light therein also the promises made to b See pag. 269. Christ personally by themselves in severall particulars and the promises made to the c As pag. 271 c. Jews whilst they were formerly a Church Likewise the promises that concern the d As Pag. 275. c. Jewes hereaster when they are called and converted and these under distinct and severall heads The third Part of this book to wit that upon the Promises may serve for a double use First as a small Concordance where you may find proofes especially those of the nature of promises for most material points in Scripture Secondly this may serve for to help you to find Promises for any thing you desire and which is to be found in the Scripture and that instantly without looking in the Table to the book for that reaches no further then the promises As for example to find Promises of faith See the word Faith in the margin of pag. 331. so of any other word Object But it may bee you will say There were severall Books extant before that did direct us to find the Promises Answ It is very true that other and far more able men then my selfe have done exceeding well herein yet to use the expression of one of them That a child upon a Gyants shoulders can see further then the Gyant So I having the help of their labours herein and of other bookes but especially by a frequent thorow and diligent search of Gods Book I have by the Lords light and Spirit seen and set down without vaine-glory be it mentioned more Promises by severall scores according to comparison and computation and in a more distinct and easie way to finde then others have to my understanding done before me Observe but these few Rules and I will leave thee to tryall 1 I doe divide the Promises into two ranks or sorts to wit informing and assuring Promises and the difference I make between them is this that the informing Promises which are upon the left side of the page doe not speake directly and patly but by way of information but the Assuring Promises speak directs and those are the chiefest Promises As for instance in the word pardon pag. 404. in the Informing Promises in Nth. 9.17 God is said to be ready to pardon But in the Assuring Promises in Jer. 33.8 God saith I will pardon all their iniquities 2Vnderstand that there are not Informing and Assuring promises under every word As for example in the word glory there are no Assuring or direct Promises So in the word finde there are no Informing Promises 3 There are severall things or heads under one word As for example under the word receive there are six distinct things so under the word save 4 Where you finde but few Promises or sometimes but one Promise under a word know that there is no more in the Bible belonging to that word as in the word Peace-makers 5 Note that severall words are of the same signification and if you find not many or several Promises in one word turn and see in another as in the word Assurance See there is know faith beleeve confident 6 Observe that sometime words that give light or testimony to a oint though they doe not sound like Pâ—mises yet they are set downe as Promiss As in the word kindnesse 7 Search for the Promises here and then read them in Gods owne Book and labour to get the Promises especially the chiefe ones and those that are of spirituall and speciall concernment by heart Loving Reader having held thee thus long in the Porch I invite thee into the house but I am sorry that this book is so big and I fear deare but not dearer by any Merchandize I have made of it but it s not so dear to thee as to me it having cost me many nights study because I would not neglect for the Printing of a thousand Books the preaching of one Sermon I intended this onely for a private yet worthy Gentleman who by many severall motions and courtesies put me on I wish him and thee as much good in reading as I had in stuching and writing it And this shall be the prayer of one of the Lords meanest Saints and in him thy servant for thy soules good V. Powell An Alphabeticall Table of the Principall things in the precedent Discourse A ABraham A High Father Pag. 38. The Spirituall Seed of Abraham who ibid. Christ the Seed of Abraham p. 39. The things promised to Abraham what ibid. Abrahams carnall Seed who p. 40. Who his spirituall ibid. The difference betwixt them ibid. Actions The end of Gods actions what p. 12. God not accomptable to men for his actions p. 14. Adam not saved by works p. 3. Adams sinne gave vent to Gods grace P. 4. Adam saved before he sin'd ibid. p. 8. Adam had a power to keep the Law p. 16. The Commandment given to Adam not hard p. 17. Adam a spiritual man ib. His Sin brought death pag. 18. All. The various acceptions of that word p. 121. Arke A Type of Christ p. 32. B BAptisme not necessary to Salvation Pag. 49. In stead of Circumcision p. 51. Believers Nothing charged upon them p. 29. Their unbelief can't frustrate Gods
28 29.35 Pag. 7. Isa 24.6 Pag. 79. 63.9 Pag. 24. Daniel 12.1 Pag. 121. Zechariah 9.11 Pag. 6. 11.10 11. Pag. 79. John 5.40 Pag. 160. 6.51 Pag. 128. Acts 15.29 Pag. 102. Rom. 4.11 Pag. 43. 4.13 Pag. 132. 5.19 Pag. 121. 9.23 Pag. 151. 11.15 Pag. 130. 1 Cor. 15.22 Pag. 125. 2 Cor. 5.15 Pag. 124. 5.19 Pag. 131. Gal. 2.21 Pag. 204. 3.19 Pag. 194. 5.3 Pag. 47. 1 Tim. 1.9 Pag. 207. 2.6 Pag. 125. 2 Tim. 1.9 Pag. 5. Titus 1.2 Pag. 5. 2.11 Pag. 124 Hebrewes 2.9 Pag. 126 8.9 Pag. 89. 93. 96 9.15 Pag. 112 2 Peter 1.9 Pag. 136 2.1 Pag. 137 2.2 Pag. 134 2.20 Pag. 135 Christ and Moses Excellency OR Sion and Sinai's Glory Question HOw many Covenants did God make with men concerning their salvation (a) Gal. 4.24 Rom 9.4 Eph. 2.12 Answer Two Gal. 4.24 Rom. 9.4 Ephes 2.12 Quest How are these two Covenants called Answ The (b) Mat. 11.5 Gospell and the (c) Joh. 1.16 law or commonly the Covenant of (d) Ac. 20.32 grace and the Covenant of (e) Ro. 3.24 works Quest Why doe you place the Covenant of grace before the Covenant of workes Answ Because the Covenant of grace was in being (f) Gal. 3.17 before the Covenant of works Q. What do you mean by the Covenant of workes A. I mean the (g) Deu. 10.4 ten Commandements called the (h) Mal. 4.4 Law of Moses which was delivered upon (i) Deu. 29.1 Mount Horch or (k) Gal. 4.24 Synai unto Moses for the children of Israel Q. Doe you then take the ten Commandements for the Covenant of works A. Yea sure and they are often in Scripture called a (l) Deu. 4.13.5.23 Is 24 5. Jer. 31.32 Heb. 8.9 Covenant Q. But was not that the Covenant of works which God made with Adam in Paradise before his fall A. I deny not but that it was of the nature of a (m) Hos 6.7 Like Adam they transgressed the Covenant Covenant yet we find no more expressed but a command (n) Gen. 2.17 doe this and live with a penalty In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt dye but there is no promise made of eternal salvation upon the keeping of it Q. But do not you conceive that God did intend to give salvation unto Adam if he had kept that command though God did not expresly promise it A. I doe conceive that Adam should have continued in that happy state he was in and should never have dyed if he had not sinned for (o) Ro. 5.12 1 Cor. 15.21 by sin came death Q. What might be the reason why God did not declare as well the promise as the command and penalty A. Though this be a secret and known perfectly onely to God himselfe yet we may judge probably by the event that God reserved and kept secret to himselfe that part of his mind which concerned Adams eternall salvation because he intended not that Adam should be saved by his works Q. How does it appear that God did not intend to save Adam by his works A. Because God had pre-ordained determined and appointed another (p) Eph. 1.3 4 5. 2 Tim 1.9 2 Thes 2 13. Rev. 13.8.17.8 way and means viz. Jesus Christ to save Adam and part of his posterity Q. If God had pre-ordained Christ as the means of mens salvation was there not then a necessity that Adam should sin A. Although God put no necessity upon Adam to sinne but left him to his free choice yet there was a necessity of bringing to light that heavenly plot and contrivement wherein lay hid the mystery of Gods counsell and the wonderment of mens salvation which could not be revealed untill Adam had sinned and so with reverence be it mentioned the Son of man gave vent unto the grace of God and the fall of naturall Adam to the exaltation of spirituall Adam Jesus Christ Q. But was there any agreement about the salvation of men before Adam sinned A. Yes there was an agreement and Covenant (q) Es 42.6.55.3 Zac. 6.13 Es 50 5 6. betweene God the father his (r) Who was then the word of God Joh. 1.1 Son Jesus Christ Q. When was that Covenant made with Jesus Christ A. (s) Tit. 1.2 2 Tim. 1.9 Before the world began Objection But is it not in the Greek from the foundation or beginning of the world meaning that the Covenant was made with Adam immediatly after his fall and not with Christ before the foundation of the world A. The Greeke will not beare it so for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which are the words in both places before cited signifie before the foundation of the world or beginings of times for note that the preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when it governes a Genitive Case as here it doth it signifies before as 1 Pet. 1.20 1 Cor. 4 5. 2 Tim. 4.21 so Ephes 1.4 1 Pet. 1.20 1 Cor 4.5 2 Tim. 4.21 Eph. 14. we are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world the word before there is in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if election be before the foundation of the world as sure it is then also by the same ground a Covenant or promise is made before the foundation of the world for the word proves the one as well as the other Q. But where in Scripture doe you finde that agreement if there were any made with Christ before the foundation of the world called a Covenant A. I suppose the word Covenant could not be found in Scripture in this sense and case yet if there be found words of the same signification and holding forth the truth of the thing it is sufficient for many words are used by the godly and learned which are not in Scripture as Trinity Sacrament c. now in Scripture it is called the (t) Tit. 1.2 the promise of eternall life and so is the Covenant that God made with Abraham called the (u) Gal. 3.18 19 22. promise 2. We have the word Covenant applyed in this case as in Zach. 9.11 As for thee by the bloud of thy Covenant or whose Covenant is by blood here God the Father speakes to Christ with relation to some Covenant between them both and we read of no other but this fore-spoken of Psa 89.28 Also in Psal 89.28 God the Father saith againe My Covenant shall stand fast with him i.e. with Christ if you consider 1 v. 25. he saith that he would set his hand or power in the Sea that is Christ should have power to governe the Nations 2 v. 27. he is called Gods first begotten son a title most properly given to Christ Rom. 8.29 Col. 1.15 3 v. 29. Rom. 8.29 Col. 1.15 His seed should endure for ever meaning the members of Christ which are so called in Esa 53.10 Esa 53.10 Obj. In verse 35. it is I have sworne that I will not lie unto David therefore this Covenant was
Covenant made with him they say we are predestinated and ordained to (m) Act. 13.39 2 Thes 2.13 beleeve and to (n) Eph. 2.10 Rom. 8.29 doe good works and not for beleeving and doing good workes Q If God covenanted with Christ to give salvation to some and not to all did he not then leave the rest in a state of impossibility to be saved and in a state of certainty to be damned A. I. God is not accountable to man for his actions and this is sufficient that the will of God is the (o) Rom. 9.15 18.22 supream reason of all his actions and it should satisfie us that God doth what he will and wills himselfe and his owne glory chiefly so that if mans misery tends to Gods glory it is mans duty to be silent and subject thereunto 2. Though God by this Covenant doth entaile and assure salvation upon and unto the seed of Christ yet it doth not necessarily follow that the rest are left unavoidably in a state of damnation It is true that Gods preordination presignation and promise before time declared Gods speciall favour to such as he chose and his preterition and passing by the rest shewed a lesse regard of them and dis-ingagement of God to them Obj. But the absolute electing of some doth argue the absolute reprobating of others A. God in the act of election In no moment of nature did the purpose of condemnation goe before the foresight of sin saith Dr. Twisse in the act of preterition looked upon men as fallen and not as innocent and unfallen and thereby his grace doth more eminently appear in the one and his justice is more apparently justifiable as toward men in the other Obj. But is not election the cause of salvation and reprobation the cause of damnation A. Election and Reprobation are not in any sense the causes of salvation and damnation but Christ is the proper and meritorious cause of salvation and sin the proper and meritorious cause of damnation Election and reprobation they are but precedent and precurrent acts or decrees and the causes of salvation and Damnation they come in between the decrees and the execution thereof Obj. But the Decree of reprobation puts a necessity upon men to sinne for if God hath decreed the punishment he hath decreed the cause also A. The decree puts no more necessity upon men to sinne then the secret intent and purpose of a King to put his just Law in execution makes a malefactor guilty and to suffer according to that law further who dares reply against God if he would have it so Ro. 9.20 Obj. But if a King makes a law so strict that his Subjects cannot keepe it and then punishes his Subjects for breaking it is not that King more guilty then his Subject A. But the case is not so for God when he gave the Law at first to man viz Adam he did not give him such a Law that he could not keep Q. How doth it appeare that Adam could have observed and kept that Law which God gave him in his innocent state A. I. Because the Scripture testifies of him that he was made (a) Ecl. 7.29 upright and in (b) Gen. 5 1 Gods owne likenesse viz. in knowledge holinesse and power and therefore sure he was fit and able to keep it 2. The commandement that God gave Adam to obey it was no hard commandement to be observed by such a spirituall man Ob. But Adam was no other then a meer earthly and naturall man 1 Cor. 15.47 for had he been spirituall he could not have fallen from that state A. It is true that Adams body was of the earth yet Adams soule was immediately from heaven and therefore spirituall And why might not Adam though spirituall as well as the Angels seeing they were alike without promise of upholding them and no union of spirit between them and God or Christ and but mutually good fall from that state Q. What death did Adams transgression and disobedience deserve and bring upon himselfe and his posterity A. All that the Scripture cals (a) Ro. 5.14 1 Cor. 15.21 death which is either naturall (b) Lu. 1.79 spirituall or (c) Rom. 5.2 Eph. 2.1 Iam. 1.15 Ro. 5.15.18 eternall Q. How doth it appeare that Adams sin brought eternall death A. 1. From the words of the Apostle Rom. 5.16.18 Judgement was by one to condemnation and judgement came upon all men to condemnation Now condemnation must bee understood here as in other places of Scripture for (d) Ioh. 5.24 Rom. 8.1 eternall condemnation also the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used in those (e) Ro. 5.16.18 two texts is alwayes in Scripture for eternall condemnation and differs from the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 judgement lastly here is judgement and condemnation together which imports both a temporall and eternall judgement 2. That condemnation which is put in opposition to eternall life must needs be eternall condemnation but this condemnation is such Rom. 5.21 Rom. 5.21 for the Apostle saith That as sinne hath reigned unto death even so might grace reigne through righteousnesse unto eternall life 3. It must be eternall death else how and when came mankinde to be guilty of eternall death do the weake and wicked posterity of Adam by sinning now when by reason of their corrupt natures they hardly can doe otherwise deserve and come under eternall death and should Adams sinne which was against knowledge and a cleare Law have no other punishment but a naturall and temporall death Further how can death viz. eternall death Rom. 6.23 be the wages of one sinne and not of another Rom. 6.23 Ob. If Adam had not sinned hee was to enjoy but outward and temporall mercies therefore having sinned his sin could bring him under no other but temporall and outward judgements A. Adam being the (f) Lu 3.38 Son of God and after his owne likenesse doubtlesse did enjoy and was to enjoy had he not sinned the savour and love of God and communion with him which were more then meere temporall and outward mercies On the contrary the losse of these which are (g) Eph. 5.6 Mat. 25.41 two of the greatest and soarest judgements that the damned suffer for ever must needs be more then temporall and outward judgements Q Did Adam by his sinne and disobedience breake the Covenant that was made with Christ before A. No for that Covenant was not given unto Adam before his fall therefore he could not breake that which was not given him to observe Q. Was that Covenant which was made with Jesus Christ before time afterwards made with men A. Yes see Esa 55.3 Jer. 31.31 and 33.20 Eze. 16.8 20.37 Heb. 8.10 Q. Who made that Covenant with men A. God the (h) Hos 2.18 Father (i) Eze. 16.8 Jesus Christ and the (k) Heb. 10.15 16. Spirit Q. When and with whom was that Covenant before made with
as the first and second verses declare or all that are ransomed are ransomed by Christ as it is said All may prophesis one by one here the word all is not meant of every member in the Church 1 cor 14.31 but of all those that have the spirit of prophesie in like manner here Christ was made a ransome for all that is for all those for whom Christ intended to give his life Obj. But as in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15.22 A. That is all shall be raised from the dead at the generall resurrection as the 21 ver plainly shewes 1 cor 15.22 opened for as by man came death so by man also came the resurrection of the dead and the maine scope of the Chapter is concerning the generall resurrection and not concerning Christs death further note that this Scripture is very impertinently urged for universall redemption for it tends to universall salvation rather then universall redemption Obj. But the Apostle saith Christ tasted death for every man Heb. 2.9 A The true meaning of that Scripture seemes to be this that Christ by the grace of God or power and goodnesse of God up holding him tasted death above any other man that is his sufferings were greater then any other mans sufferings and so the Greek may be (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken for any as wel as for all Act 10.14 Ro. 3.20 1 Cor 1.29 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies above as well as for 1 Cor 4.6 Luk 16.11 and that with a genitive case 1 Cor 15 29. as it is in this text translated either above any man or (b) 2 cor 11.23 Gal. 1.14 more then any man and our Saviours words to John and James import so much for saith he can you drinke of the cup that I drinke of or be baptized with the baptisme that I am baptized with Importing that it was impossible for them or any others to bear such sufferings as hee was to beare 2. Every man is to be taken here as in other Scriptures either for many or for those that are intended as I said before in the text for instance (c) Cant. 3.8 Every man had his sword on his thigh (d) mic 4.4 Every man shall sit under his Vine Then (e) 1 Cor. 4.5 every man shall have praise of God Every man in the world had not a sword to weare nor a Vine to fit under neither shall every man have praise of God These with (f) See Ez. 33.10 Zac 3.10 Ioh 1.9 Rom. 3.4 1 Cor. 7.2.20 24. many moresuch Scriptures declare that every man is not taken for every one in the world indefinitely particularly 3. Let it be granted that Christ tasted death for every man and that all men have some benefit by the death of Christ as I believe they have their naturall lives the enjoyment of the creatures and the like which they could not have had without Christ Adam having lost all by his sin yet it doth not follow that if Christ tasted death for every man that therefore hee suffered the wrath of God for every man and the punishment due to all for their sinnes Christ might tast death for all in generall but drinke the cup of sufferings to the bottome only for his chosen seed in particular as it is said (g) mat 27.34 he tasted the vineger mingled with gall but bee would not drinke of it and may there not some mystery be held out thereby So some (h) Heb. 6.5 are said to taste of the heavenly gift and yet such were without Christ But Fourthly and lastly there is enough in the Chapter it self to clear the text and to shew both the end and extent of Christs death viz. to make reconciliation for and to sanctifie and save those whom he cals his brethren and children ver 11 12 13. Obj. You said before that Christ gave himselfe for his sheep and for his friends true But not only for them for be said that bee would give his flesh for the life of the world Joh. 6.51 A. 1. By world in that text cannot be meant all the world those that are damned as well as those that are saved for then either all the world should be saved or else Christ missed and failed to obtaine the end of his death for he said he would give his flesh for the life of the world it is not probable that Christ did intend to give it for the world and yet that the world should never have it or partake of it as one of the Universalifts saith his words are these Tho. More in his book Christ redeemed the world of mankinde satisfied Gods justice obtained a way of salvation for every man but never intended that the outward act should put every man in possession of pardon or state of Justification or Salvation This is very strange that Christ should doe that for men which he did never intend they should be the better for will a man pay anothers debt for him and yet never intend that it should be imputed to the debtor sure the debtor is no way ingaged to such a pay master 2. By the world in that text and in severall other places is meant either the Gentiles in distinction and opposition to the Jewes as clearly appeares if you compare Matth. 28.19 with Mark 16.15 In Matthew it is Goe and preach the Gospell to all Nations But in Marke it is Goe ye into all the world so Rom. 11.15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world the Apostle meanes by the word them the Jewes and by the word world the Gentiles as is most plaine in the 11. and 12. verses Through their fall saith he salvation is come to the Gentiles againe if the fall of them be the riches of the world and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles so that there is nothing clearer then that by the world he meanes the Gentiles in distinction and opposition to the Jewes Also this is to bee observed that the Jewes under the Law were the (i) Ex. 12.19 Deut 23.2 onely Church and the Gentiles or other Nations were counted the world or (k) Lev. 26.33 Psal 79.1 Heathens even as now in the dayes of the Gospel beleevers are accounted the (l) Act. 2.47 1 Cor. 14.23 Church and unbeleevers the (m) Ioh. 14 17.22 and 17.9 1 Cor. 11.10.12 world 3. By the world may be meant the Elect and chosen of God among the Jewes and Gentiles both those that are actuall and reall beleevers or those whom God doth intend to bring to beleeve and these are called the world partly because by nature they do partake of the corruptions of the world and partly because they are taken out of Jewes and Gentiles but especially because they are the better part of the world as the Apostles are called the (n) Mat. 5.14 light of the
c. doe teach faith in Christ as in a Mediatour Nay if unbelief doth damn men as indeed it doth but not only then it is a wonder that Christ would not take away that sin with the rest but suffer so many millions to perish for not dying for the sin or for want of giving them the grace of faith Obj. You say the Scripture doth not mention the taking away of some sins and not all doth not the Apostle say that Christ by meanes of death made redemption for the sinnes that were against the first Testament Heb. 9.15 A. The text is not sins against the first Testament but under the first Testament and the meaning of that Scripture seemes to be this that it was Christ that did make satisfaction for the sinnes of those that lived under the Law or first Testament as well as for the sins of those that lived since which the Apostle (i) Ro. 3.25 elsewhere calls sins past or if otherwise you understand this Scripture thus that Christ by his death did make satisfaction for the sins of those that did believe which they committed whilst they were under the Law or first Testament but in that text he doth not say the sins of all those that were under the first Testament Obj. But Christ saith all sinne shall be forgiven unto the sonnes of men and blasphemies mat 12.31 wherewith soever they shall blaspheme but he that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost shall never have forgivenesse so that here is no sin unpardoned but unbeleefe A. 1. The meaning is not that al sins committed against the father and against the Son are forgiven unto men and shal not be imputed unto them but that those sins are pardonable but they that blaspheme against the holy ghost especially against knowledge Heb. 10.29 and thereby doe despite unto the spirit of grace these cannot be pardoned 1 Ioh. 5.16.17 for they sin as the Apostle speaks the sin unto death 2. Blasphemy is not unbelife though not without unbeliefe for the word signifies (m) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so translated Eph. 4.31 evil speaking and the Jewes blasphemed against the holy Ghost by saying that Christ cast out devils by Beelzebub when he cast them out by the spirit of God and upon this occasion Christ did (n) Mat 12.24 31. speake these words Obj. If that were the meaning then Paul could not have been saved for be blasphemed A. Though Paul blasphemed yet it was not against the holy Ghost but against the (o) Act 26.9 name of Jesus and this also hee did (p) Tim. 1.13 ignorantly Obj. But sure unbeliefe is the onely cause of damnation for Christ saith this is the condemnation Joh. 3.19 A. It is not denied but that unbeliefe is a cause of damnation yea sure a maine cause but it is not the only cause and that place you cite doth not speake at all of unbeliefe but of loving darknesse and sure ignorance is no lesse (q) 2 The 1.8 sin neither will have lesse punishment then unbeliefe for did men (r) ps 9 10. know Christ they would believe in him So much for the first Reason 2 Reason If that were true that Christ did take away the sins of all those that dye in unbeliefe then sure it will be great injustice in God to punish men for the same sins that he had punished his son for before to imprison the surety and to exact the utmost of him and then to imprison the debtour for the same debt and to keep him in perpetuall durance and torment for the same debt is a thing unheard of among just men God under the Law did require but an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth Ex 21.24 And sure under the Gospell he will not be more rigid as to require the life of his son and the life of a sinner for the same disobedience No no God saith that Christ shal (s) Is 53.11 see of the travell of his soul and be satisfied sure it would not satisfie Christ to dye for millions and to injoy scarce thousands or to purchase all and to enjoy but the least part Obj. Though their sins were laid on Christ and he punished for them yet they are not pardoned unlesse men beleeve A. Sure Christ would not undergoe punishment for men and suffer them to be damned for ever for want of giving them faith to beleeve it For a man that will undergoe hanging to save another from hanging will not deny if the poor prisoner be in the Goale and cannot come out vide contra Heb 9.12 10.14 to goe in and helpe him out This is to make Christs redemption but a partiall and not a perfect redemption Againe if Christ damnes men onely for not believing then he damns them either for what they cannot do or for what they can doe if you say they cannot believe then you reflect on Christ for damning them for what they cannot do if you say they can believe of themselves then you make Christ a lyar who (a) Joh 15.5 saith without him they can doe nothing Obj. But Christ offers faith to all Ans Suppose hee did so yet that is not enough for he must not onely offer faith but give faith therefore saith the Apostle when he speakes of faith and (b) Eph 2 8. Phil 1 29. that not of your selves but it is the gift of God here faith is excluded from saving as it is mans act as well as works 3 Reason If Christ hath taken away the sinnes of all then he hath reconciled all to God for nothing but sin hindred reconciliation and the Scripture saith that the (c) 2 Cor. 5.19 Ro. 11.15 world which word is not there to be taken generally for every one in the world was reconciled to God by the death of his sonne as well as their sins taken away by his death Obj. Yes Christ hath reconciled all but what then A. Then all shall be saved for the Apostle (d) Ro. 5.10 saith If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his son how much more shall we be saved by his life (e) Col 1 20 21. In another place he saith And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mindes by wicked workes yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death but what to do Mark to present you holy and unblamcable and unreproveable in his sight Obj. Oh but the Apostle speakes in these places of beleevers but in the other of the world A. That Epistle to the Corinthians was written to beleevers as well as the other two and the emphasis and strength of the thing doth not lye in the word WORLD though afterwards I cleare that word also but in the word reconciled Consider therefore whether there be more persons reconciled then saved and whether salvation bee not as large and as sure as reconciliation for certainly