that he called it his own throne he being to sit there but till his enemies be made his footstool that is till he come to his own throne and kingdom of which he is in Expectation Heb. 10. 13. yet in this his kingdom will the father reign in and by him 1 Cor. 15. 27 28. see this more full confession of faith pag. 35 36 37 38. 2. It shall be a visible kingdom dignity and glory his kingdom now is much invisible as to men his person altogether invisible and his government much vailed and hid from the world and but little thereof apprehended by and seen among his people but then it shall be an open visible and manifest Kingdom Government and Glory Rev. 1. 7. Isa 40. 5. 66. 18. 3. As it shall be visible so it shall be universal over all it 's true it shall be first and especially over the House of Israel Jer. 23. 5 6. Luk. 1. 32 33. but it shall likewise be over all the world that ever has been or shall be Dan 7. 14. Rev. 11. 15. Phi. 2. 9 10. and the whole creation restored Act. 3. 21. Rom. 8. 19 20 21. 4. And all shall be as the effect and fruit of his humiliation so that no kingdom and glory besides or short of this can possibly answer the end of his sufferings nor the design of God therein this being the glory designed by all the issue of all the prophecies and promises the fulfilling of the mystery of God designed and spoken of by the prophets Rev. 10 7 with chap. 11. 15. Act. 3. 21. and indeed the top glory of all the Gospel design and that relative both to the father and the son Phi. 2. 9 10 11. And therefore it 's ignorance in us to suppose that it tends to lessen his glory Râ—m 14. 9. Rev. 5. 13 14. it being the great glory designed as the fruit of his death and sufferings Isa 53. 12. Phi. 2. 9 10. and that he is in expectation of Heb. 10. 13. and mediating for Psa 2. 8 9. Christ If the Kingdom shall come to the House of Israel first and chiefly what great Advantage will it be to us Believers of the Gentiles and not by Nature of the House of Israel Min. Of great advantage to all true believers among the Gentiles who are by faith accounted for Abrahams Children the true seed and heirs according to Promise Gal. 3. 29. and so are intrusted in the same Promises in Christ by the Gospel Eph. â— 6. Christ As you have given your understanding about the World to come and the Kingdom of Christ therein the next thing I desire to enquire into is whether the World in General may be supposed to have any favour and blessing therein or only to be raised to Judgment and eternal Misery as is Commonly held Min. That there shall be by the Womans seed the seed of Abraham not only a special Salvation to some believers even among the Gentiles with Christ in Glory Who shall not come into Condemnation nor be hurt of the Second Death Joh. 5. 24. Rev. 2. 11. But a more General and Common Salvation of the World from the penal part of the Second Death in times to be Effected after they have past the Judgment and born their Punishment that the Generality both of Jews and Gentiles shall in time partake of a General and Common Salvation in the World to come is as great a truth and as fully and plainly stated in the Scriptures of truth as the Salvation of believers with Christ in Glory only let this be understood that I intend not all and every one but the Majority and Generality of the World wilful Transgressors that rebel against the Light especially against the Light of the Gospel I intend not Christ I desire you to give your Scripture grounds fully 1. For the General Salvation of the Jews if that be proved I suppose it will be a great Light and inlet to the Salvation of the World Min. That the Generality of the Natural seed of Israel shall be saved is most apparent from these Scripture grounds following 1. Because God always owned them for his own People as in the best so in their worst condition both of Sin and Judgment that he owned them for his own People and Portion that their provocations were the Provocations of his Sons and of his Daughters in their worst sinning state and he losed not his Propriety in them is most apparent Dent. 32. 19. Ps 81. 8. Hear O my People and I will testifie unto thee v. 11. But my People would not hearken to my voice Israel would none of me Isa 1. 3. Israel doth not know My People doth not consider and ch 58. 1. Shew my People their sins c. By all which it appears they were owned of God to be his own People his Sons and Daughters the Portion and lot of his Inheritance Deut. 32. 9. In their worst and sinning Estate and therefore tho he Judged and Punished them severely yet we have no ground to conclude that he will Eternally Damn them being his own People and so they own themselves to be Isa 64. 9. We are all thy People 2. He owned them for his own People when they were under his Judgment and Wrath for sin Ps 78. 62. He gave his People also to the Sword and was Wroth with his Inheritance v. 63 64. Isa 5. 13. Therefore my People are gone into Captivity because they have no knowledge ch 47. 6. Jer. 5. 7. Ezek. 21. 12. All fall to the same purpose so that notwithstanding their sin and Judgment yet they were still his People his Portion his Inheritance the pretious Sons of Sion Lam. 4. 2. The precious Sons of Sion comparable to pure Gold how are they esteemed as Earthen Vessels yea in and through all they were the beloved of his Soul Jer. 12. 7. I have forsaken mine House I have left mine Heritage I have given the dearly beloved of my Soul into the hand of her Enemies They were the Lords Heritage and dearly beloved Notwithstanding all their Sin and Judgment and this particular Interest and Relation that God still owned was from the Covenant of Election and choise that God made with their Fathers Exo. 32. 13. Ps 106. 45. Rom. 11. 27 28. And this Relation to God in their worst sinning and Judged Estate is owned and pleaded by the Prophet as personating them Isa 63. 16. Doubtless thou art our Father tho Abraham be Ignorant of us and Israel acknowledg us not yet thou O Lord art our Father See ch 64. 7 8 9. And we may safely conclude that God will never Eternally damn the precious Sons of Sion his own Children the dearly beloved of his Soul tho he severely punish them 3. Tho he made use of Instruments to punish them for their sins yet they doing of it cruelly and dispitefully he reproved them and Judged them for it it was not for doing thereof because appointed by
publish it 2. Those who seem to be most under this complaint and fear have indeed least cause were the danger so great as is surmised their own declared principles of Faith being that which tends really and truly to teach People not to fear the Judgment viz. That God reprobated the World in general both to sin and Judgment by an Eternal and unchangeable Decree before the World was that he made men to be Vessels of wrath that neither the hope of Heaven nor fear of Hell can alter it which truly teaches People to be Atheists and not to fear the Judgment to conclude there is no such thing as sin in the World as many have done if all are the Decreed Acts of God then it must be well pleasing to him and that for which there can be no Judgment Or 2. If both the sins and Judgment were Decreed it must needs be unrighteous and that of which there is no avoiding by fear thereof and the most I have yet heard in Answer to this is that the fear of Judgment may prevent them from gross sins and so their Damnation may be the less and they thereby rendered the better Neighbours among Men but this is a contradiction their Principle of Gods Decreeing of all acts whatsoever comes to pass kills and ends this for if that were true neither hope of Heaven nor fear of Hell could possibly prevent one sin either against God or Men therefore such may learn shame so much to cry out on this when their own Notions tends to end both Sin and Judgment or to render the most Holy and Righteous God to be most unholy and unrighteous in the Judgment 3. Rightly understood were not Men perverse it is in it self so far from tending to occasion any negligence or fearlesness in this matter as that it would rather tend to warn and awaken all sorts of People under the Gospel which is our concern to look about themselves there being no hope nor help for wilful Transgressors so pâ—rsisting to the end under the Gospel all the most Eternal Judgments and Damnation threatened in the Gospel being against such and if any gâ—ow careless and wilful their Damnation will become thereby the greater and Eternal The reason is because the greater mercy and means of Light and Life is afforded unto any here it being rejected or neglected the greater will their Damnation be To whomsoever much is given of them shall much be required Luk. 12. 47. Mat. 11. 20 to 24. Christ Do you suppose that this general Grace is only to the Heathen World that neâ—eâ—â—â—â—rd of Christ Nay no sinners under the Gospel partaâ—e theâ—eof Min. 1. As before I said no wilful Transgressors may expect any share therein Prov 1. 23 10 31. Yet 2. I do not question but that many under the Gospel may as have need thereof so have share therein or else woe woe woe will be the case of many Gospel-Professors at that day but there may be many Gospel-Professors among all sorts that may have high confidence of their good estate and yet may meet with great Judgment at that day that may in timeâ— partake of deliverance that must to the fire and yet be saved 1 Cor. 3. 15. If any mans work shall be burnt he shall suffer loss but himself shall be saved yet so as by fire here is both the Judgment by fire and the loss which loss without doubt will be Eternal yet the person saved when he hath past the Judgment I know there are several Opinions contrary to and Objectionâ— against this plain truth in this Scripture as 1. Thaâ— it intends Ministers building of false Doctrine upon the true Foundation and not Members or Gospel Professors 1. I easily grant it yet if Ministers works must be burnt that are not right and yet themselves saved so as by fire then certainly the Members built and led by them shall suffer the same loss and Judgment with them if the blâ—nd lead the blind both must fall into the ditch 2. The Ministers first and Principally intended as the cause of these words we have more than probable ground to conclude were those bad ones of or belonging to the Church of Corinth of whom the Apostle so much complains 2 Cor. 11. 13. Calling them false Apostles deceitful Workers the Devils Ministers vers 15. Yet it 's apparent vers 4. that they kept to and built upon the same Foundation the Apostle had laid they Preached not another Jesus nor another Spirit nor another Gospel but the same as Paul did tho to bad ends yet these and such as these shall be saved by fire 2. Obj. That it intends not the day of the Lords coming to Judgment but some other day of Gospel-Grace in this World to brun up the Wood Hay and Stubble by the fire of the Word and Spirit bofore the dâ—y of Judgment comes because it 's said the day shall declare it not the day of the Lord as the coming of Christ and the Judgment is usually called the day of the Lord Joel 2 31. 1 Thes 5. 2. 2 Pet. 3. 10. To this I say 1. That the coming of Christ is called the day as well as the day of the Lord Mal. 4. 1. To which probably the Apostle may have respect Behold the day cometh that shall burn as an Oven And Rom. 13. 12. It 's called the day The day is at hand and Eph. 4. 30. the day of Redemption Heb. 10. 25. Exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching so that it 's called the day as frequently as the day of the Lord and indeed it is all one And it is likewise called that day 1 Thes 5. 4. 2 Thes 2. 3. 2 Tim. 1. 18. 4. 8. 3. Others say That if it do intend the day of the Lord yet it intends the burning up of things but not of Persons To this I say 1. It 's true it intends the burning up of things viz. Of all things built on the Foundation contrary to the Doctrine of the Gospel both in matters of Faith and practice but the Persons must to the fire as well as their works they shall be saved yet so as by fire 2. Else all bad Ministers and Christians that have built bad matter and made bad work must be saved suffering only the loss of their building without any personal or penal suffering for the Apostle saith that those who come under this consideration shall be saved so as by fire and if so this Notion opens the Door wider than the Scripture or themselves will grant and therefore necessarily we must understand it in the sense by me asserted which is likewise plain without any harsh interpretation or wresting and wiâ—h this Rev. 2. 11. seems fully to agree he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second Death which imports not only a security to overcomers but that some may be hurt of the second Death that may not be Eternally swallowed
39. 25 26. And the â—â— Sodom verse 53. 61. And the same to the Naâ—â—â— 12. 15. And indeed it 's contrary to all the â—â—de of promises made to the Nations in general â—â— been before abundantly shewed which promises â—â—â— mercy in the Judgment cannot be performed It 's contrary to his Name and Nature who has â—â—ed himself to be infinitely good and Gracious in thole Name Exod. 34. 6 7 And delighteth in â—â— Mic. 7. 18. Good to all Psal 145. 9. All the â—â—ed Goodness Love Mercy in and among â—â—en is but as a drop to the Ocean of what is essenâ—â— in God and on this very account it is he saith â—â— 27 28. That he fainteth not neither is weary from this infinite Goodness and Mercy it is that he been so ready to shew Mercy throughout all ages to â—ost incorrigible offenders and that sometimes on â—â— little little repentance compared with the greatâ—â— of their sins as Manasseh 2 Chro. 33. 1. 10 13. â—â— 1 King 21. 1 to 29. His own People Psal 78. â—â—o 39. See Act. 2. 3. And to suppose him to be gone â—all Mercy to the World in the Eternal Judgment â—â— must determine mens states to Eternity is contraâ—â— the Goodness of his Name and Nature towards â—â—â— fallen man it being a common received Notion â—ng men that sin in it self is a finite thing but in â—uch as it is against an infinite Majesty it deserves â—mite punishment and because Creatures cannot bear â—mite-punishment for measure therefore it must be â—mite for time so that if the Majesty offended were â—infinite it could not deserve infinite punishment Now as to this let us consider two thinâ—s 1. Aâ— those who affirm that God Decreed all things whatsoeâ— come to pass and that nothing is done but by vertuâ— his immutable Decâ—ee and over-ruling providence order thereunto Whether we may rationally or Reliâ—â—ously conclude that Justice cannot at all be offended â— doing it s Decreed will and work And whether Just â— might not rather be offended if men did not those Aâ— of sin Decreed to be done if it were possible not to â— the Decreed will of God Now consider the weight this reason for infinite punishment because sin is againâ— an infinite God Therefore there must be infinite suâ—feriâ—â—â—â—r dâ—ratâ—oâ— for that which infinite Justice Dâ—â—crâ—â—d to be done which were it true there could â—â— no puniâ—hment at all in way of Justice to affirm thâ— coâ—trâ—y viz. That God will damn men Eternally anâ— will never be satisfied in â—â— Judgment for doing thoâ—â— things by himself Decreed to be done is the higheâ—â— asperâ—ion that possibly can be laid on the Holy Righâ—teous and Good God that made us and is willing to savâ—â— us Psal 14. 5. 17. And eads not only all mercy but alâ— just Judgment and punishment for sin both in thiâ— World and in that which is to come there being noâ— need of mercy for doing the Decreed will of God and turns the Sacrifice and sufferings of Christ into a meeâ—â—nullity and nothing there being no need of a Sacrifice of peace for what God decreed must be done and so could not be offended unless some things be done over and above his Decreed will which is not possible if he Decreed all things this must necessarily follow unless any dare to be so bâ—ld as to assert which this principle does in the necessary consâ—quences thereofâ— that God Decreed sin to be in the World to make work for his Son to bear it As if he took pleasure in sin and â—â—â—tings of his Son and the Eternal damnation of And for such as own not this for ever to be abâ— principle I say 1. That as sin is against an inâ— God so it deserves infinite punishment yet hereâ—eth all the hope and help of Mankind that this â—â—e Majesty has always kept up infinite mercy â—e infinite Justice yet without any wrong thereto â— 9. 13. Neh. 9. 31. Psal 78. 38. And will so do â— Judgment as is most apparent as has been before â—â—â—lly manifested Rev. 22. 2. â—nd so 2. It 's the infinitness of God that is the alone â—â—d of hope in this matter next to his promises â—â— Faithfulness therein it 's the foundation of all â—â—e in all the parts thereof had he not been God â— not man he had let man and the World pass away â— Oblivion for the first sin but infinite Goodness â— Mercy took hold of Man and so of the World in â—onderful way to a wonderful and Glorious end and â— designedly to sin and damned Eternally â— It being contrary to infinite Wisdom Goodness and â—â—ghteousness And it 's the sinite Devil that is implaâ—â—le towards Mankind and not the infinite God So that all the good and mercy that has or ever all come to Mankind is from the infinitness of God that as it 's true he is infinitely just so he is inâ—ely Good and Gracious and mercy rejoiceth against â—â—dgment Jam. 2. 13. Mercy and Truth are met togeâ—â—er Righteousness and Peace hath kissed each other â—al 85. 10. So that because he is infinite shall this â—alvation be And you may learn from hence that as men have â—â—used God in their Notions about his Eternal Decrees a preparing men thereby to sin and be Eternally damned so have they abused him in their Noâ— about the Eternal Judgment as to the World iâ—neral that his Justice will never be satisfied nor â— ever he will be pacified or say it is enough 2 Sam â— 6. Nor that he can take vengeance and forgive â— iniquities Psal 98. 8. A wonderful strange Notiâ— is to suppose that God who is infinite in Goodness has been so exceeding good to Mankind ever since first sin and fall and will be to the Judgment should tâ— lose all Goodness and Mercy to Mankind except a â— only and be turned all into Justice and Wrath eterâ—ly Surely I think he must then cease to be wâ— he has been and be what he never was especially it â—ing so exceeding contrary to his Gospel design by â—sus made manifest throughout the Scriptures ever siâ— the first sin and fall tho in this we may safely concluâ— that as the Glory prepared for and promised to â— Saints is such as Eye hath not seen nor Ears hearâ— nor can it enter into the heart of Man to conceive â—â— he being infinite and just the least measure of Judgmeâ—â— and Vengeance at that day will be such as Eye haâ—â— not seen nor Ear heard nor can it enter into the heaâ— of Man to conceive Yet that mercy in times shall â—â— extended to the World as it 's sutable to the Scripturâ— and Gosp I design so it 's sutable to the Name and Nature of God 6. It 's contrary to the Kingdom and Glory oâ— Christ in the World to come what Glory will it be tâ— the most Gracious and Glorious King of the World who has purchased his Kingdom and Subjects with hiâ— own Blood Rom. 14.
to dispose of all the creatures that he hath maâ—e I am well satisfied in but the matter I most question and desire to enquire into is about the manner and method of the exercise and execution of this his right and power viz. Whether God has from his own will and power as some say reprobated the greatest part of the World to damnation by an eternal decree before the world was without respect to sin as the first and just deserving cause but meerly from his own will which they say was to glorifle his justice Min. Altho I believe reverence and adore the Sovereignty of God over all and his proper right to dispose of all his creatures yet I do not believe that he hath or ever will so exercise his Sovereignty as some affirm viz. to damn whom he please from his own will and power distinct from sin as the cause thereof but that he hath doth and will exercise this his Sovereign power according to the excellency of his name and nature and righteous Laws given to men on that behalf as the boundary of his rule and Government over men and that in way both of judgment and mercy and not to destroy whom he please from his own will and power without respect had to those Laws otherwise to understand I believe it both dishonourable unto God and pernicious unto men Christ Can you prove from Scripture the manner and method of the exercise of the Sovereign power of God over men Min. I can Ps 62. 11. God hath spoken once yea twice have I heard this that power belongeth to God here is the Sovereign power stated v. 12. is the manner of its exercise and execution Also to thee O Lord belongeth mercy for thou renderest to every man according to his works The exercise of this his Sovereign power is in a way of justice and mercy to render to every one according to his works and according to his righteous Laws given to men Ps 101. 1. I will sing of mercy and judgment unto thee O Lord will I sing Christ What instances can you give from Scripture to confirm this manner and method of Gods proceedings with men viz. by his righteous Laws given to men and not from his own Sovereign will and power as distinct from and contrary to those Laws Min. 1. When he first made man he gave a Law as it was most meet it should be so wherein he stated his Sovereign rule over his creature man according to which he exactly ruled and man transgressing thereof he according to his Law as the great Sovereign Lord executes the penalty on man for breach thereof Gen. 2. 16 17. with ch 3. 6 13 19. Rom. 5 12. he did not throw down man from his first estate from his own will and power distinct from the breach of his Sovereign Law as the cause thereof 2. And after the sin and fall of man into a state of death in which he might have exercised his power either to have made a present end both of man and the world or have exercised his rule over men in this estate at a distance and distinct from all Law and rule but he from his own Sovereign love and good will to man set him upon a promise of recovery and restitution by the Womans seed Gen. 3. 15. wherein mercy met with Judgment in a needful time and since its apparent that he keeps to the true rules of his own Laws in this matter Tho probably the world might be without law written as by Moses yet not without Law both of nature and creation Ps 19. 1 2 3 4. Rom. 1. 20. And probably some teachings from God instrumentally as Jude v. 14. Enoch the seventh from Adam prophesied c. and Kain and Abel offered sacrifice probably by some Law from God but Rom. 5. 13 14. puts it out of doubt that they were not without Law For until the Law sin was in the world but sin is not imputed where there is no Law therefore there was some Law that being the design of the Apostle to prove that they had some Law or there had been no sin The next great execution of Judgment upon the world was in the deluge or flood which was not executed from the Sovereign will and power of God distinct from sin against his Laws as the cause thereof Gen. 6. 5 6 7. and in this they not only transgressed his laws but resisted his spirit v. 3. my spirit shall not always strive with man c. And he gave them further warning by Noah in making the Ark waiting for their repentance an Hundred and Twenty years 1 Pet. 3. 20. with Gen. 6. 3. and without doubt would have been well pleased with their repentance so as to have prevented the Judgment sutable to Jer. 18. 7 8. and the example of the Ninivites Jon. 3. 10. and accordingly he saved Noah not from his Sovereign will distinct from his Sovereign law but as unrighteous person that walked with God Gen. 6. 8 9 7. 1. 3. Instance is Sodom and Gomorah God brought not the Judgment upon them from his own will distinct from sin as the cause wherein he exercised his Sovereign power not only as a righteous law-maker but as a righteous law-executor Gen. 18. 20 21. I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it Yea and so tender was he that if there had been but ten righteous persons he would have spared it for their sakes v. 32. and finding but one righteous Lot he spared him and for his sake would have spared all his relations if they had believed Gen. 19. 12 13. by which it 's manifest that the exercise of Sovereign power was according to the right of Law by the law-maker and executor and ready to have been mixed with mercy had there been any footing for it and Lot was saved not only from the Sovereign will and power distinct from all Law but as a righteous person 2 Pet. 2. 7 8. 4. When God called Abraham out from all the world as an act of Sovereign love will and power and owned him and his as his peculiar people nearer to him in Covenant than all the world besides he exercised his Sovereignty over them according to his righteous laws and promises in that behalf and no otherwise the contrary would be very wicked for any man to assert and in keeping thereof they had great reward Psal 19. 11. and on the wilful breach thereof great punishment as Levit. 26. 3. c. and Deut. 28. 1. c. with Lamentations of Jeremiah throughout and this was his method throughout that ministration punishing them for their sins yet less than they deserved Ezra 9. 13. and delivered them many a time upon their repentance Psal 78. 38. and 106. 43. 5. Though God left all the Nations in this choice yet he did not so reject them as to leave them at a further distance or in a worse
could not love and hate the same persons at the same time it 's impossible and therefore irrational to be imagined 3. It 's impossible from the goodness of his name and nature for so good a God to make people designedly to so bad an end as to sin and be damned Eternally is impossible and therefore is both irrational and irreligious to be imagined Christ They will not say that God reprobated the world but a great part thereof do you not wrong them in supposing them to assert the reprobation of the world Minist I do them no wrong at all for 1. they call the Elect the world though they are never so called in the Scripture which are in their own sense the far less number therefore the far greater number may be more properly called the world 2. Themselves will acknowledge that the wicked especially the reprobates as they call them are in Scripture called the world therefore I do them no wrong in saying their principle is that God reprobated the world from Eternity they owning two worlds one Elect and another reprobated 3. Reas That God should imprint in man by Creation a principle of reason and righteousness wherein he was principally made in the Image of God Gen. 1. 26 27. Eccles 7. 29. and require Righteousness and Justice among men and damn unrighteousness as a grievous sin and yet to act so contrary to it himself as to damn people from his own will is both irrational and irreligious to be imagined and does argue that he made not man in his own Image and this Principle put in man and Law of righteousness given to man would not be an honour to him in the Judgment but a reproach if indeed he made men to destroy them from his own will which far be it from all good Christians to imagine Discourse of Sovereignty further saith p. 40. 41. The righteousness of God is further evinced by the Laws he hath given to men the sum of which is to do righteously and the end of them the good and welfare of the Creature after a Thousand years experience of these compared with the issue of mens inventions they are acknowledged to be right Judgments good Statutes and Laws of truth to this also might be added the strict injunctions that God laid upon the subordinate Dispensers of his Laws as namely to judge the people with just Judgment and not to wrest Judgment nor respect Persons yea he curseth them that pervert Judgment and will surely reprove them that respect Persons and shall Mortal man be more Just than God Will he under such penalties command men to do thus and not do so himself This great truth of the righteous Actings of God towards men must this Discourse acknowledge which in substance contradicteth and undoth it self it being to maintain an unaccountable disposing of Persons from the Sovereign will of God and that pure Sovereignty consisteth wholly in this whereon Election and Reprobation in their sense depends and that there is no other Basis to repose this Doctrine upon and yet confesseth that God acteth righteously as he expecteth men should do then surely he hath not decreed the unrighteous Actions of men designedly to damn them how inconsistant these things are the prudent may easily judge And this is to be remarked that the righteous Actings of God towards men is sutable to the principles of reason and righteousness placed by God in men or else man could not be in his Image nor capable to understand his righteous dealings with men either here or in the Judgment nor of doing righteously but would be as the Brutes and that the exercise of the righteousness of God towards men is sutable to their rational capacities to understand and not from an hidden Supreme will at a distance there from plainly appears Gen. 18. 24 25. Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right viz. as Abraham was capable to judge what was right Wilt thou destroy the righteous and the wicked That be far from thee to do in this manner This he judged to be right to judge the wicked and to spare the righteous and the contrary to be far from it and therefore far from the righteous God so to do and this is the Testimony Moses gives of God Deut. 32. 4. All his ways are Judgments a God of truth and without iniquity Just and right is he and in this very Case God justifieth himself and pleads it out with men who said his ways were not right Ezek. 18. 25. to 32. and 33. 17. 20. he justifieth not himself from his Sovereign power to do with them what he pleased distinct from their obedience or disobedience but according to principles of reason law and righteousness he appeals to themselves to be Judge which he would not have done had he ruled by an unlimited Sovereignty or they not been capable to judge in the matter Christ Some will say you make too much a do about this matter they trouble not themselves about it God is righteous though we understand it not he will justifie himself herein in the Judgment and we are to leave it to him though we cannot understand it the Sovereign will of God is right what ever it be he being unaccountable of any of his matters he might from his own will have reprobated and damned all if it had so pleased him we are not to question his righteousness in any of his doings but keep to this whatever he doth is just and right because he doth it and he giveth no account of any of his matters Job 33. 13. Minist 1. Men do trouble themselves so much about it as by their unrighteous Notions they fix on God the greatest unrighteousness imaginable to determine the world to sin and Judgment before he made it and then dislike with those that endeavour to remove this unjust Aspersion let them give off abusing God and there will not be such occasion to contend in this matter 2. In a work of highest concern to vindicate the name of the righteous God it 's that both himself and his servants hath pleaded throughout all Ages and therefore whiles men thus wrong and abuse the righteous and holy God let them not blame those that plead for his name and righteous Cause on Earth it being that in which his name and the good of men both here and hereafter is so much concerned and it 's true that God hath doth and will justifie himself from all such unjust Aspersions and will justifie those that rightly plead his righteous Cause in this matter and as to the whole what has been said before doth answer it Yet further it 's an undoubted truth that what ever God doth is right and just he never did nor never will do the contrary no it 's contrary to his Name Nature and Word Deut. 32. 4. Ps 145. 17. that standing firm beforementioned from Discourse of Sovereignty Pag. 39. His will is the rule of righteousness and righteousness
the rule of his will the truth of which rightly understood and believed would deliver us from such unrighteous Notions and establish us in this that his will is righteous righteousness being the rule thereof And as for that Job 33. 13. he giveth no account of his matters I say 1st that he hath and doth give us an account of his matters viz. of his will concerning men else to what end are the Scriptures written if not to give us an account of the matters of God Therefore thus to understand and apply that saying is very destructive to the whole design of God in his Word which is to give us an account of his matters and will concerning men 2. We being all in the faln state under sin and the sentence of Death are liable to the various dispensations of God relative to afflictions and prosperity in this world which was the present case in which God often acts out of our sight so as to understand the particular reasons thereof it being so that in this estate no man can be just with God Job 9. 1 2 3. and v. 22. he destroyeth the righteous and the wicked all being under sin and the sentence of Death it 's said v. 12. behold he taketh away who can hinder him who can say unto him what dost thou And in this sense it is he giveth no account of his matters viz. he sendeth Afflictions and Death how and when he pleaseth and that both to the righteous and the wicked yet in all keeps to the true rules of righteousness though to us oft times his way may be as it were in the Sea and his path in the deep waters and his footsteps not seen Psal 77. 19. yet in all he punisheth sin and rewardeth righteousness both in the righteous and the wicked Prov. 11. 31. Jer. 25. 9. Jona 3. 10. and so keeps to the true rules of righteousness in all and further he has diverse revealed ends in afflicting his people and all in the end shall work for good as it did in the case of Job 3. Because of the variety of the ways of God towards men in the faln state in which oft times we cannot find his way nor he gives any account thereof yet keeps to the rules of righteousness therein for men to draw up so horrid a conclusion from hence as that either 1st He gives us no account of his matters relative to our eternal Estate or 2dly That he will damn people eternally in another world meerly from his own Sovereign will that he made them for that end is so irreligious a conclusion as not to be named among men 4. Reas To render God unto men not only contrary to his Name Nature and Word but under such Notions as rationally tends to beget in them hatred and rebellion against him instead of love must needs be very irreligious and this manner of representing God unto men doth so either it makes them rebel against him which is more common than it may be some are aware of concluding that if they are appointed to be damned there is no hope nor help do what they can the Decree cannot be altered which if it were true is a very rational and true conclusion from the premises or else turn Atheists concluding that there is no God at all or a very bad one from these irreligious representations of our holy and good God to men it comes to pass that Atheists are found among profest Christians the law and light of nature teaches it not but those abusive God-dishonouring Gospel and soul-destroying Principles it is that is become the Nursery of such abominations and that by such who might learn to teach better things 5. That Doctrine that fathers all the sinful actions of men and Judgments of God inflicted or to be inflicted upon men for sin upon the eternal and immutable Decree of God before the world was is irreligious to be taught or imagined but this of the reprobation of the world before they were and making God the Decreer of all things whatsoever comes to pass doth so and therefore is very irreligious to be taught or imagined And that some doth so appears not only by what has been of late by some published as an Article of Christian Faith That God from all Eternity immutably and unchangeably decreed in himself all things whatsoever comes to pass But another that I could name but shall here forbear saith in his pag. 92. in Answer to some Questions about this matter 1st Is not sin the cause of Reprobation Ans No for then all men should be Reprobates 2. Quest Is there no cause then of Reprobation in the Reprobates Ans None at all in that they rather than others are passed by of God this is wholy from the unchangeable depth of his free-will and pleasure and pag. 93. That God in his free-will hath justly decreed the evil works of the wicked for if it had not so pleased him they had never been at all and that there is nothing sin as God decreed it neither is there any thing in it self absolutely evil that God forbiddeth nothing because they are in themselves first evil but therefore are they evil to men because God hath forbidden them and pag. 90. God from all Eternity and according to his free-will did from his own unchangeable purpose and Council fore-appoint and certainly determine all things together with their Causes and Effects their Circumstances and manner of being c. If this Sovereign Doctrine do not only tend to father all the sin and judgment of the world upon the holy and righteous God but to end all Religion I know not what doth See my Postscript to Confession of Faith where this is further cleared 6. That Doctrine that teacheth men not to glorifie God nor blame themselves in the Judgment but rather Eternally to curse God must needs be very irreligious but to teach people that God from his Sovereign will made them on purpose to damn them Eternally without hope or help must needs teach them not to blame themselves but curse God and not glorifie him in the Judgment if they should then believe as now they are taught but they shall then know the contrary and if they curse any it shall be themselves and such Teachers as Deceived them with False Doctrine and shall glorifie God Psal 64. 8. 1 Pet. 2. 12. 7. And finally that Doctrine which is not only contrary to the principles of Reason and law of Nature in man in which he was made in the Image of God but abuseth God in his Sovereign Government over men and the truth of his general Grace to men turning the truth thereof into a lye is very dangerous to be taught or imagined but this of his damning the world alone from his own Sovereign will doth so and therefore it must needs be very irreligious for any to teach or believe it That it doth abuse God in his Sovereignty and truth is most apparent not
nothing stands in the way to hinder their Salvation but themselves Who ever will may come and take of this Water of Life freely Rev. 22. 17. And by vertue of the same Sacrifice who ever hath feared God and wrought Righteousness since the first sin and fall hath been accepted before the Gospel Grace was known in the World as it 's now made manifest Act. 10. 34 35. Thus far the sin of the World is taken away 3. The whole is so far Reconciled to God by this one Sacrifice and sin not imputed so as not to hinder the Resurrection of all and the Restitution this being the great and universal end of God in this matter sin would have buried all in Oblivion for ever but by this means shall be a universal deliverance 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. Rom. 5. 18. And with Mankind the Renovation and Restitution of all things that fell by the sin of the first Man That as all fell by the Sin of the first Man so shall all be Restored by the second which shall be the new World or World to come Heb. 2. 5 8 12. Pet 3. 13. Rev. 21. 5. And on this account He gave his Flesh for the Life of the World Joh. 6. 51. In and over which shall be his Eternal Kingdom and Glory with his Saints Rev. 11. 15. 22. 5. And in this sense also he hath taken away the sins of the World 4. He dyed for the Elect for the Sheep for the Church Act. 28. 20. Eph. 5. 25. And as he dyed for them so they shall have the special Benefit Blessing and Salvation thereby he is the Saviour of all but especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10. But this Salvation of the Elect of Believers as it 's certain so it 's founded in the general Grace and in the general Sacrifice so that we may safely conclude that had there been no such general Grace nor general Sacrifice there had been no such thing as Election or special Grace to any had not God compassed the World in this wonderful design of Grace all had been lost by the first sin and fall and buried in Oblivion and this universal design of Grace to the World compasseth and includeth all particulars and that is it I say that special Grace is founded in general Grace that had there been no such general Grace to the World there had been no special Grace and Salvation to any therefore to out this general Grace and Sacrifice is in it self really to out and end all the Grace and Salvation of the Gospel 5. By the Death and Resurrection of Christ was designed and is and shall be effected the Lordship of Christ over all It 's true he was Lord of all by right of Creation Col. 1. 16. But this Lordship by right of Redemption must be arrived to by his suffering as a Sacrifice for the Redemption of the World because all was lost both Man and the World by the sin of Man and therefore without a Redemption there would have been no Men nor World to be Lord of Rom. 14. 9. For this end he dyed and rose and revived that he night be Lord both of the Dead and of the Living This was one end of his death and such and so great an â—nd thereof as if we suppose it left out we may well suppose he had never dyed for the World and on this account it is that this Dignity is conferr'd upon him by the Father as worthy thereof by right of purchase Phil. 2. 10 11. Rev. 5. 12 13. 2. That all those designed ends of this general Love by the general Sacrifice are and shall be certainly effected it being that for which he dyed and for which he Mediates most of them being absolute and inconditional as to Men viz. the Preservation of this present World till the times of Restitution the general Reconciliation Restitution and common Salvation only a right to the special Reconciliation Justification and Salvation is stated and must be obtained on the terms and conditions of the Gospel all must come in and obtain by Faith Obedience and Perseverance Mar. 16. 15 16. Col. 1. 22 23. Jam. 1. 25. Rev. 22. 14. And all depends upon and shall be effected by vertue of the Death Resurrection and Mediation of our Lord Jesus he dyed for all and Mediates for all 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. And that he Mediates for all further appears in that he has made it our Duty to pray for all Men 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. For Enemies Persecutors and them that hate us that so we may be the Children of our Heavenly Father Mat. 5. 44 45. And surely all Men Enemies and Persecutors are not the Elect only and we have no ground to believe that Christ has made it our Duty to Pray or interceed for any things or Persons for which he will not Interceed for because if we pray for any thing he will not interceed for how can we expect him to present such prayers as acceptable to the father Rev. 8. 3. he died for the Elect his Church and mediates for them Rom. 8. 34. Joh. 14. 16. he died for the World that he might be the visible Lord thereof and mediates for the effecting of it Psa 2. 8 9. tho this is ignorantly enough applied to his meditation for the Elect by some professing themselves to be wise which if so and they should prove to be some of those Elect they would much miss of their expectation it being to break them with a red of Iron and to dash them in pieces like a potters vessel The same as Rev. 2. 26 27. where the Elect Overcomers shall be with Christ in this breaking work it being the Worlds portion in the Judgment to be thus broken before they obtain what of grace may be designed for them Psa 82. 8. you may see more of this in Chap. 8. And as for his being heard in all things he mediates for it 's already fully granted only this we are to understand that in his mediation for men here in order to believing and persevering in grace it is for a sufficiency of means and power for Effecting the end and that he is heard therein tho the end may not be Effected his mediation being an official mediation and having to do with capable subjects and not with brutes and those who assert that what ever he mediates for shall be Effected in their sense do really tho not intentionally end all faith Election and the mediation of Christ in as much as by this assertion there are now no believers in the world for he prayed for such a visible unity among all believers as that the world might behold it and be converted thereby Joh. 17. 20 21 23. but there is no such visible union among all believers but rather such visible divisions that tends to harden and stumble sinners so that there are none of the believers yet in the world for whom Christ interceeds or we must
used to prove that which it does not at all intend it being so apparent that the Apostle speaks of the givings down of the Spirit in it's mighty works after believing and not in the first work of conversion it being the promise and was performed that the spirit should be given down abundantly upon believers after believing as clearly distinct from it's sacred work in the Gospel in begetting souls to the faith see for this Joh. 7. 38 39 Act. 2. 38 39. Eph. 1. 13. so that to apply the giving down of the Spirit according to promise after believing to the first work of faith and conversion is a very great weakness and mistake 2. The Apostle in that place intends not the giving down of the Spirit upon the Ephesians to whom he wrote much less to persons in the first work of faith it being evident that the Apostle throughout this chapter keeps the distinction between himself the ministers with him and the Church as was usual in his other Epistles from v. 1. to 13. he speaks to but not of the church but of themselves distinguished by We Us and Ye and v. 13. speaks of the church and from v. 16. to 19. speaks of themselves and lets the church to know the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward who believe i. e. to the Apostles in the mighty gifts of the spirit and works done by them for confirmation of the truth of the Gospel according to Mar. 16. 17 18. Heb. 2. 3 4. 3. I conclude that the work of faith and conversion of sinners is so far from being a mâ—racle as some pretend that it 's rather a marvel that so few believe and are converted certainly our Lord would not have marvelled at their unbelief Mar. 6. 6. nor grieved for their hardness of heart if they could not have believed without a miraculous work which he was able to have effected Mar. 3. 5. It 's true many believed on the sight of miracles done without them but we read not of any miracle done within them to work faith nor is the work of faith and turning to God at all called a miracle 4. And from the whole we have great cause to fear that the Spirit is much more talked of by us all than known and enjoyed either in it's operations in the Gospel to conversion or in its gifts according to promise and cause we have to mourn in the sense thereof that he should be so much amongst us in word and so little in Power If the Spirit of the Gospel were a spirit of Ignorance errour and pride a spirit of Worldlyness oppression envy hatred and division Were this the Spirit of the Gospel we have enough and too much of this But if the Spirit of Christ is indeed in its operations and effects the Spirit of Power of Love and of a sound mind 2 Tim. 1. 7. If it be the Spirit of Love Joy Peace long Suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith â—eckness Temperance Gal. 5. 22. 23. Then surely we have cause to complain as the Prophet Isa 24. 16. My leanness my leanness wo unto me Christ What think you of the work of Regeneration relative to the matter in hand I desire to enquire 1. What it is and 2. How it is effected Min. Without doubt it carryeth the sum of the matter in it and includes Faith Repentance and the whole of Gospel Conversion and turning to God But more particularly 1. Negatively what it is not it 's not any Conversion then a Conversion only from â—in might be it there may be many Convictions and Conversions too that may be far short of Regeneration and Persons may be and it 's to be feared that many are deceived herein 2. Affirmative what it is the word Regeneration I find but twice used in the New Testament in the terms thereof and not at all in the Old it being most proper to the New tho I doubt not but that the true sense thereof is often exprest Joh. 3. 3 5. And it implyeth and importeth a renewing returning or restoring to a new Estate And those two Scriptures in which it 's mentioned teâ—ds much to give us a tight understanding therein The 1. I shall mention is Tit. 3. 5. According 〈◊〉 his mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit Which Regeneration here consisteth in our being by the Power of the Gospel begotten to believe the Truth of the glad tidings thereof relating to the Restitution and World to come our Faith must be in the Regeneration to come or else it 's none of the Faith of the Commission or of Regeneration Mar. 16. 15 16. Nor brings us under the promise of a share in the Regeneration to come it not being the Faith of Regeneration Regeneration begun here being a preparation to the Glory of the perfect Regeneration of and in the new and restored World The 2. Scripture is Mat. 19. 28. Ye which have followed meâ—n the Regeneration when the Son of Mâ—â— shall â—it on the Thâ—one of his Glory ye also shall sit upon twelve Thâ—â—nâ—â— uâ—â—gâ—â—g the twelve Tribes of Israel That this Regeneration relates to the New life in the New World at and after the Resurrection I think is by the Learned generâ—â—ly owned that the true reading and sense of the Words is ye that have followed me shall in the Râ—genâ—â—aâ—â—en sit upon twelve Thrones c. That is in the new and restored World see Wilson's Scripture Dictionary on the Word the day and time of the last Judgment when our whole Nature being restored both Body and Soul shall enjoy the Heavenly inheritance Mat. 19 28. You which have followed me shall in the Regeneration sit upon twelve Thrones and the English Greek Lexicon on the Word the last day of the World and it 's so called because in it God will create a new Heaven and a nâ—w Earth and will perfectly ingender again a Man that is chosen Mat. 19. 28. And indeed this is properly the Regeneration time and state when all things shall be renewed restored and return to a new and better estate So that Regeneration may be thus defined When a Man doth truly believe the truth of the glad tidings reported in the Gospel by Jesus Christ Crucified for our sins raised and ascended into Heaven and shall come again from thence to perfect the Redemption viz. The Resurrection Regeneration and new World and to perfect his People with Himself therein and is in this Faith effectually turned to the Lord in heart and life according to the Gospel This iâ— Regeneration begun here which if persevered in will certainly issue in the perfect Regeneration and Glory in the World to come 2. How it 's effected and that is 1. For us by Jesus Christ Crucified Raised and Ascended in and by him the whole work is and shall be effected Act. 3. 21. Rev. 21. 5 12. 2. In us here the Lord begets us by the word of his Grace to
to be Wiser in our own Conceit than our Lord and Law-giver 4. Whoever fixeth the sin and damnation of the World on the eternal Decree of God and not on mans chosen and willful wickedness as the first just and deserving cause thereof but fathers both the sin and Judgment on the eternal Decree of God as the first cause of both denyeth the Scripture belieth the Lord and believeth a lie Ezek. 33. 11. Joh. 3. 16 19. 1 Tim. 2. 4. Rev. 22. 17. 5. Whoever denyeth the Love God to the world in the gift of his Son affirming that he loved but a few of the Elect only denieth the Scripture and believeth a lye Luk. 2. 10. Joh. 3. 16. 6. Whoever denieth that Jesus Christ gave himself for the life of the World a ransom for all a Propitiation for the sins of the World affirming that he died but for a few the Elect only denieth the Scripture and believeth a lye Joh. 6. 51. 1 Tim. 2. 6. 1 Joh. 2. 2. 7. Whoever affirmeth that men are no more capable to believe and obey the Gospel unto life than Bruit Beasts or Stones or a dead Corps and yet that God will damn them for not believing thereof it being both unscriptural irrational and dishonourable unto God denieth the Scripture and doth open wrong both to God and men and believeth a lye Ro 3. 3 4 5. 8. Whoever believeth and teacheth Salvation by an inconditional Covenant and Justification by faith without works denieth the Scripture and believeth a lye Mar. 16. 15 16. Rev. 22. 14. Jam. 2. 20. Christ Ro. 4 5. Is much made use of to prove Justification by faith without works But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that Justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousness Min. 1. If we hold Justification without works aâ— must then hold Salvation without works because every Justified person is in a saved state Ro. 8. 30. and so bid a due to works both as to Justification and Salvation 2. So to understand the Apostle in this or any other Scripture is to set him in direct opposition to Christ and all the Apostles which we may in no case do 1. Contrary to Christ Mat. 7. 21 24. and contrary to his Commission for Gospel Preaching and Salvation Mat. 16. 15 16. 2. Contrary to the rest of the Apostles Heb. 5. 9. 10. 36. 12. 14. Contrary to James ch 2. 24. Ye see then how that by works a man is Justified and not by faith only ch 1. 22. 25. Contrary to Peter 2 Pet. 1. 5. to 12. and Contrary to John 1 Joh. 2. 3 4 5 6. v. 17. he that doth the will of God abideth for ever 3. So to understand Paul in that Scripture not only sets Paul against Christ and all the Apostles but against himself and that in the same Epistle who Commonly states Salvation upon Obedience to the Gospel tho not as the deserving cause but as the Terms without which is no Obtaining thereof ch 2. 7 8 9 10. and we may not suppose the Apostle to be so inconsiderate as to contradict himself and that in the same Epistle 4. It 's most Aparent the Apostle intends not Gospel works in that place but the works of the Law as such compared with ch 3. 20 21. By the deeds of the Law there shall no Flesh be Justified v. 28. Therefore we conclude that a man is Justified by faith without the deeds of the Law but not without the deeds of the Gospel that contradicts the whole Gospel and the design of the Apostle as is most apparent 9. Whoever denieth the danger of believers falling from grace now in this imperfect state and holdeth and teacheth the impossibility thereof doth wrong to meâ— denieth the Scripture and believeth a lie Rom. 8 13 11. 20. Heb. 3. 12 4. 11. 2 Pet. 3. 17. 1 Tim. 1. 19 20. 10. Whoever denieth the restitution of all things the world to come and the eternal Kingdom and Glory of Christ and his Church therein denyeth the Scripture and believeth a lie Act. 3. 21. 2 Pet. 3. 13. Rev. 11. 15 22. 5. Mar. 10. 30. 11. Whoever believeth and teacheth that when Christ the Lord and Judge doth come again from Heaven to judge the world in righteousness Act. 17. 31. that he will â—urn up the world and not make it new and carrry away the saints with him to heaven and send all the world eternally to hell in their sense viz. that none of them shall have any advantage at all by the womans seed denieth the truth and glory of Christs undertaking for the world and a great part if not the whole of his kingdom and glory in the world to come and so denieth the Scripture and believeth a lie the truth of this see cleared in the next chapter 12. Whoever demeth the free operations of the Gospel Spirit in the word and work of Grace or in the ministerial gifts in prophesie and preaching as sufficient thereunto limiting Gospel ministerial gifts and offices in the Church of Christ to human acquired abilities denieth the sufficiency of the Gospel Spirit in the Gospel work introducing the human spirit instead thereof and is in the depth of the Apostacy 1 Cor. 2. 12 12. 4. 7. 13. Whoever setteth up the common light that is in all men instead of Christ and the Spirit of the Gospel is in the Apostacy and believeth a lye Christ Some saâ— that some of these things Especially the 4 5 6 7 8 9 particuars are the great Bulwarks against popery and that to assert such things as these tends to weaken the protestants and to strengthen the hands of the Papists Min. I hope these are not the best Bulwarks and strength of Protestants against Papists if it were it would surely fail in the time of need 2. If these things has been the strength of Protestants against Popery it 's no marvel so little is done for advantage to the Protestant interest and conviction of Papists if we lay the foundation in falshood and build thereupon it 's no marvel we are not blest of God and Popery gain upon us 3. Let Protestants fall in with the truth of the Gospel as it is in Jesus both in principle and practice Especially in these great and fundamental parts thereof and they will have enough to bear up with great authority from Scripture against Popery in all its parts 1. Hold firm to this both in principle and practice that the Scripture is in it self the alone sufficient ground and rule in all matters of Christian faith and Religion and needs not the Churches Authority for it's warrant nor the inventions traditions or additions of men which as it's a Christian so it 's a Protestant principle 2. Let the Express letter plain reason and scope of Scripture united in and with it self without the harsh and contradictory interpretations of men or consequences drawn contrary to and against the express light language and
and of the World is as clearly and fully stated in the Scriptures as the special Salvation of Believers viz. the world 〈◊〉 general as Israel I say not all but the Majority a very full and large generality after they are raised and have past the Judgment and born their Punishment shall as Israel obtain a mitigation of their Punishment and some Degrees of blessing and Salvation by the seed of the Woman the seed of Abraham by whom they have been Redeemed to a new life and world in whom all the Nations of the Earth shall be blessed which Salvation shall not only wonderfully come short of the Salvation of believers but shall be inferiour to and differ from the common Salvation of the Jews God in the degrees of his Grace to men in the Restitution designing to keep up an Eternal distinction between the World and the natural seed of Abraham in their various and respective distinctions and degrees yet the World shall Enjoy some favour blessing and Salvation in times to be Effected which is one part of the mystery of the Gospel Eph. 1. 9 10. My further grounds are 1. Because God alwaies retained his propriety in the World as in the Jews tho more remote he â—ever Elected Abraham and his seed so as to lose his right and propriety in all or any of the World besides tho Abraham and his seed had the preheminency above all the World they were the chief or first fruits among the Nations Amos 6. 1. and so shall be in the new World Isa 60. 14. but in this choise he losed not his real Propriety in the World Deut. 10. 14 15. and hence he was and still is good to all and made and maketh provision for all Ps 145. 9 15 16. Mat. 5. 45. 2. Because the Womans seed according to promise Gen. 3. 15 hath undertaken and will Effect the breaking of the head design of the Serpent for all mankind in recovering all in the resurrection to a new life and World Joh. 6. 51. Heb. 2. 14 15. Rom. 5. 18. 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. and the Generality shall in time reap some advantage thereby Ps 96. 10. 11. 12. 13. 98. 4. to 9. Rev. 5. 13. 3. And Especially as an effect of this undertaking of Christ for the life of the world because there are as manifold Promises to the Nations in general as to the Jews and that as distinct from blessedness and the Tribes of Israel tho they shall be chief among the Nations and that not only of some believers but a return is Promised to the Nations at that day as fully as to the Tribes of Israel tho they are and shall be chief Jer 12. 14 15. Thus saith the Lord to all mine evil Neighbours that touch the inheritance that I have caused my People Israel to inherit behold I will pluck them out of their Land and pluck out the House of Israel from among them and it shall come to pass after that I have plucked them out I will return and have compassion on them and will bring them again every man to his Heritage and every Man to his Land vers 16. And it shall come to pass if they will diligently learn the ways of my People to swear by my name the Lord liveth as they taught my People Israel to swear by Baal then shall they be built in the midst of my People What is intended to swear by the Lord see Isa 19. 18. 45. 23. With Rom. 14. 10 11 12. And sutable to this promise is Zec. 9 1. The burden of the word of the Lord in the Land of Hadrach and Damasciâ— shall be the rest thereof when the eyes of Man shall be towards the Lord as the eyes of all the Tribes of Israel This will be a universal Restitution and Reformation indeed when the eyes of Man in general shall be towards the Lord as the eyes of all the Tribes of Israel in their restored estate according to ch 8. 20 21 22. When the Earth shall be full of the knowledg of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea and as I have frequently elsewhere shewed especially in my Answer to Mr. Coxe the manifold promises to the Nations at that day as that they shall serve the Lord with gladness and joy which cannot be but in the enjoyment of some good by and from him Psal 67. 3 4 5. 100. 1 2. 22. 27 28 29. 86 9. And promises to particular Nations which will be made good to all as to Egypt and Assyria Isa 19. 17 to 25. Jer. 48. 47. is a particular promise to Moab yet will I bring again the Captivity of Moab in the latter days saith the Lord. And to Ammon ch 49. 6. And of Elam vers 39. But it shall come to pass in the latter days that I will bring again the Captivity of Elam saith the Lord. compared with Ezek. 32. 24 25. And Ezek. 16. 53 61. Is a promise of Sodoms return at that day as full and firm as to Judah and all these promises to the Nations refer to and are to be fulfilled in the latter days as those to the house of Israel Isa 2. 2 3 4. Mic. 4. 1. The last and latter days in Scripture sense frequently relating to the Judgment and new World to come Jam. 5. 1 2 3. 1 Pet. 1. 5. 4. Because the New Testament fully falleth in with the same truth as an explanation of those Prophesies and Promises thereof as the Restitution of all things Act. 3. 21. the uniting of all things in Christ the Head and Lord of his Church and the then visible Lord of the World and shall be so acknowledged and Worshipped Phi. 2. 9 10 11. Rev. 5. 13. Isa 5. 45. Of this general Salvation we read 1 Tim. 4. 10. He is the Saviour of all Men but especially of them that believe It 's true it 's God the Father that is here intended but he saves no otherwise than by Jesus Christ Act. 4. 12. 13. 47. So he is called the Saviour of the World Joh. 4. 42. 1 Joh. 4. 14. And that all flesh shall see his Salvation Luk. 3. 6. And Jude v. 3. calls it the common publick or general Salvation I know that there it is Objected that the Faith of the Gospel is called the common Faith Tit. 1. 4. Which Faith is so called because it 's the common Faith of all true believers and so is the Salvation called common as the Faith is i. e. common to all true believers To this I say if this common and universal Salvatition is included in the Doctrine of the Commission for Gospel Preaching as indeed it is Preach the glad tidings to all the Creation Mar. 16. 15. Which do undoubtedly intend the common or general Salvation and if the Faith to which the special Salvation is promised is to believe the general and common Salvation as it 's most apparent it is Mar. 16. 16. And that there is but this
one Gospel-Faith to which Salvation is promised then it 's no marvel that the Faith is called the common Faith as the Salvation is called the common Salvation the Faith being as large as the Salvation or it is not the Faith of the Gospel or of Gods Elect and 1 Tim. 2. 4. That he will have all Men saved and come to the knowledge of the truth It saith not only he willeth to have all saved but he will have all men to be saved and if so who shall say him nay He saith not come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved that being the way to be saved now in this day of Grace preparative to the Glory but saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth which sutes with vers 6. Who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time there being various times of this Testimony else all the World that never heard of him here could not give Glory to him as they shall in the World to come Phil. 2. 9 10 11. Rev. 5. 13. When the Earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Isa 11. 9. Tit. 2. 11. The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation to all Men hath appeared It bringeth Salvation to all men and teacheth us who believe it now in this day of Grace to live sutable thereunto vers 12. As a preparation to the Glory 2 Thes 1. 10. 5. And finally and as that wherein the abundance of the promises to the Nations at that day are manifest and in which it appears they are altogether as manifold as to Israel this favour and blessing being promised 1. To all Nations and to the ends of the Earth Isa 52. 10. Jer. 3. 17. Rev. 15. 4. Ps 72. 17 98. 3. 2. To all flesh Ps 65. 2. 145. 21. Isa 40. 5. 66. 23. 3. To all Kings Ps 72. 11. 102. 15. 138. 4 5. Isa 62. 2. and Princes Psal 47. 9. 68. 31. Kingdoms Ps 68. 32. 102. 22. Rev. 11. 15. 4. To all People Ps 47. 1 2. 67. 3 5. 148. 11 12. Luk. 2. 10. 5. To all the kindreds and Families of the Earth Gen. 12. 3. 22. 18. Ps 22. 27. 96. 7. 6. To all the Earth 1. Chro. 16. 30 31. Ps 66. 1 4. 67. 7. 98. 3 4. And 7. To all Tongues Isa 66. 18. All which gives us to understand the abundance of Promises to the Nations in general and to be performed in the times of the Restitution at and after the Resurrection and Judgment in the World to come set forth in holy Scripture in such multiplicity and variety of Promises and Expressions as all Nations all Flesh all People all Kings and Kingdoms all Tongues all the Earth all Kindreds and Families of the Earth to inform and confirm us both in the truth and weightiness of the matter and if any yet dare to deny it and to apply all these Promises to the Elect or Believers only in any sense let them at their own peril take their wilful will contrary to all Scripture and reason Christ The Scripture seems wonderful clear and full in this matter if it be to be performed in the new and restored World I think there can be no resisting hereof Min. 1. If any make doubt of that let them fix the time or times when it shall be else where from evidence of Scripture light or else they say nothing to it 2. The Scripture determins the time with such open face and evidence of light that whoso runs may Read 1. It shall be when he comes to judg the World in Righteousness and the People with his truth Ps 96. 13. 98. 9. 2. It shall be when the Kingdom is the Lords and he shall govern among the Nations Ps 22. 27 28. when the Lord shall be King over all the Earth and there shall be one Lord and his name one Zec. 14. 19. Rev. 11. 15. 3. It shall be in the time of the new Heavens and new Earth Isa 66. 18 22 23. which will be the new World and will not be till after the old is dissolved and renewed 2 Pet. 10. 11 12 13. and after the judgment is over v. 7. Rev. 20. 11. c. ch 21. 1 5 24. 4. It shall be in the time when the great transgressors are suffering their eternal Punishment Isa 66. 23 24. 5. It shall be when the time of this World shall be no more in the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Rev. 10. 6. 7. with ch 11. 15. 6. It shall be in the new World that the leaves of the tree of Life shall be for the healing of the Nations and the fruit for those with Christ in the Holy City Rev. 22. 2. all which does clearly shew us the time For further reason see Confession of Faith Article 7. Christ Some make the application of all to the Thousand Years Reign and limit it there Rev. 20. Min. 1. We may not lose the eternal Estate Life Kingdom Glory and World to come in a Thousand Years there being no other Kingdom World Life or Glory promised but in the World to come in which all these things are to be accomplished 2. Those Scripture grounds now mentioned all of them carry it beyond the Thousand Years and the Judgment into the World to come and the eternal Kingdom of Christ and the promises being as manifold to the Gentile World as to the Jews we may safely conclude they shall arrive thereto in and after the Judgment by repentance purging and pardon as the Jews shall as before has been shewed Christ The Judgment of penal Punishment is said to be eternal it 's called the eternal Judgment Heb. 6. 2. Some say that this notion overthrows the fundamentals of the eternal judgment Min. 1. The Judgment threatened in the Gospel is especially intended against such as sin immediately against the Gospel who as they have had the greatest means of light so will they be liable to the greatest Judgment Mat. 11. 20 24. Mar. 16. 15 16. to suppose the eternal Judgment threatened and to be inflicted on the wilful Rejecters of the Gospel to be intended to all the World that never heard thereof has been and is a very great mistake 2. And for the use of the word Eternal Everlasting and for ever I have fully spoken to both in my Additional word chap. 7. pag. 51. and in my answer to Mr. Coue ch 7. pag. 62 63. That it 's frequently limited to time in Scripture sense that it usually intends a long time sometimes more and sometimes less as is most apparent and might be manifested I think I may safely say not less than a hundred times I shall here only mention a few in tâ—â— present case viz. Threats of temporary Judgments to be for ever and perpetual yet a time promised of an end thereof and of Salvation and deliverance as Deut.
28. 29 46. yet ch 32. 36. is a promise to the same people of an end which indeed includes both the Judgment and the Mercy the Lord shall judge his People and repent himself for his Servants c. 1. Judge them compared with Heb. 10. 30. And afterwards repent himself for his Servants Jer. 17. 4. The Judgment is called a fire that shall burn for ever viz. a fire that shall not be quenched perpetual desolations Jer. 25. 9. yet a time of deliverance is promised vers 11 12 29 10. And hence it is the Prophet in the true sense of the Scripture prayed for deliverance from the perpetual desolations Psal 74. 2 3. Remember thy Congregation c. Lift up thy feet to the perpetual desolations viz make hast to deliver from the perpetual desolations I might instance the promise of the Land of Canaan everlasting Gen. 17. 8 48. 4. Covenant everlasting Gen. 17. 7 13. Priesthood everlasting Exod. 40. 15. Num. 25. 13. Deut. 18. 5. So likewise temporary Statuteâ— and Ordinances said to be for ever Lev. 16. 34. Num. 10. 8. 18. 8. And not only time to come is frequently called Eternal and Everlasting when it intends but a time But the time past and of old since the Creation is likewise in Scripture called Eternity and from Everlasting see some Margent Bibles As Jos 24. 2. Your Fathers dwelt in the other side of the Flood in old time Hebrew Meolam that is from Everlasting 1 Sam 27. 8. Those of old were the Inhabitants of the Land Heb. those from Eternity the same as Mich 5. 2. Isa 63. 11. Then he remembred the days of old Moses and his People Heb. days of Eternity Jer 5. 15. I will bring upon you an ancient Nation Heb. a Nation from Eternity Ezek. 36. 2. The Enemy said against you aha even the ancient High places are ours in possession Heb. High places of Eternity Mal. 3. 4. As in the days of old Heb. days of Eternity Rom. 16. 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eternal translated from the Foundation of the World And that properly or from the beginning all which Scriptures do not intend from Eternity in the common received sense but a long time before in some longer and in some lesser time is intended which tends with the multitude of other Scriptures that speaks of time to come under the same expressions yet limited to time to direct us to such an understanding in this matter as is sutable and agreeing to the Analogy of Scripture and the mind of the Lord therein and likewise help us to a right understanding of 2 Tim. 1. 9. and Tit. 1. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated before the World began properly Eternal agreeing with the forementioned Scriptures of old there being no promises of or in Christ Jesus that we are capable to take knowledge of but such as have been made since the World began and Recorded in the Scriptures 3 The Judgment will be truly and properly in Scripture sense Eternal For 1. Take it according to the Analogy of Scripture and common sense thereof if it be a long time it 's accounted Eternal as has been fully manifested 2. One sentence may determine all to their Eternal estate with the various measures and times of penal punishment sutable to the various facts of Men according to 2 Cor. 5. 10. Rev. 22. 12. Which as it's most Righteous and Godlike and that which he requires among men and likewise most rational so it 's all I plead for in this matter and that without which all those great promises to the World in the World to come cannot be effected 3. The Judgment and Punishment of loss will be Eternal to all that come short of the Glory with Christ to all that must be purged by fire and hurt of the second Death and this renders the Judgment to be really Eternal and in no case intrenches on the Eternal Judgment 4. Christ the Lord and Judg shall be the eternal Lord King and Judge of the renewed State and World to come and so his Judgment shall be Eternal in this sense Magistrates have been and are called Judges so were the rulers of Israel of old 1 Sam. 15. 16 17. And in this sense shall the Lord Christ be the Eternal visible Judg of the new and restored World who will rule and Judg by such Laws as himself shall then give else what meaneth 1 Chro. 16. 33 Ps 96. 10 13. Say among the Heathen the Lord reigneth the World also shall be established that it shall not be moved he shall Judg the People Righteously vers 13. He cometh he cometh to Judg the Earth he shall judge the World with Righteousness and the People with his truth Psal 98. 4 9. 67. 4. For thou shalt judge the People Righteously and govern the Nations upon the Earth Isa 2. 4â— Psal 86. 9. 102. 22. To which agreeth Act. 17. 31. He will judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained and Rev. 11. 15. He will reign and judge the World Eternally in its renewed Estate according to those many promises thereof and it shall be when the World is Established when it cannot be moved 1 Chro. 16. 30. Psal 93. 1. 96. 10. 5. It concerns us so to understand the Judgment as may comport and agree with all those promises to the World at that day lest we derogate from the truth of the Scripture Record both concerning the Judgment it self and the Glory of Christs undertaking for the World and the Glory of his Kingdom in the World to come all which stands clear and in unity in Scripture Record had we but eyes to see and understand it 6. And so from the whole I conclude that my â—otions about this matter are so far from overthrowing the Fundamentals of the Eternal Judgment as that they are the most Scriptural Righteous Rational and true Discoveries thereof in which the whole Scriptures unite in which the whole name of God as opened to us in his Word agreeth and in which his wonderful design by Christ in the Gospel will Issue Phi. 2. 9 10 11. Rev. 5. 13. 10. 7. with 11. 15. Christ If so that which Men say they fear is that the knowledg hereof will take off People from fearing the Judgment to come supposing an end of the penal part will grow careless or fearless Min. 1. Were there any ground so to suppose as rightly understood there is not must not truth be declared for fear Men will abuse it to their own destruction Did the Apostles refrain to publish the mysteries of Gospel-Grace to men for fear they would â—buse it Rom. 5. 20 21. 6. 1 2. And this Doctrine now discoursed on is but a more remote strain of the same Gospel-Grace to the World both of Jews and Gentiles of which God has filled his Word that men might understand and believe it without fearing the event thereof and must we be afraid to
up therein that may to the fire and yet be saved so 1 Cor. 11. 30 31 32. we read of some that were judged of the Lord that they might not be condemned wâ—the the World which clearly imports if they had oâ— been so Judged of the Lord here they must have beeâ— condemâ—ed with the World at that day and that whoever â—â— like case is not Judged here must meet with condâ—mnation then so 1 Tim. 5. 24. Some mens sins are open before hâ—nd gâ—ing before to Judgment and some they follâ—â— after not oâ—â—y to be Judged by the Church but by the Lord as 1 Coâ— 11. 32. They are juâ—ged and chastened of the Lord and Mat. 18. 23 to 35. Christ the Lord and Judge lets us to know that some whose sins are forgiven may by their unmeâ—â—â—fulness to others forfeit all and be Judged to punishment till full satisfaction to Jâ—â—tâ—ce iâ— made vers 35. a warning and an awakening word it should be to all merciless men in Gospel-Profession Mat. 25. 41. Jam. 2. 12 13. And this is so far from mâ—nâ—â—tring any any occasion of sinful neglect that if rightly ponâ—erâ—d it would 1 Be a warning word to all soâ—s of Gospel-Professors to take heed and beware what they build both in matters of Faith and Life lest they come short of the Glory and meet with the fiery Judgment and be hurt of the second Death it 's that which â—ends to season all with the fear of the Judgment to come and a sutable preparation thereunto which being so much wanting herein some of those that â—â—ll so much thereof for others expect not ever to come to it themselves which renders them the more in danger thereof and 2. If any wilfully neglect on this account they may suffer the Etâ—rnal punishment aâ—cording to the Scrâ—pture threats thereof Christ Some cry out against this as if they were like to be undone thereby because say they you own a Redemption from Hell and a threefold state in the World to come Min. This ariseth much from Tradition and ignorance of the Restitution and World to come while the Faith of the Gospel is lost as to the Glorious design of God to the World by Jesus Christ in the Restitution it 's no marvel they are all for Hell and burning in another World while they conclude themselves to have no share therein tho it 's true there will be sire and burning enough and that to those who have the least share therein Luk. 12. 48. And good it will be to all to look well to themselves in time and come right in the Faith and Life of the Gospel lest their own fire devour them 2. Let men come right in the Faith as to the Restitution World to come and Kingdom of Christ therein without which we have not the Faith of the Gospel and the difference in this will quickly end when that is believed the difference only remains about the various states of men in that World which I suppose may well be born withal in each other especially it being so that we all must come short in the knowledge thereof till the time comes 3. And concerning Redemption from Hell the word translated Hell frequently in the old Testament and sometimes in the New intends the Grave and from thence shall be a universal Redemption of all it being one of the proper ends of the Death and Resurrection of Christ Rom. 5. 18. 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. And is called the day of Redemption Rom. 8. 23. Eph. 4. 30. 2. Sometimes Hell intends great and deep asslictions and sorrows Psal 18. 4 5. 116. 3. From which has been and may be deliverance Psal 116. 8. 86. 3. 3. The Whales belly is called Hell which is rarely mentioned in the Old Testament probably because the old Covenant as such could not bring in the second life without which could have been no second Death and it 's called Death Metaphorically and not properly the first Death being properly Death the second not so but a life in misery called Death and Hell which great and deep afflictions pains and sorrows called Hell do most sutably represent And as there has been and shall be a Redemption from Hell in all the first mentioned respects viz. Out of great and deep afflictions pains and sorrows of Jonah out of the Fishes belly and all shall be Redeemed from the Grave called Hell why we should be so incredulous of and affrighted with a Redemption from the pains and sorrows of the second Death called Hell to me seems strange especially the Scripture being so abundantly full and clear in the matter in the true sense thereof as before has been shewed and as for the Kings of the Earth at that day relative to this matter read and ponder Isa 24. 21 22. And as for the Redemption of the World or deliverance after Judgment which includes the Redemption from Hell besides what has been already said we may read as much in that wonderfully mistaken Scripture Psal 2. 8 9. Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy possession where is 1. Christs mediatory office respecting the World ask of me 2. A promise I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance for thy possession Inheritance and Possession in Scripture sense being generally taken for good for advantage for riches for honour Deut. 4. 21. â—â—ad very probably this saying as it sutes with may â—â—er to Lev. 25. 44 45 46. As a Figure thereof â—ere the Lord allows his People to buy of the Heathen â—â—â—d-men and Bond-women and they should be their â—â—d-servants possession and inheritance for ever A â—â—ely resemblance of Christ's purchasing possessing and â—â—eriting the Heathen World for ever as his subjects â—â—d servants sutable to Isa 49. 18. As I live saith the â—â—d thou shalt cloath thee with them all but verse 9. â—â— is to break them with a rod of Iron and dash them â— pieces like a Potters Vessel True it is so he must â—ge dash and break them first that so they may be â— for his Inheritance Possession and Service they are â—â—en to him on such terms as first to dash and break â—â—m and so conquer them to himself Psal 18. 42 â—â—n did I beat them small as the dust before the wind â—â— and verse 43 44 45. follows the service of the same â—â—ken and conquered People which relates to the very â—â—e matter or to David as a Figure thereof and Psal â— 8. agrees fully hereto Arise O God judge thou â—â— Earth for thou shalt inherit all Nations 1. Thou â—â—lt Judge break them to pieces and then Inherit â—â—mâ— and further we read in Scripture that God will â—â—me be pacified toward his People when they have â—n the punishment of their sin in the Judgment who â—â—e as great sinners against God as any of the Heaâ—â—â— Ezek. 16. 47 48 63. And Sodom and Gomorrah â—â— which there
not only Glory but a Glorious place it 's impossible it should be otherwise And why should we be so incredulous herein the place being so plainly revealed in the Scripture 3. That this City the new and Holy Jerusalem shall come down from God out of Heaven into the new and restored World and shall be the Glorious habitation of God in and with Christ and the Saints Eternally in which shall be the Throne of Christ's Kingdom as the Son of David whose Throne was in or very near unto the old Jerusalem a Figure of this Glory which shall be the Glory and Joy of the whole Earth Psal 48. 1 2. 97. 1. The same as Ezek. 48. 35. Which will be the finishing of the Mystery of Gods Gospel-Grace and Glory to Men Rev. 10. 7. with chap. 11. 15. We find not the coming down of this City mentioned till the new Heavens and the new Earth were finished and therefore it must be in the new World Rev. 21. 1 2. Christ Do we not find it mentioned chap. 29. That God and Magog did compass the Camp of the Saints and the beloved City between the Thousand Years and the Judgment by which it seems the City was on Earth before the new Heavens and new Earth or else that the Church was the City Min. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is more properly read Holy they compassed the Camp of the Holy and beloved City and indeed the Saints are the Camp of the Holy and beloved City i. e. They belong to it and so were and are all the Saiuts interested therein and seeking after it Heb. 11. 10 13. 14. And therefore might well be called the Camp of the Holy City tho that was in Heaven true believers are said by Faith to be come to it and probably 't is the place of the Spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12. 22 23. And are all of the Camp that belong to it and shall with Christ dwell therein when all others shall be without Rev. 21. 27. 22. 14 15. and hence may be and are called the City or have the name of the City called upon them Rev. 3. 12. Christ I shall enquire no farther about these matters but desire you to give me some instructions for my further learning by way of inference som the whole Min. 1. You may learn to understand the great mistakes that have been and yet are about the great matters of the Gospel and the designs of God therein the Restitution of all things the World to come and the Kingdom of Christ therem the Holy City new Jerusalem that shall come down from God out of Heaven all truths of greatest weight and worth and all plainly stated in the Scripture yet almost lost out of our Faith and not only so but we are ready to give them the names of Error and Heresie the Heathens that never heard of the Divine Revelation thereof as is by some observed do generally own another being after Death than in this World in another World but â—â—â—ows not what it is nor where it shall be some fancy â—â—â— thing and some another whether this expectation â—â— them be from some Divine instinct in Nature or from â—adition or both I shall not undertalâ—e to determine â—â—t a wonderful shame it is that God having given us â— open a Revelation thereof in Scripture and that as â— a effect of Christs undertaking and the most Gloriâ—â—â— part of the Gospel that Persons in highest proâ—esion should be almost as ignorant in these great â—aysteries as the Nations that are without the Gospel of â—â—â—s Grace and Glory and you may learn the greatâ—â—ss of your concern to come right in these things 2. You may learn hence to understand the mistaâ—en notions about the Eternal Judgment which renâ—ers God and Christ to be gone beyond all mercy in â—he Judgment to execute Judgment without mercy upon all sorts of People that come short of the special Salvation and Glory Which is 1. Contrary to all rules of Justice that himself has given to men which rules of Justice are to allot a just recompence of reward for every transgression Heb. 2. 2. And only presumptuous sinners and despisers of the Law died withâ—at mercy Heb. 10. 28. Psal 19. 13. And as for thers that come under the Judgment of stripes the utmost number for the greatest offence might not exceed forty fewer they might give not more Deut. 25. 2 3. To which it 's likely Christ relates Luk. 12. 48. And as for sins of ignorance no stripes were appointed for such whether it was a particular Person or the whole Congregation Lev. 4. 2. 13. They were to offer a Sacrifice and the trespass should be forgiven because it was ignorance And was it thus among tâ—â— Jews and not among the Gentiles also No verily Act. 17. 30. The times of this ignorance God winked at c. And may we not as safely conclude that he does and will â—â— do where the People are altogether without and aâ— ignorant of the Gospel as the Nations were before Christ came in the Flesh and the Gospel published to â— the Nations calling them to Repentance and that as â— Sacrifice for sins of ignorance satisfied under the Law so that one Sacrifice for the sins of the World under the Gospel may be sufficient to expiate all sins of ignorance and in times to procure some Favour Blessing and Peace to the World after they have past the Judgment according as it is written in the Volume of the Scripture that speaks thereof 2. It 's contrary to his own proceedings with men throughout all ages 1. With Adam the first sinner against God of Mankind and we in him it 's true he justly executed the Judgment threatned yet not without mercy both to him and us in that he even in the Sentence of the Judgment set both him and us on the promise of a Restitution and Recovery by the Womans seed Gen. 3. 15. And afterward when he executed Judgment without mercy upon the World by the Flood it was as they were obstinate and presumptuous sinners resisting the Spirit of God and the Preaching of Noah abusing the long suffering and patience of God 120 Years Gen. 6. 3. 1 Pet. 3. 20. And further I think no man durst affirm that that Judgment did include in it the second Death I shall not mention any more particulars but how frequent was it with him in the execution of Judgment both upon his own People and upon the Nations to leave them under the promises of Mercy 1. His own People Isa 1. 26. 4. 4 5 6. 43. 25. Jer. 23. 5 6. But in this the Scripture abounds I need mention no more 2. And as for the Nations Isa 19. 18 22 23. Jer. 12. 15. 48. 47. â—39 With many the like that I might mention It 's contrary to what he has promised both to â— People and to others viz. To be pacified in â—â—gment Ezek. 16. 63.
9. Joh. 6. 51. to reign over almost all his Subjects in Wrath under eternal torments And how would this render the fifth Kingdom and Monarchy so much spoken of in Scripture and talked of â— men but little understood to be far worse much â—â—e merciless and miserable except to a very few faâ—â—ites only than any of the four that went before it â— figures thereof whereas it shall in times as far exâ—â—d them all as the new World shall exceed the old â—â— as the Lord thereof exceeds all that ever went beâ—â—e him and further If it were not so how should â—â—ey then sing unto him and glorifie his Name as it 's â—â—d they shall Psal 66. 4. 96. 7 13. 98. 4. â—v 5. 13. If the Lord by his blood redeemed them â—â—m death to a new life for no other end but to torâ—â—nt them for ever how shall they then sing his praise â—â—d glorifie his Name The sum of all I say about this matter is 1. That God made all good yea very good and man â— his own Image 2. That man by sin lost himself and all came under the â—â—se and death with him 3. That the great design of God made manifest is â—y the second Nan the Lord from heaven to recover â—â—an and all with him that fell by his sin out of that â—â—ate of curse and death to a new life and world eterâ—ally 4. That all must come to Judgment for the things â—one in the body which Judgment shall be just and â—ighteous according to the various dispensations under which they have lived and against which they have transgressed Rom. 2. 12. Joh. 12. 48. Jam. 2. 12. â—â— 1. 25. Rev. 20. 12. Which Judgment as it will be very great and terrible suitable to the greatness of the Majesty against whom all sin has been so in the true Analogy and sense of Scripture it will be Eternal â—nto all and will be wonderful dreadful and amazing to all that meets with the least portion of penal punishment therein yet in this matter God will not proceed contrary to all rules of Justice he has given to men nor contrary to the method of his own dealings with men in like cases he always having kept and will keep to measure and times in the Judgment which is most righteous Psal 80. 5. Isa 27. 8. Jer. 30. 11. 46. 28. Nor contrary to his Name Nature and Promises at that day Jer. 12. 15. Ezek. 16 61 62 63. Luke 12. 47. 48. And so that mentioned before from Sovereignty will undoubtedly stand true He will not punish without a cause nor more than is deserved but rather less Ezra 9 13. To this righteous proceeding of God See Gen. 18. 25. Deut. 32. 4. Psal 116. 5. 145. 17. Rom. 3. 5 6. It 's true God saith to his people of old That he would punish their iniquity and sin double Jer. 16. 18. But that I taâ—â— to relate to times and not to measure it not standing with the Justice of a righteous God to punish sin double for measure but double may relate to times 1. Then by destruction temporal by their enemies And 2. At the day of Judgment and then will he be pacified towards them Ezek. 16. 63. And afterwards shall they inherit the promises Jer. 16. 14 15. But first he will punish them double Isa 40. 1. 3 Hence you may learn two good Lessons further 1. To be preparing for this great and glorious day O it will be a great and terrible day and it 's your great concern now to be preparing and making ready for it to get right in the saith and life of the Gospel in order thereunto it 's called the great and terrible day of the Lord Joel 2. 31. because the Judgment will be great and very terrible Mal. 3. 2. Who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when he appeareth The terribleness of the Judgment then to be executed â— described under varieties of dreadful Expressions â—ereby to discover the dreadfulness thereof it 's called â—â—ll utter darkness a lake of fire the second death â—erlasting shame and contempt c. attended with â—â—ping and wailing and gnashing of teeth whoever â—â—ets with the least Portion therein both for measure â—â—d time will find it to be of sinking and dreadful â—oncern and therefore deceive not your self with a â—â—in conceit from self-confidence as I fear many do â—â—e those Isa 28. 15. who said they had made a coveâ—â—nt with death and were at agreement with hell â—â—ey feared not the judgment it should not come nâ—gh â—hem v. 18. All their confidence was disannulled and â—â—t to stand it 's true some men talk much of the â—edgment but expect not to come to it themselves tho â—â—e Scripture tells us 2 Cor. 5. 10. That we must all â—ppear before the Judgment-seat of Christ and receive â—â—cording to the things done in our bodies whether it be â—udor bad v. 11. Knowing therefore the terror of the â—ord we persuade men yea believers and the Apostle â— Pet. 3. having declared the Conflagration of the â—orld by fire being reserved thereunto against the day â—f Judgment and perdition of ungodly men v. 7. Which is enough to amaze men in the thoughts thereâ—f were there no other or further Judgment but to â—e burnt up with the World at that day Mal. 4. 1. when â—e lake of fire must be eternal from whence the Aâ—ostle draws this result or conclusion v. 11. Seeing â—hen all these things shall be dissolved what manner of â—rsons ought we to be in all manner of holy conversaâ— and godliness that so we may escape the fire of that â—ay and v. 13 14. from the expectation of the new â—â—eavens and new Earth that shall succeed exhorteth saying Wherefore beloved seeing ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless And it 's the Exhortation of the Lord and Judge himself Luke 21. 36. Watch ye therefore and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape alâ—â—â—ose things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of man And chap. 12. 40. Be ye also ready for the Son of man cometh at an heâ— that ye think not Mat. 25. 10. And they that were ready went in with him to the Marriage and the door was shut O! therefore I say be preparing every day for your Lord 's appearing lest it come upon you as a snare as it will upon all the World and all that are unprepared for it read and ponder well Luke 12. 35 36 37. 2. Being ready look and wait for him love and long for his appearing to such he will appear a second time without sin unto salvation Heb. 9. 28. It is to those that love him and look for his appearing that the crown of righteousness shall be given 2 Tim. 4. 8. And none can really and rightly look for and love his appearing and say
Holiness Justice Mercy and Wisdom as is inconsistent with that Holy Name and as I may safely say is such as neither Men nor Angels can reconcile and therefore is not likely to be either true or safe 4. That there is a sufficiency of power in man given to him by the Lord to will and to do what he requireth under his several Ministrations with the helps afforded Gen. 3. 6. Prov. 1. 23. especially under the Gospel this stands in unity with the whole scope of Scripture which lets us to know that mens condemnation is of themselves and is and shall be for wilfulness and not for weakness for what they might have done and would not and not for what they could not else their damnation could not be just this being most scriptural and most rational is therefore most likely to be both true and safe But to believe and teach that Men have no power at all to believe and obey the Gospel with the common means and helps afforded without a Miracle and yet that God will damn them eternally for not believing for not doing what they could not is both unscriptural and irrational tending to null both the Truth of the Gospel and the Righteousness of God in the Judgment and therefore is not likely to be either true or safe 5. To understand Justification by Faith and Worâ—s as the holy â—terms thereof on which God freely justifieth by his Grace in Christ Jesus and as that without which men can have no right thereunto Faith without Worâ—s nor Works without Faith bringeth us not under the Gospel-promise Jam. 2. 20. to 26. Rev. 22. 14. And so it is because God designed to save men by his Son in the way of holiness Heb. 12 14. And this stands â—â— unity thorugh the whole Gospel of this salvation without any contradiction at all and therefore is most likely to be both true and safe But those who affirm Justification to be either from Eternity as some say otherwise than a purpose to justifie in time on the Gospel terms as declared in the Gospel or actually at the death of Christ as others say otherwise than the general justification of all from the first death to be effected in time Rom. 5. 18. Or by Faith without Works as others say or by Works without Faith or Faith and Works yea through Gospel Faith and Works as the meritorious and deserving Cause as others say are all contradictory not only one to another but to the whole Scripture that speaks thereof and therefore is not likely to be either true or safe 6. To understand the Scripture so as that believers may and some shall be preserved in the Gospel way of faith and holiness to the glory promised and yet believers may and some have through their own default miscarried and so come short of the glory This stands in unity through the whole Scripture and therefore is most likely to be true and safe 1 Pet. 1. 5. 1 Tim. 1. 19. 2 Pet. 2. 20. But those who affirm an impossibility of falling from saith and grace it being contrary to the whole Scripture that speaks thereof and dangerous unto men to beget in them carnal security carelesness fearlesness and presumption contrary to Rom. 11. 20. Heb. 3. 12. 1 Pet. 3. 17. And therefore is not likely to be either true or safe 7. To understand the eternal Judgment so as may comport with the truth of all the Promises relating to the World in the World to come and the glory of Christ's Kingdom therein and so to understand the Promises as may comport and agree with the Judgment and not to understand either so as to violate and make null the other this stands in unity and holds the Scripture in unity and therefore is most likely to be both true and safe But to understand the eternal Judgment so as to contradict and null all the great Promises relating to the World in the World to come and the glory of Christ's Kingdom therein as has been explained in â—â— 8. and so as to derogate from the glorious undertaking of Christ in the restitution in bringing in a â—ew State Life and World seems to hold the Scripture greatly in contradiction and to out and end the great revealed glory of the Gospel and design of God and Christ therein and therefore is not likely to be either true or safe That the Judgment shall be eternal upon all wilful transgressors against the Gospel according to the Scriptures that speak thereof and that Judgment shall be executed upon the World in general according to the Scripture Zeph. 3. 8. Rev. 3. 10. Act. 17. 31. And yet those manifold Promises to the World in the times of the restitution to be accomplished by the Woman's seed the seed of Abraham in whom all the Nations of the Earth shall be blessed to stand firm and unviolated renders the whole Scriptures in these things to stand in unity suits with the whole name of God rendering it to be honourable and glorious in the restitution â—ork and capable to be understood by Christian men But those Notions which for the most part are contrary thereunto setting the Scripture at an irreconcileable variance and contradiction are unlikely to be either true or safe and therefore it concerns us to relinquish them and to adhere to Principles of Truth Unity and Safety CHAP. X. Sheweth That God intendeth what he speaketh and will perform it and that it 's his Perfection and not his Impersection to speak and do after the manner of Men. Christ IN as much as God in his Word has made known his mind to Men and therein speaketh much after the manner of Men I desire to inquire Whether we may understand that he thinketh and intendeth what he speaketh and is what he has declared himself to be and will really perform what he has promised and threaâ—nâ—d â—n his Word Min. I shall answer you in the words of Dr. Usher in his S. C. or B. D. pag. 71. 1. He thinketh as he speaketh 2. He doth both as he thinketh and speaketh 3. There is no one part of his word contrary to another 4 He loveth truth and hateth those that are lyers Christ If this be true then his Word is a sure and stable Ground and Rule for us to fix upon and cleave unto in all matters of Gospel Faith and Practice according to Psal 93. 5. Thy Testimonies are very sure And Psal 119. 140. Thy Word is very pure therefore thy servant loveth it And Joh. 17. 17. Thy Word is truth Min. That the Word of God is true and a sure Ground and Rule both for Faith and Practice is that which I suppose but few profess'd Protestants will in word deny and that in his Word he has condescended to us declaring his will and mind therein sutable to our capacities and understandings but that we are to understand and believe him as he speaketh is in substance denyed by many Christ In what particular
Just and Good a God to make Creatures designedly for so bad an end And whether this Principle of Christian Faith do not destroy the very Foundation of the Gospel Being contrary to the whole manifested design of God therein Quer. 2. Whether to believe that God loved not the World in the gift of his Son but a few only And that Christ gave not himself for the life of the World nor a ransom for all but for a few only iâ— not contrary to the express Letter Reason and Scope of the Scripture Joh. 6. 51. 1 Tim. 2. 6. And whether so to believe do not root up the Foundation of Gospel-Faith 2 Cor. 2. 2. 15. 3 4 11. Quer. 3. Whether we have not sufficient ground to believe that the general love of God to the World in the gift of his Son and the general Sacrifice of Christ for the World is the alone Foundation of the general Commission for Preaching the Gospel to the World If so it being granted by all that the Commission Mar. 16. 15. is general and ought not to be limited then whether to understand the Commission for Preaching the Gospel to be larger than the Foundation and Basis thereof viz. The Fathers Love and the Sons Sacrifice without which could have been no such Commission tends not to null and make void the Commission it self for Gospel Preaching it out-running of and being larger than the Foundation thereof or at least to render the Lord inconsiderate in stating so large a Commission on so narrow a Foundation it behoves those who deny the general Love and Sacrifice to ponder this Quer. 4. Whether to believe that Men have no power to believe and obey the Gospel with its own helps without a mighty miraculous and irresistible power which God does not effect and yet will damn People Eternally for not believing be not contrary to the whole Reason Light and Truth of Scripture and contrary to the whole Name and Nature of God and contrary to the whole Light and Law of Nature and Reason placed in Man by God Then whether these things are not meet to be exploded by all true Christians Quer. 5. Whether to believe any other terms between the Father and the Son about the work of Gospel Redemption and Salvation than what are the exprest terms thereof in the Gospel does not tend to null and make void the Gospel it self Or at least and best render it uncertain if we suppose any other secret terms besides and contrary to what is exprest or a secret will contrary to his revealed Will. Quer. 6. Whether to deny Jesus Christ in his Person to be the Son of God and the Son of David the true Messias promised and as Crucified Raised and Ascended to be the alone Foundation of Gospel-Faith head Lord and Lawgiver to his Church without mens inventions or additions And whether to deny him in Word or Deed in any of these be not deeply dangerous Quer. 7. Whether to assert there is no such thing in God as Love or a natural propensity to do us Good from his Goodness or any other property And that he intends not as he speaketh either in his precepts or his promises that they declare our Duty not his intentions is not wholly contrary to the Scripture And the Right and Reverend thoughts we ought to have of God And whether it does not tend to root up the Foundation of all Christian Faith and Religion of all hope and trust in God And whether it does not really make God a lier if his Commands and promises be not his intentions Quer. 8. Whether to believe that when Christ the Lord and Judge of the World comes again from Heaven to raise and Judge the Quick and the Dead and when that is over will burn up the World so as not to restore it and make it new and carry away the Saints with him to Heaven and send all the World besides to Hell with the Devil there to be tormented Eternally is not contrary to the whole Body of Scripture contradicting the Restitution World to come and the Kingdom and Glory of Christ therein with his Church and the Glory of his great undertaking for the World And if so Whether this Faith be right or vain Quer. 9 Whether those who grant the thousand years reign and limit the Restitution World to come and the Glory of that Estate to the thousand Years are not much mistaken And whether the Kingdom and Glory of Christ and the Saints in the World to come shall not be Eternal Dan. 7. 14 27. Mar. 10. 30. And whether they do well to confine the Eternal Kingdom Life and Glory within the compass of a thousand Years There being no other World Life and Glory promised beyond that in the World to come Quer. 10. Whether those who grant that after the Conflagration of the World by fire that there shall be new Heavens and new Earth follow wherein dwelleth Righteousness after the Judgment according to the Scripture 2 Pet. 3. 13. And yet affirm that Christ will send away all the wicked of the World to Hell with the Devil eternally to be tormented and carry away all the Saints with him to Heaven I say whether they have considered who shall be the inhabitants of this New and Restored World wherein shall dwell Righteousness or whether it shall be the habitation only of Birds and Beasts or of nothing And whether it it does not concern us prudently to consider whether the Traditional Faith of going away to Heaven has not led us besides and so in our Faith lost the true inheritance and heirship promised in the World to come Quer. 11. Whether it is to any sort of Faith that owns Christ in Name to which the promise of Life is made or to the true Faith and Life of the Gospel If to any Faith that owns the Name of Christ then why may not all the World called Christian be saved as well as any If not but that the Life of the Gospel is promised to the true Faith thereof called the Faith of God's Elect. Then whether it does not greatly concern all without delay to endeavour to come right in the Faith and Life of the Gospel to which the promise is made And not to content our selves with any sort of Faith and Life Quer. 12. Whether bad and corrupt Principles of Faith tho attended with a good life be not as dangerous and pernicious as good Principles of Faith attended with a bad life Rom. 10. 2. Phi. 3. 4 5 6. Quer. 13. Whether some of those Principles of Faith before mentioned viz. the reprobation of the World by Eternal Decree both to sin and Judgment does not really tend to render God to be most Cruel most Unholy most Unrighteous and most False c. in Decreeing and so in being the first and Foundation cause of all the Cruelties Unholiness Unrigheousness Falseness and Wickedness either in Devils or Men It being a maxim that the