toward a conclusion who ever thou be I pray thee let us take notice of the goodnesse excellency and Preciousnesse of this Gospel in this Declaration of the Death and Resurrection of Christ and the great love of God to Mankind in giving his Sonne to die for our Sinnes and the fulnesse and fitnesse of the Propitiation he made thereby and the life he is filled with at his Fathers right hand and the Spirit be hath received to send forth to the Sonnes of men and all still by vertue of the Precious blood of his once shed be not weary but take it well though I speake a word or two freely of this Declaration of the Gospel when it is spiritually enlightned to any heart and the heart enabled to perceive and beleeve 1. It is a true glasse in and through which the Beleevers looking may see First The hainousness of our sinnes which wee the chief whips Thornes Speare Nailes Crosse and malady that put the Sonne of God in our Nature to so much grievous sorrow shame paine agony and Death Esay 53.3.9 2 Cor. 5.19.21 Rom. 4.24 and the haynousness thereof appeares in this that nothing else nothing lesse then so great suffering and blood-shedding of the Sonne of God could satisfy for and take away sinne Heb. 9.9.12.22 24. 10.1.10 Mat. 26.29 and also in this that now they are against so good a God and so great goodnesse manifested not onely by Creation but now much more by and through a Redemption with such Precious blood Rom. 2.4 Acts. 17.14 2. The vanity worthlesness and inabilitie of all the Sonnes of Adam and of all their righteousness and best workings and of all Creatures with all their excellencies either to doe away sinne or to make man righteous or Procure life with God which if any or all of them could Then Gods onely begotten Sonne should have been spared Esai 59.16 and 50.2 and 63.5 Job 28.1.19 Hebr. 1.10 Gal. 2.21 Luk. 22.42 3. The woefull and unconceivable heavy condition of every man that commeth to hear the punishment of sinne in his own Person for when the first curse and death as the punishment of sinne borne by him for sinners who never did sinne did for a few houres Suffering put this strong Captaine to such an agony so to groane and cry out What will it doe to such when all their sinnes themselves have committed come to be agravated by dispising so great Patience and goodnesse procured by such a Redeemer and therein despising the Redemption it self and refusing to come in to their Lord that hath so dearly bought them and for all their contempt with all their sinnes therethrough abiding on them be cast into a Second death and suffer therein for ever and ever Luk. 22.44 23.30 31. 2 Pet. 2. 4. The holy nature and attributes of God as his exceeding hatred and indignation against sinne his wonderfull justice in fulfilling the Curse on all Transgressours of the Law and his truth in causing the sinner to dye all seen in this that he would not forbeare nor abate his owne Sonne that was but set in sinners Place for them any part of the debt but required it all of him Isai 53. and also his infinite mercy and compassionate love even to mankind fallen into sinne and enmity against him in providing and giving such a Ransome for them Joh. 3.16 17. 1 Tim. 2.4 5 6. his infinite wisedome in making Mercy and Truth Righteousnesse and Peace to meet in one for recovery of sinners Truth fulfilled and Justice satisfyed in the Curse imposed and death inflicted on his Sonne the Man Christ Jesus and so on all in him in the room of all and so mercy and Peace procured and ready for Mankind yea his Mercy and Truth in sending him forth to doe all this Psal 85.10 11. 2 Cor. 5.14 15 19 21. his infinite Power in raysing Christ from the death that dyed as the sinner in the room of all free from all those sinnes imputed to him and a Victorer over the Curse and Death imposed on him and over the Devills that conflicted with him Rom. 1.4 4.25 15.3 4.20.5 7. Col. 2.14 15. And so his Infinite Power Mercy Love Truth Justice Faithfulness in Calling to his Sonne Isai 33.3 Joh. 6.44 45. and dispencing Pardon Spirit and Life to those that in his Call are submitted too and brought to beleeve on his Sonne Isai 33.10 11. Joh. 7.9 5. The Three Persons in one God the Father that gave his Son Ioh. 3.16 1 Ioh. 4.14 and calleth to his Son Joh. 6.44 45. Matt. 16.16 2 Tim. 1.4 The Sonne that came forth from the Father and gave himself a Ransome for All Men and went againe to the Father Joh. 16.28 1 Tim. 2.4 5 6. Heb. 11.1 19. and receiveth those that in the heavenly Call are given him by the Father and maketh known his Father and his Fathers words to them and presenting them spotlesse in himself and giveth them the Priviledges of sonnes Joh. 6.37.8.17.4 9. Col. 1.21 22. Joh. 1.12 13 18. The holy Spirit that commeth from the Father and the Sonne with super-naturall and divine light and Power and teacheth and giveth in the words of Christ beareth witnesse of him and affecteth faith and a new heart and witnesseth Sonship and leadeth the Sonnes of God Joh. 14.2 6. 15.26 16.13 14 15. Joh. 5.6 7. Rom. 8.14 15 16. 6. The glorious Love Goodnesse Excellency beauty and Authority in Christ Iesus who is set forth herein to be God Isa 9.6 the Son of God Mat. 3.17 God made man Gal. 4.4 God man in one Person Joh. 1.1.14 God with us Mat. 1.25 whose Ransome given and Propitiation made is full and fit for us and effectuall with the Father 1 Tim. 2.4 6. 1 Joh. 2.2 Hebr. 10 1.10 who is the rightfull Lord of All. Act. 10.36 and Wisedome and Power of God and the Wisedome Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption unto all that beleeve on him 1 Cor. 1.24 30. the High-Priest Prophet and King Heb. 5.7 9. the Fountain of Life and Spirit ps 36.8 9. 7. The ground and certainty of the Resurrection from the dead 1 Cor. 15. tot and of the equity and certainty of Christs Judging All. Rom. 14.9.11 12. 2 Cor. 5.10 and of the equity and severity of the second Death Joh. 3.19 Lu. 19.27 2 Pet. 1.2 8. The certaine sure and unspeakable happy and blessed Estate of all those that in beleeving are made one with Christ who are therein one with God in him and with Brethren in him having the same Spirit and Priviledges now in first fruits and in due season of harvest Ioh. 1.12.16 17.20 in respect of all which and such discoveries by the Spirit in the Gospel beleeved I. The Gospel is rightly called a Glass 1 Co. 13.12 2 Co. 3 3.18 Ja. 1.2 3. II. It is a sweet Prevailing motive and powerfull load-stone to draw a man 1. To judge condemne and deny himselfe and his owne wisedome parts righteousnesse 2.
the reading of the Scriptures and use of spirituall gifts 3. To compare words spoken by and of God and acts done by him with words spoken by and of men and acts done by them as of like large extent and signification as some have done to dishonour God and to flatter and Idolize men 4. To addde too diminish from or alter and mingle the sense and sentences of Scripture as some for their own ends doe and the Devill did 5. To set one place of Scripture against and in contrariety with another to make voide the appearing sense in one that they might choose that which best liketh them as hath been usuall with many Adversaries to the Truth 6. To turne plain places and Narrations of Scripture into Allegories it is usuall with such as use to denie the truth of the litterall Sense of the Scripture and of the Resurrection and of serving God with our bodies 7. To confound together in one without distinction such things and in such respects as the Scripture maketh cleerly distinct as to instance some of them The end of Christ's Death and the Application of his Death And the salvation wrought on earth by Christ in his own body with God for men and the salvation in the application thereof he worketh from heaven by his Spirit inmen to God And God his love of Compassion and his love of delight And Election to Sonship and Predestination to the Adoption of Sonnes And Secret Election in God and Actuall Election of and by God And the manner of the Declaration of the Gospel and the manner of outward Worship The portion of Spirit sent forth before Christ came in the flesh and since his comming and Ascention And spirituall gifts graces Administrations Operations and outward Callings and Offices in the Church c. All which the Scriptu e maketh distinct but they are usually confounded by the inconsiderate and such as denie and darken things appertaining to the Foundation 8. To make sayings in first and second Person and restrictive Applications and Propositions for example of like large extent with sayings in the Third Person generally and propositi ns for the ground of Faith and usuall course of the unlearned and inconsid rate 9. To alleadge the change of times to justifie a contrary Sense or Doctrine or way to that plainly appearing in the Scriptures as an order of Fryars did for their by them called Eternall Gospel for these times In which they said That delivered by Christ and his Apostles must give place as the Old rights and Ceremonies did at Christ his Ascention And other Papists doe for blotting out the second Commandement and having Images in the worshipping of God because they say No such feare of Idolatry and Superstition in these times as when that command was given And so doe the Rhemists for their Translation use such Allegations 10. To invent lyes and slanders to make infamous such as will not be of the same opinion with themselves In which the Antichristian brood abounds And so have too many done in thiâ— very businesse also inventing and conceiting to themselves and giving it out to others That whosever beleeveth and confesseth that Christ is the Saviour of the World that he gave himself a Ransome for All men and by the grace of God tasted death for Every Man and alledgeth for the same Joh. 4.42 1 Tim. 2.6 and Heb. 2.9 They are false witnesses against Christ and his Apostles And they are Papists or at the best Arminians and Time-servers and of loose lives And doe and must of necessity hold that Christ dyed alike for all men that all by nature have free will to spirituall good That there is no Election That there is no grace here attaineable but what a man may fall from That whosoever beleeveth that Christ dyed for all men shall undoubtedly be saved and such like loathsome opinions as the Doctrine such slanderers oppose condemnes and the slandered abhorres In use of which corrupt wayes and dealing with the Scripture and with Beleevers and that all under colour of Allegation and right Interpretation of Scriptures how God is dishonoured and the Scripture made of no force I hope thy self discerneth But when this is done so to shut the door of Repentance and Faith against All Men as withall to teach them to abuse Scriptures to denie Gods Creation of all men and to deny that All men have sinned and shall dye and rise againe and come to Judgement or that it is their duty to speake the truth and render their dues to every man and withall opens a way for ushering all manner Heresies and Popish Superstitions as in the ensuing Discourse will in some measure appeare this is still worse for which cause I have to my utmost shunned all these wayes and observed carefully all I have requested of thee And this being granted thy answer will be very acceptable and received so farre as truth appeareth in it to me and all others that desire not to close our eyes or harden our heart against any truth testified by Scripture fairely dealt withall Lastly I desire thou take not this I have said as a challenge of thee or any to answer what is written in this Treatise but onely as a Testimony of my willingnesse to 〈…〉 I have written to be by Scripture thyed and if errour be the 〈…〉 to be discovered that I may see and confesse it that so nothing may be done through strife and contention â—â—riving not for Victory but truth nor desiring any Victory but from being also encouraged hereto likewise by this perswasion That in some sort duety doth engage me for by Authority I was lead to make Protestation to maintaine so farre as lawfully I may the true Protestant Religion as it is exprest in the Doctrine of the Church of England against all Popery and Popish Innovations To which both the Tenet of Christ not dying for every Man and the abuse of Scripture and manner of arguing by which some would prove that contradictory Tenet doth set wide open the doore which is shut by the Doctrine of the Church of England which saith expresly Article 6. Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary for salvation so that whatsoever is not read therein nor may be proved thereby is not to be required of any man that it should be beleeved as an Article of the Faith or be thought requisite necessary to Salvation Article 20. It is not lawfull for the Church to ordaine any thing that is contrary to Gods Word Neither may it so expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another wherefore although the Church be a witnesse and a keeper of holy Writt yet as it ought not to decree any thing against the same so besidâ—s the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be beleeved for necessity of Salvation Article 2. One Christ very God and very man who Suffered was Crucifyed dead and buryed to reconcile his Father to us and to
accepting and holding the same and yeelding thereto and therethrough to God Hee might be saved Psal 36.5 6 7. And lesse love then this was not to the Angels before they fell Jude 6. Nor lesse love to all Mankind before they fall Eccl. 7.29 Gen. 1.2 Yea it was not taken away from Mankind upon the fall though the fall deserved it Gene. 3.15 but in this Love Did God give his Sonne to be the Saviour of the Worid Isa 4.14 Joh. 3.16 And in this Love doth GOD for his Sonnes sake who gave himself a Ransome for all men preserve them Col. 1.16 20. and therein giveth a witnesse of his Mercy Act. 14.17 and that to lead them to Repentance Rom. 2.4 2. A love of delight and pleasance taking in the beloved an abounding flowing and honouring Love that resteth not till the Beloved be brought into Union Fellowship and Possession of it self and all its own Priviledges Num. 14.8 Psal 18.19 and 36.8 And in this Love doth God love his Son Jesus Christ Pro. 8.30 Isa 42. 1 Jo. 5.20 16.15 And in this Love doth Jesus Christ Love all his Elect and chosen Children Psal 149.4 and 147.11 Joh. 15.9 and 17.21 23. yet so as this peculiar love is not manifested to them till in sight and belief of the former Love their hearts be overcome to beleeve in JESUS CHRIST and to love Him and their Brethren and to walk in that love 1 Joh. 4.14 16 19. 1 Cor. 2.9 Joh. 14.21 23. Secondly the Scripture mentions a divers kind or degree of hatred both in God and man Shewn in the fruits as to say 1. A not so much loving as others are beloved and this expresly called Hatred Genes 29.30.31.33 and so intimated Luk. 14.26 and thus it is said of God Hee refused the Tabernacle of Joseph and chose not the Tribe of Ephraim Psal 78.67 and so he is said to abhorre Israel vers 59. and to have been an Enemy to Israel Lam. 2.5 2. An Hatred that is furious positive tending to and moving for the overthrow and destruction of the hated Deut. 19.11 Psal 78.76 Now the love of Compassion and the Hatred that is in a lesse degree of Love may very well stand together both in God Hos 11.5.8 9. and in man Jere. 9.1 2. and so God may Love with the Love of Compassion and shew tender mercies waiting with long suffering and patience for and towards such as he hides himself from and is angry with and speakes in words and workes against Isai 57.17 18. and 63.10 11. Jere. 18.7 Isa 31.2 And such kind of Love are his People commanded to follow and be like him in even towards such as for whom they cannot but mourne and with whom they cannot have intimate Union and Fellowship with Gods allowance who yet bids them love them Prov. 14.7 and 23.20 Ephes 5.11 Matth. 5.44.48 And to say whosoever God Loves with this Love of Compassion hee loves for ever or to say he hateth with any other hatred then that which may be in that lesser degree of Love any before they have hardned their hearts against him and turned from him in abusing of and rebelling against the fruits of his Love vouchsafed is plainly contrary to the Scripture Hos 9.10 I found Israel like grapes c. to vers 15. All their wickednesse is in Gilgall for there I hated them for the wickednesse of their doings I will drive them out of my House I will love them no more So Zach. 7.11.13 and 1.18 28. and 2.4 5. And that this Love to mankind may not be undervallewed This I adde that the discovery of this love of God to mankind in the gift of and Propitiation made by his Sonne and fruits thereof is That in and by which the Holy Spirit doth usually first overcome a man convince him and enable him to beleeve and sâ—renew and bring him in to God Psal 36.5 6 7. and 107.1.8.15 So Christ set the same before Nicodemus to that end Joh. 3.5.15.20 and Paul the same to the Corinthians 2 Cor. 5.19 20 21. and confesseth himself and the rest of Beleevers to be so brought in to God Tit. 3.3 4 5. And those that have experimented this can set forth the same Hope for others that are in no worse case then themselves once were 1 Tim. 1.14 16. Tit. 3. And as for the love of delight that is peculiar and appeares not usually to any till in beliefe of the former they be brought to love God and therefore even so to be waited for Joh. 14.21.23 and so intimated toward Brethren Ephe. 5.1 2. But now for such as while the love of Gods Compassion flowes towards them in his use of meanes to them and moving his People with Compassion to endeavour to doe them good and by his Spirit knocks at their hearts If some of these doe and will persist in rebellion till he give them up to Satan such are Reprobated of God and so hated of him yea and so farre as they are known to be such they are so accounted and hated of his People And none but such set forth in Scripture to be so hated of God Prov. 1.23.33 Ezek. 24.13 Iere. 6.16.27 30. 1 Joh. 5.18 which overthrowes the Assumption and the Objection As for the instances Rom. 9.13 although for the Elder to serve the younger be hated in respect of peculiar love Psal 78.67 yet it stands well enough with the love of Compassion and as for any other hatred of Esau the Scripture mentions none untill it was for the contempt of his Birth-right Heb. 12.17 like that Hos 9.14 15. which is used to warne us that wee slight not the Grace of Christ As for the Hatred mentioned Rom. 9.13 If laying his Mountaines waste which was the fruit of it did witnesse such hatred Did not the before giving him those Mountaines Testify like love though not such as to Iacob Mal. 1.2 3. As for Ephe. 5.25 It speakes of the peculiar love of Christ to his Church and so of higher ends of giving himself then Ransom and Propitiation which the Church hath received even of the speciallâ— fruits of Spirituall Application vers 26. Nor is this here set forth as a Proposition for faith But for an example for beleeving Husbands and Wives to follow in love and if he had been exhorting to love of Compassion and patience towards the unjust and enemies Hee would have said who suffered the just for the unjust 1 Pet. 3.18 So that here he was not shewing how many God loves and Christ Dred for which other Places shewn to be All men of which before Chap. 4. As for Ioh. 13.1 will any argue hence That because our Saviour loved his Apostles and his Disciples that by the heavenly Call were drawne in to him and followed him in this World and that as hee having loved them so he loved them to the end and shewed it in his care of them ministration to them and Prayers for them for of those and
Joh. 3.19 Phil. 2.8.10 11. when all this Prayer will be fully answered So that all the way in Ioh. 17. The Death and Ransome of CHRIST for the World and his good will for them is Held forth for which cause Power is given him over all flesâ— vers 2. Rom. 14.9 And he leaves these in his Place in the World vers 15. And sends them into the World vers 18. and prayes for blessing their Ministration in and to the World vers 19.23 and intentionally for the World that they might be convinced and brought to know and beleeve the Truth vers 21.25 which all those that doe experiment in the day of grace Doe therein experiment the Benefits of all this mercies of Christ and so of his intentionall praying for their faith and so have the doore opened for all the rest which doore this Argument was framed to shut but cannot CHAP. XVIII Of Answering a Fift OBJECTION Objection V. JESUS CHRIST dyed and gave himself a Ransome for no more then the Father Elected to Sonship and Eternall Inheritance And this appeares by the conexion or contentation of Election Calling Justifi-fication and Glorification Rom. 8.28 29. of Election Adoption Redemption and eternall Inheritance Ephes 1.3.11 besides the often mentioning of Election of some to Salvation and rejection of others in the Scripture But all are not Elected some are Rejected else there were no Election and to say CHRIST dyed for All men overthrowes Election Therefore Christ did not die and give himself a Ransome for All Men. ANSWER The first Proposition is directly contrary to the Scripture Hebr. 2.9 1 Tim. 2.6 If to possesse men of the Inheritance had been the first and onely end of Christ his Death and Ransome there might have been some colour to have paused on this bould and false assertion But that is already proved false in Chap. 2. and in Answer to the third Objection and else-where 2. There belongs more then the Death and Ransome of Christ to bring men to the Inheritance as is shewne Chapter 1. and elsewhere 3. The Scripture expresly affirms him to have Dyed and rose and revived to be Lord of all and to have bought such as denie him as is oft and at large shewne before So as this Proposition is so groosly false as it deserves abhorring rather then Answering but the Reasons seems to have some weight for something and therefore requires Answer and so I returne Answer to it as the first Proposition in this Argument is an Interrence Drawne from it ANSWER I. This is a farre-fetched and mistaken Inferrence evading the Businesse in hand for that opposed in the Inferrence is the Redemption Purchase and Atonement made by Christ in one body for all men And those places alledged mention onely the benefits thereof and of somewhat before and somewhat following communicated to some and in some measure enjoyed by them yea with such an enjoyment as was yet wanting to many Beleevers To whom the Apostle writt as appeares by the distinction and change of Person in his writing Rom. 8.13.15 16. Ephes 1.12 13 14. Neither is it said doth and will Justifie and Glorifie But did or hath Predestinated Called Justified Glorified Rom. 8.30 hath Chosen having Predestinated Hath made us accepted wee have Redemption even forgivenesse Ephes 1.4 5.6.7 which I hope none will affirme of all the Elect much lesse of All Christ hath dyed and given himself a Ransome for So that this is an evasion and mistake ANSWER II. This Reason given to fortify the Proposition or Inferrence hath mistaken the end and scope of the Apostles conexion of Priviledges and of his words in both places which is not to set forth how many Christ hath Dyed and given himself a Ransom for nor yet how many either have or shall receive some fruits of his Death and Ransome But only to set forth the Priviledges of those that have begun to receive the Choise fruits of both his Propitiation and Advocation And that to these Ends to shew 1. The ground of hopefulnesse to all that by the heavenly Call are brought to beleeve in Christ 2. The way how to be sure of the enjoyment of this hope 3. And who have the full assurance of the same and when they come to it That so he might encourage comfort and lead on the Beleevers as appears through R. 8. Ep. 1. 1. The ground of hopefulnesse to them that by the heavenly Call are brought in to beleeve in Christ Is this That Jesus Christ is the first Elect and Chosen One and so the rate in which all that are Elected and Chosen were Elected and Chosen Eph. 1.4 And that in him is the Image or Patterne and lively being and appearing of all that to which all that are Chosen in him are Chosen and Predestinated Rom. 8.16 17 23 29 30. So that as Christ is the first Elect so was hee Predestinate yea and Called to worke Redemption for the Sonnes of men to take away sinne and abolish Death to offer the acceptable Sacrifice and by vertue of his blood to enter the Holy of Holies there to send forth Spirit to Call the Sonnes of men and to be the Head and High-Priest over all his House that are partakers of the Heavenly Call c. Isai 42.6 Heb. 5.4 10. Joh. 6.37 And him hath God glorified at his Right hand Heb. 2.9 and 7.25 and 8.1 So that all that are by the Spirit In the Gospel Called and enabled to beleeve in Jesus Christ are called to him that is the first and Prime Elect Chosen Called Justified and Glorified That they might be conformed to him in the Participation of the benefit of his Election and of the mediation hee was Predestinate and Called to make and of his Justification as hee was in their steads And of his Glorification as hee is Glorifyed and filled with Spirit for them In which Participation abiding hee will enable them to suffer for his sake And to follow his Spirit and to drink in the benefit of his Justification in this knowledge of their own Justification in and through him and so in due season stablish them in his Everlasting Covenant and knowledge of their Election in Him And this is conforme both to the Apostles Writing and scope as appeares in the view of Rom. 3.23 25. and so an end through the 4. and 5. and 6. and 7. and this 8. Chapter and so to such as have acquaintance with spirituall Enlightning Psal 39.15.29 and Ephe. 1.1 23. 2. The way to be sure of the enjoyment of this Hope is by abâ—ding in Jesus Christ to whom they are called who is both the Prime Elect and also the second Adam Predestinate Called Justified Glorified as the Publick Person by abiding in his Doctrine Teaching and Spirituall leading to confidence in an Conformity to him Ioh. 15.1 10. Heb. 3.6.14 1 Ioh. 2.24 25 28. 2 Ioh. 9. and this may be seen by the Apostles Admonition and caution given to these Rom.
to beleeve in Christ and they for that cause under sinne if there were neither enough in the Atonement made by Christ for them nor truth in Gods offer of mercy to them nor Will or Power in the Spirits moving in any sort sufficient to have brought them to beleeve at one time or other And yet is this evident in Scripture and shall be by the holy Spirit to be their great sinne That fastens all other sinnes on them Joh. 3.18 19. and 8.24 12.48 15.22.24 and 16.8 9 10.11 PROOF V. God hath testified both by his Word and his Oath That hee would that his Sonne should so farre save as to worke a Redemption for All men and likewise that he should bring all to the knowledge of the truth that there-through Redemption might be wrought in and upon them 1 Tim. 2.4 with Joh. 3.17 So hee willeth not nor hath any pleasure in the death of him even the wicked That dyeth But rather that be turne and live Ezek. 18.23.32 33.11 And dare any of us say The God of Truth saith and sweareth that of which hee hath no inward and serious meaning Oh farre be such blasphemy from us 1 Ioh. 5.10 PROOF VI. The very words and Phrases used by the holy Ghost in Scriptures speaking of the death of Christ and the Ransome and Propitiation To whom it belongs and who may seek it and in beleeving finde Life implyeth no lesse then all men As to instance All Nations Matt. 28.19 20. The ends of the Earth Isai 45.22 and 49.6 Every Creature Mar. 16.15 All. 2 Cor. 5.14 15. 1 Tim. 2.6 Every man Hebr. 2.9 The world Ioh. 3.16 17. 2 Cor. 5.19 The whole World 1 Ioh. 2.2 That which was lost Luk. 19.10 Sinners Matt. 9.13 unjust 1 Pet. 3.18 ungodly Rom. 5.6 and that whosoever of these repent and beleeve in Christ shall receive this grace Ioh. 3.16.18 Act. 10.43 Now all these so often and indifferently used were it not Pride and Errour to devise Glosses to restraine the Sense the Scripture holdeth forth so full and large for All men PROOF VII That whereas there are certaine high and peculiar Priviledges of the Spirit contained in the New Testament Sealed by the blood of Christ which belongs not to all men But onely to the Saints the Called and Chosen of the Lord And when they are alone distinctly mentioned They are even so spoken of as belonging to them onely Mat. 13.11 Ioh. 14.17.21 22 23. and 16.13 14 15. 17.9 20. Act. 2.38 39. 1 Cor. 2.9 14. Heb. 9.15 8. tot 1 Pet. 2.3.9 Yet when any of these Pecullar Priviledges are so spoken of as joyned together with the Ransome and Propitiation which belongs to all Then are they not spoken of in such a restraining and exclusive manner or with such appropriating words But so and with such words as room is left to apply the Ransome to all men in speech And withall so hold out the Priviledges to them that beleeve that are Proper to them That they may both have their comfort and speciall hope And also hould forth the Ransom and keep open the doore for others In beliefe and receit of the Propitiation To come in and partake with them And so it is said for his Sheep for many But no where But or onely for his Sheep or but or only for many which is a strong Proof of the Ransome being given for all men as is shewne Chap. 3.10 PROOF VIII The Restauration wrought by Christ in his owne body for Mankind is set forth in Scripture to be as large and full for all men and of as much force as the fall of the first Adam by and in himself for All men In which respect the first Adam is said to have been a Figure of Christ the second Adam Rom. 3.22 23 24. and 5.12 14.18 1 Corin. 1.21 22 45 46 47. as is before shewne Chap. 8. PROOF IX The Lord Jesus Christ hath sent and commanded his Servants to Preach the Gospel to All Nations to every Creature and to tell them withall That whoever beleeveth and is baptized shall be saved Matt. 28.19 20. Mar. 16.15 16. and his Servants have so Preached to all 2 Cor. 5.19 Rom 10.13.18 And our Lord JESUS will make it to appeare one Day that he hath not sent his Servants upon a false Errand Nor put a lie in their mouthes nor wished them to dissemble In offering that to all which they knew belonged but to some even to fewest of all But to speak the Truth Isai 44.26 61.8 1 Tim. 1.12 PROOF X. The Lord willeth Beleevers to Pray even for the unjust and their Persecuters Matth. 5.44.48 Luk. 6.28 Yea even for all men Yea even for Kings and all in Authority When few in Authority loved Christianity yet yet he said Not some of that sort but for All in Authority and that on this ground It is good in the sight of God who will have All men saved and come to the Knowledge of the truth Luke 10.5 1 Tim. 3.1.4 Surely there is a Door of life opened for All men 2 Tim. 1.10 for God hath not said to the Seed of Israel Seek ye me in vaine Isai 45.19 Hee will not have his Children pray for vaine things PROOF XI The Lord hath given forth his Word and Promise to be with his Servants so preaching the Gospel to all and with his People so Praying for all where they come That they may goe on with Confidence in both Matth. 28.20 1 Tim. 2 3 8. Luk. 10.6 Isaiah 54.17 PROOF XII The Lord hath already performed and made good his Word to his Servants and People upon some of all sorts of men and all sorts of Sinners Shewing them mercy To this very end that none might exclude themselves But all be encouraged to Repent Beleeve and hope thereby Act. 2. and 3. 8. 9. 10. 11. 16. 19.28 1 Cor. 6.10 11. 1 Tim. 1.13 14 15 16 17. PROOF XIII The blessing of Life hath streamed in this Doctrine of the Love of God to Mankind yea in the Tender and Spirituall discovery of the Grace of God to Mankind in the Ransome given and Atonement made by Christ for all men with the fruits thereof Hath God in the first place overcommed his Chosen Ones to beleeve and turne to God Act. 13.48 Tit. 2.11.13 and 3 4 5. PROOF XIV Those that when the Gospel comes and any Spirituall Light therein to them when they refuse to Beleeve and suffer themselves to be withdrawne by other things They are affirmed to Love or choose darkenesse rather then Light Joh. 3.19 which how could it bee if no Light in truth were for them in following lying vanities to forsake their owne Mercies Jonah 2.8 To harden their owne hearts Rom. 2.5 To loose their owne Soules Matth. 16.26 and to destroy themselves Hos 13.9 and they being from Adam fallen Into Darknesse hardnesse and their Souls lost and Death passed on them How could these
Spirit goeth forth to acquaint men with it is the Declaration of Gods love to Mankind in the gift of his Sonne and the Ransome given and Propitiation made by his Son and the report of all this lift and happinesse 〈◊〉 sure for them that repent and berlieve And of the heavy woe that abide them that hurden themselves and refuse and so to â—â—ire at them to Repent and Beleeve and this the Gospel 〈…〉 forth to and for All Men. 2 Cor. 5.10 11 14 15. 21. 1 Tim. 2.4 5 6. Every man Heb. 2.9 The World Joh. 3.16 19. 2 Cor. 5.19 The whole world 1 Joh. 2.2 4.14 Even for sinners 1 Tim. 1.16 and the straightning of this Common Salvation 〈◊〉 but for sonne and they such also or 〈…〉 tell who they bee I feare will prove the takeing away the Key of Knowledge and so keeping 〈◊〉 from 〈…〉 found it 〈◊〉 11 5◠〈◊〉 those whâ—â— in this Declaration of the Gospel are enlightned and brought in to 〈◊〉 shall experiment all aforesaid Canst have they to repent that say The Gospel is of it self a week and insufficions Dectrine or tending 〈…〉 all to blesse God for Christ by whom wee obtain all good things so to blesse him for his Gospel by which all thâ—sâ— Treasurie we discovered and brought to us and 〈…〉 for the plaine Expression of it in the Doctrine of the Church of England and to pray for the continuance of it and that many may submit too and receive â—t and that wee may walke worthy of it and for this cause let 〈◊〉 be constant in love and beleif of it in attending to and obeying it hearing reading meditating living and walking in it Let it dwell and rule in our hearts and let us bring forth the fruits of it and so speake seasonably and much thereof and Countenance all that thus doe And the God of all grace fill us full of the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by his Spirit guide us therein unto his Kingdome AMEN Finis The POSTSCRIPT containing a Declaration to cleare an Expression used in Answer of the 3. Objection mentioned in the Testification of the Truth of 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 2.9 * See page 98. line 15. c. THe end of the Death of Christ in respect of Propitiation made and Satisfaction and Ransome given by him to God for Mankind as I conceive and beleeve may without errour be considered in a double respect and so called a two-sould End 1. First in respect of that which according to the will of God and Christ which is one and may be looked at as the agreement between them God was upon the Satisfaction made and Ransom Given to doe Presently to Christ and for his sake 2. In respect of that which Christ by vertue of the said Propitiation Satisfaction and Ransome given to God should have Power fitnesse and Authority to doe in fit Season and so and then God to doe through him and for his sake And I conceive That without errour one may call the one The first the next and immediate end of his Propitiation Satisfaction and Ransome because it was to be done Presently and without any other medium even for and because of his Propitiation Satisfaction and Ransome given only The other The Second the Mediate and Vltimate End because it is that for the which by the first Hee is made perfect and fitted to accomplish And for accomplishing whereof Hee useth other meanes besides his Death Resurrection and Ascention all which are included in the offering himself Spotlesse as the Ransome Satisfaction and Propitiation for mankind The death mentioned being the death of him that is risen ascended and set at Gods right Hand Even his intercession and sending forth meanes and Spirit therein Thereby to make known this grace and so offer and apply the same to make it effectuall to this latter end in and by vertue of the former end obtained by Ransome given and by the Power and operation of this latter in sending forth meanes and Spirit for tender and application of the former And for amplication hereof I conceive one may safely say That in the first next and immediate and of the Ransome given many particulars are comprehended As 1. The Justification of Christ as the Publick Person that stood in the room of all Mankind and that from all the sinnes imputed to him and that in so full and fruitfull a Justification as all that are after brought into him by Spirit may not onely in him but with and through him be in their own particulars justified even as verily and as fully as the First Adam on the fall was sentenced a Sinner as the Publick Person in the room of all Mankind So that all that after come by Propitiation to have beeing from him are not only sinners in him but with and through him as is shewne Isai 53.6 7 8. with Rom. 3.22 23 24. and 5.12.18 19. 2. The removing of the Enmity of the Condition of Mankind So as a perfect Peace be acknowledged made and accepted and that all that lay in the way in mans Condition be so removed and the doore so opened That God according to his truth and Justice may extend mercy and offer grace and Life to man which without this Propitiation Satisfaction and Ransome given wold as God hath manifested himself in his word have been contrary to his truth and justice But now are therethrough agreeing in and therewith Joh. 1.29 Eph. 2.16 Col. 1.20 and 2.4.15 Psal 85.10 Mat. 3.17 3. The making of Jesus Christ the Lord of All and giving all over into the dispose of Christ as his purchased People That hee may Governe dispose and judge them all and that all may give account of themselves to Christ Rom. 14.9.12 2 Cor. 5.10.14 15. 4. The setting of Jesus Christ at his Fathers right hand and filling him with Spirit Power and Authority To execute That according to his will which is one and the same with the will of his Father And may be called the agreement between the Father and him who are one Psal 110.1 Hebr. 10.12 1 Pet. 3.18.22 1. Even so Hee and God for his sake might take off so much of the Punishment of sin into which man was taken and entend so much Patience Mercy and Bounty as may both beare forth some Testimony of his goodnesse and also be meet to move and lead men to Repentance Col. 1.17 Psal 75.3 Act. 14.17 17.29 Rom. 2.4 â— Hee and God for his sake might use such further meanes by sending forth the Gospel either by a Rumour Rom. 10.18 or plaine Declaration either more briefly or more amply as hee pleaseth to acquaint men with Christ and to call to Repentance and turning in to the Lord. Psal 68.11 Rom. 10.14 21. Prov. 8 ult 3 Hee and God for his sake might in some measure at one time or other and as often as he pleaseth Send forth in and according to the meanes some light and motion
now taken away sinne and abolished death 1 Joh. 3.5 2 Tim. 1.10 And is now at the right hand of God the Father who hath released and given over all into his dispose and made him Lord of all 1 Pet. 3.18.22 Act. 10.24.36 And this is the salvation which Jesus Christ hath wrought in his owne body with God for men which all creatures in heaven and earth could not have done but Jesus Christ hath done it and so hath answered that part of Gods will who will have all men saved 1 Tim. 2.4 in that hee hath given himself a ransome for all Yet if there be not a Salvation also wrought in men they will yet perish in a second death having no power in themselves to come to Christ 2. There is a Reconciliation Redemption and Salvation which Jesus Christ effecteth by his Spirit in men to God of which is spoken when in affirming the former wrought men are thereupon intreated to suffer the Spirit in the newes thereof to effect this latter in them Wee pray you in Christs stead be yee reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5.20 and receive not this grace of God in vaine 2 Cor. 6.1 Whence the confession of the Saints is Thou hast Redeemed us unto God by thy blood out of every c. Revel 5.9 The former was by Blood-sheading This by blood-sprinking or washing Revel 5.9 and 1.5 with Heb. 9.19.24 and 12.24 Whence these are said To be Elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father through Sanctification of the spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.2 and so it is said It is the Spirit that quickneth Joh. 6.63 The Spirit giveth life and writeth the Epistle of Christ in the heart and conformeth to Christ 2 Cor. 323.6.17 18. The law of the Spirit of Lafe in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sinne and of death Rom. 8.2 and so such are said to be washed and sanctified and justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6.11 delivered from the power of darknesse and translated into the Kingdome of his deere Sonne Col. 1.13 called out of darknesse into his marvellous light 1 Pet. 2.9 Who have eternall life and shall be perfected therein 1 Joh. 5.12 13. and 3.2 and this is said to be in them Col. 1.29 Ephe. 1.19 Phil. 2.1.12 13. For effecting of which Redemption Reconciliation and Salvation Jesus Christ is exalted at Gods right hand Act. 2.33 him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance to Israel and forgivenesse of sinnes Acts 5.31 And there this is also put in as the ground of our hope for this Salvation that Hee is set at the right hand of the throne of the Majestie in the heavens Hebr. 8.1 And there he is fully furnished for the making knowne and tendring the Salvation wrought in his owne body and the vertue thereof in this Salvation by his Spirit applying the fruits of that to men and to effect aeternall salvation in them that obey his call in beleeving Isai 45.22 Hebr. 5.9 1. In that he hath received all Authority who is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God Angells and Authorities and Powers being made subject unto him 1 Pet. 3.22 so as all shall bow to him and he is the head of the Church and Lord of all Phil. 2.9 10. Ephes 1.20 23. Acts. 2.33 36. having life in himself and quickning whom he will men as the Father Joh. 5.21 26. 2. In that hee hath there received and is filled with the holy Ghost immeasurably in the humane nature glorifyed and that to send forth to men both to the rebellious that the Lord might dwell among them Psal 68.18 and all men come to the Knowledge of the truth in due season 1. Tim. 2.4.6 And moreover to such as in the day of grace so receive the knowledge of the truth That they are brought to beleeve on him To put his words in them and teach them all things Ioh. 14.26 To indue them with spirituall and usefull gifts Acts 2.33 Ephes 4.7.13 and to lead them into all Truth Joh. 16.13 and conforme them to himself 2 Cor. 3.18 3. In that he is there advanced in his peculiar Office The great High Priest over the House of God The Prophet and King of his Church and peculiar People Hebr. 3.3.6 and 5. and 7. Acts 3.22 26. 4. In that he is there exercising in all Love and faithfulnesse in in the businesse for which he ascended thither and appeareth before God Heb. 9.24 In some sort Interceeding or putting in for Transgressours even the sonnes of men yet in and of the world And that Spirit may so fill unite and blesse those that beleeve on him and so goe forth in their Confession and Conversation and in the Ministration of his Gospel by his servants That those among whom they dwell and converse might be convinced and brought to beleeve the report of the Gospel Isa 53.12 as once Luke 23.24 even as himself left the pattern hereof with us praying to his Father so to blesse his peculiar ones That the world may beleeve that thou hast sent mee and that the world may know that thou hast sent mee and host loved them beleevers as thou hast loved mee Joh. 17.21.23 That so the men of the world might be convinced and the convinced allured to come to Christ and to God in him Matth. 5.14 15 16. yea so as that hee doth also in some measure enlighten every man that commeth into the world Joh. 1.9 But in more speciall manner doth he enterceede being the Advocate for his chosen ones that by the heavenly Call are brought in to him and doe through his grace submit to him and beleeve on him Hebr. 3.1 6. 1 Joh. 2.1 And presenteth them in himself to his Father and himself holy and spotlesse Col. 1.22 Ephe. 5.27 according to what he hath done and is for them that they may be accounted not according to what they have done and are in themselves but according to what hee hath done and is for them and is to them and in them and what they are in and through him Psal 103.10 11 12. 2 Cor. 1.30 Phil. 3.3 8 9. And thus through his Eternall Spirit and by vertue of his blood once shed And in his owne body that once dyed and is now glorifyed for them wherein also dwells the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily in whom they also are compleat doth he appeare presenting them and advoceating for them at the right hand of God in heaven Hebr. 9.12.13.24 and 4.14 and 6.20 and 10.21 Revel 1.18 Col. 2.3.9 10. And so doth hee I. Take away from before his Father and himself and procure to them remission of all their sinnes against and since grace received and procures sanctifying and timely removall of the corrections in faithfulnesse imposed on them and healing of their
remaining infirmities and causeth them to appeare beloved in the love wherewith the Father loveth him Hebr. 8. tot Jere. 31.34 Mic. 7.18 Isaiah 44.22 and 54.7 9. 1 Joh. 1.7 9. and 2.1 2. Jo. 17.23 II. Present before his Father and himself his Covenant of pretious Promises the Father hath made with him his owne fore put-forth and granted Petitions for them and his present good will and gratious thoughts to them and so procures the grant of dispensation so farre as is meet for them Psal 89.18 19.34 with Hebr. 8.1 6. and John 17.6.20 c. And this not by a submissive intreaty as wee supplicate one for another or yet in such manner as himselfe did interceede on earth by supplications with cryes and sufferings But with Power and Authority his Father having fore-accepted his sacrifice and given all power and authority to him He and his Father being one in will and in love to them so that it is Father I will that they also whom thou hast given mee be c. Joh. 17.24 Hebr. 7.28 and 8.1 III. By his Spirit enter into their hearts moving them with sorrow for to acknowledge confesse and turne from the offences he is taking away for them Acts 5.31 1 Ioh. 1.7 9. And to long and pray for the good things hee is presenting before his Father for them Rom. 8.26 Zach. 12.10 That so they may pray in the holy Ghost Ioh. 14.16 and 16.26 Jude 20. IV. Returning more abundance of the same holy Spirit upon them To answer their prayers Psal 85.8 To dwell in them To teach consolate sanctify support and leade them in Union and fellowship with him through all sufferings and services of love Ioh. 14.16 17 18.26 15.26 27. 16.13 14 15. Rom. 8.2.14 and so to subdue their lusts in them Mic. 7.19 To tread downe Sathan under their feet in due time Rom. 16.20 To answer their Adversaries for them Matth. 10.19 20. To encrease and perfect them in conformity to himself 2 Cor. 3.18 1 Ioh. 3.2 and to preserve them to the inheritance reserved in heaven for them 1 Pet. 1.4.5 And this is the salvation he worketh in his people which they are to suffer to have its perfect worke in them and by his grace shew it forth Rom. 12.1 2 3. Phil. 2.1 2. In which discourse of the Salvation which Christ worketh from heaven by vertue of that Salvation which he wrought in himself on earth appeareth a two-fold Salvation which he from heaven now worketh Viz. Oâ—â— Common The other Speciall and eternall of each it is fit distinctly a little to 〈◊〉 First there is a common Salvation which by vertue of his death and Resurrection and Sacrifice and the accept â—blenesse and effectuallnesse thereof with the Father he hath obtained and worketh for all men So as Scripture Affirming it 1. By him The earth and all the inhabitants thereof which by sin are dissolved hee doth bear up the pillars of it Psal 75.3 4. Hebr. 1.3 and all the frame of the Creatures the Aire to breathe in The Sun to shine the raine to fall and the residue of the Creatures for mans use preserved Psal 145.8 9. Matth. 5.45 Col. 1.18 And this expresly called and said to be a witnesse of his goodnesse Acts 14.17 and 17.24 31. 2. By him also is procured the Patience and long-suffering of God yea and much bounty in many mercies also to men 2 Pet. 3.9 Revel 2.21 Psal 17.14 and 136.25 And this expresly said to be to lead them to repentance Rom. 2.4 3. By him also is procured some meanes with some light therein and according thereto to â—â—de men to Repentance that they might come to the knowledge of him Though to some more darkly and to some more cleerly and sully Rom. 1.19 c. Acts 17.24 30. Matth. 28.19 Psalm 19. Rom. 10. 4. By him also 〈◊〉 sent forth at one time or other some secret supernaturall light and 〈◊〉 of his Spirit in and according to the meanes vouchsafed tending to and striving with them to reprove them of sinne moving to repentance and seeking after God with sâ—â—e motions tending to confession of sinne to Prayer Equity Mercy Moderation in use of outward things use of meanes to such God John 1.5 9. Prov. 1.23 Joh. 16.8 9. Gâ—ne 6.3 Mich. 2.7 And thus he calleth many yea in some degree or other All the 〈◊〉 of men Act. 17.30 Mat. 27.3 14. Prov. 8.4 5 3â— 34. Isai 4â— â—2 5. By him also is procured and sent forth to men while they yeeld too and doe that which by this sight and these motions of his Spirit hee 〈◊〉 and â—eadeth to an in reast of incrcies with more Light and goodnesse Gene. â—0 tot 2 Chron. 11.17 〈◊〉 10.30 Rom. 2.14 15. And if as light increaseth they abide in his Call and 〈◊〉 on in his Teachings be will poure 〈◊〉 his Spirit to their and make knowne his 〈◊〉 to them and they shall know the truth and the truth shall make them free Pro. 1.33 and 4.32.35 Joh. 8.31 32. Acts 10.1 6. 6. Yea with some where the Gospel comes he goeth farther so inlightning them to understand the truth of the report of the Gospel that they doe beleeve That through the Satisfaction made by Christ remission of sinnes past is procured and that in beleeving on him aeternall life is to be enjoyed where-through they are prevailed with to confesse this truth and to desire after him and to attend with his people in the use of meanes and in some fellowship and walking with them Tasting some sweetnesse of the good Word of God and yet not come into Onenesse with and rest and stablishing in him Isai 6.28 34. Gal. 3.1 2 3. and 4.11.19 and 5.4 Hebr. 6.4 5 6. and 10.29 Hos 11.3 4. And these are brought out of Aegyptian darknesse and so farre saved Though by departing from this grace or abusing of it to wantonnesse some of these may become ungodly and so perish through their owne folly and misse of aeternall life as was shadowed in our Types of old 1 Cor. 10.1 11. 1 Joh. 2.19 Jude 4.5 And as the reconciliation redemption and Salvation wrought by Christ in his owne body for men with God is in it self so perfect that in some sense and that in truth all may be said to have been reconciled redeemed and saved yea justifyed in him though most in themselves be destitute of every of these Rom. 3.22 23 24. and 5.14.18 And though this be mysterious yet may it be as well understood and beleeved as That all men were once made righteous in the first Adam and so were in him Truly righteous Eccles 7. â—9 of which righteousnesse he falling and loosing all and so all falling in him before they had beeing from him none of them ever felt or partaked of Rom. 5.12 for so though all againe recovered and made righteous in the second Adam yet of the choice benefit of this recovery and of this Righteousnesse many doe never partake of
the Question for how many Christ dyed and information of the sense and in such manner is 1 Tim. 1.6 Hebr. 2.9 propounded and so not to be limited by places in another manner propounded CHAP. V. Of the difference of the extent and force of the same Words when they are of men and by men and when of God and by God also when the Opposition is between men and men and when between GOD and MEN. THE words in this businesse that any difference is made about is the words All men and Every man and The World Now this is a thing so commonly knowne that the same word in divers sentences may differ much in signification and extent and yet by the Sentence in which the word is the signification and extent thereof cleerly import and discover it self That little need there is to say much hereof And as it were ungodly and unequall to compare God and man to make them alike and equall Isai 40.13 14 18. Psal 113.4 5. So it would be neere ungodlinesse and very unequall and rash to compare the Thoughts Words and Workes of God with the thoughts words and workes of men to make them equall and alike in extent and force Isai 55.8 9. So it is as easy for men to understand a great difference in the extent of the same word spoken of and by God and spoken of and by men and when the opposition is between God and men and when between men and men For if one speake of a houshold or family and say This man governes all even a child of twelve yeeres old of a reasonable understanding will understand The word All to extend but to the Family And if one say of a Corporation This man governes All hee will understand the word All to extend to the Corporation And if one say The King governes All He will understand the word All to extend but to the Dominion whereof he is King But if one say God governes All hee will understand the word All to extend to the whole world and All in it as Psal 103.19 And so if one say of a mans worke his fame is all the world over it will be understood to be far and neer in many Countries and a great way But if one say of the workes of God Their line is gone through all the earth and their words to the ends of the world It will be understood in the largest sense as Psal 19.4 And so it would be found either ignorance or rashnesse or consciousnesse of the weaknesse of a mans cause that he would prove thereby to goe about to compare and make of like large extent the word World where it is said There went out a Decree from Caesar Augustus that all the World should be taxed Luke 2.1 And where it is said The Worlds were made by Christ and hee is the Propitiation for the sinnes of the whole World Hebr. 1.2 Joh. 1.3 4. 1 Joh. 2.2 Much more to goe about to make of like large extent the words All men and the World when spoken by envious men that thought a few oâ— many to follow Christ Joh. 3.26 and 11.48 and 12.19 and when spoken by the Spirit of God of the workes of God and Christ 2 Cor. 5.19 1 Jo. 2.2 Much worse still when the extent of the All that came to Christ Luk. 15.1 is brought to expound and limitt The extent of the All Christ dyed for 2 Cor. 5.14 15. and that hee bids looke to him and bee saved Isaiah 45.22 or the every man of whom men spake Acts 2.8 with the every man of whom the holy Spirit speaketh Joh. 1.9 seeing the one is a speech of and by men and the other of and by God Besides the words all men and every man are evident not to be of like large extent in every place and yet of the largest extent the place where it is used doth import and the sentence in which it is used importing the sense 1. Sometime the words All men and EVERY MAN evidently signifying All and Every one of Mankind without exception so as none can deny it As God made all Nations of men of one blood Acts 17.26 He knoweth the hearts of all men Acts 1.24 death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Rom. 5.12 By the offence of One judgement came upon All Men to condemnation verse 18. All are gone out of the way Rom. 3.12 All have sinned verse 23. Wee must All appeare before the Judgement-seat of CHRIST 2 Cor. 5.10 That Every one c. Againe He is the Saviour of all men specially of Those that beleeve 1 Tim. 4.10 Hee giveth to all men liberally Jam. 1.5 At I live saith the LORD Every knee shall bow to mee and every tongue shall confesse to God c. Isa 45.23 Rom. 14.11 Phil. 2.10 11. All Nations that God hath made shall come and worship before him Psal 86.9 with divers like places where all cannot be meant but of some or some of all sorts but of All men that God made 2. Sometime in Scripture the word All Men is found to mean one and another rich and poore Beleevers and Unbeleevers All without exclusion of any or restraint to any one or some of all sorts as Though all men should be offended Matth. 26.33 I say unto All watch Matth. 13.37 Except yee repent yee shall all perish Luke 13.3.5 Provide things honest in the sight of All men Rom. 12.17 Render therefore to all their dues Rom. 13.7 Let your moderation of minde be knowne to All men Phil. 4.5 shewing all meeknesse to all men Tit. 3.2 If it be possible as much as in you lyeth live peaceably with all men Rom. 12.18 so Hebr. 12.14 and such like places not admitting restraint 3. Sometime All is found so used in Scripture so as it cannot be meant of Gods People good Men Saints hearers of the Word weake Brethren newly converted Beleevers or the Church of God at all much lesse of Gods Elect and chosen onely as All mâ—n 〈◊〉 not faith 2 Thess 3.2 Woe unto you when all men speak well of you Luke 6.26 Shee made all Nations drinke of the wine of the wrath of her fornications Revel 14.8 yet here all Unbeleevers are meant So that the Scripture speaking on divers occasions to divers purposes and concerning divers Subjects and in divers manners doth use the words All men and Every man in larger or scanter sense And yet alwayes in the largest sense the words with the scope of the place the Circumstances in it the preceeding and following words the businesse reated of the common accepted sense in view of those of and by and to whom they are spoken and between whom the opposition is will beare Whether for All upright 1 Cor. 4.5 for all that are or seem Beleevers 1 Cor. 7.7 for All spirituall men 1 Cor. 12.7 11. or for all evill and bad men 2 Thess 2.3 or for All both Elect or Reprobate Joh. 5.28 And All that come
of Adam by Propagation 1 Cor. 15.22 Now the Words All and Every man in 1 Tim. 2.4.6 and Hebr. 2.9 being spoke by the Spirit of GOD and of the Workes of God for men and the opposition being between God and men and but one man the Man CHRIST JESUS between who is God and Man and is expresly said To give himself a Ransome for all men The larged sense must of necessity be taken and no more is required or affirmed in the Proposition So then the sense of the 1 Tim. 2.6 and Hebr. 2.9 and of the Proposition affirmed is to be understood of 1. The Redemption wrought by Christ in his owne body and the Common salvation he there-through worketh And 2. So of his Death as it is set forth for Propitiation And 3. So mentioned by it self without the other ends annexed too with it And 4. Propounded as the foundation of Repentance towards God and Faith towards our Lord JESUS CHRIST and this in the Third Person generally in generall words And vet to prevent all mistakes and cavills this is to be further added That the Death of JESUS CHRIST as the Ransome and Propitiation for All and Every Man is to be understood of the Death of JESUS CHRIST as hee â—â—risen and ascended and at his Fathers right hand filled in mans Nature with the holy Ghost and Authority Acts 17.31 1 Cor. 15.3 4. So that his Death Resurrection and Ascention with some fruit of all of them together are herein comprehended and to be heeded Acts 4.10 11 12. with Rom. 14.9 12. 1. He dyed to make Propitiation for the Sinnes of All men 1 Joh. 2.2 Hebr. 2.9 and to seal the new Testament for his called and chosen ones and to purge and cleanse them with the aplication of his blood Hebr. 9 14 15. Ephes 5.25 26. 2. He rose from the death justifyed and to receive justification in the room and for All men that he might have Power to bestow it Rom. 3.22 24. and 5.18 and 4.25 And to bestow it on and give new and living hope to his called and chosen ones Rom. 3.22 25 26. and 5.1 1 Pet. 1.3 3. He Ascended and sate downe on the right hand of God to be the Lord of All. Acts 2.34 36. and 10.36 Rom. 14.9 And to be the Head Husband High-Priest Prophet and King of his called and chosen ones Hebr. 3.1 6. and 5.6 and 6. and 7. and 8. 4. He is filled with Spirit to send forth to the sonnes of men to the rebellious and to enlighten every man that commeth into the world that the Lord God might dwell among them Psal 68.18 Joh. 1.9 and 16.8 And to witnesse Son-ship and lead his Called and Chosen ones into all truth Rom. 8.14.16 Joh. 16.13 14. And thus the Death Resurrection and Ascension of JESUS CHRIST is 1. To all men a ground of Instruction to convince them of sin and of Christ his right of Lordship over them Joh. 16.8 11. Rom. 14.9.12 And of alurement to come in and be reconciled to God by Christ 2 Cor. 5.19 20. and of hope that in comming in and yeelding to his Call they should have life Joh. 3.14 15. 2. To his Called and Chosen ones that beleeve on him a ground for Confirmation of their Faith of their Justification of their Preservation in Grace of their enjoyment of the Inheritance Rom. 5. and 8 32. c. of which is not here to be understood in in that affirmed for all men But of the former that hope set forth for All according to that Christ hath done for all and so I suppose all that will may understand the sense That wee may have the Question rightly stated about the death of JESUS CHRIST in what sense he dyed for all men CHAP. VI. An Assay for right stating the Question THIS Question being diversly stated by many I thinke it meet to mention the same briefly that it may appear the better how it is stated here 1. Some say JESUS CHRIS dyed for all his Elect and onely for those that are elect to Sonne-ship and eternall Inheritance and for no other Not for all mâ—n every man or any man but the Elect. This is flat against and openly contradictory to the affirmation of the Scripture and is that opposed in the whole drift of this Tract 2. Some say JESUS CHRIST dyed for all men alike wrought redemption for them all alike with like love and like intention and for like ends But as this hath no ground in the Scripture so it is already shewne confuted by it 3. Some say JESUS CHRIST dyed for every man in case every man beleeve on him and for no man to Salvation in case every man persist in unbeleife But this is no Scripture sense and imperfect to make any sense to goe on with at all for Christ hath dyed and given himself a Kansome to God for all men whether any man beleeve it or no and hath by his death so purchased all men of God that hee is become their Lord and shall judge them though they should persist in unbeliefe neither shall they all so persist Rom. 14.9 12. 2 Pet. 2.1 Isai 53.11 4. Some say JESUS CHRIST dyed in some sort for all men and â—o as all doe receive some good thereby he dyed for all as a Lord but he did not die for all as a Surety to pay the price for and become the Propitiation for the sinnes of all This sense answers not the Question which is not about what good all doe receive from or by the death of Christ but what good hee hath thereby wrought and procured for all men that he might have pouâ—â— and freedome to bestow according to his will that is one with the Fathers yet is the Affirmative in this expressed sense true though it be not the whole truth of this businesse But the negative not onely denieth the remainder of truth but denies and unsaith again even that which was affirmed for if he did not pay the price and purchase them how according to the Gospel is he become their Lord Rom. 14.9 2 Pet. 2.1 And if he be not the Propitiation for their sinnes how shall he judge them according to the Gospel and by it 2 Cor. 2.10 Rom. 2.16 Joh. 12.47 48. and if no price be paid nor Propitiation made for them but that what ever reprievall patience or mercies they receive they will but aggravate their condemnation no doore of Repentance and life being opened in truth for them to which this patience and bounty might leade them what good doe they then receive or rather be they not necessarily more miserable Rom. 2.4 5. 5. Some say JESUS CHRIST so dyed for all that his death is sufficient for all and applicable to all but not so as he hath indeed ransomed all men and become the propitiation for their sinnes The Affirmative part of this sense is very good and will stand well But the Negative both crosseth plain Testimonies of Scripture and
and death to be passed on them and through that one offence judgement to have come on all to condemnation Rom. 3.23 and 5.12.18 though this did not yet make them to partake of and feele this misery which comes by comming to partake of the humane namre though having a beeing from the first Adam by propagation yet this so opened the sluce or door of this misery that it laid such a necessity and unavoidable force on the Nature of mankind that no one can shift it but as soon as they doe through propagation come to have any being life from the first Adam they doe partake of this misery Jâ—h 14.4 and 15.14 Psal 51.5 Ephes 2.1 2 3. Rom. 5.19 Even so the effect and fruit of the Obedience of the Second Adam hath recovered and restored all mankind in him so as in him and by him in that done and wrought in his own body they are all again Redeemed and restored and made Righteous yea so as all that was contrary to them is taken out of the way wrath appeased Justice satisfyed Death abolished and Life obtained And that though secretly and invisibly and in some sort inexpressibly yet so vntually verily and indeed That it might be truly said as things are in Christ who was in the room of all that as in the former respect all have sinned and come short of the glory of God so in this latter respect being justifyed freely by his grace through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus Rom. 3.24 The Righteousnesse of God which is by the Faith of Jesus Christ unto all vers 22. By the righteousnesse of one the free gift came upon all men to justification of life Rom. 5.18 Though this yet doth not make any to partake of and injoy and feel the benefit and blessednesse of the same which comes onely by comming through a spirituall application and operation to partake of the divine Nature in Christ in a new and spirituall birth that giveth a being in and maketh one in him Joh. 3.3.5 Rom. 3.22 25 26. yet hath this done in CHRIST for men and it's acceptance with the Father so opened the doore to life and put such a force in this grace discovered by the Gospel that whoever through the spirituall discovery and application thereof commeth so to beleeve as to have a being in Christ and to have him and be one in him he doth therein and thereby undoubtedly partake of the benefit and blessing of that done in and by Christ and so of eternall life Joh. 3.36 1 Joh. 5.10 11 12. so that in this respect also Christ is no whit inferiour to his Figure Fourthly in respect of the vertue power and operation of this publike businesse where it takes hold in all or any that come to the participation of the same no one excepted When any come by propagation to have a being from Adam they doe necessarily and naturally in that very participation of his nature and by vertue of his being in the room of all when he sinned and fell and by vertue of Gods account of his sinne as the sinne of all partake at once in themselves and all their powers of the guiltinesse of that first and great offence and of the corrupt sinfull poysonous and perverse disposition and inclination prone to all evill and averse to God and all goodnesse which entred the nature of man upon the fall and of that Subjection to weaknesse and mortallity then imposed on Adam And this evill whereof they partake from the first Adam doth pollute all their Powers and worke in their members to bring forth fruit unto death and so subjects them to misery and death more more Rom. 5.14 15 19.21 and 7.5 So when any come by a spiritvall birth to have a being in Christ and so receive this grace of the Attonement made in him then and in that very participation of that grace and the divine nature of him by vertue of that he hath done in the room of all and by vertue of Gods account thereof hee now freely imputing it to them the vertue and power of the Spirit of life that is in Christ doth so enter into their hearts and apply his blood therein that at once they partake of his Justification and righteousnesse and of his spirituall minde and disposition and of that aeternall and divine life that is in him in their spirits and this rich grace whereof they partake in and from Christ doth worke so mightily in them that it quickens them sweetning them with peace and joy and hope and purifieth and reneweth them to his likenesse and worketh forth in fruits of righteousnesse unto life Rom. 3.23 25 26. and 4.25 26. and 5.1 2 5 11 17 19 21. and 8.1 2. 2 Cor. 3.3.17 18. and this superabounding and being of greater power and efficacy then the former And yet still doth CHRIST exceed and goe beyond his Figure much 1. In that all be undertook was freely undertaken and all his obedience in dying for the sinnes of men and rising justifyed for them was altogether for them hee neither having sinne to suffer for or be justifyed from nor being ingaged to us by any naturall and necessary bond as the First Adam was who had our righteousness and lives in keeping and us in his loines and his business was for himself as well as us so that here appears glorious abounding grace to sinners 1 Cor. 15.3 4. 1 Pet. 2.24 and 3.18 Rom. 5.20 2. In that whereas the first Adam by fall brings none to partake of death in themselves but those that come to have being from him and so partake of his sinne Such is the power of the recovery wrought by Christ for all and the overthrow he hath given death that all shall be made alive thereby and brought before him to acknowledge him Lord even those that refuse to be brought to it in the day of grace that so they might be made in him and partake of the blessing shall one day be made alive and brought before him and rightly judged by him for that refusall 1 Cor. 15.21 22. Joh. 12.32 Rom. 14.9 12. 3. In that whereas the first Adam in his publike place stood and fell for all alike and threw thereby all alike into sinne and death such is the abounding grace of CHRIST that by vertne of that done in his publike place hee hath not onely wrought a generall recovery for all and made them saveable so as he will make them alive to acknowledge him LORD But for all his Called and Chosen that in the day of grace are prevailed with to acknowledge him Lord and come into him through his Spirit hee by vertue of the same blood of his that was shed for all is for them a High-Priest Prophet and King at his Fathers right hand in a more speciall manner and for more speciall favours then for the residue of the sonnes of men as hath been shewne before and here appeares the glory of his
all dead And that he dyed for All that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them and rose againe 1 Cor. 15.22 As in Adam All dye so in Christ shall All be made alive and wee must All appeare before the Judgement-seat of Christ 2 Cor. 5.10 And if wee look on them that stumble at Christ in his Gospel and refuse and denie him doth not the Scripture say Such 2 Cor. 8.11 perish for whom Christ dyed 2 Pet. 2.1 even denying the LORD that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction And are they not said To have troad under foot the Sonne of God and count the blood of the Covenant wherewith they were sanctified an unholy thing and to offer despight unto the Spirit of Grace Hebr. 10.29 and to be trees twice dead Jude 12. And if wee look upon the accomplishment of this end of the death of Christ doth not the Scripture say Before him shall be gathered all Nations c. Matth. 25.32 40. and that even because to that end hee dyed Rom. 14.9.11 13. Phil. 2.8 11. and rose And so in the Name of JESUS every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confesse that JESUS is the LORD c. Isai 45.23 Psal 86.9 And if we look on those to whom the Gospel is to be preached saith not the Scripture Matt. 28.19 Teach all Nations Mark 16.15 Goe yee into all the World and Preach the Gospel to every creature And doth not all these places of Scripture hold forth and explaine and confirme the same sense that 1 Tim. 2.6 and Hebr. 2.9 importeth and so confirme the truth of the Proposition That JESUS CHRIST by the grase good-will and favour of God did tast death for every man and so gave himself a Ransome to God for all men and so is become the Propitiation of the sinnes of the world and the Saviour of the world Yea that the world through him might be saved There is no one thing in all the Scriptures more fully and often and in plain Sentences affirmed then this CHAP. XIV Of the Answering the most usuall and strongest Objections framed against this part of the Truth THE Objections I have met with I desire to couch as many together as I may and to set them downe as faithfully and in the greatest strength that I have met with them and to answer as directly to them OBJECTION I. The Scripture in such places as 1 Tim. 2.6 Hebr. 2.9 and Joh. 4.42 Are not to be understood in the sense which the words seem to Import And this Objection is fortifyed with divers Reasons as to instance the chief of them 1. The words of Scripture cannot be alwayes taken in the sense they Import as I am the Vine I am the Doore This is my Body 2. The words All men and Every man are often found to meane but some even Gods Elect and Chosen 3. The death of Christ is often said to be but for many and those many his sheep 4. There was great reason that such generall words as All men and the World should be used in those times when Christ and his Apostles were upon the face of the earth when they meant but some even the Elect Gods Elect and chosen in all Nations ANSWER For the Affirmation which is the Objection it self the contrary may be affirmed for though the Scripture speaketh sometime more plainly sometimes Metaphorically and sometime Parabollically and Figuratively yet alway truly and in that very sense the words so spoken and as the place in which the words are and the businese about which they treat doe Import For God is a God of truth and Christ is the Truth Psal 31.5 Joh. 14 6. and told the truth which he heard of God Joh. 8.40.45 and did beare witnesse to the Truth Joh. 18.37 and the holy Spirit that convinceth and will convince the World of sinne for not having beleeved on Christ Joh. 16.8 and by whom the Prophets and Apostles spake 2 Tim. 3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 Is the Spirit of Truth 1 Joh. 4.6 and 5.6 and the Word of God both essentiall and instrumentall is Truth Joh. 17.17 and the Word of Truth 2 Cor. 6.7 Col. 1.5 And the Prophets spake the Truth of God which Christ came to confirme Rom. 15.8 13. And John Paptist beare witnesse to the Truth Joh. 5.33 And the Apostles renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking in craftinesse nor handling the Word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the Truth commending themselves to every mans Conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4.2 and spake the Words of Truth and sebernesse Acts 26.25 And that with great plainnesse of speech and not with a vaile over their face neither 2 Cor. 3.12 13. and the Scripture tells us That hee that hateth dissembleth with his lippes Prov. 26.24 And that God needeth none to talke deceitfully for him Joh. 13.7 how can it be then that any of us beleeving and reverencing God and Christ and his Spirit as truth and his Word as a Word of Truth and his Prophets and Apostles Preachers and Writers of Truth and that with plainnesse That when they all say That Christ by the grace of God tasted death for every man and gave himself a Ransome for All men and is the Saviour of the VVorld and the Propitiation for the sinnes of the whole world That any of us I say should presume to say His Words have not the sense or meaning they seem to import Truth it is the minde of God in the Scripture is mysterious and the Scriptures are full of profound Mysteries but they are divine and heavenly Mysteries of Truth Righteousnesse and Goodnesse delivered in words of Wisedome but not the wisedome of this World so that we need a spirit of grace and Wisedome from Christ to open our eyes to see and our hearts to receive them 1 Cor. 2.8.15 Yet the mysteriousnesse of the Scriptures stands not in any equivocall hiddennesse and doubtfulness of speech like the Oracles of the Heathens supposed gods that by the witt of men might be made true which way soever taken though contrary to what they imported to those that sought and trusted to them but the Scriptures though mysterious yet so full of unchangable truth that when by the spirit of grace the knowledge thereof is so given to any man that he understands the same It will appeare to be so right and plain and just according to the words in which it was exprest That he that understands will say As I have heard so have I found in the house of God Psal 48.8 and will not contradict but confesse the truth of Christs own sayings Prov. 8.6 9. Heare for I will speak of excelient things and the opening of my lippes shall be right things for my mouth shall speak truth and wickednesse is an abomination to my lippes And the words of my mouth are in righteousnesse Nothing froward or wreathed or perverse
Counsellor to teach Him Isai 40.13 Doth he need us Or shall not his Excellency make us afraid Job 1 4.9 11. Shall any presume to prescribe him fitter words for these times and then pull down his meaning to their owne and say What ever his words are they have not the meaning they seem to import but their words have and he meant as they doe O yee Heavens be astonished at this But here is not all the evill of this Reason for it doth not onely deny the truth and fitnesse of the words of the Gospel and dishonour God to put honour upon man but it pleadeth for and justifieth many ungodly and profane men for when Beleevers plead for their Brethrens waiting and praying for the spirit of grace to be more abundantly given them Luk. 11.13 Joh. 7.38 39. Acts 3.38 And to desire to have spirituall and gifted men to Preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 12.3 11. 1 Tim. 3.2 and to have much Preaching and praying 2 Tim. 4.2 Col. 4.2 and to have good order in our Assemblies 1 Cor. 14.40 and frequent Assemblies Hebr. 10.25 and brotherly Society 1 Pet. 2.17 and 4.8 11. and patient enduring the reproaches the World casteth on Christ and his Gospel Hebr. 13.13 and holding forth the Word of Life in the midst of a crooked generation Phil. 2.15 16. and having all demeanours in the Church and among Beleevers as like those approved in the Apostles time as wee can 1 Cor. 11.1 2. And alledge the Scripture for all these Doe not many oppose and put by all these things with this You must consider the difference of Times Those things were not only good but necessary in the Apostles times But they are not so necessary in these times And this Reason not onely justifieth their Plea but exceeds it in evill for it saith as much even of the words of the Doctrine of the Gospel Neither is this all but this Reason opens the door to prefer humane Reason before the Divine Testimony of Scripture and to yeeld rather to Reason then to Faith and so opens the door to all Superstition Yea what Heresy will not carnall Wisedome thus bring in of which wee are warned to take heed Col. 2.8 18 23. So that this Reason proves nought Yet that none be wronged I will set down what this Reason is and that to the full as serue have expressed it Who write thus THE REASON For did it not seeme by Christs owne words Matth. 15.24 That he was sent to none but the lost sheep of the House of Israel and Matth. 10.5 JESUS commanded his Apostles not to go into the way of the Gentiles nor enter into any City of the Samaritanes so Acts 16.6 7. They were forbidden of the holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia They assayed to goe into Bithinia but the Spirit suffered them not ANSWER This is the first part of the Reason but it is very weak and frothy For it is evident to a mean understanding that our Saviour spake not in Matth. 15.24 of his mission to dye and give himself a ransome for men but of his mission for his ministration here on earth which was for the Jews the Circumcision Rom. 8.9 which mission with greater enlargednesse at his departure hee left with his Disciples Matth. 28.30 Ioh. 17.18 And yet this restraint of his mission to the Jewes not wholly exclusive for then the woman could not have been commended for her faith which shee still held and received helpe thereby Matth. 15.24 28. and of the same nature was the sending his Disciples and of no farther extent as yet Matth. 10. â— And this could be no Reason to darken or straiten the extent of the Death and Ransome of Christ much lesse a Reason of using such generall words as All men Every man The World when they meant but some onely For 1. Before either this mission of the Disciples by Christ or his so speaking to the Woman of Canaan hee was said to be sent into the World That the World through him might be saved Joh. 3.17 To be the Saviour of the World Joh. 4.42 To give his flesh for the life of the World Joh. 6.51 To take away the sinne of the World and to enlighten every man that commeth into the World Jo. 1.9 29. therefore those things which followed after could not be the cause or occasions of this manner of speaking that was so long and oft before 2. Their mission was after enlarged to goe into all the World and to preach the Gospel to every creature Mat 28.20 Mar. 16.15 and so then no necessity of using words importing more then truth nor before 3. While these generall words were frequent in use the same is still affirmed of the ministration of Christ That it was of or for the Jewes the Circumcision and that for the good of the Gentiles and so affirmed to them Rom. 15.8 9. so that hitherto this great Reason is reasonlesse As for that Act. 16.6 7. Paul had his Gospel revealed to him long before that time and that by Christ himself and was sent to the Gentiles And hee was kept back from those places but at that time because it was not Gods season or he had prepared other instruments for that People many of whom ere long received the Gospel sweetly Acts 19.10 1 Pet. 1.1 So as this gives no cause at all to doubt of the extent of that Ransome much lesse to use words inporting more then truth for all places could not be ministred to at once nor are the servants to appoint which first and which after That belongs to God So as yet the Reason gets no strength I will therefore adde the refidue of it to see if that will REASON III. And had not the Jewes for a long time been the onely people of God and might not other Nations think themselves excluded being called Strangers and Alians and was not this a mystery newly revealed to the Apostles themselves Act. 10.45 They of the Circumcision which beleeved were astonished because that on the Gentiles also was powred forth the gift of the holy Ghost Likewise Acts 11.18 they admired Now was there not great reason to make it knowne that Christ was come to be a Saviour of the World not of Jewes only but Gentiles also of all other Nations that hee gave himself a Ransom for all not onely the Jewes but also the Gentiles That the Elect throughout the whole world might the better be incouraged to take hold on Christ according to the saying Isai 45.22 Look unto me and 〈◊〉 ye saved all the ends of the Earth and without doubt this was one reason that the words All men and Every man the World and the whole World are so frequent in Scripture ANSWER This is the summe and the whole strength of the Reason which â—â—ll appears very weak and frothy for the ignorance of some in the mysteries of grace is no proof That the God of Truth will speak beyond the bounds
I am perswaded not Though no comparrison can fully set forth but darkly hint this businesse And enough to Answer the Objection which was directly framed to gain-say the expresse and plaine Sayings of Scripture CHAP. XVII Of Answering a Fourth OBJECTION Objection IV. THose for whom Christ would not vouchsafe to manifest himself to or to pray for He would not die for Rom. 8.32 Joh. 14.17 22. and 17.9 But Christ will not manifest himself to nor pray for the world of the ungodly and wicked men Therefore hee never dyed for them ANSWER This Objection is very false and many wayes faulty For 1. It were neither right nor good reasoning to say God would never make the Heavens and the Earth and a World of Creatures in both for that man and make that man in His own Image Righteous and put him in a Paradise and give him a Tree of Life and provide him a Sabboath and make him Lord of the Workes of his hands and put the Life and Priviledges of all Mankind in his keeping whom he would not preserve in that good estate yet hath this Argument the same though in a lesse degree of strength to deny God's creating all men yea or the first Adam righteous That this Objection hath to denie the Death of Christ as a Ransome for All. Eccl. 7.29 1 Pet. 4.19 2. The Objection expresseth not what manifestation it meaneth and this is sure Christ will so manifest himself to All men that they shall see what right of Lordship he had over them by vertue of his Death and Ransome given and Conquest made for them Even so that they shall see the greatnesse of their sinne in despising and rebelling against Him and Persecuting His and shall come before his Judgement-seat and acknowledge him Lord to the glory of God Isa 45.23 and 66.14 Psal 86.9 Matth. 25.31 Ezek. 35.11 12. Rom. 14.19.12 2 Cor. 5.10 Phil. 2.10 11. 3. If Jesus Christ had any where said That hee never did nor ever would pray for the World which he never said yet it were evill in us to use that as a Reason to denie the truth of his owne words That said he would give his flesh for the life of the World Joh. 6.51 and that he dyed for all 2 Cor. 5.14 15. and every man Heb. 2.9 and gave himself a Ransome for All. 1 Tim. 2.6 4. This Argument confounds into one without difference or distinction First Gods love of Compassion which belongs to all Psal 145.8 9. Joh. 3.16 and his love of Delight which only belongs to all those which in beliefe of his former Love are brought in to love him Joh. 21.23 1 Cor. 2.9 Prov. 8.17 Secondly The Death of Christ as the Propitiation and Ransome which is for All. Heb. 2.9 1 Tim. 2.6 1 Joh. 2.2 and the advacation of Christ that is onely for Beleevers 1 Joh. 2.1 Joh. 14.16 Thirdly Christ sending his Spirit to enlighten every man Joh. 1.9 and 16.8 11. and his Peculiar giving of Spirit to comfort and lead Beleevers into all Truth Joh. 14.17 and 16.14 15. All which things the Scripture maketh distinct as is shewne Chap. 1. and 2. and 3. and 10. 5. Those to whom Christ doth graciously manifest himself are in his first manifesting himself to them found sinners and ungodly and of the World as they were when he Dyed for them Isa 55.5 and 65. 1 Matth. 9.13 Act. 9.3 4 5. and 26.13 18. 1 Tim. 1.13.16 Tit. 3.3 4 5. So that this whole Argument is fallen without farther Answer yet the Proofs are to be considered to see whether they countenance it or be abused by it To prove the first Proposition is cited Rom. 8.32 Hee that spared not his owne Sonne but delivered him up for us all how shall be not with him freely give us all things also ANSWER I. This is not spoken in the third Person nor of the Ransome onely nor as a Proposition for unbeleevers to bring them in to beleeve and so gives not Answer to the Question for how many be dyed and so is dangerously abused in being brought to that end as is shewne Chap. 3.4 This being applicatively spoken of and to Beleevers to confirme them in that abundant hope which they had and which no other had or could have till they beleeved and so were in Christ as they were 1 Joh. 5.10.13 2. This is not spoken so as may serve the Proposition viz. Hee that spared not his owne Sonne but delivered him up for us all how shall Hee not freely give us all things It is not said so But how shall hee not with him also freely give us all things So speaking of his free giving him to us and with him all things also Wee that beleeve doe through the grace and mercy of God in some measure know that Jesus Christ having made the Propitiation in being delivered up to death for our sinnes and raised for our Iustification Rom. 4.25 Is now exalted at Gods right hand unmeasurably filled with the Holy Ghost in our nature glorified The Advocate high Priest Prophet and King Act. 2.32.33 1 Joh. 2.12 Heb. 5.7 8. The Wisedome of God the Power of God the Sonne of God and Heire of the Kingdome 1 Cor. 1.24 Matth. 13.17 Heb. 1.2 The brightnesse of his glory and the expresse Image of his Person by whom hee upholdeth all things and that is one with the Father and in whom the Father dwells Heb. 1.3 Joh. 10.30 and 14.9 10 11 20. whos 's all that is the Fathers is 1 Ioh. 16.15 Who is made of God to us wisedome righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 Who is the Fountaine of Life and spirit out of whom it aboundantly floweth to all that beleeve on him and walke in that saith to make them Sonnes to witnesse their Sonship to confirme them to Christ To lead them into all Truth to preserve them to cause all to worke for good to them to bring them to the Inheritanc and Kingdome with himself Psal 36.8 9. Act. 2.33 Joh. 7.38 39. Tit. 3.4.7 Joh. 1.12 Rom. 8.16 2 Cor. 3.3.18 Joh. 16.13 14. Rom. 8.28.17 1 Pet. 1.3.5 Now when God by his Spirit so makes known his grace in Christ through the Gospel that he enters the heart with the grace of Christ enabling it to beleeve and so receive the Attonement That the Beleever is enabled thereby to depend on Christ for the hope Discovered in him Then and therein is the Beleever drawne and given to Christ Ioh. 6.44 45. 1 Pet. 1.21 22. and Christ in and by his Word and Spirit is given to the Beleever Tit. 3 4 5 6. So as the Beleevers may say Not onely unto us a Sonne is borne but also unto us a Sonne is given Isai 9.6 They now by free-gift and by beleeving receit having Christ and having life by having him and being Sonnes also thereby 1 Joh. 5.10 11 12 13. Joh. 1.12 13. which giveth them hope of all good 1 Ioh. 3.1 2. And hence the Apostle
Chap. 6. and this 8. vers 5 13 14 18. and by his Prayers for the Ephesians Chap. 1.17 20. and 3.14.20 and his Profession to the Collossians Chap. 1.23.27 and 2.2.10 by all which it appeares also to be the scope of the Apostle to direct them to this abiding according to that of ould said to our Types Exod. 19.3.6 3. Who have the full assurance of all this and when they come to it and they are such who are not onely called but in that heavenly Call through grace beleeved Drawne forth of themselves and the World to take up their rest and well-pleasednesse in him and inflamed with likement and love of him and his guidance Not onely Justified but having experimented their justification not onely in Christ but by the Spirit of Christ filling with Peace and joy in the holy Ghost and not onely hoping for the glory to come but even a First-fruits of glory in a portion of the Spirit as the earnest of the Inheritance whereby they discerne the hope of his Calling in his Election and his Everlasting Covenant made with them and see the glorious riches of his Inheritance in the Saints and Justified ones and are in a sort made Partakers of the Divine Nature experimenting that Power by which Christ was raised and exalted experimenting that Psal 84.11 Heb. 4.3 and 9.15 2 Pet. 1.3 4. That prayed for Ephes 1.17 20. And this affirmed Rom. 8.28 29 30. and so come to this glorying of the Apostle in the following verses to the End Now this objected inference crosseth the scope of the Apostles and taketh away the ground of the Hope given and shutteth the doore against the way to the enjoyment and thrusts men to wander in dark reasonings for Election ASWER III. 3. This Inferrence from these places and the abuse of them to fortify such a Proposition destroyeth the distinction between the Gospel and the communication of the speciall benefits of the Gospel between the Atonement made by Christ and the receit thereof by the Called Ones and the common and speciall Salvation which the Scripture distinguisheth as is afore shewne Chap. 1. and 2. and 10. and wholly denyeth and taketh away the Gospel to be preached to unbeleevers and all men all Nations and wholly confounds it into one with those high mysteries that are to be opened to Beleevers yea Beleevers growne and it barres out all uncalled from beleeving and all Beleevers from Consolation till they know their particular Election as all that view it may see and know it to be evill 4. The Conexion it self is wrested for this Inference which hath no even rise thence or from any other part of Scripture where is no such conexion as if all Christ dyed for and Ransomed must of necessity partake of all these Priviledges Nor as if all that partake of some fruits of his Ransome must needs partake of all these Priviledges Nor as if all that were called must of necessity Partake of them all Scripture sheweth the contrary yea the Epistle doth the same to the Romanes also Chap. 14.9 Isai 20. and this 8. Chap. verse 13. intimates the same But the concatination of all these high favours are made the peculiar Priviledges of Elect sonnes of God Rom. 8.16 17 38 39 30. Ephes 1.3.14 whence the Calling and Election of Beleevers is not made fully sure to them Till in Gods Actuall Election which followeth their Calling they be established and so in a First Fruits made Partakers of all these Priviledges as is shewne before whence they are exhorted thereto on that ground 2 Pet. 1.3 4 5 10 11. And this appeares in the stile put on these Rom. 8.28 and the Prayer for the Ephesians Chap. 1.17 All which is obscured by this Inference 5. If that which is not and which the Inference would have had had been in the conexion yet it would not have justified the Inferrence as we may see in a conexion Psal 111.4 5. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion and Righteous Hee hath given meat to them that fear him hee will ever be mindfull of his Covenant Now if any should from this conexion Inferre That the Lordis gracious and full of Compassion and hath given meat to no other but them that fear him Then Psal 145.8 9. and 136.25 and 104.27 28. and all Scripture and common experience would convince him of folly and falshood and so doth it in this Inferrence also All that is in the common Salvation pertaines to the Speciall But not all that is in the Speciall pertaines to the common Salvation See the 1 Tim. 4.10 So that the truth of 1 Tim. 2.4.6 Heb. 2.9 2 Cor. 5.14 15.19 abideth firme As for the Addition to this Reason with all that follows it is but a cavill with a slander annexed deserving no Answer Wherefore in stead of Answer To take prejudice from the thoughts of any sober-minded I will crave leave of the juditious under correction of better and more enlightened Judgement To set down briefly what I understand and beleeve concerning this mystery I conceive the Scripture to set forth an Election of God That is in and by God And according as I conceive that I see and finde there so I beleeve 1. That God did Elect the man Christ to union of Person with the second Person in the Divine Nature and so to be the Sonne of God and a mighty King in and through whom God would shew forth all his goodnesse and confirre his Kingdome on him Thus God calls him Isa 42.1 Mine Elect in whom my soule delighteth And the Spirit saith He is Col. 1.15 the First-borne of every Creature And himselfe saith Prov. 8.22 30. The Lord Possessed me in the beginning of his way before c. I was set up from everlasting I was brought forth c. And so as all other Chosen being affirmed to be chosen in him Eph. 1.4 Hee must needs be first chosen else How they Chosen in him 2. That in this very Election God did Elect a certaine number of men In this his Sonne and to Sonship in him a Conformity to him and enjoyment of the Kingdome with him Eph. 1.4 Rom. 8.29 3. That at the same Election God in his love to his Son Christ and those chosen in him Did appoint a great yet a certaine number of other men to be Servants to his Sonne Christ and those Chosen in him Psalm 7.2.11 and 119.91 Isai 60.12 Col. 1.16.27 4. That to this end God did Decree to creat all Mankind in one Adam and to set him forth as the First man and a publick Person in the room and place of all Mankind to stand or fall for all that were by Propagation to come of him and in this Decree hee decreed that all the rest of Mankind except his Sonne Christ should come forth of this First Adam by Propagation and in this Decree hee decreed to make a World of Creatures for the use and service of Mankind and to doe all
this by and through and for his Sonne Christ Ioh. 1.1 2 3. Col. 1.16 18 19. Rom. 11.36 And All this Election and Decree was free and freely decreed by God without any respect or motion from any fore-sight of Good or evill righteousnesse or sinne in mankind or in any of them one or other But according to Gods owne good pleasure even because hee so willed and for the Glory of his Goodnesse Psal 104.1 24. Isa 4.3.7 Rom. 9.11 12. and 11.36 5. That God fore-seeing that the first man Adam would fall and so loose himself and all that were to come by propagation from him and so all thr Priviledges of both Sonnes and Servants that were put in his keeping for Election to Sonneship or appontment to service were neither in him nor put in his keeping Did Choose Predestinate or Preordaine his Sonne Jesus Christ to be his Servant by his Death and Resurrection to ransome All men and recover againe as a Second Adam the Priviledges both of Sonnes and Servants And by his Spirit and Power to make it knowne to them all in Due season Isai 42.1.1 Pet. 1.20 1 Tim. 2 4 5 6. Heb. 10.5.10 6. That GOD in this Decree or Predestination did Predestinate All his Elect Sonnes to the Adoption of Sonnes and Conformity to his Sonne Jesus Christ By and through his Sonne Jesus Christ Not for any good seen in them who were now beheld fallen but for the Prayse of the glory of his Grace Rom. 8.26 Ephes 1.5 And all the residue of the sonnes of men He Destinated to be servants to Jesus Christ and his People in his Free-will Not being moved thereto with respect of either good or evill in Them Rom. 9.11 12. and 14.9 12. 7. That God to this end Decreed To use such meanes as hee pleased to some more to some lesse with some effectuall Power therein To call both Sonnes and Servants to the acknowledgement of this their Lord. In which they might be happy To which end his Spirit moves 〈◊〉 the meanes Prov. 8.4 5 32. and 1.20 23. Joh. 1.5.9 8. God fore-seeing that both Sonnes and Servants would sinne against these meanes and so not come in to the obedience of their Lord but Rebell against him Hee did freely yet further Decree Both First To overcome his Elect and Predestinate Sonnes as Bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke for the glory of his rich and Free-Grace in Christ and so freely to forgive their disobedience and by his Spirit make them willing and bring them in to his Sonne and Sanctify and preserve them in and through his Sunne and by his grace and Spirit to His Kingdome Jere. 31.18 20. 2 Tim. 1.9 Tit. 3.3 4 5 7. Secondly To harden the residue and give them up for their contempt of the means and hardning their hearts there-against and resisting his Spirit moving to their hearts through the meanes And this for the glory and praise of the equity and security of his Justice 1 Pet. 2.7 8. Jer. 6.16.30 9. That God decreed his Sonne Jesus Christ should be the Lord and disposer of All the Head and Governour of the Church and Kingdome and the Judge of All men That by him the glory of all the Kingdome and Judgement may be given to God Isa 9.6 7. Rom. 14.9.12 Act. 17.31 Phil. 2.10 11. 1 Cor. 15.24 27. 10. That all this whole Counsell of God about Mankind for There meddle no further was in himself and open before him and decreed at once before the World or time was there being neither first nor last in respect of time in the Decree of God but onely in Order one thing decreed for another though his Decree be larger then Election and all his Decrees in one ordered to and for Election which obtaineth all for the Elected Acts 15.18 Romanes 7.11 And yet still agreeing with all hitherto said of Election I finde mentioned in Scripture an Election not so high as this before spoken of Namely an Election of some to be a Peculiar People above all the People of the Earth which though it includes the fore-mentioned Elected yet it may also include more even some of the Servants also Deut. 6.6 7. And also I find mentioned in Scripture an Election of some to some Peculiar Office for and Service for or in the Church and this also includes more then the Prime Elect. Isai 45.1 4. Iohn 6.70 And both these Elections are included in the former Decree and are from Eternity also but not to the injoyment of the Priviledges by every one thus Elected for ever as the Prime Election without Controversie is Joh. 17.12 Act. 1.20 Act. 15.18 And I am lead thus to conceive of the Election and Decree of God both by the Scriptures alledged and other-like Places and also by Gods working with man mentioned therein being assured that God worketh all things according to the Councell of his own will so as look how his Word declareth him to proceed in his Workes wee may be sure such was his Purpose and Decree Ephes 1.11 And so through this whole discourse it appears That the Death and Ransome of Christ for All men impeacheth not the Doctrine of Election or Predestination or of Gods shewing mercy to whom he will but agreeth very well therewith and so is the whole Objection answered Onely now I will adde a few things appertaining to this business by way of caution 1. That the Prime Election yea or Predestination to Adoption Howsoever by way of Intimation and consequence it be found oft yet in ten times reading and much searching the Scripture I cannot find it expresly mentioned and set forth Ten times in all the Scripture 2. That in respect of particulars It is a Secret with God till he doe make it knowne so that we can not say This or that man is or is not Elected but we may know of and say to any man Christ Dyed for him and is the Propitiation for his sinnes and if he Repent and Beleeve hee shall receive Remission of sinnes This being revealed Now secret thing belongs to the Lord our God But things revealed to us and our Children for ever Deut. 29. 3. That Howsoever all Gods Counsells shall stand yet those that have very well known the same have never made such use of it as to put any impossibility upon God To doe any of his Creatures good John Baptist knew stones were not Elected yet not speaking of Gods Will but of his Power He said God is able of these stones to raise up Children unto Abraham Matth. 3.9 And Paul speaking of the rejected Jewes saith God is able to graft them in againe Rom. 11.23 and our Saviour would not have his Disciples to think That he could not have obtained by Prayer more then Twelve Legions of Angels Matt. 26.33 and plainly affirmeth to them That with God all things are possible Luk. 19.26 It would therefore be an abuse of Election in any sort to darken or weaken the Doctrine of the Gospel thereby
Prevented The LORD in Mercy give thee so to beleeve minde and acknowledge the Death and Lordship of JESUS CHRIST that this with all such warnings and entreaty may timely take place in thy heart USE II. If thou be one that hast more attentively heeded the report of the Gospel and hast so framed thy self that thou art not onely free from walking in such open and manifest evill wayes as the former but art also more dilligent in frequenting the Church Assemblies and sometimes reading the Scriptures and using some Prayers and shewest some mercy to the Poore and livest justly and peaceably amongst thy Neighbours and herein concludest Peace to thy self and trustest hereby to come to Eternall Life Not yet having received any supernaturall light and motion of the Spirit in the Gospel applying the precious Blood of Christ to thy heart and so speaking Peace to thy soul and purifying thy nature thereby and bringing thee in to God to take comfort in him and seek the things of him that are above But that thou dost yet minde the things that are below and art inwardly most busied and carefull to keep and preserve to thy self a Name or Riches or Promotion amongst men and so taken up with cares thoughts and exercise this way That there is not room enough for the Word of the Gospel to take place and root in thee nor for thee so to heed and give up to it that thou mightest receive from the holy Spirit in the Word the forceable application and effecacy of the Blood of JESUS CHRIST so that by reason of this thy neglect thou art not yet through the Grace discovered in his blood made penitent and so united to CHRIST nor hath received of the Spirit of Christ to fasten thy confidence in him alone that hee might be all in all to thee I pray thee also mind the scope of this Treatise and especially Chap. 1. 2. and what the Scripture saith of this businesse It is a truth that God hath given us Eternall life and that this Life is in his Sonne But if thou have not this his Sonne and be not by an unfained faith united to him thou hast not yet that Eternall Life that is in him Joh. 1.11 12 13. and 3.18 1 Joh. 5.11 12. It is a truth That Jesus Christ hath shed his blood for thee but if by his Spirit thou be not sprinkled and washed therewith thou hast no part with him in his speciall Priviledges 1 Pet. 1.2 Truth it is hee by his blood hath bought thee and procured Life for thee and meanes to use and seek life and so hee is Lord over thee Acts 10.36 But if thou have not his Spirit to keep thee to him and in his Government thou art yet none of his Peculiar Ones Rom. 2.5.9 10 14. I pray thee set thy heart to this businesse it is no vaine word nor falshood that hath been told thee That Iesus Christ did Die for thee and hath life in himselfe to bestow on thee and in him is all fulnesse of heavenly Treasures and riches of Everlasting life freely to bestow on all that come in to submit to and beleeve on him Deut. 30.11.12 20. Rom. 10.7.11 doe not therefore suffer thy self to be detained and kept off from these heavenly riches by seeking worldly and fading things It will be no rejoycing Profit to thee if thou shouldest winne the whole World and loose thy owne Soul Mat. 16.26 be not so unwise as by following lying vanities the goodliest flourishings of the World being no better To forsake thy owne Mercies Joh. 2.8 nor feed on ashes till a deceived heart turne thee aside Isai 44.20 Remember that there is a way that seemeth right to a man and yet the Issues thereof are the issues of Death Prov. 16.25 There is a generation that are Pure in their owne eyes and yet are not washed from their filthinesse Prov. 30.12 Doe not thou therefore by any of thy doings speake Peace and conceive Etaernall Life to thy self before Christ by his Spirit in the Word of Grace make his blood effectuall in thee and thereby speak Peace to thee and so by Spirit give into thy heart the beliefe of his goodnesse and the hope of eternall life renewing thee and seeing there is such Mercy and Hope and Life in him that Dyed for thee Beware thou doe not faile nor come short thereof Let the Love of Christ and his Precious blood he shed for thee and the hope Procured therethrough and in the Gospel set forth for thee bee of more account and force with thee then so But seek him and rest not till hee by his Spirit hath applyed his blood to thee and washed and sealed thee therewith Heb. 4.1 and 12.15 Remember I pray thee that wholsome warning of him that Dyed for thee Matth. 7.21 Nvt every on that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdome of heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heaven and is it not the will of our heavenly Father that wee should heare his Sonne and beleeve on him Matth. 3.17 Joh. 6.20 and is not JESUS CHRIST the Authour of Salvation to them that obey him Heb. 5.9 and is not this Obedience to obey his Gospel 2 Thess 1.8 Rom. 6.17 and is that all Obedience to heare it Preached often and to read it and to live honestly amongst men and so to hope for Eternall life Surely no This Obedience is in beleeving on him and submission to him and it beginnes in obedience to his death and bloodshed both in acceptance of it and of what it requires and Promiseth and submission thereto and to be conformed to him in it 1 Pet. 1 2. Phil. 2.5.8 Now I pray thee hath not the Gospel affirmed that Christ dyed and gave himself a Ransome for thee and is he not set forth in the Gospel as the Propitiation for thy sinnes through faith in his blood 1 Joh. 2.2 Rom. 3.25 Now doth not this blood of his so shed for thee if ever it were Spiritually hinted to thy heart require of thee and offer to worke in thee a sight and acknowledgement of the multitude and heynousnesse of thy sinnes that were laid on Christ Isai 53.2.6 Joh. 1.9 with a sensible sorrow and a piercing heart for them Zath 12.10 and killing the very Life and delight in them Gal. 5.24 Rom. 6.6 with an abasing and loathing thy self as that cursed one for whom he was made a Curse Gal. 3.10 13. and doth not the Spirit by this blood require and offer to worke in thee a renouncing of trust or reliance in or thinking to come before God in any Changes Righteousnesse or workes of thy owne which is of the Law Gal. 2.20 Phil. 3.7 8 9. And doth it not likewise require and offer to work in thee a contempt and disrespect of all the glory and appearing Excellency of the Fame Riches Pleasures and Promotions of this World Gal. 6.14 Phil. 3.6.8 and doth it
to love none but ones friends of the same sort with him which sinners also doe Matth. 5.42.48 Wherefore I pray thee to lay aside not any righteous affections and 〈◊〉 but all this thy confidence made up thereby and 〈◊〉 to the Death of Christ which was for sinners that thou maist come in at that doore where thou shalt be found no better then others And let the Excellency of the grace of Christ prevaile with thee as it did with Paul Phil. 3.3 9. and doe not spend thy strength for that which satisfyeth not but encline thine eare and hearken to him and waite for Spirit and Peace from him Isa 55.1 2 3 4 5. Vse 5. If thou be one who being more enlightned with the Spirituality of the Law and more senseable of thy short-comming thereof so as in all thy zeal watchfulnesse and endeavours thou beholdest many failings and much sinfulnesse in thy self so as the Law hath Power to charge thee with much sinfulnesse and to sentence thee to death and curse which causeth in thee Amazement Fear Sorrow and Perplexity and thou strivest to ward and keep off these charges of the Law and to avoid these feares by setting thy self still to a more through observance of the Law to which thou canst by no means answer but that it still concludes thee a sinner puts thee in fear and affords thee no hope of obtaining by it the life it Promiseth But leaves thee in great distresse and yet in all this the Law is just and good and holy onely shewing thee that of which thou art indeed guilty and to which thouart indeed by desert lyable too and all this for good That thou being hereby slaine mightest see the greatnesse of the grace of God in making of his Sonne Jesus Christ to become under the Law and Sinne and a Curse for thee that thou mightest beleeve on him and receive Life and Spirit from him but now sinne shewes its sinnfulnesse and not the Commandement but sinne taking occasion by the Commandement to deceive thee As if it were not for such a sinner to look for love in God nor yet to beleeve in Christ till he be more conformed to the Law contrary to that Rom. 4.5 and so holds the captive under thee condemning Sentence of the Law and having thee there in this deceit sin reviveth and enclineth thy heart to hard thoughts of God As one that is an angry Judge and beares thee no good will and sometimes discontented thoughts against God As why did God make Adam seeing hee would not keep him and why hath he given such a Law as cannot be kept Nay it stops not here but moves to thinke Oh that there were no Law yea no Heaven nor Hell yea no God and then not able to look on the horridnesse of such thoughts desperate Imaginations arise as if now no more hope mothing now but Hell and what Temptations then followes let silence speake But stay stay I pray thee this is not the fruit of the Commandement but of the deceitfulnesse of sin taking occasion by the Command To which oh yeeld not at all but the reproof and convincement of the Commandement receive own the sinne say Amen to the Curse and behold him that came to save sinners and was made sin and a curse for thee 1 Tim. 1.15 Gal. 4.4 Say not I must be holy â—st that is impossible Say not I dare not my sinnes have been so great for it was for thy sinnes he dyed and where sinne aboundeth there will his grace abound much more and he that beleeveth in him that Justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousnesse Rom. 3.24.26 and 4.5 and 7.7.24 25. thy sinnes ought rather to be a spurre to thee to beleeve on him that came to save Sinners and takes occasion to commend his righteousnesse by the unrighteousnesse found in men Rom. 3.5 5.20 21. Thou canst not winde out thy selfe from being of the number of those for whom Christ dyed seeing it was for every man Heb. 2.9 Doe not now stand out against him through unbelief hee is no enemy of thine He hath laid aside emnity and is full of Love and compassion ready to Pardon abundantly Hee was in Christ reconciling the World to himself not imputing their trespasses to them I pray thee therefore lay aside thy emnity and hard conceits of him and let his love gaine thee in to beleeve his Goodnesse in Christ and depend on him for life and hee will verily shew thee mercy Isa 55.6 7. 2 Cor. 5.19 20. and 6.2 Taste and see that God is gratious Psal 34.6 Vse 6. If thou be one that hast been so farre enlightned by the Spirit in the Gospel of the grace of God that thou hast so seen and beleeved the report thereof that thou seest and knowest that Redemtion is wrought Ransome given Propitiation made with God for Mankind by CHRIST So at in him sinne is satisfyed for Wrath appeased Justice satisfyed Law answered and Death abolished favour and Life obtained and Spirit revived by CHRIST to conserre remission of sins Righteousnesse and Life on such as Beleeve in him and to Renew and Leade them in all Truth and bring them to the Inheritance So as hereby thou art convinced that thou art under both power and guilt of sinne because thou beleevest not on him and thy heart hereby gained to acknowledge him Lord and so let goe all other hopes and delights without desiring after them and to long after him and that hee by his Spirit would enable thee to beleeve on him But yet thou art not so farre overcome by his grace seen as to be drawne upon him so to beleeve in him as to receive remission of Sinnes and Peace in thy heart which still remaineth broken trembling not healed but gasping and panting after healing I pray thee remember what thou hast heard and what thou hast seen concerning the Propitiation made by Jesus Christ our Lord and the great Love of God in giving him to dye for sinners and waite with Patience at his Posts in the use of all such meanes as the Gospel hath set forth for thee Prov. 3.4 14. and 8.33 34 35. Resort to the Church Assemblies heare his Word remember meditate pray have fellowship with such as doe enjoy his grace pitty the distressed goe on in the ordinary imployments of thy Calling his Providence layeth before thee and be still desiring after him and waiting when hee will by discoveries of his grace come to thee and give thee Peace by his Spirit and through the blood of his Sonne It is a good thing for thee thus to hope and waite for the Salvation of God Lam. 3.26 but doe not thou point him his way and say it must be by such a one in such a word or Promise in such a manner c. Isa 40.13 but wait that it may be by his Spirit glorifying his grace and giving in Peace by his blood and so uniting thee to Christ Let the