Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	believe_v	damn_v	delusion_n	1,893	5	11.0930	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A86329	The order of causes. Of [brace] Gods fore-knowledge, election, and predestination. And of mans salvation or damnation. Laid down so clearly, and proved so plainly by the scriptures, that even the meanest capacity amongst rational men may understand it, to their great satisfaction. As also, whether Christ died for all, or not for all: with the causes and effects that may follow or not follow, seriously considered, meekly controverted, and plainly proved by the scriptures of truth; to the great satisfaction of all rational people fearing God. By Henry Haggar, a servant of Christ, and of the congregations of his saints.	Haggar, Henry.	1654 (1654)	Wing H188; Thomason E735_20; ESTC R206976	22,700	32

contradictions of those that hold that Christ for died none but the Elect I shall now proceed to prove by undeniable reasons that it must of necessity be a truth that Christ died for all men tasted death for every man and was a propitiation for the sins of the world that all men through him might believe and that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Reas 1. Because all the Prophets the Angel of God the Lord Christ himself and his holy Apostles do testifie it with one consent Reas 2. Because there is not one Scripture from the beginning of Genesis to the end of the Revelation that doth deny it either negatively in saying that he did not die for all nor yet affirmatively in saying that he did die but for some Therefore what so many faithful witnesses affirm and none deny must needs be a precious truth Reas 3. Because as Christ died for every man Heb. 2.9 so he commanded the Gospel to be preached to every creature Mark 16.15 16. He said unto them Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature Reas 4. Because he calleth all men everywhere to Repentance Acts 17.30 At the times of this ignorance God winked but now he calleth all men everywhere to repentance Reas 5. Because those which are damned are damned because they believe not in Christ the onely begotten Son of God Joh. 3.18 He that believeth not is condemned already because he believeth not in the Name of the onely begotten Son of God which could not be except Christ died for them Reas 6. Because they which are damned might have been saved 2 Thess 2. 10 11. They received not the love of the truth that they might be saved therefore God shall send them strong delusions to believe lyes that they all might be damned Reas 7. Because some deny the Lord that bought them but how can they deny the Lord that bought them except the Lord bought those that deny him and bring upon themselves swift destruction See 2 Pet. 2.2 Reas 8. Because they which follow after lying vanities forsake their own meries Jonah 2.8 but what mercies can those forsake for whom Christ died not Reas 9. Because some men may and do neglect their own salvation Heb. 2.3 but what salvation can they neglect for whom Christ never died to offer it to them Reas 10. Because we are commanded to make prayers and supplications and giving of thanks for all men 1 Tim. 2. but to what end should we or how can we in faith pray for all men if Christ did not die for all men and that prayer that is not of faith is sin for whatsoever is not of faith is sin Rom. 14.23 and without faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 And now having given these reasons for the confirmation of Christs death for all men I shall briefly shew the dreadful absurdities which follow their judgements which believe that Christ died for none but the Elect. 1. If Christ died not for all men then Despair is no sin in them that perish by it seeing there is not any thing for those men to believe unto salvation for whom Christ died not 2. If Christ died not for all men then it would be a sin for some men to believe that Christ died for them because they should believe a ly and all will confess it is a sin to believelyes 3. If Christ died not for those that are damned then they shall not be damned because of their unbeliefe acording to the Scriptures John 3.18 Mark 16.16 4. Satan doth no evil in perswading men that Christ died not for them but doth perswade them to believe the truth if it be true that Christ died but for some few of the world 5. If Christ died not for all then the devil deceiveth not those that are damned for unbelief and as for the Elect these men affirm they cannot be deceived and so the devil is no deceiver 6. If Christ died not for all men then it is no heresie to teach some men to deny that Christ bought them contrary to 2 Pet. 2.21 22. where he saith plainly that some men bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction 7. If Christ died not for all men then it is a vertue in some men to be unbelievers and not to believe in Christ that he died for them but rather to believe that he did not die for them for if that be a truth it is a vertue to believe all truth And then it followeth those that believe that Christ died not for them do as well as they which believe Christ did die for them seeing both are true and it is as much vertue to believe one truth as another 8. If Christ died not for all men then the Apostles and those which according to the command of Christ Mark 16.16 do preach the Gospel the glad tidings of grace and peace to all men and every creature do sin in that they preach lyes to most men 9. If Christ died not for all men then in vain doth God by the Gosp●l call all men every where to repentance for what good can repentance do to those for whom Christ died not 10. If Christ died not for all men why then do the Ministers of the nation baptize all and say they make them members of Christ children of God and heirs of Heaven in their baptism 11. If Christ died not for all why do the Ministers of the nation give the Sacrament as they call it to all and tell all that come The Body of the Lord was broken for thee Take eat this c. and The Blood of the Lord Jesus was shed for thee Take and drink this c. What will they offer to tell untruths when they are about such a work as that How then can men believ them in any thing else 12. If Christ died not for all why do the Ministers of the nation take Tythes of all What will they take Tythes of those that Christ died not for How can they think to do them any good for that they have of them if Christ died not for them Would they take it well if a man should yearly take the tenth part of their goods and yet do nothing for it 13. Lastly if Christ died not for all why then doth the Lord say 2 Pet. 3.9 that he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance Now if the Lord be not willing that any should perish then did he not give his Son for all Consider and judge what shall hinder these men from pleading thus Lord thou saidst thou wast not willing that any should perish but yet thou wast willing that we should perish or else thou u wouldst have sent thy Son to die for us as well as others and then possibly we might have been saved or however we had been left without

excuse But now how shall the Lord judge the world in righteousness by that man Christ Jesus whom he hath ordained if the man Christ Jesus did not die for the world And therefore the Scripture saith that to this end Christ died and rose again and revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and living Rom. 14 9. which quick and dead he will judge at his appearing and his kingdom 2 Tim. 4.1 And when he doth judge them he will judge them according to the Gospel but how can he judge them in righteousness according to the Gospel when there was never any Gospel for them or mercy offered to them Obj. But if Christ died for all and God was willing that all should be saved why then are not all saved Answ Because they believe not in the onely begotten Son of God who is their Saviour John 3.18 and God called and they refused he strerched out his hand and they regarded not he counselled them but they would none of his counsels he reproved them but they set at nought all his reproofs but followed after lying vanities and so forsook their own mercies and denied the Lord that bought them and brought upon themselves swift destruction and because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved therefore if you would know wherefore God gave them up to strong delusions to believe lyes that they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness Sec Prov 1 24 25 26. 27 28 29 30 31 32. 2 Pet. 2 1 2.2 Thess 2. 10 11.12 And again Christ saith How oft would I have gathered yon together as a Hew gathereth her Chickins under her wings and ye would not Mat. 23. 37 And this is the reason why some men are not saved for God never promiseth life and salvation to any man whether he will or no but threatneth death and everlasting destruction to them which believe not and obey not the Gospel 2 Thess 1.8 9. Obj. But then you hold freewil and that men may be saved if they will Answ I hold nothing but what the Scripture salth and that you shall give me leave to hold neither do I believe that any man hath or ever had any will or power of himself without God to do any thing that is good for in him we live move and have our being but in and through and by God and Christ we may do all things for the Lord is a Sun and a Sheild and will give grace and glory and no good thing will he withhold from them that will walk uprightly Psal 84.11 and he hath given Christ to death for all men as I have proved already at large and He that spared not his onely Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him give us all things Rom. 8.32 and his hand is streched out all the day long to a stift-necked gainsaying people What man is there that knoweth not that if he make use of all the will power and understanding that God hath given him the Lord will double his talent give him more And that the Lord have given all men enough to leave them without excuse I have already proved in the former part of the book and if any man would have more they must improve that which they have faithfully for he that is faithful in that which is least will be faithful also in much but he that is unjust in the least will also be unjust in much Luke 16.10 And what man is he that doth not know that he is not condemned for not doing that which he cannot possibly do but for leaving undone that which God hath given them power and ability to do let any man deny it if he can And now whereas it is a question whether all men may be saved if they will I answer What should hinder them if they be willing for first God is not willing that any should perish Secondly God is willing that all men should come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved 2 Pet. 3.9 〈…〉 m. 2.4 and Chust is willing for he came not to judge the world but to save the world and how did he weep over Jerusalem and how oft as a foresaid would he have gathered them together as a Hen doth her Chickins but they would not And now what hinders mens salvation but that same they would not Consider well and judge Obj. But it is not in him that willeth nor in him that runneth but in God that sheweth mercy Rom. 9.16 Answ Very well then it seemeth by that Scripture that men have freewill to be saved and indeed I wonder what man alive desires not to be saved but it seems their willing c running in their own wayes will not attain it it was not Cains sacrifice nor the Scribes and Pharisees long prayers and fastings with disfigured faces nor yet their giving almes to the poor and Tythes of all they possessed that could give any of these a mansion in Heaven and why Because they sought it not by faith but by the works of the Law Rom. 9.30 31 32. and so it is to this day men would with Balaam gladly die the death of the righteous and O who would not be saved but then they should come at Christs call and turn at his reproof and wait for his counsels who is the wonderful Counsellor and live to him that died for them walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of Christ blameless hearing him in all things whatssoever he shall say to them and following him wheresoever he go and when they have done all this with a good conscience be contented to bear the reproches and shame that belong to the Cross of Christ and to have men yea wicked men and some devout and honorable men and women persecute and revile them and say all manner of evil sayings on them falsely for his name sake and indure all this patiently with such a spirit as can pray for the salvation even of their worst enemies as for their own soul as Christ who when he had fulfilled all righteousness was numbered amongst the transgressors and crucified between two theeves and at that time prayed for his enemies when we can thus follow Christ then happy are we for the Spirit of God And of glory doth rest upon us See 1 Pet. 4.12 13 14 15. and the greater is our reward in heaven for in like maner persecuted they the Prophets before us But I confess this way is so narrow and this gate is so straight that few can enter and walk therein except they learn of Christ who is humble and meek and then they will finde rest to their souls and by and through him who is the Door they will go in and out and finde pasture See Mat. 5.10 11 12. Thus we see that although it be not in him that willeth nor in him that runneth in his own wayes and after the imaginations of his own heart yet it is in him that will run in Gods wayes and follow Christ in his Commands and Ordinances wheresoever he go for it is in God that sheweth mercy who hath indeed shewed mercy unto sinners and the worst of sinners in sending his onely begotten Son to die for them to take away their sins to call them to repentance to give them the knowledge of Salvation by the remission of their sins through his mercy yea through the tender mercy of our God whereby the Day-spring from on high hath visited us to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide our feet in the way of peace Luke 1. who before did not know the way of peace Therefore now let all men take heed how they sin against such rich mercy freegrace as is offered to them even to the worst of sinners by the Lord in the Gospel of Truth which is the glad tidings of our Salvation lest mercy rise up in judgement against them in the great day and lest they sin against that true Light that is come into the world to enlighten every man which is Christ who by his word and spirit hath made known to the sons of men whatsoever he saw in the bosome of the Father yea even the whole counsel of God which is necessary to Salvation Therefore let all men take heed of shutting their eyes against the light of the glorious Gospel of of Jesus Christ For this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men love darkness rather then light because their deeds are evil Reader consider what is written for thy instruction in the Scriptures of truth and read them and consider them again and the Lord give thee understanding in all things Henry Haggar FINIS

The ORDER OF CAUSES Of Gods Fore-knowledge Of Election and Of Predestination AND Of Mans Salvation or Damnation Laid down so clearly and proved so plainly by the Scriptures that even the meanest capacity amongst Rational men may understand it to their great satisfaction AS ALSO Whether Christ died for All or Not for All With the Causes and Effects that may follow or not follow seriously considered meekly controverted and plainly proved by the Scriptures of Truth to the great satisfaction of all Rational people fearing God By HENRY HAGGAR a Servant of Christ and of the Congregations of his Saints Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal The Lord knoweth them that are his and let every one that nameth the name of Jesus Christ depart from iniquity 2 Tim. 2.19 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God who is the Saviour of all men but especially of those that believe 1 Tim. 4.10 London Printed by James Cottrel for Richard Moone at the seven stars in Paul's Church-yard neer the great North-door 1654. To the Reader Courteous Reader I Have presented thee with a small Volume in which is contained much Truth which may through the blessing of God give thee great satisfaction if thou search the Scriptures diligently and ask wisdom in faith of him who is the giver of every good and perfect gift without whose help I can promise thee no profit The matter I treat of is about Gods Predestination Election and Reprobation according to his foreknowledge and of the death of Christ for the sons of men The body and substance of all objections I have laboured to answer briefly and plainly and that both by Scripture Reason to the satisfaction of all rational men fearing God And I am conscious to my self before God that I aim at nothing more then the glory of the great God in whom we live move and have our beings and to whom we must all give an account of all our actions at the great day and in the next place at the good and benefit of all that shall read or hear the holy Scriptures and by them try these following lines They are so few that thou maist easily purchase them and if thou findest no profit in them it will be but three or four pence lost but if they prove profitable to thee it will be very well bestowed The times are now drawing nigh in which the Lord himself will appear from Heaven to take an account of every man how they have spent their talents of wisdom and understanding which he hath lent them happy will every man be that can give up his account with joy can say with Paul that they have labored to have consciences void of offence towards God towards all men and walked in all the Ordinances and Commandments of the Lord blameless the which while some men are laboring after I finde them drowned and lost in a labyrinth about Predestination Election and Reprobation of which distractions I my self have formerly had my share but now through mercy having escaped them by the help of the Lord I think it no less then my duty to inform others and to that end I have composed these few lines which new I commit to thy serious consideration desiring thee to search the Scriptures and see whether the things I have written be so or not and judge impartially and the Lord give thee understanding in all things into whose hands I commit thee to be guided here by his Counsels that afterwards thou maist be received into glory with him in whose service I desire to continue A servant of all that fear God and keep his Commandments till death Henry Haggar The Order of Causes c. THe Scripture saith Ephes 14. speaking of Gods Election that he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love c. and Peter also 1 Pet. 1.2 calleth the Saints elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father through Sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience c. and Paul 2 Thess 2.13 saith to the Saints that God hath from the beginning chosen them to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth whereunto he called you by our Gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ From all which places we must needs conclude that God hath chosen some to life and glory even before or from the foundation of the world because the Scripture saith it and as Christ saith in another case the Scripture cannot be broken Therefore the wisdom of all Christians is To labour to have judgements informed according to the Scriptures and that the Scriptures and their Judgements may speak both one thing and to that end Let us consider the maner of Gods speaking to the sons of men Rom. 4.17 He saith to our Father Abraham As it is written I have made thee a father of many nations before him whom he believed even God who quickneth the dead and calleth things that are not as though they were c. Observe God speaks then in that present time to Abraham saying I have made thee a Father of many Nations notwithstanding Abraham was not the Father of one Child at that time but Ishmael see Gen. 17.5 how then must we understand I have made thee a Father of many Nations Answ The Apostle telleth us plainly Rom. 4.17 that it was so before God who calleth things that are not as though they were and so he calleth Abraham the Father of many Nations though he was not as yet no not the Father of Isaac in whom his seed should be called The like may again be observeth when he called Christ a Lamb slain from the foundation of the World Rev. 13.8 yet he was not slain many thousand yeers after Therefore the same may again be considered about Gods Election from the foundation of the would thus God calleth Abraham a Father of many Nations though not so God calleth Christ a Lamb slain from the foundation of the World though not slain many thousand yeers after till he was a man in the flesh even so he calleth men elected from the foundation of the world though not elected many thousand yeers after till they are men in the flesh yet it is all so and done before God who foreseeth and knoweth all things even from eternity to eternity and therefore calleth things that are not as though they were for he seeth the beginning and end of all mens actions whether good or evil at once and knowing as well from the foundation of the world what men would do in their generations as they can know when their lives and actions are finished He therefore could as well conclude of mens salvation or damnation then as men can know themselves at the end of their days or at the day of judgement By all which it is clear that as

Christ was called a Lamb slain from the foundation of the World and yet not slain nor touched till the day of his death so also although God callech men Elect from the foundation of the world yet they are not Elect nor chosen until the very day of their conversion and turning from sin to God for God calleth things that are not as though they were from whence it is evident they were not Elect although so called Again if we consider Election according to the foreknowledge of God it is plain from that text in 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience From whence I reason thus If the Elect are Chosen through the sanctification of the Spirit then they were not chosen before they had the Spirit and were sanctified by the Spirit But they had not that sanctifying Spirit before they had a being either in the World or else in their Mothers Womb at leastwise Therefore not chosen from the foundation of the World but onely as aforesaid Again 2 Thess 2.13 We are bound to give thanks alway to God for yon Brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth whereunto you were called by our Gospel From whence I argue thus If the Saints are chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and believing of the truth and were called to believe that truth by the hearing of the Gospel then they were not chosen before they had believed the truth and before they did hear the Gospel by which they were called to believe But they were chosen through believing the truth and called to believe it by the Gospel as aforesaid and Faith cometh by hearing Rom. 10.17 Therefore not chosen before they had a being no more then Christ was slain before he had a being For according to the Scripture they were chosen through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth and if through is then not without it observe that but it is through it therefore not without it Moreover they were called to this-faith by the Gospel which they never heard before they had a being Therefore it is clear their Election was not before their Conversion though God saw it before neither indeed can it be because the Elect are all chosen in Christ Eph. 1.4 but I can prove that those very Elect Ephesians where once our of Christ chap. 2.11 12. Remember saith the Apostle that at that time ye were without Christ without hope without God in the world from whence I argue thus If at that time they were without God and without Christ then at that time they were not in him for they could not be without him and within him both at one time and if not in Christ then not chosen in him as all rational men will grant From all which I conclude That men were elected in Christ according to the Scripture yet never in him before they believed in him and they never believed in him before they heard the Gospel and they never heard the Gospel before they were born Therefore not Elected though so called by God who justifieith the ungodly and calleth things that are not as though they were Again how plain is it Eph. 1. 11 12. where Paul saith that they whom God did predestinate according to the counsel of his own will to be to the praise of his glory were such as did first trust in Christ and in ver 13. he saith that they trusted in Christ after they heard the word of truth the Gospel of their salvation not before the which they never heard before they were born all men will grant that have but reason Again how clear is that text 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God whence it is plain if God knew them before he Elected them then he knew them as men in the flesh and not as they were nothings and if he knew them as they were men they must needs be born first for of nothing nothing can be known before time nor chosen in time Therefore I conclude that the real and absolute act of Election comes to pass in time though known of God before time who according to his foreknowledge calleth things that are not as though they were and so calleth men that are not Elected as though they were Elected And thus is the great Objection about Gods Election answered and the stumbling-block taken away to the end that men might work out their salvation with fear and trembling and make their Calling and Election sure The same may also be considered of Gods predestination or fore-appointing all obedient believers to Life and Salvation not without but according to his foreknowledge of all their words and actions from the foundation of the World And so likewise he predestinateth or fore-appointeth all disobedient unbelievers and apostates to death and damnation not without but according to his foreknowledge of all their words and actions from the foundation of the world Thus I do believe that God foresaw all men and things past present and to come at once at once I do believe that God foresaw Adams fall long before he was a creature in being for nothing is hid from his eyes but all things are naked and bare before him with whom we have to do Heb. 4.13 But it may be some will say If God did foreknow Adam would fall when he had created him why then did he make him To which I answer two things first what have we to do to reply against our Maker shall the thing formed say to him that formed it Why hast thou made me thus Shall Adam say to his Maker Why hast thou made me thus subject to fall What is that to Adam seeing God hath given him and his posterity means to rise again to as good or a better condition and the neglect of tha● means is that which will rise up in judgement against all slothful disobedient ones that will not make use of their talents of power wisdom and understanding which God hath given them to work out their salvation with fear and trembling while they may This well considered will give light into Rom. 9.10 11 20 21 22. and if men will needs understand that God loved Jacob and hated Esan before they were born they should consider that God knew them both before they were born and after they were born alike according to his foreknowledge as aforesaid But I know that this is brought to prove that Gods Election is not because of works foreseen To which I answer but what works It is true God doth not chuse us because of any works of righteousness that we have done or can do out of Christ for out of him no works are accepted therefore it is said Not of works lest any man should boast therefore no works are required of unbelievers but the very prayers of the

wicked are an abomination to the Lord but it is because of works of righteousness that Christ himself hath wrought for us in his own person and doth work by us and in us by his Spirit when we are believers And though boasting in the works of the Law and boasting of works before believing be reproved yet Paul saith As the truth of Christ is in me no man shall stop me of that boasting 2 Cor. 11.10 and although be cryed down works before faith in so many places yet he preacheth up works after believing loud enough in these words Tit. 3.8 This is a faithful saying and these things I will that thou constantly affirm That they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works for they are good and profitable c. and Phil. 2.12 13. Work out your salvation with fear trembling for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure Thus we may see that although it be not for our workings without Christ that we are chosen or predestinated to life and glory yet it is by our workings with Christ when he by his Spirit dwelleth in our hearts by believing and is in us the hope of glory for then he worketh in us and our works are acceptable because he works them by us and we work them in him Therefore Paul saith We therefore as workers together with him beseech you c. Therefore if men would but open their eyes they might easily see what works the Apostle speaks of when he saith Election is not of works But of this more plainly anon Secondly I answer Although God saw Adam would fall yet he saw him a creature first or else he could not have foreseen he would fall when he was a creature therefore God is the God of order and not of confusion 1 Cor. 14.33 and fore-seeth all things orderly and not confusedly So then I conclude that first he saw Adam created Secondly He saw him fallen and all his postery in his loynes Thirdly He saw Christ crucified for them Fourthly He foresaw the Gospel preached to all men in their generations Fifthly He foresaw all mens receiving or refusing believing or not believing obeying or disobeying his Gospel in their several generations as it was is or shall be communicated to the end of all ages in order at once And seeing as well then what men would do in their ages and generations to come as they do know themselves when their lives and actions are finished God could thereupon make up his Election and Reprobation chusing or electing obedient believers according to his foreknowledge to Life and Salvation and refusing and reprobating disobedient unbelievers to eternal death and damnation And thus is Election and Reprobation to be considered according to the sorekowledge of God in Christ or out of Christ from the foundation of the World according to the Scriptures Which if well considered it would put an end to all the confused and distracted thoughts in men about these things But it may be that some will yet object that I hold faith and obedience in us to be the cause of Gods electing or chusing us to life and glory Answ That faith in Christ and obedience to Christ is a cause without which God chuseth none to Life and Salvation I affirm because we never read that God chose any disobedient unbeliever to life and glory which lived and dyed so but that it is the cause for which he doth chuse any I shall utterly deny and shew the contrary in the Order of Causes thus Suppose I should affirm my obedience to be the cause of my Election to Salvation then what is the cause of my obedience Answ My love to Christ But what is the cause of my love to Christ Answ The preaching of the Gospel of Christ viz. that he died for my sins and rose again for my justification without which there could be no believers for take away Christ and take away faith and then believe who can But what is the cause of the preaching of the Gospel to us Answ Christs dying for us But what is the cause of Christs dying for us Answ Even Gods great love of pity wherewith he loved us even when we were dead in trespasses and sins Eph. 2.4 at that time he commended his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christs died for us Rom. 5.8 Thus all men may see that I do not hold that God chose any to Life and Salvation for any good in them before he put it in them as I shall now make appear more at large by the Scriptures considering the causes in order descending from God to us or ascending from us to God 1 Cause Gods love to the sons of men as they were sinners against him and enemies to him was the cause of his sending his Son to die for sinners for his enemies for the ungodly for the unjust as appeareth by these following Scriptures John 3.16 Rom. 5.6 8 10. 1 Pet. 3.18 God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life For when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly And God commendeth his love to us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life For Christ also hath suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God 2 Cause Christs dying for our sins and rising again from the dead is the cause of the Gospels being preached to sinners as appeareth by these Scriptures Mat. 28.18 19. Mark 16.15 16. 1 Cor. 15.13 14. And Jesus came and spake unto them saying All power is mine both in Heaven and in Earth Go ye therefore and teach all Nations c. And again he said unto them Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature c. But if Christ be not risen then is our preaching vain and your faith is vain and ye are yet in your sins c. 3 Cause The Gospels being preached to sinners is the cause of their believing as appeareth by these Scriptures Rom. 10.14 15 17. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a preacher and how shall they preach except they be sent As it is written So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God 4 Cause Mens believing is the cause of their justification from sin as appeareth by these Scriptures Act. 13.38 39. Rom. 3.26 28. chap. 4.3 23 24 25. Be it known unto you therefore that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins c. By him all that believe are