or virtue of the promise the fruit of the promise and the form of the performance which is but the mouth and language to speak out the life by which was made good when Isaac and his seed successively took place so in CHRIST he was a Lamb slain from the beginning of the world the life or virtue of the act which was the efficacy of Christs Death which did arise from the Author and life of the act that took place so soon as ever God did promise CHRIST the form of the act which is the language as I told you before to speak out the life that takes place in time and is not formally presented till lively performed but the life or virtue of the form that takes place for us when first promised and so the Death of Christ was effectual so soon as ever the promise was propounded or else Adam must have died and none could have been saved till CHRIST had come and suffered in the flesh the very same we are to minde in election the life of the act which is the essence took place from the beginning as to the form we shall minde it in the second Particular Now as to the discovery and the fruits of the act that takes place in forms as forms are presented but the act is as truly alive before the form appears as it is afterwards and the truth is every act takes its denomination from the life and the antiquity is derived from thence and so Abrahrm was a father of Nations when the promise was first propounded and so CHRIST was really slain as to the life and virtue when he was first promised and election was then done when it took place in its rise which was Gods singular love and good will to chuse some to be vessels of glory now when the Apostle saith that God calls things that are not as if they were he doth not intend the life or virtue of the act but the form of the act and he that denies it endeavours to overthrow the whole tenure of Scripture for in this sense we are to understand our fall in Adam and our rise in Christ according to the tenure of the Gospel and so also the promise to Abraham and so we are to understand the intent of the Law Matth. 5.28 which declares lusting after a woman to be Adultery 1 John 3.18 that hatred is murder which declares the act to live in the life and virtue though it wants its outward form and is so really before the form is brought forth and in this sense we are to understand Christs love and rejoycing in the sons of men before the world was Prov. 8.31 Secondly consider as the life and virtue of some acts take place before the form and is really in being before the form appear either of our acts or Gods So further minde that whatsoever is done not onely of God but also in God for us the life and form of that act as to God takes place together and both is in being before it doth appear though the discovery of that is not till the Object to which the Action relates be brought forth and this is true election for that is an act done as well in God as by God and so life and form take place together as to God though as to the form of the discovery to us it is not till formably we are brought forth so this act is not to be paralleld with such acts that God doth for us though by himself yet our of himself as Redemption or the promise to Abraham is and therefore what is said from the words of the Apostle Rom. 4.17 is not sufficient to overthrow this truth to wit that election is before the beginning of the world according to these Scriptures Ephes 1.4 1 Pet. 1.2 2 Thess 2.13 1 Tim. 1.9 A second Objection that is made against this Truth by the fore-mentioned party and some others is from these words in 1 Peter 1.2 Elected according to the foreknowledg of God through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience And in 2 Thess 2.13 We are bound to give thanks always to God for you 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 ye were called by the Gospel From whence they reason thus If we are chosen through sanctification of the Spirit then none are chosen before they have the Spirit and are sanctified by the Spirit and if Saints are chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth and were called to believe that through hearing of the Gospel Then say they men are not chosen before they did believe the truth and before they did hear the Gospel by which they were calld to believe Answer That kinde of reasoning is very sad and unsuitable to the intent of the Apostle in those expressions and that their Arguments have no foundation from thence seriously view the words the Apostle saith in both the places that we are chosen to salvation through sanctification unto obedience and belief of the truth whereunto we are called by the Gospel All that can from thence be gathered is thus much that sanctification and belief of the truth or obedience is the way to accomplish that end unto which election doth intend for there are three things to be considered 1. The act of Election and that hath been punctually proved both to matter manner and time 2. The end of Election which is the advancement of Gods grace in bringing vessels of mercy to glory 3. The way or means to accomplish the end which is by or through sanctification or believing the truth But it is no other way discovered but as the way and means no where as the cause or foundation therefore there is no ground from thence to prove that sanctification and election must be both at one time no more than the people of Israel going through the Wilderness to Canaan to be a discovery that God did not ordain them for Canaan or give them promise of Canaan before they came into Wilderness which was the way to it The Scripture declares that without holiness no man shall see God Heb. 12.13 But I know no Scripture that declares that man shall not nor is not elected till he be holy though they that are elected must and shall be holy and they that are holy shall see the Lord and live with him in glory not as the efficient and meritorious cause but as the way and means to such an end If men will draw Syllogisms from such corrupt apprehensions of such divine expressions as the Apostle useth in those Scriptures they may as well prove from thence and with as small a Paradox that sanctification is before men are born as to prove from them Scriptures election which is before the world to be not till men are sanctified but to exercise wit to prove either of these two things is
saith in his Book he declares a cause in all the seven things yet he shews you no cause why God should love us Now election or chusing is so considered in the singularity of his love and doth so live in the bowels of it that there is no more cause for the one than there is for the other and he requires nothing without himself to beget or maintain that in himself for us And now the thing I would have you consider followeth Thirdly consider what we minde by election it consisteth in Gods foreknowledg wherein he was pleased from all eternity in the riches of his grace and love to pitch upon and make choice of some in a peculiar sense to be vessels of glory whom he elected in the election of his Son who was the publick person comprehending the whole and this prerogative of God and privilege to us is not to be decyphered or discovered like as other privileges are for the death of Christ and our faith in Christ these have the time of their rise reign and perfection but for the other privilege it is done in God and with God without relation to any thing without himself it onely depends upon the prerogative of his will and his good pleasure according to these Scriptures Rom. 9.16 18 21 22. Matth. 11.16 Luke 10.21 Therefore when we speak of causes we must make a distinction between what is done by God out of God and what is done by God in God and whatsoever is done in the last sense hath no rise but himself and his own pleasure and if you give not God this you must deny his Prerogative and prove that he may not do with his own what seems good unto him which is contrary to these Scriptures Matth. 20.15 Exod. 33.19 Rom. 9.15 16 18 20 23. Now besides what hath been already said to prove that faith is but an effect and not the cause of election minde these Reasons First if election be before men have faith then faith cannot be a cause but it must be an effect but election is before we have faith Ergo. The Major is not to be questioned The Minor which is that election is before faith is proved from these Scriptures Acts 13.48 1 Tim. 1.9 Ephes 1.4 5. Reason 2. God is the first cause of causes and whatsoever doth take its rise or is immediate from him hath no other cause the truth of that you will see from the Scriptures before mentioned therefore faith must needs be an effect But besides all the Scriptures and Reasons I have brought Do but consider that election is not capable of being caused by any causes out of God for we are elected in the election of Christ and Christ did not merit his own election for his Death is not the cause of election though it be the meritorious cause and Gods great way to accomplish life and salvation If so be that faith is a cause of our election then election is subject to a cause and if in the lesser then in the greater but we know that in the greater which is the election of CHRIST in which general all particulars are comprehended it is not caused nor depends upon no condition or causes out of God but immediately flows from him and all other works and acts of grace and mercy done by God in CHRIST for us or by God in us towards CHRIST are the fruits of this fountain I mean Gods love in which Gods owning or chusing is so involved in it as it is one with it and both arise from one and the same fountain which is his own will and pleasure Now there being some that make Objections against this truth which peradventure may be the cause of your stumbling I shall in faithfulness to CHRIST and love to your soul mention some of them and give my answer to them First some there are as Henry Hagar in particular that do acknowledg this truth from these places of Scripture Ephes 1.4 where it is said that God hath chosen us in Christ before the world was And also the same in 1 Pet. 1 2. 2 Thess 2.13 Now though they acknowledg these words yet they endeavour to evade or turn the meaning another way by giving this answer from Rom. 4.17 where it is said that God declared unto Abraham that he hath made him the father of many Nations And in Rev. 13.8 CHRIST is said to be a Lamb slain from the beginning of the world Now from thence they reason thus The Apostle in Rom. 4.17 declaring the promise of God to Abraham saith that God calls those things that are not as though they were for saith he Abraham at that time was not the father of Isaâ—â— in whom the Nations should be blest and yet God saith I have made thee the father of many Nations but saith he It was not so for the Apostle doth declare it saying he calls things that are not as though they were and so CHRIST is said to be a Lamb slain from the beginning of the world though he was not slain many thousand years after So saith he are we to understand election for the Scripture saith that he did chuse and elect us before the world was yet it was not so onely God calls things that were not as if they were therefore men saith he are not elected till they are called Now dear friend in the fear of the Lord as you tender the information of your own soul seriously consider what an evasion here is without any way in truth discovering what the Apostle intends in these expressions for without controversie when God said I have made thee a father of many Nations he spake truth without any such evasion as our carnal wits will prompt us to believe But that I may give an Answer to this Objection judging that if that cover were removed the truth would lie naked I desire you to minde in Answer to it these Particulars First in every action there is these three things to be considered 1. The life or virtue of the Act. 2. The fruit of the Act. 3. The form of the Act. The life of the Act is that which produceth the form the fruit of the Act lives in the life and is spoke out or brought forth by the form had not this bin so the sin of Adam could never have brought a curse upon his posterity for the life of his act was in unity in all that were comprehended in his person and the evil fruit of his act took place upon all in that sense when it took place upon him but the manifestation or execution of this took place successively as Creatures were brought forth and so it appears the form of the act was to be made manifest according unto the succession or appearance of forms in Creatures but the life of the act from whence the denomination of the act comes was really acted and executed in Adam so in the promises of God to Abraham you are to look upon the life
Fourteen Queries and ten Absurdities about the extent of CHRIST'S Death the power of the Creatures the Justice of God in condemning some and saving others presented by a Free-willer to the Church of CHRIST at Newcastle and answered by Paul Hobson a Member of the said Church In which Answer is discovered the extent of Christs Death the nature and truth of Election the condition of the Creature both before and after conversion c. Published in tenderness of love for the good of all especially for the Churches of Christ Matth. 22.19 Jesus answered and said unto them Ye do err noâ— knowing the Scripture nor the power of God Gal. 1.8 But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed LONDON Printed by Henry Hills for William Hutchison Bookseller in Durham 1655. The Epistle Dedicatory To the Church of Christ at Newcastle these THe grace of our Lord be multiplied upon you all and strengthen you in every good word and work Beloved in the Lord you may remember that one William Pedelsden who professes and preaches the universal point at Sheels did present to me and some others in the face of the Church certain dangerous Queries requiring our Answer and for truths sake there being other business lying upon Brother Gover you desired me to write and publish an Answer to them and though I am sensible that in my appearing publickly I am called rather to manifest the present dealings of God with me and my former unkinde dealings with him but being sensible how much this opinion spreads and what dangerous consequences are produced by it I could not but after a serious seeking of God endeavour to answer your desires herein and the rather knowing that it is one of the general ways wherein the Devil deludes poor souls for I have found by experience that these two ways are the general Heads the Devil commonly goes upon and gradually proceeds in to draw away souls from the good way of the Lord first perswading men under specious pretences to allegorize Scaiptures and turn all into a more spiritual understanding and enjoyment than at present they have attained to who stand by the Rule of Truth in the practice of Gospel order and ordinances and this is backed on as I told you before with specious pretences of spirituality though in truth it is that which ends in carnality though at the first it doth not so appear which I can sadly witness the Devil commonly imploys this way with such spirits that are taken with curiosity of words and notions leaving the wholesom Word of the Lord. The second general way the Deluder takes is by discovering the way of God and the Doctrine of the Gospel under a greater way of rationality though it be but that which doth answer that reason which indeed is carnal which the Apostle speaks of in 1 Cor. 2 3. ch at large this second way the Devil takes many who are not capable of the first but both are very dangerous and though the first was my proper snare yet I judg it not amiss to let some part of my imployment be also to discover the second which according to my weak ability in this writing I have endeavoured desiring the Lord it may accomplish that end which you and I desire to wit the putting a stop to that opinion which the Author of those Queries doth hold forth which in many places doth so sadly spread and for the establishing of the weak that are ready to stagger so desiring the Lord in his power and presence to own it I shall say no more as to the matter nor end but commend you to God and the Word of his grace I remain Your poor Brother in the Faith and fellowship of the Gospel P. Hobson From Sagerstonehugh the 9th day of the 12th Moneth 1654. To the Reader COurteous Reader I am sensible the Devil never wants cunning inventions to court men to the imbracement of evil and wants no ability to mannage his wiles to take mens hearts off from owning good and I am sensible that he needs go no further to incense thee against this matter than his using Arguments from the former miscarriages and present insufficiency of the Author But it is the desire of my Soul to the Lord that though I have formerly stumbled and not stood steadfast in the truth yet my unsuitableness may not stave you off from a serious consideration of the matter that is here exprest I must confess that I am not apt to think it may do so because the same temptations have been in mee by which I had been almost taken off from ever appearing publickly bearing my Testimony for truth having been for a long time such a cloud to truth yet being as you will see by the insuing matter so providentially put upon it and besides seing that great necessity for it this opinion of free will with the rest therein exprest do increase so much in these Northern parts and it comes with such a face of rationality that many poor precious hearts who are weak in the faith are apt to stumble and in an especiall manner some about Hull where I was an eye and eare witness not long since of the sad disaster that is befaln the Church of Christ there upon that account therefore in tenderness of Love to them and answering the Desires of the People with whom I walk and for the prevention of this opinion spreading further here I could not but break over the difficulties I mean the sence of my own insufficiency and the great objections that will endeavour to be made by men opposite to the truth against the matter from the insufficiency of the Author but I trust the Lord or at least I desire it that he will give you a heart to look above the instrument to him who is the Author and fountain of truth it self considering that it is not the excellency of means but the truth of the matter that we are to mind it was I Cor. 27.28 and still is Gods way to manifest truth by weak and contemptible means that so truth may be entertained upon its own naked account sure I am we have too long imbraced truth upon confidence of the instrument or Author not Saint-like examining the matter or else concluding our judgment upon all when we have seen or read but part all which I desire thee to avoid in reading this small Treatise which though the dress is such that will not court mens fancies it was not for that end intended but that truth may be entertained in thy affections that it may appear to be so both in you and me it is ihe desire of my Soul that we may live in the power life and spirit of Truth and so be sure we can bear a Testimony in our lives to what our words or lines do discover lest we be found in the day of the Lord too
light which day is a coming and will not tarry And even Sion it self cannot be a shelter to cover Hypocrites but in the day of the Lord their fear will be fearfull Isai 33.14 A virgins state with light in our Lamps without oyle in our vessels will not make way for entainment in that day Mat. 25.11 12. neither will preaching nor prophesying Mat. 7.22 23. neither will our being calld by the name of Israel nor passing through the waters of Judah nor swearing by the name of the Lord nor calling our selves of the holy City Isai 48.1 2. do it without a real oneness with Christ which is alwayes accompaned with soundness of principle and suitableness in practice not in bare words and formes but in power and life in each performance that it may be thus with you and me it is and shall be the earnest prayer of him that is Courteous Reader one that desires to appear before men as to approve himself to the Lord and be found saithfull at his coming P.H. To all that love the Lord in sincerity and are called according to his purpose BEloved it is wonderfull to consider how far Antichrist hath darkned the Glorious and pure truthes of Jesus Christ with his vails vizards and covers so that it is hard to find out their face or form as also to restore any one truth to its primitive institution and being though God is pleased many times by an eminent hand to bring truth to light notwithstanding these false covers which do yet lye upon it as to many though much discovered by others yet when I consider where the cause of all this is not in the truth it self but in mens blindness and darkness in their understanding of it and which is yet worse it being like so to remain till the glorious Gospel of Christ shall take hold of them therefore the consideration of this should stay our spirits when we see such contendings oppositions and carnal reasonings against the clear and pure truth of God in the Scriptures and now seeing our dear Brother the Author of this Treatise hath endeavoured to bring forth his Talent in the behalf of truth in answer to those Queries wherein I judg that God hath in a good measure inabled him to give a clear answer to the satisfiing and confirming of them who are or have been apt to scruple or stagger at the truth which is here affirmed by him and owned by the Saints I judg that this light of of his should not be put under a Bushell but he brought forth to publick view so that if there be in it that which may give satisfaction to one it may be usefull the rather when I consider what necessity there is of it in other places where the words of such kinde of persons are like the words of Hymeneus and Philetus which will eat as doth a Cancer this is the ground of his so appearing in a publick way yet what room and entertainment it may have or meet withall among the sons of men I know not because we know that wisdome is onely justified of her children if it be so among wisdomes children it doth accomplish wisdoms end and therein we have ours Possibly it may meet with reproches and scorns either in respect of its dress and habit it appears in which was minded to the Author but could not well be avoyded it being the onely suitable way to him to make out his mind in namely Syllogisms and the rather because Haggers book which he answers runs in the same strain or in relation to the Author against whom some may be ready to cavil and so slight and undervalue the truth possibly conceiving him to have been formerly dead if not twice dead as to such appearances yet not pluckt up by the roots I know it may seem strange to many that he should now appeare in the house of God the strangeness of which hath been beheld as much by me as by any and wee have been ready to wonder at the admirable rich grace patience and long-suffering of God towards him who formerly walked in notions and pretences of spirituality though in wantonness against Christ Were it not that the Lord is mercifull because he delighteth to be mercifull we had not known how or where to have centered our judgments and understandings concerning him in that condition yet knowing there is no difference where God makes none I cannot but be satisfied the rather I being an eye witness of the Authors great alteration and change not onely in reference to a gratious frame of heart and a close walking with God daily but also in respect of those his many principles as to notions which were imbraced by him and I fear too much by many now to the turning of their minds aside from the simplicity of the Gospel and the truth as it is in Iesus if the truth here affirmed shall take place in any hearts to the securing of their judgments and keeping their consciences free from error and pollution we wish the Lord may have the praise and we shall have cause therein to reioyce Friends I judg that now things will no longer go upon trust as formerly the truthes of God have too much gone upon the leggs of humane testimony now therefore it is our desire it may go upon tryal Gold loseth nothing by its tryal but its nature is discovered more excellent to the Law and to the testimony there must be a day of fining and trying Gold must appear to be Gold and Dross to be Dross it will no longer pass for current with god though it doth with men therefore it behoveth all the people of God to have their loynes girt about with truth this is all at present I shall say either in behalf of the Author or matter or persons to whom it is to be tendered and so shall desire daily to pray for your furtherance in the Gospel labouring while I am in this tabernacle on this side glory to approve my self in the sight of God Your unworthy yet faithfull Companion through grace in Gospel-service Tho Gower DEar Friend I received fourteen Queries from you destring my judgment about the Death of CHRIST the ability of the Creature and the Justice of God relating to the Condemnation of the Creature c. and with them ten Absurdities which you are pleased to annex to the Queries but as for the Absurdities I shall leave them till seasonably I may answer them and come to shew you the fallacy of them onely one or two things first as to them minde First to draw Absurdities from the cross Answer of your Queries before your Queries are answered is but a fallacy Secondly the drawing Absurdities from the Answer of your Queries or what you judg will be the Answer doth shew that you do not propound Queries to be informed because you conclude your Answer before you propound them or elseyour Absurdities be but the fruit of fancy the truth of which will
appear when we shall speak to them now to speak to your Queries one by one as they are there laid down will neither be proper nor profitable because the foundation of the most of them is from a groundless supposition to wit That I and the rest do not hold that CHRIST died for all which is contrary to our judgments for we do hold that CHRIST did die for all but not for all alike therefore the very foundation of your Querie which relates to the Death of CHRIST will appear groundless and seeing that your Queries want foundation and besides I judg some of them contain contradiction I shall not speak to them one by one now that we may not uphold contention but in the fear of the Lord speak for information knowing where the difference between us and you lieth which gives you advantage to put so many forms upon Queries and faces upon Absurdities to present your opinion though groundless yet pleasing I shall according to the small ability the Lord gives me in answer to my relation to truth lay down and speak to these things following and so in the close answer your Queries and Absurdities First wherein you and we do seem to be one in judgment as to the Death of CHRIST Secondly where we differ Thirdly the ground of your mistakes as to the Death of CHRIST the ability of the Creature and the clearing up of the Justice of God Fourthly the sad Absurdities which of necessity must follow your opinion not that which is to be discovered but which is already discovered in your profest position in your Query and then you will see the necessity of the retorting of the most of the Absurdities upon your self and the residue of them must needs fall as to us they having no foundation from us First to the first First I do judg that CHRIST died for all though not for all alike Secondy that his Death without any exemption is to be presented to all First that he died for all I shall prove it by Scripture and then shew you how to prove this truth that CHRIST died for every man I shall not prove it from these Scriptures John 3.16 chap. 6.33 2 Cor. 5. 19. 1 John 2.2 1 John 4.14 and my reason for it in those Scriptures though they speak out the word all and the word world yet there is no safety to make positive conclusions upon doubtfull expressions I mean as to the nature and measure of the word all or world for sometimes the word world includes the whole as Job 34.18 Psalm 24.1 Psalm 50.12 98.7 Jer. 10.12 Acts 17.24 Secondly the word world is taken for a part as well as the whole as in these Scriptures John 13.1 chap. 14.17 chap. 15.18 19. chap. 17.6 9. Acts 17.6 Acts 19.27 Rev. 13.3 Thirdly as the word world doth include sometimes a part so sometimes of that part it doth intend properly the wicked of the world as Acts 17.31 Rom. 12.2 1 Cor. 3.19 chap. 4. 9. chap. 6.2 Hebr. 11.7 2 Peter 2.5 1 John 5.19 Again in other places it doth also properly intend onely the Professors or Believers in CHRIST as in these Scriptures John 12.19 Rom. 11.12 15. John 17.21 23. Now all that can be said or declared from these fore-mentioned Scriptures where the word world or all is expressed where the Death of CHRIST is declared or Reconciliation by him is to you very doubtfull whether it be to every one or onely Believers and therefore seeing that a doubtfull supposition is no foundation for infallible conclusions nor to end any controversie in discourse because supposition is as strong in the one as the other and convinces none but produceth disputes in all therefore I shall in my Answer not possitively conclude from but set them aside in this discourse and draw my proof as I told you before either from Scripture or Reason that doth arise no other way then from an absolute necessity So now to my Affirmation which is that CHRIST died for every man but not for alike First that he died for every man for the proof of that see 1 Tim. 4.10 he is the Saviour of every man but especially so there is a common salvation by CHRIST intended to all This truth is also made good in 2 Pet. 2.1 where he declares some men to be men of destruction and tells them that they had denied the Lord that bought them so that wicked men and men of destruction were comprehended in the purchase of CHRIST further see Heb. 2.9 Now I shall shew you what I do intend in it and my Grounds for it besides what already hath been said consider all men were comprehended in Adam according to Scripture Rom. 5.12 And what God speaks as to blessing and cursing when he speaks to Adam Gen. 2.17 saying In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt die the death now Adam when he eat fell all men fell in him and came under this curse according to these Scriptures Rom. 5.12 15 17. 1 Cor. 15.21 22. Now what the Lord saith must be true and exactly performed which was in the very day when he eat he must die which word death doth comprehend death in every sense Now had not JESUS CHRIST been brought forth by the Lord to step between the pronunciation of the curse and the act meriting and the execution of the curse man must immediately have died or else God had not been exact in his Word but we know he is Now CHRIST was brought forth to bear the wrath of the Lord and the satisfaction of his Justice in that great breach and gap that man had made and so CHRIST was the Saviour of every man from the execution of that curse and they have some time to live here in the world or else their destruction had been in their conception either of all or so many as CHRIST did not undertake for for Gods Word is exactly true in all things So that in the first sense CHRIST is the Saviour of all men from the execution of that curse at which time and in which purchase the world is no longer Gods upon the old account but as it is the inheritance of JESUS CHRIST according to Psalm 1.8 Heb. 1.5 6. Matt. 22.3 8. applied to the 42. where God hath given the utmost part of the earth and Nations of the Heathen to CHRIST for his portion so it comes to pass that mercy is extended according to these Scriptures both to the just and unjust Matth. 5.45 Psalm 145.9 Eccles 9.2 Psalm 36.6 Secondly CHRIST by his Death doth not onely free the Creature from the immediate execution of that curse but he hath also taken them from under the dreadfull killing power of that state which man was in when he fell which was to lie under the fire and killing appearances of God in that killing Law nothing standing between God as fire and they as stubble but he hath brought them into a state and under the authority of himself
wherein there is a cessation from that fiery appearance of God and they are now under the tender of life and salvation by JESUS CHRIST according to these Scriptures Matth. 13.38 chap. 24.14 chap. 26.13 Mark 10. ch 14.9 chap. 16.15 Rom. 10.18 Col. 1.6 And this is to be done for the gathering out the chosen of God from the world till CHRIST hath brought his Enemies under his feet and then resign up the Kingdom to his Father and God become all in all 1 Cor. 15. 24 25. Besides the Scriptures which I have brought which are sufficient to prove what I affirmed yet for your further satisfaction minde my Reasons to prove that every one hath the benefit of Christ's Death in those two things before exprest The first Particular First Reason that which was included in the curse must needs be in the immediate execution prevented by CHRIST But the immediate execution of a temporal death must needs be included in the curse therefore The Major is not questionable the Minor Proposition is proved by this Reason Reason That which was a fruit of sin must be comprehended in the curse but a natural death is a fruit of sin therefore The Major Proposition none will deny the Minor is proved from these Scriptures 1 Cor. 15.21 56. 2 Kings 14.6 2 Chron. 25.4 Job 24.19 Rom. 6.23 ch 8.10 Besides these Scriptures I prove the Minor Proposition thus Reason If any thing that is a part of a temporal death be a fruit of sin then is the whole but afflictions and pains in men and women which is a part of a temporal death is a fruit of sin therefore None can deny the Major the Minor is proved from these Scriptures Gen. 3.16 1 Kings 8.33 35. Psal 38.3 Jer. 8.14 Isai 3.10 Jer. 50.7 Now as the freedom from any thing of this temporal misery is a fruit of CHRIST so what comes instead of that as the enjoyment of life with other mercies of this world with the Sun shining and the Rain falling upon the just and unjust must needs be a fruit of CHRIST which extends to all Matth. 5.45 Eccles 9.2 Psalm 145.9 36.6 Now my Reasons to prove this second thing to wit that all men are by CHRIST brought under the authority and power of CHRIST and discoveries of Life by him are these Reason First that which the Scriptures declares to be a truth we must believe but that all men in that state are under the power and authority of CHRIST and discoveries of Life by him the Scriptures declare therefore a Truth The Major Proposition none can deny the Minor is proved from these Scriptures Matth. 28.18 John 17.2 Mark 2.10 Luke 5.24 Ephes 1.19 Secondly if mens sins be aggravated by the abuse of the mercies they enjoy in being under the authority and discoveries of CHRIST then to be under the authority and discoveries of CHRIST must needs be a benefit but mens sins are aggravated by their abusing of mercies that they enjoy under the authority and discoveries of CHRIST therefore The Major is proved by this Reason Reason Sin is never aggravated but either by the extent of a Law or discoveries of Love and if sin be aggravated as before exprest then it must be either by the extent of the Law or discoveries of mercy and if either it discovers the truth of the Major to wit that they are under the authority and discoveries of Christ by whom now all Law and Love is handed out to poor creatures they being all under his power the Minor Proposition is proved from these Scriptures John 15.22 24. Matth. 11.21 22 23. I shall say no more as to the business concerning the extent of Christs Death to every man but shall now speak to the second part of my Affirmation to wit that CHRIST did not die for all alike now that I may not speak to maintain that corrupt way of mens exercising wit to conquer one another but shall desire in the fear of the Lord and the love of his truth to speak to inform you about the difference relating to you and others about the Death of Christ and to maintain my Affirmation to wit that CHRIST died not for all alike Now judging that these Proposals following will help forward that work I shall in this part of my Affirmation propound them and speak to them which are as followeth First that there is a people that God hath chosen and elected in his Son before the world was Secondly that he had a special design for the advancement of his grace and love to carry on by CHRIST for them and them onely Thirdly that this great design of CHRIST for them was and must be accomplished Fourthly that this great design of God in CHRIST for them and onely them was satisfaction for all sin and the purchase of salvation and everlasting life by him Fifthly that faith which is required of all them that enjoy him is not a cause but an effect of the fore-mentioned privilege Sixthly that the publishing or declaring the fore-mentioned privileges which is the Gospel is Gods way or means to effect or produce faith or other Gospel-obedience in the heart of his own Seventhly that that faith which is produced in obedience to truth by the discoveries of the Gospel of Christ is not the bringing up of some thing that is in men before conversion But it is a peculiar work of God which nature in the highest improvement is not capable of till conversion or the new work of grace be wrought which work is Gods not upon a common but a special and Gospel account wrought by him Eighthly that it is Gods minde and way and a necessity it must be so for the advancement of his Grace and the accomplishing begetting of faith in the hearts of his own that this Gospel is to be presented or discovered to all without any exemption as to the declaration of it self Now I shall speak to these eigth particulars orderly which when I have done then that part of my affirmation will appear to be true to wit that Christ dyed not for all alike First to the first which is that there is a people that God hath chosen and elected in his Son before the world was the proof of which I shall make good so clearly from Scripture and by the truth of such reasons by Scripture that I hope through the Grace of God it may be a means to inform you the first scripture is the 2. of Timo. 1.9 where the Apostle declares this truth who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began I need not paraphrase upon the expressions they are without all controversie that truth that God will owne which is that saving and election was determined by God for his people before they were called or did any works suitable to the worth of that mercy The
second Scripture is Ephes 1.4 acording as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love that shews that election was in Christ and was before the foundation of the world and it further sheweth that holiness and love in Saints was then determined not as causes of the former but as consequences that must needs follow Acts 13.48 when the Gentiles heard they were glad and glorified the Lord and as many as were ordained to eternall life believed this declares that they that have eternal life were ordained to it and that faith was not the cause but an effect of it therefore ordination must be before there are many more Scriptures but these are sufficient now to the reasons First Reason whatsoever is made good by God in the conclusion of time must needs be concluded of God before all time but the election of his own is made good in the conlusion of time Ergo. The Minor none will deny but the Major which is whatsoever is made good in the conclusion of time it must needs be concluded of God before all time my reasons to prove that are these First whatsoever comes to pass was before determined of God according to these Scriptures Acts 2.23 Job 14.5 14. chap. 20.29 Isai 46.10 Luke 22.29 2 Tim. 1.9 Acts 17.31 1 Thess 3.3 chap. 5.9 Heb. 9.27 Rom. 9.11 Secondly whatsoever before was determined of God doth and must come to pass which is clear from these Scriptures Psal 33.11 Prov. 19.21 Ch. 21.30 Isa 46.10 Act. 5.39 Job 23.14 Ch. 30.23 Dan. 11.27 29 35. Besides that minde this Reason God who comprehends all from whence all things take their Rise admits of no alteration or change in him self but what is before was and what was must be and whosoever saith the contrary must prove these 3. things 1. Ignorance in God 2. Mutability 3. Weakness Ignorance not knowing mutability altering weakness in being moved by causes before unknown and without himself which were Blasphemy for any to aver Reason 2. Whatsoever God doth do for us in relation to Heaven before grace was wrought in us is done before time but Election or chusing of us is done for us before grace is wrought in us Ergo. I need not stand to prove the Major it is so undeniable the Minor is proved from these Scriptures Rom. 5.8 10. Ephes 2.4 5. 1 John 4.10 19. Ezek. 16.4 5 6. Isai 43.23 24. Acts 9.3 4 5 6. Isai 56.1 Rom. 10.20 John 10.16 And so much for the first particular Now to the second which is that he had a special designe for the advancement of his Grace and love to carry on by Christ for them and them onely what the great designe is I have in some part told you but if you would further know the great Design of God for his People and for the advancement of his own glory and grace and would understand the time way and means and the truth of the thing that there is such a thing as a great design of God minde well these Scriptures Isai 53.10 Chap. 63 1 2 3 4. Psal 89.19 Daniel 9.24 25 26 27 Isai 42.15 16. In all which Scriptures the particular will clearly be discovered if you question the singularity of the designe in this word for them and them onely for the manifesting of that mind this reason Reason what is good in Gods sight must be done by him but singularity in his love to some or his manifestation of his love in Christ to some and not to others is good in Gods sight ergo The Major none will deny the Minor is proved from the Scriptures Matth. 11.25 26. The third thing that this great design of Christ for them was and must be accomplished that is clearly made good from these Scriptures Isai 59.1 10. chap. 55.11 John 19.51 If you desire any Reason besides what is brought minde this suitable to the Author must the Act be but he that carrieth on this design is God whose power is infinite whose determinate counsel is unalterable whose intents are undividable whose will considered in himself must stand all which you may plainly see if you minde these Scriptures Psalm 33.11 Prov. 19.21 Chap. 21.30 Isai 44.26 Isai 46.10 Acts 2.23 chap. 4.28 The fourth particular which is that the design of God in CHRIST for them was satisfaction for all sin and the purchase of salvation and eternal life by him according to these Scriptures Isai 53.45 46. 1 John 3.5 Col. 1.14 Ephes 1.17 ch 5.25 26.27 And further to manifest this Truth minde these three Particulars First God ordained Christ to that end 1 Pet. 1.19 20. Luke 1.68 69. Secondly God fitted Christ for that end Heb. 10.5 Isai 42.1 2 3 4. Psalm 89.19 Thirdly what Christ was ordained to and fitted for was finished by him John 19.28 30. 17.30 Now if any should say that Christ did accomplish the same design for all as well as for some they do exceedingly abuse Gods intent in Scripture and lay weakness upon God as if he could not carry on what he did intend and in sufficiency upon Christ or else you must deny these three things to wit First that God ordained Christ to it Secondly Gods fitting of Christ for it Thirdly that Christ did accomplish what he was ordered and fitted for which to deny is very sad Now though what hath been said is sufficient to prove this fourth thing yet to satisfie you that this privilege that we have been now speaking of is for some and not for all I beseech you in tenderness to God and love to your own soul and the honor of Truth minde these Particulars First though this Scripture which is Gods Word doth declare what God says and what at present God doth yet it is his essential will that doth declare fully and exactly what God is which will is in himself and himself so in that will that his will is and must be himself which self is not so much discovered in the form and face of present things as by the conclusion of things Secondly if the truth of Prophesies by Prophets be to be judged by the conclusion or making good what they declare Jer. 28.7 8. applied to the 15. then much more this truth we have been a speaking to is to be judged of by the conclusion which if you do you must of necessity hold that the great design of God and CHRIST which was satisfaction for all sin and purchase of salvation and everlasting life must be for some and not for all or else this Scripture must be needless Matth. 25.41 Thirdly though in the declaration of the Gospel it be said that whosoever believes shall be saved which is a truth yet there is no Scripture that declares either by Prophesie or Promise that every one in the world doth or shall believe and though the Commandment be universal that doth not decide the controversie for Gods authority extends