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
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
over all which is manifest in his language commanding of them but the peculiarity of his love is not to be judged by the extent of his authority but by the application or making good of his mercy which work or privilege is but to some and is solely his work as we shall afterwards shew you Fourthly though faith be required in the declaration and is the way to enjoy the manifestation yet a want in faith doth not nor cannot make any alteration in the foundation which is clear from these Scriptures 2 Tim. 2.13 applied to v. 19 2 Sam. 23.2 3 4. Minde well now it is clear that the foundation is Gods unchangeable love and grace which if it were to all upon the condition of faith giving a propriety in the foundation then any want in faith would work some alteration which is contrary to the forementioned Scriptures Fifthly in the fear of the Lord consider this Scripture John 17.4 where CHRIST says to the Father I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do Now if CHRIST was ordained or appointed of the Father to satisfie for the sins of all and to purchase life and salvation for all then he hath finished it and they must be saved or else CHRIST doth not speak truth which were sad to aver but you see and must know all are not nor shall not be saved therefore it was not given him by the Father to do Now if any shall say that CHRIST hath finished the work of eternal life for any who will believe in him I answer the work cannot be finished if it depend upon any thing else and especially upon that which is so mutable as creatures minds whether to receive or not to receive as you affirm therefore without controversie CHRIST speaking truth the work is fully finished as the pardon of sin purchase of salvation and eternal life by him faith doth not make up the work but it is a fruit that floweth from it which is the next thing we shall enter upon and so I shall say no more to this fourth thing to wit That the great design of God in Christ was to satisfie for all sin and purchase salvation and eternal life for the elect and none but them The sixth thing is that faith which is required of all them that enjoy him is not a Cause but an Effect of the forementioned Privilege that is to say It is not the cause but an effect of election and that I shall punctually prove three ways 1. From Scripture 2. From the nature of causes 3. From the nature of the thing First from the Scripture see Acts 13.38 When the Gentiles heard they were glad and glorified the Lord and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed Which clearly shews that Ordination is before faith and this order and form CHRIST declares when he saith to his Disciples John 15.16 Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you They had chosen CHRIST that is to say loved him and by faith embraced him but his intent is they were first chosen by him and that is the cause the Apostle saith 1 John 4. We love him because he loved us first And for your further satisfaction minde these Scriptures Rom. 8.30 chap. 9.11 2 Tim. 1.9 Ezek. 16.6 Hosea 14.8 Secondly consider the order of Causes and you will finde that Henry Hagar who is a man I very much honour out of whose Book I see you have drawn your Absurdities if you do there but see how he decyphers Causes you will there finde that he makes no distinction of essential meritorious instrumental and final Causes but jumbles up all together without distinction Dear Friend it is not a form of words that will make things orderly in Gods sight unless there be divine wisdom to rectifie the judgment making man to deny his own natural wit when he goes about to decypher or discover Gods great design in CHRIST Again if you will say though he sets down successive causes yet he doth not set down the cause of Election in any of these seven causes he mentions neither can he unless he can discover a cause of him that is the Cause of Causes For my part I am of his judgment in these Particulars c. 1. That Gods love was the cause of his sending of his Son to die for sinners 2. That Christ's dying and rising is the cause of the Gospel being preached 3. The Gospel being preached is the cause of mens believing 4. That mens believing is the cause of justification but then it is justification in conscience and not justification before God in Christ which is the fountain and this in conscience is but the stream 5. That our knowing our selves justified by faith through the bloud of Christ is the cause of our love to Christ 6. That our love to Christ is the cause of our obedience to Christ But then the seventh cause which is That our obeying Christ is the cause of his giving us everlasting life that I deny And if you view these Scriptures he brings to prove it is will not make it good Mark 16.16 Revel 22.14 Heb. 6.9 He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved and blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gate into the City and Christ being made perfect through suffering he became the Author of everlasting salvation unto all them that obey him these Scriptures are truth and declare that they that obey Christ shall have eternal life but they nor no other Scripture declare anything contrary to this position that obedience is the way to life but not the cause of life if yea look upon causes either essential or meritorious but if you look upon it instrumental that is to say as the meanes or way to such an end then it is true and so is faith and so is prayer according to these Scriptures Philip. 1.19 1. Peter 1.5 Phil. 2.10 Heb. 12.14 Now when I tell you I do approve of these six causes successively before mentioned it is also with this restriction to put a diference between causes for the first cause which is Gods love that is the efficient cause 2. cause which is Christs death is the meritorious cause the 3 4 5 6. causes he spoke of are the instrumental causes and if you speak of these things in themselves and as they are to us then they are causes but if you speak of them all as they relate to God who is the Cause of Causes then they are but effects CHRIST'S death is but the effect of Gods love the preaching of the Gospel is but an effect of Gods love faith in him is but his gift and our love to him and obedience do all flow from him as the Fountain according to these Scriptures Gal. 5.22 Ephes 6.23 Heb. 12.2 James 1.17 18. they cannot in that sense be called causes but fruits Further consider what that Friend
are his Now having discovered what troubles me and what makes me so unwilling to mention these truths but with discovering also wherein men do abuse them I shall now say no more but come to the proof of this seventh Particular and for the proof of that minde these Particulars 1. The whole Testimony of Scripture 2. The nature of the Work 3. The Titles that are given by God and Christ to the Work 4. The nature of every Creature before this is wrought Which four things will sufficiently prove that this work of faith is not gained by improving nature before conversion or a work before conversion that nature is capable of but is singly the work of God not in a general sense as a works ate but in a peculiar and a Gospel sense First the Testimony of Scripture to make good this truth is very full and clear see 1 Cor. 2.14 The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can be know them because they are spiritually discerned Which fully declares that the receiving or entertaining through faith the truths of the Spirit of God is a work which nature or natural men before conversion are not capable of it nor able to perform it but it is a special work of the Spirit of God John 3.3 5. Verily except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God And in v. 5. he saith Except a man be born of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Where you see the 2. special employments of faith to wit 1. The seeing or viewing the glory of Gods Kingdom 2. The entering of the Kingdom Both which are to be done through faith CHRIST doth here affirm it is a work impossible for a natural man to do or any thing in nature to perform before conversion or the new birth which appears in Paul Phil. 3.6 which work is singularly Gods by his Spirit according to his own good will and pleasure which CHRIST affirms in vers 8. of the said Chapter Jer. 31.18 19. Turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God Surely after I was turned I repented and after I was instructed I smote upon my thigh and I was ashamed Ephraim's experience doth testifie this that repentance smiting and being ashamed followeth turning and that turning and instructing in this Gospel sense in the act of conversion is Gods singular work Jer. 13.23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the Leopard his spots then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evil The comparison declares that it is impossible for unconverted man that lives in sin to do good as good that is to say to do any Gospel work Besides these testimonies which are sufficient I desire you further to minde these Scriptures Phil. 2.13 For it is God that works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure So it is singular Gods work produced by his good pleasure Suitable to that is Prov. 16. 1. Jer. 10.23 Lam. 5.21 Now as for the second which is what the nature of the work is before I speak of the nature of faith give me leave to speak a word or two of the new birth or conversion which of necessity must be wrought before any work or employment of faith can appear and the truth is my dear Friend if we cannot witness the new birth we are not in a capacity to inform one another of the things of God for till then we are but natural and not fit for such an employment 1 Cor. 2.14 Now this work of conversion and new birth I shall present it to you thus it is by the glorious and powerfull appearance or discovery of the glory of God in CHRIST which doth so seize upon the soul and convincingly conquers the soul that the soul in the discoveries of that light is so killed and made silent and confounded in the sense of his own unsuitableness to God and undonness without CHRIST that the heart is presently made to loath and abominate it self and whatsoever was wrought or done before CHRIST came and is so restlesly carried out for CHRIST that the soul cannot rest till it doth enjoy him that is till he can see a propriety in him or enjoy him as his own which is alone done through believing Now faith is a supernatural light and life set up in the soul by Gods causing the creature to assent to and close with the authority of Gods truth and tenders â—n CHRIST upon which direct act reflection followeth which is the applying of CHRIST as his own from the truth of Gods tender which is from his peculiar love which love the heart is made sensible of in that appearance Now dear Friend do but consider this small description of the work of conversion and faith and see if any thing in nature before the new birth is wrought is capable of or able to perform such a work do but pick out some Particulars of it as 1. This appearance of God doth and will kill make silent and confound or conquer whatsoever is in the soul before Christ comes Jer. 31.18 19. Rom. 7.9 Zach. 2.13 Acts 2.37 2. The creature is so overcome with a sight of this light that he can no longer love but loath himself Job 50.3 4 5. chap. 42.5 6. Isai 5.6 Phil. 3.8 3. It is made able to go out of it self and give way for and assent to the authority and truth of Gods tenders John 3.33 chap. â—2 38 Rom. 4.18 19 20.2 Thess 1.10 4. It can finde no rest in its self nor whatsoever self did before or can do but soly waits upon and attends the authority of this discovery Acts 2.37 ch 16.30 Cant. 5.6 8. Psalm 63.1 Matth. 11.12 5. It 's made able to apply that is to say to own a propriety and to bring home that to its self as its own which is as high as Heaven and far above what nature can either reach or attain unto according to these Scriptures Heb. 11. 1 8 10 13. John 8.56 1 Cor. 2.9 10. Now I beseech you consider what hath been said and you will see that the nature of this truth as we faid before is too high for any improvement of nature to attain to before the new birth Thirdly consider the Titles that are given by God and CHRIST to the work I mean to the work of Regeneration in which faith is comprehended or included it is called a new birth John 3.3 5. Except a man be born again he cannot see or he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Now dear Friend consider what it is to be born and minde that a spiritual birth transcends a natural if you can truly witness this you will see and must acknowledg this truth 1. That it is impossible by any improvement of Nature to be performed before the work of grace is wrought 2. It is called spiritual 1 Cor. 2.14 Now
you know that every effect is caused by a cause suitable to it self and every thing is producible in its proper element if so then a state of nature cannot produce a work that is spiritual 3. It is called a rising or quickning from the dead Ephes 2.1 5. Colos 3.1 Can the dead raise it self or can that which is dead quicken it self without a power beyond it self 4. It is to deny a mans self Matth. 16.24 Mank 8.34 Self cannot deny it self in no consideration but it must be by a power above and beyond it 5. It is a killing or mortifying Rom. 8.13 Col. 3.5 Now the power killing or mortifying 〈◊〉 above the thing killed or mortified Fourthly consider what man is before this work is wrought 1. He is not onely in sin but dead in sin Ephes 2.1 5. 2. He is without God without grace and without hope Ephes 2.12 3. They are in blindness Isai 29.18 chap. 35.5 chap. 42.7 And till this supernatural light by God be set up in the soul he cannot see nor know the things of God in a spiritual and saving sense 4. He is in a state of enmity and is an enemy to God and to the Gospel light and life Rom. 8.7 Col. 1.21 Rom. 5.10 5. They are children of wrath Ephes 2.3 Now summ up all together 1. That state which is a state of death 2. A state of being without God and grace 3. Of so much blindness 4. A state of enmity to God and to the light and life of the Gospel 5. A state wherein men are children of wrath I say consider this and minde what the work of Faith or the new Birth is lay both together and you will be forced to say that the highest improvement of nature while men are in nature is not capable of nor able to perform it I shall say no more to this fourth Particular which is for the making good of the seventh Position to wit that Faith that is produced in obedience to Truth by the discoveries of the Gospel of CHRIST is that which nature in the highest improvements before conversion is not capable of performing I would come to the next thing but there is one or two Objections by the way which I judg some may make against what I havâ— spoke as to the insufficiency of creatures to such work and therefore in way of Query for your satisfaction that nothing may be left undone to the utmost of my power to satisfie and inform your judgment which in tenderness of love I desire to do I shall mention them and give you my Answer to them Query 1. This that you have spoke or declared seems to unpower the creature solely as if it had no power before the new birth which seems very contrary to Scripture which speaks of the creatures improving their Talent Answer As to any Gospel work or works relating to God in CHRIST that every creature is uncapable of and averse to nay an enemy to it before this appearing of God in the work of grace and yet this doth not at all deny but there is a power in the creature to do much more than at the present I can see the most natural men do therefore I beseech you that I may not destroy oâ—e Truth by maintaining another Consider what the Lord hath shewed me in the searching of the Scripture I shall lay down briefly in these Particulars 1. That every man naturally hath a Talent which he is bound by the Law of God to improve 2. That this Talent or Power in the highest improvement is but to answer the moral Law or so much of it as nature is capable of retaining 3. That they who do thus improve it do very much come up to the answering of the righteousness of the Law as Paul did before conversion Phil. 3.5 6. 4. When creatures do thus improve their Talent in the answer of the moral Law or so much as their nature is capable of Though there is an enmity between that in a Scripture sense and the righteousness of CHRIST yet CHRIST seems to have some kinde of love to that improvement and therefore you may see in Mark 10.21 when the young man came to him though he was unacquainted with saving grace yet in his improvements had very much answered the Law and therefore the Text saith CHRIST looked upon him and loved him so that such improvements of nature in answer to a Law is more pleasing to CHRIST than the embezling a mans Talent polluting of nature in the neglect of improvement 5. Consider If there be such a Power and such an improvement and so much owned certainly it is good for men to be exact in it And it is very much my judgment that God approves of and meets men there if so I think we are to wait upon God there And yet this will not prove that men have power by improvement of nature to work up their hearts in a Gospel sense for the entertaining of CHRIST though this improvement be a way to wait upon God in for even Gospel Ordinances or outward means of Grace is commonly that which God is met in and God meets souls there but yet that doth not prove that the Ordinances have power in themselves to bring up to grace nay if men so rest on them or look upon power in them not looking up to God above them then they are so far from coming to God that they and their performance is condemned and loathed by God according to these Scriptures Isai 1.11 12 13. 66.3 The same we are to consider in this and much more for I see clearly by Scripture there are more promises fixt to Gospel Ordinances than are to the improvements of natural abilities though both are good yet neither is able to bring up to Christ but in the highest abilities of either we are to consider the work of Grace or new Birth to be produced by the working of Gods mighty power above and beyond both and that appears clearly if you consider these Particulars 1. The case of the young man in the Gospel he had the highest improvements of nature of any I reade of but when CHRIST brings his improvements to the Touch stone of Gospel Principles he in his improvements left Christ Matth. 19.20 Mark 10.20 Luke 18.21 2. Consider that the work of Grace in a Gospel sense is of a nature far above and beyond the righteousness of the Law and that you will see in these Scriptures Rom. 9.31 32. Gal. 3.10 11 12. Phil. 3.8 9. Tit. 3.5 6 7. 3. When any soul that ever improved nature as Paul Phil. 3.5 6. or any other when once they are come to be brought home to Christ these moral improvements are so far from closing with this new work that it is soly to be laid aside and denied Phil. 3.8 9. Gal. 3. I mean in relation to a conjunction with CHRIST as having any ability or power performing the new Birth which is soly done of
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
sophistry and no Reason and not becoming a Saint to meddle with Objection 3. No men can be elected in CHRIST till they be in CHRIST but no men are in CHRIST till they believe or trust in CHRIST for the elect Ephesians were once out of CHRIST chap. 2.11 12. Answer Men are said to be truly and really in CHRIST two ways First by election and so we are all in CHRIST he being the publick person in whom all elections were comprehended and all the elect are really in him before they are brought forth as every man is in Adam before they are born this last affirmation they themselves do grant and so they must the other if they do but truly view the minde of God in his Word and not draw Reasons from bare Expressions without discovering the true intention now if they could prove that no man in no sense is in CHRIST till he doth believe then they say something or else their Argument is of no force for we are one with them in their second being in CHRIST which is when we are called and in that sense even the elect of God till they are converted they are without God and without hope and by nature the children of wrath as well as others Ephes 2.3 But before ever they are brought home to CHRIST in the second sense they were in CHRIST in the first sense or else CHRIST would not have said John 10.16 Other Sheep I have which are not of this Fold them will I bring in so that they did belong to CHRIST as his particular Sheep before he brought them in and that there is such a property and unity before conversion you will see if you seriously minde these Scriptures John 10.16 Acts 18.10 2 Tim. 1.9 Ephes 1.3 Now there is an outward being in CHRIST which is onely the outward profession of CHRIST that men may be in and fall according to these Scriptures John 15.2 6. 1 John 2.10 1 Tim. 1.19 20. But I shall not speak to that They have some other Objections about trusting in CHRIST and believing in CHRIST but we have said enough to that already shewing that faith and all other obedience is not a cause of but flows from that privilege according to these Scriptures Acts 13.43 Joh. 15.16 1 Joh. 4.19 There are some other Objections that do arise from some other mistakes of Scripture which I shall take an occasion to speak something to in my declaring the third thing I promised you to wit your mistakes which are the cause of your stumbling The sixth thing which is that the publishing of the fore-mentioned privilege which is the Gospel is Gods way or means to effect or produce faith or other Gospel obedience in the hearts of his own as to this there being but little difference between you and I and the speaking much to it will not upon that account add much to the deciding the controversie between you and others therefore I shall onely set down the Scriptures to prove it and so leave it 1 Cor. 4.15 Rom. 10.17 2 Thess 2.13 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Pet. 4.6 Gal. 3.2 I shall say no more to this but come to the seventh Particular Seventhly that faith which is produced in obedience to truth by the discoveries of the Gospel of CHRIST is not the bringing up of something 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 is Gods not upon a common but a special and Gospel account wrought by him Now dear Friend before I speak to this particular give me leave to speak two or three words to you relating to some things that do very much trouble me in relation to the abuse of this truth for there are two truths miserably abused even by them that do profess the Lord the one is that all the power we have to act or do things in a Gospel sense is produced alone by the power and Spirit of God not upon a common but a special account The second is that the best of Saints while they live here have sin now these truths are abused thus exhort those that profess the Lord to exactness in duty or reprove them for any neglect in duty presently this is replied We can do no more than we have power which is a truth in its sense but it is sadly applied for when God hath begun to work grace in us the way to increase in strength is to improve what we have by carefull watching and waiting hourly and daily before the Lord and they that do so wait and walk have experience that God will not be wanting to increase strength according to these Scriptures Isai 40.31 John 7.17 chap. 15. the later end 4. v. Isai 64.5 Psalm 9.10 Matth. 13.12 Luke 8.18 And the truth is were this practized there would not be such sad unsaintlike walkings as now appear to be among them that profess the Lord both in their pride fashiâ—ning themselves after the world covetousness frothy language wanton carriages and other unsaintlike practices that it is a hard thing to know a saint from a sinner in his daily practice and conversation unless you finde them in particular acts of worship which is that which doth sadly wound the Name of God and the glory of CHRIST among men I do not speak this for to accuse others onely but withall to bear witness against my self for my former unsuitable walkings wherein my daily watchings and waitings and exact conforming and improving faith was not kept alive and therefore I died but blessed be the Lord who hath discovered the truth of this to my soul Now they abuse the second truth thus come to some Professors and tell them of their pride fashions of the world covetousness passion or courtly complements frothy language manifesting that these things are unbecoming â—aints and inconsistent with a growing heart this presently is replied Every one hath sin Paul and the rest of the Apostles the very best of Saints had sin and so I confess have I this they answer and peradventure they will say they groan under it which is a perfect deceit for though there is sin in the people of God yet there is a daily growth and getting ground of it by improving faith in the bloud of CHRIST and by exact waiting and watching by which the sin of the heart or corruption of the will and the minde is kept under and there is not an allowance of any one sin where Christ is in truth And therefore those that do shelter themselves under truth in this sense and do not daily grow and get power against sin let them know this from a heart that knows it from wofull experience that they onely live in notions not in the power and spirit of truth to be 〈◊〉 witness of the truth of the now birth or work of grace which God hath wrought in them that