Number as in Dan. 12.2 Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake Rom. 15.19 Through the offence of one many be dead by one mans disibedience many were made sinners and in other places where many cannot nor is by any Christian understood for lesse then All men 2. This Reason is equivocall subtill and fraudulent seeing where All men and Every man is affirmed of The Death of Christ as the Ransome and Propitiation and the fruits thereof onely is affirmed for them But where the word many is in any place used in this businesse there are more ends of the Death of Christ then this one affirmed of as before is shewne at large in Chap. 2. and 3. 3. This Reason is false and ungodly for it is no where in Scripture said That Christ dyed or gave himself a Ransome but for many or onely for many or onely for his Sheep and it is ungodlinesse to adde to or diminish from the Words of GOD in SCRIPTVRE 4. This Reason is deceitfull and erroneous for the Scripture doth no where say Those many he dyed for are his Sheep much lesse his Elect as the Reason intends it As for the place Joh. 10.15 usually instanced to this end it 's therein much abused for our Saviour Joh. 10. Did not set forth the difference between such as he dyed for and such as he dyed not for or such as he dyed for so and so and not so and so but the difference between those that beleeve on him and those that beleeve not on him vers 4 5 14 26 27. one heare his voice and follow him the other not Nor did our Saviour here set forth the priviledges of All he dyed for or for whom he dyed for so and so but of those that beleeve on him through the Ministration of the Gospel and so to know him and approach to God and enter the Kingdome by him vers 3 4 9.27 Nor was our Saviour here setting forth the excellency of those for whom hee dyed or dyed for so and so onely wherein they are preferred before others but the excellency of his owne love with the fruits thereof to those not onely that he dyed for but also that are brought in by his Ministration to beleeve on him vers 11.27 Nor was our Saviour here treating so much of his Ransome giving and Propitiation making as of his Ministration of the Gospel and so of his love and faithfulnesse therein wherein hee laid downe his life for those ministred too and therein gave us example not to make Propitiation for sinne but to testify Love in suffering Besides the opposition appeares here to be not so much between Elect and Not-Elect as between Jewes called and Gentiles uncalled Besides there is in Scripture great difference between sheep and sheep of his flock and pasture of which he here speaketh vers 4 5 11 15 16. Besides sheep vers 4.5 11 15. are not mentioned as all those for whom he dyed but as those that by his ministration are brought in to beleeve and enjoy the benefit of his death and to whom hee ministreth and communicateth spirit vers 3 4 27. like that John 17.6 7 8. Besides here is more ends of his death mentioned then Ransom or Propitiation onely and yet it is not said onely for his sheep and when the Ransome or Propitiation is onely mentioned It is said for all men so that this reason appeares weak fraudulent ungodly and erroneous 4. For the Affirmation that there was great reason that such generall words as All men Every man and the World should be used in those times when Christ and his Apostles were upon the earth when they meant but some even Gods Elect and chosen among All Nations This is as evill as all the Reasons before and as grosse as the Objection it self for though there be a holy and spirituall wisedome and Prudence to be observed in speeches and carriages in respect of the evilnesse of some times Amos 5.13 Mic. 7.5 7. Matt. 3.13.16 Yet the holy Scripture doth furnish us hereto for all times and is able through Faith to make the Beleever wise unto Salvation and the man of God perfect to every good worke 2 Tim. 3.15 17. But that any other doctrine or contrary Words should be necessary to deliver the Gospel within these times Is monstrous to affirme and expresly contradictory to the Scripture Commands Besides according as it is written Those whose faith wee are to follow are such whose word and Conversation hath this end To hold forth in the Gospel JESUS CHRIST the same yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13.7 8. And as Jesus Christ is that Essentiall Word of God which endureth for ever for is the Word of the Gospel which came forth of the mouth of God and declareth Christ That created and instrumentall Word of God which in the truth plainnesse certainty and goodnesse of it endureth for ever 1 Pet. 1.23 25. And though this Gospel came forth lesse largely and cleerly at the first Genes 3.15 1 Joh. 1.1 2. yet after more fully and clearly to Abraham Genes 12. and 15. and 17. Gal. 3.8 And then more cleerly still to Mases Deutr. 18.18 19. and 30.11 15. Acts 3.22 26. Rom. 10.6 10. and so more cleerly still to Isaiah and the residue of the Prophets Isai 53. and 55. Acts 2.16 36. Rom. 10.13 c. and yet still more cleerly by John Baptist Luk. 1.76 79. Matth. 11.9 10 11. But still more and most fully and cleerly by JESUS CHRIST and his Apostles Ioh. 1.16 17. and 3.15.17 Ephes 3.5 which Apostles of Jesus Christ in respect of Christ being come and having dyed and being risen and ascended and filled with spirit and for whom and to what end and what he is become for all men and what to and for those that beleeve on him They have laid the foundation and other foundation can no man lay then that which is by them laid 1 Cor. 3.11 Ephes 2.20 And this is done by them also in words of Wisedome 1 Cor. 2.4.7 And he that addeth to the words Christ hath already revealed by them God will adde to him all the Plagues recorded in that Book and he that taketh away from those words God will take away his part out of the Book of life Revel 22.18 19. And if any man or Apostle or Angel from heaven shall preach any other Gospel then that they have preached wee are to hold him accursed Gal. 1.8 9. And what shall we then account of this Reason Doth not the words of Christ and his Apostles express their meaning Or did their words serve but for those times Are they not necessary now have any of us found out fitter words to expresse the Gospel in these times now Christ and his Apostles are not upon the Earth shall mortall man be more just then God Shall a man be more pure then his Maker Job 4.17 shall any direct the spirit of the Lord and be his
odious and hatefull to God That no Sacrifices no Ransome nor Workes no Blood nor anything lesse then the Precious Blood of the Sonne of God could pâ—ease his wrath and satisfie his Justice and that the Punishment and Curse suffered for thy sinne was so great as to make such a Mighty One to be in an Agony and to sweat great drops of Blood and to cry out upon the Crosse because of the wrath that was executed on him yea to Die also and even thy sinnes also with the rest of us the Thornes the Speares the Nailes that pierced him the Mallady that caused him to sweat such drops of Blood and the very cause for which he suffered all these Stripes Behold what a share thou hast what a hand thou hast had in the shedding of the Blood of the Sonne of God In which Sufferings hee yet willingly did die and so gave himself a Ransome to God for thee to save and deliver thee from the Wrath of God and the Snare of the Devill and that himself might be thy Lord And shall neither the Blood he hath shed nor the Love hee hath Testifyed thereby melt and gaine in thy heart towards him Did he shed his Blood to satisfie for thy sinnes and wilt thou still goe on in sinne Canst thou delight and allow thy self in those sinnes for which the Lord Jesus was so wounded and suffered so much Did hee become under the Law for thee and for thy Debt Die and Rise that thou might'st come under his Government and wilt thou still yeeld to continue in servitude of sinne and Satan Is there through his blood so much Patience and Bounty vouchsafed to lead thee to Repentance and wilt thou still persist in impenitency wilt thou slight the meanes hee by his blood hath Procured to invite thee to Repentance Wilt thou make thy members which he by his blood hath purchased the Servants of sinne that drew forth his blood Wilt thou oppresse or defraud People purchased by his Blood Wilt thou abuse to gluttony Drunkennesse Wantonnesse or Pride those Creatures the liberty of Sober and moderate use whereof was purchased by his blood Wilt thou still passe on thy time securely without seeing the Peace and Life that is in him and was procured by his blood Is all the Sufferings and Death and Blood-shed of JESUS CHRIST of no more esteeme with thee Canst thou so contemne and tread under foot and cast as farthest off and least in thy thoughts the Precious blood of JESUS CHRIST shed for thy sinnes And wilt thou not suffer the application and beliefe thereof to rest and worke upon thy heart to melt thee and wash thee from thy sinnes to fill thy heart with sorrow for and loathing of thy sinnes to Crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof and to turne thee in to Christ whose blood would speak Peace to thee and purify thee Wilt thou so Persist Oh what wilt thou say or how wilt thou be able to endure when thou shalt be brought before this thy Lord that so dyed for thee and have his Precious Blood and all his Sufferings with all the Mercies extended therethrough to thee and all thy contempt and abuse thereof laid to thy Charge and then to be Judged by him that so dearly bought thee and thou would'st none of his Government but set light by all his Sufferings and Councells Oh that thou wert wise and wouldest consider thy latter End and who it is that Calleth thee to Repentance And is it not hee that dyed for thee and paid thy Debt That hath waited for thee and forborne thee so long that hee might be gracious to thee That hath Pardon and Peace and Life to bestow upon thee and that by all his mercies given thee and meanes he used toward thee and calleth on thee to forsake thy owne way and thoughts and turne to him and hee will have mercy on thee and aboundantly Pardon Isai 35.6 7. doth hee not complaine of it as that which is a new Piercing to him that thou wilt goe on still Pressing him with thy sinnes and not come in to him that thou mightst have Life Isa 43.24 Ioh. 5.39 40. Surely he came to save sinners hee dyed for the ungodly Say not therefore There is no hope in him for thee and therefore thou wilt doe as thou hast done and so refuse his Call Jer. 2.25 Neither say thou Seeing hee dyed for mee I shall have Peace Though I walke after the stubbornnesse of my owne heart for though he dyed for the Sinners Vnjust Vngodly and his enemies yet such shall not inherit his kingdome and have Eternall Life with him they that would enjoy this Life must suffer his Blood through his Word and Spirit to cleanse renew and bring them in and conforme them to himself therefore be not deceived God will not be mocked 1 Cor. 6.9 Ephes 5 6. his word is already gone forth that he that so turneth his Grace into wantonnesse and will persist in his evill way and still say hee shall have Peace notwithstanding The Lord will not be mercifull to such a one but all the Plagues written in his Book shall light upon such a man Deut. 29.19 20 21. and the Lord Jesus is a Righteous Judge and will wound the head of such as when this grace of his is made knowne will goe on still in their Trespasses Psal 63.21 Wherefore I beseech thee let the blood of Christ shed for thee and his love testified therein plevaile with thee to soften thy heart and to turne thee from all thy evill wayes into JESVS CHRIST And seek the Lord while he may be found turne and live for there is Mercy in him for thee It is no lying fable that is tould thee 2 Pet. 1.16 Hee hath sworne hee hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked but rather that the wicked turne from his way and Live Ezek. 33.11 and 18.23.32 Oh turne thee turne thee and Live why wilt thou die when hee delighteth not to have it so Behold hee hath given himself a Ransome for thee and received Spirit to send forth in the meanes Hee hath procueed Salvation and made thee saveable and calleth thee to Repentance and faith that thou mightest be saved And all this Treatise hath been to Prove the doore of Life open for thee How long wilt thou now deferre and stand out against so great grace wilt thou not be made cleane When shall it once be Jere. 13.27 Follow not lying vanities to the losse of thy owne mercies Jonah 2.8 Loose not thy owne soule now he hath Purchased it Doe not destroy thy selfe now hee hath wrought Redemption for thee Oh refuse not to accept his grace and submit to his government that hath so deerly bought thee Doe not denie him or despise his Councell Doe no longer persist in thy ownewayes least thou Provoke him to give thee up and so an irrecoverable downfall come upon thee 2 Pet. 2.1 2. which yet may be
setting him in such a state of favour againe That Mercy and Truth Righteousnesse and Peace might agree in one for the salvation of Mankind That the oreatures might againe be restored preserved and sanctifyed for the use of men and that the Gospel and good tydings of this grace of God might be declared to Mankind that they might through him beleeve And that in beleeving they might have everlasting life and that such at through his grace beleeve might be in union and fellowship with him and each other and the holy Angels And that the Angels may minister to them These being his Church of whom Christ is the Head who have thâ— specialty in his love And that the Heaven and Earth may be made new for these that they may therein with Him enjoy the inheritance and that Sathan may be wholly overthrowne and hee and all that will doe his will and be of his seed may be turned into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone Ephes 4.7.16 1 Tim. 4.10 Isai 65.17 18. Revel 20.10.14 15. Jud. 15. And then is all right before God well-pleasing in his view and as he would have iâ— who will rejoyce in his workes Revel 21.5 and all this in love to mankind created by him hath Jesus Christ undertaken to â—â—e that whosoever of Mankind beleeveth on him may enjoy the benefit of it And is not all this affirmed in the Gospel where the Creation and Redemption are mentioned together Col. 1.16.20 where also the same generall words of All things are used in mentioning Creation vers 16. Reconciliation vers 20. and Preservation verse 17. And what lesse now doth all this iuferre then thus much That all Creatures could not content him while Mankind was in a Remedilesse Condition That all the Mercy shewed to Creatures is for the love he beareth to mankind That the Redemption and Peace wrought by Him for Mankind is as large as his Creation and Preservation of mankind That he is able and stands ready to Call and in their submission to his Call to bring them in to God and what great and unspeakable love to mankind is this 3. This his love to mankind is yet further confirmed by this that in such joynt mentioning of Creation and Redemption hee hath set a stampe or seal and written a Testimony for mankind to read of a Ransome given and Redemption wrought for mankind in that the earth dissolved by sinne is preserved and the continuall streams of wrath deserved are kept off Christ bearing up the Pillars of the Earth Psal 75.2 3. of a readinesse to doe them good in communicating grace to them Acts. 14.17 of Power to accomplish salvation in and upon them Isa 50.2 3. c. of his nigh comming to them in those workes to lead them to repentance Rom. 2.4 All which set forth the love of God to mankind 1 Tit. 3.4 Psal 19. Secondly That Gods being the Creator of man and mans being the Creature of God is used as an Argument to induce to faith to stirre up faith and to strengthen confidence in God in times of distresse and in Prayer and in holy waâ—king Job 10. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me c. verse 8.13 and Chapter 14 15. Thou wilt have a desire to the worke of thy hands so Psal 1.39.16 17. And commit the keeping of your soules to him as to a faithfull Creatour 1 Pet. 4.19 And it is coupled with Redemption in the ground of Confidence Isai 43.1 Now mankind having sinned and fallen by the Devills Temptation who though fallen are and were the Creatures of God If God had not respected mankind as his Creature more then the Angels that fell if his Sonne had not taken the nature of mankinde and therein suffered and made satisfaction for the sinne of mankind and so wrought a Redemption for mankind created by him that he might save mankind And this as large as all mankind created by him what force or strength could be in this Argument grounded upon his very Creation and workmanship To which also might be added That Gods Creation of all men by Christ of which it were Athisme to doubt sure Paganisme at least is set out nothing nie so often in the Scripture in those generall words All men Every man The world The whole world as the death of Christ as the Runsom and Propitiation to be the Saviour of All men 〈◊〉 Let any diligent Reader consider it CHAP. X. Of the Consideration of the constancy of the Scripture in changing the Person when having mentioned the generall it mentions the speciall AS the Scripture in mentioning onely that Redemption wrought by Christ in his own body with God for men and the common salvation comming to men thereby Doth ever when it propounds it to bring men to beleeve mention it in the third Person generally And when it doth mention those high and peculiar priviledges belonging to his chosen ones doth never propound them in such generall termes And when it closeth both together in one sentence or expression it useth such a word as may be applyed to both senses or either of them as Many and not such a word as cannot be rightly applyed to the speciall as All men The World c. nor such a word as straitens the generall sense as but many onely many c. so likewise wee shall find that when the Scripture speakes of the one and the other neere together however it expresse the one in the third Person generally yet in mentioning the other it changeth the Person and speaketh also ordinarily applicatively as to instance 2. Cor. 5.19 20 21. In the 19. verse speaking of the reconciliation God hath wrought for men in Christ he affirmes it for the world and in the 20. verse beseecheth men to be reconcil'd on that ground as himself and others were verse 18. but speaking of the priviledges by the death of Christ to those who in spirituall application thereof have beleeved and so received Christ the righteousnesse of God and Gods righteousnesse in him he changeth the Person and saith verse 21. he made him to be sinne for as who knew no sinne that wee hee saith not The World but wee that in beleeving are righteous in and before him might be made the righteousnesse of God in him even have all Gods Righteousnesse to him manifested in and upon us This is the hope of his called and chosen Gal. 4.4 5. Speaking of that which God hath done for all he saith God sent forth his Sonne made of a woman made under the Low to redeem them that were under the Law as all were Rom. 3.19 but mentioning the speciall Priviledges of Adoption hee changeth the Person and saith That we might receive the Adoption of sonnes not only The Spirit of Adoption as in beleeving at first but all the priviledges of Adoption Joh. 1.12 1 Pet. 3.18 Speaking of what Christ hath done for all men hee saith hee suffered the Just for the Vnjust But mentioning what
is no Reason to affirm that without doubt this mentioned in the latter part of the Reason should be one Reason of the frequent mentioning of those generall words All men For on whose part should it be a reason for such an end On the part of the Jewes in respect of themselves it could be no Reason because they reckoned themselves the People of God and seed of Abraham and for the Iewes in respect of the Gentiles it could be no reason while the Ministration of the Gospel was not sent to the Gentiles If any say Yes to prepare them to receive the Gentiles Wee see it had not that effect with the beleeving Jewes who were not with such words prevailed withall in that wherein they did stumble and yet to the Jewes is the Gospel of Christ being the Saviour of All men Every man the World frequently set forth before the Commission of the Ministration of the Gospel to the Gentiles Joh. 1.4.7 9.29 and 3.16 17. and 6.51 and 12.46 47 48. and 8.13 And on the part of such Gentiles as were brought in to beleeve before the mentioning the use of such words to them it could not be a Reason and yet to them also is the Gospel so set forth in such generall words Rom. 3.22 and 5.12.18 and 14.9 12. 1 Cor. 15.22 2 Cor. 5.14 15 19. 1 Tim. 2.4 5. And even so is it set forth both to beleeving Jewes and Gentiles and that as the Gospel they had to declare to such as yet beleeved not whether Jewes or Genâ—iles Hebr. 2.9 1 Joh. 2.2 and 4.14 and Jewes and Gentiles and all Nations containe all and every man Even the who World and it is no where said of the death of Christ it was for some Jewes and some Gentiles some of all Nations much lesse can it be said onely for the Elect of all Nations So that this whole Reason is proved to be but a meer fancy purposely framed to colour the unbelief of That which cannot be denyed to be plainly testifyed in Scripture And now let the Objection with the Three Arguments and this great reason be truly considered apart and together and the dealing with the Scripture according thereto and this appeares therein That it endeavours to make the Sentences and words of Scripture of no force at all and so addes strength to the blasphemy of those that have said That the Scripture is but a dumbe Letter Incky Divinity a noose of wax that may be bended every way according to the will of the Interpreter whose blasphemous mouthes by this meanes opened will not be stopped till the words and sayings of Scripture be stood too in the sense they expresse and import 2. From the grant of this Objection and the use of such reasonings by which it is fortified hath been the opening of the doore for men to abuse the Scripture to the countenanceing of every Herecy and sinne and for the deniall of truth affirmed and duty commanded 3. This is also that which hath given the strength to some to plead the Church to give authority to the Scripture and the need of a Pope to determine the sense and others of divers Sects to acknowledge no truth in any sentence of Scripture but according to the Interpretation and judgements of the Masters of their Sects and and others to look for vaine and santasticall Revelations not heeding the Letter of Scripture and so to fasten on any pleasing fancy though without or against the sayings of Scriptures 4. Yea this is the root and preserver of all falsities devisions and contentions But that it may appeare I justly charge this Objection with such use of Arguments and Reasons to fortify the same I will give a little instance of such manner estimate of and dealing with the Scripture These then are found plain sayings of Scripture in generall words 1. God that made the World and hath made of one blood all Nations of men Act. 17.24 26. 2. All have sinned Rom. 3.23 Through the offence of One judgement came upon all men to condemnation All have sinned Rom. 5.18.12 3. Death is passed upon all men Rom. 5.12 it is appointed to men once to die Hebr. 9.27 4. All that are in the graves shall heare his voice and come forth Joh. 5.29 5. All Nations shall be gathered before him Matth. 25.32 to judgement 2 Cor. 5.10 And as these are points of faith so for points of practice 1. Let all the Earth feare the Lord let all the Inhabitants of the World stand in awe of him Psal 33.8 2. If it be possible as much as lieth in you Live peaceably with all men Rom. 12.18 Honour all men 1 Pet. 2.17 3. Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers Ro. 13.1 Tit. 3.1 4. Render to all their due tribute to whom tribute and Rom. 13.7 5. Let us doe good unto all men Gal. 6.10 shewing meeknesse to All. Tit. 3.2 Now let us see what this Objection with the former Reasons will doe with all these plaine sayings of Scripture in such generall words OBJECTION The Scripture in such places as speakes so generally are not to be understood in the sense the words seem to import REASON I. The words in Scripture cannot be alwayes taken in the sense they seem to import The Door the Vine and c. REASON II. The words All men and Every man are often found in Scripture to mean but some even Gods Elect and Chosen REASON III. It is said Through the offence of One many be dead byone mans disâ—bedience many were made sinners Rom. 5.15 19 many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake Dan. 12.2 And Beleevers have said One God hath created us Mal. 2.10 and in many things we offend all Jam. 3.2 And every one of us shall give account of himself to God Rom. 14.12 And lye not one to another Col. 3.9 Speak every man truth with his Neighbour for wee are members one of another Ephes 4.25 Be ye kindly affected one to another with Brotherly Love in honour preferring one another Rom. 12.10 For bearing one another forgiving one another Col. 3.13 That no man goe beyond or defraud his Brother 1 Thes 4.6 In which places you may see who the many are that God both 〈◊〉 and that have sinned and that shall dye and come to Judgement to whom we are to give honour and render their dues c. even the Beleevers and Gods Elect and Chosen REASON IV. And there was great reason why in those times they should use such generall words as All Men Every man when they meant but some for was it not said Hee shewed his words unto Iacob and his Statutes and Iudgements unto Israel He bath not dealt so with any Nation as Psal 147.19 20. That now by these generall words the Elect among the Gentiles might be encouraged to feare the Lord and stand in awe of him according to that in Psal 33.8 Is not this ungodly dealing with and profaning of the
not beleeving in him Joh. 16.8.11 and Judge all even such as would not that Hee should Reigne over them Acts. 17.31 Luke 19.27 But he enters in by the Spirit and Rules in the hearts of his Chosen Ones Gal. 2.20 and freeth them of their darknesse and bonds Rom. 7.25 and 8.2 Coll. 1.12 and leads them Rom. 8.14 and overthrowes their Enemies Mich. 7.18 20. Rom. 16 20. Enriches them with Spirituall blessings Ephes 1.3 and will plead their Cause and give them the Kingdome So at this is a motive to all men to seek Him and learne of Him and come in and submit to him This Argument confirming that which it seems to oppose OBJECTION VII IF God in any sort bad entended any Life or saving grace by the Death and Ransome of CHRIST for All men or the residue of the World besides the Elect hee would surely use some meanes to bring them to some knowledge of Christ and so to Repentance and Faith But he seemeth to be so farre from this That to many hee vouchsafeth no meanes at all Psal 147.19 20. And to others hath expresly and utterly denyed the meanes when his Servants would have carried the same among them Act. 16.6 7. ANSWER This Objection denieth neither the Death nor Ransom of Christ to be for all men But onely any intendment of Life and saving Grace thereby neither doth it bend force to denye That for any but onely these where the Declaration of the Gospel is not granted and the force of the Objection is weake For 1. The Scripture hath expresly affirmed Gods intention to be that they all might be saved and repent and beleeve and to be surther saved Ezek. 33.11 Joh. 3.17.1.4 7. Rom. 2.4 1 Tim. 2.4 2 Pet. 3.9 2. If wee cannot in the Workes of God see a fulfilling of the sayings of God It becomes us to admire his Wisedome and Holinesse to bewaile our ignorance and waite and supplicate for Light from him and not by rash judgeing and mistaking of his Workes to denie the truth of his Words Rom. 11.33 34. 3. The Scripture testifieth that God hath and doth use some meanes towards all men not onely in his Workes of Creation and Providence which giveth some Testimony of his Goodnesse to lead to Repentance Rom. 1.19 Act. 14.16 17. and 17.26 with Psal 19.1.6 Rom. 10.18 and 2.4 but with some further Light yea it may be some rumour of the Gospel as much as drew Rahab to beleeve for was it not declared to all the World Gen. 13.15 Did not Adam and Evah and the long lived Fathers and Noahs Preaching and Arke-building spread the fame through the World 1 Pet. 3.19 20. after the Flood was is not declared by Noah to all the world Gen. 8.9 Did not Sem live to Abrahams time and whether it were hee or no was not Melchisedeck a Priest then living Did not Abraham travell and Israels and Jacobs spread farre Did Joh and his three Freinds and Elihu in their severall Countrys nothing this way Did not Davids friendship with divers Kings Solomons Reigne over divers Countreys the Queen of Sheba comming and returning to Solomon spread the fame of the Gospel Did not the Captivities and dispersion of the Jewes The advancement of Daniel Ezra Nehemiab and Mordecai make some spread of this knowledge Was not our Saviours Starre seen in the East Were not the Jewes in all Countreys at the comming of Christ And doth not the Apostles say expresly their sound went out into all the Earth and their words to the ends of the world Rom. 10.18 And shall any of us say God hath used no meanes to lead them to seek him because wee know not of it farre be such rashnesse from us to contradict the Scripture Joh. 1.9 Rom. 1.17 Act. 14.17 neither doth Psal 147.19 20. say he hath used no means with them but onely not such and so great meanes He hath not dealt so with any Nation as hee did with Israel nor then had he but that is not used no meanes at all 4. Gods deniall of his Servants to preach in some places for a time as in Act. 16.6 7. proves not an utter deniall of all meanes to them for 1. God might have formerly used means which for their contempt of the greater might now be denied to them Mat. 13.12 25.29 2. God may deny the meanes for one time and grant it in another as to the Gentiles and Samaritans denyed Mat. 10.5 but granted Mat. 28.20 Act. 8.11 3. This deniall might be in mercy it may be God had not yet prepared them to receive the Gospel and so they might violently have resisted it and procured a curse and God would after prepare them and then they should receive it Matt. 4.5 6. It might be many Jewes amongst them that now would have stoned these Apostles that should after receive the Gospel as the Samaritans once stoning after receiving But this is certaine Gods time was not yet come and some other were to have the Gospell before them that yet had it not suitable to that Rom. 15.22 4. Both Jewes and Gentiles there not long after both had the Gospel and many received it and obtained like precious Faith with the Apostles Acts. 19.10 1 Pet. 1.1 So that this Objection hath lost all his strength 5. Yet GOD may holily and justly denie the cleer Revelation of the Gospel to some and their Posterity also when they have resisted the light in the lesser meanes used before especially when they have contemned the greater meanes also when offered and hardned their hearts from profiting thereby Hee may then denie those meanes to Father and Children also that walke in their Fathers wayes yea and harden their hearts from Profiting by such meanes as are left them And this is a good warning to others to take heed of any sleighting and abusing any meanes much more to heed that the Gospel be not abused and sleighted But no Proofs that God never used meanes to those so deprived and hardned for why then did he deprive and harden them Rom. 1.18 24. Act. 28.25 28. Matth. 23.37 38. Rom. 11.20 21 22 23. And thus have I answered all that I have found of any force Objected as for that foolish and senselesse Cavill That this opinion that JESUS CHRIST Dyed for All men Importeth That all men have Free-will by Nature to seek and receive him It is so false and groundlesse a fancy as needeth no Answer yet when such as say Hee dyed not for All men doe prove those they beleeve hee did Dye for have such Free-will by Nature That also shall be Answered CHAP. XX. Of the Arguments confirming the Truth of the Proposition and that 1 Tim. 2.6 and Hebr. 2.9 have the Sense they import Now to satisfie such as desire to have reason satisfyed I adde these REASONS Argument I. THat which the Scripture oft and plainly affirmeth in plaine words is certainly true and to be beleeved Prov. 22.20.21 Isai 8.20 2 Pet. 1.19 20.
But that Jesus Christ gave himself a Ransome and by the grace of God tasted Death for Every man is oft and plainly affirmed in Scripture as is before shewne Chap. 7. to the 13. Therefore the same is certainly a truth to be beleeved Joh. 20.31 Act. 26.22.27 ARGUMENT II. Those for whom Jesus Christ and his Apostles in plaine Termes without any exception or restraint affirme That Christ came to save and to that end Dyed and gave himself a Ransome for and is the Propitiation for the sinne hee certainly did come to save and gave himself a Ransome for them and is the Propitiation for their sinnes Matth. 26.24 Joh. 6.38 1 Cor. 15.3 4. Hebr. 10.7 Joh. 8.38.45 2 Pet. 1.16 Heb. 2.3 4. But Jesus Christ and his Apostles have in plaine termes affirmed that Christ came to save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 The world Joh. 3.17 That he died for the unjust 1 Pet. 3.18 The ungodly Rom. 5.6 for Every man Heb. 2.9 gave himself a Ransome for All men 1 Tim. 2.6 and is the Propitiation for the sinnes of the whole World 1 Joh. 2.2 And every of these affirmations without any exception or restraint all being unjust ungodly sinners and men and of the World Rom. 3.10 19 20 23. Ephe. 2.1 2 3. Tit. 3.3 Joh. 3.4.6 Therefore Jesus Christ came to save dyed and gave himself a Ransom for all men and is the Propitiation for their sinnes Joh. 1.29 ARGUMENT III. That which the Scripture layeth forth as one end of the death of Christ and one ground and cause of Gods exalting Christ to be the Lord and Judge of all and of the equity of his â—udgeing That is certainly to be beleeved Psal 12.6 18.130 119.40 But the Scripture layeth forth this for one end of the Death and Resurrection of Christ That he might he the Lord of All. Ro. 14.9 2 Cor. 5.14 15. and for that Cause even his Death and Resurrection hath God exalted him to be the Lord and Judge of All men and his Judgements shall be just Rom. 14.9.11 12. 2 Cor. 5.10 Phil. 2.7 â— 1. Act. 17.31 Rom. 2.16 Therefore that Christ so died and rose againe for All is a Truth to be beleeved 1 Tim. 2.6 7. ARGUMENT IV. That which the Scripture so sets forth in generall for the World of mankind as a truth for them all That whosoever of the particulars so beleeve as to come in to Christ and receive the same shall not perish but have everlasting life is certainly a truth to be beleeved Act. 5.20 But that God sent forth his Sonne to be the Saviour of the World Is in Scripture so set forth in generall for all men That whosoever of the particulars so beleeve as they come in to Christ and receive the same they shall not perish but have Everlasting life Joh. 3.16 17 18.36 1.4.11 12. Therefore that God sent his Sonne to be the Saviour of the World is a certaine Truth 1 Joh. 4.14 ARGUMENT V. That which God will one day cause every man to confesse to the glory of God Is certainly a truth for God will owne no lie for his glory Joh. 13.3.9 Rom. 3.3 4. But God will one day cause every man to confesse Jesus by vertue of his Death and Ransome given to be the Lord Even to the glory of God Phil. 2.7 8 9 10 11. Isai 45.22 23. Rom. 14.9.12 Psal 86.9 Therefore it is certainly a truth That Jesus Christ hath given himself a Ransome for All men and hath thereby the right of Lordship over them and if any will not beleeve and come in to his Government yet hee abideth faithfull and cannot denie himself But will one day bring them before him and cause them to confesse him Lord to the glory of God when they shall be denyed by him for denying him in the daies of his Patience 2 Tim. 2.12 13 14. Matt. 10.32 33. 2 Cor. 5.10 ARGUMENT VI. That which may be proved in and by the Scripture both by plain Sentences therein and necessary consequences imported thereby without wresting wrangling adding to taking from or altering the Sentences and words of Scripture is a truth to be beleeved Matth. 22.29 32. Rom. 11.2.5 6. But that Jesus Christ gave himself a Ransome for all men and by the Grace of God tasted death for every man may be proved in and by the Scripture both by plaine Sentences therein and necessary Consequences imported thereby without wresting wrangling adding or taking away or altering the Words and Sentences as is already shewne Chap. 7. to the 13. which shall be now ordered into severall Proofe Therefore that Jesus Christ gave himself for all men and by the Grace of God tasted death for Every man is a truth to be beleeved Mar. 1.15 and 16.15 16. 1 Joh. 4.14 PROOF I. GOD so loved the World that hee gave his Sonne to be the Saviour of the World 1 Joh. 4.14 and sends his Servants to beare witnesse of his Sonne That all men through him might beleeve Joh. 1.4.7 That who soever beleeves on him might have Everlasting Life Joh. 3.16 17. And hee is willing that all should come to the Knowledge of the Truth 1 Tim. 2.4 and be saved 1 Tim. 1.15 Nor will hee be wanting in the sufficiency of helpfulnesse to them If as light comes they will suffer themselves to be wrought on and to receive it Prov. 1.23 8.4 5. and is not this plaine in Scripture PROOF II. Jesus Christ the Sonne of God came into the World to save the World Joh. 12.47 To save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 To take away our sinnes and destroy the workes of the Devill 1 Joh. 3.5.8 To take away the sinnes of the World Joh. 1.29 and therefore dyed for all 2 Cor. 5.14 15. and gave himself a Ransome for All. 1 Tim 2.6 To save that which was lost Matth. 18.11 And so his Propitiation made was for the world 2 Cor. 5.19 The whole world 1 Joh. 2.2 and all this is full and plaine in the Scripture PROOF III. God in Christ doth in some meanes or other of his appointment give some witnesse to all men of his mercy and goodnesse procured by Christ Psal 19.1.6 Rom. 10.18 Act. 14.17 And there through at one time or other sendeth forth some stirrings of the Spirit to move in and knock at the hearts of men to invite them to Repentance and seeking God and so to lay hold on the grace and salvation offered And this not in a shew or Pretence but in truth and good will ready to bestow it on them And this is all fully Testified in Scripture Gen. 6.3 Isai 45.22 Act. 17.30 31. Joh. 1.19 PROOF IV. The holy Ghost that commeth from the Father and the Sonne shall reprove the World of sinne even that part of the World also that refuseth now to beleeve That they are under sinne because they beleeve not on Christ and that it is their sinne that they have not beleeved on him And how could it be their sinne not
not destroy mens lives was the Prime end of his first comming Luk. 9.56 and unlesse hee that came to save them doe for their Rebellion against him condemn them the Father will not condemne them having given all to the dispose and judgement of Christ 2 Cor. 5.10 3. That it affirmeth Jesus Christ to be exalted at Gods right hand and filled above measure with the Spirit to send forth to men to manifest himself in due season 1 Tim. 2.6 To send forth to the Rebellious that the Lord might dwell among them Psal 68.18 Joh. 16.8 10. and to such as are subdued and brought in to beleeve to lead them into all truth and make them usefull Joh. 16.13 14 15. Act. 2.32 33. Ephes 4.7 12. So as there is power in him to Call all and to bring all that heare his Word and submit themselves thereto to beleeve on him and so to Life in and by him Isal 45.22 24. 50.4 5. Prov. 8.32 35. 2 Cor. 5.14 21. 4. In that it affirmeth that all men not onely those that submit to his government in the day of grace but also all others shall one day appeare before the judgement-Seat of Christ and shall acknowledge him to be LORD to the glory of GOD and then receive the Sentence from him Isaiah 45.23 Philip. 2.10 11. 2 Cor. 5.10 This Answer or one of these dâ—e prove his Ransome effectuall with GOD for All Men How much more all of them together Secondly The Workes of God mentioned in Scripture proveth the same also 1. The Mercies of God who according to his holy Truth and Justice and his Word gone out of his month should be constantly testifying wrath and heaping Plague upon Plague destroying with Curse all that are found sinners against him and his holy Law Gen. 2.17 Deutr. 27. and 28. Gal. 3.10 If there were not some Ransome between him and Mankind But through JESUS CHRIST and his Ransome given and Propitiation made and accepted His Mercy is over all his Workes Psalm 145.8 9. And hence comes by CHRIST the Preservation of the Earth And Inhabitants thereof for men Gods Patience Long-suffering Bounty Meanes to lead to Repentance motion of Spirit in those meanes as is already shewed in Chap. 1. The Common Salvation 2. The wrath of God revealed from heaven against all unrighteousnesse and ungodlinesse of men who hold the truth in unrighteousnesse who will not yeeld to the Light and motion of the Spirit comming from Christ in the meanes but smother it and turne from it Rom. 1.16 17 18 21 24. and 2 4 5. Prov. 1.24 32. 8.36 and this wrath breaketh out most abundantly where this grace Procured by CARIST is with most light and meanes made knowne to leade men to Repentance and they refuse and turne from the same 2. Kings 17.7.23 2 Chron. 36.15 16.17 Amos 3.2 Isai 5.5 6. Mat. 23.37 38. Luke 12.47 48. The Lord with indignation revenging the wilfull sinning after knowledge of the truth vouchsafed against the grace offered in Christ by unkind requitalls and contempt thereof disobedience thereto and departure therefrom both in this World and in the world to come Nah. 1.2 9. Jo. 3.19 Mat. 12.32 Hebr. 10.26 29. 1 Pet. 3.19.20 2 Pet. 2.1 5 10 20 23. 2 Thess 1.8 Jude 15. The LORD the Judge of all the Earth being righteous and holy in all his Wayes Psalm 145.17 will nor thus deale with any for refusing an empty shew and bare Pretence of Good And both these his Workes of Mercy and wrath doe fully Prove The effectualnesse of the Ransome of CHRIST with GOD for men Thirdly Reasons from Scripture doe also confirme the same 〈◊〉 as to say REASON I. That as Jesus CHRIST hath abolished Death by his Comming Sufferings and Resurrection So hee hath brought Life and Immortallity to Light by the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 REASON II. That the Grace of GOD appearing through this Gospel bringeth Salvation to all men and so appeareth to All Men to whom it so comes though teaching Beleevers Titus 2.11 REASON III. That the time of Gods Patience and shewing mercy bountifulnesse and sending his Servants with motions of his Grace in them and moving to the hearts of men to invite them to Repentance and turning to God is a Day of grace and Salvation in which God is neer and to be found and ready to receive and accept to Mercy any that obey his Call and turne to him 2 Cor. 5.14 â—1 and 6.1 2. Revel 3.20 Hebr. 3.13 15. And on this ground in these three Reasons are all men invited by Gods Servants and by CHRIST in them To look to CHRIST and be saved To seek him while hee may be sound yea even the Wicked and Vnrighteous To forsake their owne Way and turne to him and Hee will have mercy oâ— them and aboundantly Pardon them Isai 45.21 22. 42.1.8 and 55.1 2 3 6 7 8. And that also with this warning That if they now refuse and passe over the day of Grace The Axe is at the root of the trees and they will soon be out off and greater judgement befall them Prov. 1.25.29 Matth. 3.10 Acts 13.40.41 all which doe evidence the Ransome given by Christ to God for them To have been effectuall with God As for that great â—â—umble which many make to themselves to keep themselves out from Beleeving this Truth as that many perish and misse of Eternall Life and if CHRIST had so died and given himself a Ransome as were effectuall with his Father for them then JESUS CHRIST should loose the travell of â—is Soule in his Death and Ransome given This is Answered before in Chap. 1. The speciall Salvation and distinction between the Common and the Speciall Salvation and in Chapter 16. in Answer of the Third Objection The Spirit in the Scripture saith not that any perish or misse of Eternall Life because CHRIST did not die for them or because his Ransome given and Propitiation made was not sufficient or not effectuall with GOD for them No such matter but because when Light comes They will not Repent submit to him come to him receive him and beleeve on him Ioh. 1.11 and 3.19 and 5.40 2 Pet. 2.1 Besides Scriptures shewes something more required of men to be done in and upon them by CHRIST Then his Ransome and Propitiation by Death and Resurrection made with GOD for them That they be Justifyed and Eternally saved by him Even a Spirituall Application of and making them obedient to the Death and Blood-shedd of CHRIST That so they may be brought to beleeve on him and be sprinckled and washed from their sinnes with his Precious Blood 1 Pet. 1.2 as afore-shewne in Chapters aforesaid Whence so great wrath comes on them that despise and resist this Grace Yet there is no lesse on the part of CHRIST in respect of his Death and Ransome given for them For hee doth and shall see the Travell of his Soule Isaiah 53.11 and that so fully As That hee is the