to the world in the Law of Creation Rom. 1. 20 21. Act. 17. 26 27. And so to Israel of old and so in the Gospel Mar. 16. 15 16. Israel of old often became strangers to the Law and sometimes lost it and after found it again 2 King 2. 8. And tho the world was more large unto whom the Gospel was sent than the house of Israel to whom the Law was sent yet God had so ordered it over and above the general Commission for publishing thereof that at the first pouring down of the Spirit in order thereunto there were present some out of every Nation under Heaven Act. 2. 5. Which doubtless tended much to the publishing of the Gospel among the Nations Col. 1. 23. And if the Nations have lost it or be Apostatized from the truth thereof the fault is in themselves and not in God nor does it at all argue that Christ died not for them nor that if they perish it is for want of a Sacrifice or Saviour what God has done doth or may do for Particular Nations Persons or for the world to cure this defect must be from his Grace over and above the general and unlimited Commission for publishing thereof to the world 2. It 's as good an argument to assert that the greatest part of the world was not lost by Adam's transgression because they did not nor do not know it nor can they know it without the Divine and Scripture Revelation as to affirm that the second Adam died not for them because they did not or do not know it or to affirm that he dyed not for all or any part of the world that was dead and past before his sufferings because they did not nor could not hear thereof and know it All shall hear thereof and know it in the end 1 Tim. 2. 16. Phil. 2. 9 10. Rev. 5. 13. Christ It 's strongly asserted in Death of death that for whom Christ dyed for them he interceeds and that they shall certainly be saved and that he dyed for none else unless we will Blasphemously ascribe want of Wisdom Power and Efficiency of working to the Agent the sum of all is that for whom he dyed for them only he interceeds and they shall certainly be saved and none else He being heard in what ever he interceeds for Joh. 11. 41 42. And therefore he died and interceeds for the Elect only and they only shall be saved Min. The answer to this will lead us into the Third particular mentioned viz. The varieties of the ends designed by this one Sacrifice with the certain effecting of all the ends designed thereby which will further confirm the truth of his being a Sacrifice for the sins of the world those who are of the narrow principle and Spirit can see but one end designed in this undertaking viz. To dye for the Elect only and to damn all the world besides But we shall find in Scripture varieties of Glorious ends intended thereby some of which must go before the Salvation of the Elect. And without which there had been no Election or Salvation to any But this I would should be especially noted that Gods love to the World in the gift of his Son and Christ giving himself a Sacrifice for the life of the World is the Basis and Foundation of all Christian Faith and whatever things were designed thereby is founded upon and must have its spring and effecting from this general Love and general Sacrifice the denial of which tends to root up the Foundation of Gospel Faith and Salvation as you may understand in that which followeth Now I come to shew the variety of the ends designed by this one Sacrifice and the sutable advantages thereof according to those ends designed thereby 1. By this one Sacrifice Mankind and the whole World was continued and preserved in order to the Restitution of all things which was designed thereby without which Sacrifice as lying in promise and virtually taking place Gen. 3. 15. Both Man and the World had been ended by the first sin and fall Psal 75. 3. The Earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved I bear up the Pillars thereof It 's not spoken of the Father that is plain vers 2 3. Then it must be of the Prophet or of Christ not of the Prophet for he could not bear up the Pillars of the Earth and therefore it must intend Christ by whom are all things 1 Cor. 8. 6. And by whom all things consist Col. 1. 17. Who lighteth every Man that cometh into the World Joh. 1. 9. And that not only upon the account of Creation as it was made by him but on the account of Redemption when by sin it was dissolved if the promise of Christ a Sacrifice had not intervened and therefore it 's said Rev. 13. 8. That he was a Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World viz. His Sacrifice then to come virtually took place to bear up the World and by vertue thereof 〈◊〉 has been and shall be preserved to the Restitution of all things Act. 3. 21. So that not only the Being of Mankind and the whole World is continued by this one Sacrifice but likewise all the good that Men possess and enjoy in this World is by vertue of this one Sacrifice so that I may say in this matter as the Apostle in a differing case behold I shew you a mystery Yet revealed by the Sacrifice himself Joh. 6. 53. Verily verily I say unto you except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood ye have no life in you and that not only by Faith unto life Eternal but unless we enjoy all the good things of this life as coming to us by the Blood of Christ this one general Sacrifice we have not the Gospel light and life in us This is the first end and Effect of general Grace by the general Sacrifice that the sin of the World is safer taken away thereby as that Mankind and the whole World is and shall be preserved and continued to the times of the Restitution of all things and this was so great an end as without which there could have been no Election or Salvation of any 2. And as an effect of this first design was designed and effected the Reconciliation of the World to God and that not only to enjoy good things from God here on the temporal account but so far as that nothing stands in the way to hinder the special Reconciliation and Salvation but unbelief and disobedience to the Gospel where the Gospel comes Joh. 3. 16 19. That there is such a universal Reconciliation thereby See Col. 1. 20 And having made peace by the Blood of his Cross by him to Reconcile all things to himself I say whether things in Heaven or things in Earth 2 Cor. 5. 19. God was in Christ Reconciling the World to himself not imputing their sins All Men are so far Reconciled to God by this one Sacrifice as that
came into the world to save sinners i. e. Sinners in general without exception or limitation if they believe and obey the Gospel I Exhort therefore that Prayers be made for all Men. In that which follows The 1. Argument to enforce the Exhortation is v. 3. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour A great encouragement it is to Pray for all it being good and acceptable in the sight of God The 2 is vers 4. Who will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth It 's the same all that we are to pray for and a great encouragement it is to Pray for them if God willeth to have them saved And the 3. Argument is vers 5. From the Mediatory office of Christ for there is one God and one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus a great encouragement it is to Pray for all men Jesus Christ being upon his Mediatory Office and Work for men in general The 4th Argument is vers 6. He gave himself a ransom for all and therefore it 's no marvel he Mediates for all and commands us to Pray for all it being the same all that we are to Pray for that he dyed for and for whom he Mediates and that he will have to be saved now let us consider whether this be all the Elect only Two things declare the contrary First It 's for all Men for Kings and for all in authority And surely all Men and all in Authority are not the Elect only especially in those days when the most of men were Heathen Idolaters and almost all that were in Authority the same and yet this is the all that God will have us Pray for that he willeth to be saved and for whom Christ died and for whom he mediates And if this all be the Elect only then there are more Elect than they will grant or I think any else and by this way the other Scriptures that assures us of Christ dying for all be understood And further the Scripture lets us to know that some denied the Lord that bought them 2 Pet. 2. 1. I know men exercise their wits to get off from the weight of this Scripture which as a Talent of Lead sinks them in this matter as Death of â—ath p. 251. 252. That the word translated Lord is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is given to Christ but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 commonly given to the Father so that it 's a doubt whether it is Christ or the Father that is intended in the word Lord. 1. I think there is no ground of doubt in the matter but that it is Christ that is intened For I think we rarely if at all find any mentioned that did deny God the Father for all the world confesseth that there is a God but the Anti-Christs and Hereticks were such as after they had owned Christ denyed him 1 Joh. 2. 22 23. 4. 3. 2 Pet. 2. 20. 2. The matter is all one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth Lord Ruler Master and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the same but be it the Father or the Son it 's all one in this matter if it be the Father that bought it was the Son sure enough that was the Price of our Redemption 1 Cor. 6. 20. seems to attribute the buying to the Father ye are bought with a Price therefore Glorifie God in your Bodies and in your Spirits which are his That is his by purchase so that let the word Lord intend the Father or the Son it 's all one in the true sense thereof the Blood of Christ being the Price Another shift is There is no mention of Blood in the Text and therefore a doubt whether it was with the purchase of the Blood of Christ that they were bought No more is Blood mentioned 1 Cor 6. 20. the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly intendeth to buy purchase or procure and is the same as 2 Pet. 2. 1. 1 Cor. 7. 23. And I suppose none dare say that the Price was not the Blood of Christ tho Blood is not mentioned in either and I think I may safely say that in the New Testament where-ever the Redemption work is spoken of as by purchase the Price is the Blood of Christ And further he saith there is no purchase but a deliverance from the blindness of Judaism in escaping the pollutions of the world It 's true that was the effect of the purchase the same as to hem that were not fallen but were in the precious Faith of the Gospel ch 1. vers 4. Having escaped the corruptions that are in the world through lust the same that is spoken of of them that were fallen ch 2. 18. They were such as had clean escaped from them who live in Errour and vers 20. They had escaped the Pollutions of the world through the knowledg of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ where is as much said of them if not more as of them that were still in the precious Faith of the Gospel ch 1. vers 4. And further he saith The Apostle speaks of Wolves and Hypocrites in respect of that estimation others had assumed and of the profession themselves made to be purchased by him Whereas it appears and is apparent that the greatness of their sin lay in this in denying the Lord that bought them had he not bought them they could not have committed that sin but to deny the Lord that bought them was the greatness of their sin especially having profest Faith in him and indeed to deny that the Lord hath bought the world if it be not the same sin yet it 's very near of kin to it These are some of the devices of the wise and learned to out the great purchase of the Blood of Christ Namely that he gave not his flesh for the life of the world Joh. 6. 51. Christ If so why then are not all saved Min. See the fourth inference from this matter Christ The Opposites to this say that Christ Prayed not for the world and he died not for those for whom be would not Pray Min. I know that this is a common and great argument in their esteem for their cause but indeed has nothing at all in it for were there no more to be said in this matter but this suppose it true which is far from it that Christ did not Pray for the world yet that proves not that he died not for the world And that 1. Because no Argument or Inference drawn from any Scripture can possibly be true nor may be admitted of that is contrary to the express Letter and Scope of Scripture as this is as before has been plainly proved 2. Because Christ died for and will save those for whom he Prayed not viz. Abraham Isaac and Jaâ—â— and all the Prophets and Righteous men that dyed before he came in the flesh or made that Prayer Joh. 17. Unless they will deny that he dyed for
And now in performance Gal. 4. 4. 2. That Jesus Christ being sent for that end Joh. 6. 38. Heb. 10. 7. did in love freely lay down his life a sacrifice for the sins of the World Joh. 1. 29. 6. 51. 1 Joh. 2. 2. and this is called Gospel or good tidings 1 Cor. 15. 1. the Apostle calls it the Gospel that he preached unto them ver 34. explains this Gospel what it is i. e. that Christ died for our sins and was raised again the third day according to the Scriptures and indeed if he had not been raised again there had been no glad tidings in his dying for our sins Christ How shall we account it glad tidings Was it not sad tidings rather that the prince of life the Lord of Glory should be crucified and killed for our sins Min. 1. It 's true it was sad that man by sin was faln into such an estate of sin and death as that nothing short of the life and blood of the Son of God the Prince of life and Lord of Glory could help him out thereof the due sense of which it concerns us to keep duly and daily upon our hearts to keep us humble and thankfully to prize the mercy 2. It was sad that when he was come into the world that the World viz. both Jews and Gentiles should be so bad as to unite to put him to death Yet 3. It stands true that it was and is the best tidings that ever came to the world that God should so love the world as to send his Son and that Christ should so love the World as to give himself for the life of the world is the greatest Mystery of grace and the best tidings that possibly could come to the world so that it may well be called glad tidings it being the foundation of all Gospel doctrine and so of all Gospel faith of all Gospel grace and of all Gospel glory it 's all built on this one Sacrifice for sin on this foundation all is built pardon peace acceptation in service preservation too and the glory to come it 's all founded here Rom. 1. 16. Eph. 1. 14. 3. And as the effect of this foundation glad tidings of the fathers love and the sons giving himself for the life of the world as the glad tidings of the restitution of all things which was the great design of God and Christ in this wonderful undertaking the recovery of mankind out of that state of death faln into by the first transgression Act. 4. 2. 1 Cor 15. 21 22. and with man the whole creation shall be restored Act. 3. 21. Rom. 8. 19 20 21. 2 Pet. 3. 13. Which shall be the new and restored world called in Scripture the World to come Heb. 2. 5. Rev. 21. 1 5. in and over which the Kingdom and Government of Christ shall be eternally Rev. 11. 15. And from hence is the Gospel so frequently called the Gospel of the Kingdom Mat. 4. 23. 9. 35. 24. 14. Mar. 1. 14. so called not only because it opens the Kingdom to us and prepares us for it but because the restitution new world and the kingdom of Christ therein is so great a part thereof as that all before it and without it can be no glad tidings at all Cor. 15. 19. Christ Is there nothing else in Scripture called Gospel the word seems to be general and to be given to the whole Scripture of the New Testament especially the four Evangelists which contains precepts and threats as well as promises and soâ—â— say that it 's all Gospel Min. Although the grace the blessing the restitution the glory is properly the glad tidings yet in a right and true sense all things concurring thereunto may be called Gospel viz. the holy precepts directing us in the way to obtain the glory and the threats of Judgment and damnation to those who reject or neglect it considered as designed to prevent the damnation and as a help to obtain the salvation viz. so far as it 's designed to work us from sin to Christ and a constant cleaving to him it 's Gospel and good tidings that being the Prime and proper end thereof viz. Salvation and not damnation but to deliver and preserve from it and mens destruction is and will be of themselves by wilful transgressing the good Laws of the Gospel which 〈◊〉 not the prime design of those Laws but salvation yet the penalties must be executed on the wilful transgression thereof It 's human good tidings when those in human poâ—er make good laws with strict and severe penalties for preservation of human society order and property among men their design in so doing is not punishment primarily but the peace preservation and safety of all if men wilfully transgress and come under the penalty the fault is in themselves and not in those good laws and so it is in the present case Hos 13. 9. Christ I desire you would speak something of the faith of the Gospel viz. what faith it is to which the salvation thereof with eternal glory is promised Min. True faith ever has been and still is to believe God and to cleave to him and obey him sutable to the ministration under which men have lived in all ages This was Abrahams faith Rom. 4. 3. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness Jam. 2. 22. this being Abrahams faith the father of the faithful the faith of his children must needs be the same So then to believe the truth of the doctrine of the Gospel in all its parts and to cleave to the Lord therein is the faith of the Gospel to which the life thereof is promised What the Gospel preacheth to us that we ought to believe and that is the faith thereof The doctrine of the Gospel consisteth especially in these particulars 1. That Jesus Christ is the Messias promised the Son of God and the son of man the son of David of the seed of Abraham according to the Scripture Luk. 1. 32. Joh. 20. 31. 2. That God in love to the World sent him Joh. 3. 16. and that he in love gave himself a sacrifice and ransom for the life of the world Joh. 6. 51. 1 Tim. 2. 6. 3. That by virtue of his death and resurrection all shall be raised and restored to a new life and world when he shall come again to raise and judge both the quick and dead 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. 2 Tim. 4. 1. at which time or times shall be the restitution of all things Act. 3. 21. the new and restored world to come in and over which with his saints shall be his eternal Kingdom and glory which will be the finishing of the Mystery spoken of by the holy Prophets and then the time of this world shall be no more Rev. 10. 6 7. with chap. 11. 15. 22. 5. 4. That those who believe and obey the Gospel of this his grace and glory shall be saved and
9. Joh. 6. 51. to reign over almost all his Subjects in Wrath under eternal torments And how would this render the fifth Kingdom and Monarchy so much spoken of in Scripture and talked of â— men but little understood to be far worse much â—â—e merciless and miserable except to a very few faâ—â—ites only than any of the four that went before it â— figures thereof whereas it shall in times as far exâ—â—d them all as the new World shall exceed the old â—â— as the Lord thereof exceeds all that ever went beâ—â—e him and further If it were not so how should â—â—ey then sing unto him and glorifie his Name as it 's â—â—d they shall Psal 66. 4. 96. 7 13. 98. 4. â—v 5. 13. If the Lord by his blood redeemed them â—â—m death to a new life for no other end but to torâ—â—nt them for ever how shall they then sing his praise â—â—d glorifie his Name The sum of all I say about this matter is 1. That God made all good yea very good and man â— his own Image 2. That man by sin lost himself and all came under the â—â—se and death with him 3. That the great design of God made manifest is â—y the second Nan the Lord from heaven to recover â—â—an and all with him that fell by his sin out of that â—â—ate of curse and death to a new life and world eterâ—ally 4. That all must come to Judgment for the things â—one in the body which Judgment shall be just and â—ighteous according to the various dispensations under which they have lived and against which they have transgressed Rom. 2. 12. Joh. 12. 48. Jam. 2. 12. â—â— 1. 25. Rev. 20. 12. Which Judgment as it will be very great and terrible suitable to the greatness of the Majesty against whom all sin has been so in the true Analogy and sense of Scripture it will be Eternal â—nto all and will be wonderful dreadful and amazing to all that meets with the least portion of penal punishment therein yet in this matter God will not proceed contrary to all rules of Justice he has given to men nor contrary to the method of his own dealings with men in like cases he always having kept and will keep to measure and times in the Judgment which is most righteous Psal 80. 5. Isa 27. 8. Jer. 30. 11. 46. 28. Nor contrary to his Name Nature and Promises at that day Jer. 12. 15. Ezek. 16 61 62 63. Luke 12. 47. 48. And so that mentioned before from Sovereignty will undoubtedly stand true He will not punish without a cause nor more than is deserved but rather less Ezra 9 13. To this righteous proceeding of God See Gen. 18. 25. Deut. 32. 4. Psal 116. 5. 145. 17. Rom. 3. 5 6. It 's true God saith to his people of old That he would punish their iniquity and sin double Jer. 16. 18. But that I taâ—â— to relate to times and not to measure it not standing with the Justice of a righteous God to punish sin double for measure but double may relate to times 1. Then by destruction temporal by their enemies And 2. At the day of Judgment and then will he be pacified towards them Ezek. 16. 63. And afterwards shall they inherit the promises Jer. 16. 14 15. But first he will punish them double Isa 40. 1. 3 Hence you may learn two good Lessons further 1. To be preparing for this great and glorious day O it will be a great and terrible day and it 's your great concern now to be preparing and making ready for it to get right in the saith and life of the Gospel in order thereunto it 's called the great and terrible day of the Lord Joel 2. 31. because the Judgment will be great and very terrible Mal. 3. 2. Who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when he appeareth The terribleness of the Judgment then to be executed â— described under varieties of dreadful Expressions â—ereby to discover the dreadfulness thereof it 's called â—â—ll utter darkness a lake of fire the second death â—erlasting shame and contempt c. attended with â—â—ping and wailing and gnashing of teeth whoever â—â—ets with the least Portion therein both for measure â—â—d time will find it to be of sinking and dreadful â—oncern and therefore deceive not your self with a â—â—in conceit from self-confidence as I fear many do â—â—e those Isa 28. 15. who said they had made a coveâ—â—nt with death and were at agreement with hell â—â—ey feared not the judgment it should not come nâ—gh â—hem v. 18. All their confidence was disannulled and â—â—t to stand it 's true some men talk much of the â—edgment but expect not to come to it themselves tho â—â—e Scripture tells us 2 Cor. 5. 10. That we must all â—ppear before the Judgment-seat of Christ and receive â—â—cording to the things done in our bodies whether it be â—udor bad v. 11. Knowing therefore the terror of the â—ord we persuade men yea believers and the Apostle â— Pet. 3. having declared the Conflagration of the â—orld by fire being reserved thereunto against the day â—f Judgment and perdition of ungodly men v. 7. Which is enough to amaze men in the thoughts thereâ—f were there no other or further Judgment but to â—e burnt up with the World at that day Mal. 4. 1. when â—e lake of fire must be eternal from whence the Aâ—ostle draws this result or conclusion v. 11. Seeing â—hen all these things shall be dissolved what manner of â—rsons ought we to be in all manner of holy conversaâ— and godliness that so we may escape the fire of that â—ay and v. 13 14. from the expectation of the new â—â—eavens and new Earth that shall succeed exhorteth saying Wherefore beloved seeing ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless And it 's the Exhortation of the Lord and Judge himself Luke 21. 36. Watch ye therefore and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape alâ—â—â—ose things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of man And chap. 12. 40. Be ye also ready for the Son of man cometh at an heâ— that ye think not Mat. 25. 10. And they that were ready went in with him to the Marriage and the door was shut O! therefore I say be preparing every day for your Lord 's appearing lest it come upon you as a snare as it will upon all the World and all that are unprepared for it read and ponder well Luke 12. 35 36 37. 2. Being ready look and wait for him love and long for his appearing to such he will appear a second time without sin unto salvation Heb. 9. 28. It is to those that love him and look for his appearing that the crown of righteousness shall be given 2 Tim. 4. 8. And none can really and rightly look for and love his appearing and say