nothing Answ But this is more then order in setting it downe in the first place for I say it is required in the first place and the holy Ghost doth not require that first of us which it pleaseth him to worke last but requires that first which he pleaseth first to worke Quest VVhat is your next Reason Answ Because untill we have true Repentance wrought in us we have no right unto any speciall promise for the speciall promises of Grace and Mercy are made only to the Penitent and Broken-hearted and therefore before Repentance they cannot have faith in any of those speciall promises Esay 61.1 2 3. Acts 3.19 Quest VVhat is your next Reason Answ Because no man before he have Repentance truly wrought in him can receive the forgivenesse of his sinnes for Repentance is required that men may have their sinnes done away and therefore forgivenesse of sinnes doth follow Repentance and so consequently Faith doth follow Repentance Acts 2.38 and 3.19 Quest But doth it follow that because Remission of Sinnes doth follow Repentance that therefore Iustifying Faith doth follow Repentance Answ Yes it doth because whosoever is Justified by Faith his Sinnes are forgiven at the same instant but no mans Sinnes are forgiven untill he have true Repentance wrought in him therefore no Man is Justified by Faith before his heart be broken and true Repentance be wrought in him Rom. 5.1 Quest What other reason have you for to prove this point Answ Because whosoever is Justified by Faith is at peace with God Rom. 5.1 But no Man is at peace with God untill he have truly repented therefore no Man is Justified by Faith untill he have truly repented Quest But are not Men first at peace with God and assured of his love and afterwards come to true Repentance for their former Sins Answ No certainly it cannot be for the speciall thing that the party repenting doth seeke for is the pardon of Sinnes and peace with God and to be assured of his love and therefore it cannot be that he doth enjoy peace seeing it is that which above all other things he so earnestly seeketh and desireth Luke 15.18.19 Quest Doth not this seeking of peace with God and desire to be reconciled unto him argue that he doth enjoy peace and that he is reconciled unto God Answ No certainly for the desire of a thing doth argue the want of the thing desired and not the having of it and so this desire of peace doth plainly shew the want of it Quest What is Repentance Answ Repentance is a powerfull worke of Gods Spirit wrought in the hearts of such as shall be saved whereby the heart is broken and turned from the pleasing delights of Sinne into a great feare and sorrow for them and Confession of them unto God and into an exceeding desire of peace and reconcilliation with God Luke 15. Acts 11.18 2 Tim. 2.25 Ioel 2.12.13 Heb. 6.1 Proverbs 28.13 Quest Is this Repentance that you have here described of necessity to salvation Answ It is of absolute necessity as Christ himselfe testifieth where he saith except ye repent you shall all perish Luke 13.5 Quest But is it of necessity that all those parts described in the definition of Repentance should be effected before a Man can be capable of the promise Answ This is that constant order which God hath and ever will keepe in effecting this great worke of his to humble them for their Sinnes to cause them to see and to confesse and acknowledge their misery and also earnestly to long and desire after peace and reconcilliation with God which are indeed the very substance and severall parts of Repentance Quest But is not leaving of all knowne evill and doing of all knowne good the parts of Repentance Answ No it is not these are indeed the efects of fruits ever following Faith and commonly called by the names of mortification and vivification which is a dying unto Sinne and a rising to newnesse of life Quest What reason can you give to proove that this is not Repentance Answ Because Repentance must of necessity alwayes goe before Justifying Faith as is formerly proved but this leaving of all evill and doing of Good ever followes after Justifying Faith Quest But it may seeme that if that be repentance which you have described then Iudas had true repentance for he was both sorowfull and also confessed his Sin Answ No he never had that Repentance for then he should have been received to mercy for although he was sorrowfull and confest he had sinned he never attained that broken heart nor he never sought or desired pardon and reconciliation with God for hee knew it was in vaine for he had sinned against the holy Ghost Quest But is not Repentance and Faith wrought both at one and the same instant of time Answ No for Repentance is that worke of the Spirit which prepares the heart and makes it fit to receive the assurance of grace and peace which is by faith and therefore that which is a preparation to a thing must alwaies goe before the thing for which the preparation is made Quest But is there any distance of time betweene Repentance and justifying faith Answ There is not any thing passeth betweene Repentance and Faith for they do not cease repenting and bewailing their lost condition nor seeking and desiring after Grace and mercy untill such time as they be satisfied But where God doth bestow this grace of faith he doth alwaies find them Repentant and repenting sinners Quest VVhat is Justifying faith Answ It is a gracious worke of Gods Spirit wrought in the hearts of such as are penitent whereby they are assured of the free pardon and remission of all their sinnes and of peace and reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ Rom. 5.1.5 Quest VVhy doe you in your definition of Faith adde these words wrought in the hearts of such as are penitent seeing they are not of the definition of Faith Answ I adde those words to shew forth the only objects in whom it pleaseth the Lord to worke this excellent worke of Faith Quest Doth Iustifying faith give assurance to the Penitent and broken heart of peace with God Answ Yes it doth as St. Paul testifieth Romans the fift and the first verse being Justified by Faith we have peace with God through Jesus Christ Quest But may not this Faith bee lost at no time after the receiving of it An. It cannot be lost but it may be greatly weakned through carelesnesse by falling into sinne as David did Psal 51. Quest But may they not be deprived of the Assurance of Gods love for a time Answ Yes they may want the comfortable assurance thereof but they have then a promise to rest upon which is That whom the Lord loveth he loveth to the end and therefore David in his extremity said hee remembred the Lords mercies of old Quest But is not the beleeving of a mans sins to be pardonable justifying faith Answ No it
it consists not in his owne power and strength but in the unchangeablenesse of Gods love for they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation wherein consisteth some part of mans happinesse for now by Grace he is set into a better estate and condition then Adam was by his Creation who was subject to change 1 Peter 1.5 Quest Doth not the knowledge of this Doctrine concerning mans stedfastnesse in grace make men secure and carelesse in the committing of sinne Answ No certainly it is not possible that any of those that are regenerate should make such an use of it but rather they considering Gods rich mercy and abundant grace showed towards them doe labour to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and doe endeavour to live soberly righteously and godly seeing the grace of God that bringeth salvation unto all men hath so plentifully appeared unto them Titus 2.11.12 Rom. 12.1 Quest Doe not many of the regenerate fall into great sinnes after their regeneration Answ Yes certainly wee have examples thereof in Noah David and Peter who did fall into great sinnes after they were regenerate Gen. 9.21 2 Sam. 11.4.13 14 15. Chap. 12.9 Mat. 26.70.72.74 Quest What great dammage doth come unto them by their Falls seeing they cannot fall away and perish for ever Answ The dammage is very great for besides the dishonour of God whose glory ought to be deare unto them they deprive themselves of their sweet peace joy and comfort which they did enjoy and doe cast themselves into great trouble of mind sorrow and feare and many times cause the Lord to punish them for their sinne with some temporall punishment 2 Sam. 12. Psal 51. Quest What is required of men falling into Sinne after Iustification Answ That they should repent of their Sins and seeke earnestly at the hand of God for the pardon of them as David did Psal 51. Quest Is it in mans power to repent Answ No it is not it is the gift of God 2 Tim. 2.15 Quest Wherefore then doth the Lord require of man to repent and beleeve seeing he is unable to performe the same Answ The Lord requires of us to repent and beleeve becauâ—e they are workes to be performed by us and that we seeing our selves unable to performe them might be mooved to seeke for them at the hands of God who is the only giver of them Quest What need is there for them to repent who have formerly received pardon of their Sinne and cannot possibly perish because Christs death was a full satisfaction not only for their Sinnes past but for all that ever they should commit during this life Answ Yes certainly Repentance is very needfull for them and therefore the Apostle councelleth them amongst the rest of their spirituall armour Ephesians 6. to have their feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace which is Repentance for by their sinne they having dishonoured God and greeved his Spirit and having also deprived themselves of their sweet Communion they had with God there is no other way to obtaine their peace joy comfort and sweet Communion with God againe but by Repentance as we may see by the example of David Psal 51. Quest Then Repentance doth not cease in men assoone as they are justifyed and reconciled unto God Answ No assuredly for although they have attained the thing their soules so much desired in the day of their trouble and their wounded soules be healed and refreshed yet doe they still retaine their soft and melting heart which doth daily mourne and lament for the body of Sin and remnant of Corruption that is left in them whereby they are led Captive to Sinne and to offend their Lord and Redeemer who hath been so rich and abundant in mercy towards them Rom. 7.23.24 Quest Then it seemes that the estate of a true Christian in this life is a very sorrowfull and mournfull estate Answ It is true indeed their life is full of sorrow this is their time of mourning and weeping they of all others are subject to many persecutions disgraces and reproaches besides the corruption that is within them which pursues their soules daily so that if their hope were only in this life they were of all men the most miserable But yet notwithstanding in the midst of their afflictions and persecutions the Lord doth give them inward joy and comfort by his Spirit farre exceeding all worldly Joy that this world can afford and none but they have any sound Joy but they only doe possesse that Joy which is unspeakable and full of glory and which shall never be taken from them Io. 16.22 Quest From whence proceedeth that unspeakeable Ioy which the faithfull doe enjoy Answ It proceedeth from the apprehension of Gods love unto them who hath remitted their Sinnes and assured them of peace and reconciliation with him 1 Io. 4.10.19 Quest What is the first and principall cause of mans salvation Answ The first and principall cause is the Infinite love and mercy of God Io. 3.16 So God loved the world c. Quest Was there no other moving cause to moove him â—o pitty man but his owne love Answ No certainely neither needed there any other nor could possibly be a greater cause then his owne love goodnesse and mercy to moove him thereunto Quest Was not Christ the principall cause of man salvation Answ No assuredly he was indeed the materiall cause but not the efficient or principall mooving cause for howsoever it be true that every person in the Godhead did our of their infinite love decree from all eternity the salvation of man yet in the effecting and accomplishing of the same every person hath his distinct operation and worke appropriated unto him so that we cannot without confusion attribute that to one person which is proper and peculiar to another Quest Declare unto me briefly the severall worke of every person in the Godhead distinctly and severally in the working of the Redemption of man Answ The worke appropriated in Scriptures to the first person namely the Father is of his meere love to have sent his onely Sonne and the worke of the Son is to be sent and to take mans nature upon him to suffer death to satisfie the Justice of God and to effect and bring to passe that great worke of mans Redemption and the worke of the third person the Holy Ghost is to inlighten the understanding of the elect in this great mistery and to make effectuall unto them this Redemption which Christ hath wrought for them Quest Might not the Lord have saved mankind out of his owne love and goodnesse without the sending of his Son to take upon him our nature and to suffer death Answ Whether he might or no we will not dare to conclude but that which may be profitable for us we will affirme that certaine it is that this way which the Lord hath ordayned and also made knowne unto us did best stand with his Iustice and doth serve the
done being decreed by him Rom. 4.17 Quest What great workes did he after he had taken upon him the nature of Man Answ He wrought many great miracles he raised the dead he made the blind to see and healed all manner of diseases and taught his Fathers will Io. 11.43.44 Luk. 7.15.22.4.40.43 Quest Was he obedient to the Law Answ Yea he was obedient to the Law and did fulfill it in every thing that it did command or require Psal 40.7.8 Quest Then he was free from Sinne Answ He did no Sinne at all neither did guile ever enter into his mouth 1 Peter 2.22 Quest Was it needfull he should fullfill the Law Answ Yes it was needfull for us to have such a Redeemer as could perfectly fullfill the Law for us who could not fullfill it our selves Gal. 4.4.5 Rom. 8.3.4 Quest Then it seemes that whatsoever Christ did doe was only for the Redemption of the elect Answ It was all for that end for he was wholly given unto them as the Prophet Esay saith unto us a Child is borne Esay 9. Quest Was he not bound to fullfill the Law for himselfe Answ The Law was never given unto him for to be a rule for him to walke by for he needed no Law being free from that Corruption of nature which all the posterity of Adam were tainted and corrupted with Quest If he were free from Corruption of nature wherefore was he Circumcised and Baptised Answ It was as himselfe saith to fullfill all righteousnesse not that there was any need in him of the Circumcision of the heart or that washing and purging signified by Baptime but he submitted himselfe to both to testifie his willing subjection to the will of his Father and to teach us by his example to doe the like Mathew 3.15 Quest Had he any enemyes seeing he was so innocent and blamelesse Answ Yes he had many enemyes especially the Scribes and Pharises that did persecute him and when that time appointed was come did also put him to death Math. 26.3.4 and Chap. 27. Quest Wherefore did they put him to death Answ There was no cause worthy of death found in him as the Judge himselfe confessed Luke 23.14 Math. 27.24 Quest Could he not have delivered himselfe nut of their hands seeing he was God and have confounded his enemies by his Almighty power and word Answ Yea he could have prayed to his Father as himselfe saith and he would have sent him more then twelve legions of Angells but he came into the World to suffer and to fullfill whatsoever was prefigured and prophened of him to be fullfilled by him Math. 26.53.56 Quest Was his death prefigured and foretold in the Scriptures Answ His death was shadowed out in the Paschall Lambe and in the sacrifices and foretold by the Prophets in very many places of Scripture and that in expresse words Esay 53. Daniell 9.26 Quest Was it needfull that he should dye for to worke the Redemption of Man Answ It was needfull for he did nothing in vaine and God would have him to suffer death to the end he might deliver man from death And the Justice of God did require that he should dye for God had threatned death to Adam upon his disobedience and therefore that God might manifest himselfe to be just and his wrath also against out sinnes and yet also notwithstanding manifest his mercy towards Man God would have him to suffer a shamefull death who was able being God and Man to beare that wrath and satisfie the Justice of God which could not have been satisfied unlesse that Christ himselfe had suffered death Quest What death did he suffer Answ They did Crucifie him upon the Crosse between two theeves Mathew 27.38 Quest Wherefore did they put him to so shamefull a death Answ It was so foretold that he should be so used by the Iewes for as his death was foretold so also the manner of his death Esay 55.12 Quest Then the Jewes did nothing unto him but that which God had decreed and foretold by his Prophets Answ Not any thing at all Io. 19.24.28.29 Acts 2.23 Quest Wherefore did God decree to put his onely Son to so shamefull death Answ To the end he might manifest his Iustice and wrath against Sinne and also his exceeding great mercy and love unto Man that notwithstanding his Iustice did require so shamefull a death yet did not spare his owne Sonne but gave him to death to redeeme us Io. 3.16 Qu. Seeing that all men as well the Elect as others are all borne the children of wrath and are lyable to the curse of God and Condemnation what is required of us that we may be free from that Curse and escape condemnation Answ A new Birth is required as our Saviour himselfe witnesseth except a man be borne againe he cannot enter into the kingdome of heaven Io. 3.3.5 Quest What is that new Birth Answ It is a most admirable and also a supernaturall worke of Gods Spirit whereby all the Elect are made of children of wrath heires of eternall Glory and happinesse Titus 3.5 6 7. Quest Whereof doth this new birth consist Answ It consisteth of these two parts namely of Water and the Spirit that is to say of Repentance and of Faith Jo. 3.5 Titus 3.5 Quest After what manner doth the Lord effect and worke this new Birth in the Elect Answ The Lord doth it two wayes inwardly by his Spirit and outwardly by his Word opening their eyes to see their misery and that there is mercy to be had if they doe repent Ezek. 36.24 25 26 27. Ephes 1.13 Rom. 10.14 Ezek. 33.11 Quest VVhat is the first peculiar worke that God vouchsafeth to worke in them whom he hath apurpose to save Answ The first speciall and peculiar worke that God doth worke in them is Repentance Quest But is not Faith wrought in men before Repentance and doth not repentance proceed from Faith as a fruit and effect thereof Answ No not that faith which is peculiar to the Elect that is never wrought before Repentance neither is Repentance a fruit or effect of Faith but an effect of the Spirit as faith also is Quest VVhat Faith is that which is wrought in men before Repentance Answ It is commonly called historicall faith the object whereof is the truth of the Scriptures and it is a gift of the Spirit common as well to those that shall perish as to those that shall be saved Quest VVhat Reasons have you to perswade you that Repentance is the first peculiar worke that God doth worke in them whom he hath a purpose to save Answ I have very many Reasons to perswade me thereunto Quest VVhat is the first Reason Answ My first Reason is the constant and unchangeable order that the holy Ghost hath observed throughout the Scriptures in requiring Repentance and Faith alwayes requiring Repentance in the first place Mark 1.15 Math. 3.2 Luk. 3.3 Acts 2.38 Acts 3.19 Quest But order in setting downe things in Scripture proves
How doe you know that the Apostle meanes this sinne in that place which hee would not have us pray for Answ Because all other sinnes are pardonable and therefore may be prayed for but this sinne is unpardonable and therefore not to be prayed for Mathew 12.32 Quest How comes it to passe that this sinne above all others should be unpardonable Answ Because the very way and meanes of salvation is despised and rejected after they have received the knowledge of the truth and therefore it is impossible to renew them againe by Repentance seeing they crucifie to themselves the Sonne of God afresh and put him to an open shame Heb. 6.6 Quest How doe they crucifie to themselves the Sonne of God Answ Even like as the Jewes did reject Christ and crucifie him when hee was with them upon earth so these men doe now reject him and doe crucifie him by their wilfull contempt of him and his sacrifice And as the Jewes did so doe they put him to an open shame and so rejecting that sacrifice which was ordained of God from all eternity to take away sinnes it is impossible their sinnes should be pardoned for there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinne Heb. 10.29 Quest Doe men come on a sudden to commit this fearfull sinne Answ No but by degrees for first there is a light esteeme of the Gospell and of the grace offered therein Secondly a looking back to their pleasures past with some liking of them Thirdly a yeelding consent of the will and affections to the flesh for the embracing of them againe and so by little and little returne like the dog to his owne vomit againe and like the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire 2 Pet. 2.22 Quest Doe all the Reprobate commit this sinne Answ No because many of them are never so farre inlightned by the holy Ghost to see and perceive those things which those doe that fall into that sinne Quest Is not their estate more miserable that commit this sinne then others that doe not commit that sinne and yet notwithstanding shall perish for ever Answ Yes certainly for although the estate of others be miserable yet the misery of these shall farre exceed for to whom much hath bin committed of him much shall be required and he that knoweth his masters will and doth it not shall be beaten with many stripes 2 Pet. 2.21 Quest Doe not such as commit this sinne prove dangerous enemies to the Church of God Answ Yes assuredly none greater enemies to the truth and to the people of God then those that once have professed the truth and afterwards have turned from the holy Commandement delivered unto them and therefore they are carefully to be taken heed of and to be avoided 2 Pet. 2.21 Quest What differing effects doth the holy Ghost worke in those that shall be saved from those that commit this horrible sinne Answ The holy Ghost doth worke in them that shall bee saved a farre more excellent worke namely that great worke of regeneration consisting of these two principall effects of the Spirit Repentance and Faith Io. 3.5 Quest Are none partakers of these two effects of the Holy Ghost but such as shall be saved Answ Not any one and none that are partakers of those effects of the Spirit can possibly commit that sinne but all others that are onely inlightned by the holy Ghost to see and know the way of salvation are in danger of falling into that sinne Quest What is the best way for such to take to be free from committing that sinne Answ The best way is not to content themselves with that common grace of inlightning onely but to labour to find in themselves those two effects of the Spirit Repentance and Faith and to be earnest with the Lord by prayer that he by his Spirit would worke effectually for the breaking their hearts and humbling them that so he may raise them up againe according to his promise and never to give rest unto their soules untill the Lord by his Spirit assure their hearts of peace and reconciliation with him Quest But is not the prayer of all such as are unjustified abominable how can wee therefore hope that God will heare us or grant our requests Answ The prayers of all those that are unjustified are not abominable but only the prayers of such wicked as hate to be reformed and cast the word of God behind them but the prayers of such as desire to bee humbled for their sinnes and to have their hearts broken and brought in subjection to the will of God and earnestly desire to be reconciled and to be at peace with God are not abominable but are pleasing unto God and are many times heard and granted by him Quest But God heareth and granteth the requests of none but for Christs sake and all unjustified men are out of Christ therefore how can it be that God should heare them or that their prayer should be pleasing unto him Answ True it is that all unjustified persons are out of Christ that is are not ingrafted into him by faith And also God heareth and granteth no requests but for Christs sake But yet notwithstanding God doth heare the requests of such as are not actually in Christ for Christs sake for God is mercifull to all his Creatures onely in Christ and many thousands enjoy mercies from the Lord for Christs sake that shall never enjoy salvation by him And therefore though men be not actually justified yet they may pray for Christs sake for the things they stand in need of and bee heard of the Lord and their prayers pleasing and not sinne else would not the Apostle have advised Simon Magus being in the gall of bitternesse to pray that if it were possible the thought of his heart might be forgiven him Gen. 16.13 Chap. 21.16 Acts 8.22 Quest May any one of those that are made partakers of that new birth and ingrafted into Christ fall away and perish Answ No it is not possible for God is unchangeable in his love where hee once loves with that speciall love hee ever loves for the gifts and calling of God are without Repentance Rom. 11.20 Io. 12.1 Rom. 5.10 Quest But they fall into many sinnes after regeneration and therefore may not God justly cast them off Answ True it is they fall into sinnes after regeneration and if wee looke upon Gods Justice only we cannot say but hee might cast them oft But yet God wil be true in his promise and as he did manifest his mercy and love unto them in their new birth so will be manifest his mercy in preserving them so that although they doe sinne daily yet shall it not condemne them For God doth justifie them through Christs death and if God justifie who may condemne Rom. 8.33.34 Quest Then it seemes that the stedfastnesse of man in Grace consists not in his owne power and strength but in the unchangeable Decree and mercy of God Answ No assuredly
more to manifest his Attributes of wisdome power goodnesse love and mercy then if he had saved man without the giving his Sonne to death for him Quest Who are they that have the speciall benefit by the death of Christ Answ All have benefit thereby but the elect only have the speciall benefit of Redemption and Justification by him And all the rest of the Sonnes of Adam have a common benefit enjoying for Christs sake the continuance of the world and the abundant blessings thereof Quest What difference is there betweene Redemption and Justification Answ There is this difference Redemption is a worke which Christ hath wrought for all the Elect even for them also which are yet unborne and Justification is the free declaration of Gods eternall love free grace and mercy which he worketh in his good time in the hearts of his Elect making knowne unto them that the Redemption which Christ hath wrought is for them and that they have part and portion therein Quest Wherein consisteth mans Iustification Answ It consisteth in the free remission and taking away of the guilt and punishment of Sin and in the imputation of Christs righteousnesse Acts 10.43 Psal 32.1 Rom. 4.6 Quest By what meanes doe they come to bee thus freed from the guilt and punishment of sin and also to have the righteousnesse of Christ imputed unto them Answ By the meere grace and favour of God for as there was nothing but his owne love to move him to elects them so there was nothing but his owne love to move him to justifie them Ephes 2.8 Quest How is this made knowne unto them Answ It is revealed unto them by the holy Ghost who assureth them of peace and reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ and also worketh in them faith to lay hold and to apply unto themselves the speciall and peculiar promises of the Gospell Rom. 5.1 Ephes 8. Quest Are not all men set free from the guilt and punishment of sinne by the death of Christ Answ No certainly none but those whom God did make choyce of from all eternity to be vessels of mercy Quest Wherfore should God make choice of some and leave others seeing all had sinned alike in Adam and all alike corrupted Answ There was nothing in man at all in one more then in another but it was his good pleasure nothing moving him thereunto but his owne will Rom. 9. Quest Did the Lord then make some men of purpose to destroy them and to condemne them for ever Answ The Lord did decree from all eternity to save some and to leave others but yet notwithstanding hee did not create them of purpose to destroy them For the end of mans Creation was the glory of God and in their Creation he did not intend the destruction of the creature but his owne glory and he made man righteous but he brought destruction upon himselfe by rebelling against God Hosea 13.9 Eccle. 7.29 Quest Then the Lord is not the Author of mans condemnation Answ He is not the Author thereof but man himselfe for God at first did make man righteous and holy and gave him power to obey and serve him but hee willingly of himselfe fell to disobey the command of God and so made himselfe liable to eternall wrath and condemnation Hosea 13.9 Eccle. 7.29 Quest Why did not God make man so absolute perfect in himselfe that he could not possibly have fallen but might have stood in his perfection of himselfe Answ It could not possibly be unlesse hee should have been God for it is proper only unto God to be so absolute perfect and immutable and cannot bee in any creature whatsoever Quest Doe not the good Angels stand in their state of perfection and glory by themselves Answ No verily it is through the free grace and goodnesse of God that they stand and not of their owne power and that they and we also might see our owne weaknesse and that we all stand through his grace he suffered both Angels and man to fall Quest Why did not God as well punish all the Angells as some of them seeing hee punished all mankind for Adam's sin Answ The case is not alike for we all sinned in Adam being in his loynes and are therefore polluted with corruption of nature and doe bring forth the evill fruit of sinne and rebellion against God But it was not so with Angels they did not proceed from one another by naturall generation and therefore not in the same manner corrupted but were all created glorious creatures And it was but some of the Angels that sinned and therefore none but them that sinned were punished And although he suffered all men to fall yet he provided a remedy to restore part of them againe through Jesus Christ and to make them heires of glory for ever Quest Is not the remedy sufficient to redeeme all mankind that had fallen through Adams transgression Answ It is sufficient doubtlesse being a price of an infinite value and all men are thereby set in a possibility of salvation and as we said before all men enjoy good by Christ yet notwithstanding God did not purpose nor intend to give his Sonne to death to redeeme all mankind and so to save them for ever but only for those whom he had elected and made choice of to be vessells of mercy in his wisdome from all eternity the Lords workes and doings are unchangeable Quest But the Lord exhorts all men to repent and to turne to him promising to pardon their sins if they do repent How then is it that God did not purpose to save all mankind by Christs death Answ It is true indeed that all men are exhorted to repent and the promises are made generally to all that doe repent but none doe repent but only the elect and chosen of God and therefore none but they enjoy the speciall promises of grace and mercy Quest But what is the reason that all doe not repent that so they might have right unto those speciall promises of grace and mercy through Christ Answ The fault is in man who through the corruption of his heart resists this grace and mercy offered and so hardens his heart in sinne choosing rather to enjoy his pleasure here then to humble himselfe to walke with God to enjoy his grace and mercy for ever Quest Have the Elect any more power in themselves then others to repent and turne to the Lord Answ No none at all but Repentance is the gift of God as we said before and it is he that by his Spirit doth effect this great worke in them 2 Tim. 2.25 Quest Why doth not God give repentance to all and so save all by Christ that so all men might for ever glorifie and praise his mercy Answ It was his purpose from all eternity as well to set forth the glory of his Justice as of his mercy and therefore as he did not intend nor purpose to save them by Christ so neither would he bestow