not be as their Fathers A stubborn and rebellious generation c. Now if any with a brazen face would say Might here had the force of an absolute certainty the sequele in both places will prove him false for they did not all so but to come to the very Text thus by him abused Joh. 3 17. For God sent not his Sonne into the world to condemne the world but that the world through him might be saved Here if Might have the force of an absolute certainty the world shall certainly be eternally saved or otherwise then in and by himselfe ransomed and preserved and means used that they might repent beleeve and so be saved How is that true our Saviour saith of the same world distributed into parts verse 18. He that beleeveth on him is not condemned but he that beleeveth not is condemned already c. vers 19 36. Where were Mr. Knowles and Mr. Garners eyes that durst presume to force such a contradictory sonse on this place But let us see this very word Might in this Evangelist and and take the interpretation from our Saviours own mouth Joh. 5 32 33 34 There is another that beareth witnesse of mee c. now did not John beare witnesse of the light that all men through him might beleeve Joh. 1.7 And are not here many of them to whom he did beare witnesse that did not beleeve Besides our Saviour in this John 5 farther instiucting and teaching these Jewes Doth he not say expressely vers 34. These things I say that Jee might be saved behold the same word that is in Iohn 3.17 and yet doth he not say to the same Jewes Ioh. 5.40 Yee will not come to me that yee might have life Oh how contrary is the mind and exposition of Christ to the mind and exposition of Mr. Garner whose corrupt sense is of ill consequence viz. 8. The words Gave Give Send Sent Joh. 3.16 17. we are every where in Scripture speaking of this businesse saith he pag. 79. To understand therein the everlasting blessednesse and salvation of those for whom God Gave Sent c. This is so contrary to Scripture and truth that nothing need be said thereof the next verses 18 19.36 confuting it 1 Cor. 6.8 Mark 12 2.8 and Joh. 6.32 My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven And what was this lesse then that John 3.16 17. and yet they mist that everlasting blessednesse c. Iohn 6.66 ☞ 1. 9. The words Taketh away in Joh. 1.29 Taketh away the sinne of the world Here and else-where he saith the words Taketh away is Hee certainly fully freely powerfully and for ever taketh them away and this in some sense might stand but he stops not here but proceedeth and saith it signifieth a perfect powerfull absolute and compleat removeall and that for ever yea of the dominion lordship merit wages power and strength of sinne so as the one or the other shall never returne any more yea so as makes to the perfection and salvation of those from whom hee taketh them away c. pages 66 67 68. Are not here glorious and high words Are his own sinnes thus taken away thinke you what ever they may be hereafter Is he already so much freer then the Apostles were in their times Ro. 7.15.24 and 8.1 2 23. Jam. 4. ◠1 Joh. 1 7 8 9. But let the businesse be weighed in the Ballance of the Sanctuary Taketh away both in Scripture and common use of speech may be truly and rightly understood 1. Of one that hath taken sinne out of the way 2. Of one that doth it that is ordained to and able for it and will do it in all them that come to him 3. Of one that hath done it in all that have come in to him And in all these senses it is meant of Jesus Christ First For Taking out of the way We have two things to note how sinne lyeth in the way between God and men to make a separation and so to stop the passages and make it impassible either for the mercies of God to bee extended to men or for mens approach to God And these are 1. That great offence of our first Father Adam by which sinne entred into the world and death by sin so as all have sinned and in their receiving of their being from him are guilty of and defiled with and under the power of sin and so subject to Law and Death Rom. 5.12.18 19 And the truth of God necessitates his Death and his Justice necessitates his suffering the curse and till both bee done and overcome there can no mercy bee shewne to men nor is there any passage open for their approach to God The Winter abides for impassibility of the way Heb. 9.22 Now Jesus Christ as a publike man in the nature and stead of all being manifested to take away our sins and being made a curse for us and in rising Just and a Conquerour offering himselfe a sacrifice to God hath done this work fulfilled truth and satisfie Justice and so mercy and truth meet and truth is sprung out of the earth and hee hath abolished death removed out of the way that which was contrary to us opened a gate to life procured mercy to be shewed us so as the Winter is past the way passible and righteousnesse flows down from heaven 1 Joh. 3.5.6 Psal 85.10.11 2 Tim. 1.9 Cant. 2.11 Psal 136. and 145. So far are all men indebted to Jesus Christ for so taking sn out of the way that mercies are shewne them through him and a gate opened that they might enter Psal 75.3 Rom. 14.9 which might move to submit to him Though Mr. Garner by denying this teach the greatest part of men to deny the Lord that bought them 2. This Doore opened through Christ and these mercies extended testifying of him and calling to him Act. 14 17. and 17.24.28 Rom. 2.4 God being well pleased in his Son and delighting in him lookes downe from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there bee any that by all this his goodnesse extended will understand and seeke after him but alas men comming to understanding and the light of his mercies shining on them they yet abide in darknesse impenitencie and unbeliefe hardning their hearts against his mercies c. Psal 14. and 53. with Rom. 3 10.19 And this most properly is called The sinne of the world John 1.4 5-10 11. 1 Joh. 5.19 And its terrible to persist therein Psal 68.18.21 For this provokes more highly then the former so as from the love God beares to his Son it would stop all continuance of mercies and meanes and cause the shutting of the doore to repentance and life but that even this Jesus against whom they so sin doth mediate for them by vertue of his sacrifice and takes this sin also out of the way that hee procures lengthening the dayes of his patience and continuace of mercies and meanes with some strife of spirit to them 1 Tim.
have abode in that glory Ioh. 12.24 But in this his glory and glorious perfection abiding and not laying it aside and becomming lower he could not be for mankind that was fallen into sinne and under death a perfect JESUS a perfect Propitiation peace righteousnesse and perfect Lord Saviour and helper of mankinde which he must certainly bee or else he cannot be the author of eternall salvation That he might be perfect then in regard of us it was necessary that he be made flesh in our very nature that so the nature that sinneth might suffer John 1.14 Rom. 8.3 yea in our nature as fallen and so submitted to infirmities and mortallity even to the flesh and blood that he might dye Heb. 2.14 And that hee be in this our nature subjected to infirmities as a publike maâ— and surely in the same obligation with us and so under the Law under which wee were fallen That so our debt may be his and he be found under the guilt of our sinnes Gal. 4.4.5 And being thus found as a surety a servant and under the Law for us that God the Father passe by us and call him to an account for our debt and charge him with our sinnes Isay 53.6.2 Cor. 5.19 And he must own this charge and imputation and confesse also Heb 10.5 9. Psal 40 7.12 And that our sinnes being charged on him and he accepting the charge he also undergoe the sentence and so dyed for our sinnes for without shedding of blood there is no remission of sinnes 1 Pet 2.24 and 3 18. Heb 9 22. And yet that he may be perfect for us it is necessary that he rise from the dead acquit of all our sinne and a victory over our death that as mercy and truth are met and righteousnesse and peace doe kisse in his Death So truth may spring out of the earth in his resurrection for our justification Psal 85.10 11. Rom 4 25. For if Christ be not raised our faith is vain we are yet in our sinnes 1 Cor. 15.17 And now he is so risen yet there is still more to be done by him necessary that he might be a perfect Saviour namely That by the eternall spirit he ascend into the highest Heaven even the holy of holiest and there appeare before God for us and present at the propitiatory or mercy seat and bosome of the Father the vertue of his blood shed He being now risen and so offer to him his own risen and holy body a spotlesse sacrifice a price a ransome for those for whom he dyed that so thereby he may obtain and procure of his Father 1. A right of Lordship over us all 1. That wee may be his by purchase and he have the power and authority over us to dispose of us and judge us 1 Tim. 2.6 Rom. 14.9 2. Eternall redemption of our nature in himself as the publick man and for men and receive eternall life in our nature in the man and for men that he may have it to bestow Heb. 9.12 14. 1 John 5.11 3. The use of meanes and sending forth of his Spirit in that meanes whereby men might be enlightned in some knowledge of his goodnesse and have some participation of his mercyes that they might thereby be admonished and reproved and instructed to repentance and seeking of him and so come in to him for life Psal 68.18 John 1.4 5 9 Act. 14.17 and 17 26 27 30 31. Rom. 2.4 Iohn 1.7 and 20.31 for as wee in our particular persons as individualls could not have partaked of the misery we fell in too in the fall of the first publick man had their been no medium by propogation for encrease to come forth of him so neither could any of mankinde in any of their particular persons partake of that blessed restoration and eternall life obtained and received in the nature of and for mankind in and by the second publick man if there be no Spirituall medium to call and regenerate men that they may come into him But he having gon through and done all first mentioned and now obtained all this latter mentioned he is made perfect and become perfect and so as it is said of him Luke 24.26 46. ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory thus it is writen and thus it behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day and that repentance and remission of sinns should be preached in his name among all nations so it is said even of God the Father Heb. 2.10 It became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many sonns unto glory to make the Captaine of their salvation perfect through sufferings suitable to which it is said of Christ himself Heb 5.8 Though he was a sonne yet learned he Obedience by the things which he suffered as I understand he tooke occasion to shew forth obedience by the things which he suffered and so was made perfect yea perfect in the highest degree of perfection though not while he was suffering yet by and through sufferings not in one thing only suffered but the things which hee suffered his sufferings for had he not had our nature subjected to humane infirmities and that made under the law for us he could not have dyed for us and then truth and mercy could not have mett righteousnesse and peace could not have kissed on our behalfe Heb. 2.14 Psal 85.10 And had he not dyed for our sinns he could not have risen Just on our behalfe and for our Justification and so truth could not have sprung out of the earth that we might participate Rom. 4 25. Psal 85.11 and had he nor so risen for our Iustification he could not have ascended into the Heavens to present the vertue of his blood and offer himself a sacrifice a price and ransom to God for us he had not then had wherewith to prevaile with God to take sinne out of the way with all that was contrary to us that mercy might be shewne and righteousnesse looke downe from Heaven on us Heb. 1.3 Col. 2.14 15. to purchase us into his dispose Rom. 149. To obtain eternall redemption and receive eternall life in our nature for men that he might have it to bestow Heb. 9.12 to procure meanes and spirit to be sent to call and draw us Iohn 16.7 Psal 68.18 nor had he had wherewith by spirit to take sinne out of our conscience and to purge our nature Heb. 9.14 for which cause he had his body given him and hath done the will of the Father Heb. 10.5 10 and so through suffering in our nature for us and in the same nature raised presenting the nature of his sufferings and offering himselfe a sacrifice unto God he is made perfect or become perfect A perfect Saviour Propitiation righteousnesse A Lord able to save and able to destroy and here is our businesse sure distinct and here is a reconciliation and salvation in our nature dispensable
such or a sorer curse then that mentioned Deut. 28.27 28 29. and without any hope so not an estate of life whence also when men for their contempt of and resisting the meanes used for their repentance are given up of God so reprobated that there is no more hope for them Ier. 6.16 30. Ezek. 24.13 Rom. 1.18 28. Prov. 1.23 24. c. Their life is not then an estate of life though once it was but then also as well as in death such are said to be blotted out of the Book of life Psal 69.28 not though this seacible being of those reprobates after raised and made a live by Christ shall after his sentance remain in torment for ever yet is that no where called life as this life of men during the time of Gods patience and giving space and meanes is 2 Pet. 3.9 Rev. 2.21 Eecles 9.4 Job 33.30 Besides this life and eternall life are set forth indifferent expressions in Scripture this is a preservation from death that there may be a time to seek the other Eccles 11. and 12. Psalme 69.8 9 10. But eternall life is a life from the dead Rom. 11.15 This the life that now is but the other that which in its fulnesse and visibility is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 This the life or light of men John 1.4 But the other the life of Beleevers Col. 3.3 This is called the life of the world John 6 5.33 But eternall life is called the life of Jesus 2 Cor 4.11 and the life of God Ephes 4.18 the one affording a hope that men following lying vanities may deprive themselves of Prov. 1.23 24. Isay 55.6 Ionah 2.8 The other affording such blessednesse as preserves the honour for ever Iohn 10.27 28 29 30. yea the one vouchsafed to unbelievers that they might receive him though they doe not Iohn 1.4.11 but the other only to them that receive him Iohn 1.12 Now let us mind what life or living is here meant 2 Cor. 5.15 And this without any wresting by minding first the reading secondly the expression thirdly the dependency it bath with that fore declared fourthly the explanation and confirmation in other places speaking of the same things First for the reading eternall life sure by all confessed is even God living in his and so they living in God and to God and sure so farre not to themselves but to Christ and the text speaketh not in such tearmes that they which live unto God should not live c. But that they which live Secondly the expression is That they which live should not hence-forth after life vouchsafed though before they did 1 Peter 4.2 3 4. live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them and rose again Now sure so much eternall life as is in any heart the spirit is life for righteousnesse sake Rom. 8.10 and so farre doth and can doe no other but live in God and to God and so farre not to themselves but to Christ Rom. 8.2 1 John 3.6.9 and 5.4 Thirdly the dependency of this with the first ground of the Apostles exhortation 2 Cor 5.10 That we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad knowing therefore the terrour of the Lord wee perswade men c. And where in will either the equity or terrour of that judgement be if not in this that such as he dyed and rose for and hath offered them life when some light comes doe refuse to yeild to him and will still live to themselves I trow this will not be said of them that have eternall life And fourthly for the explanation and confirmation in other places of Scripture speaking of the very same businesse doth not the same Apostle speaking of Beleevers not living to God give a ground like this 2 Cor. 14.15 why all ought to do◠so Rom. 14 9. for to this end Christ both dyed and rose and revived That he might be the Lord both of the dead and living and doth he not on this ground diswade men from living to themselves and perswade to live to Christ and this also with the same motive that wee must be judged by him and give account to him verse 10 11 12. And doth not the Apostle Peter lead us to the same sense 1 Peter 4. For as much as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh arm◠your selves likewise with the same mind for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath seaced from sin that he no longer should marke here the living scope of live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lust of men but to the will of God for the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentils c. See how in all things the places agree and what life or living they speak of As for Mr. Garners pointing 1 John 6.51 to know the life here ment to be eternall life he is confuted by the place he points to which sheweth the life of the world to be procured and given by the death and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ offered to God by which they live but eternall life is received only in feeding on him which none doe till by grace drawn out of the fellowship of the world to beleeve on him John 6.27.29 40 51.53 c. So that in this beginning of his dealing with the quoted Scripture he hath preferred his reason as a light before the plain saying of the Scripture which indeed is a light though by him counted darknesse that his reason that should have submitted to be inlightened by it may inlighten it and so he useth here carnall reasoning before faith and acknowledgeth though weakly some part of truth to deny another part and takes the expression as independant and so forceth an unfound sense upon it and two other places together I hope M. Knowles nor Mr. Garner did not count the sense given by him on these words 2 Cor. 5.15 those that live to be one of the mysteries he unvailed for he hath striven in this to vaile that which is open and plain and discover in it a mystery of deceit that he might privily bring in a damnable heresie leading the greatest part of men to deny the Lord that bought them by denying his right of Lord-ship by purchase by denying his goodnes in proucring them thereby their lives with mercies a door of hope by denying their ingagement to him not to live to themselves but to him by denying the equity of his judgeing them Auill beginning And to save labour where like abuse of Scripture and reason and teaching such denyals are I shall but note them with this marke ☞ 1. 2. And in abusing three places to force sense on these words That liveth he doth the like by these words John 12.32 Will draw all men unto me which he limmiteth to this sense I will give
for the Sonnes of men And being made perfect 2. For the second he was made the author of eternall salvation is not that cleare also to be a further and distinct businesse are not the words plain And being made made perfect he became or was made the author of eternall salvation to them that obey him As he is the procurer He. 2.12 so he is the doner and giver of it John 1.12 and 6.14 and 17.2 And this saying eternall salvation unto all them that obey him doth impart that which Scriptures else where sheweth some salvation fore-wrought and vouchsafed that men might obey him in receite and exceptation whereof men doe obey him and in neglect and refusall or disobedience to him wherein also will appeare a distinction of salvation it selfe considerable if the sayings of the Scripture it selfe be heeded and believed which sheweth us 1. That Jesus Christ himselfe in his own body as the second publick man having in the nature of all mankind and for them dyed for our sinnes and risen for our justification and in the same nature being ascended exalted and filled with all fulnesse of grace 1 Pet. 2.24 Rom. 4.25 Hath so saved out nature in himselfe that all or any of that nature comming to him may and in union with him shall partake thereof Rom. 5.18 1 John 5.11 12. And he using meanes to that end that men might seek and come to him John 1.4 5 7 10.11 Pro. 8 4 9. Hee indeed is and truly so called The salvation and Gods salvation to the ends of the earth Acts 13 26. Isay 40.6 Gods salvation which he hath prepared before the face of all people A light to lighten c. Luke 2 30 31 32. A horne of salvation Luke 1.69 And I believe this is a true and a reall salvation and eternall and compleat in him before it be made known and the making known of him is the making known of salvation and that for remission of sinnes also though many receive it not Luke 1.77 79. Acts 13.38 39 And is not here a salvation a prepared salvation a salvation made known and set before men larger and farre more then have enjoyed it 2. The word that sets forth Jesus Christ the Sonne of God and saviour of the world and what he is hath done and doth in Heaven for us and is ready to bestow one all that doe believe and so calleth them and tendereth grace to them on believing It is called the word of salvation Acts 13.23 26 30 And they that neglect it are said to neglect great salvation Heb. 2.3 And is not here salvation even in the tender before and larger then the receipt and enjoyment 3. The extention and reaching forth of mercies to men Psal 145.8 9. as the persecution of their lives and so giving space for repentance Acts 17 27 28. 2 Pet. 3.9 Rev. 3.21 the preservation of the other creatures that they might serve for the good of mankind Mat. 5.45 Psal 36 5 6 7. and blessing these to men for the good and welfare of men in this life Acts 14.17 and all this extended through the Propitiation Christ hath made and ransome he hath given for men in which mercy and truth are so met that God without violation of truth and justice may shew mercy to sinners Psal 85.10.11 And he is not only good to all in that his mercy is over all his workes but also he is righteous in all his waies Psal 145.17 and so all these mercies are testimonies of his goodnesse Psal 19.1.6 Rom. 10.18 Acts 14.17 and that to lead to repentance and seeking of him Acts 17.27 28. Rom. 2.4 much more the word and Gospell where it comes discovering Christ which also is that all to whom it comes might believe Iohn 1.4 7 still further where his spirit comes in thâ— meanes striving with men Gen. 6.3 these with all the preservations and deliverances inlightenings and motions leading from any evill towards God as they come from and through a salvation effected in our nature by and in Christ and as they are witnesses of that salvation and come to lead to it that in receiving of it men might be saved so they are indeed and that truly called salvation or saving Exod. 14 13. Psal 144.10 and 36.6 7. Yea the Holy Ghost wils us to account that the long suffering of God is salvation 2 Pet 3.15 and thus in these respects he is the Saviour of al men 1 Tim. 4.10 Yea the salvation in Christ and love of God there-through appearing in all these fore mensioning mercies or saving or salvations doth come to men to call to reprove and so to allure to come to Christ The salvation of God and such as for love of other things doe refuse and come nor in are said truly to forsake their own mercies Iona 2.8 loose their own soules Mat. 16.24 Deny their right and lawfull Lord that bought them refusing his counsell and so bring upon themselve swift distruction 2 Pet 1.2 and are even for that cause given over to Satan and distruction not because he had not bought them but because they denyed him that bought them not because he had not loved them nor shewed love in doing good for them and to them but because they have been adversaries to him for his love and rewarded him evill for good and hatred for his love Psal 209.4 5. not because God sent not his Sonne that they might be saved and that Christ shed no blood for them nor extended meanes there through to them not any motions of spirit therein but because they have troden under foot the Sonne of God and counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith they were sanctifyed an unholy thing and have done despite to the spirit of grace Heb. 10.29 not because there were no truth in Christ for them nor love of the truth to them nor willingnesse and power in that love to save them nor it extended to them but because they received not the love of his truth that they might be saved 2 Thes 2.10 12. But held the truth in unrighteousnesse Rom. 1.18 Not because their was no propitiation made for them nor meanes used to purge them But because he purged them and they were not purged Ezek. 24.13 Not because he would not nor sought there returne But because they would not harken to his councell they would none of him Ezek. 33.11 Psal 18.11 Prov. 1.24 30. John 5.40 Mat. 23.37 no nor simply and absolutly in the first place because they could not But because when light came and power removing the yoake of the Jewes They regarded not his light and power that would have enabled them But loved darknesse rather and so were given up and then could not Hos 11.3 4. John 3.19 Rom. 1.18 28. now can any say he had no salvation in himselfe for them nor extended any to them and was no Saviour of them surely none can say so truly But they were rebellious and disobedient to him and
Lord owner and so he ransomes purchaseth or recovereth it again out of the hand of unjust detainers of it and this most properly called redemption though not only nor and alwaies 1 Sam. 30.18 19. c. Exod. 4.22 23. and 9.6 7 and yet that we may come plainly to our businesse A redemption may be off or made with a friend or lover and loved as Ruth chap. 4.3 10. and so hath Christ our kindsman bought us of God 1 Tim. 2.6 it may be off or from an enemy or adversary Neh. 5 8. And with the parties own selfe that is purchased Hos 3.2 yea and the redemption also may be partly partly by price partly by strong hand Psalm 77.15 And now to bring all close to our businesse in searching the Scripture wee shall find a double or twofold redemption purchase or recovery effected by Jesus Christ our Lord. 1. A purchasing of God his father mankind that had lost or sold themselves to sin Satan and death and so the truth and justice of God required the overthrow and destruction of mankind in that first judgement and death but Iesus Christ having dyed for our sins and risen for our justification and so mercy and truth met and righteousnesse and peace have kiffed and truth sprung out of the Earth Psal 85.10.11 Hee offered himselfe a price or ransome to God his father for all fallen and lost mankind and so redeemed bought purchased and recovered them all of God his father from everlasting perishing in this first judgement and death and got them all into his dispose yea God the father accepting the ransome or price hath given them all into the dispose of Christ and made him Lord of all So as he is able to save and able to destroy and will raise all and bring them to another even his judgement seat absolving such as have believed on him throughout the day of grace and sentencing to a second death such as have persisted in rebellion against him their right and lawfull Lord that bought them And in this redemption and purchasing men of God the Father he had also the enemie even the Devill to conflict with who by might and strong hand he overcame having tryumphed over him and spoyled him of his right of principality by his first conquest over men in drawing him to eate of the forbidden fruit and having spoyled him so as if he get men now it is by a new conquest in keeping them in unbeliefe and so from eating of the tree of life 2 Cor. 4.4 and 11.3 Ephes 2.2 he sat downe on the right hand of God Col. 2.15 All power and authority given to him 1 Pet. 3.22 who hath bought all mankind of God the father that hath given all over into the dispose of Christ and made him Lord of all Acts 2.36 And of this redemption buying purchase or recovery we are to understand these Scriptures that testifie of it Psal 2 5.9.10.11 and 24. 1 and 75 27. Rom. 14.9.10 11.12 2 Cor. 5.9.10.11 Phil. 2.11 1 Tim. 2.6 2 Pet. 2.1 And doe not they that deny Christ to have made this purchase devide Christ and his redemption and deny him his right of Lordship and the equity and power of raifing from the dead and of judging a great part of mankind let any judicious and unprejudicated Reader judge and yet I am sure all thus redeemed or purchased and bought are not in themselves partakers of the choice ends and fruit of this purchase 2. A puâ—chasing men of themselves by a price tendered to them and put into their hands though fooles want a heart Pro. 17.16 And this I 〈◊〉 that was foreslaine and had bought men of God comâ—s aâ—â—â—n to bâ—â—y men from among the fellowship of the world and from 〈◊〉 service of sin and Satan and all their vain conversation 〈◊〉 God And this by his blood and sactifice also but in tendering and applying it to them affording the oppertunity in meanes vouchrated sending spirit therein to witnesse of himselfe and thâ— peace made righteousnesse compleated by him and life in him commending the love of God through his blood death and Sacrifice and with the riches and excellencie appearing in him out-bidding the world hee draweth them to himselfe and by vertue of his blood spiritually applyed speaketh peace to their hearts pulls them out of the state and fellowship of the world and reconcileth and uniteth them to God in himselfe And this is a redemption of men unto God in which redemption working Jesus Christ hath to deale with enemies also as the rebellious lusts of the flesh and the unbeleeving world and the Devill that rules in the hearts of unbeleevers all which by might and strong hand hee overcomes and brings out of the power of them into his owne Kingdome Col. 1.13 and makes them free c. Iohn 8.36 Gal. 5.1 And this is a little of the redemption he workes in men to God and of this as a first fruites of the whole are such redeemed ones partakers of in themselves before God And of this redemption is to be understood such places of Scripture as these which testifie of it Acts 20.28 Rom. 5.8.10 11. Tit. 3.4.5.6 Phil. 3.3.8.9 Rev. 1.5 and 5.9 Ephes 1.7 Col. 1.14 21. But not so fully in all the places aleadged by Mr. Garner for in Col. 1.20 is a cleare distinction between his having made peace through the blood of his crosse and then his reconciling all things unto himselfe by him of which the 21. Verse mentions but a part as is shewn in the Treatise he opposeth Chap. 9. pag. 50.51 but answereth not Ephes 2.13.19 Holdeth forth the opposed distinction of a peace made and enmity first slaine and then that peace preached and after by some injoyed Rom. 4.24.25 A cleare distinction between Christ delivered for our offences and raised for our justification and the beleeving on him that raised him from the dead neither doth the Scripture in that or any other place say that all for whose sins he dyed and for whose justification he arose doe beleeve in him that raised him from the dead though he would force that forraign and corrupt sence on that and other places of Scripture as in his treatise pag. 13. and Rom. 3.24 25. hold forth cleerly the distinction of that in Christ for men and through Christ in beleeving men Are not all Iew and Gentile first concluded under sin and short of the glory of God without difference Verse 9.19.23 Is not the righteousnesse of Christ set forth in the Gospell or Doctrine of Christ oft called the faith of Christ affirmed according to the distinction Verse 22. unto all and upon all them that beleive and is it not explicated according to the distinction first Verse 24. The justification freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Iesus Then Verse 25. Gods setting him forth to be a propitiation through saith in his blood to declare his righteousnesse c. Sure then it was
mercy Seat in his own bosome as I may say there was Truth requiring our death and Justice our suffering the curse But Jesus Christ that dyed for our sinnes being risen for our justification and gone with the vertue of his blood to the Father mercy truth are met righteousnesse peace have kissed and Christ hath made the atonement with God and is become the propitiation for the sinnes of the whole world and now righteousness looks down from Heaven and God shewes mercy to men Psal 85.10 11 1 John 2.2 Psal 36.7 8. so that here is a reconciliation made with God for men 2 Cor. 5.19 Ephes 2.16 Col. 1.20 a purgation Heb. 3. a laver of regeneration Tit. 3.5 to reconcile and purge with all and this for men But yet if this be not applied if men receive it not and be not sprinckled washed and purged and renewed therewith they cannot be reconciled in themselves to good and so not eternally saved 1 John 3 3 5. and this spinckling is a spirituall businesse namely When through the Gospell in which Christ is set forth for a propitiation Rom. 3.25 the spirit beares witnesse of Christ John 15.26 1 John 5.6 and therein instructeth in the knowledge of his death and resurrection for us and so gives in to beleeve the testimony 1 Cor. 15.1 4. Gal. 3.1 5. 2 Thes 1.10 then shines in commends the love of God to the heart in this that while we were siners Christ dyed for us and his love thus commended through his death made known then the vertue of his death becomes prevalent and effecatious in the beleevers heart reconciles him to God in this his receit of the atonement Rom. 5.8.10 11. Tit. 3.4 5. and redeems him from his vain conversation 1 Pet. 1.18 19. from among men to God Rev. 5.9 and so purgeth both conscience and nature Heb. 9.14 and so doth he purchase to God and wash from sinne with his blood Acts 20.28 Rev. 1.5 and yet in himselfe in the propitiation he hath made with God for men there is the same fulnesse still for those that have not yet received and to dispence more still of the vertue of his blood to those that have received Rom. 25.26 1 Cor. 15.2 3 4. 1 John 1.7 8 9. Iohn 1.16 So that both the distinctions remain sound as they are explicated in the faulted but not confuted Treatise chap. 1. and 2. and I am sorry that Mr. Knowles and Mr. Gerner are adversaries hereto 5. He secretly and covertly faults the distinction about the severall endes of the death of Christ one for propitiation and one for witnesse bearing to the truth and so giving us example of obedience to God and love to one another and one for confirming the new Testament all which are proved and explicated in the second chapter page 16 21. and not at all by him refused and if he desire any further explanation or proofe he might have it I trow he will not say that as Christ dyed for our sinnes the Scribes and Pharises did make him flesh or under the Law for us or that they did charge our sinnes upon him or put him to death for them but that God the Father did all this to Christ for us and so delivered him for our offences and raised him for our justification Isay 53.6 Rom 4 24 25. I hope also he will not say that as Christ did willingly lay down his life in suffering all that befell him or witnesse-bearing to the truth for calling sheep and feeding the called and to give us an example to follow his steps therein that God did persecute and crucifie him for speaking the words he gave him to speake and doing of that he gave him to doe for the good of men and the speciall good of his sheep But that the Scribes and Pharises the Elders chiefe Priests c. did through envy persecute crucifie and put him to death for that Psal 2.1 4. Mat. 27.18 I hope he that can see the difference between Gods sending Joseph into Aegypt for good and his Brethens sending him for evill can see the difference in this also and so distinguish of the ends of the same death of Christ in these respects And for the third end is that a confirmation of a Testament when the Testator is put to death as an evill doer surely it s not proper to say God the Father put him to death to confirme Christ his owne Testament nor did the Pharisees so put him to death but as he was one with the Father in will and so willingly yeelded himselfe to dye for our sinnes and willingly laid down his life in witnesse-bearing too and defence of the truth he had preached so he most willingly and freely as his owne more peculiar acting did give up the ghost and die to ratifie the new Testament Heb. 9.16 17. Galath 3.14 15. which appeares also in the timelinsse of his death before those that were crucified with him Mark 15 44. though that also was for another speciall end Joh. 19.36 But yet most clearely in this that whereas others when they were spent and gave up the ghost their heads fell downe he cried with a loud voice Mark 15.37 and first bowed his head and then gave up the ghost Joh. 19.30 And so freely dyed and confirmed his Testament But Master Garner would be faulting knew he how saying that I speaking of the severall ends of his death in my Treatise pag. 22. But hee was mistaken for that was in the former chap. but in the third chapter I was speaking of the divers maner of mentioning those ends in Scripture but something hee would say to bring that distinction within compasse to be faulted in faulting the distinction pag 7. lin 3.19 though to no advantage to him 6. He saith also pag. 7. That I say That when the death of Christ in respect of that end which was for propitiation and ransome is only mentioned as it is for all so it is exprest in such generall words only as the world all men c. But here he hath clipt my words and left out that I say in Propositions for faith it is here exprest and for this I quote hee saith 2 Cor. 5.14 15 19 c. And hee should have done well to have put in many other places and expressions quoted Chap. 20. pag. 133. Proof 6. But this conclusion is unsound saith he which will appeare from what is written Heb. 9.28 where mention is made saith he of the death of Christ in respect of ransome and propitiation only c. And yet it is not exprest in such generall words as the world or all men to which I answer hee hath corruptly left out c. which was explained in my Treatise chap. 20. pag. 33. But to passe that I question his first affirmation and deny his second though he calls to mind it and double the same But now let us mind it well Heb. 9.28 So Christ was once
offered c. Is the words or sense here only that he once dyed True it is that the offering to dye is and truly may be called an offering but is rarely found that the offering of Christ to God includes but his death only however it is manifest in this chapter that here it signifies more then death yea are simply a ransome or price to purchase of God only even a sacrifice that is both a ransome or price to purchase and a reconciliation atonement or peace made with God for men and such a taking away the sinnes of the world from betweene God and men that mercy may be shewne them and meanes used towards them yea and yet farther that this sacrifice of his might be a remaining and continual thing before the Father that Christ by vertue thereof might mediate in generall for men and so send forth spirit in the meanes that they might be convinced repent and beleeve and in speciall by amediator of the new Testament for beleevers that he by vertue of this his Sacrifice may purge them and they receive the promise of the eternall inheritance and all this is manifest in this whole chapter and the drift and businesse the Apostle was about perpend it dilligently He is here treating chapter 7. and 8. and this 9. about the High priest-hood of Jesus Christ and especially mentions Christ his comming verse 11. Blood shedding verse 22 23. his assention to Heaven verse 20 24. His presentation of the vertue of of his blood and offering himselfe by the eternal spirit to God his Father there v. 12 14 26. His appearing before God with the vertue of his Sacrifice to take away sinne verse 26. having obtained eternall redemption verse 12. his blood sacrifice of force to purge the conscience of all believers on whoÌ„ it 's spinckled ver 13 14. And he for this cause the mediator of the new Testament that c. verse 15 all which in this laeter part of the chapter he is explicating and confirming let it be well minded And yet a little further consider how when where and to whom Christ our great high Priest did offer himselfe a Sacrifice and wee may see Hee did not offer himselfe such a sacrifice on the wooden Crosse that was not the Altar by and on which Christ was born and offered through the foolish Idolatrous Romanists have so esteemed and so prayed Oh holy Altar of the Crosse save us our Saviour himselfe calls such conceivers fooles and teacheth us that the Altar both sanctifieth the gift and is greater then the gift Mat. 23.19 which I hope none will say of the wooden Crosse that it sanctifieth the body of Christ and is greater then the body of Christ but the divine nature was greater then the humane and did sanctifie and dignifie the gift the humane nature or body of Christ and by this divine nature even the eternall spirit which supported him in his sufferings and by which he rose from the dead By that spirit he was born up and offered himself a sacrifice to God Heb. 9.14 He went to the crosse a sinner for us he bore our sins to the tree and was made sinne and a curse for us and dyed for our sins Psal 40 12. 1 Pet. 2.24 2 Cor 5.21 Rom. 4.25 but he was raised for our justification and being risen just and holy he then offered himselfe not spotted with our sinnes on him but a spotlesse Sacrifice without fault or spot to God Hebr. 9.14 This sacrifice was not offered here on earth the other high Priests did offer on earth they could but heare and lift up and wave before the Lord the offering and approach into a worldly Sanctuary But Jesus Christ appeared in the highest Heaven and there presented the vertue of his blood and offered his sacrifice Heb. 8.1.3 〈…〉 â—nd 9.11 12 14. This Sacrince of Christ was offered in the Heaven not to men or Angels but unto God In this businesse or Sacrifice offering he had not to deale with men though for men with God To God he offered the Sacrifice and with God it is accepted and hath prevailed that so there may be an offer and tender and application to men and a prevalency in all receivers chap. 7 8. and 9.12 14 So that all this well minded Mr. Garner is too short and limitting in his affirmation But let us fullfill his request and proceed to mind it a little further Heb. 9.28 So Christ was once offered to beare the sins of c. It is not certain that in this place the word beare the sinnes doth signifie to be counted the sinner and so to accept the imputation of them and beare the punishment due unto them of which is meant Isay 53.2.3 6 7. 2 Cor. 5.19 21. For so and in that sence he his owne selfe in his owne body bear our sins to the tree or on the tree 1 Pet. 2.24 and so in that respect he is said to have been made a curse for us Gal. 3.13 And this was before his refurection for our justification and so the offering or compleating of the offering mentioned in this chap. which offering is said to be to beare the sinnes of c. In which offering he is not said to be made a curse as he was when he hung upon the tree but a blessing A great high Priest of good things to come of which high Priesthood he treateth chap. 7. and 8. and this 9. chap. and that we may the better understand what bearing is here meant let us looke into the words and chap. consider the tipes here mentioned and the truth as it is found in Jesus First For the sacrifice besides that I have forenoted Vers 12.13 Note further that in the tipes were two Goates one that was slaine for a sin offering and the blood presented in the holy place and sprinkled on the mercy seat to make an attonement The truth of what is shadowed therein is found in Christ that beare our sinnes in his body to the tree and dyed for them and being risen hath presented the vertue of his blood in the holyes of holyes and so obtained eternall redemption and made an atonment for men Levit. 9. and 16. Heb. 9.12 13. 14. But we so sin against this goodnesse that we give God just cause to hold back all the streames of mercy from us by which we â—â—â—ht be instructed and drawne in to partake of this attonement and redemption and so in the tipes there was another Goate prepared not a dead but a live Goat that even after the attonement and reconciliation made in the holy place was to have their sinnes confessed over him yea all their trespasses and he did beare upon him all their iniquities into a land of Separation or not inhabited where no man dwelt to be charged with them Levit. 16.10.20.21 22. And is not the truth of this found in Jesus Christ our Lord that is risen for our justification and now at the right
hand of Godalive for evermore by vertue of his Sacrifice mediating for men with God his father so removing and taking away from before his face that ignorance unbeleife and rebellion of men that might justly procure the with holding all streames of mercy from them and the present giving them up to a reprobate scence and to Satan and so destroying them with his sorest judgements that still through Christ they are preserved alive patience mercies meanes and some light and motions of spirit are extended to lead them to repentance Rom. 3.10.22 and 2.4 Col. 1.18 20. Psal 75.3 And to those that through his grace are brought in by repentance and faith to Christ to take of their following evills to cleanse and purifie them to conformity with himselfe and to bring them to his inheritance 1 Iohn 1.7 Eph. 5.25 26 27. Heb. 9.14.15 but to proceed a little further and consider something in this businesse shadowed or typed in the Iewish high Priest and in a sort Priests and Levites also who was to beare the names and also the judgement of the Children of Israel upon his heart Exod. 28.29 30. To beare the iniquity of the Congregation to make an attonement for them before the Lord Yea the offerings fore offered were given them to eate before the Lord Levit. 10.17 Yea to beare the iniquity of the Sanctuary and to keep the charge of the Lord Numb 18.1.4 And to doe the service of the Tabernacle and so not the Children of Jsrael But they to beare the iniquity of the Children of Jsrael Numb 18.22 23. Now what bearing this was is to be considered Was it that the high Priest and Priests should have the sinnes of the people imputed to them and that they should be counted sinners for or in stead of the people and suffer the punishment the people should have suffered that so the people might have an escape I beleeve no such matter and yet it was thus with Jesus Christ when he was made flesh for us But sure there is another understanding of their bearing the peoples iniquity and judgement and yet nothing is therein shadowed but what in the truth of it is found in Jesus Christ our great high Priest also if translators of as great skill in the Hebrew as Mr Garner in the Greeke may be trusted they say the word to beare Lev. 10.17 is to beare or take away and that the Greek translateth it that yee should take away but whether they be credited or not doe not the word themselves give forth such a sense Num. 18.22.23 Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the Tabernacle of the congregation lest they beare sinne and dye but the Levits shall doe the service of the Tabernacle of the congregation and they shall beare their inquity It shall be a staiute for ever Now I pray what bearing of iniquity was this but a taking away of their iniquity by ministring about and ordering the holy things burning incense offering the Sacrifices c. which the people were not betrusted to doe that they might have Gods Ordinances and presence therein and mercies c. continued to them And how should the high Priest upon his heart beare the judgement of the children of Israel before the Lord continually Exod. 28.30 but in tender compassion and love to them and care for them so to minister in their behalfe c. And now is not the truth of all this found in our Lord Jesus Christ the great high Priest is not he the minister of the Sanctuary or holy things and of the true Tabernacle c. Heb. 8.2 the perfumer of his peoples prayers services Are any left to approach to God or do any thing in their own strength or name Is not all that is born of the flesh flesh John 3.6 shall not all flesh wither Isay 40.7.8 And is not Jesus Christ our high Priest full of love compassion and faithfulnesse Heb. 3.2 and 4.15 and 5.25 and is not he the Mediator between God and man 1 Tim. 2.5 and the advocate of beleevers 1 John 1.1 and is he not able to save them to the utmost that come to God by him or as in this Heb. 9.28 that looke waite for or expect him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Now the Apostle treating of the high Priest-hood of Christ and mentioning types in this chapter and shewing the truth of all to be in Christ where shall we find the truth of these things typed that have been mentioned about the Scape-Goat the Priest bearing or taking away the sinnes and judgements of the people in those respects fore-mentioned if not in the 26 this 28. verses and so I charge not M. Garners sense here with falsehood but imperfection I fault him not for saying the death of Christ and his offering as it is for propitiation and ransome is heerment but for his putting in only and so limmiting it to that only where as it appeares plainly by the whole chapter here is more ment But now I will veiw his second affirmation It is not in such generall words as the world all men c. for which veiw the words againe Heb. 9.28 So Christ was once offered to beare the sinnes of many and unto them that look for him shall he appeare the second time without sinne unto salvation mind it saith he and so I pray let us it is not said he was once offered to beare the sinnes of many and he shall appear the second time to them or to those many without sinne unto salvation But unto them that looke and waite for him as a speciall culled out of the generall and is not many here then as generall a word as the world of mankind or all men Let us a little mind the word many as it is here used and see Enough is shewed in the opposed Treatise chapter 3. page 22. chapter 8. page 48. and chapter 14. page 76 if compared together that is not at all answered by him And though the word many in divers places have a twofold sense one larger and another more speciall and in such places I did not parralell it with such generall words as all men every man when spoken in the largest sense yet in some sort and respect I did and do Rom. 5.15 through the offence of one many be dead and verse 19. By one mans disobedience many were made sinners And is not many here all and every man that had being by propogation from Adam Psal 29.3 The voice of the Lord upon many waters are not the waters peoples multitudes Nations and tongues Rev. 17,15 now doth not his Kingdome rule over all Psal 103.19 and 66 7. and 119.89.91 and is not many here as generall a word as the world or all men Micah 4.3 He shall judge among many people surely whatever be in the first fruits when this is compleatly fulfilled It will as large as that in Mat. 25.32 c. and is
he saith it of his Son he hath put all things under him there is nothing left out nothing excepted but God himselfe and is not here a rule from as good and skilfull a Teacher and one that can tell the mind of God in the Scripture as wel and better then Mr. Garner so that if it be Gods sayings and that of his Sonne and his workes in and through him and he say it is All men there is not a man to be left out or excepted but only the man Christ that is God man by whom the workes were wrought and so when in the words following he speaketh about his love to men whose nature Christ tooke and so became lower then Angels for a time and saith by the Spirit of God of the workes of God in and through Christ that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man or as Mr. Garner likes better for All Is it not manifest that there is not a man left out that he dyed not for but only himselfe and saith not the Apostle the same to the Corinthians to whom the Word was so fore expounded 2 Cor. 5.14 15. And what we are here instructed of the word All when God so speakes of his Sonne is affirmed of his workes in Joh. 1. from 1. to 12. where we have three universall tyes of the workes of God by Christ 1. All creatures Joh. 1.3 All things were made by him and how large is this mind And without him was not any thing made that was made And is not the same said of preservation of the world since the Fall Psal 75.3 By him all things consist Col. 1.16.12 2. All mankind Joh. 1.4 In him that is in the Word that is now come in the flesh even Christ was life as life is in him 1 Ioh. 5.11 So from the beginning it was 1 Ioh. 1.1 2 3. And for whom or whose benefit was this mind the text and the life was the light of men yea but what men those that were really and gloriously partakers of it in themselves before God as Mr Garner saith mind the Text v. 5. And the light shined in the derknesse and the darknesse comprehended it not were not these naturall men and unbeleevers and is not Christ in whom this life is and this life proceeding from him witnesses of That All men through him might beleeve vers 7. And is 〈…〉 affirmed the true Light that lightneth every man that commeth into the world vers 9. And is not that the Word that was made by him and in which hee was and yet it knew him not And whereas out of this world he chose a people and gave them his Oracles and so made them his owne and put his Name upon them Did not he come unto them and yet they received him not vers 10 11. And is not here all the world of mankind from vers 4. to vers 11. while the life in Christ for men and the extention of light there thorow to men is treated of But now for receit see vers 12 To as many as received him this when all refused some by grace overcome to them he gave power the right and priviledge to become the sonnes of God it seemes they were not so before even to them that beleeve on his Name c. And is not this As many another universality even all and every of them that by a new birth beleeve on Christ so then here in the beginning of the Gospell yea in the beginning of the first relation revelation and declaration thereof after the personall Ascension of Christ in our nature we are taught how to understand the words Men in divinity mentioned All men every man and the world If the saying be by God and of Christ his Sonne and his works by and through him if it be of creation and the things created we are to understand it of all things nothing excepted but the Creator himselfe If it be of creation by Christ and a redemption wrought by Christ in his own person and so life in him for men and some mercy and light therethrough extended to men we are to understand it of All men not one excepted but The man Christ Jesus that hath wrought it for men and if it be of the peculiar priviledges of son-ship communicated by Christ we are to understand it of all that are borne of God and so by faith made one in Christ even sons of All them and no more but them and none here excepted but the Sonne himselfe whose the priviledges are and who doth communicate them to All that receive him and so in him are made sonnes neither is eternall life in any place of Scripture said to be given by Christ to men indifinitely nor to All men nor to every man nor to the world as by Mr. Garners doctrine it should be of his sense of all men c. were right nor is life said to be in Christ for the beasts fowles nor his light to shine in them though they be preserved by him for mans sake yet the light in that mercy is for men So that in these Scriptures Psal 8.6 Heb. 2 8. 1 Cor. 15.27 Joh. 1.3.12 and the same in Colos 1.16.20 as is shewed in the opposite Treatise Chap. 9. to 8. we have a ground a warrant and reason given with a rule to know how to understand the words All and All men every man when spoken in generall and plaine propositions when spoken by God and of Christ and the great workes of God in and through Christ when applyed to all creatures as creation preservation ruling when applyed to men as making them righteous convicting or condemning for him when fallen working a restoration for them in a publike man as they fell and were condemned in a publike man extending mercies to testifie his goodnesse and lead to repentance appointing once to dye the raising of them and bringing them to Judgement And when applyed to beleevers regenerate and new borne men as the forgivenesse of all their sinnes renewing their nature interessing them in the priviledges of Jesus Christ himself giving them eternall life yea and that in glory â—aigning with him after the Resurrection All and every according to that mentioned and to which in speech applyed admits no exception no not of one but God and Christ himselfe yea Mr. Garner confesseth in his margent pag. 44 45. The word All in Scriptures upon some occasions is to be taken for All persons from first to last but he neither shewes when where nor on what occasions nor shewes any ground or rule that may stand to know it by but leaves that for a Pope to canonize the text and tell us when where and in what sense the Scripture speaketh truth But the Holy Ghost hath given us a ground or rule which will neither deceive us nor leave us at uncertainty And the same rule will serve us to understand the words world and nations when they are spoken of by
beleevers every one of us shall give an account of himselfe to God Rom. 14.11 12. and wee must all appoare before the judgement seate of Christ 2 Cor. 5.10 And is not this a most dangerous and perrillous way of expounding Scripture As it is more largely shown both in the Epistle and Book of the opposed Treatise which if he could not answer he might have taken warning not to have run into such snares XI He plainly and in expresse termes denyeth the Gospell and word of God to be the Gospell and word of God in that he denyeth that doctrine and Gospell and those sayings to be there which are expresly there intimating as if he had some other un written verity or Gospell which with him is the Gospell and it is not there and all in this written Gospell must be brought to that 1. Whereas the Apostle speaking of those men that must all appear before the judgement seate of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done in his body whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5 10. sutable to that John 5 19. and of his knowledge of the terrour of the Lord which will in that judgement be against them that would not submit to but deny the Lord that bought them and on that ground did perswade men Though his heart and spirit was manifested unto God and in beleevers verse 11. yet he preached to others also that judged evill of him and then tels them what constrained him even the love of Christ and on what ground even because we thus judge that if one dyed for all then all dyed or were dead and then affirmes it possitively with one end of his death and that he dyed for all that c. verse 14 15. and after an exposition how to take the word All when God speakes of Christ and his workes in and through Christ he saith that he by the grace of God might tast death for every man Heb. 2 9. and speaking even of unbeleevers also he saith he gave himselfe a ransome for all 2 Tim. 2.1 6. And another Apostle in an opposition between beleevers and unbeleevers saith He is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world 1 Joh. 2 2. yet this man saith that to affirme of Christ that he hath wrought a peace or reconciliation in himselfe with God for all men that it might be declared for them to beleeve and to affirme Christ dyed for all men he finds no where in the Gospell nay that is more moderate then that which followes for he goeth further page 188. It is not agreeable to the Scriptures and to preach it is not to preach the Gospell of Christ but somthing which men sure he must mean such as the Carpenter the Sonne of Mary Peter the fisher Paul the Tent-maker have added to the Gospel of Jesus Christ p. 177 he saith determinatively that this doctrin of Christ suffering for al men his phrase is persons is not the doctrin of Jesus Christ nor the subject matter of the Gospel nor is there such a thing found in the Gospell nor in any part of the word of God and then he addes rightly understood And must not that understāding be according to some unwritten Gospell to cloath this with to be adored which in its own cloathing is denied and made vile by him page 176. 2. Whereas the Gospell is glad tydings of a redemption and peace and life and so good will to be declared that in beleeving men might receive it and glad tidings and a word of truth it can be to none for whom there is nothing in truth prepared And the Gospell our Saviour so preaching John 3 16 17. and 12 47 45. commanded his disciples to preach to every creature speaking of the world of mankind as Iohn 1.3 4 5 7 9. Mat. 28.19 Mar. 16.15 and they so preached the Gospell 2 Cor. 5.19 and him the Sonne of God the Saviour of the world 1 Iohn 4 14 and many have so beleeved and confessed Iohn 4.42 He plainly denyeth all this and sayeth expresly page 133. That neither Christ nor the Apostles did so teach nor that he required them so to teach and though they declared peace to whatsoever house they came that was but ministeriall as if in ministry they told lyes page 136. nor saith he did any of the Saints so beleeve So that the written Gospell with him is no Gospell no word of God understood according to its own sayings but according to some unwritten verity of his which he calls the right understanding of it 3. Whereas the Scripture in the Gospell setteth forth God to be the Saviour of all men 1 Tim. 4.10 and that his mercies are over all his workes Psalme 145.8 9. and that it is through Christ that these mercies are extended Psalme 75.3 Iohn 1.3 4 5 9. Col. 1.18 and that these mercies are witnesses of his goodnesse Acts 14.17 and fruites of love kindnesse and mercy Mat. 5.44 48. Luke 6.32 to 36. and come to lead men to repentance Rom. 2.4 and to the Gospell that they might beleeve and when men harden their hearts and will not be brought to submit to and beleeve on him he chargeth them to hold the truth in unrighteousnesse Rom. 1.18 To be adversaries to him for his love to have rewarded him evill for good and hatred for his love Psalme 109.4.5 and that which was for their wel-fare to be turned into a trap Psalme 69.22 beside that said Psal 36.5 6 7. Yet would he have assaid to deny the enjoyment of any mercies any benefit yea as a benefit though outward by any unbeleever through Christ page 148 149. but because he is in this moderate and saith it is not cleare to him which I beleeve because he beleeveth not that for them through which it is procured and saith if he mistake in this or any other thing he is willing to be informed The Lord preserve in him and me such a heart and then wee shall not deny the sayings of Scripture XII But that he may not be said wholly and altogether to deny all the sayings of the Gospell he doth acknowledge some parts and sayings of truth and presse the same to hide and deny other parts of truth as the worke Jesus Christ worketh in men by spirituall application of his blood to deny the compleatnesse of that he hath wrought in himselfe with God for men His reconciling men to God by spirituall application of his blood to deny his reconciliation wrought with God in presenting the vertue of his blood in sacrifice offered to God his redeeming men out of the world to God to deny his purchasing men of God the eternall life given in Christ to deny the life of the world given by Christ as is seen throughout his Treatise And usuall waies of such as are witty and subtil not only in points of faith that they may the more fairely deny one for that
cause to acknowledge another And in points of practice also how many have pressed Beleevers walking after and according to particular dictates and motions suddenly given in by the Spirit of grace which is very good to deny or make carelesse of the sayings of Christ in the Gospel sutable to which he hath writ his Law or mind in the hearts of Beleevers that would move on all occasions according to those sayings if they were heeded And approve of pressed speaking and teaching the things of Christ by a sudden and immediate revelation of them by the Spirit of grace to the heart which is exceeding profitable when that is indeed vouchsafed and suiting to the Prophets of old and yet this that they may deny Beleevers according to the knowledge and faith given them by comparing searching and producing Scripture to teach the things of Christ which is also profitable and sutable to the Priests and Levits of old And so to commend singing according to a gracious inspiration which is very good when so vouchsafed yet this pressed to deny singing according to grace in the heart such Psalmes as are left upon record which is also good and many such like might be instanced and when it may be to hinder the receit and to disturbe and put by the settlement and profitting of some needfull and profitable truth If it may be that way compassed Satan himselfe by his instruments will not let to acknowledge even some main truth he could move his servant to say of the Apostle and Disciples to trouble them Acts 16.17 These men are the servants of the most high God which shew unto us the way of Salvation yea that he might hold his fold still if that would have served he would confesse Christ Thou art the Sonne of God Mark 3.11 wherefore though I deal with a gracious man yea were he as gracious as he that was reproved Mat. 16.22 23. Gal. 2.14 yet while I acknowledge with him every part of truth that he acknowledgeth I must also maintain against him that part of truth which he so plainly yet in that respect subtilly denieth XIII He professeth his uprightnesse having Gods assistance Epistle Treatise pag. 201. and that he knoweth he hath the spirit of of God which will reveale spirituall things to him yea the deep things of God p. 32. and so often professeth his sense that is far fetched and forced on a text to be the mind of God and hath Mr. Knoles to affirme and confirme the same and for his uprightnesse and having the Spirit of God I would be lought to deny but in some measure acknowledge the same both in Mr. Knoles and him and desire the increase thereof both in them and my selfe But yet whether either of us be upright or have or are lead by the Spirit of God in this businesse about testifying for or against this part of the truth by him opposed must be tryed by the agreement of our sayings with the plain word of God Isay 8 20. Gal. 1.7 8 9. for to compare our selves with our selves and among our selves it is not right neither is he that commendeth himselfe approved but whom the Lord commendeth 2 Cor. 10 12 18. And he that speaketh of himselfe secketh his own glory John 7.18 and wee are willed not to be shaken in mind or trouhled neither by word or spirit or writing as if from the Apostles 2 Thes 2 2. And a Church commended for trying them which say they are Apostles and are not and finding them lyers Rev. 2.2 and it is made a marke of false teachers to speak great swelling words 2 Pet. 2.1.18 Jude 16. intruding into things they have not seen Col. 1.18 so that this boasting of having uprightnesse or the Spirit is no good way for any man to prove or determine any thing in controversie XIV Hee forceth private strained and unsound senses upon divers places of Scripture as to instance some of them in order as they are in his Book 2 Cor. 5.15 that they which live c. Here saith he the living or life mentioned is that eternall life that is in Christ Jesus and the same sense he puts upon the life of the world mentioned John 6.33 51. now marke how weakly he proves this and how unsound and forced it is saith he he dyed for all to make them a live to recover them from death and to bring them into an estate of lifeâ— by his dying for them and rising againe this saith he is the force and meaning of the words he hath in this if he had gone no farther acknowledged some part of truth though weakly and scantily and with some questionable expressions because all must once dye and after that the judgement and the end of this life here mentioned given is that they that live should live unto Christ so shall they have comfort in that judgement and this is the scope and force of the words from verses 10 11. to 14 15. But now that the life here mentioned is the eternal life which is in Christ Jesus and only had in having him 1 John 5.11 12. as he affirmeth imposing that sense on these three places page 27. that remaines to be tryed and by Scripture will appear unsound for 1. This life appeares evidently to be that which by Christ is procured and given to all men to the world of mankind as is affirmed Acts 17.2 Psalme 35.3 with John 1.3 4 5 9. and so all the mercies and meanes for the preservation of it and for the leading men to repentance during the time of it is procured by Christ his ransome given and propitiation made John 1.4 10. Col. 1.18 In whom mercy and truth are met and righteousnesse and peace have kissed in whose resurrection truth is sprung out of the earth and by whose ascension and mediation between God and men Righteousnesse flowes down from Heaven and the Earth is filled with his goodnesse Psalme 85.10 11. And as his mercies are over all his workes so is he righteous and holy in all his waies Psalme 145 yea the preservation of the life of creatures is for the good of mankind Psalme 126 and 36. 5.6 7. and this life procured for mankind is truly called life because it with all the mercies vouchsafed to it are testimonies of his goodnesse Acts 14 17. Psalme 19.1.6 Rom. 10.18 To lead to repentance Rom. 2 4 That men might seeke him Acts 17 24.27 and also while they are joyned to the living there is hope Eccles 9.4 and this life is called life and a living in opposition to death Iob 30.23 Isay 38 18 19. And it is an estate of life because of that light that proceeds from that life in Christ to inlighten them that they might seeke him John 1.4 5.9 10. Joh 33.30 Acts 17.27 28. But had not Jesus Christ made a propitiation for men if their beings had a long time continued yet by the truth and Justice of God it must have been with