toward a conclusion who ever thou be I pray thee let us take notice of the goodnesse excellency and Preciousnesse of this Gospel in this Declaration of the Death and Resurrection of Christ and the great love of God to Mankind in giving his Sonne to die for our Sinnes and the fulnesse and fitnesse of the Propitiation he made thereby and the life he is filled with at his Fathers right hand and the Spirit be hath received to send forth to the Sonnes of men and all still by vertue of the Precious blood of his once shed be not weary but take it well though I speake a word or two freely of this Declaration of the Gospel when it is spiritually enlightned to any heart and the heart enabled to perceive and beleeve 1. It is a true glasse in and through which the Beleevers looking may see First The hainousness of our sinnes which wee the chief whips Thornes Speare Nailes Crosse and malady that put the Sonne of God in our Nature to so much grievous sorrow shame paine agony and Death Esay 53.3.9 2 Cor. 5.19.21 Rom. 4.24 and the haynousness thereof appeares in this that nothing else nothing lesse then so great suffering and blood-shedding of the Sonne of God could satisfy for and take away sinne Heb. 9.9.12.22 24. 10.1.10 Mat. 26.29 and also in this that now they are against so good a God and so great goodnesse manifested not onely by Creation but now much more by and through a Redemption with such Precious blood Rom. 2.4 Acts. 17.14 2. The vanity worthlesness and inabilitie of all the Sonnes of Adam and of all their righteousness and best workings and of all Creatures with all their excellencies either to doe away sinne or to make man righteous or Procure life with God which if any or all of them could Then Gods onely begotten Sonne should have been spared Esai 59.16 and 50.2 and 63.5 Job 28.1.19 Hebr. 1.10 Gal. 2.21 Luk. 22.42 3. The woefull and unconceivable heavy condition of every man that commeth to hear the punishment of sinne in his own Person for when the first curse and death as the punishment of sinne borne by him for sinners who never did sinne did for a few houres Suffering put this strong Captaine to such an agony so to groane and cry out What will it doe to such when all their sinnes themselves have committed come to be agravated by dispising so great Patience and goodnesse procured by such a Redeemer and therein despising the Redemption it self and refusing to come in to their Lord that hath so dearly bought them and for all their contempt with all their sinnes therethrough abiding on them be cast into a Second death and suffer therein for ever and ever Luk. 22.44 23.30 31. 2 Pet. 2. 4. The holy nature and attributes of God as his exceeding hatred and indignation against sinne his wonderfull justice in fulfilling the Curse on all Transgressours of the Law and his truth in causing the sinner to dye all seen in this that he would not forbeare nor abate his owne Sonne that was but set in sinners Place for them any part of the debt but required it all of him Isai 53. and also his infinite mercy and compassionate love even to mankind fallen into sinne and enmity against him in providing and giving such a Ransome for them Joh. 3.16 17. 1 Tim. 2.4 5 6. his infinite wisedome in making Mercy and Truth Righteousnesse and Peace to meet in one for recovery of sinners Truth fulfilled and Justice satisfyed in the Curse imposed and death inflicted on his Sonne the Man Christ Jesus and so on all in him in the room of all and so mercy and Peace procured and ready for Mankind yea his Mercy and Truth in sending him forth to doe all this Psal 85.10 11. 2 Cor. 5.14 15 19 21. his infinite Power in raysing Christ from the death that dyed as the sinner in the room of all free from all those sinnes imputed to him and a Victorer over the Curse and Death imposed on him and over the Devills that conflicted with him Rom. 1.4 4.25 15.3 4.20.5 7. Col. 2.14 15. And so his Infinite Power Mercy Love Truth Justice Faithfulness in Calling to his Sonne Isai 33.3 Joh. 6.44 45. and dispencing Pardon Spirit and Life to those that in his Call are submitted too and brought to beleeve on his Sonne Isai 33.10 11. Joh. 7.9 5. The Three Persons in one God the Father that gave his Son Ioh. 3.16 1 Ioh. 4.14 and calleth to his Son Joh. 6.44 45. Matt. 16.16 2 Tim. 1.4 The Sonne that came forth from the Father and gave himself a Ransome for All Men and went againe to the Father Joh. 16.28 1 Tim. 2.4 5 6. Heb. 11.1 19. and receiveth those that in the heavenly Call are given him by the Father and maketh known his Father and his Fathers words to them and presenting them spotlesse in himself and giveth them the Priviledges of sonnes Joh. 6.37.8.17.4 9. Col. 1.21 22. Joh. 1.12 13 18. The holy Spirit that commeth from the Father and the Sonne with super-naturall and divine light and Power and teacheth and giveth in the words of Christ beareth witnesse of him and affecteth faith and a new heart and witnesseth Sonship and leadeth the Sonnes of God Joh. 14.2 6. 15.26 16.13 14 15. Joh. 5.6 7. Rom. 8.14 15 16. 6. The glorious Love Goodnesse Excellency beauty and Authority in Christ Iesus who is set forth herein to be God Isa 9.6 the Son of God Mat. 3.17 God made man Gal. 4.4 God man in one Person Joh. 1.1.14 God with us Mat. 1.25 whose Ransome given and Propitiation made is full and fit for us and effectuall with the Father 1 Tim. 2.4 6. 1 Joh. 2.2 Hebr. 10 1.10 who is the rightfull Lord of All. Act. 10.36 and Wisedome and Power of God and the Wisedome Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption unto all that beleeve on him 1 Cor. 1.24 30. the High-Priest Prophet and King Heb. 5.7 9. the Fountain of Life and Spirit ps 36.8 9. 7. The ground and certainty of the Resurrection from the dead 1 Cor. 15. tot and of the equity and certainty of Christs Judging All. Rom. 14.9.11 12. 2 Cor. 5.10 and of the equity and severity of the second Death Joh. 3.19 Lu. 19.27 2 Pet. 1.2 8. The certaine sure and unspeakable happy and blessed Estate of all those that in beleeving are made one with Christ who are therein one with God in him and with Brethren in him having the same Spirit and Priviledges now in first fruits and in due season of harvest Ioh. 1.12.16 17.20 in respect of all which and such discoveries by the Spirit in the Gospel beleeved I. The Gospel is rightly called a Glass 1 Co. 13.12 2 Co. 3 3.18 Ja. 1.2 3. II. It is a sweet Prevailing motive and powerfull load-stone to draw a man 1. To judge condemne and deny himselfe and his owne wisedome parts righteousnesse 2.
Scripture and if the words doe not beare the sense they import who shall tell us what the sense is and what a gap is here to all wickednesse Yet those generall words All men Every Man and the World are not so often found in Scripture in affirmation of any of the forementiontioned particulars As in affirming the death of Christ as the Ransome And surely hee that will not beleeve the same for the testimony the Scripture giveth of it doth not beleeve any of the former for the testimony of Scripture but for some other cause that is moveable If any say what need of Interpreters if the Scriptures have the sense the words thereof import I Answer they are very needfull not to Straighten or take away the sense the words import or to devise another But to open and explaine That sense the words beares and to cleerand evidence out of the words themselves and confirm it by other-like places and so to presse it on us and apply it to us for admonition Instruction Dehortation Exhortation Consolation and so to root out this evill estimate of the Scriptures and evill dealing with it from the hearts and mouthes of all Christians that the Scripture may be esteemed meet to answer words of truth with as is said Prov. 22.21 CHAP. XV. Of Answering a second OBJECTION Objection II. SAint JOHN makes it an infallible marke of the love of CHRIST to them for whom he laid down his life 1 Joh. 3.16 But God hath not loved every man in the World For he hated Esau Rom. 9.13 but his Church and his owne whom he loves to the end Ephes 5.25 Joh. 13.1 Therefore Christ dyed not for Every man ANSWER 1 Joh. 3.1 Being spoken in the first Person and applicatively of perception of love in the Death of Christ propounded for example and motive It is much abused in being cited to this end as may be seen Chap. 3. and 4. and 5. and so the Proposition is of no force for it is a proof of the Love of God to the World That hee sent his Sonne to be the Saviour of the World Joh. 3.16 and 1 Joh. 4.14 and so of the Love of Christ to mankind To give himself a Ransome for all men 1 Tim. 2.6 and yet a proof of more especiall Love To choose and bring any in the perception of this Love to Union and Fellowship with himself Joh. 15.15 16. and Tit. 3.4 7. as in our Types the bringing out of Egypt was a proof of his Love to all so brought out but yet more especiall love to those that hearkened to his Judgements and did them Deut. 7.8 12 13 14. Besides the Apostles doe not there propound the Death of Christ to shew how many he dyed for or as the foundation to bring in unbelievers to beleeve or to shew how many God loves but onely speaking of the perception of Love by Beleevers He sheweth wherein they perceived it and that was in that he laid down his life for us and this was sure when wee were his enemies and so found when he called us also Rom. 5.8 10. Ephes 1.2 4. And that to this end to move us even so to love our Brother who without question is beloved whereas this Objection shuts the door of loving any till or farther then we know his Election Though the Gospel this Objection opposeth giveth a certaine ground for loving all men with Love of Compassion 2 Cor. 5.14 15. Tit. 3.2 3 4. and for Loving Beleevers with Love of delight Psalm 16.2 Coloss 1.4 5. Phil. 1.3 4 5 8 9. This Assumption is full of infidelity and Blasphemy If it had been that God doth not love every man in the World It might have been granted and proved But to say God hath not loved any but his Church and chosen whom he loves to the end is a blasphemy so great that the same may be said of it which is spoken of that Apostacy Jere. 2.10 11 12. For this with one breath both blasphemeth and contradicteth our Saviours affirmation of Gods love of the World some part whereof will notwithstanding perish Joh. 3.16 17 18 19. The Prophets affirmation That the Lord is good to All and his tender mercies are over all his Workes Psalm 145.8 9. and 136.25 Yea the truth and force of all Gods earnest Expostulation Intimation of Love Exhortations and Call to such as refused Deutr. 5.29 Hosea 5. and 7.1 Isa 5.4 Prov. 1.23 24. Luke 19.42 Matth. 23.37 Hos 13.19 Yea the truth and force of our Saviours Exhortation to his Disciples for being like their heavenly Father in Love and mercy to enemies Matth. 5.44.48 The Testimony of Gods goodnesse in all his Works Act. 14.17 Rom. 2.4 Yea this Assumption goeth yet further in that it doth not onely say God doth not now love them while they walk in sin But God hath not loved every man in the World no not any time since Adams fall So as to give any Ransome for them and so denyeth Heb. 2.9 Nay it stops not here except his Elect whom he loves for ever It saith Hee hath not loved any other of mankind no not when he made and beheld them all righteous in Adam as the Publick Person and blessed them and avouched all his workes good Eccl. 7.29 Gen. 1.27 31. It saith God hath not loved but hated them oh fearfull To say that God hateth the Righteous Psal 45.7 and so they could not fall from the love of God in the fall of Adam since his Love was never towards them nor could they fall under the hatred of God by sinne either Originall or Actuall since they were under it before if this Assumption were true for it saith hee hath not loved them and if any should tell them Their sinnes are very great for offending so loving a God for despising so rich a Ransome and refusing the grace offered them in the meanes and giving way to serve sinne that cost Christ Jesus his blood to satisfie for them And that they forsake their owne mercies by following lying vanities And so warne them of the great condemnation that will befall them for the same if they perish in their evills and entreat them by all the Mercies of God and sufferings of Christ for them To hearken to the Gospel Repent and beleeve and turne unto Christ This assumption holds them back and saith It is all Lyes for God hath not loved them Oh whether will this blasphemy reach But to give some satisfying Answer to this Objection Let the Scripture be viewed what it saith of Love or Hatred which there appeares two-fold First the Scripture mentions a divers kind or degree of Love in God towards men shewne in the fruits thereof as to say 1. A Love of Compassion Pitty and Mercy Psal 136.25 and 145.8 9. Such a Love as extendeth it self so farre for the good of man loved in good things afforded That a man is made saveable and so much is done for him and to him That in
raiseth the Conclusion of faith hee having now given us freely this his owne Sonne whom before when we were enemies hee delivered up to death for us How shall hee not now in giving him with him also freely give us all things Compare Rom. 4.24 25.5.1.5.10 11. and 1 Cor. 3.22 23. Gal. 3.29 with this Rom. 8.32 and all this will well appeare So that this Place gives no Proof to the Proposition and is dangerously abused to be cited to beare such a sense as shuts the doore against all the choice uses of it and opens a doore to horrible abuse for were it not wicked reasoning to say because the Apostle saith of and to Beleevers Rom. 14 10 12. VVee shall All stand before the Judgement-seat of Christ So that every one of us shall give an account of himself to God Therefore that he dyed for All and wee must All appear before the Judgement-seat of Christ is meant of the Beleevers and the Elect onely To prove the Assumption is cited Joh. 14.17 Even the Spirit of Truth whom the VVorld cannot receive c. vers 22. Judas saith unto him not Iscariot Lord how is it that thou wilt manifest thy self to us and not unto the world and 17.9 I pray not for the World But for them which thou hast given mee for they are thine Ans 1. These places speakes not of the Ransome and Propitiation only nor yet for that and the fruits thereof only but also of higher Communication of Spirit and Priviledges which Jesus Christ by vertue of his blood both as the ransome as the seal of the New Testament with which he is ascended doth from his Fathers right hand send forth to those that are Called doe beleeve on him and to no other though in the Counsell of God elected So that these Places prove not the Assumption but are abused in being cited to it without any distinction whereas Christ in the Scripture maketh a distinction of these things 1 Cor. 2.9 Heb. 9.14 Joh. 7.38 39. and 3.12 as is shewne Chap. 1.2.3 before 2. Neither doe these places say the World of the wicked and ungodly men as the Assumption doth and incited them to it would have them understand where if by wicked and ungodly be meant the seed of the Serpent which with an Emphasis are so called Then it overthrows the Proposition and conclusion and intimately confesseth what it openly denies For they are therefore even so called the wicked and ungodly and of the wicked One because they have refused to come in to God by yea have despised and abused those mercies and meanes Procured for and extended to them through the Death and Ransome of Christ for them and accompanied with some gift of his Spirit to turne them in to God as is evident by comparing Gen. 4.3.7 16. with 1 Joh. 3.12 and Gen. 6.2 3 5. with 1 Pet. 3.18 19 20. 2 Pet. 2.1.5 Prov. 1.23.25 Act. 7.51 But if by wicked and ungodly be meant the world of Mankind as they are Naturall men and unconverted Then it either excludes many of them from being wicked and ungodly in any sense and so contradicts the Scripture Ephe. 2.1 2 3. Tit. 3.2 3 4. Col. 1.22 Rom. 5.6 or else shuts them out all and every one Elect as well as others from being of the number of them for whom Christ dyed for they all are uncapable of receiving that Portion of Spirit here promised Nor are such manifestations and Priviledges here meant for any though Elect till they first so beleeve in Christ that they love him Joh. 7.38 39. 1 Cor. 2.9 15. and howsoever this Assumption mingles Naturall men together with and makes them one with the Seed of the Serpent and so sinfully abuseth the Places cited by Addition 3. This Assumption with the whole Argument denies the truth of the Gospel which the Scripture shewes plainly is to be Preached to all men even Every man Matth. 28.19 Mar. 16.15 16. Yea the Proclamation of love of God in Giving his Sonne to die for them Joh. 1.29 3.16 17. that thereby they may be shewne 1. The vilenesse of their sinnes needing such a Ransome Isa 2.6 Hebr. 9.22 Gal. 3.13 2. The emptinesse of all their self-wrought Righteousnesse to help them Gal. 3.21 Psal 49.7 3. The vanity of all worldly things to recover them Job 28. tot 1 Pet. 1.18 4. The Pardon Peace Spirit and life that is in Christ to Communicate to those that doe Repent submit to and beleeve on him Act. 10.43 and 13.38 Eph. 2.13.17 5. That it is the good will of God that they should Repent and beleeve Act. 3.19 26. 6. That hee hath shewed mercy already to the chief of sinners to encourage them to beleeve and turne in to him for the same 1 Tim. 1.14 15 16. 7. That even they if by this grace be wrought on to Repentance and overcome to beleeve on Christ they shall receive Remission of sinnes and favour with God yea Eternall life Acts 10.43 and 13.38 Joh. 3.15 16 36. 8. That their not beleeving makes them impenitent and till they doe Repent and Beleeve they abide under sinne condemnation and wrath Joh. 5.38 40. and 3.18.36 9. That if when light comes and Spirit moves at their hearts they doe yeeld and turne Spirit will farther come in and make them know the truth and the truth will make them free Prov. 1.23 Ioh. 8.31 32. but if then they refuse and harden their hearts against it that is great condemnation and if they so persist it endangers them to be given up of God and then there will be no Remedy but they will be judged to a second death by him that hath dyed for them and now calleth them and they will none of his Counsell Ioh. 3.19 Prov. 1.23 25. Psal 68.21 2 Thes 2.8 And all this is true Gospel whether men beleeve it or beleeve it not and on this ground and pressing all this as the Truth and Oracles of God are all men to be exhorted to Repentance of their sinnes to faith in Christ Jesus and so to be reconciled to God Mar. 1.15 Act. 2.37 and 3.2 Cor. 5.14 15 19 30. And till by the Spirit in this Gospel men be made Penitent and brought in to beleeve in Christ they are no better then naturall men and of the world though Elect and so uncapable of such receit of Spirit and manifestations as these Ioh. 14.17 22. 1 Cor. 2.14 which is also to be could them to bring them to Repentance and faith Act. 2.37 38. But when any are brought in by the Spirit in belief of this Gospel brought in to Christ and fastened in cenfidence and love to him Then may they look and waite even for this portion of Spirit also Joh. 14.17 and 7.38 39. Act. 2.38 and abiding and walking in faith and Love they shall receive the manifestations of more aboundant Love and Priviledges here promised Joh. 14.21 23. 1 Cor. 2.9 whereas the citing these places to the Assumption
not destroy mens lives was the Prime end of his first comming Luk. 9.56 and unlesse hee that came to save them doe for their Rebellion against him condemn them the Father will not condemne them having given all to the dispose and judgement of Christ 2 Cor. 5.10 3. That it affirmeth Jesus Christ to be exalted at Gods right hand and filled above measure with the Spirit to send forth to men to manifest himself in due season 1 Tim. 2.6 To send forth to the Rebellious that the Lord might dwell among them Psal 68.18 Joh. 16.8 10. and to such as are subdued and brought in to beleeve to lead them into all truth and make them usefull Joh. 16.13 14 15. Act. 2.32 33. Ephes 4.7 12. So as there is power in him to Call all and to bring all that heare his Word and submit themselves thereto to beleeve on him and so to Life in and by him Isal 45.22 24. 50.4 5. Prov. 8.32 35. 2 Cor. 5.14 21. 4. In that it affirmeth that all men not onely those that submit to his government in the day of grace but also all others shall one day appeare before the judgement-Seat of Christ and shall acknowledge him to be LORD to the glory of GOD and then receive the Sentence from him Isaiah 45.23 Philip. 2.10 11. 2 Cor. 5.10 This Answer or one of these dâ—e prove his Ransome effectuall with GOD for All Men How much more all of them together Secondly The Workes of God mentioned in Scripture proveth the same also 1. The Mercies of God who according to his holy Truth and Justice and his Word gone out of his month should be constantly testifying wrath and heaping Plague upon Plague destroying with Curse all that are found sinners against him and his holy Law Gen. 2.17 Deutr. 27. and 28. Gal. 3.10 If there were not some Ransome between him and Mankind But through JESUS CHRIST and his Ransome given and Propitiation made and accepted His Mercy is over all his Workes Psalm 145.8 9. And hence comes by CHRIST the Preservation of the Earth And Inhabitants thereof for men Gods Patience Long-suffering Bounty Meanes to lead to Repentance motion of Spirit in those meanes as is already shewed in Chap. 1. The Common Salvation 2. The wrath of God revealed from heaven against all unrighteousnesse and ungodlinesse of men who hold the truth in unrighteousnesse who will not yeeld to the Light and motion of the Spirit comming from Christ in the meanes but smother it and turne from it Rom. 1.16 17 18 21 24. and 2 4 5. Prov. 1.24 32. 8.36 and this wrath breaketh out most abundantly where this grace Procured by CARIST is with most light and meanes made knowne to leade men to Repentance and they refuse and turne from the same 2. Kings 17.7.23 2 Chron. 36.15 16.17 Amos 3.2 Isai 5.5 6. Mat. 23.37 38. Luke 12.47 48. The Lord with indignation revenging the wilfull sinning after knowledge of the truth vouchsafed against the grace offered in Christ by unkind requitalls and contempt thereof disobedience thereto and departure therefrom both in this World and in the world to come Nah. 1.2 9. Jo. 3.19 Mat. 12.32 Hebr. 10.26 29. 1 Pet. 3.19.20 2 Pet. 2.1 5 10 20 23. 2 Thess 1.8 Jude 15. The LORD the Judge of all the Earth being righteous and holy in all his Wayes Psalm 145.17 will nor thus deale with any for refusing an empty shew and bare Pretence of Good And both these his Workes of Mercy and wrath doe fully Prove The effectualnesse of the Ransome of CHRIST with GOD for men Thirdly Reasons from Scripture doe also confirme the same 〈◊〉 as to say REASON I. That as Jesus CHRIST hath abolished Death by his Comming Sufferings and Resurrection So hee hath brought Life and Immortallity to Light by the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 REASON II. That the Grace of GOD appearing through this Gospel bringeth Salvation to all men and so appeareth to All Men to whom it so comes though teaching Beleevers Titus 2.11 REASON III. That the time of Gods Patience and shewing mercy bountifulnesse and sending his Servants with motions of his Grace in them and moving to the hearts of men to invite them to Repentance and turning to God is a Day of grace and Salvation in which God is neer and to be found and ready to receive and accept to Mercy any that obey his Call and turne to him 2 Cor. 5.14 â—1 and 6.1 2. Revel 3.20 Hebr. 3.13 15. And on this ground in these three Reasons are all men invited by Gods Servants and by CHRIST in them To look to CHRIST and be saved To seek him while hee may be sound yea even the Wicked and Vnrighteous To forsake their owne Way and turne to him and Hee will have mercy oâ— them and aboundantly Pardon them Isai 45.21 22. 42.1.8 and 55.1 2 3 6 7 8. And that also with this warning That if they now refuse and passe over the day of Grace The Axe is at the root of the trees and they will soon be out off and greater judgement befall them Prov. 1.25.29 Matth. 3.10 Acts 13.40.41 all which doe evidence the Ransome given by Christ to God for them To have been effectuall with God As for that great â—â—umble which many make to themselves to keep themselves out from Beleeving this Truth as that many perish and misse of Eternall Life and if CHRIST had so died and given himself a Ransome as were effectuall with his Father for them then JESUS CHRIST should loose the travell of â—is Soule in his Death and Ransome given This is Answered before in Chap. 1. The speciall Salvation and distinction between the Common and the Speciall Salvation and in Chapter 16. in Answer of the Third Objection The Spirit in the Scripture saith not that any perish or misse of Eternall Life because CHRIST did not die for them or because his Ransome given and Propitiation made was not sufficient or not effectuall with GOD for them No such matter but because when Light comes They will not Repent submit to him come to him receive him and beleeve on him Ioh. 1.11 and 3.19 and 5.40 2 Pet. 2.1 Besides Scriptures shewes something more required of men to be done in and upon them by CHRIST Then his Ransome and Propitiation by Death and Resurrection made with GOD for them That they be Justifyed and Eternally saved by him Even a Spirituall Application of and making them obedient to the Death and Blood-shedd of CHRIST That so they may be brought to beleeve on him and be sprinckled and washed from their sinnes with his Precious Blood 1 Pet. 1.2 as afore-shewne in Chapters aforesaid Whence so great wrath comes on them that despise and resist this Grace Yet there is no lesse on the part of CHRIST in respect of his Death and Ransome given for them For hee doth and shall see the Travell of his Soule Isaiah 53.11 and that so fully As That hee is the
knowne and applying the former enabling men to beleeve and therethrough reconciling their hearts and Powers to God so slaying the enmity in Nature 2 Cor. 5.18 19 20 21. Colloss 1.20 21 22. 3. A totall compleat and Perfect Salvation both of soul and body made glorious for which the Beleevers doe yet waite Ro. 8.23 Phil. 3.20 21. And of the second of these it plainly appeares to be meant Ephes 2.8 So that by Scripture it appeares and in this Ephes 2. also That the comming of Jesus Christ into the World and the Propitiation made by him for the sinnes of the World is the grace of God and his gift Joh. 4.10 Ephes 2.12 13. The Patience and bounty of God procured hereby and witnessing his mercy and leading to Repentance is the grace of God and his gift through grace also Mat. 5.45.48 Act. 14.17 Rom. 2.4 Eph. 2.1.4.7 The Declaration of the Gospel is also the grace of God and his gift through grace Luk. 1.77.79 Joh. 1.7 Eph. 2.17 The sending forth of Spirit in the Gospel to convince and turne men in to Christ is also the grace of God and his gift through grace whether men turne at his reproof Yea or no. Prov. 1.23 Joh. 1.4 5 9. Ephes 2.17 The subduing of the heart and bringing it in to beleeve is also the grace of God and his gift through grace of which meant Ephes 2.8 Phillip â— 29. 1 Pet. 1.21 22. And the establishing a man in the faith is also the grace of God and his gift through grace 2 Cor. 1.21 22. Ephes 2.18 Now God hath sent his Sonne into the World to be the Saviour of the World and Christ hath given himself a Ransome for All men whether men beleeve or not Christ at one time or other enlightneth and so tendereth convincements and Calls to everyone that commeth into the World whether they submit to it or no. Prov. 1.23 and 4.45 Joh. 1.4 5 9. And thus doth God in the meanes and by his Spirit that is able to worke it offer to give and tender the working of faith in men at one time or other Rom. 2.4 Act. 17.30 31. Gen. 6.3 Mat. 23.37 which is an admonition to all to seek faith of God in the meanes to yeeld to his Spirit when hee is about to work it To give him the glory when it is wrought but no cause at all from hence to raise a doubt of the extent of the Ransome which is in the grace it self that faith receiveth and so intimate vers 1.4 5 7 12 17. ANSWER Joh. 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that commeth to me I will in no wise cast out Those that hence raise the Doubt about the extent of the Ransome doe it from the words giveth me though it be true that the words themselves give no cause thereof but let them be weighed 1. Giving as some would have it giving by Election to Sonship and eternall inheritance which election was in Christ without consideration or respect of good or evill righteousnesse or sinne and these are said to be chosen in Christ And so though not so spoken in Scripture may be truely said to be given him But not the onely number that were given him for as these are given him to be his members and Brethren and heires with him so were all the rest of mankind in the same Decree given him to serve him and his People as is before shewn Chap. 18. In Answer of Objection the Fift But where this Election and Decree is set forth under this terme of being given to Christ is hard to find in Scripture I cannot yet meet with two places nor with any that could shew me them and prove it so But surely in this place it neither is nor can be taken as so used Though such a groundlesse apprehension thereof is that whence some doe raise to themselves this Doubt 2. The Priviledges and life of all mankind was once put in the keeping of the first man that God made The first Adam a type of him that was to come and hee by one offence lost and overthrew himself and all mankind and God in his mercy to mankind Sent forth his owne Sonne made of a Woman in the likenesse of sinfull flesh and made him under the Law and laid on him the sinnes of the World and the curse due to Mankind That he might undertake for All Men to Ransome them and open a way for them to come to God againe And thus did God give All Men to Christ to Ransome them and pay the price for them and so worke a Redemption for them that they might be set alive before him Isai 49.6 Rom. 3.19.25 and 5.12.19 1 Cor. 15.21 22. 1 Joh. 4.14 Joh. 1.29 See Chap. 8. And giving may be found sometime though not often used in Scripture to set forth Gods giving of men to Christ to undertake for them to Ransome them and also given to him hee hath so payed the Price and satisfyed for that they shall all come to him and hee will raise them up and they shall acknowledge him Lord to the glory of God Isai 45.21 22 23. Joh. 12.22 Phil. 2.7.10 11. 1 Cor. 15.22 and of this giving is most likely to be meant Ioh. 6.39 Though giving be seldome so used 3. Giving is sometimes used to set forth that Act of God to Christ in respect of his acceptance of his Ransome and his victory in his Resurrection in which he hath given all men to Christ to be his and hee to be their Lord and they to live to him and hee to possesse them for an inheritance To give Inheritance to those that submit to his Government and judge the rest Rom. 14.9 2 Cor. 5.14 15. Acts 10.36 and in this sense the word Give is used Psal 2.6 8 9. and elsewhere in Scripture and in all these three Senses giving comprehends Adam and all that comes of him all men being given to Christ in every of these Senses as Scripture testifieth 4. Giving is sometime used for GOD'S giving Men to Christ in the heavenly Call when by his Spirit sent forth in the Gospel he not onely enlightens men in the knowledge of Christ and the Propitiation made by him and of Gods love therein and of that fulnesse of grace and truth that is in him to bestow So as thereby to convince them and begin to draw them with the bands of Love Taking the yoake from off the Jawes and laying meat before them without which none come to Christ Ioh. 6.45 and notwithstanding which many may draw back and not knowing aright this his goodnesse be yet unchosen Hos 11.2 3. Matth. 20.16 But in this heavenly Call giving them so to see the Excellency of Christ that all things else becomes as losse in comparrison of him and they so instructed and Prevailed with hereby that they come in to him and beleeve on him so as they are given up to him Phil. 3.7 8 9. Io.
the Death and Ransome of Christ is their unbelief Not simply because they were sinners but because by Repentance and faith they come not in to him that hath made Satisfaction for their sinnes Joh. 3.18.36 and 8.12 and this is Just and according to Gods mind Joh. 3.16 And so to Answer the Objection All men were bound by vertue of the grace of God in the Creation to Love God with all their heart minde soule and strength and their Neighbours as themselves and to walke in that love and the least variation or short comming thereof leaves them under sinne curse and death and helplesse they having no power to fulfill this Law having lost it in the fall and so hopelesse And by vertue of the grace of God in the Redemption wrought by Christ all men are againe farther bound to this former love and walking in it and short-comming thereof leaves them also under sinne curse and death Gal. 3.10 And power thereto they yet have none yet notwithout hope in that the Propitiation is made by him for them Joh. 1.29 1 Joh. 2.2 and hee it filled with Spirit to send forth to them and will enlighten every of them Psal 68.18 By vertue of that common Salvation extended to all men by Christ the doore to repentance and faith is opened and they in the meanes and in some sort by Spirit at one time or other called to Repentance and howsoever God seems to winck it their follies till then yet then hee warneth them to repent that so repenting and comming in to beleeve in Christ they may through him receive remission of sinnes and be enabled to love God in Christ and one another as Christ hath loved them and to walke in that Faith and Love Act. 14.17 and 17.30 31. and for want of this they remaine under sinne and wrath and in danger of a Second Death Joh. 3.17 18 19. and this is a new Debt Now if Jesus Christ send forth more light and meanes and strive farther with them and they be found hardning themselves and rebelling against him It increaseth still their debt Rom. 2.4 5. And if he visite with punishments he is just and Righteous and there is mercy also in it Joh. 33.14.23 And if hee still strive and they still refuse both instruction and correction and will not submit and come in to their lawfull Lord that bought them and called them if hee give them up to Sathan and destruction Is not this just Joh. 3.19 Jere. 6.16.28 30. And thus wee find in Scripture set forth That All smarting corrections on Beleevers are for sinne against Grace Goodnesse and Spirit in the means vouchsafed Levit. 26.11.14 All heavy judgements on others for imprisoning the knowne truth in unrighteousnesse Rom. 1.16 17. and refusing to be gathered by Christ Mat. 23.37 the great condemning evills are set downe Heb. 6.4 5. and 10.29 By our Saviours Affirmation Joh. 3.18 19. and the Spirits convincements Joh. 16 8 11. Unbelief is the main sinne and the cause why so many abide under the guilt of sinne and the cause that sinne hath such Power and brings forth so many evill fruits in men and it is the root and nurse of more grievous sinnes that they fall into and all may be concluded in one word Not obeying the Gospel of God and this is the debt which God requires and for which men shall suffer in everlasting fire 2 Thes 1.8 So that here is not two payments of one debt but a new debt in spising the Goodnesse of GOD in the Remedy provided including the old Debt in a new manner of guiltinesse for despising the Remedy not seeking nor accepting the Release procured by Christ Joh. 5.40 And here is another even a Second death when all are raised out of the first even that which was not primely prepared for mankind but for the Devill and his Angells Matth. 25.41 And it is justice with God to give over all into the hands of his Sonne who will judge them All according to the Gospel in which he was set forth to them and they would not that he should Reign over them Joh. 12.48 Rom. 2.16 Luke 19.14 22 27. And is not God and Christ just in all this Surely among men this would be understood If some Subjects had committed Treason against their King and offered indignity to his Crowne and had wasted his treasure and were for this banished from the Court deprived of their Estates confined to darke Prison among slaves and enjoyned to suffer stripes every day and at a certaine time to suffer a shamefull and tormenting death If the Kings soul longed to shew them mercy and his Justice not permitting and the Kings Sonne with his Fathers consent would undertake for these Traitors to bring them before the King againe and should for them lay downe his Crowne suffer the punishment due to them and give a sufficient Ransome to the King for them all that hee may have the Pardon for them all and have them all released to him that Hee may bee their Lord and bring them out of Prison at his Pleasure and bestow the Inheritance on as many of them as would accept his grace and willingly come under his Government and judge the rest And that hee might have Liberty to ease them of so much of their daily paines in the Prison and shew them what favours and use what meanes hee pleased to perswade and allure them to come under his Government And the King professes himselfe to bee fully satisfyed with his Sonnes Ransome and setts him on his Throne and gives all this into his hands and sends word of this new Treaty to the Imprisoned Traytors and bids them to hearken and submit to his Sonne And the Kings Sonne begins to take Order for them so that the greatest of their daily Torments and Paines is taken away many sweet refreshings and Liberties afforded them in the Prison to winne them to good estimate of the Prince who sends his Ambassadours amongst them with the Proclamation of the Pardon and invitation to come in to the Government of the Prince and Promise that whosoever so did should both have the Pardon given him and be made an Heire with the Prince If any of these preferre their Fellowship with the Slaves and Liberties given them in Prison before these offers of the Prince and refuse to come under his gracious Government And then at the appointed time hee call them all out of Prison and adjudge them a Double Punishment and a more grievous death then that he delivered them from and aggravate their Rebellions against him By all the Evills they were found in when hee undertook for them and all the cost hee was at for them and all the meanes hee used towards them and all the Circumstances of their Rebellion against him and so judge them to Punishment accordingly Will any reasonable man say now That this were injustice now in the King or the Kings Sonne or two payments of one debt
odious and hatefull to God That no Sacrifices no Ransome nor Workes no Blood nor anything lesse then the Precious Blood of the Sonne of God could pâ—ease his wrath and satisfie his Justice and that the Punishment and Curse suffered for thy sinne was so great as to make such a Mighty One to be in an Agony and to sweat great drops of Blood and to cry out upon the Crosse because of the wrath that was executed on him yea to Die also and even thy sinnes also with the rest of us the Thornes the Speares the Nailes that pierced him the Mallady that caused him to sweat such drops of Blood and the very cause for which he suffered all these Stripes Behold what a share thou hast what a hand thou hast had in the shedding of the Blood of the Sonne of God In which Sufferings hee yet willingly did die and so gave himself a Ransome to God for thee to save and deliver thee from the Wrath of God and the Snare of the Devill and that himself might be thy Lord And shall neither the Blood he hath shed nor the Love hee hath Testifyed thereby melt and gaine in thy heart towards him Did he shed his Blood to satisfie for thy sinnes and wilt thou still goe on in sinne Canst thou delight and allow thy self in those sinnes for which the Lord Jesus was so wounded and suffered so much Did hee become under the Law for thee and for thy Debt Die and Rise that thou might'st come under his Government and wilt thou still yeeld to continue in servitude of sinne and Satan Is there through his blood so much Patience and Bounty vouchsafed to lead thee to Repentance and wilt thou still persist in impenitency wilt thou slight the meanes hee by his blood hath Procured to invite thee to Repentance Wilt thou make thy members which he by his blood hath purchased the Servants of sinne that drew forth his blood Wilt thou oppresse or defraud People purchased by his Blood Wilt thou abuse to gluttony Drunkennesse Wantonnesse or Pride those Creatures the liberty of Sober and moderate use whereof was purchased by his blood Wilt thou still passe on thy time securely without seeing the Peace and Life that is in him and was procured by his blood Is all the Sufferings and Death and Blood-shed of JESUS CHRIST of no more esteeme with thee Canst thou so contemne and tread under foot and cast as farthest off and least in thy thoughts the Precious blood of JESUS CHRIST shed for thy sinnes And wilt thou not suffer the application and beliefe thereof to rest and worke upon thy heart to melt thee and wash thee from thy sinnes to fill thy heart with sorrow for and loathing of thy sinnes to Crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof and to turne thee in to Christ whose blood would speak Peace to thee and purify thee Wilt thou so Persist Oh what wilt thou say or how wilt thou be able to endure when thou shalt be brought before this thy Lord that so dyed for thee and have his Precious Blood and all his Sufferings with all the Mercies extended therethrough to thee and all thy contempt and abuse thereof laid to thy Charge and then to be Judged by him that so dearly bought thee and thou would'st none of his Government but set light by all his Sufferings and Councells Oh that thou wert wise and wouldest consider thy latter End and who it is that Calleth thee to Repentance And is it not hee that dyed for thee and paid thy Debt That hath waited for thee and forborne thee so long that hee might be gracious to thee That hath Pardon and Peace and Life to bestow upon thee and that by all his mercies given thee and meanes he used toward thee and calleth on thee to forsake thy owne way and thoughts and turne to him and hee will have mercy on thee and aboundantly Pardon Isai 35.6 7. doth hee not complaine of it as that which is a new Piercing to him that thou wilt goe on still Pressing him with thy sinnes and not come in to him that thou mightst have Life Isa 43.24 Ioh. 5.39 40. Surely he came to save sinners hee dyed for the ungodly Say not therefore There is no hope in him for thee and therefore thou wilt doe as thou hast done and so refuse his Call Jer. 2.25 Neither say thou Seeing hee dyed for mee I shall have Peace Though I walke after the stubbornnesse of my owne heart for though he dyed for the Sinners Vnjust Vngodly and his enemies yet such shall not inherit his kingdome and have Eternall Life with him they that would enjoy this Life must suffer his Blood through his Word and Spirit to cleanse renew and bring them in and conforme them to himself therefore be not deceived God will not be mocked 1 Cor. 6.9 Ephes 5 6. his word is already gone forth that he that so turneth his Grace into wantonnesse and will persist in his evill way and still say hee shall have Peace notwithstanding The Lord will not be mercifull to such a one but all the Plagues written in his Book shall light upon such a man Deut. 29.19 20 21. and the Lord Jesus is a Righteous Judge and will wound the head of such as when this grace of his is made knowne will goe on still in their Trespasses Psal 63.21 Wherefore I beseech thee let the blood of Christ shed for thee and his love testified therein plevaile with thee to soften thy heart and to turne thee from all thy evill wayes into JESVS CHRIST And seek the Lord while he may be found turne and live for there is Mercy in him for thee It is no lying fable that is tould thee 2 Pet. 1.16 Hee hath sworne hee hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked but rather that the wicked turne from his way and Live Ezek. 33.11 and 18.23.32 Oh turne thee turne thee and Live why wilt thou die when hee delighteth not to have it so Behold hee hath given himself a Ransome for thee and received Spirit to send forth in the meanes Hee hath procueed Salvation and made thee saveable and calleth thee to Repentance and faith that thou mightest be saved And all this Treatise hath been to Prove the doore of Life open for thee How long wilt thou now deferre and stand out against so great grace wilt thou not be made cleane When shall it once be Jere. 13.27 Follow not lying vanities to the losse of thy owne mercies Jonah 2.8 Loose not thy owne soule now he hath Purchased it Doe not destroy thy selfe now hee hath wrought Redemption for thee Oh refuse not to accept his grace and submit to his government that hath so deerly bought thee Doe not denie him or despise his Councell Doe no longer persist in thy ownewayes least thou Provoke him to give thee up and so an irrecoverable downfall come upon thee 2 Pet. 2.1 2. which yet may be