Number as in Dan. 12.2 Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake Rom. 15.19 Through the offence of one many be dead by one mans disibedience many were made sinners and in other places where many cannot nor is by any Christian understood for lesse then All men 2. This Reason is equivocall subtill and fraudulent seeing where All men and Every man is affirmed of The Death of Christ as the Ransome and Propitiation and the fruits thereof onely is affirmed for them But where the word many is in any place used in this businesse there are more ends of the Death of Christ then this one affirmed of as before is shewne at large in Chap. 2. and 3. 3. This Reason is false and ungodly for it is no where in Scripture said That Christ dyed or gave himself a Ransome but for many or onely for many or onely for his Sheep and it is ungodlinesse to adde to or diminish from the Words of GOD in SCRIPTVRE 4. This Reason is deceitfull and erroneous for the Scripture doth no where say Those many he dyed for are his Sheep much lesse his Elect as the Reason intends it As for the place Joh. 10.15 usually instanced to this end it 's therein much abused for our Saviour Joh. 10. Did not set forth the difference between such as he dyed for and such as he dyed not for or such as he dyed for so and so and not so and so but the difference between those that beleeve on him and those that beleeve not on him vers 4 5 14 26 27. one heare his voice and follow him the other not Nor did our Saviour here set forth the priviledges of All he dyed for or for whom he dyed for so and so but of those that beleeve on him through the Ministration of the Gospel and so to know him and approach to God and enter the Kingdome by him vers 3 4 9.27 Nor was our Saviour here setting forth the excellency of those for whom hee dyed or dyed for so and so onely wherein they are preferred before others but the excellency of his owne love with the fruits thereof to those not onely that he dyed for but also that are brought in by his Ministration to beleeve on him vers 11.27 Nor was our Saviour here treating so much of his Ransome giving and Propitiation making as of his Ministration of the Gospel and so of his love and faithfulnesse therein wherein hee laid downe his life for those ministred too and therein gave us example not to make Propitiation for sinne but to testify Love in suffering Besides the opposition appeares here to be not so much between Elect and Not-Elect as between Jewes called and Gentiles uncalled Besides there is in Scripture great difference between sheep and sheep of his flock and pasture of which he here speaketh vers 4 5 11 15 16. Besides sheep vers 4.5 11 15. are not mentioned as all those for whom he dyed but as those that by his ministration are brought in to beleeve and enjoy the benefit of his death and to whom hee ministreth and communicateth spirit vers 3 4 27. like that John 17.6 7 8. Besides here is more ends of his death mentioned then Ransom or Propitiation onely and yet it is not said onely for his sheep and when the Ransome or Propitiation is onely mentioned It is said for all men so that this reason appeares weak fraudulent ungodly and erroneous 4. For the Affirmation that there was great reason that such generall words as All men Every man and the World should be used in those times when Christ and his Apostles were upon the earth when they meant but some even Gods Elect and chosen among All Nations This is as evill as all the Reasons before and as grosse as the Objection it self for though there be a holy and spirituall wisedome and Prudence to be observed in speeches and carriages in respect of the evilnesse of some times Amos 5.13 Mic. 7.5 7. Matt. 3.13.16 Yet the holy Scripture doth furnish us hereto for all times and is able through Faith to make the Beleever wise unto Salvation and the man of God perfect to every good worke 2 Tim. 3.15 17. But that any other doctrine or contrary Words should be necessary to deliver the Gospel within these times Is monstrous to affirme and expresly contradictory to the Scripture Commands Besides according as it is written Those whose faith wee are to follow are such whose word and Conversation hath this end To hold forth in the Gospel JESUS CHRIST the same yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13.7 8. And as Jesus Christ is that Essentiall Word of God which endureth for ever for is the Word of the Gospel which came forth of the mouth of God and declareth Christ That created and instrumentall Word of God which in the truth plainnesse certainty and goodnesse of it endureth for ever 1 Pet. 1.23 25. And though this Gospel came forth lesse largely and cleerly at the first Genes 3.15 1 Joh. 1.1 2. yet after more fully and clearly to Abraham Genes 12. and 15. and 17. Gal. 3.8 And then more cleerly still to Mases Deutr. 18.18 19. and 30.11 15. Acts 3.22 26. Rom. 10.6 10. and so more cleerly still to Isaiah and the residue of the Prophets Isai 53. and 55. Acts 2.16 36. Rom. 10.13 c. and yet still more cleerly by John Baptist Luk. 1.76 79. Matth. 11.9 10 11. But still more and most fully and cleerly by JESUS CHRIST and his Apostles Ioh. 1.16 17. and 3.15.17 Ephes 3.5 which Apostles of Jesus Christ in respect of Christ being come and having dyed and being risen and ascended and filled with spirit and for whom and to what end and what he is become for all men and what to and for those that beleeve on him They have laid the foundation and other foundation can no man lay then that which is by them laid 1 Cor. 3.11 Ephes 2.20 And this is done by them also in words of Wisedome 1 Cor. 2.4.7 And he that addeth to the words Christ hath already revealed by them God will adde to him all the Plagues recorded in that Book and he that taketh away from those words God will take away his part out of the Book of life Revel 22.18 19. And if any man or Apostle or Angel from heaven shall preach any other Gospel then that they have preached wee are to hold him accursed Gal. 1.8 9. And what shall we then account of this Reason Doth not the words of Christ and his Apostles express their meaning Or did their words serve but for those times Are they not necessary now have any of us found out fitter words to expresse the Gospel in these times now Christ and his Apostles are not upon the Earth shall mortall man be more just then God Shall a man be more pure then his Maker Job 4.17 shall any direct the spirit of the Lord and be his
the reading of the Scriptures and use of spirituall gifts 3. To compare words spoken by and of God and acts done by him with words spoken by and of men and acts done by them as of like large extent and signification as some have done to dishonour God and to flatter and Idolize men 4. To addde too diminish from or alter and mingle the sense and sentences of Scripture as some for their own ends doe and the Devill did 5. To set one place of Scripture against and in contrariety with another to make voide the appearing sense in one that they might choose that which best liketh them as hath been usuall with many Adversaries to the Truth 6. To turne plain places and Narrations of Scripture into Allegories it is usuall with such as use to denie the truth of the litterall Sense of the Scripture and of the Resurrection and of serving God with our bodies 7. To confound together in one without distinction such things and in such respects as the Scripture maketh cleerly distinct as to instance some of them The end of Christ's Death and the Application of his Death And the salvation wrought on earth by Christ in his own body with God for men and the salvation in the application thereof he worketh from heaven by his Spirit inmen to God And God his love of Compassion and his love of delight And Election to Sonship and Predestination to the Adoption of Sonnes And Secret Election in God and Actuall Election of and by God And the manner of the Declaration of the Gospel and the manner of outward Worship The portion of Spirit sent forth before Christ came in the flesh and since his comming and Ascention And spirituall gifts graces Administrations Operations and outward Callings and Offices in the Church c. All which the Scriptu e maketh distinct but they are usually confounded by the inconsiderate and such as denie and darken things appertaining to the Foundation 8. To make sayings in first and second Person and restrictive Applications and Propositions for example of like large extent with sayings in the Third Person generally and propositi ns for the ground of Faith and usuall course of the unlearned and inconsid rate 9. To alleadge the change of times to justifie a contrary Sense or Doctrine or way to that plainly appearing in the Scriptures as an order of Fryars did for their by them called Eternall Gospel for these times In which they said That delivered by Christ and his Apostles must give place as the Old rights and Ceremonies did at Christ his Ascention And other Papists doe for blotting out the second Commandement and having Images in the worshipping of God because they say No such feare of Idolatry and Superstition in these times as when that command was given And so doe the Rhemists for their Translation use such Allegations 10. To invent lyes and slanders to make infamous such as will not be of the same opinion with themselves In which the Antichristian brood abounds And so have too many done in thiâ— very businesse also inventing and conceiting to themselves and giving it out to others That whosever beleeveth and confesseth that Christ is the Saviour of the World that he gave himself a Ransome for All men and by the grace of God tasted death for Every Man and alledgeth for the same Joh. 4.42 1 Tim. 2.6 and Heb. 2.9 They are false witnesses against Christ and his Apostles And they are Papists or at the best Arminians and Time-servers and of loose lives And doe and must of necessity hold that Christ dyed alike for all men that all by nature have free will to spirituall good That there is no Election That there is no grace here attaineable but what a man may fall from That whosoever beleeveth that Christ dyed for all men shall undoubtedly be saved and such like loathsome opinions as the Doctrine such slanderers oppose condemnes and the slandered abhorres In use of which corrupt wayes and dealing with the Scripture and with Beleevers and that all under colour of Allegation and right Interpretation of Scriptures how God is dishonoured and the Scripture made of no force I hope thy self discerneth But when this is done so to shut the door of Repentance and Faith against All Men as withall to teach them to abuse Scriptures to denie Gods Creation of all men and to deny that All men have sinned and shall dye and rise againe and come to Judgement or that it is their duty to speake the truth and render their dues to every man and withall opens a way for ushering all manner Heresies and Popish Superstitions as in the ensuing Discourse will in some measure appeare this is still worse for which cause I have to my utmost shunned all these wayes and observed carefully all I have requested of thee And this being granted thy answer will be very acceptable and received so farre as truth appeareth in it to me and all others that desire not to close our eyes or harden our heart against any truth testified by Scripture fairely dealt withall Lastly I desire thou take not this I have said as a challenge of thee or any to answer what is written in this Treatise but onely as a Testimony of my willingnesse to 〈…〉 I have written to be by Scripture thyed and if errour be the 〈…〉 to be discovered that I may see and confesse it that so nothing may be done through strife and contention â—â—riving not for Victory but truth nor desiring any Victory but from being also encouraged hereto likewise by this perswasion That in some sort duety doth engage me for by Authority I was lead to make Protestation to maintaine so farre as lawfully I may the true Protestant Religion as it is exprest in the Doctrine of the Church of England against all Popery and Popish Innovations To which both the Tenet of Christ not dying for every Man and the abuse of Scripture and manner of arguing by which some would prove that contradictory Tenet doth set wide open the doore which is shut by the Doctrine of the Church of England which saith expresly Article 6. Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary for salvation so that whatsoever is not read therein nor may be proved thereby is not to be required of any man that it should be beleeved as an Article of the Faith or be thought requisite necessary to Salvation Article 20. It is not lawfull for the Church to ordaine any thing that is contrary to Gods Word Neither may it so expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another wherefore although the Church be a witnesse and a keeper of holy Writt yet as it ought not to decree any thing against the same so besidâ—s the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be beleeved for necessity of Salvation Article 2. One Christ very God and very man who Suffered was Crucifyed dead and buryed to reconcile his Father to us and to
be a Sacrifice not onely for originall guilt but also for all Actuall sinnes of men Article 15. Christ in the truth of our Nature c. he came to be the Lambe without spot who by the Sacrifice of himself once made should take away the sinnes of the World And sinne was not in him But all wee the rest c. offend in many things Article 31. The offering of Christ once made Is that perfect Redemption Propitiation and Satisfaction for all the sinnes of the whole World both Originall and Actuall And this expresly testified against a grosse Popish Innovation Which Doctrine had I not beleeved I would not so have Protested to main aine And for the maintenance hereof I have gone in as orderly a way to avoide all the aforementioned abuses of Scripture and to make the Scripture sole Judge and testify the truth in the words thereof as I could An I so have divided the 〈…〉 in 24. Chapters The first five of Premiâ—ees for better understanding the businesse and the rest to proveit And so Chap. I. Of the distinction between the Salvation Christ â—ffected in his owne bâ—dy with God for men And that hee effects by his Spirit in men to God from pag. 1. to pag. 15. Chap. II. Of the divers distinct ends of the Death of Christ set forth pag. 16. to p. 20. Chap. III. Of the divers manner of mentioning those ends in Scripture pag. 21. to 25. Chap. IV. Of the divers waies of propounding the death of Christ in Scripture pag. 26 27. Chap. V. Of the difference of the extent and force of the same words in Scripture pag. 26. to 30. Chap. VI. An Assaye for right stating the Question pag. 32. to 36. Chap. VII The Question opened and answered by Scripture p. 37 38. VIII The proof from the Consideration of Christ as the Publike Person pag. 40. to 48. Chap. IX The proof from the joint-mentioning of Creation and Redemption by Christ pag. 49. 52. Chap. X. The proof from the distinction and change of Person in the Scripture pag. 53 54. Chap. 11. The proof from the force of words scope and circumstances 1 Tim. 2.4.6 pag. 55. to 62. Chap. 12. The proof from the like in Heb. 2.9 pag. 63. to 65. Chap. 13. The proof from like places of Scripture speaking of like things pag. 66. to 70. Chap. XIV The answering of the 1. Objection and 4. Reasons to it pag. 71. to 88. Chap. XV. The answering of a 2. Obâ—ection pag. 89. to 94. Chap. XVI The answering a 3. Objection pag. 95. to 103. Chap. XVII The answering a 4. Objection pag. 104. to 112. Chap. XVIII The answering of a 5. Objection pag 113. to 124. Chap. XIX The answering a 6. Objection pag. 124 to 128. Chap. XX. The Proposition againe proved by 6. Arguments and 18. Proofs pag. 129. to 137. Chap. XXI An Addition of Proofes more peculiarly for the effectuallinsse of the Ransome with the remoovall of a double stamble to some page 138. to 143. Chap. XXII A removeall of a Doubt seeming to be raised from three places of Scripture pag. 144. to 153. Chap. XXIII Some discovery of the profitablenesse of this Doctrine to be beleeved and holden forth pag. 153. to 154. Chap. XXIV That Profit further discovered and pressed in 10. Vses pag. 155. 1. Use To the Profane from pag. 155. to 158. 2. Use To the Civill onely from pag. 159. to 161. 3. Use To the Superstitious from pag. 162. to 164. 4. Use To the Pharisaically Righteous and zealous pag. 165. to 169. 5. Use To the Imbondaged pag. 170. 6. Use To the weak Beleevers groaning after and wanting Consolation pag. 171. to 172. 7. Use To hasty feigned and boasting Beleevers pag. 173. to 175. 8. Use To the truly converted wanting light in the large extent of the Ransome given by Christ to God for All Men. pag. 176. to 178. 9. Use To establish Beleevers pag. 179. 10. Use To all whosoever pag. 180. The POSTSCRIPT pag. 186. to 194. I pray thee reade without prejudice Try all things by Scripture refuse not any thing the Scripture warrants And shew me in love by the Scripture any errour wherein I have gone aside from the truth it recordeth and prove thy sayings Affirmatively and by faire and just dealing with the Scripture and I will yeeld to thee and thank thee or else acknowledge the Truth so plainly testifyed in the Scripture as in the main of my drift I am sure thou canst not deny If agreeing in the same Truth thou see how to mend any expression I shall thanke thee only let us alway agree in this That the plaine Affirmations of the Scripture are true and neither to be tryed nor doubted by us but beleeved but all our sayings may be tryed yea and doubted untill they wholly agree thereto And thus with desire of the Spirit of truth to leade us into all Truth I commit this Testification of th Truth of the 1 Tim. 2.6 and Hebr. 2.9 to thy perusall desiring a blessing on the same and so Rest Thy Well-willer T. M. THE VNIVERSALLITY OF GOD'S FREE-GRACE IN CHRIST to MAN-KIND 1 Tim. 2.6 Who gave himself a Ransome for all Heb. 2.9 That hee by the Grace of GOD should taste death for every man The sense as the words import appeares to be Proposition THat JESUS CHRIST by the Grace good-will and favour of God did tast death for every man and so also gave himself a ransome to God for all Men and so is become the Propitiation for the sinnes of the World and the SAVIOVR of the WORLD FOR the better and more plaine proceeding in the proof of this sense That it may appeare rightly stated and rightly proved there are five things to be headed and understood as the distinction between 1. The redemption reconciliation and salvation he effecteth by Jesus Christ in his owne body with God for men And the redemption reconciliation and salvation he effecteth by his Spirit in men to God and which of these here meant 2. The divers distinct ends of the death and blood-â—hed of Jesus Christ mentioned in the Scripture and of which of them is here affirmed 3. The divers manner of mentioning these ends in Scripture and in what manner it is mentioned here 4. The divers wayes of propounding the death and suffering of Christ in the Scripture and how it is propounded here 5. The difference of the extent and force of the same words in Scripture when they are of men and by men or the opposition between men and men or other creatures And when they are by God and of God and the opposition between God and men or with a mediatour between and how the extent and force of the words appeare here I. Of the distinction between the Redemption reconciliation and salvation which Jesus Christ effected in his owne body with God for men And of that he effecteth by hiâ— Spirit in men to God and of which here meant 1. THat
there is a Redemption Reconciliation and Salvation wrought by Jesus Christ in his owne body with God for men is evident In that he is called the Christ The Saviour of the World Joh. 4.42 And the Propitiation for our sinnes and not for ours only but for the sinnes of the whole world 1 Joh. 2.2 Whence it is said God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself not importing their trespasses unto them 2 Cor. 5.19 and so this is called the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus Rom. 3.24 Who his own selfe bare our sinnes in his owne body on the tree 1 Pet. 2.24 and so by the grace of God tasted death for every man Heb. 2.9 and gave himself a ransome for all men 1 Tim. 2.6 and through the eternall Spirit offered himself without spot to God Heb. 9.14 being the Lambe of God which taketh away the sinne of the world Joh. 1.29 for effecting of which Redemption Reconciliation and Salvation Jesus Christ 1. Appeared was Manifested was sent and came into the world to take away our sinnes 1 Joh. 3.5 To put away sinne by the sacrifice of himself Heb. 9.26 The sinne of the world Joh. 2.29 to save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 Not to destroy mens lives but to save them Luk. 9.56 to be the Saviour of the World 1 Joh. 4.14 To save the world Joh. 12.47 and not to condemne the world but that the world through him might be saved Joh. 3.17 And this busines his first comming into the world was to effect for which he was furnished for 2. In this his appearing and manifestation he was made flesh Joh. 1.14 of the seed of David according to the flesh Rom. 1.3 made of a woman Gal. 4.4 and so was very man The man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2.5 and in the likenesse of men Phil. 2.7 having the nature of all mankind even subject to the infirmities thereof though altogether without sinne yet subject to feele afflictions in sorrow sadnesse yea Agonies of soul and paine in hunger wearinesse and death of body such infirmities as had never befallen the Nature of man but for sinne and so was in the likenesse of sinfull flesh Rom. 8.3 and so fit to be in the stead of man-kind Heb. 10.5 3. Being thus in the Nature of mankind he was set and stood a publick Person in the Nature and room of all mankind while hee was about this worke as the first Adam did who was the figure or Type of him that was to come and now hath come Rom. 5.14.18 19. 1 Cor. 15.21 22.45.46 4. Being such a publike person in the roome and Nature of all mankind he also became for them under the same Law and Obligation in which they were which charged them with sinne and bound them over-to punishment By vertue of which his comming under that Law All the sinne and punishment The whole debt of mankind by order of Justice became his whence it is said hee was made under the Law to redeem them that were under the Law Gal. 4.4 5. We know that what things soever the Law saith it saith to them that are under the Law that every mouth may be stopped and all the world become guilty before God Ro. 3.19 And he becomming under this Law for us might be rightly challenged with and arrested for our debt whence he is said to have taken upon him the forme of a servant Phil. 2.7 5. Being thus in the nature and stead of mankind under the law for them God was pleased to challenge the whole debt of him and to impute all the sinnes the Law could charge mankind withall unto him and to arrest and call him to account and enter into judgement with him for all Whence it is said God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself not imputing their trespasses to them 2 Cor. 5.19 He laid on him the iniquity of us all Esai 53.6 and made him to be sinne for us 2 Cor. 5.21 which imputation hee accepted whence it is said he himself bare our sinnes 1 Pet. 2.24 So that himself calls them his and said Innunerable evills have compassed me about mine iniquities have taken hold upon me so that I am not able to look up they are more then the haires on my head Psal 40.12 6. Having on him our sinnes God laid on him the punishment and curse that was due to us for those sinnes and hee did suffer the same curse and so died as the sinner for our sinnes in the room of us all He was wounded for our transgressions Esai 53.5 Hee was made a curse for us Gal. 3.13 Christ dyed for our sinnes according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15.4 hee suffered for our sinnes the just for the unjust 1 Pet. 3.18 Christ died for the ungodly Rom. 5 6. hee died for all 2 Cor. 5.15 and so by the grace of God tasted death for every man Heb. 2.9 which is in account with God and those that are taught it of him as if all had died 2 Cor. 5.14 7. Having thus suffered and dyed for our sinnes he even the same that dyed rose againe the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15.4 and so rose justified and acquit of all our sinnes imputed to him and a Triumphant Victorer over curse and death and all the enemies of our Salvation Declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of Holinesse by the resurrection from the dead Rom. 1.4 was raised for our justification Rom. 4.25 put to death in the flesh but quickened by the Spirit 1 Pet. 3.18 Justified in the Spirit 1 Tim. 3.16 the Just One. 1 Joh. 2.1 having spoiled Principallities and Powers and made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in himself Col. 2.15 and so gave himself a ransome and a propitiatory sacrifice to God his Father for all men 1 Tim. 2.6 1 Joh. 2.2 8. All this his Oblation and Sacrifice of himself to God did hee sanctifie and dignifie through the onenesse of his will with the will of his Father he having one and the same will minde and purpose with his Father in all this Hebr. 10.5.10 And by vertue of his divine Nature and Aeternall Spirit through which he offered up himself without spot to God Heb. 9.14 He that hath offered himself being God Rom. 9.5 and man 1 Tim. 2.5 yea God man in one Person Joh. 1.14 Matth. 1.23 So that by reason of this personall union of the divine and humane nature in one Person the blood that was shed and with which he is entred the heavens to appeare before God for us is called Gods own blood Act. 20.28 Which is more then if all and every man in the world had suffered all that was due to their sinnes and is accepted of God at the hands of Christ as if all had died 2 Cor. 5.14 So as this redemption is in Christ perfect the worke accomplished and done and the Father with him and in him is well pleased Matth. 3.17 he having
Promises of the New Testament Hebr. 9.14 15 16. Rom. 5.5 11. for his performance to thâ—â— all he hath promised to conferre on them Râ—â— 4.18 25. and working in them all his grace requires of them Psalm 138.8 Is 26.12 as also faith for standing in the dayes of Temptation and overcomming Revel 12.11 and so to live by Faith Gal. 2.20 and walke in love 2 Cor. 5.14 which worketh sweetly Gal. 5.6 1 Cor. 13. 5. Hee bringeth them in to approach with holy boldnesse to God and liberty in use of his Ordinances and to Union and fellowship with himself and his people Rom. 5.2 3. Ephe. 2.13 17 18 19 22. Hebr. 10â— 9.22 and 12.22 24. 1 John 1.1 2 3 7. and so guiding them to some to the Spirit he enters them into his rest and Kingdome and causeth them of the Spirit to reape life everlasting Hebr. 4.3 a â—et â— 11 Gal. 5.18 and 6.8 6. Hee having thus fitted them gives them 〈◊〉 experiment all those things mendoned in 〈◊〉 speciall Intercession and Advocation with many unutterable discoveries of Love and 〈◊〉 of Spirit Câ—â— 1.2 3 4. and 2.5 and 5.10 c. Epâ—es 1.17 â—0 which 〈…〉 with assurance of his 〈◊〉 and of the inheritance Rom. â— 32 36. and makes their hearts to glory in God and to love long and waite for the comming againe of Jesus Christ who will come in due time and free them of all trouble and possesse them of the inheritance and crown them and make them glorious like himself in soul and body 1 Joh. 3.2 Revel 22.17 20. 2 Tim. 4.8 Phil. 3.21 And this is a little discovery of that speciall salvation he worketh in Beleevers unto God of which confession is made Rev. 5.9 Now between those two salvations that with God for men and that in men to God The common and the speciall The Scripture doth often and many wayes distinguish and that very clearly as to instance 1. The former is called a reconciling by his death The other a saving by his life Rom. 5.10 The former a reconciliation wrought for the world by God in Christ The latter a Reconciliation of some by Christ to God God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself God hath reconciled us to himself by Christ 2 Cor. 5.18 19. 2. For effecting the former Christ came from the Father and came into the world Job 16.28 1 Tim. 1.15 and was made poore 1 Cor. 8 9. and made low and abased Rom. 8.3 For effecting the other Hee left the world and went againe to the Father Job 16.28 and was exalted and glorified by and at the right hand of God Acts 5.31 3. In effecting the former he was abased more and more till in his resurrection it was perfect and wee despised him also Phil. 2.7 8. Isai 53.3 4 5. In effecting the other Hee is exalted and glorified more and more till that be perfected and is precious in our hearts Isai 4. â— and 55.5 1 Pet. 1.21 22. and 2.4 7. Phil. 3.7 8 9. Cant. 5.10 c. 4. The one is a Redemption for us in Christ Jesus Rom. 3.24 the other is a Redemption of us in our soules and bodies Luke 1.74.79 Rom. 8.23 5. The former was by blood-shedding for which he went out of the City Hebr. 9.12 and 13.12 the other is by presenting his blood before his Father and by his Spirit sprinkling the same on the heart and conscience of his people for which he entred into the holy of holyes Hebr. 9.14.24 and 12.24 Revel 1.5 6. The former is already perfectly wrought and done and finish'd in himself and so accepted with the Father that he hath made him Lord and extends through him fruites of patience and goodness to men without mens knowledge of him or what he hath done even while they are enemies and without strength Ioh. 17.4 and 19.30 Rom. 5.6.8 10. and 3.11 12. Act. 14.17 but the other is begun in the making known him in the salvation wrought and perfected in the knowledge of him in both that and the aeternall Salvation Tit. 2.11 12. and 3 4 5 6. 2 Pet. 1.2 3 4. 7. The former hath prevailed with God for men so as hee hath accepted the sacrifice of Christ and given over all into his dispose and made him Lord of all Hebr. 10.12 Psal 110.1 and 2.7 8. and doth prevaile in that God for his sake extendeth patience and bounty to men with means to leade them to Repentance Rom. 2.4 The latter prevaileth in and with men to God Psal 110.3 Isai 55.5 Ioh. 6.44 45. Tit. 3 4 5. 8. The former is affirmed in Scripture to be for all men Ioh. 3.17 but the latter is only for and to beleevers Ioh. 3.16 Act. 10.43 Hebr. 5.9 Thus are the common and speciall Salvation distinct and the former first and generall for all and the latter following and peculiar to beleevers And that which the Scripture distinguisheth it becomes no man to confound Now what the Scripture maketh distinct and putteth difference in we may safely so view and speak of them and so the death of Jesus Christ at the ransome and Propitiation being affirmed in Scripture to be for sinners for the world of mankind for all men and every man and this that common Salvation wrought for all men in his owne body and so the ground of that salvation extended to all wherein all are made so saveable that they might be aeternally saved and this declared that they might beleeve it and in beleeving repent and come in to Christ and so be eternally saved It appearâ—â— to be the sense of 1 Tim. 2.4.6 Hebr. 2.9 And in such and so large a sense is the Proposition and no larger And so this first Consideration hath lead to right stating of the Question for the sensâ—â— and afforded proof also and answer to most of the Objections that â—y â—buse of reason and some places of Scripture speaking of the 〈◊〉 Salvation 〈…〉 against it CHAP. II. Of the divers distinct ends of the Death and blood-shodding of JESUS CHRIST mentioned in the Scripture and of which of them is here meant THere are in Scripture set forth and plainly affirmed divers distinct ends of the death and blood-shead of Christ in his laying downe his life The first end and that which is generall and common of the largest extent was to be a Ransome a sacrifice and Propitiation or a propitiatory Sacrifice for sinfull mankind To take away sinne before God for men He appeared to put away sinne by the sacrifice of himself Hebr. 9.36 The Lambe of God which taketh away the sinne of the world John 1.29 Hee dyed for our sinnes according to the Scripture 1 Cor. 15.3 And he is the Propitiation for our sinnes and not for ours only but also for the sinnes of the whole world 1 John 2. â— And in this generall and common end are included three distinct yet inseparable ends The first in respect of God that was offended from whom man was fallen and
of Adam by Propagation 1 Cor. 15.22 Now the Words All and Every man in 1 Tim. 2.4.6 and Hebr. 2.9 being spoke by the Spirit of GOD and of the Workes of God for men and the opposition being between God and men and but one man the Man CHRIST JESUS between who is God and Man and is expresly said To give himself a Ransome for all men The larged sense must of necessity be taken and no more is required or affirmed in the Proposition So then the sense of the 1 Tim. 2.6 and Hebr. 2.9 and of the Proposition affirmed is to be understood of 1. The Redemption wrought by Christ in his owne body and the Common salvation he there-through worketh And 2. So of his Death as it is set forth for Propitiation And 3. So mentioned by it self without the other ends annexed too with it And 4. Propounded as the foundation of Repentance towards God and Faith towards our Lord JESUS CHRIST and this in the Third Person generally in generall words And vet to prevent all mistakes and cavills this is to be further added That the Death of JESUS CHRIST as the Ransome and Propitiation for All and Every Man is to be understood of the Death of JESUS CHRIST as hee â—â—risen and ascended and at his Fathers right hand filled in mans Nature with the holy Ghost and Authority Acts 17.31 1 Cor. 15.3 4. So that his Death Resurrection and Ascention with some fruit of all of them together are herein comprehended and to be heeded Acts 4.10 11 12. with Rom. 14.9 12. 1. He dyed to make Propitiation for the Sinnes of All men 1 Joh. 2.2 Hebr. 2.9 and to seal the new Testament for his called and chosen ones and to purge and cleanse them with the aplication of his blood Hebr. 9 14 15. Ephes 5.25 26. 2. He rose from the death justifyed and to receive justification in the room and for All men that he might have Power to bestow it Rom. 3.22 24. and 5.18 and 4.25 And to bestow it on and give new and living hope to his called and chosen ones Rom. 3.22 25 26. and 5.1 1 Pet. 1.3 3. He Ascended and sate downe on the right hand of God to be the Lord of All. Acts 2.34 36. and 10.36 Rom. 14.9 And to be the Head Husband High-Priest Prophet and King of his called and chosen ones Hebr. 3.1 6. and 5.6 and 6. and 7. and 8. 4. He is filled with Spirit to send forth to the sonnes of men to the rebellious and to enlighten every man that commeth into the world that the Lord God might dwell among them Psal 68.18 Joh. 1.9 and 16.8 And to witnesse Son-ship and lead his Called and Chosen ones into all truth Rom. 8.14.16 Joh. 16.13 14. And thus the Death Resurrection and Ascension of JESUS CHRIST is 1. To all men a ground of Instruction to convince them of sin and of Christ his right of Lordship over them Joh. 16.8 11. Rom. 14.9.12 And of alurement to come in and be reconciled to God by Christ 2 Cor. 5.19 20. and of hope that in comming in and yeelding to his Call they should have life Joh. 3.14 15. 2. To his Called and Chosen ones that beleeve on him a ground for Confirmation of their Faith of their Justification of their Preservation in Grace of their enjoyment of the Inheritance Rom. 5. and 8 32. c. of which is not here to be understood in in that affirmed for all men But of the former that hope set forth for All according to that Christ hath done for all and so I suppose all that will may understand the sense That wee may have the Question rightly stated about the death of JESUS CHRIST in what sense he dyed for all men CHAP. VI. An Assay for right stating the Question THIS Question being diversly stated by many I thinke it meet to mention the same briefly that it may appear the better how it is stated here 1. Some say JESUS CHRIS dyed for all his Elect and onely for those that are elect to Sonne-ship and eternall Inheritance and for no other Not for all mâ—n every man or any man but the Elect. This is flat against and openly contradictory to the affirmation of the Scripture and is that opposed in the whole drift of this Tract 2. Some say JESUS CHRIST dyed for all men alike wrought redemption for them all alike with like love and like intention and for like ends But as this hath no ground in the Scripture so it is already shewne confuted by it 3. Some say JESUS CHRIST dyed for every man in case every man beleeve on him and for no man to Salvation in case every man persist in unbeleife But this is no Scripture sense and imperfect to make any sense to goe on with at all for Christ hath dyed and given himself a Kansome to God for all men whether any man beleeve it or no and hath by his death so purchased all men of God that hee is become their Lord and shall judge them though they should persist in unbeliefe neither shall they all so persist Rom. 14.9 12. 2 Pet. 2.1 Isai 53.11 4. Some say JESUS CHRIST dyed in some sort for all men and â—o as all doe receive some good thereby he dyed for all as a Lord but he did not die for all as a Surety to pay the price for and become the Propitiation for the sinnes of all This sense answers not the Question which is not about what good all doe receive from or by the death of Christ but what good hee hath thereby wrought and procured for all men that he might have pouâ—â— and freedome to bestow according to his will that is one with the Fathers yet is the Affirmative in this expressed sense true though it be not the whole truth of this businesse But the negative not onely denieth the remainder of truth but denies and unsaith again even that which was affirmed for if he did not pay the price and purchase them how according to the Gospel is he become their Lord Rom. 14.9 2 Pet. 2.1 And if he be not the Propitiation for their sinnes how shall he judge them according to the Gospel and by it 2 Cor. 2.10 Rom. 2.16 Joh. 12.47 48. and if no price be paid nor Propitiation made for them but that what ever reprievall patience or mercies they receive they will but aggravate their condemnation no doore of Repentance and life being opened in truth for them to which this patience and bounty might leade them what good doe they then receive or rather be they not necessarily more miserable Rom. 2.4 5. 5. Some say JESUS CHRIST so dyed for all that his death is sufficient for all and applicable to all but not so as he hath indeed ransomed all men and become the propitiation for their sinnes The Affirmative part of this sense is very good and will stand well But the Negative both crosseth plain Testimonies of Scripture and
setting him in such a state of favour againe That Mercy and Truth Righteousnesse and Peace might agree in one for the salvation of Mankind That the oreatures might againe be restored preserved and sanctifyed for the use of men and that the Gospel and good tydings of this grace of God might be declared to Mankind that they might through him beleeve And that in beleeving they might have everlasting life and that such at through his grace beleeve might be in union and fellowship with him and each other and the holy Angels And that the Angels may minister to them These being his Church of whom Christ is the Head who have thâ— specialty in his love And that the Heaven and Earth may be made new for these that they may therein with Him enjoy the inheritance and that Sathan may be wholly overthrowne and hee and all that will doe his will and be of his seed may be turned into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone Ephes 4.7.16 1 Tim. 4.10 Isai 65.17 18. Revel 20.10.14 15. Jud. 15. And then is all right before God well-pleasing in his view and as he would have iâ— who will rejoyce in his workes Revel 21.5 and all this in love to mankind created by him hath Jesus Christ undertaken to â—â—e that whosoever of Mankind beleeveth on him may enjoy the benefit of it And is not all this affirmed in the Gospel where the Creation and Redemption are mentioned together Col. 1.16.20 where also the same generall words of All things are used in mentioning Creation vers 16. Reconciliation vers 20. and Preservation verse 17. And what lesse now doth all this iuferre then thus much That all Creatures could not content him while Mankind was in a Remedilesse Condition That all the Mercy shewed to Creatures is for the love he beareth to mankind That the Redemption and Peace wrought by Him for Mankind is as large as his Creation and Preservation of mankind That he is able and stands ready to Call and in their submission to his Call to bring them in to God and what great and unspeakable love to mankind is this 3. This his love to mankind is yet further confirmed by this that in such joynt mentioning of Creation and Redemption hee hath set a stampe or seal and written a Testimony for mankind to read of a Ransome given and Redemption wrought for mankind in that the earth dissolved by sinne is preserved and the continuall streams of wrath deserved are kept off Christ bearing up the Pillars of the Earth Psal 75.2 3. of a readinesse to doe them good in communicating grace to them Acts. 14.17 of Power to accomplish salvation in and upon them Isa 50.2 3. c. of his nigh comming to them in those workes to lead them to repentance Rom. 2.4 All which set forth the love of God to mankind 1 Tit. 3.4 Psal 19. Secondly That Gods being the Creator of man and mans being the Creature of God is used as an Argument to induce to faith to stirre up faith and to strengthen confidence in God in times of distresse and in Prayer and in holy waâ—king Job 10. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me c. verse 8.13 and Chapter 14 15. Thou wilt have a desire to the worke of thy hands so Psal 1.39.16 17. And commit the keeping of your soules to him as to a faithfull Creatour 1 Pet. 4.19 And it is coupled with Redemption in the ground of Confidence Isai 43.1 Now mankind having sinned and fallen by the Devills Temptation who though fallen are and were the Creatures of God If God had not respected mankind as his Creature more then the Angels that fell if his Sonne had not taken the nature of mankinde and therein suffered and made satisfaction for the sinne of mankind and so wrought a Redemption for mankind created by him that he might save mankind And this as large as all mankind created by him what force or strength could be in this Argument grounded upon his very Creation and workmanship To which also might be added That Gods Creation of all men by Christ of which it were Athisme to doubt sure Paganisme at least is set out nothing nie so often in the Scripture in those generall words All men Every man The world The whole world as the death of Christ as the Runsom and Propitiation to be the Saviour of All men 〈◊〉 Let any diligent Reader consider it CHAP. X. Of the Consideration of the constancy of the Scripture in changing the Person when having mentioned the generall it mentions the speciall AS the Scripture in mentioning onely that Redemption wrought by Christ in his own body with God for men and the common salvation comming to men thereby Doth ever when it propounds it to bring men to beleeve mention it in the third Person generally And when it doth mention those high and peculiar priviledges belonging to his chosen ones doth never propound them in such generall termes And when it closeth both together in one sentence or expression it useth such a word as may be applyed to both senses or either of them as Many and not such a word as cannot be rightly applyed to the speciall as All men The World c. nor such a word as straitens the generall sense as but many onely many c. so likewise wee shall find that when the Scripture speakes of the one and the other neere together however it expresse the one in the third Person generally yet in mentioning the other it changeth the Person and speaketh also ordinarily applicatively as to instance 2. Cor. 5.19 20 21. In the 19. verse speaking of the reconciliation God hath wrought for men in Christ he affirmes it for the world and in the 20. verse beseecheth men to be reconcil'd on that ground as himself and others were verse 18. but speaking of the priviledges by the death of Christ to those who in spirituall application thereof have beleeved and so received Christ the righteousnesse of God and Gods righteousnesse in him he changeth the Person and saith verse 21. he made him to be sinne for as who knew no sinne that wee hee saith not The World but wee that in beleeving are righteous in and before him might be made the righteousnesse of God in him even have all Gods Righteousnesse to him manifested in and upon us This is the hope of his called and chosen Gal. 4.4 5. Speaking of that which God hath done for all he saith God sent forth his Sonne made of a woman made under the Low to redeem them that were under the Law as all were Rom. 3.19 but mentioning the speciall Priviledges of Adoption hee changeth the Person and saith That we might receive the Adoption of sonnes not only The Spirit of Adoption as in beleeving at first but all the priviledges of Adoption Joh. 1.12 1 Pet. 3.18 Speaking of what Christ hath done for all men hee saith hee suffered the Just for the Vnjust But mentioning what
of many Jewish and Levitticall Rights and Observations they did not beleeve Likewise the free participation of the Priviledges of the Gospel by beleeving Gentiles and fellowship with them without being regulated to them in such Jewish Observances they neither yet fully beleeved nor could endure to see or well abide the hearing of it whence what hard conceptions they had of Paul is evident Acts 21.20.21 And to what a strait Peter was driven to please them and how reproved for it appeares Gallathians 2.11 14. Whence also this Epistle is without the Authours Name prefixed to it Nor is it so generall as the Epistles of Peter and John Nor is the stile like the stile in Pauls other Epistles nor could hee speak in such fulnesse of the height and extent of these priviledges to them as to the Beleeving Gentiles Hebr. 5.11 12 13. Yea he useth many phrases more common with and suitable to the Iewes then in his other Epistles his principall businesse in this Epistle being not so much the opening of the foundation as the leading them to perfection in the knowledge injoyment and usefulnesse of the New Testament of Precious Promises with the fruits thereof as is evident through the whole Epistle Besides in Hebr. 2. cap. the verses both before and following the 9. verse treat of farther things then the Ransome and Propitiation only or that also which is procured onely thereby and so belonging to All men even of the fruits of that and the pouring out of his Spirit also by vertue of his High-Priesthood at his Fathers right hand and so of higher Priviledges then can be affirmed for All men or to any but the called and chosen of CHRIST Hebr. 3.1 and 9.15 whence also the Phrase is changed in verses following which is not so in 1 Tim. 2.1 8. though yet some Phrase he such at if the Gentiles had been writ to and the Ransome and Propitiation only spoken of even some other Phrases also would have agreed in the same truth for whereas God made all Nations of â—ne blood Acts 17.26 Did not Christ partake of the same flesh and blood Joh. 1.14 Gal. 4.4 And did not be partake of the nature of Adam and not of Angels Luke 3.38 but here the Apostle writ to the Jewes and of farther things then the Ransome and Propitiation onely All which considered if at all in any place of Scripture the death of Christ as the Ransome and Propitiation speak of in the Third Person as a Propitiation for Faith could be sound spoken of as for Gods Elect and chosen onely or for any lesse then All men it would surely have been so found in this place there being so much cause for it if any such saying could have been in truth But behold 1. Here it is affirmed for All men not onely in a generall lumpe but for Every man as intimating all the particulars in the generall every singular man such the force of the word here Heb. 2.9 2. Here also the opposition is between God and men even men Created by him to whom it is appointed once to die and after that the Judgement Heb. 9.27 and the death of Christ for men be-between And is not that expresly said to be for Every man like thâ—â— to the Gentiles affirmed 2 Corinthians 3.10 14 15. 3. Did not God also for a little time make his Sonne inferiour to the Angels in giving him a body that might suffer death Hebr. 10.5 and is it not here expresly said to be for Every man as well as that in 2 Cor. 5.10.14 4. Did not God glorify Christ in setting him forth as a publike Person in the room of All men as the first Adam was who was a figure of him to come though he lost his honour and himself and us quickly Psal 49.7 8 20. that he might Ransome all the first Adam had lost and be their Lord is not that expresly said here to be every man as it is Rom. 14.9.11 12. and 2 Cor. 5.10.14 15. 5. Hath not God also glorified him at his owne right hand to be the Lord of the dead and the Living and that all shall come before him and how to him and be Iudged by him even because by the grace of GOD he tasted death for every man as is here expresse Phil. 2.7.11 Rom. 14.9 6. Is not this his death for every man affirmed to be in love and good-will by the grace of God and so for a gracious end and doth he not on this ground call all the ends of the earth to look to him and be saved Is 45.22 and is not that the ends of the earth that is of Gods creation Is 40.28 and is not that meant here of men in all the ends of the Eâ—â—th Prov. 8.4.31 32. and is it not here expresly said every man And so the force of the word with all the Circumstances and the drift of the Epistle and bufinesse treated of that would have required limiting if it might have been doe fully shew That if the question be asked For how many did JESUS CHRIST by the grace of GOD taste death Then without any equivocation limitation or Gloss to answer with Hebr. 2.9 For Every Man CHAP. XIII Of the Consideration of like places in Scripture speaking in like manner NOw other places of Scripture that speake of the same businesse namely of the death of Christ as the Ransome and Propitiation only and that which is the fruit of that only And this propounded in the third Person generally and as the ground of Faith and of Preaching the Gospel to all men and praying for all men and inviting them to Beleeve and waiting for the same c. must be viewed 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them Two things are here evident First that there is a Reconciliation and Pardon for the World which God hath already wrought in Christ while the world lies still in enmity and under sinne for not receiving the same so as it might reconcile them to Christ and so to God in and through Christ that they might receive that Not-imputation mentioned Psal 32.1 2. Rom. 4.5 6. which yet they have not for he saith not God is or God will be Reconciling the world to himself as speaking of the worke of his Spirit in the word of his grace with and in men nor doth he say God was in the World reconciling them as speaking of the spirituall application of the Blood of Christ in the hearts of men reconciling them to God but God was in Christ reconciling c. as speaking of the worke of God in Christ the Reconciliation hee hath already wrought in Christ for men as that Col. 1.20 and true though they beleeve it not And this expresly distinct from that Reconciliation effected in Men by his Spirit in beliefe of the former reconciling them in their hearts and Powers to GOD of which before Verse 18. Col. 10.21
all dead And that he dyed for All that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them and rose againe 1 Cor. 15.22 As in Adam All dye so in Christ shall All be made alive and wee must All appeare before the Judgement-seat of Christ 2 Cor. 5.10 And if wee look on them that stumble at Christ in his Gospel and refuse and denie him doth not the Scripture say Such 2 Cor. 8.11 perish for whom Christ dyed 2 Pet. 2.1 even denying the LORD that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction And are they not said To have troad under foot the Sonne of God and count the blood of the Covenant wherewith they were sanctified an unholy thing and to offer despight unto the Spirit of Grace Hebr. 10.29 and to be trees twice dead Jude 12. And if wee look upon the accomplishment of this end of the death of Christ doth not the Scripture say Before him shall be gathered all Nations c. Matth. 25.32 40. and that even because to that end hee dyed Rom. 14.9.11 13. Phil. 2.8 11. and rose And so in the Name of JESUS every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confesse that JESUS is the LORD c. Isai 45.23 Psal 86.9 And if we look on those to whom the Gospel is to be preached saith not the Scripture Matt. 28.19 Teach all Nations Mark 16.15 Goe yee into all the World and Preach the Gospel to every creature And doth not all these places of Scripture hold forth and explaine and confirme the same sense that 1 Tim. 2.6 and Hebr. 2.9 importeth and so confirme the truth of the Proposition That JESUS CHRIST by the grase good-will and favour of God did tast death for every man and so gave himself a Ransome to God for all men and so is become the Propitiation of the sinnes of the world and the Saviour of the world Yea that the world through him might be saved There is no one thing in all the Scriptures more fully and often and in plain Sentences affirmed then this CHAP. XIV Of the Answering the most usuall and strongest Objections framed against this part of the Truth THE Objections I have met with I desire to couch as many together as I may and to set them downe as faithfully and in the greatest strength that I have met with them and to answer as directly to them OBJECTION I. The Scripture in such places as 1 Tim. 2.6 Hebr. 2.9 and Joh. 4.42 Are not to be understood in the sense which the words seem to Import And this Objection is fortifyed with divers Reasons as to instance the chief of them 1. The words of Scripture cannot be alwayes taken in the sense they Import as I am the Vine I am the Doore This is my Body 2. The words All men and Every man are often found to meane but some even Gods Elect and Chosen 3. The death of Christ is often said to be but for many and those many his sheep 4. There was great reason that such generall words as All men and the World should be used in those times when Christ and his Apostles were upon the face of the earth when they meant but some even the Elect Gods Elect and chosen in all Nations ANSWER For the Affirmation which is the Objection it self the contrary may be affirmed for though the Scripture speaketh sometime more plainly sometimes Metaphorically and sometime Parabollically and Figuratively yet alway truly and in that very sense the words so spoken and as the place in which the words are and the businese about which they treat doe Import For God is a God of truth and Christ is the Truth Psal 31.5 Joh. 14 6. and told the truth which he heard of God Joh. 8.40.45 and did beare witnesse to the Truth Joh. 18.37 and the holy Spirit that convinceth and will convince the World of sinne for not having beleeved on Christ Joh. 16.8 and by whom the Prophets and Apostles spake 2 Tim. 3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 Is the Spirit of Truth 1 Joh. 4.6 and 5.6 and the Word of God both essentiall and instrumentall is Truth Joh. 17.17 and the Word of Truth 2 Cor. 6.7 Col. 1.5 And the Prophets spake the Truth of God which Christ came to confirme Rom. 15.8 13. And John Paptist beare witnesse to the Truth Joh. 5.33 And the Apostles renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking in craftinesse nor handling the Word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the Truth commending themselves to every mans Conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4.2 and spake the Words of Truth and sebernesse Acts 26.25 And that with great plainnesse of speech and not with a vaile over their face neither 2 Cor. 3.12 13. and the Scripture tells us That hee that hateth dissembleth with his lippes Prov. 26.24 And that God needeth none to talke deceitfully for him Joh. 13.7 how can it be then that any of us beleeving and reverencing God and Christ and his Spirit as truth and his Word as a Word of Truth and his Prophets and Apostles Preachers and Writers of Truth and that with plainnesse That when they all say That Christ by the grace of God tasted death for every man and gave himself a Ransome for All men and is the Saviour of the VVorld and the Propitiation for the sinnes of the whole world That any of us I say should presume to say His Words have not the sense or meaning they seem to import Truth it is the minde of God in the Scripture is mysterious and the Scriptures are full of profound Mysteries but they are divine and heavenly Mysteries of Truth Righteousnesse and Goodnesse delivered in words of Wisedome but not the wisedome of this World so that we need a spirit of grace and Wisedome from Christ to open our eyes to see and our hearts to receive them 1 Cor. 2.8.15 Yet the mysteriousnesse of the Scriptures stands not in any equivocall hiddennesse and doubtfulness of speech like the Oracles of the Heathens supposed gods that by the witt of men might be made true which way soever taken though contrary to what they imported to those that sought and trusted to them but the Scriptures though mysterious yet so full of unchangable truth that when by the spirit of grace the knowledge thereof is so given to any man that he understands the same It will appeare to be so right and plain and just according to the words in which it was exprest That he that understands will say As I have heard so have I found in the house of God Psal 48.8 and will not contradict but confesse the truth of Christs own sayings Prov. 8.6 9. Heare for I will speak of excelient things and the opening of my lippes shall be right things for my mouth shall speak truth and wickednesse is an abomination to my lippes And the words of my mouth are in righteousnesse Nothing froward or wreathed or perverse
in them Let none of us therefore say any more His words hath not the sense they both expresse and import More need not be said to this but because the Reasons used to fortify the Objections are by some used as Arguments they must also briefly be answered I. The first REASON from the words I am the doore c. 1. It is injurious Seeing it is confessed by the most and soundest Interpreters and ordinarily used as an Argument against the Papists prohibiting Christian people the reading the Scriptures under pretence of their difficulty to be understood that whatsoever is necessary to salvation is therein plainly delivered even so as the diligent and humble Reader may easily understand Now nothing more necessary nor more plainly delivered then the foundation and first beginnings of the Gospel of Christ against which is here Objected and so the Affirmation of sound Interpreters yea and the Scripture it self gainsaid 2. It is unjust seeing it is granted by Interpreters that hard and difficult places as Sacramentall Speeches Allegories Parables c. are to be opened by plaine places and not plaine places made darke by them Now I an the Doore Joh. 10.9 and The Vine Joh. 15.1 are Metaphoricall speeches And This is my Body Matth. 26.26 is a Sacramentall Speech Thus confessed by All There being a greater Mystery and mysticall signification therein then men at first hearing the Gospel or in first receit till they have some acquaintance with and growth in the things of Christ can understand Therefore very unjustly brought forth to darken the sayings in Hebr. 2.9 1 Tim. 2.6 and Joh. 4.42 being plain and of the beginnings of the Gospel by which those other sayings are to be explained 3. It is very grosse Intimating yea some have said it As if the sense those words seem to Import were as if hee mere a door of wood and an earthly Vine and as if the Sacrament all bread were transubstantiate and turned into and become the corporall or naturall body of Christ whereas there are no such words in any place nor any importing such a sense and if it were lawfull to become ridiculous to answer such ridiculous conceits as are thought so strong as if no truth to be found in such sayings of Scripture without casting out the sense the words seem to import I would ask this puestion Isa master say to his servant Reach my clothes in the Presse and a Dame saith to the maid Turn the cheese in the Press the Child cries to his mother The Pott boiles over and runnes in the fire cannot all these by meane Country people be understood in the very same sense the words import though Presse have no one sense in one saying and another in the other saying and the pottage not the poâ—â— runne in the fire but I leave this least I runn too much into folly to shew this foolish arguing 4. It is very false for Jesus Christ is the very Doore and Way indeed of entrance into any Peace with God or approaching for any life to him Joh. 14.16 Ephes 2.17 19. And he is the true Vine indeed of the Fathers setting and filled with all living sapp of the Spirit whence all true fruit comes Joh. 15.1 7. Hos 14.8 And our Saviour being to finish his sufferings and shortly to leave the World having newly eaten the Passeover with his Disciples himself being the Truth of that was Typed and Shadowed thereby both in Remembrance and Thing remembred And now Instituting the Supper in which his Disciples and Beleevers may have him and his Sufferings with the benefit thereof in such fresh Remembrance That they might have somewhat from his owne hands to be in stead of his visible presence with them who by spirit would be still with them That they by faith in use thereof might have fellowship with him eat and drinke with him yea eate his Flesh and drinke his Blood and so enjoy such Communion as they become one Body in and with him and each other Hee now in Delivery of this Remembrance 1. Was present with them speaking and instructing them about the Propitiation made by his Sacrifice and the Testament seated in his blood 2. He instituteth this Ordinance for them to keep in mind and shew forth his death till he come againe and to have Communion with him and one another 3. The businesse was knowne to be mysticall and as wee call it Sacramentall in which a Command and a Promise meet in appointing the use of an outward signe and Action as in that they had now bee about as appeares Exod. 12.1 4. This businesse was not appointed to nor the words spoken to the men of the world to unbeleevers as that part of the Gospel here treated of is also to be but to Beleevers that had already some spirituall discerning and a Promise of a further portion of Spirit to be given them 5. He saith not This is changed into my body nor so much as this bread is my Body nor a word to colour such a grosse conceit as Transubstantiation nor doth he say This is onely a figne or figure of my body his words are of more force then so and now to a spirituall understanding what should be the scense but what the words by him spook on such an occasion in such a businesse to his Disciples doe import So that this Argument appears injurious unjust absurd and false and so of no strength II. The Second REASON That the words All and Every man sometime meane but some This Reason is already answered and proved vaine and fraudulent in Chap 5. For 1. If in a thousand places where the opposition is not between God and men in generall as in 1 Tim. 2.6 nor the speech of God and by God as in the places already instanced Then it is not at all to the purpose 2. The words All men and Every man when it is spoak by God and of his works and the opposition between God and men in generall whether it speak of the Creation of men by Christ The fall of men in Adam The Ransome given for men by Christ The resurrection of men or their account giving to him is never found to mean lesse then All men and every man which proves the fraud of this reason 3. The words All men and Every man being alwayes taken in the largest sense the scope of the place the businesse treated on and the Circumstances therein and sentence in which the words are used will beare as is shewn before Chap. 5. and no larger affirmed here This Argument is turned against it self that it must needs be so taken here in 1 Tim. 2.6 Hebr. 2.9 3. The third Reason That the death of Christ is often said to be but for many and those many his Sheep 1. This Reason is weake and of no force for the word many is oft so used That it both signifies All and Every man and also amplifieth or setteth forth the greatnesse of that
Counsellor to teach Him Isai 40.13 Doth he need us Or shall not his Excellency make us afraid Job 1 4.9 11. Shall any presume to prescribe him fitter words for these times and then pull down his meaning to their owne and say What ever his words are they have not the meaning they seem to import but their words have and he meant as they doe O yee Heavens be astonished at this But here is not all the evill of this Reason for it doth not onely deny the truth and fitnesse of the words of the Gospel and dishonour God to put honour upon man but it pleadeth for and justifieth many ungodly and profane men for when Beleevers plead for their Brethrens waiting and praying for the spirit of grace to be more abundantly given them Luk. 11.13 Joh. 7.38 39. Acts 3.38 And to desire to have spirituall and gifted men to Preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 12.3 11. 1 Tim. 3.2 and to have much Preaching and praying 2 Tim. 4.2 Col. 4.2 and to have good order in our Assemblies 1 Cor. 14.40 and frequent Assemblies Hebr. 10.25 and brotherly Society 1 Pet. 2.17 and 4.8 11. and patient enduring the reproaches the World casteth on Christ and his Gospel Hebr. 13.13 and holding forth the Word of Life in the midst of a crooked generation Phil. 2.15 16. and having all demeanours in the Church and among Beleevers as like those approved in the Apostles time as wee can 1 Cor. 11.1 2. And alledge the Scripture for all these Doe not many oppose and put by all these things with this You must consider the difference of Times Those things were not only good but necessary in the Apostles times But they are not so necessary in these times And this Reason not onely justifieth their Plea but exceeds it in evill for it saith as much even of the words of the Doctrine of the Gospel Neither is this all but this Reason opens the door to prefer humane Reason before the Divine Testimony of Scripture and to yeeld rather to Reason then to Faith and so opens the door to all Superstition Yea what Heresy will not carnall Wisedome thus bring in of which wee are warned to take heed Col. 2.8 18 23. So that this Reason proves nought Yet that none be wronged I will set down what this Reason is and that to the full as serue have expressed it Who write thus THE REASON For did it not seeme by Christs owne words Matth. 15.24 That he was sent to none but the lost sheep of the House of Israel and Matth. 10.5 JESUS commanded his Apostles not to go into the way of the Gentiles nor enter into any City of the Samaritanes so Acts 16.6 7. They were forbidden of the holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia They assayed to goe into Bithinia but the Spirit suffered them not ANSWER This is the first part of the Reason but it is very weak and frothy For it is evident to a mean understanding that our Saviour spake not in Matth. 15.24 of his mission to dye and give himself a ransome for men but of his mission for his ministration here on earth which was for the Jews the Circumcision Rom. 8.9 which mission with greater enlargednesse at his departure hee left with his Disciples Matth. 28.30 Ioh. 17.18 And yet this restraint of his mission to the Jewes not wholly exclusive for then the woman could not have been commended for her faith which shee still held and received helpe thereby Matth. 15.24 28. and of the same nature was the sending his Disciples and of no farther extent as yet Matth. 10. â— And this could be no Reason to darken or straiten the extent of the Death and Ransome of Christ much lesse a Reason of using such generall words as All men Every man The World when they meant but some onely For 1. Before either this mission of the Disciples by Christ or his so speaking to the Woman of Canaan hee was said to be sent into the World That the World through him might be saved Joh. 3.17 To be the Saviour of the World Joh. 4.42 To give his flesh for the life of the World Joh. 6.51 To take away the sinne of the World and to enlighten every man that commeth into the World Jo. 1.9 29. therefore those things which followed after could not be the cause or occasions of this manner of speaking that was so long and oft before 2. Their mission was after enlarged to goe into all the World and to preach the Gospel to every creature Mat 28.20 Mar. 16.15 and so then no necessity of using words importing more then truth nor before 3. While these generall words were frequent in use the same is still affirmed of the ministration of Christ That it was of or for the Jewes the Circumcision and that for the good of the Gentiles and so affirmed to them Rom. 15.8 9. so that hitherto this great Reason is reasonlesse As for that Act. 16.6 7. Paul had his Gospel revealed to him long before that time and that by Christ himself and was sent to the Gentiles And hee was kept back from those places but at that time because it was not Gods season or he had prepared other instruments for that People many of whom ere long received the Gospel sweetly Acts 19.10 1 Pet. 1.1 So as this gives no cause at all to doubt of the extent of that Ransome much lesse to use words inporting more then truth for all places could not be ministred to at once nor are the servants to appoint which first and which after That belongs to God So as yet the Reason gets no strength I will therefore adde the refidue of it to see if that will REASON III. And had not the Jewes for a long time been the onely people of God and might not other Nations think themselves excluded being called Strangers and Alians and was not this a mystery newly revealed to the Apostles themselves Act. 10.45 They of the Circumcision which beleeved were astonished because that on the Gentiles also was powred forth the gift of the holy Ghost Likewise Acts 11.18 they admired Now was there not great reason to make it knowne that Christ was come to be a Saviour of the World not of Jewes only but Gentiles also of all other Nations that hee gave himself a Ransom for all not onely the Jewes but also the Gentiles That the Elect throughout the whole world might the better be incouraged to take hold on Christ according to the saying Isai 45.22 Look unto me and 〈◊〉 ye saved all the ends of the Earth and without doubt this was one reason that the words All men and Every man the World and the whole World are so frequent in Scripture ANSWER This is the summe and the whole strength of the Reason which â—â—ll appears very weak and frothy for the ignorance of some in the mysteries of grace is no proof That the God of Truth will speak beyond the bounds
Chap. 6. and this 8. vers 5 13 14 18. and by his Prayers for the Ephesians Chap. 1.17 20. and 3.14.20 and his Profession to the Collossians Chap. 1.23.27 and 2.2.10 by all which it appeares also to be the scope of the Apostle to direct them to this abiding according to that of ould said to our Types Exod. 19.3.6 3. Who have the full assurance of all this and when they come to it and they are such who are not onely called but in that heavenly Call through grace beleeved Drawne forth of themselves and the World to take up their rest and well-pleasednesse in him and inflamed with likement and love of him and his guidance Not onely Justified but having experimented their justification not onely in Christ but by the Spirit of Christ filling with Peace and joy in the holy Ghost and not onely hoping for the glory to come but even a First-fruits of glory in a portion of the Spirit as the earnest of the Inheritance whereby they discerne the hope of his Calling in his Election and his Everlasting Covenant made with them and see the glorious riches of his Inheritance in the Saints and Justified ones and are in a sort made Partakers of the Divine Nature experimenting that Power by which Christ was raised and exalted experimenting that Psal 84.11 Heb. 4.3 and 9.15 2 Pet. 1.3 4. That prayed for Ephes 1.17 20. And this affirmed Rom. 8.28 29 30. and so come to this glorying of the Apostle in the following verses to the End Now this objected inference crosseth the scope of the Apostles and taketh away the ground of the Hope given and shutteth the doore against the way to the enjoyment and thrusts men to wander in dark reasonings for Election ASWER III. 3. This Inferrence from these places and the abuse of them to fortify such a Proposition destroyeth the distinction between the Gospel and the communication of the speciall benefits of the Gospel between the Atonement made by Christ and the receit thereof by the Called Ones and the common and speciall Salvation which the Scripture distinguisheth as is afore shewne Chap. 1. and 2. and 10. and wholly denyeth and taketh away the Gospel to be preached to unbeleevers and all men all Nations and wholly confounds it into one with those high mysteries that are to be opened to Beleevers yea Beleevers growne and it barres out all uncalled from beleeving and all Beleevers from Consolation till they know their particular Election as all that view it may see and know it to be evill 4. The Conexion it self is wrested for this Inference which hath no even rise thence or from any other part of Scripture where is no such conexion as if all Christ dyed for and Ransomed must of necessity partake of all these Priviledges Nor as if all that partake of some fruits of his Ransome must needs partake of all these Priviledges Nor as if all that were called must of necessity Partake of them all Scripture sheweth the contrary yea the Epistle doth the same to the Romanes also Chap. 14.9 Isai 20. and this 8. Chap. verse 13. intimates the same But the concatination of all these high favours are made the peculiar Priviledges of Elect sonnes of God Rom. 8.16 17 38 39 30. Ephes 1.3.14 whence the Calling and Election of Beleevers is not made fully sure to them Till in Gods Actuall Election which followeth their Calling they be established and so in a First Fruits made Partakers of all these Priviledges as is shewne before whence they are exhorted thereto on that ground 2 Pet. 1.3 4 5 10 11. And this appeares in the stile put on these Rom. 8.28 and the Prayer for the Ephesians Chap. 1.17 All which is obscured by this Inference 5. If that which is not and which the Inference would have had had been in the conexion yet it would not have justified the Inferrence as we may see in a conexion Psal 111.4 5. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion and Righteous Hee hath given meat to them that fear him hee will ever be mindfull of his Covenant Now if any should from this conexion Inferre That the Lordis gracious and full of Compassion and hath given meat to no other but them that fear him Then Psal 145.8 9. and 136.25 and 104.27 28. and all Scripture and common experience would convince him of folly and falshood and so doth it in this Inferrence also All that is in the common Salvation pertaines to the Speciall But not all that is in the Speciall pertaines to the common Salvation See the 1 Tim. 4.10 So that the truth of 1 Tim. 2.4.6 Heb. 2.9 2 Cor. 5.14 15.19 abideth firme As for the Addition to this Reason with all that follows it is but a cavill with a slander annexed deserving no Answer Wherefore in stead of Answer To take prejudice from the thoughts of any sober-minded I will crave leave of the juditious under correction of better and more enlightened Judgement To set down briefly what I understand and beleeve concerning this mystery I conceive the Scripture to set forth an Election of God That is in and by God And according as I conceive that I see and finde there so I beleeve 1. That God did Elect the man Christ to union of Person with the second Person in the Divine Nature and so to be the Sonne of God and a mighty King in and through whom God would shew forth all his goodnesse and confirre his Kingdome on him Thus God calls him Isa 42.1 Mine Elect in whom my soule delighteth And the Spirit saith He is Col. 1.15 the First-borne of every Creature And himselfe saith Prov. 8.22 30. The Lord Possessed me in the beginning of his way before c. I was set up from everlasting I was brought forth c. And so as all other Chosen being affirmed to be chosen in him Eph. 1.4 Hee must needs be first chosen else How they Chosen in him 2. That in this very Election God did Elect a certaine number of men In this his Sonne and to Sonship in him a Conformity to him and enjoyment of the Kingdome with him Eph. 1.4 Rom. 8.29 3. That at the same Election God in his love to his Son Christ and those chosen in him Did appoint a great yet a certaine number of other men to be Servants to his Sonne Christ and those Chosen in him Psalm 7.2.11 and 119.91 Isai 60.12 Col. 1.16.27 4. That to this end God did Decree to creat all Mankind in one Adam and to set him forth as the First man and a publick Person in the room and place of all Mankind to stand or fall for all that were by Propagation to come of him and in this Decree hee decreed that all the rest of Mankind except his Sonne Christ should come forth of this First Adam by Propagation and in this Decree hee decreed to make a World of Creatures for the use and service of Mankind and to doe all
or the hope it giveth or setteth before any 4. That in Scripture there is mentioned an actuall Election or Choice which is in time though according to that before time in which God pulleth and choseth men from among others to such good things as hee in his Counsell had prepared for them Isai 14.1 Isai 4.9.7 Zach. 1.17 and 2.12 And to speak of the choice part thereof It 's manifest such an Election or Choice there is Not onely because meneioned but so mentioned in Scripture 1. That it is called an Election according to fore-knowledge 1 Pet. 12. Foreknowledge in God signifieth even the Prime Election to Sonship when it is distinct from and put before Predestination and else-where Rom. 8.29 compared with Ephes 1.4 5. But when it is said according to fore-knowledge It points out that Worke of God now done according to that fore-knowledge of his which worketh all things according to the Counsell of his own will Act. 2.23 and 4.28 5.13.18 Eph. 1.11 12. and so Election a worke 2. That often no more is mentioned in it then what the Elected doe in some measure knowingly enjoy Joh. 15.16 19. and 17.6 8. 1 Pet. 2.2 and 2.9 which is not usuall in the mentioning Election in the Counsel of God Rom. 8. Ephes 1. 3. That this Election is in the heavenly Call and follows it 2 Pet. 1.10 Reu. 17.14 whereas Election in the Counsell of God is before the Call 2 Tim. 1.9 Eph. 1.3.4 Yea this Election and Choice doth not alwayes so fasten on men in the beginning of the Call So as they though Called can be said to be Chosen Matth. 20.16 Joh. 2.23 24. Though sometime it doth so fasten on some in the beginning of the Call and so prevaile also that they are said to be Chosen from the beginning of the Gospels Call unto Salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth 2 Thess 2.13 14. 1 Thess 1.3 4 5. Act. 13.48 Coll. 1.4 5 6. and in due Season it will fasten on all Elected in his Counsell when they are Partakers of the Heavenly Call Rom. 11.7.2 Tim. 1.9 yet is this actuall Election in the Worke of GOD in order of time after the Call 4. They that in the heavenly Call are in beleeving so purged with the blood of Christ that they are taken off themselves and the World and united to Christ in confidence love and delight so as they are given up to him for all Life Guidance Protection and Hope are affirmed to be actually Chosen out of the World unto Salvation Joh. 15.19 2 Thess 2.13 14. 1 Thess 1.3 5. 5. There have been some found in former and latter times upon whom this Actuall Election hath passed and they therefore called Gods Elect and Chosen Generation Deut. 6.6 7. 1 Thess 1.3 1 Pet. 1.2 Joh. 13.18 6. They that are thus actually Chosen and Prevailed with hereby are said to be biessed and Called and Chosen and Faithfull Psal 65.4 Revel 17.14 And every one may know himself to be Elected in the Councell of God before time To all that Hee finds himself in the Worke of God Chosen unto in Time Ephe. 1.3 4.11 5. That in Scripture is mentioned an actuall refusall Preterition or non-Election according to the purpose of God also in respect of some peculiar favour or Priviledge which yet may stand with Election to Sonship and eternall Salvation Psal 78.67 68. 6. That in Scripture is mentioned an Actuall Reprobation and rejection of some from the meanes or from the blessing in the meanes of Eternall Life and so from Eternall Life it self and this for their contempt of the meanes and resisting the holy Ghost Jer. 6.16 17 27 30. Prov. 1.24 35. Rom. 1 18.28 The tearme Reprobation Scarce otherwise used and of this Actuall Choice and Actuall Reprobation the Scripture most speaks Now the Gospel of CHRIST is a Truth to be Preached to all and hope of Life tendered on Beleeving and after entrance this actuall Election to be so set forth that men be exhorted to give all diligence in following the Spirit to make it sure and if any be slothfull and disobedient warning given least by contempt they procure to themselves actuall Reprobation which use the Scripture makes of them and so they are very usefull to further the Gospel which by abuse This Objection turnes them against CHAP. XIX Of Answering a Sixt and Seaventh OBJECTION Objection VI. THe Ransome and Mediation of Christ is no larger then his Office of Pâ—iest Prophet and King But those Offices prtaine to his Church and Chosen c. ANSWER This sober Objection doth not denie the Death of Christ for All men But onely seems to deny his Ransome and Mediation for All Men. Though indeed as he is set forth in Scripture Hee should not be the Lord of All men nor challenge their submission and living to him Nor shew mercy nor offer hope of life to them nor convince them of sinne for not beleeving on him nor raise them out of their graves nor cause them to confesse him Lord nor judge them according to the Gospel if hee had not Ransomed them and paid the Price and mediated for them Rom. 1 4.8 9 10 12. 2 Cor. 5.10 14 15 19. Phil. 2.7 8 9 10 11. But the Answer to this Objection is easie and plain in Scripture for as the Mediation of CHRIST is both more generall and more speciall more generall as Hee is the One MEDIATOUR between God and man 1 Tim. 2.5 more speciall as hee is the Mediatour of the New Testament c. That they which are Called might receive the Promise of Eternall Inheritance Heb. 9.14 according to that is said Hee is the Saviour of All men specially of those that beleeve 1 Tim. 4.10 So as in all the Offices of Christ as the Priest the Prophet the King there is both that which is more generall and also that which is more speciall and Peculiar 1. As a Priest hee offered Sacrifice in respect of one end That is Propitiation for All men Heb. 9.26 and 2.9 Io. r. 29. 1 Joh. 2.2 In respect of all the ends Propitiation and Sealing the New Testament and Testification to the Truth and of the uttermost end in all for his Called and and Chosen Ones Heb. 9.14 15. Matt. 26.26 As the High-Priest at his Fathers Right-hand hee in some sort interceeds and puts in for Transgressors and the World Isai 53.12 Joh. 17.21 23. but his speciall businesse and Advocation is for his Called and Chosen ones Hebr. 3.1.6 8. 1 Joh. 2.1 2. As the great Prophet hee calls all men and enlightens every one that comes into the World Prov. 8.4.32 Isai 45.22 Joh. 1.4 5 6. But makes knowne his Fathers Name Words and Gouncells in the secret of the Covenant onely to his Called and Chosen ones Ioh. 15 16 19 20. 16.13.15.17 and 6.7 8. Psal 24.14 3. As the King Hee ruleth over all Psal 103.19 and will convince All men of sinne for
LORD of All. Acts 10.36 And hath been and is and shall be so glorifyed in the hearts of many That they shall runne to him and bee by his Knowledge shall justify them Isai 55.5 53.11 And all the rest of men shall one day bee convinced of sinne because they have not Beleeved on Him John â—6 8 9. And All shall appeare before his Judgement-Seat and then and there shall confesse him LORD to the Glory of God Philip. 2.10 11. And there shall give Account to him Rom. 14.9.12 And He shall give the Judgement and that according to the Gospel Joh. 12.48 Rom. 2.16 And so shall be glorifyed together with his Father in the Declaration of the glorious goodnesse of his shining Truth Justice Mercy free and aboundant Love on those on his right hand and his unfailing truth with the Equity and Severity of his Justice on them on his left hand Matth. 25.31.46 By all which it will then appeare that his Ransome was effectuall with his Father and hath been effectuall with many and might have been with others So as All shall then know That by the Grace of GOD bee tasted Death for Every Man and gave himself a Ransome for All By vertue whereof hee then will shew himself both KING and Judge And so much for Proof of the Proposition CHAP. XXII Of the Removing some Doubts hindring some from Beleeving That which they confesse the Scripture plainely Affirmeth SOme doe confesse That they cannot denie but that the Scripture plainely Affirmeth That JESVS CHRIST gave himself a Ransome for All Men and by the grace of GOD tasted Death for Every Man and is the Saviour of and Propitiation for the Sinnes of the World but yet they are fearfull to beleeve the same in the Sense the words import because in other places it is said Faith is the gift of God Eph. 2.8 and all that the Father giveth Christ shall come to him Joh. 6.37 and as many at more ordained to Eternall Life beleeved Act. 13.48 Whence seeing all doe not beleeve They know not how to beleeve that CHRIST dyed for All. ANSWER This hath been fully answered before yet because it remaines as a Doubt in some it shall be Particularly with what is before said Ephes 2.8 For by grace yâ—â— are fiveâ—â— Through◠〈◊〉 and thee not of your selves it is the gift of God In these words there is a cleer distinction between the grace by which wee are saved and the Faith through which wee are saved And also here is a double affirmation One intimate and by the conjunction necessarily implyed Viz. That the grace by which we are saved is the Gift of God The other expresse Viz. That the Faith through which we are saved is also the Gift of God againe The saving here affirmed of is to be minded both in respect of that from which wee are saved and also in respect of 〈◊〉 Salvation it self It hath been before shewne how the Scripture distinctly setteth forth First a Reconciliation Redemption and Salvation which Iesus Christ by himself in his owne body wrought with God for men which was for all Men. And secondly a Reconciliation Redemption and Salvation which by his Spirit in applying the former hee worketh in men to God which though offered in some sort to All yet received only by beleevers as is shewne Chap. 1. which double Reconciliation and Redemption is suitable to the double enmity against God and the misery that mankind was fallen into First through mans falling into sinne there was enmity in the very condition of all Mankind which stood crosse to God to keep him from comming in to men and extending Mercy and Peace to them Isa 59.1 2. Secondly through mans falling into sinne there is an enmity in the very nature of all mankind which rules in the hearts and diffuseth it self through all the Powers of soul and body filling the man with aversenesse to God and so keepeth a man from submitting and comming in to God for Mercy and Peace Rom. 3.10.18 God might if it had so pleased him have throwne mankind for sinne into destruction with the Devills and their Angels that first sinned and then drew mankind into finne but hee had more love to mankind and being full of Pitty and Compassion towards men he was ready to shew Mercy and extend peace to mankind But man being fallen into sinne and sinning the Truth of God prest for man to die and his Justice for man to suffer Curse and if without imposing this death and curse mercy should be shewne and Peace extended to men it would blemish the truth and Justice of God and so be against him Psal 5.4 5. Such was the condition of mankind and so filled with enmity against God for remedying whereof JESUS CHRIST by his Fathers appointment became man a Publick Person in the room of All and so died for our sinnes and rose for our Justification and offered himself a Ransome and Propitiatory Sacrifice to God for All men So as in him the sinner hath dyed and the Curse is suffered and so Mercy and Truth are mett Psal 85.10 11. having slaine the Enmity which was in the condition of Mankind Ephes 2.16 and made Peace through the blood of his Crosse Coll. 1.20 which is intimated also Ephes 2.5 By grace yee are saved and yet there is another Reconciliation for Christ to worke Coll. 1.20 For notwithstanding this Reconciliation wrought by Christ for men yet there is an enmity in the nature of men still they being by nature dead in Trespasses and sinnes Ephes 2.1 2 3. alienated from and enemies to God in their mindes by wicked workes Col. 1.21 all out of the way c. Rom. 3.10 19. Such is the nature of mankind For remedying whereof God hath exalted JESUS CHRIST and filled him with Spirit to send forth in the Declaration of the former Reconciliation and Peace made by him thereby to convince and subdue the Rebellious and to worke repentance and faith in the subdued through which faith they receive this Salvation Psal 68.18.20 Act. 5.30 31 32. as is before shewne Chap. 1. 2. 3. 4. and so they are saved both from the enmity in their Condition by the grace of God in Christ and from the enmity in their nature by the same grace through faith wrought in their hearts whereby they beleeve this grace and therethrough depend on him and so receive remission of sinnes and life and the beginnings of Salvation from Jesus Christ And thus also there appeares a threefold salvation of the workeing of Jesus Christ 1. A Salvation which is altogether without man wrought by Jesus Christ himself in his owne body with God for men whereby the enmity in mens condition is slaine and so a way of Salvation opened for every man 1. Tim. 2.4 6. Heb. 2.9 2. A salvation which is in the hearts and soules of men discovering it self in some fruits in their mortall bodies which Jesus Christ worketh by his spirit making
it 3. The Word or Doctrine that these did heare and in hearing were glad of and did glorify and praise it in their hearts for the truth and goodnesse of it and for the love of God and the Salvation in Christ manifested therein It was not that part of the Gospel which sets forth Gods Election of some to Life and his peculiar Love to them as this doubt pretends But even that part of the Gospel whereof the doubt is made it being the same Prophecyed in Isai 49.6 I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles That thou mayst be my Salvation to the ends of the Earth Where all the ends of the Earth called to look to him and be saved Isa 45.22 which is evident to be all men Prov. 8.45 In all the ends of the Earth Isai 4.28 Joh. 1.3 4 5 9. and so as large as 1 Tim. 2.6 Hebr. 2.9 So that this place well considered would have prevented or removed the doubt CHAP. XXIII Of some mention of the Benefit of this Doctrine held forth SOme not being able to gainsay the truth so plainly affirmed in Scripture but that it is plainly recorded That Jesus Christ did by the grace of God taste death for Every Man and gave himself a Ransome for All Men came into the World to be the Saviour of the World and is the Propitiation for the sinnes of the whole World yet are pleased to demand What profit is there in maintaining this so Plainly and in such a generall and large Sense as the Scripture expresseth it in To which this Answer might be given that as man beleeveth with the heart unto Righteousness So with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation and so I might say it is one part of the service of our Lord Jesus To hold forth the Word of life and to confesse him and not to be ashamed of his Words before men Rom. 10.9 10. Phil. 2.16 Matt. 10.27 Mar. 8.38 But farre be it that any of us should say What is the Almmighty that wee should serve him and what profit shall wee have Job 21.15 But hoping that this Question is moved with a more Christian mind I Answer to it ANSWER I. This is that Doctrine which our Saviour Jesus Christ in such generall words did himself Preach unto men to bring them to Repentance and faith Ioh. 3.16 17. 6.51 12.46 47 48. And which his Forerunner had also to that end declared Joh. 1.3 4 7 9 29. 2. The same doctrine in the same largenesse did hee put in the hearts of the Apostles and committed the ministration thereof to them to declare 2 Cor. 3.16.12 Acts. 13.47 48. Tit. 3.4 5. 3. The Confession of this Gospel in such generall words hath been an approved Confession of Beleevers Joh. 4.42 It is therefore unquestionable very profitable and if we should reject this Word of the Lord as unprofitable what wisedome would be in us Jere. 8.8 9. yea would not that heavie sentence be verified in us Isai 29.10 11. 28.12 13. 4. This Doctrine so held forth is very profitable for all men And that both first to convince them of the vilenesse of their sinne in which they have been the Crucifiers of Christ the emptinesse of their Righteousnesse the greatnesse of Gods love to them the horriblenesse of their Rebellion against so loving a God as is shewne in nine Particulars Chap. 17. in Answer of Objection 4. Secondly to allure and move them to Repentance of their sinnes and from dead Workes to belief of the Gospel and Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and so to attend his Sayings and receive his reproofs and Councell as that which indeed appertaines to them So as his Death applyed to these ends may be said to be for All for us for you for me for thee and so left to every mans Conscience without peradventure Act. 2.3 Heb. 6.1 2. 2 Cor. 3. and 4.1.6 5.10 14 15 19. And one doubt put in about the truth of Christ's death and Ransome for all men layes a barre to keep them from being convinced indeed of the vilenesse of their sinnes and shuts the doore against them for comming in to Repentance and faith leaving them in the darke to muse upon Election or driving them with the Pharisee to seek some fleshly righteousnesse in which they may be better then others to claime Christ by 5. This Doctrine so beleeved is Profitable for Beleevers to keep them humble and Patient Rom. 3.9 Tit. 3.3 4. to move them with Love and Pitty towards others 2 Cor. 5.14 15. To preserve their Confidence in God for speciall favours Rom. 5.1 5 6 11. yea it teacheth to denie all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and to live Soberly Righteously and Godly in this present Life Titus 2.11 12. 6. It is Profitable to the servants of Christ in respect of themselves and others in preserving a good estimate of Scripture and freeing from those fleshly reasonings and those false affirmations That all Christ dyed for shall be eternally saved and that hee shall justify by his knowledge as many as he dyed for And those rash Furies of confounding what the Scripture makes distinct yea it is profitable for Doctrine reproof correction instruction in righteousnesse 2 Tim. 3.16 But desiring it rather may be found Profitable then said so to be I intreat all that will vouchsafe the reading hereof to minde the Application in a few Uses in which especially in the Last this Question will be further answered And so give me leave to speake to thee Reader whosoever thou maist be as to one who I am sure Christ did indeed die and give himself a Ransome to God for CHAP. XXIV Of Vses of the Affirmation in 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 2.9 As the Proposition at first affirmed USE I. IF thou be one that as thou hast heard of the Death of JESUS CHRIST for All men so thou hast neither opposed the Doctrine nor yet set thy heart seriously to attend what grace is offered thee therein and what is required of thee but still livest in and allowest thy self to goe on in and serve divers lusts and Pleasures in Profanation of Gods holy Word Worship Name Sabbath or in abuse of thy members to cruelty uncleannesse fraud or of the Creatures of God to gluttony drunkennes wantonnes pride or any such like known sinnes surely in these days and this Nation thou canst not but know that these such like evills are the breaches of the holy and righteous law of God which even from thy Creation thou art bound to keep and so great is every sinne in the breach of that Law That all the Creatures in the World are insufficient to satisfy for So that if Jesus Christ had not in thy Nature and Place become under the Law and so borne thy sinnes and suffered the Curse for them Thou must have perished for ever but this hath Jesus Christ done to Redeem and Ransome thee Now I pray thee consider Was sinne so
salvation communicated unto them and they brought in and eternally saved The first of every of these is true in Christ for all Men Though the latter be yet wanting to most men and this is also evident by the Change of Persons and expressions and Tence the Scriptures useth 1. In a distinct mentioning the first It saith Hee hath given himself a Ransome 1 Tim. 2.6 hath made peace by his blood Col. 1.20 Slaine enmity â— Pet. â— 6 abolished death 2 Tim. 1.10 obtained eternall redemption Heb. 9.12 and God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself not imputing their Trespasses to them 1 Cor. 5.19 Hee is the Propitiation for our sinnes and not for our sinnes onely but also for the sinnes of the whole world 1 Joh. 2.2 and in him is Life and the life is the Light of men Joh. 1.4 In mentioning the Second of every of the fore-mentioned It saith That the World through him might be saved Joh. 3.17 That through him him in the meanes used all men might beleeve Joh. 1.7 That All Men through him should be raised and made alive 1 Cor. 15.21 22. That whosoever beleeves in Christ should not perish nor abide in darknesse but have everlasting life Joh. 3.16 12.46 That we being dead to sinne should live unto righteousnesse 1 Pet. 2.24 That they which live should not live unto themselves but unto him 2 Cor. 5.15 That hee might bring us to God 1 Pet. 3.18 That we might bee made the righteousnesse of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 which change of Speech shewes a difference between the former and latter of these things formentioned That the former truely is for those To whom the latter is yet justly wanting 2 It is Gods order and unchangeable Statute That all men shall first and for a time beare the Image of the first naturall and earthy Adam and once die 1 Cor. 15.46.49 Hebr. 9.27 And Christ did not die to give himself a Ransom to free men presently from sense of Weaknesse Sufferings Mortallity and death that they might not passe through it and so to break the order made and cancell the Statute appointed by God If any so conceive they are deceived Mat. 5.17 18. but to doe the will of God that sent him Joh. 6.38 So much whereof as belongs to the next and immediate end of his death and ransome given is comprehended in the seven Particulars before set down in all which appeareth that the abiding of Mortallity Paines in this life to be passed through is no blemish to the Justice of God nor argument of the failing of Christ Payment of the whole debt for these Ends. 3. The Scriptures sheweth That for removing from off men the curse forementioned and making knowne and tendring the Life unto men There is something else beside the death and Ransome of Christ and all those fore-mentioned Particulars obtained by him for Christ still and further to doe for which He is gone up to heaven and hath received Spirit That he might doe in which he neither is nor will be wanting in that which if not willingly resisted might be sufficient For hee there in some sort Interceeds for Transgressours Isai 5.3.12 So as by vertue of his ransom he doth procure the preservation of the Greatures for them Ps 75.3 Col. 1.18 and Patience and bounty by such goodnesse to give some Testimony of himself and to lead them to Repenâ—mee Act. 14.17 Rom. 2.4 and further interceeds by vertue of his Ransome for a blessing on his Servants and the Ministration of the Gospel by them That the World might be so brought through him to beleeve Joh. 1.7 17.21.23 and yet further sends forth Spirit at one time or other in the means to enlighten them That they might indeed beleeve Joh. 1.7 and so fulfills that part of his Fathers will 1 Tim. 2.4 That would have all men come to the knowledge of the Truth whence he is also said to be a Testimony in due time 1 Tim. 2.6 But now for mens participating of eternall life there is somewhat also both by the will of the Father and the Son required on their part to be done in them yeelded to by them Namely that they hearken to Christ in what he saith in the meanes Mat. 17.5 and turn at his reproof Pro. 1.23 and to suffer his Spirit to prevail in with them to repentance faith Mar. 1.15 in which he will not be wanting on his part that they might But if when light comes they love darknesse râ—ther and will none of him Joh. 3.19 And he besides the forementioned remaining mortallity doe for this heape greater Judgments This is just Ro. 1.17 and if when hee hath brought them out of the first death to acknowledge him Lord He send them to a second Death it is still justâ— and a Testimony of his before having sufficiently Ransomed them 4. The Scripture shewes That the speciall Salvation to Eternall Life was to bee and is by him here in a first fruits given to them that are Prevailed with to beleeve in him and so he is the Sauiour of All men but especially of them that beleeve in him 1 Tim. 4.10 But now if these Beleevers doe sinne against and walke contrary to the grace received and hee besides the mortallity remaining on them impose stripes This is also just and according to the will of God and argues no imperfection in Christs Payment Psal 89.30 34. So that in all this here is but one Payment for Propitiation Satisfaction and Ransome and that done at ones Perfectly by Christ Heb. 10 1 2 14. and no part thereof for that end left for any to pay nor paid againe for any Now if among them beleeving the record the Scripture beareth of Christ his death and Propitiation made and Satisfaction and Ransome given for all men and looking on the afflictions and death that men even Beleevers suffer Some say that Jesus Christ did bears the greatâ—st part of the Punishment wholly in regard of the Eternall and left some part of Temporary Punishments for his owne to beare in this life And others say That in regard of Propitiation Satisfaction and Ransome Jesus Christ did beare all and Paid the whole debt That he might have Power to free in his Season and according to his and his Fathers will And that his Season is not in this life to take all weaknesse and Mortallity no not from his owne and that besides He will and doth inflict punishments even on them for their out-goings from his grace I see no difference here in the intention or Substance of the Doctrine or issue of the businesse in both these sayings but they may well stand without contention Nor can the first of these sayings be paralleld with that I called the sayings of Papists for 1. Here is mentioned some part of punishment to be suffered in this life with an affirmation onely to be suffered Here which sufferings are also granted in the others sayings whereas the