now taken away sinne and abolished death 1 Joh. 3.5 2 Tim. 1.10 And is now at the right hand of God the Father who hath released and given over all into his dispose and made him Lord of all 1 Pet. 3.18.22 Act. 10.24.36 And this is the salvation which Jesus Christ hath wrought in his owne body with God for men which all creatures in heaven and earth could not have done but Jesus Christ hath done it and so hath answered that part of Gods will who will have all men saved 1 Tim. 2.4 in that hee hath given himself a ransome for all Yet if there be not a Salvation also wrought in men they will yet perish in a second death having no power in themselves to come to Christ 2. There is a Reconciliation Redemption and Salvation which Jesus Christ effecteth by his Spirit in men to God of which is spoken when in affirming the former wrought men are thereupon intreated to suffer the Spirit in the newes thereof to effect this latter in them Wee pray you in Christs stead be yee reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5.20 and receive not this grace of God in vaine 2 Cor. 6.1 Whence the confession of the Saints is Thou hast Redeemed us unto God by thy blood out of every c. Revel 5.9 The former was by Blood-sheading This by blood-sprinking or washing Revel 5.9 and 1.5 with Heb. 9.19.24 and 12.24 Whence these are said To be Elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father through Sanctification of the spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.2 and so it is said It is the Spirit that quickneth Joh. 6.63 The Spirit giveth life and writeth the Epistle of Christ in the heart and conformeth to Christ 2 Cor. 323.6.17 18. The law of the Spirit of Lafe in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sinne and of death Rom. 8.2 and so such are said to be washed and sanctified and justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6.11 delivered from the power of darknesse and translated into the Kingdome of his deere Sonne Col. 1.13 called out of darknesse into his marvellous light 1 Pet. 2.9 Who have eternall life and shall be perfected therein 1 Joh. 5.12 13. and 3.2 and this is said to be in them Col. 1.29 Ephe. 1.19 Phil. 2.1.12 13. For effecting of which Redemption Reconciliation and Salvation Jesus Christ is exalted at Gods right hand Act. 2.33 him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance to Israel and forgivenesse of sinnes Acts 5.31 And there this is also put in as the ground of our hope for this Salvation that Hee is set at the right hand of the throne of the Majestie in the heavens Hebr. 8.1 And there he is fully furnished for the making knowne and tendring the Salvation wrought in his owne body and the vertue thereof in this Salvation by his Spirit applying the fruits of that to men and to effect aeternall salvation in them that obey his call in beleeving Isai 45.22 Hebr. 5.9 1. In that he hath received all Authority who is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God Angells and Authorities and Powers being made subject unto him 1 Pet. 3.22 so as all shall bow to him and he is the head of the Church and Lord of all Phil. 2.9 10. Ephes 1.20 23. Acts. 2.33 36. having life in himself and quickning whom he will men as the Father Joh. 5.21 26. 2. In that hee hath there received and is filled with the holy Ghost immeasurably in the humane nature glorifyed and that to send forth to men both to the rebellious that the Lord might dwell among them Psal 68.18 and all men come to the Knowledge of the truth in due season 1. Tim. 2.4.6 And moreover to such as in the day of grace so receive the knowledge of the truth That they are brought to beleeve on him To put his words in them and teach them all things Ioh. 14.26 To indue them with spirituall and usefull gifts Acts 2.33 Ephes 4.7.13 and to lead them into all Truth Joh. 16.13 and conforme them to himself 2 Cor. 3.18 3. In that he is there advanced in his peculiar Office The great High Priest over the House of God The Prophet and King of his Church and peculiar People Hebr. 3.3.6 and 5. and 7. Acts 3.22 26. 4. In that he is there exercising in all Love and faithfulnesse in in the businesse for which he ascended thither and appeareth before God Heb. 9.24 In some sort Interceeding or putting in for Transgressours even the sonnes of men yet in and of the world And that Spirit may so fill unite and blesse those that beleeve on him and so goe forth in their Confession and Conversation and in the Ministration of his Gospel by his servants That those among whom they dwell and converse might be convinced and brought to beleeve the report of the Gospel Isa 53.12 as once Luke 23.24 even as himself left the pattern hereof with us praying to his Father so to blesse his peculiar ones That the world may beleeve that thou hast sent mee and that the world may know that thou hast sent mee and host loved them beleevers as thou hast loved mee Joh. 17.21.23 That so the men of the world might be convinced and the convinced allured to come to Christ and to God in him Matth. 5.14 15 16. yea so as that hee doth also in some measure enlighten every man that commeth into the world Joh. 1.9 But in more speciall manner doth he enterceede being the Advocate for his chosen ones that by the heavenly Call are brought in to him and doe through his grace submit to him and beleeve on him Hebr. 3.1 6. 1 Joh. 2.1 And presenteth them in himself to his Father and himself holy and spotlesse Col. 1.22 Ephe. 5.27 according to what he hath done and is for them that they may be accounted not according to what they have done and are in themselves but according to what hee hath done and is for them and is to them and in them and what they are in and through him Psal 103.10 11 12. 2 Cor. 1.30 Phil. 3.3 8 9. And thus through his Eternall Spirit and by vertue of his blood once shed And in his owne body that once dyed and is now glorifyed for them wherein also dwells the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily in whom they also are compleat doth he appeare presenting them and advoceating for them at the right hand of God in heaven Hebr. 9.12.13.24 and 4.14 and 6.20 and 10.21 Revel 1.18 Col. 2.3.9 10. And so doth hee I. Take away from before his Father and himself and procure to them remission of all their sinnes against and since grace received and procures sanctifying and timely removall of the corrections in faithfulnesse imposed on them and healing of their
themselves understand nor will any spirituall good SCRIPTURE Turne you at my reproof behold I will powre out my Spirit unto you I will make knowne my words to you Prov. 1.23 QUEST X. What hope is there for them if they doe fubmit to his Call and so by his Spirit be drawn in to him to beleeve SCRIPTURE To him give all the Prophets witnesse that through his Name whoseever beleeveth in him shall receive remission of sinnes Acts 10.43 him that commeth to me I will in no wise cast out hee that beleeveth on me hath everlasting life Joh. 6.37 47. being made perfect hee became the Author of eternall salvation unto all them that obey him Hebr. 5.9 in beleeving on him Joh. 3.14 15 16 18. QUEST XI May this newes be plainly declared to all men SCRIPTURE Goe yee therefore and teach all nations Matth. 28.20 Goe yee into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature Mar. 16.15 QVESTION XII To what end will God and Christ have this Gospel declared and testified to and among all men SCRIPTVRE That all men through him might beleeve Joh. 1.7 And hee that beleeveth and is Baptized shall be saved but he that beleeveth not shall be damned Mar. 16.16 Joh. 3.18.36 So that by Scripture it plainly appeareth that Jesus Christ hath so dyed for every man that hee hath redeemed all Mankind and satisfyed God's Justice and is become the Propitiation for the sinnes of all men and hath made them saveable and hath opened the door that they might bee saved and is so faithfull and able and useth such means that whosoever perisheth it will be through their own fault And now the sense so explained and Question stated I will proceed to more enlarged proof CHAP. VIII An entrance to the more enlarged proof of the Proposition FOr the enlarging the proof of the Proposition first set down In the sense in the five first Considerations explicaâ—ed and according to the Question stated in the latter end of the sixth Chapter and opened and answered in the seventh Chapter I shall take this course keeping the bounds before hinted 1. By considering CHRIST as the common Person in the room of all Mankind in what hee did on earth of whom the First was a figure 2. By considering the joynt mentioning of Greation and Bedamption by Christ 3. By considering the constancy of the Scripture in changing the Person when having spoken of that which is generall it mentions any speciall 4. By considering the places themselves in the force of the words the scope and circumstances of the place whence the Proposit on is affirmed 5. By considering like places of Scripture speaking of like things in like manner 6. By answering the most usuall and strongest Objections frumed against it 7. By adding some Arguments to satisfie such as must have reason satisfyed 1. Of the consideration of Jesus Christ as the common and publike Person JESUS CHRIST in this great Worke of the Redemption of Mankind is set forth in the Scripture as a publike Person in the room and stead of all Mankind as the first Adam was whence the first Adam is affirmed to be the figure or Type of Christ Rom. 5.44 and so as the one is called the the first Adam and the other is called the last Adam The one the First man the other the Second man 1 Cor. 15.45 47. for our better understanding whereof there are three things to be premised before wee confider the Gomparison PREMISE I. That the businesse wee are here to view and deale about is the worke of Redemption of mankind wrought by Jesus Christ and so of those Workes of God that are from God outward and toward his Creatures and so not of that or those workes of God which are in himself and so onely in Christ and for Christ as his wonderfull and secret Counsells in the Election of Christ Man to Union of Person with the Sonne of God and so to Sonne-ship and aeternall inheritance And in that Election electing some to Sonneship and Inheritance in and with him And his praeterition and appointment of others to be servants to this his Sonne and those chosen in him for in respect hereof Christ was before Adam and all other Creatures yea so as Adam himself and all things were made by him and for him Col. 1.15 16 17. Rom 11.36 1 Pet. 1.20 Prov. 8.22 27. Ioh. 1.1 2 3. Where as in the businesse wee are now about It is expresly said That was not first which is spirituall but that which is naturall and afterwards that which is spirituall And Christ is called the last Adam the Second man 1 Cor. 15.45 47. and Adam is called the First Adam The First man and the figure of him that was to come Rom. 5.14 PREMISE II. That however Christ was figured by Adam in respect of the common place he stood in The publikenes and account of that in that publike place done by him and therefficacy and fruit thereof for and to all in whose place he stood And the prevailing power thereof in all that come to have being from him yet there is great difference between these two Adams and their work The first man was made a living soul who might have stood and so with him all naturally theseending from him but no power if fallen to rise and live again The last Adam was made a quickning Spirit so as he might be able not onely to rise from the death himself but to quicken and raise those fallen and dead The first man of the earth made of the dust and by his fall became more earthy returning to dust againe weak and mortall The Second Man the LORD from heaven who though for mankind dying yet could not be holden of death and being risen can die no more but liveth ever 1 Cor. 15.45 48. with Gene. 2.7 and 3.19 and Acts. 2.24 Revel 1.18 The worke of the First Adam should have been to have continved in that integrity and righteousnesse and likenesse of God in which God had made him and to have kept himself and all his Posterity that Sinne and death might not have entered on them But he did turne aside and so fell and lost himself and all his Posterity and so sinne and death entered and his worke is called disobedience Gene. 2.17 and 3.1 7. Eccles 7.29 Rom 5.12 19. The work of the Second Adam was to take away sinne and abolish death and destroy the worke of the Devill and so worke redemption for mankind that he might bring them all out of death and set them alive before him and that he may conferre aeternall life on such as beleeve on him in the day of grace And this worke fit for this end he hath perfectly done so that in him is no sinne and his worke is called Obedience 1 Joh. 3.5 8. Hebr. 9.26.2 Tim. 1.10 Rom. 3.22 24. and 5.18 19. And these and such-like differences and dissimilitudes the Scripture affirmeth PREMISE III. 3. In that and
to love none but ones friends of the same sort with him which sinners also doe Matth. 5.42.48 Wherefore I pray thee to lay aside not any righteous affections and 〈◊〉 but all this thy confidence made up thereby and 〈◊〉 to the Death of Christ which was for sinners that thou maist come in at that doore where thou shalt be found no better then others And let the Excellency of the grace of Christ prevaile with thee as it did with Paul Phil. 3.3 9. and doe not spend thy strength for that which satisfyeth not but encline thine eare and hearken to him and waite for Spirit and Peace from him Isa 55.1 2 3 4 5. Vse 5. If thou be one who being more enlightned with the Spirituality of the Law and more senseable of thy short-comming thereof so as in all thy zeal watchfulnesse and endeavours thou beholdest many failings and much sinfulnesse in thy self so as the Law hath Power to charge thee with much sinfulnesse and to sentence thee to death and curse which causeth in thee Amazement Fear Sorrow and Perplexity and thou strivest to ward and keep off these charges of the Law and to avoid these feares by setting thy self still to a more through observance of the Law to which thou canst by no means answer but that it still concludes thee a sinner puts thee in fear and affords thee no hope of obtaining by it the life it Promiseth But leaves thee in great distresse and yet in all this the Law is just and good and holy onely shewing thee that of which thou art indeed guilty and to which thouart indeed by desert lyable too and all this for good That thou being hereby slaine mightest see the greatnesse of the grace of God in making of his Sonne Jesus Christ to become under the Law and Sinne and a Curse for thee that thou mightest beleeve on him and receive Life and Spirit from him but now sinne shewes its sinnfulnesse and not the Commandement but sinne taking occasion by the Commandement to deceive thee As if it were not for such a sinner to look for love in God nor yet to beleeve in Christ till he be more conformed to the Law contrary to that Rom. 4.5 and so holds the captive under thee condemning Sentence of the Law and having thee there in this deceit sin reviveth and enclineth thy heart to hard thoughts of God As one that is an angry Judge and beares thee no good will and sometimes discontented thoughts against God As why did God make Adam seeing hee would not keep him and why hath he given such a Law as cannot be kept Nay it stops not here but moves to thinke Oh that there were no Law yea no Heaven nor Hell yea no God and then not able to look on the horridnesse of such thoughts desperate Imaginations arise as if now no more hope mothing now but Hell and what Temptations then followes let silence speake But stay stay I pray thee this is not the fruit of the Commandement but of the deceitfulnesse of sin taking occasion by the Command To which oh yeeld not at all but the reproof and convincement of the Commandement receive own the sinne say Amen to the Curse and behold him that came to save sinners and was made sin and a curse for thee 1 Tim. 1.15 Gal. 4.4 Say not I must be holy â—st that is impossible Say not I dare not my sinnes have been so great for it was for thy sinnes he dyed and where sinne aboundeth there will his grace abound much more and he that beleeveth in him that Justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousnesse Rom. 3.24.26 and 4.5 and 7.7.24 25. thy sinnes ought rather to be a spurre to thee to beleeve on him that came to save Sinners and takes occasion to commend his righteousnesse by the unrighteousnesse found in men Rom. 3.5 5.20 21. Thou canst not winde out thy selfe from being of the number of those for whom Christ dyed seeing it was for every man Heb. 2.9 Doe not now stand out against him through unbelief hee is no enemy of thine He hath laid aside emnity and is full of Love and compassion ready to Pardon abundantly Hee was in Christ reconciling the World to himself not imputing their trespasses to them I pray thee therefore lay aside thy emnity and hard conceits of him and let his love gaine thee in to beleeve his Goodnesse in Christ and depend on him for life and hee will verily shew thee mercy Isa 55.6 7. 2 Cor. 5.19 20. and 6.2 Taste and see that God is gratious Psal 34.6 Vse 6. If thou be one that hast been so farre enlightned by the Spirit in the Gospel of the grace of God that thou hast so seen and beleeved the report thereof that thou seest and knowest that Redemtion is wrought Ransome given Propitiation made with God for Mankind by CHRIST So at in him sinne is satisfyed for Wrath appeased Justice satisfyed Law answered and Death abolished favour and Life obtained and Spirit revived by CHRIST to conserre remission of sins Righteousnesse and Life on such as Beleeve in him and to Renew and Leade them in all Truth and bring them to the Inheritance So as hereby thou art convinced that thou art under both power and guilt of sinne because thou beleevest not on him and thy heart hereby gained to acknowledge him Lord and so let goe all other hopes and delights without desiring after them and to long after him and that hee by his Spirit would enable thee to beleeve on him But yet thou art not so farre overcome by his grace seen as to be drawne upon him so to beleeve in him as to receive remission of Sinnes and Peace in thy heart which still remaineth broken trembling not healed but gasping and panting after healing I pray thee remember what thou hast heard and what thou hast seen concerning the Propitiation made by Jesus Christ our Lord and the great Love of God in giving him to dye for sinners and waite with Patience at his Posts in the use of all such meanes as the Gospel hath set forth for thee Prov. 3.4 14. and 8.33 34 35. Resort to the Church Assemblies heare his Word remember meditate pray have fellowship with such as doe enjoy his grace pitty the distressed goe on in the ordinary imployments of thy Calling his Providence layeth before thee and be still desiring after him and waiting when hee will by discoveries of his grace come to thee and give thee Peace by his Spirit and through the blood of his Sonne It is a good thing for thee thus to hope and waite for the Salvation of God Lam. 3.26 but doe not thou point him his way and say it must be by such a one in such a word or Promise in such a manner c. Isa 40.13 but wait that it may be by his Spirit glorifying his grace and giving in Peace by his blood and so uniting thee to Christ Let the
visite come by what instrument in what Ordinance with what part of his Word at what time with more or lesse light as it pleaseth him Isai 55.3.5 1 Pet. 21 22. onely accept no other Props nor consolations till by his Spirit applying his blood he give it but stay though it be in darknesse upon that Name and report of him and his goodnesse which thou hast heard of and seen in the Gospel and so waite for his help Isa 50.4.10 if hee cause thee as our Types of old Hosea 3.3 4 5. to waite many dayes yet neither turne aside to another nor be discouraged to murmur but say I have sinned against him I will now beare his indignation and waite till he bring me forth to the sight Mich. 7.9 neither faint but look on him who died for thee and now calleth thee and hath mercy to bestow on thee it being his Office to which he is consecrate and for which he is filled with Spirit to speak good tidings to the Poore and heale the broken-hearted and to comfort the moâ—â—ners that are breken of all other hopes and contents and cannot be at rest till they have it in him and he will not faile to performe his Office Isa 61.1 2 3. Yea God himself willeth thee to look to Christ and telleth thee hee will not refuse thee nor cust thee off though thou deserve it nor faile till hee have done thee good See at large Isa 42.1.8 And hee hath bid his servants though thou be feeble and trembling yet to speake comfortably to thee and to say to thee Be strong searenot your God with come bee will come and save you then the eyes of the blind shall be opened Isa 35.3 4 5. Waite therefore and use the meanes and be not discouraged Let his love testified in shedding his blood to make the Propitiation when wee were enemies and his Love in calling us off our hurtfull delights and Confidences Prevaile with thee to thinke no other thoughts of God then such as suit with the acknowledgement of such Love and seeing hee saith he are ye deafe and look yee blinde that yee may see Isa 42.18 Hee being able to give both eares and eyes and of his willingnesse it would be a dishonour to the Love already discovered to doubt say therefore I will trust in him though hee kill mee Job 13.15 All the dayes of my appointed time will I waite till my change come Job 14.14 and so waiting for his gracious Peace speaking in his blood sprinckling on thy heart his grace exceeding thy desires he will in due time satisfy thy soul with good blessed are they that wait for him none of them shall be ashamed Esai 30.18 and 49.23 Let this support thee till he come Vse 7. If thou be one of them that hast gotten some knowledge and it may be some hint of Spirituall Light in the report of the Gospel so as thou canst speake much thereof to maintaine this that Christ dyed for all men and that the onely meanes of enjoying him is by frith and not by workes of the Law and that this faith is obtained by Spirituall evidence of his goodnesse and not made up by humane Reasons and that all workes of righteousnesse and zeal of men that is not flowing from faith is but vaine and bootlesse and boastest thy self to be a Christian and a true beleever because of such a spirituall â—â—ine of Light such a word such a Promise given thee as thou supposest because stirring in thy Thoughts at such a time and so takest courage to speake much of thy faith and to censure others that what ever the goodnesse of God hath drawn them too yet not having received such a Light such a Promise as thou hast they have no true faith and thou now thinkest it fit for thee to be a broacher and maintainer of the faith in every company and against all opposers and yet thou thy self by all the Spirituall light and knowledge thou hast and all those Words and Promises at such and such a time received hast not been made obedient to the Death and sprinckling of the Blood of Jesus Christ So as thou art baptized into his Death and buried with him through this Baptizme into death so as to be made to loathe thy self thy sinnes thy owne best things so as in some measure to be dead to thy self thy owne will Pleasure same and to the world with her glory riches alurements lusts and to sin So as by the grace and Divine Power and goodnesse of Christ and by his Spirit in the Gospel to be made alive to Christ to know his voice obey his Spirit and live to him and follow him give me leave to tell thee with grief that while thou art such an one and goest on still in such and such knowne sinnes thou hast not as yet so learned Christ and been taught of him as that thou hast knowne and received him as the Truth is in Jesus Eph. 4.20 24. If thou say thou hast light and fellowship with him and walkest not in the light but in darknesse thou lyest and dost not the Truth 1 Joh. 1.6 7. Say not thou hast not received a Promise and so faith for thy Sanctification but for thy Justification Thou hast a Promise and Faith and knowest it for this is not Scripture language nor hast thou been taught by the Spirit of God so to say for the Spirit in Callings doth sanctifie to obedience and sprinskling of the blood of Christ 1 Pet. 1.2 his calling is holy and to holinesse 2 Tim. 1.9 1 Thess 4.3 Christ is alwayes and at once Sanctification as well as Righteousnesse and effects both together 1 Cor. 1.30 and according to Beleevers true knowing of him they are not onely comforted in him but conformed to him also 2 Cor. 3.3.18 1 Joh. 3.2.3 Whence Beleevers are said both to be Called to be Saints and to be Saints by Calling Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.2 Hebr. 3.1 Sever not thou what God hath joyned together I dare not say thou art not Called but it yet appears not that thou hast yeelded to the heavenly Call so as thou art therethrough Chosen Mâ—ny are Called but few chosen Matth. 22.14 Joh. 15.16 19. and 17.6 7. If thou reply Thou art not under the Law but under Grace That iâ— not spoken of thee but such as are lead by the Spirit Gal. 5.6 who shall not fulfill the Lusts of the flesh as thou dost vers 16. If thou say thou wilt not be under the Law of Precepts I aske Wilt thou make thy self free If Jesus Christ who is free and to whom it appertains to make free doe make the freee then he by his Spirit in freeing thee from the Charges Terrours and Curse of the Law by shewing how hee by his blood hath made thee free hee doth by the same Spirit humble melt and purify thy heart and kill it with his love that begetteth and nourisheth such like love in thee as leads to
of the Spirit to enlighten and convince them of their Sinnes and of the grace that is in him and to move them to Repentance and Faith and so to come into their right and Lawfull Lord. Prov. 1.8.8 Joh. 1.5.7.9 Isay 45.22 Gen. 6.3.5 That those whosoever they bee That in submission to the Spirit of Christ in the meanes doe come into Christ and through Repentance and Faith submit to and depend on Christ might have eternall Life Joh. 3.16 Heb. 5.9 6. That Christ and God through Christ may raise up all men from the first death in his season and so bring them before Christ to acknowledge him Lord to the glory of God Isa 45.23 Job 5.28.16.8 9.10 Phil. 2.8 9 10 11. And of all these Particulars I understand is meant in that is said 1 Tim. 2.4 God will have all men saved and so farre I understand hee hath saved all men In this Salvation wrought for man and the way and door thereto opened for men in and by himself and so much I understand to be comprehended in that it is said He gave himself a Ransome for All Men. 1 Tim. 2.6 Yet is there another Particular in this first end of the death and Ransome of Christ in which the truth of all the former will be one day manifested viz. 7. That Christ and God through Christ may Judge all men according to the Gospel Rom. 2.16 even according to the Satisfaction and Ransome He hath given to the Father Rom. 14.9.12 2 Cor. 5.10 14 15 19. and according to the meanes Hee hath used towards them Joh. 3.18 19 and 12.47 48 49. and 15.24 and according to the Power and Authority hee hath received of his Father Joh. 5.22.27 and according as in the day of his Patience and grace and meanes used They have accepted or refused him To reigne over them Joh. 5.29 Matt. 25.34 46. Luke 19.27 And all these Particulars are contained in the first and next and immediate end of the death of Christ as the Propitiation Satisfaction and Ransome and for effecting of this Justification of and in himself as the Publick Person and making such Peace and removing this enmity of the condition of mankind and himself becomming the Lord of All and obtaining such Power and fitnesse to shew mercy to men and call them into his Government and that he might give Eternall Life to all that come into him and raise All to acknowledge him Lord and Judge all according to his Gospel Hee had all our sinnes imputed to him and bare all our Sorrowes and Cuâ—sâ— and so died and rose and gave himself a Ransome for All Men and so paid for this end the whole debt and left no part thereof for this end or any Particular in it for any man to pay to make up any part of this Propitiation Satisfaction or Ransome Isai 53.2 8. 2 Cor. 5.19 Hebr. 10 12. 1 Tim. 2.6 And if any part of this businesse he came into the world to doe had been unperfected Hee had been a sinner but wee know that in him there is no sinne 1 Joh. 3.5 Heb. 9.26 Joh. 1.29 And Christ having perfected all this businesse If God should denie or hold from him any part of that he was presently to give him and to doe for his sake Then might there be some colour for men to say He were not just But the Scripture plainly affirmeth all this end and every particular in it to be fully obtained by Christ and given to him by God Joh. 5.20 28. and so he hath in his Word Testified of him and affirmed 1 That Hee is Just and his righteous Servant and the Holy One. Isai 53.11 1 Joh. 2.1.20 2 That in respect of the enmity of mans condition hee hath made Peace by his blood Col. 1.20 Slaine the enmity Ephes 2.16 abolished Death 2 Tim. 1.10 and taken out of the way that which was contrary to us all Col. 2.14 15. 3 That God hath made him Lord of All all are his and ought to live unto him that dyed for them and rose againe Act. 2.36 10.36 Rom. 14.8 9. 2 Cor. 5.14 15. 4 That God hath exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour and for to give Repentance and Remission of Sinnes Act. 5.31 And so hath furnished him with Spirit and Authority to preserve the Earth and the Inhabitants thereof Psal 75.3 Heb. 1.3 and to make knowne his grace Joh. 1.18 and send forth Spirit that men might be brought in Psal 68.18 Isai 42.1 That the World might be saved Joh. 3.17 5 That such as beleeve on Him should receive Remission of sinnes and Life Act. 10.43 6 That by him All shall be raised and made alive and acknowledge him Lord to the glory of God 1 Cor. 15.21 22. Phil. 2.9 10 11. 7 That all shall appear before his judgement seat 2 Cor. 5.10 and therefore God is very Just and Righteous and requires no more payment of the debt that Christ hath once Paid nor of any part thereof for the end for which he paid nor detaines Christ of any part of his right nor doth any man wrong Although most of those for whom Christ died and gave himself a Ransome to God doe yet still and for many dayes abide and remaine under the bondage and Thraldome of the Sence of that weaknesse and 1 Mortallity and Punishment that passed on them for sinne Rom. 5.12 14. 2 The blindnesse ignorance and enmity against God in their Nature Ephes 2.1 2 11. 3 The Condemnation and wrath unjustified in the Conscience and unjust in their particular Persons before God Joh. 3.18.36 Ioh. 5.12 Act. 13.40 41. 4 Destitute of eternall Life 1 Joh. 5.10 11 12. For the removing these evills from and communicating this life to men is another businesse and belongeth to the Second the mediate and ultimate end of the Death and Ransome of Christ there being more to be done by Christ then a Ransome giving to God even such an Interceeding with him by vertue of the Ransome given That mercy being indeed extended to men and means used and Spirit sent forth to make knowne and Tender this grace to make it operative that men might be saved which is accomplished in obtaining the last end mentioned For 1. There is a great difference and evident enough to a reasonable understanding Between making Satisfaction to God for mans sinnes That the punishment might bee lawfully taken off and the Taking it off in due time from men 2. Between the making Peace for men and the taking enmity out of their condition and the creating peace in men and taking enmity out of their natures 3. Between the justification of Christ as the Publick Person in the room of All men and giving it into his hands to dispence and the justification of men by and through Christ in his dispensation 4 Between a salvation obtained by Christ and a possibility of mens being saved and the door and way of Salvation opened for them And this
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
remaining infirmities and causeth them to appeare beloved in the love wherewith the Father loveth him Hebr. 8. tot Jere. 31.34 Mic. 7.18 Isaiah 44.22 and 54.7 9. 1 Joh. 1.7 9. and 2.1 2. Jo. 17.23 II. Present before his Father and himself his Covenant of pretious Promises the Father hath made with him his owne fore put-forth and granted Petitions for them and his present good will and gratious thoughts to them and so procures the grant of dispensation so farre as is meet for them Psal 89.18 19.34 with Hebr. 8.1 6. and John 17.6.20 c. And this not by a submissive intreaty as wee supplicate one for another or yet in such manner as himselfe did interceede on earth by supplications with cryes and sufferings But with Power and Authority his Father having fore-accepted his sacrifice and given all power and authority to him He and his Father being one in will and in love to them so that it is Father I will that they also whom thou hast given mee be c. Joh. 17.24 Hebr. 7.28 and 8.1 III. By his Spirit enter into their hearts moving them with sorrow for to acknowledge confesse and turne from the offences he is taking away for them Acts 5.31 1 Ioh. 1.7 9. And to long and pray for the good things hee is presenting before his Father for them Rom. 8.26 Zach. 12.10 That so they may pray in the holy Ghost Ioh. 14.16 and 16.26 Jude 20. IV. Returning more abundance of the same holy Spirit upon them To answer their prayers Psal 85.8 To dwell in them To teach consolate sanctify support and leade them in Union and fellowship with him through all sufferings and services of love Ioh. 14.16 17 18.26 15.26 27. 16.13 14 15. Rom. 8.2.14 and so to subdue their lusts in them Mic. 7.19 To tread downe Sathan under their feet in due time Rom. 16.20 To answer their Adversaries for them Matth. 10.19 20. To encrease and perfect them in conformity to himself 2 Cor. 3.18 1 Ioh. 3.2 and to preserve them to the inheritance reserved in heaven for them 1 Pet. 1.4.5 And this is the salvation he worketh in his people which they are to suffer to have its perfect worke in them and by his grace shew it forth Rom. 12.1 2 3. Phil. 2.1 2. In which discourse of the Salvation which Christ worketh from heaven by vertue of that Salvation which he wrought in himself on earth appeareth a two-fold Salvation which he from heaven now worketh Viz. Oâ—â— Common The other Speciall and eternall of each it is fit distinctly a little to 〈◊〉 First there is a common Salvation which by vertue of his death and Resurrection and Sacrifice and the accept â—blenesse and effectuallnesse thereof with the Father he hath obtained and worketh for all men So as Scripture Affirming it 1. By him The earth and all the inhabitants thereof which by sin are dissolved hee doth bear up the pillars of it Psal 75.3 4. Hebr. 1.3 and all the frame of the Creatures the Aire to breathe in The Sun to shine the raine to fall and the residue of the Creatures for mans use preserved Psal 145.8 9. Matth. 5.45 Col. 1.18 And this expresly called and said to be a witnesse of his goodnesse Acts 14.17 and 17.24 31. 2. By him also is procured the Patience and long-suffering of God yea and much bounty in many mercies also to men 2 Pet. 3.9 Revel 2.21 Psal 17.14 and 136.25 And this expresly said to be to lead them to repentance Rom. 2.4 3. By him also is procured some meanes with some light therein and according thereto to â—â—de men to Repentance that they might come to the knowledge of him Though to some more darkly and to some more cleerly and sully Rom. 1.19 c. Acts 17.24 30. Matth. 28.19 Psalm 19. Rom. 10. 4. By him also 〈◊〉 sent forth at one time or other some secret supernaturall light and 〈◊〉 of his Spirit in and according to the meanes vouchsafed tending to and striving with them to reprove them of sinne moving to repentance and seeking after God with sâ—â—e motions tending to confession of sinne to Prayer Equity Mercy Moderation in use of outward things use of meanes to such God John 1.5 9. Prov. 1.23 Joh. 16.8 9. Gâ—ne 6.3 Mich. 2.7 And thus he calleth many yea in some degree or other All the 〈◊〉 of men Act. 17.30 Mat. 27.3 14. Prov. 8.4 5 3â— 34. Isai 4â— â—2 5. By him also is procured and sent forth to men while they yeeld too and doe that which by this sight and these motions of his Spirit hee 〈◊〉 and â—eadeth to an in reast of incrcies with more Light and goodnesse Gene. â—0 tot 2 Chron. 11.17 〈◊〉 10.30 Rom. 2.14 15. And if as light increaseth they abide in his Call and 〈◊〉 on in his Teachings be will poure 〈◊〉 his Spirit to their and make knowne his 〈◊〉 to them and they shall know the truth and the truth shall make them free Pro. 1.33 and 4.32.35 Joh. 8.31 32. Acts 10.1 6. 6. Yea with some where the Gospel comes he goeth farther so inlightning them to understand the truth of the report of the Gospel that they doe beleeve That through the Satisfaction made by Christ remission of sinnes past is procured and that in beleeving on him aeternall life is to be enjoyed where-through they are prevailed with to confesse this truth and to desire after him and to attend with his people in the use of meanes and in some fellowship and walking with them Tasting some sweetnesse of the good Word of God and yet not come into Onenesse with and rest and stablishing in him Isai 6.28 34. Gal. 3.1 2 3. and 4.11.19 and 5.4 Hebr. 6.4 5 6. and 10.29 Hos 11.3 4. And these are brought out of Aegyptian darknesse and so farre saved Though by departing from this grace or abusing of it to wantonnesse some of these may become ungodly and so perish through their owne folly and misse of aeternall life as was shadowed in our Types of old 1 Cor. 10.1 11. 1 Joh. 2.19 Jude 4.5 And as the reconciliation redemption and Salvation wrought by Christ in his owne body for men with God is in it self so perfect that in some sense and that in truth all may be said to have been reconciled redeemed and saved yea justifyed in him though most in themselves be destitute of every of these Rom. 3.22 23 24. and 5.14.18 And though this be mysterious yet may it be as well understood and beleeved as That all men were once made righteous in the first Adam and so were in him Truly righteous Eccles 7. â—9 of which righteousnesse he falling and loosing all and so all falling in him before they had beeing from him none of them ever felt or partaked of Rom. 5.12 for so though all againe recovered and made righteous in the second Adam yet of the choice benefit of this recovery and of this Righteousnesse many doe never partake of
hee doth by his Spirit in Beleevers he changeth the Person and saith That he might bring us to God 1 Joh. 2.1 2. Speaking of the peculiar priviledges of Beleevers hee saith If any man sinne wee have an Advocate with the Father JESUS CHRIST the Righteous and he is the Propitiation for our sinnes Such the Priviledge of those that beleeve in Christ that if overtaken with sinne they may seek and find pardon for themselves and seek and look to receive all the Priviledges promised them having so great an Advocate with the Father so beloved of him so faithfull to them who is also the Propitiation for their sins Wherein his love was first testifyed to them and by vertue of which blood hee now Advocates at Gods right hand for them as is before shewn But having mentioned that which appertaines to all men hee addeth a change of the Person and saith And not for our sinnes onely but for the sinnes of the whole world That so Beleevers may know though others sinne yet what Gospel to hold forth to them and how to pray for them also And like distinctions and change of Persons or restrictions suitable to such a change as Joh. 3.16 17 18. are usuall in Scripture wherein we may easily see the truth of that affirmed done by Christ for all and of that he hath to doe for All that they might be saved to be indeed a truth not depending for its truth on any ones beleeving but verily true whether they beleeve it or no and therefore true that they might beleeve and so true that they shall one day confesse it to be true when yet they may be denyed by him for that denying to beleeve when he told them Phil. â— 10 11. 2 Tim. 2.13 Which wisedome of the Spirit speaking in the Scripture if observed may helpe us to see the agreement of one place with another that through rashnesse some think unlike and also how the word may be divided aright when that which Scripture affirmeth for all is so set before them and that which the Scripture appropriateth to Beleevers be applyed to them and it also proveth the Proposition CHAP. XI Of the Consideration of 1 Tim. 2.6 FOr proof of the appearing sense of the words and of the Proposition three things are here to be viewed First the force of the words Secondly the Circumstances Thirdly the scope of the Place First for the sense of the word it self All it appeares to be meant of Adam and all that come by propagation of him because the opposition is between God and men and onely one man The man Jesus Christ between who gave himself a Ransome for all men vers 5. so all were created by him and through his propitiation are preserved by him which also is given as the ground proving Reconciliation wrought by him and life in him for all men and that hoe enlighteneth every one of them Ioh. 1.1 4 5 9. Psal 75.13 Col. 1.16 20. Whence it is affirmed All nations shall come and worship before him Psal 86.9 Yea even those that have been enemies to him and his and shall be judged by him Rev. 3.9 Isai 45.23 And this grounded on his obedience to the death of the Crosse Phil. 2.7 11. Rom. 14.9 12. So that this man Christ between God and those men created by him and he expresly said to have given himselfe a Ransome for All And all that have being from Adam and so his nature being men And here no exception of any one man but the Man Jesus Christ who is God-Man That gave himself a Ransome for All men The force of the word beares it to the largest sense All Men. And yet to open the sense a little more fully consider the use of the word 1. The word men is used in Scripture for Adam and all his sonne Hebr. 9.27 and they are called men most frequently in respect of the mature and being of man which they have from Adam Psal 4.2 Prov. 8.4 though sometime in opposition to God Psal 90.20 Isa 31.3 First Now very often and in the fullest and most common sense men that are but men and neither regenerated to God nor wholly reprobated and given up to Sathan are called men Job 11.11 12. Psal 12.1 and 4.2 and 53.2 Secondly And beleevers that are regenerate are also called men and that even because they are so Acts 1.11 1 Cor. 3.21 22. And they are also so called in respect of some weaknesses and passions Acts 14 15. and sometime in respect of some carnall walkings 1 Cor. 3.3 But yet Beleevers are in Scripture called something more and better then men even the Sonnes of God Joh. 1.12 1 Joh. 3.1 and Saints 1 Cor. 1.1 and Brethren and faithfull in Christ Ephes 1.1 yea Christians Acts 11.26 Some there are who have imprisoned the truth in turighteousnesse and hardned their hearts against the â—eanes God used for their good till they be given over of God Rom. 1.19 24. and 2.4 5. Prov. 1.23 36. And these be also called men Rev. 16.9 but yet these are in Scripture called also something other and worse then men as Reprobates Jere. 6.28 30. the seed of the Serpent Genes 3.15 The Children of Beliall Deur 13.13 and of the Devill Joh. 8.44 1 Joh. 3.12 and with an emphasis the wicked Psal 9.17 2. The words All men are found in Scripture to signifie sometime all these three sorts Zaoh. 8.10 Ezek. 38.20 sometime the first and latter sort together 1 Thess 1. â— Sometime though seldome the Beleevers only whether sound or foined 1 Cor. 7.7 sometime and that usually the first and second sort together Tit. 2 1â— 1 Tim. 4.10 Acts 17.30 Luk. 2.14 And sometime the first sort only Tit. 3.2 Psal 53.2 3. That All men 1 Tim. 2.6 Intentionally expresly principally and especially is meant of the first sort for naturall men sounes of Adam sinners unbeleevers unregenerate mâ—n appeareth 1. Because this sense includeth All at first All men having some time in which they are such and neither better nor worse then such before they be either borne of God or given over of God Ephes 2.1 2 3. Tit. 3.3 Rom. 3.9 20. 2. Because Christ dyed to make the propitiation for them as they were sinners and he is no where said To dye and give himself a ransom to that end for the good men the Righteous the Beleevers and Regenerate neither when they were such nor as they were such nor because they were such though that they might be such but for men sinners unjust ungodly his enemies yea hee is expresly said to have given himself for our sinnes and to take away transgressions Rom. 5.6 8 10. 1 Pet. 3.18 Gal. 1.4 3. Because this is a faithfull saying and worthy all acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 And thus it is cleer the force of the words carries it to all Adams sonnes Secondly the Circumstances in the place from the fore-going and following
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
such love it is evident he meanes Ioh. 13.14 and 15. 16. and 17. Therefore he neither did nor doth love any but his Called ones and so all must first love him before they be at all loved of him which is contrary to 1 Ioh. 4.10 19. The Citation of Ioh. 13.1 to this Assumption implyeth so much but falsly for it cannot be proved That Judas Iscariot was none of those that were Adversaries to Jesus Christ for his Love and rewarded him evill for good and hatred for his Love Psal 109.4 5. Joh. 6 70. and 17.12 and so the Assumption abides false To let passe the confounding the Love of God and the preception thereof in one without distinction and the making the extent of the Love of Compassion and fruits thereof and the extent of the love of Delight and fruits thereof one and of like largenesse without distinction Both which the Scripture distinguisheth besides the shutting the doore against any more comming in to God or loving any which are not already come in c. which are the least evills of this Objection CHAP. XVI Of Answering a Third OBJECTION Objection III. ALL those for whom JESUS CHRIST did Die and pay the price and Ransome which God required to satisfie his Justice are justified by his blood 1 Joh. 1.7 and shall be saved from wrath through him Rom. 5.9 God being a Most Just GOD cannot require the Debt twice Viz. of Christ and of those for whom he paid it But All men and Every man is not justified by his Blood nor shall be saved from wrath through him Therefore you must needs yeeld That Christ Dyed but for some even his Elect unlesse you will denie God to be just ANSWER This Objection hath all its strength in the first Proposition with the reason annexed to it and to that I will bend the Answer First in the Proposition are two notorious untruth's as to say 1. That all that Christ did Die and pay the price and Ransome for which GOD required to satisfie his Justice are justified by His Blood 1 Joh. 1.7 This is so contradictory to the Scripture that little need be said thereof enough is already shewn in the 8. Chap. from the comparison between Christ and Adam and how that all men fell and became under sinne and death in the first Adam at once Yet none by or through him partake of that misery in sinfulnesse and death Till they come to have a beeing from him And so though all men be in Christ as the Publick Person restored and justified yet by and through him of the benefit of that restauration in justification by his blood Doe none partake till they come to have a beeing in him and that which is Naturall is first as is there shewn Besides what ever justification be in Christ through his bloodshed for men yet he is set forth to be a Propitiation through faith in his blood for the Remission of Sinnes Rom. 3.25 And it is evident that the Justification by his blood mentioned Rom. 5.9 Is a justification received by faith in his blood of such as have received the Atonement in beleeving as is evident Rom. 5.1.3.11 neither is it any where said by the Spirit of God nor did hee ever teach any to say That all that Christ Dyed and gave himself a Ransome for either so are or shall be justifyed by his blood Hee ever affirmes that Justification to be by blood but not by blood-shed onely but by and in the application of the blood-shed the sprinkling or washing therewith Heb. 12.24 1 Pet. 1.2 And so have the justified ones confessed Revel 1.5 and this is to be redeemed unto God and justified by his blood Revel 5.9 of which Justification by his blood many that have it had their time here on this Earth in which they wanted it Col. 2.13 and many of the Elect in Gods Counsell that yet want it for whom by this Objection Christ should not have Dyed As for that cleansing 1 Joh. 1.7 and forgivenesse vers 9. it speakes of a farther cleansing and dispensation of grace to such as are in Christ and walke in Christ and so already justifyed by his blood and so not to this purpose unlesse to make the Objection vile But this untruth is not onely false and grosse in it self but opposeth and denyeth many sayings of the Truth for it denies the truth of our Saviours sayings Joh. 3.17 18. and 8. â—4 and the truth of the Spirits convincements Joh. 16.8.11 and the truth of many Affirmations of Scriptures as that all shall beare the Image of the first Adam 1 Cor. 15 46. that all are by nature Dead in Trespâ—sses and sinnes and so walke till they be borne againe Ephes 2.1 2 3. Col. 1.21 That God justifyeth the ungodly in their comming in to beleeve on him Rom. 4.5 Yea this untruth denyeth that men are justifyed by faith so much as by an Instrument receiving it but onely discerning it Seeing this ununtruth affirmeth them justified not onely in but by his Blood before they came to beleeve on him and so contradicts Act. 10.43 and 13.38 Rom. 3.25 26 28. and 4.24 25. and 5.1.11 So that the contrary to this affirmation is true namely That many for whom JESUS CHRIST did Die and shed his blood remaine yet without that Justification that is in him by vertue of his blood-shed for them and so are not justified by his blood because they beleeve nor on him Act. 13.38 Joh. 3.18 1 Tim. 1.12 13 14 15. 2. That all that Christ did die and pay the price and Ransome for which God required to satisfie his Justice shall be saved from wrath through him This likewise is very false and plainly contradictory to the Scripture that saith in expresse termes there will be many even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet. 1.1 2. And this untruth denieth the Lordship of Christ grounded on his death for All and the equity of his Judgement and sentence of any to a second death Rom. 14.9.12 Phil. 2.8 11. Act. 17.30.31 2 Cor. 5.10 14 15. as is shewn Chap. 2. before And this untruth denyeth that aggravation of sinne which Scripture useth when it chargeth with such an evill as causing to perish the weake Brother for whom Christ Dyed Rom. 14.15 1 Cor. 8.11 So that the contrary to this Affirmation is true That many for whom Christ dyed and gave himself a Ransome that he might be their Lord and they live to him shall one day be overthrowne in wrath or fire unquenchable because they would not submit to him nor suffer him to Reigne over them 2 Thes 1.8 Secondly In the Reason annext to the Proposition is both presumptuous rashnesse and gross ignorance declared as to say 1. A presumptuous rashnesse in an intimate charging God with unjustice for did not God lay on Christ the iniquity of us all Isai 53.2 6. 2 Cor. 5.19 was not Christ manifested to take away our
the Death and Ransome of Christ is their unbelief Not simply because they were sinners but because by Repentance and faith they come not in to him that hath made Satisfaction for their sinnes Joh. 3.18.36 and 8.12 and this is Just and according to Gods mind Joh. 3.16 And so to Answer the Objection All men were bound by vertue of the grace of God in the Creation to Love God with all their heart minde soule and strength and their Neighbours as themselves and to walke in that love and the least variation or short comming thereof leaves them under sinne curse and death and helplesse they having no power to fulfill this Law having lost it in the fall and so hopelesse And by vertue of the grace of God in the Redemption wrought by Christ all men are againe farther bound to this former love and walking in it and short-comming thereof leaves them also under sinne curse and death Gal. 3.10 And power thereto they yet have none yet notwithout hope in that the Propitiation is made by him for them Joh. 1.29 1 Joh. 2.2 and hee it filled with Spirit to send forth to them and will enlighten every of them Psal 68.18 By vertue of that common Salvation extended to all men by Christ the doore to repentance and faith is opened and they in the meanes and in some sort by Spirit at one time or other called to Repentance and howsoever God seems to winck it their follies till then yet then hee warneth them to repent that so repenting and comming in to beleeve in Christ they may through him receive remission of sinnes and be enabled to love God in Christ and one another as Christ hath loved them and to walke in that Faith and Love Act. 14.17 and 17.30 31. and for want of this they remaine under sinne and wrath and in danger of a Second Death Joh. 3.17 18 19. and this is a new Debt Now if Jesus Christ send forth more light and meanes and strive farther with them and they be found hardning themselves and rebelling against him It increaseth still their debt Rom. 2.4 5. And if he visite with punishments he is just and Righteous and there is mercy also in it Joh. 33.14.23 And if hee still strive and they still refuse both instruction and correction and will not submit and come in to their lawfull Lord that bought them and called them if hee give them up to Sathan and destruction Is not this just Joh. 3.19 Jere. 6.16.28 30. And thus wee find in Scripture set forth That All smarting corrections on Beleevers are for sinne against Grace Goodnesse and Spirit in the means vouchsafed Levit. 26.11.14 All heavy judgements on others for imprisoning the knowne truth in unrighteousnesse Rom. 1.16 17. and refusing to be gathered by Christ Mat. 23.37 the great condemning evills are set downe Heb. 6.4 5. and 10.29 By our Saviours Affirmation Joh. 3.18 19. and the Spirits convincements Joh. 16 8 11. Unbelief is the main sinne and the cause why so many abide under the guilt of sinne and the cause that sinne hath such Power and brings forth so many evill fruits in men and it is the root and nurse of more grievous sinnes that they fall into and all may be concluded in one word Not obeying the Gospel of God and this is the debt which God requires and for which men shall suffer in everlasting fire 2 Thes 1.8 So that here is not two payments of one debt but a new debt in spising the Goodnesse of GOD in the Remedy provided including the old Debt in a new manner of guiltinesse for despising the Remedy not seeking nor accepting the Release procured by Christ Joh. 5.40 And here is another even a Second death when all are raised out of the first even that which was not primely prepared for mankind but for the Devill and his Angells Matth. 25.41 And it is justice with God to give over all into the hands of his Sonne who will judge them All according to the Gospel in which he was set forth to them and they would not that he should Reign over them Joh. 12.48 Rom. 2.16 Luke 19.14 22 27. And is not God and Christ just in all this Surely among men this would be understood If some Subjects had committed Treason against their King and offered indignity to his Crowne and had wasted his treasure and were for this banished from the Court deprived of their Estates confined to darke Prison among slaves and enjoyned to suffer stripes every day and at a certaine time to suffer a shamefull and tormenting death If the Kings soul longed to shew them mercy and his Justice not permitting and the Kings Sonne with his Fathers consent would undertake for these Traitors to bring them before the King againe and should for them lay downe his Crowne suffer the punishment due to them and give a sufficient Ransome to the King for them all that hee may have the Pardon for them all and have them all released to him that Hee may bee their Lord and bring them out of Prison at his Pleasure and bestow the Inheritance on as many of them as would accept his grace and willingly come under his Government and judge the rest And that hee might have Liberty to ease them of so much of their daily paines in the Prison and shew them what favours and use what meanes hee pleased to perswade and allure them to come under his Government And the King professes himselfe to bee fully satisfyed with his Sonnes Ransome and setts him on his Throne and gives all this into his hands and sends word of this new Treaty to the Imprisoned Traytors and bids them to hearken and submit to his Sonne And the Kings Sonne begins to take Order for them so that the greatest of their daily Torments and Paines is taken away many sweet refreshings and Liberties afforded them in the Prison to winne them to good estimate of the Prince who sends his Ambassadours amongst them with the Proclamation of the Pardon and invitation to come in to the Government of the Prince and Promise that whosoever so did should both have the Pardon given him and be made an Heire with the Prince If any of these preferre their Fellowship with the Slaves and Liberties given them in Prison before these offers of the Prince and refuse to come under his gracious Government And then at the appointed time hee call them all out of Prison and adjudge them a Double Punishment and a more grievous death then that he delivered them from and aggravate their Rebellions against him By all the Evills they were found in when hee undertook for them and all the cost hee was at for them and all the meanes hee used towards them and all the Circumstances of their Rebellion against him and so judge them to Punishment accordingly Will any reasonable man say now That this were injustice now in the King or the Kings Sonne or two payments of one debt
this by and through and for his Sonne Christ Ioh. 1.1 2 3. Col. 1.16 18 19. Rom. 11.36 And All this Election and Decree was free and freely decreed by God without any respect or motion from any fore-sight of Good or evill righteousnesse or sinne in mankind or in any of them one or other But according to Gods owne good pleasure even because hee so willed and for the Glory of his Goodnesse Psal 104.1 24. Isa 4.3.7 Rom. 9.11 12. and 11.36 5. That God fore-seeing that the first man Adam would fall and so loose himself and all that were to come by propagation from him and so all thr Priviledges of both Sonnes and Servants that were put in his keeping for Election to Sonneship or appontment to service were neither in him nor put in his keeping Did Choose Predestinate or Preordaine his Sonne Jesus Christ to be his Servant by his Death and Resurrection to ransome All men and recover againe as a Second Adam the Priviledges both of Sonnes and Servants And by his Spirit and Power to make it knowne to them all in Due season Isai 42.1.1 Pet. 1.20 1 Tim. 2 4 5 6. Heb. 10.5.10 6. That GOD in this Decree or Predestination did Predestinate All his Elect Sonnes to the Adoption of Sonnes and Conformity to his Sonne Jesus Christ By and through his Sonne Jesus Christ Not for any good seen in them who were now beheld fallen but for the Prayse of the glory of his Grace Rom. 8.26 Ephes 1.5 And all the residue of the sonnes of men He Destinated to be servants to Jesus Christ and his People in his Free-will Not being moved thereto with respect of either good or evill in Them Rom. 9.11 12. and 14.9 12. 7. That God to this end Decreed To use such meanes as hee pleased to some more to some lesse with some effectuall Power therein To call both Sonnes and Servants to the acknowledgement of this their Lord. In which they might be happy To which end his Spirit moves 〈◊〉 the meanes Prov. 8.4 5 32. and 1.20 23. Joh. 1.5.9 8. God fore-seeing that both Sonnes and Servants would sinne against these meanes and so not come in to the obedience of their Lord but Rebell against him Hee did freely yet further Decree Both First To overcome his Elect and Predestinate Sonnes as Bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke for the glory of his rich and Free-Grace in Christ and so freely to forgive their disobedience and by his Spirit make them willing and bring them in to his Sonne and Sanctify and preserve them in and through his Sunne and by his grace and Spirit to His Kingdome Jere. 31.18 20. 2 Tim. 1.9 Tit. 3.3 4 5 7. Secondly To harden the residue and give them up for their contempt of the means and hardning their hearts there-against and resisting his Spirit moving to their hearts through the meanes And this for the glory and praise of the equity and security of his Justice 1 Pet. 2.7 8. Jer. 6.16.30 9. That God decreed his Sonne Jesus Christ should be the Lord and disposer of All the Head and Governour of the Church and Kingdome and the Judge of All men That by him the glory of all the Kingdome and Judgement may be given to God Isa 9.6 7. Rom. 14.9.12 Act. 17.31 Phil. 2.10 11. 1 Cor. 15.24 27. 10. That all this whole Counsell of God about Mankind for There meddle no further was in himself and open before him and decreed at once before the World or time was there being neither first nor last in respect of time in the Decree of God but onely in Order one thing decreed for another though his Decree be larger then Election and all his Decrees in one ordered to and for Election which obtaineth all for the Elected Acts 15.18 Romanes 7.11 And yet still agreeing with all hitherto said of Election I finde mentioned in Scripture an Election not so high as this before spoken of Namely an Election of some to be a Peculiar People above all the People of the Earth which though it includes the fore-mentioned Elected yet it may also include more even some of the Servants also Deut. 6.6 7. And also I find mentioned in Scripture an Election of some to some Peculiar Office for and Service for or in the Church and this also includes more then the Prime Elect. Isai 45.1 4. Iohn 6.70 And both these Elections are included in the former Decree and are from Eternity also but not to the injoyment of the Priviledges by every one thus Elected for ever as the Prime Election without Controversie is Joh. 17.12 Act. 1.20 Act. 15.18 And I am lead thus to conceive of the Election and Decree of God both by the Scriptures alledged and other-like Places and also by Gods working with man mentioned therein being assured that God worketh all things according to the Councell of his own will so as look how his Word declareth him to proceed in his Workes wee may be sure such was his Purpose and Decree Ephes 1.11 And so through this whole discourse it appears That the Death and Ransome of Christ for All men impeacheth not the Doctrine of Election or Predestination or of Gods shewing mercy to whom he will but agreeth very well therewith and so is the whole Objection answered Onely now I will adde a few things appertaining to this business by way of caution 1. That the Prime Election yea or Predestination to Adoption Howsoever by way of Intimation and consequence it be found oft yet in ten times reading and much searching the Scripture I cannot find it expresly mentioned and set forth Ten times in all the Scripture 2. That in respect of particulars It is a Secret with God till he doe make it knowne so that we can not say This or that man is or is not Elected but we may know of and say to any man Christ Dyed for him and is the Propitiation for his sinnes and if he Repent and Beleeve hee shall receive Remission of sinnes This being revealed Now secret thing belongs to the Lord our God But things revealed to us and our Children for ever Deut. 29. 3. That Howsoever all Gods Counsells shall stand yet those that have very well known the same have never made such use of it as to put any impossibility upon God To doe any of his Creatures good John Baptist knew stones were not Elected yet not speaking of Gods Will but of his Power He said God is able of these stones to raise up Children unto Abraham Matth. 3.9 And Paul speaking of the rejected Jewes saith God is able to graft them in againe Rom. 11.23 and our Saviour would not have his Disciples to think That he could not have obtained by Prayer more then Twelve Legions of Angels Matt. 26.33 and plainly affirmeth to them That with God all things are possible Luk. 19.26 It would therefore be an abuse of Election in any sort to darken or weaken the Doctrine of the Gospel thereby
to beleeve in Christ and they for that cause under sinne if there were neither enough in the Atonement made by Christ for them nor truth in Gods offer of mercy to them nor Will or Power in the Spirits moving in any sort sufficient to have brought them to beleeve at one time or other And yet is this evident in Scripture and shall be by the holy Spirit to be their great sinne That fastens all other sinnes on them Joh. 3.18 19. and 8.24 12.48 15.22.24 and 16.8 9 10.11 PROOF V. God hath testified both by his Word and his Oath That hee would that his Sonne should so farre save as to worke a Redemption for All men and likewise that he should bring all to the knowledge of the truth that there-through Redemption might be wrought in and upon them 1 Tim. 2.4 with Joh. 3.17 So hee willeth not nor hath any pleasure in the death of him even the wicked That dyeth But rather that be turne and live Ezek. 18.23.32 33.11 And dare any of us say The God of Truth saith and sweareth that of which hee hath no inward and serious meaning Oh farre be such blasphemy from us 1 Ioh. 5.10 PROOF VI. The very words and Phrases used by the holy Ghost in Scriptures speaking of the death of Christ and the Ransome and Propitiation To whom it belongs and who may seek it and in beleeving finde Life implyeth no lesse then all men As to instance All Nations Matt. 28.19 20. The ends of the Earth Isai 45.22 and 49.6 Every Creature Mar. 16.15 All. 2 Cor. 5.14 15. 1 Tim. 2.6 Every man Hebr. 2.9 The world Ioh. 3.16 17. 2 Cor. 5.19 The whole World 1 Ioh. 2.2 That which was lost Luk. 19.10 Sinners Matt. 9.13 unjust 1 Pet. 3.18 ungodly Rom. 5.6 and that whosoever of these repent and beleeve in Christ shall receive this grace Ioh. 3.16.18 Act. 10.43 Now all these so often and indifferently used were it not Pride and Errour to devise Glosses to restraine the Sense the Scripture holdeth forth so full and large for All men PROOF VII That whereas there are certaine high and peculiar Priviledges of the Spirit contained in the New Testament Sealed by the blood of Christ which belongs not to all men But onely to the Saints the Called and Chosen of the Lord And when they are alone distinctly mentioned They are even so spoken of as belonging to them onely Mat. 13.11 Ioh. 14.17.21 22 23. and 16.13 14 15. 17.9 20. Act. 2.38 39. 1 Cor. 2.9 14. Heb. 9.15 8. tot 1 Pet. 2.3.9 Yet when any of these Pecullar Priviledges are so spoken of as joyned together with the Ransome and Propitiation which belongs to all Then are they not spoken of in such a restraining and exclusive manner or with such appropriating words But so and with such words as room is left to apply the Ransome to all men in speech And withall so hold out the Priviledges to them that beleeve that are Proper to them That they may both have their comfort and speciall hope And also hould forth the Ransom and keep open the doore for others In beliefe and receit of the Propitiation To come in and partake with them And so it is said for his Sheep for many But no where But or onely for his Sheep or but or only for many which is a strong Proof of the Ransome being given for all men as is shewne Chap. 3.10 PROOF VIII The Restauration wrought by Christ in his owne body for Mankind is set forth in Scripture to be as large and full for all men and of as much force as the fall of the first Adam by and in himself for All men In which respect the first Adam is said to have been a Figure of Christ the second Adam Rom. 3.22 23 24. and 5.12 14.18 1 Corin. 1.21 22 45 46 47. as is before shewne Chap. 8. PROOF IX The Lord Jesus Christ hath sent and commanded his Servants to Preach the Gospel to All Nations to every Creature and to tell them withall That whoever beleeveth and is baptized shall be saved Matt. 28.19 20. Mar. 16.15 16. and his Servants have so Preached to all 2 Cor. 5.19 Rom 10.13.18 And our Lord JESUS will make it to appeare one Day that he hath not sent his Servants upon a false Errand Nor put a lie in their mouthes nor wished them to dissemble In offering that to all which they knew belonged but to some even to fewest of all But to speak the Truth Isai 44.26 61.8 1 Tim. 1.12 PROOF X. The Lord willeth Beleevers to Pray even for the unjust and their Persecuters Matth. 5.44.48 Luk. 6.28 Yea even for all men Yea even for Kings and all in Authority When few in Authority loved Christianity yet yet he said Not some of that sort but for All in Authority and that on this ground It is good in the sight of God who will have All men saved and come to the Knowledge of the truth Luke 10.5 1 Tim. 3.1.4 Surely there is a Door of life opened for All men 2 Tim. 1.10 for God hath not said to the Seed of Israel Seek ye me in vaine Isai 45.19 Hee will not have his Children pray for vaine things PROOF XI The Lord hath given forth his Word and Promise to be with his Servants so preaching the Gospel to all and with his People so Praying for all where they come That they may goe on with Confidence in both Matth. 28.20 1 Tim. 2 3 8. Luk. 10.6 Isaiah 54.17 PROOF XII The Lord hath already performed and made good his Word to his Servants and People upon some of all sorts of men and all sorts of Sinners Shewing them mercy To this very end that none might exclude themselves But all be encouraged to Repent Beleeve and hope thereby Act. 2. and 3. 8. 9. 10. 11. 16. 19.28 1 Cor. 6.10 11. 1 Tim. 1.13 14 15 16 17. PROOF XIII The blessing of Life hath streamed in this Doctrine of the Love of God to Mankind yea in the Tender and Spirituall discovery of the Grace of God to Mankind in the Ransome given and Atonement made by Christ for all men with the fruits thereof Hath God in the first place overcommed his Chosen Ones to beleeve and turne to God Act. 13.48 Tit. 2.11.13 and 3 4 5. PROOF XIV Those that when the Gospel comes and any Spirituall Light therein to them when they refuse to Beleeve and suffer themselves to be withdrawne by other things They are affirmed to Love or choose darkenesse rather then Light Joh. 3.19 which how could it bee if no Light in truth were for them in following lying vanities to forsake their owne Mercies Jonah 2.8 To harden their owne hearts Rom. 2.5 To loose their owne Soules Matth. 16.26 and to destroy themselves Hos 13.9 and they being from Adam fallen Into Darknesse hardnesse and their Souls lost and Death passed on them How could these