36.15 16. Zech. 7.11 12 13. Mat. 13.13 Rom. 1.19 20 21 26. 2 Thes 2.11 12. These things I lay before you because the question is wherefore God hardens mens hearts and not whether he doth harden mens hearts yea or nay For I do and alwayes did grant that and the cause thereof is as aforesaid namely the creatures nelgecting and putting from them so great salvation as is freely tendered in Jesus when as they ought to receive it with love thereunto For This Cause saith the Apostle God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleive a lye that so they might be damned Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved 2 Thes 2.10 11. according to which all Nations are in the hand of God as clay in the hand of the Potter and so at what instant soever God speaketh unto a people shewing them through the Gospel that his pleasure is to build and plant them and so make them vessels for honour if that people do evill in his sight that they obey not his voice of good-will towards them and so Marr themselves 1 Sam. 6.6 in the hand of God he then repenteth of the good wherewith he said he would benefit them Ier. 18.4 9 10. so he gives them up to hardness of heart so they become vessels for dishonour when as others of the same lump turning from the evil of their wayes God maketh them vessels for honour and so of the same lump one vessell for honour and another for dishonour But if not withstanding you shall yet turn the body of these Scriptures otherways then behold its face namely That God did before time hate the greatest part of the world without respect unto foreseen wickedness as the caus therof and that in time he gives them up to hardness of heart without grace at any time wherby to be saved and at the day of Judgement will cast them into everlasting Torments because of their wickedness and hardness of heart and yet declare in his Word which you say is a word of truth that he is good to all and that his tender mercies are over all his works that he is slow to anger and of great mercy Psa 145.8 9. Patient long-suffering c. Exod. 34.6 7. Not willing that Any should perish 2 Pet. 3.9 swearing by himself that he desireth not the death of the wicked Ezek. 33.11 but would have all men saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 24. Forty years long grieving for the iniquity of his people Heb. 3.17 Bemoaning their undone estate Psal 81.13 yea even weeping for them Luke 19.41 saying What could I have done more for your good that I have not done Isa 5.4 when as he knew according to your Tenent that himself had shut them up from all possibilities of believing unto Salvation and that by his own unresistible Decree and purpose of Reprobation Judge ye friends in this cause and judge righteous judgement and with fear and trembling weigh these things To return a little to the objection again sider further that though Thave proved that Esau's wickedness and so the wickedness of all wicked men was and is the cause for which the Decree of Reprobation took hold of them yet mistake not for I do not say that 't was foreseen wickedness in them that was the moving cause in God to Make the Decree of Reprobation but rather the unutterable purity and unwordable holiness dwelling in himself which possibly could not admit of any wicked creature in his presence This I say moved him to Make the Decree that all wickedness might be excluded from happiness in his presence So having spoken of Esau and how he and all other wicked men are reprobated to Condemnation it remains that I now speak of Jacob and how he and all other righteous men are elected to Salvation First therefore I beleeve that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son to die for the world whenas there was nothing in the world that did or could move him thereunto Secondly the world being gone all out of the way and coming short of Gods glory God did purpose a gracious purpose of Election in Christ namely to chuse or set apart beleeving men for glory Psal 4.3 Eph. 1.4 2 Thes 2.13 And so Jacob with all other beleeving men being found in Christ Gods gracious purpose and decree of Election takes hold of them being such as are Elected from the foundation of the world to eternal Salvation but by this take notice I do not say that God foreseeing faith in Jacob or in any other was thereby moved to Make that decree of Election as if the works of righteousness which we have done first moved him so graciously to purpose and decree for the good of beleeving men I say not so but rather the meer love and compassion dwelling in God himself moved him to purpose and Elect beleevers in Christ to Salvation agreeable to the Apostles words Ephes 1.5 Having predestinated us c. according to the good pleasure of his will ver 9. purposed in himself and of himself Rom. 9.11 nothing of worth in man first or last moving him thereunto and so our Salvation is of God that sheweth mercy upon them that beleeve And whereas this purpose reacheth in the beleever in Christ only 't is not because God saw such a worth or moving excellency in the creatures beleeving but that he might in shewing mercy unto men not destroy his attributes as of honour and justice which would have been blemished had he chosen the unbeleeving sinful man for himself having before cast man out of his presence for sin so though the beleever only hath interest in Gods purpose of Election yet the cause of his happiness is the tender love and compassions of God dwelling originally in himself Where then is bosting It is excluded by what law by the law of Faith for as much as Christ who is the object of faith is the meer gift of God who also hath from of old decreed from the meer grace dwelling in himself and not from foreseen faith in the creature to Elect and chuse men unto Salvation through not for the belief of the truth 2 Thes 2.13 whose belief also cometh by hearing the Gospel of Christ which is to be preached to every creature for the obedience of faith Rom. 16.26 So then all being of him and through him not unto us not unto us in the least but to the Lord alone be glory for ever The next thing which I purpose is somewhat touching the two Covenants because I find that some stumble for want of a right understanding the old and other some for want of a right understanding of the new Covenant wherefore for the good of each this I declare head it well I pray you You I mean that stumble about the Covenants for have you not read that Abraham had two Sons the one by a Bond-maid the
spoken of is faln the whole world is at rest and is quiet they sing for joy yea the Furr-trees rejoyce at thee and the Cedars of Lebanon saying since thou art laid down no feller is come up against us vers 7.8 Now the world did not enjoy such a rest as is there spoken of so as that no Feller came up against the People of God no more for since the time of Nebuchadnezzar and that Monarchies fall there hath come up many fellers or destroyers of the Jewes and the believing Gentiles as is clear that Antiochus and the Romans against the Jewes and the Whore of Babylon against the Christians and again the Apostle in 2 Thes 2. takes up the same words in substance and applies them to the man of sin which is the Antichrist therefore that in Isa cannot be fulfilled in Nebuchadnezzar for this compare Isa 14.13 14. with 2 Thes 2 4. though he might be a type of Antichrist Secondly it appears that the Antichrist will be but one man though many have his spirit and so many Antichrists because it will sute best with his way of delusion for he will pretend he is the very Christ and will cause fire to come down from Heaven on earth in the sight of men Rev. 13.13 and so he will endeavour to imitate Christ in all things for as the Lord Christ shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that Obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ so the Antichrist will make fire come down from heaven in the sight of men he will endeavour to make all the Scriptures that speak of Christs coming and of his raign to meet upon him So his coming will be after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved 2 Thes 2.9 10. So as there is the Man Christ Jesus the Son of the living God which came in his Fathers name Mat. 16.16 John 5.4 3. without sin 1 Pet. 2.22 So there will be the Man of Sin the Antichrist which will come in his own name and profess to be the Christ but will be directly an enemy against Christ and his People And so I come to the fifth thing which is the manner of Antichrists rising and by what means for the clearing up of this First consider that the Gospel and the way thereof is to be purely preached and the Ordinances rightly administred and so the Angel is to fly in the midst of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth and to every nation and kindred and tongue and People Rev. 14.6 And so the Gospel being preached to the Nations and the Ordinances Administred in the good old way according to the Scriptures men come to be enlightened as many are in these nations where the Kingly power is fallen that did support the Whore and would not give liberty of conscience so I say as the Gospel comes to be ministred in the old way thereof men come to be enlightned the power of the Whore falleth and men slighting and rejecting the truth and also many of them that do receive and obey the truth fall and depart from the faith and so receiving not the love of the truth that they might be saved for this cause God doth and will send them strong delusions that they should believe a lye 2 Thes 2.10 11. And so are given up to the Spirit of Antichrist and so the Apostle Paul sheweth that the day of Christs coming shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed the son of perdition 2 Thes 1.7 8. Chap. 2.3 and so the Spirit speaking expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrine of Devils speaking lies in hypocrisie having their conscience seared with an hot Iron forbidding to marry c. as in 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. And the Apostle Peter writing to the Saints in his second Epistle Chap. 2.1 2. sheweth that there shall be false teachers among you who shall privily bring in damnable Heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction and many shall follow their pernitious wicked wayes by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of and Chap. 3.3 4. he saith that there should be scoffers walking after their own lusts saying where is the promise of his coming c. and so men transgressing and abiding not in the Doctrine of Christ fall from the faith of the Gospel and so the spirit of God departs from them and an evil spirit is sent unto them which is the spirit of Antichrist so out from them that thus fall away and go out from the Church 1 John 2.19 and so seperate themselves sensual having not the spirit as Jude hath it vers 19. and also from them that have been enlightened and have neglected to walk up in truth and so reject the counsel of God as the Lawyers and Pharisees did Luke 7.30 so I say from them that so fall away and neglect to hear and obey the Gospel from them ariseth the Antichrist or man of sin Again the sixth Head of the Roman Monarchie which is the imperial or Kingly power hath alwayes and doth by the guidance of the Pope and the National Ministry which rides upon the Beast as hath been shewed persecute men for their Consciences and so hath let and hindered the Gospel from being preached and the Ordinances from being rightly administred and so the light of truth was exceedingly kept back and but few received it and them that did receive it she persecuted some she put to death others she banished or caused to fly into strange Countries and into howling wildernesses others imprisoned and fined and so she cometh to be drunken with the blood of the Saints and with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and so the Gospel could not be declared in the pure way thereof to every Nation kindred tongue and people Rev. 14.6 And so also if any did arise that had the spirit of Antichrist she took him off also and so she pluck'd up much wheat and tares also contrary to that of Mat. 13.29 30. Let both grow together until Harvest c. So the sixt Head of the Roman Monarchy being rid upon guided by the Whore did let the Gospel from being preached and the Antichrist from rising and so I think that the fixth Head did hinder the coming in of the man of Sin in the Apostles dayes for the Emperours being heathens then persecuted the Saints and so that sixth Head supporting and carrying the Whore also so as that it did let and will let until it be taken out of the way 2 Thes 2.6 7. but now the sixth
made clean when shall it once be Jeremy 13.27 How shall I give thee up Ephraim How shall I deliver thee Israel As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live turn ye turn ye for why will ye die oh House of Israel Ezek. 33.11 And now O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah Judge I pray you betwixt me and my Vinyard what could have been done more to my Vinyard that I have not done in it Jsa 5.3.4 But when he looked that it should bring forth Grapes it brought forth wild Grapes As also Israel in the wilderness Wherefore he was greived with that generation and at length sware in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest because of Vnbelief Heb. 3.10 11 19. Now that the Father the Son and the holy Spirit in the Prophets should utter such deep desires and large professions for the welfare of a People with weeping and great lamentations upon their neglect of that which should have been for their welfare Psal 69.22 Also confirming his desires by the immutable Oath of himself and yet notwithstanding know them even from the first altogether uncapable of happiness and well-being and that for want of that grace which himself is the only giver of That God I say whose Attributes of love and mercy are met together with truth and righteousness and kisseth each other Psal 85.10 should thus declare himself is altogether incredible for if he sent not his Son to die for them there is no other Name given under heaven whereby they might be saved Act. 4.11 12. The sence of these things being much upon my heart leads me forth yet further to question with you viz. How the wise God the Father could grieve forty years long for a Peoples unbelief if there was no Salvation for them to believe in And how Christ the Son of God could marvel at the Peoples Unbelief if he tasted not death for them whereby they might believe Mar. 6.6 And how the holy Spirit the gift of God could strive with men for their good if Christ in whom is all good was not intended for them The Father the Son and the Spirit according to the Scriptures of truth in all ages plainly declareth That he would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2.4 in order to which he exercised much long-patience sending his servants calling upon them and beseeching them to be reconciled unto himself 2 Cor. 5.20 And so God preparing all things ready for them and using a sufficiency of means whereby they might come and receive it according to the Parable that is to say might believe and eternally be saved Joh. 1.7 Jo. 3.17.2 Thes 2.10 they not coming they not beleeving the God of love in wisdome greiveth for them and upon good grounds sweareth in wrath they shall not enter into his rest Mark well A man 's not doing impossibilities or not beleeving on that which is not is no sober mans wonder cause of grief or ground of wrath Wherefore all these things being considered together with the many more Scriptures that speak to this purpose as also many Scriptures bearing plain Testimony that Christ died for all 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 2.9.2 Cor. 5.15.1 Joh. 2.2 Rom 3.22 And not so much as one Scripture that saith he died but for some therefore with wise and holy Peter I conclude that the Lord God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3.9 and be saved through Christ the Saviour who gave himself a ransome for all to be testified in due time Therefore let all men fear how they testifie against it Object If Christ died for all how is it then that all are not saved Answ Bear with me I pray you if I speak somewhat large to this Question for I know that there is something in the understanding of those that ask this question as the ground thereof which is a great hindrance to the understanding of this glorious truth of Gods love unto all men namely that Adams sin brought him and all his posterity into a state of eternal condemnation in Hell which whosoever beleiveth cannot easily understand how Christ should die for all men say they if he died for all to free them from eternal punishment in hell and Christ dye not in vain then say they How can it be but that all must be saved First consider your mistake touching Adams sin for 't is plain that his sin brought but the first death and the companions thereof as fear shame sickness eating bread in the sweat of the face c. together with the ground cursed for his sake and not eternal torments in Hell which saith the Scripture is the second death Rev. 20.14 First because the second death or eternal torment in Hell was neither threatned to come upon him before his fall Gen. 2.17 neither is it in the least signifyed in the sentence against him after his fall Gen. 3.17.18.19 but rather this Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return this death therefore being only spoken of which is the first death let no man presume above what is written Secondly observe the sence of the Apostle Paul touching this Particular who saith That by one man to wit Adam sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Rom. 5.12 Now in that he saith that the death which came by Adam passed upon all it followes with much plainness that he understood it to be only the first death that entred into the world by Adams sin because the second death or eternal torment in Hell had not passed upon all and so he could not mean the second death for he right well knew yea and all men do know it had not passed upon Abraham Isaac and Jacob with many others that might be mentioned no nor never shall In vain will it be for any to go about to evade the force of this text by conceiving that it is the desert of eternal death which passed upon all forasmuch as the Apostle in much plainness saith That death passed upon all men not only deserved death but death it self passed also upon them as their desert Thirdly remember and well consider that it is granted on all hands that Adams sin from the beginning did and now doth bring men down to the dust or first death and also well consider that it is as generally beleived that the second death or Hell torments is an eternal fence of misery both upon the soul and body or an eternal horrible dying and never being dead both which being considered you may easily see that if God did intend Hell torment to be the portion of Adams sin either you must imagine that God did purpose and decree and so accordingly declare to Adam that if he sinned he should
shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy Also mind well that the power to judge differences and to deale with Members lyeth in the Body the Church not in the Officers destinct a part from the Church This will plainly appear First because the Lord commands Mat. 18.17 That the offender and his offence be brought to the Church that they may judge it now the company of Elders are not the Church 1 Cor. 1.2 Therefore they have not the power apart from the Church Secondly the Apostle writing to the Church of the Corinthians commands them when they are gathered together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ to deliver the Fornicatour that had his fathers wife to Satan 1 Cor. 5. to the 6. Mark he doth not command the Elders to do it but the Congregation being gathered together to do it therefore the power lieth not in the Elders alone but in the Congregation Thirdly The Lord Christ saith that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them and their great ones exercise authority upon them but it shall not be so among you but whosoever will be great among you shall be your servant and whosoever will be cheife of you shall be servant of all Mark 10.42 43 44. And therefore the Elders who are the cheife servants are not to exercise Lordship over their Brethen therefore not to rule without the Body the Church for if they should rule without the Body it would be like that evill that Solomon spake of Eccl. 10.7 Servants upon horses and Princes walking as servants upon the earth and so indeed it hath been and is where the Pope and Lord Bishops and Presbytery hath the power they make the members of their National Generational way slaves to serve with great burdens and many of them are very ignorant But although it be so that the power lieth in every particular Body the Church to govern according to the word of Christ yet understand that with consent the Elders and Messengers are to rule in love and are to be obeyed by every particular member they exhorting and commanding duty and declaring the sence of the Church according to the word of Christ Heb. 13.7 17. and also the Body the Church may command the Elders or Pastours and Messengers to look to their Ministry which they have received in the Lord that they fulfil it Col. 4.17 And also note it is good and safe for a particular Church in things of high concernment to call for or desire help from sister Churches and so Messengers who are to take care of all Churches in an especial manner are to go in such cases Act. 15. Quest Hath not the Magistrates power in the Church to set apart her Officers and to punish Offenders as he seeth good yea with death if he please Answ No for Christ hath not said any where that he should so do now if Christ have not said it nor it be not in the Law and Testament as it is not it may not be Isa 8.20 Heb. 1.5 Nay for the Magistrate to set apart Officers in the Church crosseth the Law of Christ which is that the Church by a free choise should set them apart as it hath been shewed before Again Magistrates may not punish offenders as in point of conscience for Christ commands the contrary Mat. 13.30 38. For there he saith that the children of the kingdome and the children of the wicked one shall both grow together in the field of the world till the end yea the Jewes that blaspeme against Christ are to be suffered for they are beloved of God for their fathers sake though they be enemies to the Gospel Rom. 11.28 and when the fulness of the Gentiles is come in all Israel shall be saved as it is written ver 25 26. So then the Jewes be to have liberty that is plain therefore all ought to have liberty of conscience that 's as plain So then the Magistrate hath not any power in the Church more then any other member but the power lieth in the whole Church to cast out offenders as hath been shewed but in all civil affaires as all sins against the second Table yea in all things that be civil that helongs to the Common-wealth the Magistrate is supreme and the whole Church is to obey him and honour him as the supreme in every civil thing for the Lords sake 1 Pet. 2.13 14 15. paying custome to whom custome belongeth and tribute as he or they hath and doth appoint Mat. 22.21 Rom. 13. from ver 1. to 10. Yea let them not dispute who is Cheif Magistrate no not by any means by warr but rather submit to the cheif Magistrate in being in every Nation So then from all this that hath been said it doth appear and that very clearly yea most excellently from the Scriptures of truth that God is a God of love and mercy and is long suffering and the riches of his goodness and bounty doth abound most freely and graciously towards all men and would have none perish but would have all come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved and that the way of Christ is a way of love in that he laid down his life for all men yea though they were and are enemies he tenders the word of the Gospel even glad tydings of peace beseeching by himself and by his servants though they do abuse them to be reconciled to God O how meek and lowly in heart was the Lord Jesus how doth his love and goodness appear in that he being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with him made himself of no reputation and took upon him the forme of a servant and was made in the likeness of man and being found in the fashion of a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross And so the Lord of life and Glory by whom all things were created beseecheth the creature to be reconciled to God and so to obey him in love and walk up in the way of the Gospel which is a way of love for the love of God being spread abroad in the heart men having from the God of love received gifts the love of Christ constraineth to preach the Gospel and to feed the flock of Christ and to seek up them that go astray and the Saints in love minister and communicate unto them what they want and so Ministers are chosen in love and their Doctrin is heard in love and received in love and the poor relieved in love and them that sin are dealt with in love and their meetings of the Church and feasts are in love and their Communion in Breaking of Bread is in love so al duty is to be done without murmurings and disputings in love so Faith in Christ is available working by love so the children of God receive the kingdome as a reward in
THE WHOLE FAITH OF MAN Being the Gospel declared in plainness as it is in JESUS and the way thereof of old confirmed by divers Signs Wonders Miracles and Gifts of the holy Ghost In thirty six Heads setting out Mans way work from the day of his Conversion to the day of his Dissolution and what therein is both to be believed and practised The Second Edition much Enlarged By WILL. JEFFERY who hath for years been a poor Labourer in Christs Vineyard So likewise ye when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you say We are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17.10 London Printed by G. Dawson for Francis Smith in Flying-Horse Court in Fleet-street near Chancery lane end and Stephen Dagnal of Alisbury 1659. TO The Christian READER Loving Reader THis work presented to thy view read I pray with diligence and care imploying thy whole understanding to observe what 〈◊〉 written herein whether it be according to the Scriptures of truth and finding it so lay it up in thy heart and bring it forth in Conversation and in Worship and that thou mayest so do mark well the Scriptures that are brought for the proof of that which is said and for the right understanding of the Scriptures note these five things First who it is that speaketh Secondly the ground or cause of the Word spoken Thirdly what is spoken Fourthly the time when Fifthly to whom it speaketh And labour to understand Prophecies whether they be fulfilled or no and mistake not so as to think that Parables or Comparisons in Scripture prove nothing for they do excellently prove things if rightly understood for the Parable of the unjust Iudge and the Widdow Luk. 18. v. 1. proveth that men ought alwayes to pray and not to faint and that in Rev. 16.15 which saith that Christ will come as a thiefe proveth that Christ will come suddenly and that day of the Lord shall come upon ungodly men unawares yea as a snare shall it take them 2 Thes 5.23 but it doth not prove that Christ will come unrighteously as a thief for that connot be So Parables and Comparisons in the Scriptures prove excellently the things for which they are brought but beware of using them beyond their line and also note that a Commandment or Precept only gives ground to duty for where no Law is there is no transgression mistake not for the manner of the performance of the duty is not alwayes in all things laid down in the Commandment so the primitive examples of the People of God for the manner of the performance of duty is very safe and where there is no example of the People of God in the Scriptures for the manner as aforesaid take heed that the duty be done decently and in order 1 Cor. 14.40 James 5.14 But stand in awe in the fear of God and beware that you add not to the Commandment nor diminish therefrom in the performance of duty for he that shall presume to speak a word in the name of the Lord which he hath not commanded him shall die Deut. 18.20 Pro. 30.6 Revel 22.18 19. Mind also that according to the Law and the Prophets and New Testament are to hear Christ in all things yea to give more heed to Christ then Israel was to Moses Heb. 2.1 2. Chap. 12.25 and to labour to understand what the first Testament is and who were the children hereof and what is the new Testament and who are the children thereof and let no man that believeth and is added to the Church according to the Scripture content himself in a child like state but labour with all diligence to come to mans stature being strong in Christ 1 Epistle of John 2.13 14. For in these last dayes will come in all deceiveableness of unrighteousness and so many will fall away the age groweth ripe many run to and fro and knowledge is increased therefore labour to understand the Mysteries of the Scripture walk up purely in all that thou knowest for they shall be revealed and fulfilled in these latter dayes yea whosoever thou art observe more what is declared it being truth then the manner of the declaring it be not offended at the plainness or poverty of the man that speaketh he speaking as the Oracles of God For God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise I have studied brevity for many reasons therefore heed well what is spoken and so have thy heart open for truth but closed up against all errour and try all spirits by the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament For if they speak not According to the Law and Testamony it is because there is no light in them Isai 8.20 And so read this Book with a single eye for it very highly concerns thy eternal life for for this end was it written that men might know the good old way of the Gospel and walk therein and so find rest for their souls and that God might have all the Glory and this is the sincere desire of him that is ready to serve thee with all his might in he strength of the Lord in the work of his Generation William Ieffery A TABLE OF The principal Matters spoken to or handled in this Book 1. THe Gospel what it is Page 1 2. That the Gospel is to be preached to all Men. Page 2 3. That Christ dyed for all Men. Page 4 4. That God through Christs death in the ministration of the Gospel sets all men in a way to come to the knowledge of the truth and be eternally saved Page 6 5. How Men in all ages were set in that way Page 9 6. What Adams sin brought upon all the sans of Men. Page 13 7. How Christ redeemed all Men from the first death and all the guilt or punishment of Adams sin Page 18 8. That all Infants dying in Infancie shall be saved Page 17 9. The great cause of condemnation and what it is Page 21 10. How Men are given up to blinded eyes and hardned hearts and wherefore Page 30 11. How Gods Decree takes hold of Men to condemnation Page 27 12. Gods Decree concerning Election to salvation Page 32 13. Why none but Beleevers are chosen to salvation and yet foreseen faith not the cause Page 33 14. The first Testament what it is in the strictest sence and what it is in the largest and who were the children thereof and how is it cast out and its children and the difference between the Law of Faith and the Law of Works and a word of the abolishing of the seventh day Sabbath Page 35 15. What the second Testament in the strictest fence and what in the largest and who are the children thereof and who the Ministers thereof and the vast disproportion between the first Testament and the Second Page 42 16. What Repentance is and what Faith is and the nature thereof Page 52 17. That Bilievers onely are the
all men and women in the way so as by his death they might have eternal life I say it will follow clearly that Christ dyed for all men for else the Gospel will be the tender of a lie which is blasphemy to affirme It will I say be the tender of a lie because in the Gospel there is offered to all as hath been shewed remission of sins and everlasting life through a crucified Christ but if Christ died but for some men and this glad-tyding of peace in the Gospel be held forth for all men as it is then to some of these all it will be the tender of a lie but that cannot be therefore I conclude that Christ died for all men This further will appear if you observe well how that all men every where are commanded to repent and beleive the Gospel Mark 1.15 Act. 17.30 and that is witnessed in the Gospel to all men both beleevers and Unbeleevers that there is eternal life in Christ and that they who receive it not make God a lier 1 Joh. 5.10 11 12. Again consider that God doth bid all earnestly and doth not mock any untill first they reject him Prov. 1.25 27. nor doth he deal as hypocrites to bid men to his supper having before decreed in himself that they shall never taste thereof but I say unfaignedly and altogether truly doth the Lord bid and invite all persons to come to the marriage supper and saith he for All Things are ready now if Christ died not for all how could he invite all even them that never came saying all things are ready when as to them that came not which are the greatest part of men to them I say the only thing was not ready that is to say a Christ crucified for their sins and so whereas Christ saith that all things are ready this opinion which I contend against declares that there is nothing ready for I am sure that without a crucified Christ there is no salvation for the sons of men and moveover to conceive that Christ died but for some men notwithstanding his so often calls and loving invitations to all men whatsoever to come unto him that they might be saved Joh. 1.7 whether in the city or in the lanes or about the hedges to conceive this I say is to liken the Lord Jesus unto the vilest of men who as David saith Psal 55.21 have in their mouths words smoother then butter but war in the heart words softer then oyle yet were as drawn swords Moreover the Scriptures holds forth plainly that unbelief in the son of God is a great sin yea the cause of eternal condemnation John 3.18 Joh. 8.24 Now if the son of God died not for the unbeliever who is saith Christ condemned already because he believeth not on him then the unbeliever is condemned for not believing a lie but this cannot possibly be the judgment of the righteous God who condemns men for not receiving and beleeving the truth that they might be saved 2. Thes 2.10 11 12. Therefore again I conclude that Christ died for all men Moreover we find Paul that eminent light of the world in great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart yea and wishing himself accursed from Christ for his brethren the Jewes that were shut up in unbelief Rom. 9.2.3.32 33. Rom. 11.7 8 9 10. To whom also he acknowledgeth did belong the adoption and the glory and the Covenants and the giving of the law and the service of God and the promises now 't is most plain that the Apostle doth by acknowledging these so many and excellent priviledges pertaining to the Jewes declare and clearly preach up that there was a time when they might have been happy had they with others sought after the righteousness of God by faith but alas alas they obtained it not wherefore because Christ died not for them saith many but saith the holy Apostle because they sought it not by faith but as it were by the works of the law ver 31.32 And this is charged upon them as their great folly which indeed had been none at all had they not as well as others been put into a capacity through the grace of a crurified Christ to have beleeved and so eternally saved which thing most asuredly Paul understood touching them and therfore he abode in great heaviness for them yea and wished himself accursed from Christ for them knowing and beleeving that God had sent his son Jesus to bless them yea so far mark I pray as to turn every one of them from their iniquites Act. 3.26 and indeed to conceive the Apostle to be of a contrary belief that is to say that Christ died not for his Brethren that were shut up in unblief such a conception I say doth render the wise and eminent Apostle Paul to be simple and foolish both by his great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart for that which could not possibly be obtained to wit the salvation of his Brethren the Jewes and also by his wishing himself accursed from Christ for them that could not possibly ever be blest but God forbid that any sober minded man should hold any opinion that should thus render the wisdome of the wise of no effect but however if men will thus foolishly presume wisdome is justified of her children who clearly understands that Christ died for all men whereupon when they come to understand that men will not come unto him that hath died for them that they might have life Joh. 5.40 they understandingly with holy Paul greive and are of a mournful heart for them like the Lord himself Luke 19.41 42. Moreover Peter the Apostle of the Lord full of the Spirit declareth That the Lord bought such as bring in damnable Heresies and so bring upon themselves swift destruction even damnation that slumbereth not 2 Pet. 2.1 2 3. So then by this also it clearly appears that Christ died for or bought all men since no man questions his dying for such as shall be saved Furthermore there is before you a cloud of witnesses eminently advancing the truth of this Particular speaking after this manner Oh Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them which were sent unto thee How often would I have gathered thy Children together as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings and ye would not Mat. 23.37 And when he beheld their City so great was his love towards them that he wept over it Saying if thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace but now they are hid from thine eyes Luke 19.41 42. Oh that my people had hearkned unto me and Israel had walked in my wayes so should their time have endured for ever Psal 81.13.15 Oh that their were such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my Commandements alwayes that it might be well with them and their Children for ever Deut. 5129. Oh Jerusalem wilt thou not be
for a time return to the dust and afterwards be raised up again from the dust and so cast into Hell torments which is the second death which imagination is very strange and besides it presupposeth a Resurrection without Christ or else you must imagine that God intended in his saying to Adam Thou shalt die that his soul should go into hell torment the second death and his body to the dust the first death which Dagon-like Image shamefully falls before the Ark of truth First because it renders the coming of Christ the greatest of Gods gifts to man-kind who come not to condemne the world but that the world through him might be saved Iohn 3.17 I say it renders the coming of Christ to be the only cause of a horrible Judgement without the least mixture of mercy upon the bodies of those men whose souls were cast into hell for Adams sin that is to say Christ by his coming raises their bodies from the grave where they were without the fence of any misery and casts them without any cause into everlasting torments Secondly the imagination falls upon the account of Pauls words Rom. 5.12 shewing that that death which came by that one man Adams sin passed upon all wherefore it cannot be meant an eternal death upon the souls of men for that passed not upon the souls of the holy Fathers as aforesaid And thus you may see that neither of these imaginations can stand either according to Scripture or Reason and therefore the truth only remains before you as clearly proved by these considerations namely That Adams sin brought but the first death as hath been shewed and that mens loving darkness rather then the light is the cause of a second death and this may not be rejected because Christ himself saith This is the condemnation Iohn 3.19 Fourthly that Adams sin brought but the first death as aforesaid also appeareth from the Apostles words 1 Cor. 15.21 22. wherein is plainly held forth that Christ will bring all men to a resurrection from that death which comes upon all men by the first Adams sin wherefore it cannot possibly be the second death which he speaks of as brought by Adam for then it supposes all men brought to a resurrection from the second death or Hell torment and so preaches general salvation which is folly to conceive so then with the Prophet I conclude that the Son shall not die eternally for the iniquity of the Father But the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him that is to say upon him alone and not his child so as to bring it to eternal life And the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him that is upon him alone and not his child so as to bring it to eternall death Ezek. 18.20 Well then by this time 't is necessary to mind again our Question namely That if Christ died for all men How is it that all are not saved First by what hath been said you may see in what state man was in by his first Transgression even out of Gods favour and in a state of misery condemned to the first death But God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son to taste death for every man Heb. 2.9 Rom. 5.18 and so destroyes him that hath the power of death that is the devil And thus there is purchased by Christ a resurrection for all men from the first death with the gift of God which is eternal life and hence it is that children dying in Infancy cannot be condemned at the last day for of such is the kingdome of God Mat. 19.14 But now men having a being here through Christ come to rebell against God and going out of the way so as there is none righteous no not one Rom. 3.12 they become the children of wrath but such is the love of God that he followes the creature with mercy commanding the Gospel to be preached to every creature which Gospel men not believing the wrath of God abideth on them John 3.36 the light of eternal life and remission of sins in Jesus is held forth but men loves darkness rather then light the prize of glory is put into their hands but they like fooles have no heart to it and so whereas the Objector asketh how it is that all are not saved if Christ dyed for all the answer is in Christs words This is thecondemnation John 3.19 that light is come into the world and men love darkness rather then light because their deeds are evill Thus I judge that the seeming show of the objection vanisheth and that the truth remaineth in its power and plainness namely That Christ died for all men and so setteth all men in a way in which they may come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved The truth of which will appear if you shall take a view of the Scriptures speaking of the Generations from the beginning as first in the very day that Adam fell Christ was promised by God saying The seed of the woman shall break the Serpents head and it is said of Abell That by faith he offered a more excellent sacrifice then Cain Heb. 11.4 Shewing plainly that Abell was enlightened touching the promised seed to wit Christ the true Sacrifice in whom he believing his sacrifice became more acceptable then that of Cain also it is said of Enoch that by faith he was translated that he should not see death and before his translation he had this testimony that he pleased God and not only so but himself being enlightned touching Christ we find that he Prophesieth also of the coming of Christ with his faints to Judgement Jude 14. And so he was a preacher of the Gospel to others in his and following Generations In like manner we find Noah declared to be a preacher of Righteousness and by Faith preparedan Ark whereby he Condemned the World and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith 1 Pet. 3.18 19 20. 2 Pet. 2.5 Heb. 11.7 All which shewes that Noah was such an eminent light in his Generation that the whole world then in being was so taught and instructed by him he being a Preacher of Righteousness as that they being disobedient thereunto are said thereby to be condemned Also we find very cleerly that the Gospel was Preached to Abraham saying In thee shall all Nations be blessed Gal. 3.8 And afterwards unto his seed the children of Israel in the wilderness as appeareth Heb. 4.2 Among which people God shewed such mighty and wonderful power in saving and delivering them and destroying their enemies as that thereby he declared to all the World that he was Israels God and approved of their Faith and Worship as to instance some of many The Angel smote of the Campe of the Assyrians an hundred four score and five thousand 2 King 19.35 Also God delivering Shadrach Meshach and Abednigo from the fiery Furnace as also Daniel being delivered from the Lions den decrees were made that Every
People Nation and language should tremble and fear before their God and that his Kingdome shall never have an end Dan. 3.29.6.26 Moreover the Lord bringing his people out of the captivity of Babylon stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia to make Proclamation in all the Kingdomes of the earth that he was to build him the only true God a house at Jerusalem Ezek. 1.1 2. Besides all such kinds of preaching there was among them a continual Ministry of the holy Prophets whose words saith Paul went unto the ends of the world Rom. 10.18 by which means some of every Nation under heaven were proselyted devoutly worshiping the true God Acts 2.5.9 10 11. And as God was present with the house of Israel in power and might as aforesaid so also in giving great and wonderful wisdome so that the Queen of the South came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdome of Solomon Mat. 12.42 yea and all the Kings of the earth sought his presence to hear the wisdome that God had put in his heart 2 Chro. 9.23 By this cloud of witnesses 't is manifest that the Gospel was made known to all people in all Generations down to the Apostles in whose Generation Christ commanded the Gospel to be preached to every creature and saith the Apostle it was preached to every creature under Heaven Col. 1.23 And so it is evident that God set all men at all times in a way by the Gospel that they might come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved Object Though it be true that the Gospel was preached among the Nations yet we cannot judge that they all had or that all people now have a sufficiency of means whereby to believe Answ That all men had and have a sufficiency of means so as to beleeve and be saved is evident and to you will appear if you keep well in your minds the agreement of Gods Attributes so as that they may sweetly meet and kiss each other in all that you beleeve for you know the Scriptures holds forth That God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance yea and sweareth by himself that he desires not the death of the wicked but rather that he turn c. 2 Pet. 3.19 Ezek. 33.11 Now all the means of Repentance and Faith and the grace to keep men from perishing is from God as you also confess for him therefore to with-hold the means of Salvation from the poor creatures whereby 't is altogether impossible for them ever to miss eternally perishing yet nevertheless to say that he is long-suffering and not willing that Any should perish yea and to swear that he desires not the death of the wicked affectionately saying to them Turn yee turn yee for why will yee dye Whenas himself with-holds the means without which they cannot return and live I say for God thus to say and swear is altogether incredible being that which calls in question the Attributes of the Almighty and indeed is proper only to an unjust deceitful man and not to God so then 't is plain that as God desireth the Salvation of men and sweareth that he wills not their condemnation so he affordeth a sufficiency of means in order thereunto Secondly That there is a sufficiency of means for all appears because Christ charges persons not coming to him so as to beleeve in him upon the obstinacy of their wills and not upon the want of means as appeareth by these Scriptures Joh. 5.40 Yee will not come unto me that ye might have life Mat. 23.37 Oh Jerusalem How oft would I have gathered thy Children but ye would not Joh. 4.48 Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not beleeve Thirdly It appears also to be so because those who are said to perish shall be lest without excuse or claok for their sin Rom. 1.20 Joh. 15.22 Which cannot be in case they alwayes wanted means or ability to beleeve for of all cloaks or excuses that possibly can be what is a greater or safer excuse then an impossibility to do the thing required Yea surely it will be a fair plea before the Just and Righteous God but God will judge all men according to their works therefore no such excuse or piea Fourthly The Scriptures saith that Christ marvelled at the unbelief of some as hath been shewed and also pronounceth condemnation to the unbeleever because he beleeveth not c. Which may clearly prove to them that honour God in all his Attributes that he allowes a sufficiency of means to every man to do the thing which he requireth unless it may be safe to conceive that Christ the wisdome of God did marvel at known impossibilites and also that he will plunge men into hell for ever for not doing that which himself only worketh in the creature as you conceive but God forbid such horrible blindness Fifthly Christ commands men to beleeve in the Light while they have the Light that they may be the children of Light Joh. 12.36 Now for a man to be exhorted to beleeve in the Light that he may be a child of the Light and he in such darkness as was the Egyptians and as unable to help himself out of it as they were would be a most unwise vain and deceitful Exhortation unwise and vain it being known he could never beleeve deceitful in pretending that he might be the Child of Light it being altogether unpossible wherefore still I conclude that Christs words are pure and unfained and so men every way made able through grace to beleeve and do the things which they are exhored unto Christ the Lord whom we serve being no hard Master Sixtly while men are treating about what means God doth allow in order to the doing his will himself comes in and pleads What could I have done More that I have not done And yet will any man dare to say that he had done Nothing in order to their Salvation as he had not if he never made them able to beleeve Oh do not say so for in so doing you will grievously sin against God who allowed such a sufficiency of means as that in his wisdome he looked for that to be done which he commanded What did he look for that which could not be and also enter into judgment with them laying them wast and giving them up to blinded eyes and hardned hearts Isa 5.4 6 7. Isa 6.10 as a recompence unto them Rom. 11.9 From all which I conclude that Jesus Christ tasted death for every man and that All men Every Where may repent as they are commanded by him who is no hard Master and that All men might beleeve as in plain words is written Joh. 1.7 Moreover as 't is conceived that the one part of mankind have not a sufficiency of means to beleeve and so perish so also the other part of mankind have an irresistible means making them to beleeve and so they are saved The latter
seed of Abraham are cast out and so not admitted as members of the new Testament or Church of Christ meerly as such upon which account John the Baptist put back the Pharisees from his Baptisme as not fit members for the Church of Christ upon their plea of having Abraham to their Father Mat. 3.9 how lame weak frothy carnall and confused a thing is it to receive little children into the Church by Baptisme upon the plea that they are the seed of Believers What! all the fleshly seed of Abraham the father of the faithful cast out and yet labour to receive in the fleshly seed of Abrahams children be ashamed hereof O ye Priests for the Lord will not hold them guiltless that makes void his Commandements by their own traditions But more to this elsewhere Mat. 15.6 Now to return The sum of all is as the Apostle saith the Bond-woman and her son that is to say the first Covenant and its children is cast out ever since the death and resurrection of Christ so henceforth know we no man after the flesh 2 Cor. 5.16 because the son of the Bond-woman Ishmael after the flesh shall not be heir with Isaac the son of the free-woman that is to say with the children of the New Covenant or new Testament wherefore it remaineth in the next place to consider what the new Covenant is and who are the children thereof since they only are heirs according to promise The New Covenant or New Testament is in the strictest sence that which is written in the 31 of Jer. 33 34. vers and Heb. 8.10 11 12. And in the largest sence the Gospel the glad-tydings way and ordinances thereof as 't is written in the books of the new Testament whereof Paul was a Minister 2 Cor. 3.6 Mat. 26.28 Heb. 9.16 17 18. Now the Children of the New Covenant are penitent believing obedient men and women such as are born again not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God John 1.13 New creatures and these are the children of Abraham after the spirit and heirs according to promise John 8.39 Gal. 4.29 2 Cor. 5.17 And with them considered such God makes or enters into Covenant giving them his spirit and so puts his Laws in their minds and writes them in their hearts and so he is a God unto them and they only are his people Heb. 8.10 And so they need not teach every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying know the Lord for all shall know him from the least to the greatest of them verse 11. But mistake not though all the children of the New Covenant need not to teach one another so as to know the Lord yet they ought to build up one another in the knowledge of the Lord Jude 20. having received gifts from the Lord they are to teach one another to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord exhorting one another and so much the more as they see the day of Christ approaching so by using of their gifts they come to be established and go on to perfection Heb. 5.12 14. and 10.25 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4.8 11 12. Moreover the Lord will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their iniquities will he remember no more so that they may have free accesse to him through Christ he being sacrificed for them so that there is no need of a sacrifice as there was under the old Testament for then there was a continual sacrificing and so a remembrance of sin every year and so the comers thereunto could not be made perfect for it was not possible that the blood of Buls and Goats should take away sins Heb. 10.1 2 3 4. But Christ being come by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified so he takes away the first Covenant that he might establish the Second that the children of the second Covenant might stand before God and die not having a new and living way which he hath consecrated or made through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all and so they come before the Lord with boldness yea enter into the holiest by the Blood of Jesus and having an High Preist over the house of God draw neer with a true heart in full assurance of faith having their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and their body washed in pure water Heb 10.9 10 19 20 21 22. So then the children of the New Covenant have free accesse to God worshipping of him in spirit and in truth acceptably without any sacrifice as after the Law or old Administration that being abolished and done away 2 Cor. 3.11 13. so sin is not remembred and so they shall be eternally saved if they hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering to the end but if they sin wilfully there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins but a Certaine fearfull looking for of judgement and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries he that despised Moses Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose yee shall he be thought worthy who hath troden under foot the son of God and hath counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despight unto the Spirit of grace verse 23 26 27 28. Furthermore the Ministers of the new Testament are not by a fleshly line as the Preists of the old Testament were the sons of Aaron born by Generation Exod. 29.9 Numb 16.40 But they are made Ministers of the new Covenant meerly by gifts given from God as appeareth Eph. 4 8 11. where the Apostle sheweth that the Lord Jesus ascended up on high and gave gifts to men he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers for the gathering together of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry for the edification of the body of Christ till we all meet together in the unity of the faith and knowledge of the son of God unto a perfect man and unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ vers 12 13. So then it is cleer from hence that all the Ministers or Preachers of the new Testament are to preach or teach by gifts given from God for they have gifts given for the work of the Ministry and that in all ages till Christ comes for all the saints cannot meet together in the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man not untill Christ his coming therefore the whole work of the Ministry is to be performed by men gifted of God in all ages and not by men of a fleshly generation line or by any humane learned Arts for that is contrary to the new Covenant for all her children are taught of the Lord. And this will further appear because as the Apostle sheweth the world by wisdome knew not God 1 Cor. 1.21
their first works he would remove their candlestick and John exhorts the Elect Lady and her children to look to themselves that they lose not those things they have gained but that they receive a full reward 2 John 8. And so he that continues in the faith to the end he shall be saved for the just shall live by faith Heb. 10.38 But if any draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him Object But it is impossible to deceive the very Elect therefore men cannot fall from the true faith Mat. 24.24 Answ Christ speaks of such as make their calling and election sure by adding to their faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience c. abounding in the bringing forth of fruit giving all diligence to continue therein according to 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7 8 9 10 11. they that do so shall never fall for the Lord God will give grace and deliver them from the evil of temptation making a way to escape that they may be able to bear it and so there is no condemnation to them that walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit and so none can lay any thing to those that so through Grace persevere to the end God justifieth them who can condemn them yea an entrance shall be ministred unto them abundantly into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord Psal 84.11 1 Cor. 10.13 Rom. 8. But Further observe that such as have believed the Truth and do run well are called The elect of God 1 John 1.8 and are written for Heaven in the Book of Life which is the New Testament if they go on adding as aforesaid but if they turn again to folly and so turn from the holy Commandement and so come to be dead yea twice dead their names are blotted out of the Book of Life Gal. 5.7 Exod. 32.33 Rev. 3.5 chap. 22.19 and this will be fulfilled upon many in these last dayes for Christ saith That false Christs and false Prophets shall arise and deceive many Matth. 24.5 11. Now if they were not in the way to life they could not be deceived for they cannot be deceived and led out of the way which were never in it so then this is the way of the new Covenant they that through grace walk up after it are written for life and them that do not abide in the truth of it are written for death for the Lord will be with men while they be with him but if they forsake him he will forsake them 2 Chron. 15.2 John 15.2 10. So men are elected in Christ through believing the truth but they that depart from the faith depart from their election and choice for God hath chosen the godly man for himself not persons simply but godly persons and decreed to save them that so make use of his Grace so as to hold fast their confidence to the end Hebr. 3.6 and no other Object But the gifts and calling of God are without repentance Rom. 11.29 Answ It is true For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3.16 And while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Rom. 5.8 So that God gave his Son freely for the world and so he cals men freely to believe that Christ died for them and gives time and space to all to hear and repent and this he doth whether men believe and repent or no so it is Christs death that makes the peace with God but it is made out by Faith Rom. 4.16 And so eternal life is the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord for in and through Christs death comes forth the glad tydings of Peace and so by him are all things 1 Cor. 8.6 for in him we live and move and have our being and by Christs death we are saved alive and are made able to believe so that justification is not of works but meerly of grace yet understand that Scripture in Rom. 11.29 speaks of the house of Israel how that the Lord God hath decreed to call the Jews and the whole House of Israel and make them one Nation and a glorious People and of this he will not repent But for the clearing up of this understand that when the fulness of the Gentiles is come in then the Deliverer shall come to Sion and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob Isai 59.20 Rom. 11.26 Christ the Redeemer shall come and gather the out-cast of Israel and the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth Isai 11.12 And make the two Nations of Israel one Nation neither shall they be divided into two Kingdomes any more at all Ezek. 37.22 And perform the good thing to Israel even the new Covenant according to that in Jer. 31. Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah not according to the Covenant that I made with their Fathers when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the Land of Egypt which my Covenant they brake although I was an Husband unto them saith the Lord But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those dayes saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my people and they shall not teach every man his neighbor and every man his brother saying know the Lord for all shall know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord for I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more And so a Nation even all them that remain of Israel shall be born at once and so all Israel shall be saved Isai 66.8 9 10. Rom. 11.26 27 28 29 30 31 32. Object But if any should say That these Scriptures were made good unto Israel when they returned from the Captivity of Babylon Answ That cannot be because both the Houses of Israel returned not at that time and so could not be made one Nation but when these Promises are made good the two Nations are made one and shall abide so forever and shall be moved no more at all out of their own Land Jer. 31.40 Consider well the 37. of Ezekiel especially from the 16. verse to the end Also it cannot be that these Scriptures can be fulfilled in the conversion of the Gentiles they being so made Jews for these Promises are made to the House of Israel and the House of Judah and the converted Gentiles are not called the House of Israel and the House of Judah in no place of Scripture Thirdly These things that are here promised to Israel and Judah cannot be made good to the Gentiles because the fulness of the Gentiles is to be come in when these things shall be made good to Israel Rom. 11.25