The IIII. errour.
Gods calling to the knowledge of the Gospell is vniuersall, yea of all men and eue∣ry singular person, without exception.
The Confutation.
This is a very vnreasonable position. Reasons. I. God would not haue all men called, Math. 20.16. Many are called, but few are chosen. He saith not that all, but many are called. Christ in his Disciples first ambassage, chargeth them that they should not preach to the Gentiles of his comming: and to the Cana∣nitish woman he saith, It is not lawfull to giue that which is holy vnto dogges. Mat. 13.11. It is not giuen to euery one to know the mysteries of the kingdome of God. Rom. 16. 25. The mysterie of the Gospel (whether it be meant of Christ, or the calling of the Gentiles) was kept secret from the beginning of the world. II. There be many millions of men, which haue not so much as heard of Christ. Act. 14.16. God in times past suffered all the Gentiles to walke in their owne waies. III. The greatest part of the world hath euer beene out of the Couenant. Eph. 2. 12. Ye were, I say, at that time without Christ, and were aliants from the common-wealth of Israel, and strangers from the couenants of promise, and had no hope, and were without God in the world: but now ye are no more strangers and forrenners, but citizens with the Saints.
Obiect. They are said to be [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] not simply alienated, but abalie∣nated from God: now how could they be abalienated, except either they or their predecessors had beene in the couenant? Ans. The Gentiles are not said to be abalienated from the couenant, but from the common-wealth of Israel: because that God had then by certaine lawes, rites, and ceremonies, vtterly se∣uered, and distinguished the people of the Iewes from all other nations.
Obiect. This generall calling is not to be vnderstood simply of the ministe∣rie of the word, but of the will of God, deliuered presently after the fall in his vnwritten word, but afterward in his written word: and this all men ought to know, although many, through their owne default, know it not. Ans. But the Scriptures were committed to the custodie of the Church of God, and euery one was not credited with them. Rom. 3.2. Vnto the Iewes were of credit com∣mitted the Oracles of God. 1. Tim. 3. 15. The Church is the pillar and ground of truth. Psal. 147. 19. He shewed his words vnto Iacob, and his statutes and lawes to the house of Israel. 20. He hath not dealt so with euery nation: therefore they haue not knowne his law••s. Psal. 76. 1. The Lord is famous in Iudea, and in Israel is his name great.
Obiect. The couenant of Grace was made with Adam and Eue, and in them all mankind was receiued both into the Church, and couenant, and also called to the knowledge of God. Ans. I. This reason wanteth euen common reason and sense, to say that God giuing his promise in the daies of Adam and Noah, did in them call all mankind that should come after. II. Adam before his fall, did indeede receiue the grace both for himselfe, and for others also: