The whole treatise of the cases of conscience distinguished into three bookes: the first whereof is revised and corrected in sundrie places, and the other two annexed. Taught and deliuered by M. W. Perkins in his holy-day lectures, carefully examined by his owne briefes, and now published together for the common good, by T. Pickering Bachelour of Diuinitie. Whereunto is adioyned a twofold table: one of the heads and number of the questions propounded and resolued; another of the principall texts of Scripture vvhich are either explaned, or vindicated from corrupt interpretation.

Sect. 3.

Some thinke, that men may be brought * 1.1 within the Couenant, by the doctrine of V∣niuersall grace and redemption. But this way of perswading a mā that he hath title in the Couenant of grace, is both false, and vn∣fit. False it is, because all the promises of the Gospel, are limited with the condition of Faith, and Repentance, not beeing vniuersall to all, but made onely to such persons, as re∣pent and beleeue: therefore they are indefi∣nite in regard of whole mankind, and to be∣leeuers onely they are vniuersall.

It is obiected, that God would haue all men to be saued. Ans. The Apostle is the best expounder of himselfe, and he saith in the * 1.2 Acts to the same effect, The time of this igno∣rance God regarded not, but NOW he admonish∣eth all men euery where to repent. In which * 1.3 words, Paul addes this circumstance of time [now] to limit this good will of God, to the last age of the world, after the comming of Christ in the flesh, and not to inlarge the same to all the posteritie of Adam. And so must he be vnderstood in the place to Timo∣thie, God would haue all men to be saued, that is, now in this last age of the world. And thus

the same Apostle, 2. Cor. 6. expoundes a cer∣taine prophecie of Isay, concerning the ac∣ceptable time of grace. Now, saith he, is the acceptable time: behold, [Now] is the day of sal∣uation, * 1.4 meanig the time of the new Testa∣ment. And Coloss. 1. 26. The mysterie hid from the beginning, is now made manifest to the Saints. And, Rom. 16. 26. The revelation of the secret mysterie is now opened. All which, and many other places about the same matter, hauing this circumstance of time [Now,] must needes be limited to this last age of the world. As for the note of vniuersalitie, All, it must not be vnderstood of all particulars, but of all kinds, sorts, conditions, and states of men, as may be gathered out of the for∣mer words: I would that praiers be made for all men, not for euery particular man: (for there be some that sinne vnto death, for whome * 1.5 we may not pray,) but for all states of men, as well Princes as subiects, poore as rich, base as noble, vnlearned as learned, &c.

But the saying of Paul is vrged, 2. Cor. 5. 18. God was in Christ, reconciling the World vnto himselfe: therfore the promise in Christ, belongs to the whole World, and conse∣quently to euery one. Ans. The saine Apo∣stle shall againe answer for himselfe, Rom. 11. 15. The casting away of the Iewes, is there∣conciling of the world, that is, of the Gentiles in the last age of the world: for so he said be∣fore more plainely, The falling away of the

Iew, is the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them, the riches of the Gentiles. And so must that place to the Corinthes be vnderstood, namely, not of all and euery man, that liued in all ages and times; but of them that were (by the dispensation of the Gospell) to be called out of all kingdomes, and nations, af∣ter the death and ascension of Christ.

Thus then the promise of saluation, is not vniuersall, without exception, or restraint: & therfore application made by the vniuersa∣litie of the promise, admits some falshood.

Secondly, this way of applying, is also Vnfit. For the reason must be framed thus: Christ died for all men: but thou art a man: ther∣fore Christ died for thee. The partie distressed will grant all, and say, Christ indeede died for him, if he would haue receiued Christ, but he by his sinnes hath cut himselfe off from his owne Sauiour, and hath forsaken him, so as the benefit of his death will doe him no good.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The false way of ministring comfort.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Tim. 2. 4.
• * 1.3

  Act. 17. 30.
• * 1.4

  Esa. 49. 8.
• * 1.5

  1. Ioh. 5. 16.