A review of Mr. Horn's catechisme, and some few of his questions and answers noted by J.H. of Massingham p. Norf.

Qu. 199. Why say you it's glad ti∣dings to all people, and the revelation of God righteousness to all? is there any needfulness or usefulness of beleeving that extent of it, as you seem to insi∣nuate?

A. Yes verily, for seeing that mans misery is so clearly and generally held forth in Scriptures, that any man in crediting them may see himself mise∣rable, it is very behoovefull that the remedy be as plainly, and generally held forth, that any man in crediting the Scriptures may see it is provided for him; yea so useful is this, both in respect of a mans self, and his de∣meanour to others, that none but Sa∣tan, and such as he blinds, would per∣swade men otherwise.

The holy Scriptures do clearly set forth mans mi∣sery

to be general, or belonging to all men; but the remedy of that misery is not clearly and plainly set forth to be general or universal, and belonging to all men, otherwise than according to the sense before specified, which is sufficient to encourage any person that taketh notice of it, to lay hold upon it.

That chapter by him quoted, Rom. 3. doth in di∣vers verses testifie mans loss, and sinfulness, to be universal, and over all; but the remedy by Christs righteousness, in respect of actual efficacy, is restrain∣ed, ver.22. to them that beleeve. Which restriction is very often expressed, and must be understood in those places, where it is not expressed, and where the universal particle All, is barely and solely laid down.

This answer of his, to the question abovesaid, being committed to the memory of the younger sort of people, may do them hurt; and it is not like to do them good, as being no way apt to teach them, either the fear of God, or the reverence of man. Not the fear of God, because it carries with it to∣wards him, so much arrogance; as to prescribe and set down what it behooved him to have done, though it doth not appear he hath done it: Not the reve∣rence of man, because it carries with it towards him so much virulence, as to judge all those to be led blind-fold by the Devil, that are not perswaded God hath done, what is here thought behoovefull to be done, though it be plain and certain he hath not done it.

A multitude is held inexcommunicable; What presumption is it then to deliver up multitudes of Churches to Satan for their teacher, because they refuse to follow him, who professeth to leave that road, in which Their guides and worthies have gone before them!

As for that he directs us to, 2 Cor. 4. I answer: Those persons, to whom the Gospel being preach∣ed by the Apostle, was hidden; whose minds the god of this world had blinded, that they should not see it in the brightness of it, and hereby were lost, and did perish; Were not so much beloved of God, as others were, to whom the Apostle preached with better success; although they had the same choice means of salvation that others had: neither was there so much good will towards them, as there was to others, whose eyes and hearts the Lord did open, that they might see, and beleeve, and affect what was taught, and be saved: much less was there so much good will towards a third sort of men, that were never so much as outwardly called. This we think, this we beleeve, and hold. And if any man shall say, That whiles we are of this minde, and because we think thus much, therefore Satan blind∣ing our eyes, hath perswaded us to it: We will with more modesty return him this advice, that he would beware of another kinde of blindness, which Ter∣tullian speaks of, Apolog.9. Coecitatis species videri videre quae non sunt: it is a kinde of blindness to see that which is not, or to see more than is to be seen:

after the same manner do we think him to be blind, who can discern that Grace is of the same extent in the world, that Sin is: and that the Salve provided for mankinde, is full out as broad as the sore, (other∣wise than as before explained upon Qu.93.) and that looks upon the Gospel, with a false pair of specta∣cles, by means of which it appeareth far larger, than God hath thought fit it should be.

Notes

• Rom. 3.9,10,19,22,23,24. and 5.12,18.
• 2 cor.3.12,13. with 4.2,3,4.