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WHereas it is said John 1.9. That Christ is the true Light that lighteth every Man that cometh into the World. Now in that Christ is said to lighten every Man, is because Christ is said to be Wisdom. Pro. 8.22.23.30,31. In whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom
and Knowledge, Col. 2.3. And so far as Men retain right Reason and Conscience, to all such Christ is a Light; for right Reason and Conscience is the Light which God hath set up in the Soul, which if followed, God will never leave such to eternal Death, tho' it is only the Believer is promised eternal Life, and to have their part in the first Resurrection, for St. Paul saith, Those that know not the Law; yet do by Nature the things contained in the Law, their Conscience will excuse them. Rom. 2.14,15. According to which Christ saith, If thine Eye be single thy whole Body is full of Light, but if thy Eye be evil, then the whole Body is full of Darkness. That is, if our Eye be single we are then impartial to our selves, and judge our selves according to right Rea∣son and Conscience, such have Light; but if thine Eye be evil, that is blind to thy self, such are full of Dark∣ness, and then how great is that Darkness? Mat. 6.22,23, for that leads to utter Darkness. But for some there is a Redemption in the World to come, for all that dyed in Adams Transgression will be cleared from Original Sin by Christ, 1 Cor. 15.22. and so a Redemp∣tion for all Children in time to come; For then the Son shall not bear the Iniquity of the Father, neither shall the Father bear the Iniquity of the Son, the Soul that sinneth it shall Dye, Ezek. 18.20. But in this time it is only the Children of the Believer is Holy, 1 Cor. 7.14. before they have committed actual Sin, and the Believer is he that believes Salvation is to be had according to the words of Christ; but at Judgment there is none Con∣demned but for the Deeds done in the Body. 1 Cor. 5.10. and then all Children will be cleared; and likewise all them unto whom God hath promised Mercy, will then accordingly find Mercy, as the Meek, the Merci∣full, &c. Mat. 5. and all that order their conversation aright, Psal. 50.23. and the Ignorant shall be beaten with fewer Stripes than those that wilfully offend.
Luke 12.47. And whereas it is said, He that hath the Son hath Life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not Life. 1 John 5.12. These Words do no ways exclude a Redemption by Christ for some in the World to come, or Restoration; but for some Sin there is neither for∣giveness in this World, nor in the World to come. Mat. 12.32. 1 Joh. 5.16. But whereas it is said, Where the Tree falleth there it lieth, thereby it shews that after Death we can no ways help our selves, as we may now by Repentance and Amendment of Life; but all that go into the Pit, must there stay till they are brought to Judgment to receive their Sentence of release or final Condemnation; but the coming of the Lord, the rai∣sing of the Saints, the judgment of this World, and the restoration of Israel, will be many Ages before the last Judgment, when the Sea, Hell and Death deliver up their Dead. Rev. 10.12. In which God hath secret places for Souls which we know not of, for all that go not to Heaven, do not go to the Fire of Hell, for what the Lord speaks by the Law and Gospel, is but to them that are under it (as I have proved) and for them that are under the greater light, they will fall under the grea∣ter Condemnation; but whereas the Prophet prays, Jer. 10.25. Pour out thy Fury upon the Heathen that know thee not, and upon the Families that call not on thy Name, for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his Habitation Desolate. The Prophets Petition here is only a∣gainst those Heathens that devoured Jacob, and laid wast his Dwelling Place. The same also is said upon their like Cruelties in Psal. 79.6,7. And whereas the Apostle saith, The Lord will come to take Vengance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thes. 1.8. And those are they that know not God, that believe he will not Reward and Punish according to his Word.