Fourteen queries and ten absurdities about the extent of Christ's death, the power of the creatures, the justice of God in condemning some, and saving others,: presented by a free-willer to the Church of Christ at Newcastle, and answered by Paul Hobson a member of the said Church. In which answer is discovered, the extent of Christs death, the nature and truth of election, the condition of the creature both before and after conversion, &c. Published in tenderness of love for the good of all, especially for the Churches of Christ.

To all that love the Lord in sin∣cerity, and are called accord∣ing to his purpose.

BEloved, it is wonderfull to consider, how far Antichrist hath darkned the Glorious and pure truthes of Jesus Christ, with his vails, vizards, and covers, so that it is hard to find out their face or form; as also to restore any one truth to its primitive institution and be∣ing; though God is pleased many times by an eminent hand, to bring truth to light, notwithstanding these false co∣vers, which do yet lye upon it, as to ma∣ny, though much discovered by others; yet when I consider where the cause of all this is, not in the truth it self, but in mens blindness and darkness in their under∣standing of it, and (which is yet worse) it being like so to remain till the glorious Gospel of Christ shall take hold of them, therefore the consideration of this should stay our spirits, when we see such conten∣dings, oppositions, and carnal reasonings,

against the clear and pure truth of God in the Scriptures; and now seeing our dear Brother, the Author of this Treatise hath endeavoured to bring forth his Talent in the behalf of truth, in answer to those Queries, wherein I judg that God hath in a good measure inabled him to give a clear answer, to the satisfiing, and con∣firming of them who are or have been apt to scruple or stagger at the truth which is here affirmed by him, and own∣ed by the Saints, I judg that this light of of his should not be put under a Bushell, but he brought forth to publick view; so that if there be in it that which may give satisfaction to one, it may be usefull, the rather when I consider, what necessity there is of it, in other places, where the words of such kinde of persons are like the words of Hymeneus and Philetus, which will eat as doth a Cancer; this is the ground of his so appearing in a pub∣lick way; yet what room and entertain∣ment it may have or meet withall among the sons of men, I know not, because we know that wisdome is onely justified of

her children, if it be so among wisdomes children, it doth accomplish wisdoms end, and therein we have ours; Possibly it may meet with reproches and scorns, either in respect of its dress and habit it ap∣pears in; which was minded to the Au∣thor, but could not well be avoyded, it being the onely suitable way to him, to make out his mind in, namely Syllo∣gisms, and the rather because Haggers book which he answers runs in the same strain, or in relation to the Author a∣gainst whom some may be ready to cavil, and so slight and undervalue the truth, possibly conceiving him to have been for∣merly dead, if not twice dead, as to such appearances, yet not pluckt up by the roots; I know it may seem strange to many, that he should now appeare in the house of God, the strangeness of which, hath been be∣held as much by me as by any; and wee have been ready to wonder at the admi∣rable rich grace, patience and long-suf∣fering of God towards him, who former∣ly walked in notions and pretences of spi∣rituality, though in wantonness against

Christ. Were it not that the Lord is mercifull, because he delighteth to be mercifull, we had not known how or where to have centered our judgments and understandings concerning him in that condition; yet knowing there is no difference where God makes none, I can∣not but be satisfied, the rather, I being an eye witness of the Authors great altera∣tion and change, not onely in reference to a gratious frame of heart, and a close walking with God daily; but also in re∣spect of those his many principles as to notions, which were imbraced by him, and I fear too much by many now, to the turning of their minds aside, from the simplicity of the Gospel and the truth as it is in Iesus; if the truth here affirmed shall take place in any hearts, to the se∣curing of their judgments and keeping their consciences free from error, and pol∣lution; we wish the Lord may have the praise, and we shall have cause therein to reioyce. Friends, I judg that now things will no longer go upon trust as formerly the truthes of God have too much gone

upon the leggs of humane testimony, now therefore it is our desire, it may go upon tryal, Gold loseth nothing by its tryal, but its nature is discovered more excell∣ent; to the Law and to the testimony; there must be a day of fining and trying, Gold must appear to be Gold and Dross to be Dross, it will no longer pass for current with god, though it doth with men; therefore it behoveth all the peo∣ple of God, to have their loynes girt a∣bout with truth; this is all at present I shall say, either in behalf of the Author, or matter, or persons to whom it is to be tendered, and so shall desire daily to pray for your furtherance in the Gospel, labou∣ring while I am in this tabernacle, on this side glory, to approve my self in the sight of God;

Your unworthy, yet faithfull Com∣panion, (through grace) in Go∣spel-service, Tho: Gower.