The vniversallity of God's free-grace in Christ to mankind.: Proclaimed and displayed from 1 Tim. 2.6. and Hebr. 2.9. according to their genuine sense. That all might be comforted, encouraged; every one confirmed and assured of the propitiation and death of Christ for the whole race of mankind, and so for himself in particular. / Through urgent importunity, written by Thomas Moore.

ANSWER.

This is the summe, and the whole strength of the Reason, which ••••ll appears very weak and frothy: for the ignorance of some in the mysteries of grace, is no proof, That the God of Truth will speak beyond the bounds of Truth; hee hateth dissembling, and preten∣dings of that which i•• not, and howsoever some men may equivo∣cate,

and make fained pretences of more then they 〈…〉〈…〉 shall they neither have examples, or word, or allowance from God, to countenance them: JESUS CHRIST left not out the hardest thing•• but told his Disciples the worst at the first; hee knows how to bring his matters about with words and deeds of Truth, and directs the workes of his Servants in Truth. Psal. 145.17. Isai. 61.8. but the truth is, this Reason argues ignorance in the mystory it would tell others of;

For that affirmed in the. 1 Tim. 2.6. Hebr. 2.9. and so the Proposition here treated of; It was revealed in some measure from the beginning; as to say,

That Jerus Christ should so farre take away sinne, and destroy the workes of the Devill. 1 Ioh. 3.5.8. and so ransome all men, that were fal∣len into sinne and death: that they should be given to him, that he•• might be their Lord, and thus, so farre made alive to him, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 should absolve and make happy all that submit to his Government, in beleeving on him, and condemne all that would none of his Go∣vernment, but spake against him: Isa. 53.6.11, 12. Rom. 14.9.12. Luk. 19.14.27. this was contained in that Promise. G••n. 3.15. and ex∣prest in the Prophecy of Henock. Iude 14, 15. and more cleerly by the following Prophets, in which the higher things ••••re infoul∣ded.

But to Abraham was revealed a great deal more and higher pri∣viledges, as that Iesus Christ should come of him, even that premised seed, that should have the Inheritance. And that wh••soever beleeved 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him, should be of the same feed, and so be made a Sonne in hi••••; and by him, be brought together with him to partake of the Inheritance, and so this seed be multiplyed into many and yet be still one Seed, and this not of Jewes onely, but Gentiles also. This was first revealed to Abraham; and hee receiving, and walking in this faith, is therefore called, The Father of the Faithfull; that so beleeve, and walke in the same saith Gal. 3.7, 8, 14, 16, 29. Gen. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 15. and 17. Rom. 4.11. and this is more then that affirmed; 1. Tim. 2.6. Hebr. 2.9. or in the Proposition; which was in some measure revealed before Abrahams time; in respect whereof, those Fathers before were Fathers to him, and to Beleevers now also: but the discovery of these higher Priviledges, was first to him, and by him to others, though yet more cleer•••• still unto and

by the following Prophets, and still more ••nto, and by John Baptist.

Yet though these two be both mysterious, even that revealed; before Abraham his time, (which is the subject of this Di∣scourse,) and that revealed to Abraham; and the latter more mysterious then the former; yet was the mystery greater still, as it was made knowne to the Apostles, and that in three re∣spects.

First, in that they were eye-witnesses of the Comming, Death, Re∣surrection and Ascension of Christ, and had the fulnesse of the Pro∣pitiation, and manner of making it, his glorious power, kingdome, au∣thority, and comming againe; and so his becomming the Saviour of the World; the head and husband of the Church, the Lord and Judge of all, more gloriously; evidenced to them, then ever to any before. Joh. 1.14. Acts 5.30, 31, 32. and 10.37.43. 1 Joh. 1.1, 2, 3. 2 Pet. 1.16.18. Gal. 1.

2. In that they had a more full discovery and experiment of the priviledges of such as beleeve in Christ, and of the powring forth of the holy Ghost, and of the Union with Christ and Brethren, and conformity to Christ, and usefulnesse and fruitfulnesse in the Church effected thereby: Then was in any Ages before, Joh. 1.12.16. and 7.38, 39. and 16.7.15. Acts 2. and 10. Ephes. 1, tot. and 2. and 3.14.20.

3. In that the free participation of all this great grace, should be as free for the Gentiles beleeving, as for the Jewes, without either Circumcision, or any imposition or regulation, undering them to the Jewes. Ephes. 3.5, 6, 7.

For in Gentiles being regulated to the Jewes; the Jewes ne∣ver doubted, nor made strange at the Gentiles participation of pri∣vilidges.

And the Jewes that beleeved the Gospel, did not contend, for Preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles (as doubting of the Ransome for them,) but for Fellowship with them, and their participation of Priviledges, without being regulated to the Jewes, at is before shewne, Chap. 12.

So that Act. 10.45. and 11.18.1••. is altogether mistaken in the Alle∣gation: for the Reason argued, neither former unbelief, nor the af∣ter admiration in them, to be because of the Ransome given for them: but because of the holy Ghost given to, and fellowship had with them, before they were (and they not being) regulated to the Jewes.

And though the Revelation of the performance of the first, and the fulnesse of the second, and the freenesse of the third, were all in some measure hidden, till they began to be so performed, and the stumble of the beleeving Jewes, was about the third, and all now cleered to the Apostles. Col. 1.25, 26, 27. yet was this mystery joyntly in all the three Branches, not altogether hidden, nor now altoge∣ther newly revealed: for the Apostles spake nothing, but what the Prophets did say should come to passe, Acts 26.22. nothing, but what they had the sure word of Prophecy for. 1 Pet. 1.19, 20. and so the Apostle gives us to understand, that he meanes not, that it was not at all made knowne, but that it was not so made knowne, as it is now. Ephes. 3.5, 6.

Besides, the Apostles had (with this full and cleer Revelation) the abundance of Spirit given into them. Act. 2. and preached the Go∣spel, with the holy Ghost, sent down from heaven. 1 Pet. 1.12. God confirming the same with divers fignes and miracles, and gifts of the holy Ghost. Hebr. 2.4.

They stood in no need therefore, to use words importing more, or other then truth (and that in laying the foundation also) to bring in any to beleeve, much Iesse, to bring the Elect, (which who, or what shall tell them their election.) that they might beleeve, and lay hold on Christ, according to that, Isai. 45.22. this also being evident to be as large as all men, and every man: for to men hee calls, Prov. 8.4, 5. Joh. 1, 3, 4, 7. and the ends of the Earth, are all men that are created by Christ. Isai. 40.20. and that shall come before him to judge∣ment. Isai. 45.23. Phil. 2.8, 11. so that All, and Every man, is as evi∣dent to be meant. Isa. 45.22. as it's evident, that All and Every man were made by God, and shall come in judgement to give account to God, and the death of Christ, and this Call can no more be denyed to be f••r All and Every man, then All, and Every man can be denyed to be made by him, and to come to judgement before him: the same being affirmed in

Scripture of all these. Isa. 40.28. and 45.23. Rom. 14.9.12. 2 Cor. 5, 10, 14, 15.

Wherefore there is no Reason to affirm, that without doubt, this mentioned in the latter part of the Reason, should be one Reason of the frequent mentioning of those generall words; All men.

For on whose part should it be a reason, for such an end? On the part of the Jewes, in respect of themselves, it could be no Rea∣son, because they reckoned themselves the People of God; and seed of Abraham, and for the Iewes, in respect of the Gentiles: it could be no reason, while the Ministration of the Gospel was not sent to the Gentiles: If any say, Yes, to prepare them to receive the Gentiles: Wee see it had not that effect, with the beleeving Jewes; who were not with such words prevailed withall, in that wherein they did stumble; and yet to the Jewes is the Gospel of Christ, being the Sa∣viour of All men, Every man, the World, frequently set forth before the Commission of the Ministration of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Joh. 1.4.7, 9.29. and 3.16, 17. and 6.51. and 12.46, 47, 48. and 8.13.

And on the part of such Gentiles, as were brought in to beleeve, before the mentioning the use of such words to them, it could not be a Reason, and yet to them also is the Gospel, so set forth in such generall words. Rom. 3.22. and 5.12.18. and 14.9, 12. 1 Cor. 15.22. 2 Cor. 5.14, 15, 19. 1 Tim. 2.4, 5.

And even so is it set forth, both to beleeving Jewes and Gentiles: and that as the Gospel they had to declare to such as yet beleeved not, whether Jewes or Gen••iles. Hebr. 2.9. 1 Joh. 2.2. and 4.14. and Jewes and Gentiles, and all Nations, containe all and every man. Even the who! World: and it is no where said of the death of Christ, it was for some Jewes, and some Gentiles, some of all Nations, much lesse can it be said, onely for the Elect of all Nations; So that this whole Reason is proved to be but a meer fancy, purposely framed, to colour the unbelief of That, which cannot be denyed, to be plainly testifyed in Scripture.

And now let the Objection, with the Three Arguments, and this great reason, be truly considered apart and together, and the deal∣ing with the Scripture, according thereto: and this appeares therein.

That it endeavours to make the Sentences and words of Scrip∣ture

of no force at all; and so addes strength to the blasphemy of those that have said; That the Scripture is but a dumbe Letter, Incky Divinity; a noose of wax, that may be bended every way, according to the will of the Interpreter; whose blasphemous mouthes, by this meanes opened, will not be stopped till the words and sayings of Scripture be stood too, in the sense they expresse and import.

2. From the grant of this Objection, and the use of such reason∣ings, by which it is fortified, hath been the opening of the doore, for men to abuse the Scripture, to the countenanceing of every He∣recy, and sinne, and for the deniall of truth affirmed, and duty com∣manded.

3. This is also that which hath given the strength to some to plead, the Church to give authority to the Scripture, and the need of a Pope to determine the sense: and others of divers Sects, to ac∣knowledge no truth in any sentence of Scripture, but according to the Interpretation and judgements of the Masters of their Sects, and and others to look for vaine and santasticall Revelations, not heed∣ing the Letter of Scripture, and so to fasten on any pleasing fancy, though without, or against the sayings of Scriptures.

4. Yea, this is the root and preserver of all falsities, devisions and contentions.

But that it may appeare, I justly charge this Objection, with such use of Arguments and Reasons to fortify the same: I will give a lit∣tle instance of such manner estimate of, and dealing with the Scrip∣ture.

These then are found plain sayings of Scripture, in generall words.

1. God that made the World, and hath made of one blood all Nations of men. Act. 17.24, 26.

2. All have sinned. Rom. 3.23. Through the offence of One, judgement came upon all men to condemnation: All have sinned. Rom. 5.18.12.

3. Death is passed upon all men. Rom. 5.12. it is appointed to men once to die. Hebr. 9.27.

4. All that are in the graves shall heare his voice, and come forth. Joh. 5.29.

5. All Nations shall be gathered before him. Matth. 25.32. to judge∣ment. 2 Cor. 5.10.

And as these are points of faith; so for points of practice.

1. Let all the Earth feare the Lord; let all the Inhabitants of the World stand in awe of him. Psal. 33.8.

2. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, Live peaceably with all men. Rom. 12.18. Honour all men. 1 Pet. 2.17.

3. Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers. Ro. 13.1. Tit. 3.1.

4. Render to all their due; tribute to whom tribute, and Rom. 13.7.

5. Let us doe good unto all men. Gal. 6.10. shewing meeknesse to All. Tit. 3.2.

Now let us see what this Objection, with the former Reasons, will doe with all these plaine sayings of Scripture; in such generall words.