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.

CHAP. XVI.

Of Answering a Third OBJECTION.

Objection III.

ALL those for whom JESUS CHRIST did Die, and pay the price and Ransome, which God required to sa∣tisfie his Justice: are justified by his blood. 1 Joh. 1.7. and shall be saved from wrath through him. Rom. 5.9. God be∣ing a Most Just GOD, cannot require the Debt twice. Viz. of Christ, and of those for whom he paid it.

But All men, and Every man is not justified by his Blood; nor shall be saved from wrath through him.

Therefore you must needs yeeld, That Christ Dyed but for some, even his Elect, unlesse you will denie God to be just.

ANSWER.

This Objection hath all its strength in the first Proposition, with the reason annexed to it: and to that I will bend the Answer.

First, in the Proposition, are two notorious untruth's; as to say, 1. That all, that Christ did Die, and pay the price and Ransome for, which GOD required to satisfie his Justice, are justified by His Blood. 1 Joh. 1.7.

This is so contradictory to the Scripture, that little need be said thereof; enough is already shewn in the 8. Chap. from the compari∣son between Christ and Adam, and how that all men fell, and be∣came under sinne and death in the first Adam at once; Yet none by, or through him partake of that misery in sinfulnesse and death, Till they come to have a beeing from him: And so, though all men be in Christ, as the Publick Person, restored and justified: yet by and through him, of the benefit of that restauration, in justification by his blood; Doe none partake, till they come to have a beeing in him; and that which is Naturall, is first, as is there shewn.

Besides, what ever justification be in Christ, (through his blood∣shed) for men, yet he is set forth to be a Propitiation, through faith in his blood, for the Remission of Sinnes. Rom. 3.25. And it is evi∣dent; that the Justification by his blood, mentioned. Rom. 5.9. Is a justification received by faith in his blood: of such as have received the Atonement in beleeving: as is evident, Rom. 5.1.3.11. neither is it any where said, by the Spirit of God; nor did hee ever teach any to say; That all that Christ Dyed, and gave himself a Ransome for; either so are, or shall be justifyed by his blood; Hee ever affirmes, that Justifi∣cation to be by blood, but not by blood-shed onely, but by and in the ap∣plication of the blood-shed, the sprinkling or washing therewith. Heb. 12.24. 1 Pet. 1.2. And so have the justified ones confessed. Revel. 1.5. and this is to be redeemed unto God, and justified by his blood. Revel. 5.9. of which Justification by his blood, many that have it, had their time here on this Earth, in which they wanted it. Col. 2.13. and ma∣ny of the Elect (in Gods Counsell,) that yet want it, for whom by this Objection, Christ should not have Dyed.

As for that cleansing. 1 Joh. 1.7. and forgivenesse, vers. 9. it speakes of a farther cleansing and dispensation of grace to such as are in Christ, and walke in Christ, and so already justifyed by his blood; and so not to this purpose, unlesse to make the Objection vile.

But this untruth is not onely false and grosse in it self; but oppo∣seth, and denyeth many sayings of the Truth; for it denies the truth of our Saviours sayings. Joh. 3.17, 18. and 8.••4. and the truth of the Spirits convincements. Joh. 16.8.11. and the truth of many Affirma∣tions of Scriptures, as that all shall beare the Image of the first Adam. 1 Cor. 15 46. that all are by nature Dead in Tresp••sses and sinnes; and so walke, till they be borne againe. Ephes. 2.1, 2, 3. Col. 1.21. That God ju∣stifyeth the ungodly in their comming in to beleeve on him. Rom. 4.5. Yea this untruth denyeth, that men are justifyed by faith, so much, as by an Instrument receiving it, but onely discerning it: Seeing this un∣untruth affirmeth them justified (not onely in, but) by his Blood; be∣fore they came to beleeve on him: and so contradicts. Act. 10.43. and 13.38. Rom. 3.25, 26, 28. and 4.24, 25. and 5.1.11. So that the con∣trary to this affirmation is true, namely;

That many, for whom JESUS CHRIST did Die, and shed his blood, remaine yet without that Justification that is in him, by ver∣tue

of his blood-shed for them; and so are not justified by his blood, because they beleeve nor on him. Act. 13.38. Joh. 3.18. 1 Tim. 1.12, 13, 14, 15.

2. That all that Christ did die, and pay the price and Ransome for, which God required to satisfie his Justice; shall be saved from wrath through him.

This likewise is very false, and plainly contradictory to the Scripture, that saith in expresse termes, there will be many, even deny∣ing the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destru∣ction. 2 Pet. 1.1, 2. And this untruth denieth the Lordship of Christ, grounded on his death for All; and the equity of his Judgement, and sentence of any to a second death. Rom. 14.9.12. Phil. 2.8, 11. Act. 17.30.31. 2 Cor. 5.10, 14, 15. as is shewn Chap. 2. before; And this untruth denyeth that aggravation of sinne which Scrip∣ture useth, when it chargeth with such an evill, as causing to perish the weake Brother, for whom Christ Dyed. Rom. 14.15. 1 Cor. 8.11. So that the contrary to this Affirmation is true, That many for whom Christ dyed, and gave himself a Ransome, that he might be their Lord, and they live to him, shall one day be overthrowne in wrath, or fire un∣quenchable, because they would not submit to him, nor suffer him to Reigne over them. 2 Thes. 1.8.

Secondly, In the Reason annext to the Proposition, is both pre∣sumptuous rashnesse, and gross ignorance declared; as to say:

1. A presumptuous rashnesse, in an intimate charging God with unjustice, for did not God lay on Christ the iniquity of us all. Isai. 53.2, 6. 2 Cor. 5.19. was not Christ manifested, to take away our sinnes, and is He not without sinne, even the just One. 1 Joh. 3.5. and 2.1, 2. and hath not God accepted him and his Sacrifice and Ransome given. Matth. 17, 5. Heb. 7.8, 9, 10. even for all that for which hee gave it; and is not God Righteous, to give his Sonne, even all that which by vertue of his Ransome onely, belonged to Jesus Christ: Surely God is Righteous; but that were injustice, not onely to re∣quire the whole Debt againe, but even any part thereof, either of him, or of any other, that are discharged by him, or to detaine from him, or any of his, any thing that by vertue of that Ransome onely, is due to be conferred on them: Isa. 53.10, 11.

Yet Gods owne Children have complained, and cryed out by rea∣son

of trouble, with the law of sinne in their members. Rom. 7.15.24. Gal. 5.17. and God saith of his owne Children, that are the mem∣bers of Christ. Psal. 89.32. I will visite their transgressions with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes; and saith expresly, They suffer for the punishment of their sinne. Lam. 3.22, 39. and in their Repentance, will have them accept the punishment of their iniquity. Levit. 26.41. Mich. 7.9.

Now to say, the punishments upon Gods Children, are not pu∣nishments for sinne, but onely corrections for amendment (they be∣ing both) is too weak an evasion, and contradictory to the Scripture. Hos. 5.15. and 6.1, 2. and 12.1. Now is God unrighteous, that punisheth, God forbid. Rom. 3.4, 5. Psal. 51.4. But how will the urgers of this Reason, for justifying the two Propositions; justify God; and get out of this snare they have laid for others. I hope they will not say with the * 1.1 Papists, that Jesus Christ onely paid the greatest part of the debt to his Father, wholly in respect of eternall punishments, and left a part of the debt in respect of Temporall punishments, for his people to pay, in bearing the same here in sufferings and Peni∣tentiall Satisfactions; and making up what is wanting thereof in Purgatory: for this will exceedingly derogate from the Sufferings and Satisfaction made by Christ, to his Father; and flying this, as they have good cause to doe; they have, by joyning this Reason with the two former Propositions, charged God with unjustice; and left no way to justify him, in punishing any of his Elect, for whom Christ dy∣ed, and paid the price, they being already justifyed, and to be saved from wrath through him, as the Proposition affirmeth; and what presumptuous rashnesse was this so to Reason and affirme, for the maintenance of two falshods. Neither doth Rom. 5.9. say, That all that Christ dyed, and paid the price for, shall be saved from wrath through him.

But speaking of Beleevers that had experimented justification through his blood: and it declares the more abundance of their con∣fidence; That they should now much rather be saved by his life, and from wrath through him.

2. Here appeareth gross ignorance, about the End of the Death of Christ, as the price, Satisfaction for sinne, and Ransome, which hee

gave himself to God, for mankind: which was not, that by that Act of his with God, men should, without any more done by him, * 1.2 be pre∣sently possessed of all that Justification, freedome from deaths, and enjoyment of life that is in him, or which he hath wrought or pur∣chased: No, no, there was something else to be done by him from heaven, in application of the former to effect that; it was not, that by that Act d••ne by himself, and in his owne body onely, any of the Sonnes of men should receive, either justification from sinne in their Consciences, or purgation of sinne out of their Natures, which is to be effected by his Spi∣rit, in application of that blood, speaking Peace, and purging and renew∣ing. Heb. 12.24. & 9.14. Tit. 3.4.5, 7. or Redemption of their bodies in a through and perfect Freedome from all misery and Death, and trou∣ble and sorrow of Soul, mortallity, weaknesse, affliction and Death of body, which is to be affected at his pleasure through his Divine Power, by vertue of his resurrection from the Dead. 1 Cor. 15. tot. or the bringing them to, and possessing them of all the life, Righteousnesse and Inheritance that he hath obtained: which is to be effected through the vertue of his blood, by his life, Spirit and Divine Power. Rom. 5.10. 1 Pet. 1.5. Heb. 7.25.

But the End of His Death, in respect of the Ransome only, as perfected in and by himself, in his owne body, was; That he might be Lord of all men, and have them in his dispose; That hee might have all released to him, and have the pardon in his hands, and Spirit and Life, and inheritance to give freely, as hee should thinke fit, who is of one minde with his Father; That hee might have Power and Authority to ease them of as much trouble, exercise as much pa∣tience, and shew them as much mercy and bounty, as might be meet to lead them to Repentance; And also to use such meanes as hee pleaseth, to Call and bring them to Repentance, and Faith, and to send forth his Spirit to move at their Hearts, that they might Repent and Be∣leeve:

That by Spirituall Application of his Blood; and exercise of his Divine Power; hee might justifie, purifie, and bring to eter∣nall life, those that in submission to his Spirit, in the meanes, doe Repent and come in to beleeve on him,—To harden, and give up the rest in his Season,—To raise all out of their graves at the last; and to bring all before his Judgement-seat, and then to

possesse of the Inheritance all that in the day of grace have beleeved on him, and to sentence to a second death, all that throughout the day of grace have rebelled against him, and for those ends hee gave the ransome, and paid the whole debt himself alone, and without requiring it againe, or any part of it of Christ, or any other; God hath given all this over into the hands of Christ, and will not, nei∣ther doth deprive him of any part, nor any other of any part, of that which by the dispensation of Christ, appertaines to them; And all this is already shewn in Chap. 1. in the Reconciliation wrought by Christ with God for men, and the common Salvation extended to men; and in Chap. 2. in the first end of the death of Christ, in the three respects thereof, and in Chap. 3. the second head therof, and in the latter end of the 6. Chapter, in stating the Question, and in Chap. 9.

Now then, that any mercy in patience and bounty is vouchsafed to men; that any means is used, and any motion of Spirit afforded, is the fruit of the Ransome of Christ, to lead to Repentance: That any misery yet, that lies on them, it is from the Wisedome and Ju∣stice of Christ, whose season is not yet come to free them. But that which holdeth any under finne and wrath, and condemnation, and deprives them of the benefit of the Death and Ransome of Christ, is their unbelief: Not simply, because they were sinners, but because by Repentance and faith they come not in to him that hath made Satisfaction for their sinnes. Joh. 3.18.36. and 8.12. and this is Just, and according to Gods mind. Joh. 3.16.

And so to Answer the Objection.

All men were bound by vertue of the grace of God in the Creation, to Love God with all their heart, minde, soule, and strength, and their Neighbours as themselves; and to walke in that love; and the least varia∣tion, or short comming thereof, leaves them under sinne, curse and death, and helplesse; they having no power to fulfill this Law, having lost it in the fall, and so hopelesse. And by vertue of the grace of God in the Re∣demption wrought by Christ, all men are againe farther bound to this former love, and walking in it; and short-comming thereof, leaves them also under sinne, curse and death. Gal. 3.10. And power thereto they yet have none, yet notwithout hope, in that the Propitiation is made by him for them. Joh. 1.29. 1 Joh. 2.2. and hee it filled with Spirit, to send

forth to them, and will enlighten every of them. Psal. 68.18. By vertue of that common Salvation extended to all men by Christ, the doore to re∣pentance and faith is opened, and they in the meanes, and in some sort, by Spirit at one time or other, called to Repentance, and howsoever God seems to winck it their follies till then; yet then hee warneth them to re∣pent, that so repenting, and comming in to beleeve in Christ, they may through him receive remission of sinnes, and be enabled to love God in Christ, and one another, as Christ hath loved them; and to walke in that Faith and Love. Act. 14.17. and 17.30, 31. and for want of this, they remaine under sinne and wrath, and in danger of a Second Death. Joh. 3.17, 18, 19. and this is a new Debt.

Now if Jesus Christ send forth more light and meanes, and strive farther with them, and they be found hardning themselves, and re∣belling against him; It increaseth still their debt, Rom. 2.4, 5. And if he visite with punishments, he is just and Righteous, and there is mercy also in it. Joh. 33.14.23.

And if hee still strive, and they still refuse both instruction and correction, and will not submit and come in to their lawfull Lord, that bought them, and called them: if hee give them up to Sathan and destruction; Is not this just? Joh. 3.19. Jere. 6.16.28, 30. And thus wee find in Scripture, set forth; That

All smarting corrections on Beleevers, are for sinne against Grace, Goodnesse and Spirit, in the means vouchsafed. Levit. 26.11.14.

All heavy judgements on others, for imprisoning the knowne truth in unrighteousnesse. Rom. 1.16, 17. and refusing to be gathered by Christ. Mat. 23.37. the great condemning evills are set downe. Heb. 6.4, 5. and 10.29.

By our Saviours Affirmation. Joh. 3.18, 19. and the Spirits convince∣ments. Joh. 16 8, 11.

Unbelief is the main sinne, and the cause why so many abide un∣der the guilt of sinne, and the cause that sinne hath such Power, and brings forth so many evill fruits in men; and it is the root and nurse of more grievous sinnes that they fall into; and all may be conclu∣ded in one word. Not obeying the Gospel of God: and this is the debt which God requires; and for which men shall suffer in everlasting fire. 2 Thes. 1.8.

So that here is not two payments of one debt, but a new debt, in

spising the Goodnesse of GOD, in the Remedy provided, inclu∣ding the old Debt, in a new manner of guiltinesse, for despising the Remedy; not seeking, nor accepting the Release procured by Christ. Joh. 5.40.

And here is another, even a Second death, when all are rai∣sed out of the first,) even that which was not primely pre∣pared for mankind, but for the Devill and his Angells. Matth. 25.41.

And it is justice with God, to give over all into the hands of his Sonne, who will judge them All, according to the Gospel, in which he was set forth to them; and they would not that he should Reign over them. Joh. 12.48. Rom. 2.16. Luke 19.14, 22, 27. And is not God and Christ just in all this?

Surely, among men this would be understood; If some Subjects had committed Treason against their King, and offered indignity to his Crowne, and had wasted his treasure, and were for this banished from the Court, deprived of their Estates, confined to darke Prison among slaves; and enjoyned to suffer stripes every day; and at a certaine time, to suffer a shamefull and tormenting death: If the Kings soul longed to shew them mercy, and his Justice not per∣mitting; and the Kings Sonne, with his Fathers consent, would un∣dertake for these Traitors, to bring them before the King againe: and should for them lay downe his Crowne, suffer the punishment due to them; and give a sufficient Ransome to the King for them all: that hee may have the Pardon for them all; and have them all released to him, that Hee may bee their Lord, and bring them out of Prison at his Pleasure, and bestow the Inheritance on as many of them as would accept his grace, and willingly come under his Government, and judge the rest: And that hee might have Liberty to ease them of so much of their daily paines in the Prison, and shew them what favours, and use what meanes hee pleased to perswade and allure them to come under his Go∣vernment: And the King professes himselfe to bee fully satisfy∣ed with his Sonnes Ransome, and setts him on his Throne, and gives all this into his hands, and sends word of this new Treaty to the Imprisoned Traytors, and bids them to hear∣ken and submit to his Sonne: And the Kings Sonne begins to

take Order for them; so that the greatest of their daily Tor∣ments and Paines is taken away, many sweet refreshings and Liberties afforded them in the Prison, to winne them to good estimate of the Prince, who sends his Ambassadours amongst them with the Proclamation of the Pardon, and invitation to come in to the Government of the Prince, and Promise, that whosoever so did, should both have the Pardon given him, and be made an Heire with the Prince: If any of these pre∣ferre their Fellowship with the Slaves, and Liberties given them in Prison, before these offers of the Prince, and refuse to come under his gracious Government, And then at the ap∣pointed time, hee call them all out of Prison, and adjudge them a Double Punishment, and a more grievous death then that he delivered them from; and aggravate their Rebellions a∣gainst him; By all the Evills they were found in when hee un∣dertook for them, and all the cost hee was at for them; and all the meanes hee used towards them, and all the Cir∣cumstances of their Rebellion against him: and so judge them to Punishment accordingly; Will any reasonable man say now; That this were injustice now in the King, or the Kings Sonne, or two payments of one debt; I am perswaded not; Though no comparrison can fully set forth, but darkly hint this busi∣nesse; And enough to Answer the Objection, which was directly framed to gain-say the expresse and plaine Sayings of Scripture.

Notes

• * 1.1

  See the Postscript
• * 1.2

  See Post∣script.