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 hath been fully answered before; yet because it remaines as a Doubt in some, it shall be Particularly, with what is before said.

Ephes. 2.8. For by grace y•••• are five••••, Through•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉; and thee not of your selves, it is the gift of God: In these words there is a cleer distinction between the grace by which wee are saved, and the Faith through which wee are saved: And also here is a double affirmation; One intimate; and by the conjunction, necessarily implyed. Viz. That the grace by which we are saved, is the Gift of God: The other ex∣presse, Ʋiz. That the Faith through which we are saved, is also the Gift of God, againe, The saving here affirmed of, is to be minded, both in respect of that from which wee are saved; and also in respect of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Salvation it self.

It hath been before shewne how the Scripture distinctly setteth forth;

First, a Reconciliation, Redemption, and Salvation, which Iesus Christ by himself, in his owne body wrought with God for men; (which was for all Men.)

And secondly; a Reconciliation, Redemption, and Salvation, which by his Spirit, in applying the former; hee worketh in men to God, (which though offered in some sort to All,) yet received only by beleevers; as is shewne, Chap. 1. which double Reconciliation and Redemption, is suit∣able to the double enmity against God, and the misery that mankind was fallen into.

First, through mans falling into sinne, there was enmity, in the very condition of all Mankind; which stood crosse to God; to keep him from comming in to men; and extending Mercy and Peace to them. Isa. 59.1, 2.

Secondly, through mans falling into sinne, there is an enmity in the very nature of all mankind, which rules in the hearts, and dif∣fuseth it self through all the Powers of soul and body; filling the man with aversenesse to God, and so keepeth a man from sub∣mitting and comming in to God for Mercy and Peace. Rom. 3.10.18.

God might, if it had so pleased him; have throwne mankind for sinne, into destruction, with the Devills, and their Angels, that first sinned; and then drew mankind into finne; but hee had more love to mankind; and being full of Pitty and Compassion towards men, he was ready to shew Mercy, and extend peace to mankind; But man being fallen into sinne, and sinning; the Truth of God prest for man to die, and his Justice for man to suffer Curse, and if without impo∣sing this death and curse; mercy should be shewne, and Peace exten∣ded to men: it would blemish the truth and Justice of God, and so be against him. Psal. 5.4, 5. Such was the condition of mankind, and so filled with enmity against God: for remedying whereof, JESUS CHRIST by his Fathers appointment, became man, a Publick Person, in the room of All; and so died for our sinnes, and rose for our Justification, and offered himself a Ransome and Propitiatory Sacrifice to God for All men: So as in him the sinner hath dyed, and the Curse is suffered; and so Mercy and Truth are mett, Psal. 85.10, 11. having

slaine the Enmity (which was in the condition of Mankind,) Ephes. 2.16. and made Peace through the blood of his Crosse. Coll. 1.20. which is intimated also. Ephes. 2.5. By grace yee are saved: and yet there is another Reconciliation for Christ to worke. Coll. 1.20.

For notwithstanding this Reconciliation wrought by Christ for men; yet there is an enmity in the nature of men still, they being by nature dead in Trespasses and sinnes. Ephes. 2.1, 2, 3. alienated from, and enemies to God in their mindes, by wicked workes. Col. 1.21. all out of the way, &c. Rom. 3.10, 19. Such is the nature of mankind.

For remedying whereof, God hath exalted JESUS CHRIST, and filled him with Spirit to send forth in the Declaration of the former Reconciliation and Peace made by him, thereby to convince, and subdue the Rebellious, and to worke repentance and faith in the subdued; through which faith they receive this Salvation. Psal. 68.18.20. Act. 5.30, 31, 32. as is before shewne, Chap. 1. & 2. & 3. & 4. and so they are saved both from the enmity in their Condition, by the grace of God in Christ, and from the enmity in their nature, by the same grace, through faith wrought in their hearts; whereby they beleeve this grace, and there∣through depend on him; and so receive remission of sinnes, and life, and the beginnings of Salvation from Jesus Christ.

And thus also there appeares a threefold salvation of the worke∣ing of Jesus Christ.

1. A Salvation, which is altogether without man, wrought by Jesus Christ himself, in his owne body, with God for men, whereby the enmity in mens condition is slaine; and so a way of Salvation opened for every man. 1. Tim. 2.4, 6. Heb. 2.9.

2. A salvation which is in the hearts and soules of men; discovering it self in some fruits in their mortall bodies, which Jesus Christ worketh by his spirit; making knowne, and applying the former; enabling men to beleeve; and therethrough reconciling their hearts and Powers to God, so slaying the enmity in Nature. 2 Cor. 5.18, 19, 20, 21. Colloss. 1.20, 21, 22.

3. A totall, compleat, and Perfect Salvation, both of soul and body, made glorious; for which the Beleevers doe yet waite. Ro. 8.23. Phil. 3.20, 21.

And of the second of these, it plainly appeares to be meant. Ephes. 2.8.

So that by Scripture it appeares, and in this Ephes. 2. also, That the comming of Jesus Christ into the World, and the Propitiation made by him, for the sinnes of the World, is the grace of God, and his gift. Joh. 4.10. Ephes. 2.12, 13.

The Patience and bounty of God procured hereby; and wit∣nessing his mercy, and leading to Repentance, is the grace of God, and his gift through grace also. Mat. 5.45.48. Act. 14.17. Rom. 2.4. Eph. 2.1.4.7.

The Declaration of the Gospel is also the grace of God, and his gift through grace. Luk. 1.77.79. Joh. 1.7. Eph. 2.17. The sending forth of Spirit in the Gospel, to convince and turne men in to Christ, is also the grace of God, and his gift through grace, whether men turne at his reproof, Yea, or no. Prov. 1.23. Joh. 1.4, 5, 9. Ephes. 2.17.

The subduing of the heart, and bringing it in to beleeve; is also the grace of God, and his gift through grace; of which meant. Ephes. 2.8. Phillip. ••. 29. 1 Pet. 1.21, 22. And the establish∣ing a man in the faith; is also the grace of God, and his gift through grace. 2 Cor. 1.21, 22. Ephes. 2.18, &. Now God hath sent his Sonne into the World, to be the Saviour of the World; and Christ hath given himself a Ransome for All men, whether men beleeve or not, Christ at one time or other enlightneth, and so tendereth convincements and Calls to everyone that commeth into the World, whether they submit to it or no. Prov. 1.23. and 4.45. Joh. 1.4, 5, 9. And thus doth God in the meanes; and by his Spirit, that is able to worke it, offer to give, and tender the working of faith in men at one time or other. Rom. 2.4. Act. 17.30, 31. Gen. 6.3. Mat. 23.37. which is an admonition to all: to seek faith of God in the meanes; to yeeld to his Spirit, when hee is about to work it; To give him the glory, when it is wrought; but no cause at all from hence to raise a doubt of the extent of the Ransome, which is in the grace it self, that faith receiveth, and so in∣timate. vers. 1.4, 5, 7, 12, 17.