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. VI.

An Assay for right stating the Question.

THIS Question being diversly stated by many, I thinke it meet to mention the same briefly, that it may appear the better, how it is stated here.

1. Some say, JESUS CHRIS dyed for all his Elect, and onely for those that are elect to Sonne-ship, and eternall, Inheritance, and for no other; Not for all m••n, every man, or any man, but the Elect. This is flat against, and openly contradictory to the affirmation of the Scripture, and is that opposed in the whole drift of this Tract.

2. Some say JESUS CHRIST dyed for all men alike, wrought redemption for them all alike, with like love, and like intention, and for like ends. But as this hath no ground in the Scripture, so it is already shewne confuted by it.

3. Some say, JESUS CHRIST dyed for every man, in case every man beleeve on him, and for no man to Salvation, in case every man persist in unbeleife. But this is no Scripture sense, and imperfect to make any sense to goe on with at all; for Christ hath dyed, and given himself a Kansome to God for all men, whether any man beleeve it or no; and hath by his death so purchased all men of God, that hee is become their Lord, and shall judge them, though they should per∣sist in unbeliefe; neither shall they all so persist. Rom. 14.9, 12. 2 Pet. 2.1. Isai. 53.11.

4. Some say, JESUS CHRIST dyed in some sort for all men, and ••o as all doe, receive some good thereby, —he dyed for all as a Lord, but he did not die for all as a Surety, to pay the price for, and become the Propitiation for the sinnes of all. This sense answers

not the Question, which is, not about what good all doe receive from or by the death of Christ, but what good hee hath thereby wrought and procured for all men, that he might have pou•••• and freedome to bestow according to his will, that is one with the Fa∣thers; yet is the Affirmative, in this expressed sense, true; though it be not the whole truth of this businesse: But the negative not onely denieth the remainder of truth, but denies, and unsaith again, even that which was affirmed; for if he did not pay the price, and pur∣chase them, how (according to the Gospel) is he become their Lord? Rom. 14.9. 2 Pet. 2.1. And if he be not the Propitiation for their sinnes, how shall he judge them according to the Gospel, and by it? 2 Cor. 2.10. Rom. 2.16. Joh. 12.47, 48. and if no price be paid, nor Propitiation made for them, but that what ever reprievall patience or mercies they receive, they will but aggravate their condemnation, no doore of Repentance and life being opened in truth for them, to which this patience and bounty might leade them: what good doe they then receive; or rather be they not necessarily more miserable? Rom. 2.4, 5.

5. Some say JESUS CHRIST so dyed for all, that his death is sufficient for all, and applicable to all; but not so as he hath indeed ransomed all men, and become the propitiation for their sinnes: The Affirmative part of this sense is very good, and will stand well: But the Negative both crosseth plain Testimonies of Scripture; and also denieth and unsaith the Affirmative againe; for what sufficiency is there applicable from Christ, or by his Servants, for or to any man, of any thing that Christ hath not first perfectly wrought, and recei∣ved in himself, that he might according to the Gospel, bestow it on them, Psal. 68.18.19, 20.

6. Some say JESUS CHRIST dyed for all men, in re∣spect of the kind or generall lumpe of Mankind considered; because he took the Nature of all mankind, and so dyed for all; But that he did not dye for all in respect of the Individualls: not for every parti∣cular man: But here is a denying in truth of what was equivocally granted; nor is this according to Scripture sense, but very crosse to it, in the negative. Hebr. 2.9.

7. Some say JESUS CHRIST dyed for all men, that they might be saved, and for the Elect, that they should undoubtedly be saved:

This sense I conceive good and true, but I suppose, not full enough to expresse all that is in his death for All men•• you this sense grants.

1. That that was the very minde, will, and intention of Christ and God, that Christ should even so die for All, that they might be saved, Joh. 3.17. and that for that end he came and dyed, and rose. Luk. 9.56. 1 Tim. 1.15.

2. That his death was sufficient for this very end. 1 Tim. 2.4.6.

3. That the death, and so the Ransome of Christ was effectuall with his Father, for the end for which it was given. Matth. 3.17. Hebr. 10.

4. That he hath received of the Father, fulnesse of authority, and spirit to make this grace knowne to them, with such tenders of it, that they might he saved Psal. 68.18.

5. That he will extend light at some-time, in some meanes or o∣ther, so farre to every one, that whosoever perish, their destruction will be of themselves. Ioh. 1.4, 5.9. Hos. 13.9.

All this is necessarily intimated in this sense, though through some want of distinguishing betweene the Redemption that i•• wrought by Christ in himself, through effusion of blood, and that he worketh by his Spirit in men by application of his blood, the sense appeares not full enough in expression.

8. Some say that CHRIST, by shedding his Blood, redeemed the World of Mankind: satisfyed Gods Justice, * 1.1 and obtained a way of Salvation for every Man, (and then adde,) but GOD never intended that the outward, Act, should pre∣sently put every man in Possession of Pardon, or of a state of Justification and Salvation: But the way which he openeth for every one of us to partake of the fruit of our Redemp∣tion, and of his plenary satisfaction; is, by Repentance and Faith to come and lay hold of the Redeemer.

According as I understand, the Question is here in the first Affirmation rightly Stated: The sense true and full; and by the addition: The distinction made between the Salvation that was wrought by CHRIST, in his owne body with GOD for men, and that Salvation, which in application of the former, hee worketh by his Spirit in men, whereby Repentance and Faith is effected. Acts 5.31, 32. and a way and possibility of that also, for every man is at first affirmed in this Affirmation, agree∣ing with the common Salvation before mentioned.

So that JESUS CHRIST hath so dyed, and given himself, a Ransome to GOD for all men, and is become the Propitiation for their sinnes: That in and by himself, hee hath so Redeemed and saved all men, That they are all given into his dispose, and he will raise them all out of the Death hee dyed for them, and set them alive before him, that they shall acknowledge him LORD, and come before his Judgement seat. Rom. 14.9, 12. 1 Cor. 15.21, 22. Phil. 2.8, 11. 2 Cor. 5.19.10.

And he is also so filled with Spirit for them, to make it so known, and with such tendernesse to them, that they might be saved; in which hee will he found Faithfull, so as by him All are made saveable. Psal, 68 18. Joh. 1.4, 5, 9. Isai. 45.21.22.

And thus the Question stated, if it be opened and answered in every particular in it, it will more fully appeare right and true.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Bishop Davenant, Animadversions on a Treatise, intituled, GOD's LOVE to Man-kind. pag. 298.