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. IX.

Of the Consideration of the joynt mentioning of Creation and Redemption by CHRIST.

IN the mentioning Creation with Redemption, there are two things very observable, that doe also prove the Proposition.

First, the minde and good will of CHRIST to man∣kind, that appeareth in that manner of joynt mentioning them; wherein appeares.

1. His great love and good will to mankind, who were at first made by him, not onely righteous, but in that Nature, and likenesse in Purity also, which himself was to take, And though Adam, had lost himself and all mankind, and all the righteousnesse given, and nothing left, but the very nature and likenesse of his owne Creati∣on, and that defiled also, and subjected to misery and death, in which it must have perished, which might have provoked him to

anger; yet he beholding mankind in this hatefull and lost estate, did so love him, that his pitty and compassion did yearne towards him, and would not suffer him to be lost, or perish in this death and mi∣sery, without helpe: nor to be deprived of all the Creatures made for him, but would worke a Redemption and recovery for him what ever it cost him: And thus in the very beginning of the decla∣ration of the Gospel, and that life which was with God in Christ for men, and now manifested to men, in sending forth his Soune in good will to dye for our sinnes, and having raised him for our Justi∣fication, and filled him with life, 1 Joh. 11.2. and 5.11, 12. Rom. 5.25. Heb. 2.9. Ioh. 1.1, 2. he puts in this at the very beginning, All things were made hy him, and without him was not any thing made that was made, and then he joynes herewith, in him was life, and the life was the light of men. Joh. 1.3, 4. And what can be lesse seen or ac∣knowledged in this manner of Connexion, then 1. That he made all Creatures for man, and man also, so he loved man above all Crea∣tures; yea, though man was fallen, yet for the love he bare him, bee would worke a Redemption, and procure life, and it is in him for mankind. 2. That it is for men, that were made by him; men, as men his Creatures, not a part onely, but the whole. Life is in him for all men made by him, whence All men, and Every man is expres∣sed. vers. 7.9. and the World, vers. 10, 11.

2. Such is his love to mankind, created by him, that for his sake he hath restored, and preserveth for mens use the residue of Crea∣tures that were made for man, and hath prepared a liberty for the Creation to returne to its first purity. Psal. 8. Rom. 8.20. Hebr. 2.6.9. When the Devill, that without a Temptor, of his own will forsook God, and became enemy to him, had by Temptation overthrowne mankind, and got them in captivity for his slaves, mankind then be∣ing under sinne, and wrath, and curse, so as the very truth and justice of the God of Mercy and Peace stood against mankind, and prest for his overthrow in execution of the Curse, the Earth, with all the Creatures that were made to serve Mankind, were a••forfeited and dissol∣ved, so as their purity and service of man was departed: and all turned in enmity against mankind, that was turnedenemy to God: The Angels of heaven having now no liberty or will to doe any service for mankind, and

Sath an ruling and carrying them with him, according to his will; Then was all out of Order before God, and went crosse to his mind, so as he could not rejoyce in his owne workes that he had created and made: But behold so great the love of God and CHRIST to mankind, That be would recon∣cile mankind in his Sonne; And make a Peace for them in and by the blood of his Sonne. And having made that Peace then by his Sonne, that made it to reconcile all things to himself. 2 Cor. 5.19, 20. Joh. 3.17. Psal. 85.10. and 75.3. Rom. 14.14. Mat. 28.20. Joh. 1.7. and 3.16. Hebr. 12.22. Mat. 18.10. In opening the way of life for mankind, setting him in such a state of favour againe, That Mercy and Truth, Righteousnesse and Peace might agree in one for the salvation of Mankind,—That the orea∣tures might againe be restored, preserved, and sanctifyed for the use of men,— and that the Gospel and good tydings of this grace of God might be declared to Mankind, that they might through him beleeve; And that in beleeving, they might have everlasting life: and that such at through his grace beleeve, might be in union and fellowship with him, and each other, and the holy Angels,— And that the Angels may minister to them: These being his Church, of whom Christ is the Head, who have th•• speci∣alty in his love,—And that the Heaven and Earth may be made new for these, that they may therein with Him enjoy the inheritance,—and that Sathan may be wholly overthrowne, and hee, and all that will doe his will, and be of his seed, may be turned into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. Ephes. 4.7.16. 1 Tim. 4.10. Isai. 65.17, 18. Revel. 20.10.14, 15. Jud. 15. And then is all right before God, well-pleasing in his view, and as he would have i••, who will rejoyce in his workes. Revel. 21.5. and all this (in love to mankind, created by him,) hath Jesus Christ undertaken to ••••e; that whosoever (of Mankind) beleeveth on him, may enjoy the benefit of it: And is not all this affirmed in the Gospel, where the Creation and Redemption are mentioned toge∣ther. Col. 1.16.20. where also the same generall words, of All things, are used in mentioning Creation. vers. 16. Reconciliation, vers. 20. and Preservation. verse 17. And what lesse now doth all this iuferre, then thus much, That all Creatures could not content him while Mankind was in a Remedilesse Condition; That all the Mercy shewed to Creatures, is for the love he beareth to mankind; That the Redemption and Peace wrought by Him for Mankind, is as large as his Creation and Preservation of mankind:

That he is able, and stands ready to Call, and in their submission to his Call, to bring them in to God; and what great and un∣speakable love to mankind is this.

3. This his love to mankind, is yet further confirmed by this, that in such joynt mentioning of Creation and Redemption, hee hath set a stampe or seal, and written a Testimony for mankind to read—of a Ransome given, and Redemption wrought for mankind, in that the earth dissolved by sinne, is preserved: and the continuall streams of wrath deserved, are kept off; Christ bearing up the Pillars of the Earth. Psal. 75.2, 3.—of a readinesse to doe them good in commu∣nicating grace to them. Acts. 14.17. —of Power to accomplish sal∣vation in and upon them. Isa. 50.2, 3. —c. of his nigh comming to them, in those workes to lead them to repentance. Rom. 2.4. All which set forth the love of God to mankind. 1 Tit. 3.4. Psal. 19.

Secondly: That Gods being the Creator of man, and mans be∣ing the Creature of God, is used as an Argument,

to induce to faith, to stirre up faith, and to strengthen confidence in God, in times of distresse, and in Prayer, and in holy wa••king. Job. 10.

Thy hands have made me, and fashioned me, &c. verse 8.13. and Chapter 14, 15. Thou wilt have a desire to the worke of thy hands, so Psal. 1.39.16, 17. And commit the keeping of your soules to him, as to a faithfull Crea∣tour. 1 Pet. 4.19. And it is coupled with Redemption in the ground of Confidence: Isai. 43.1. Now mankind having sinned and fallen (by the Devills Temptation, who though fallen, are and were the Creatures of God,) If God had not respected mankind, as his Creature, more then the Angels that fell; if his Sonne had not taken the nature of mankinde, and therein suffered and made satisfaction for the sinne of mankind: and so wrought a Redemption for man∣kind, created by him, that he might save mankind: And this as large as all mankind created by him; what force or strength could be in this Argument, grounded upon his very Creation and workman∣ship. To which also might be added, That Gods Creation of all men by Christ, of which it were Athisme to doubt, sure Paganisme at least, is set out nothing nie so often in the Scripture, in those gene∣rall words, All men, Every man, The world, The whole world; as the death of Christ, as the Runsom and Propitiation, to be the Saviour of All men, 〈◊〉〈◊〉: Let any diligent Reader consider it.