Universal Redemption of Mankind, Chapter 7 · Argument 20
Arg. 20. A Legis Moſaicae Abrogatione.
If all men (that were any way under it) are freed by the blood of Chriſt, from the Bondage of the Moſaical Law of Ceremonies, then Chriſt died for All ſuch, (and conſequently not only for the Elect:) But the Antecedent is certain. Ergo, &c.
Some Divines ſay, that All the World were thus far ſubject to the Jewiſh Law, that they could not be ſaved without knowing it, and ſubmitting to it in obedience, becauſe God had then no other Church nor ſtabliſhed way of Worſhip. If this be true, then all the World hath a deliverance in the Abrogation of that Law. Others ſay, that it obliged only the Jews and Proſelites; and that others at the remoteſt diſtance ſhould not have been obliged by that Law, if they had known it. If that be ſo, then it was only the Jews and Proſelytes (ſuch as had opportunity to incorporate with them, or joyn to them) that had this deliverence. However, it is evident it was to all the Jews, and ſo to more than the Elect: and then almoſt all the Arguments againſt Univerſal Satisfaction are hereby overthrown, for they are built on this, that Chriſt died only for the Elect.
Here I muſt prove, 1. That Moſes Ceremonial Law is abrogate. 2. That it was done by the ſhedding of Chriſt's Blood for thoſe that were under it. 3. That it is abrogated to All.
1. And for the firſt, it is ſo generally acknowledged, and the Scripture ſo expreſs in it, (ſpecially Act. 15. and all the Epiſtle to the Galatians) that I may ſpare that labour, only ſome doubt whether the Moral Law as part of Moſes Law be abrogate. But as long as we acknowledge. 1. That the ſame Moral Law ſtandeth as it was part of Chriſt's New Law (which moſt confeſs) 2. And alſo as part of the Law of Works or Nature given to Adam (as moſt think) we need not much matter the former; Though I think that all Moſes Law is Abrogated. 1. Becauſe the Matter cannot ſtand as part of that Law when the Form ceaſeth (for with the form, the eſſence and name is gone) and moſt (if not all) confeſs that the form of Moſes Law (as it is ſpecifically diſtinct from the Law of Grace) is abrogated. 2. The Apoſtle expreſly ſaith (2 Cor. 3. 7, 11.) that [The Miniſtration of death, written and engraven in Stones, was glorious (and that was only the Decalogue) ſo that the Children of Iſrael could not ſtedfaſtly behold the Face of Moſes, for the glory of his Countenance, which was to be done away. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious] ſome ſay, it was the Glory and not the Law that was done away, but it was not the glorious which ver. 11. is called glorious, but the Law, from the manner of delivery, and therefore it was not the Glory only, but the Law that is done away.
Obj. But it was only the manner of delivery then that is done away, and not the Law.
Anſw. That was a tranſient act, and ceaſed at the time, and was not done away by Chriſt. The Moral Law therefore as part of Moſes Law is abrogated, becauſe it is impoſſible the matter ſhould remain without the Form, as part of that Compoſitum. But the ſame Moral Law is in force as much as ever, as it is the matter of another Compoſitum, viz. the Law of Chriſt proper to the Goſpel times. The Law is in force ſtill quae fuit materia Legis Moſaicae; ſed non quâ materia Legis Moſaicae. But for this, if any think otherwiſe, I will not contend with them. It ſufficeth to my preſent purpoſe that it is granted that the Law of Ceremonies is abrogated. And that this Law was a burden and bondage is plain; even ſuch as the Church was not able to bear, Act. 15. 10. ſee Gal. 3. 23. & 21. & 4. 21. & 5. 3. &c.
2. And that it was Chriſts dying for men, that freed them from the Law, is proved Gal. 4. 3, 4, 5. When we were Children we were in bondage under the Elements of the World, but when the fulneſs of the time was come, God ſent his Son, made of a Woman, made under the Law, to Redeem them that were under the Law &c. Gal. 3. 13. Chriſt hath Redeemed us from the Curſe of the Law, being made a Curſe for us, Col. 2. 14. Blotting out the hand writing of Ordinances which was againſt us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his Croſs, ſee ver. 20, 21. Epheſ. 2. 13, 14, 15, 16. But now in Chriſt Jeſus, ye who ſometimes were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Chriſt, for he is our peace who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle Wall of Partition between us: having aboliſhed in his Fleſh the enmity, even the Law of Commandments, contained in Ordinances, for to make in himſelf of twain one new man, ſo making Peace. And that he might reconcile both unto God in one Body, by the Croſs, having ſlain the Enmity thereby.
3. And for the 3d. point that Chriſt hath abrogated Moſes Law to all, Elect and Non-Elect without difference, is evident, in that all are forbidden to keep it: And that which is abrogated is abrogate to all, becauſe the Word ſignifieth the total nulling of it, and deſtroying of its Eſſence, and that which is not, doth not bind. 1. Elſe the Non-Elect Jews (at leaſt) ſhould ſtill be bound to offer all the Sacrifices, and uſe all the Ceremonies preſcribed by the Law: But I never yet heard or read any Divine Preaching ſuch Doctrin, and I hope never ſhall do. He that reads, Act. 15. and the Epiſt. to the Gal. and Heb. ſure will not believe it to be true Doctrin, if he underſtand what he readeth. 2. Nay the very curſe is ſo far taken away for all, that it now lyeth not on them as the unremedied curſe of the Law, but is put into the power of the Lord-Redeemer, who hath by the tenour of his Teſtament or New Law, taken it away from all Men, on condition they will accept him: And this may be ſaid alſo of the Law of Works as given to Adam; So that he that ſaith, Chriſt died only for the Elect, muſt needs ſay, (I think, if he will not contradict himſelf) that all the Non Elect muſt turn Jews, and be circumciſed, and keep all the Law of Moſes: And conſequently that all the Elect themſelves muſt do ſo, till God aſſure them that they are Elect and ſo that Chriſt died for them, Becauſe they cannot avoid the duty upon a ground that is wholly to them unknown.