A Practical Discourse of Gods Sovereignty, Part 4

A Practical Discourse of Gods Sovereignty · Part 4

p. 107OF REDEMPTION.

IN this Point we are equally concern'd with that of Election, as the Great Comprehenſive Means of bringing-about the Greateſt End, viz. the Glory of God in the Salvation of His Choſen.

That our Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath a Body or Church, to whom He is Head and Saviour; is not ſuppoſed a Queſtion. But, Who they are that do make-up this Body; Whether the Whole of Mankind univerſally, or Some particular Perſons: Whether He had in His death the ſame reſpect to All as to Some: And whether Any of thoſe he died for, may miſs of the benefits accruing by His death; are queſtions of great Import, and worthy a ſerious deliberation: To Reſolve which, is the ſcope of the preſent Diſcourſe; The Subſtance whereof is in three Poſitions.

I. That the Body or Church of Chriſt conſiſts of Elect Perſons.

II. That for Theſe it was that He laid down His life.

III. That the intent of His death cannot be fruſtrate.

For the [I] of Theſe.

By this [Body or Church] of Chriſt, I underſtand the Deſigned Subjects of his Spiritual Kingdom, or Members of His Myſtical Body, to whom He was appointed by the Father to be Head and Saviour; and They to ſtand related to Him as their Prophet, Prieſt, and King: Which threefold office He bears peculi…rly towards the Elect, The Church of the Firſt-born, and heirs of the World to come. And of Theſe doth His Body conſiſt: i. e. It is made-up of Theſe excluſive to Others; Their number is certain and intire, and cannot be broken, either by Addition or Diminution. Of this, the Tabernacle was a figure, 1. In reſpect p. 108of its Symmetry or Proportion of parts; which induced a ſingular beauty upon it; Towards which, Nothing could be added, nor any thing abated. 2. In that all the parts and Dimenſions thereof were predetermined of God; and not left, in the leaſt, to humane Arbitrement or Contingency: And theſe are expreſly ſaid to be Patterns of things in the Heavens; Heb. 9. 23. ch 12. 23.Heb 9:23that is, Of the Heavenly Temple, or Church of the Firſt-born which are written There.

This Coucluſion is drawn from ſueh premiſes as theſe;

1. In that our Lord and Saviour ſo manifeſtly ſhews Himſelf concern'd for the Elect, as having ſome peculiar Intereſt and Propriety in them, and charge of them. With Theſe his delights were from Everlaſting; Prov. 8. And as ſoon as they were actually in being, He began His actual Converſes with them: and therein did even confine Himſelf to the Elect Seed. With what unbelievable Patience and Goodneſs did He ſuperintend the Church or Elect Nation,A…ts 7. 46, 48. fourty years together in the Wilderneſs! bearing them as on Eagles wings, and tendring them as the Apple of His eye! And when he dwelt upon Earth, He went not beyond the bounds of the Holy Land; where alſo all His delight was among the Saints. Pſ. 16. 3.Ps 16:3Theſe He made his Conſorts, and Men of His Councel. And when ye find Him with others, it was for the Elect's ſake that were among them. How frequently, and with what well-pleaſedneſs doth He ſpeak of Theſe! Profeſſing His love to them, and that according to the higheſt patern, John 15. 9. As the Father bath loved Me, ſo have I loved you. And how great things He would do for them; Not to the Halfing of His Kingdom,Joh. 10. 15, 16. ch 6. 40.John 10:15John 10:16 but the laying down of His life for them; Gathering them in, Raiſing them up, and giving them to ſit with Him in His Throne.Rev. 3. 21.Rev 3:21 But, for the World, He takes litle notice of them, except with a kind of contempt and comination; Let them alone: Shake off the duſt off your feet: Joh. 7. 34.John 7:34Give not that which is holy unto dogs: &c. Yea, though they ſeek Him, they ſhall not find Him:Iſa. 65. 1.Isa 65:1 But for His Elect, He is found of them, even whiles p. 109they think not of Him: The Inſtances of Matthew, the Woman of Samaria, the poſſeſſed Gadaren, His People at Corinth,—are Records of it. And all this, becauſe Theſe are His Portion, and the lot of His Inheritance; Deut. 32. 9, 10. As Chriſt our Head is not of this World; ſo neither is his Kingdom, nor the Subjects of it.

It is true, The Father hath given Chriſt to be Head over All: But, His Headſhip over Men in general, and His Headſhip over the Church, have a far different reſpect and conſideration: He is God of the whole Earth, but Jeſhurun's God in a way peculiar to His Choſen: Deut. 33. 26. Iſa. 44. 2. An Headſhip of Dominion He hath over Rebels; And ſervice He hath from them, (though they think not ſo, nor intend any thing leſs:) Nebuchadnezzar was His hired Days-man againſt Tyre, Ezek. 29. 18. Iſa. 45. 1. Pſ. 60. 8.Ezek 29:18Isa 45:1Ps 60:8and Cyrus againſt Babylon; whoſe right hand He held, though they knew Him not: So, Moab was his Waſhpot: But, for the Elect, they are His natural Subjects; (though not naturally ſo:) They are His by another title, and to another End: and ſo intimate is the Relation between Him and Them, that they are ſaid to be Of His fleſh, Eph. 5. 30.Eph 5:30and of His bones: They both have one Soul and Spirit; He and They make one perfect Man.ch. 4. 13.

That the whole World is put in ſubjection to Chriſt, is for the Elect's ſake; the power He hath over others, is in order to their Salvation;Eph. 1. 22.Eph 1:22 He is Head over all things to the [Church] that is, To Subject, Diſpoſe, and Order all for the Church's good; As in the ſeventeenth of John, He is ſaid to have power over all fleſh, that He might give eternal life (not to all He hath power over, but) to as many as the Father had given Him: Which [Giving] imports [Election] as going afore it: And therefore He ſays in v. 6. I have manifeſted thy name to the Men which Thou gaveſt me out of the World: Thine they were, (that is, by Election) and Thou gaveſt them Me: It may be ſaid of them, as in Heb. 10. 5. A Body haſt thou prepared Me; which, though chiefly intended there of His humane Natute, as true it is of His Body Myſtical;Pſ. 139. 16.Ps 139:16 All the Members of which were written in God's p. 110book (of Election) when as yet there was none of them. He therefore prays for Theſe as a party diſtinct from the World, and Given to him for an higher End; as appears by comparing the 2, 6, 9, 21, 24, 26, verſes of that 17 John.

II. We find, That [Church] and [Elect] are but two ſeveral Titles of the ſame perſons, in a ſeveral reſpect: [Elect] as Choſen of God to Salvation; and ſo, they are called The Church of [God,] and ſaid to be Sanctified by God the Father, Jude v. 1. And the Church of [Chriſt] as given or committed to Him by the Father in order to that Salvation, John 17. 6. It was this Church to whom the Apoſtles inſcribed their Epiſtles, where we find them ſometimes intit'led [Beloved of God] Rom. 1. 7. Sometimes, The Church of God, and Sanctified in Chriſt; 1 Cor. 1. 2. At other times, Saints and Faithful Brethren in Chriſt; Col. 1. 2. Then, Churches of the Saints, 1 Cor. 14. 33. And Church of the Firſt-born, Heb. 12. 23. And ſometime, expreſly [Elect] 1 Pet. 1. 2. By all which is ſignified, That the Church of Chriſt conſiſts of Elect perſons: That theſe various Appellations, are but ſo many terms indifferently uſed about the ſame Subject; and All as Notes of diſtinction from the World.

When Chriſt ſhall appear in His Glory, then ſhall His Members be gathered to Him; Zach. 14. 5. The Lord my God ſhall come, and [all the Saints] with thee. And Paul (diſeourſing the ſame thing) ſays, They that are Chriſt's at His coming; 1 Cor. 15. 23. which ſhews, That they are Chriſt's ſo as Others are not. And that it is meant of Elect perſons, appears by our Saviour's own words, when ſpeaking of that His Coming, and of the ſame Perſons who are ſaid to be His, and to come with Him, He gives them expreſly That Denomination, He ſhall ſend forth His Angels, and they ſhall gather together His [Elect] Mat. 24. 33. But, as for the Reſt of the Dead, they lived not again till a Thouſand years after; Rev. 20. 5. Therefore, theſe [Reſt] were no part of This Body. It may alſo be noted, That thoſe who did not Riſe with the Saints, are ſpecified here by the ſame Word or Note of diſtinction, as Thoſe p. 111Not-Elected are in Rom. 11. The Election hath obtained, and the [Reſt] were blinded; v. 7. And that Thoſe who had part in the firſt Reſurrection, are the ſame perſons that are written in the Lamb's book of life, is evident, by comparing Rev. 20. 4. with chap. 13. 8.

III. It was of Neceſſity, that the Body or Church of Chriſt ſhould be compoſed of the Elect Seed;

1. Becauſe none elſe were fit to be of this Body, but ſuch as ſhould be like the Head of it. Carnal Members would be as uncomely to a Spiritual Head, as one of the Brutes to be Adam's companion. The King's Daughterelect (to make her a ſuitable match for his Son) muſt be all-glorious within: Not only of the ſame outward metal, (for ſo were thoſe other Creatures with Adam) but made in the ſame Mould, and indued with the ſame Spirit and Underſtanding: There muſt be a congruity in all the parts throughout: They muſt be copies of Him; each one reſembling the Children of a King:Judg. 8. 18.Judg 8:18 If the Head be Heavenly, ſo muſt the Members: They cannot walk together, if not thus agreed.

2. This likeneſs to Chriſt is proper to the Elect: It's a Royal priviledge intailed upon them, and cannot deſcend or Revert to any out of that line. That this likeneſs to Chriſt is requiſite to all His Members, and alſo peculiar to Elect Perſons, are both atteſted in Rom. 8. 29. Whom He did fore know, He alſo did Predeſtinate to be conformed to the Image of His Son; that He might be the Firſt-born among many Brethren: Which implies, that the Fore-known (or Elect) only are predeſtinate thereto; and, that were it not for Predeſtination, the Firſt-born ſhould have but a thin Aſſembly to Preſide amongſt: (indeed, nothing but blanks for His great adventure and long expectation.) In Eph. 1. 3, 4, 5. he further appropriates thoſe Spiritual bleſſings (by which Men are conformed to Chriſt) to the ſame perſons; Bleſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who hath bleſſed us with all ſpiritual bleſſings in heavenly things in Chriſt; [According as He hath Choſen] us in Him:—Having Predeſtinated us to the Adoption of Children, p. 112&c. By theſe two Scriptures it appears, that God's Children and Chriſt's Brethren are the ſame perſons; and that they were made ſo by Election. But, are Chriſt's Brethren and His Church the ſame Perſons? Take your ſolution from Hebr. 2. 12. I will declare thy Name unto my [Brethren] In the midſt of the [Church] will I ſing praiſe unto Thee.

3. This likeneſs to Chriſt is not attainable by any without firſt being in Him as their Head; For which cauſe the Elect were Choſen in Him. Eph. 1. 4.Eph 1:4It is out of Chriſt's fulneſs that all Grace is received: and in order to that Reception, there muſt be Ʋnion. The branch cannot bear fruit of it ſelf,Joh. 15.John 15 (nor indeed be a branch) unleſs it grow out of the Vine. For which cauſe and end, the deſigned Members of His Body were ſeperated from their wild Olive root, and put into Chriſt by Election: And hereby they are made partakers of the fatneſs of that Heavenly Root; (i. e. of the Spirit of Chriſt, which is called the Anointing, in 1 Joh. 2. 27.) In this reſpect the Firſt and Second Adams are ſet-forth as paralels touching headſhip to their reſpective Bodies. As from Adam their natural Head, all Mankind have derived their natural being; So from Chriſt their Spiritual Head, do all the Elect Seed receive their Spiritual being and Nature. On which account he is ſtiled The everlaſting Father, and They His Children; Iſa. 9. 6. Heb. 2. 13. They were all in Chriſt from Eternity, in as juſt (but ſpiritual) a Reality, as Mankind in Adam, or Levi in Abraham's loyns when Melchiſedee met him. Eve's production (as to the manner of it) was paternal of this: She was made of Adam's ſubſtance, but ſhe came not out of his loyns, but out of his Side: So is the New Creature extracted out of Chriſt's; They are bone of His bones, and fleſh of his fleſh; Gen. 2. 21-23.Gen 2:21–23(ſpiritually underſtood.) And none can thus proceed from Him, but ſuch as were in Him Decretively by Election: Men are bleſſed with theſe ſpiritual bleſſings, as being in Chriſt, and not otherwiſe: Eph. 1. 4. Tit. 3. 5, 6.

p. 113Inferences.

I.Infer. 1. We gather hence the honourable and ſafe eſtate of the Church, which hath the Son of God to be Head and Saviour of it!

II.Infer. 2. Let no Man pretend to this honourable Relation, without ſomething to ſhew for it; by which he may avouch his Memberſhip to Chriſt. The currenteſt mark and …vidence whereof, will be your conformity, not to Men or Self; but to Chriſt Jeſus your Head: It is that muſt denominate you Chriſtians indeed. At latter day Chriſt will know None, but who have made their Robes white in the blood of the Lamb. All Hang-by's and Ivy-claſpers will then be ſhook off, and no One retain'd but ſuch as have His ſubſtance in them. Many ſhall come and plead their works, What they have been, and what they have done; and their old hypocriſie will be ſo Immovable and Impudent, that they l even expoſtulate the matter with Him,Mat. 7. 22.Matt 7:22 Have not we Prophecied in thy Name? and in thy Name caſt out Devils? and done many wonderful works? &c. Of whom our Lord will profeſs,ver. 23. That He knows them not; No, nor Never knew them: He knows His own by their likeneſs to Him; He knows, and cannot but know, the Members of His Body; My ſheep I know, but who are ye? will He then ſay to all that are but profeſſing Members of Him: Which will be, indeed, a Doleful concluſion of their groundleſs (though ſpecious) Confidence! Look to it therefore in time.

III.Infer. 3. Let thoſe who are really of this Body, bear themſelves worthily, both towards their Head and FellowMembers: And let That be your badge of diſtinction from Chriſtians meerly Nominal.

1. Own the Supremacy of your Head, by giving Him the Preheminence in all things: Call no Man on Earth Maſter, (i. e. In point of Faith:) Give unto Caeſar all that belongs to him; yet ſo, as ſtill to have reſpect unto Chriſt as the Supreme Law giver.

2. Submit to His Government; Steer your courſe by His Councels, and follow His Conduct: Go after Him p. 114wherever He ſhall lead you: Let all your ſenſ…s have their Seat in your Head: Let every thing be underſtood by you, according to His ſenſe and interpretation of it.

3. Expoſe your ſelf for Him; Stand between Him and Wrongs; Preſerve His honour and Intereſt with the utmoſt hazard of your ſelf: Let life and death be as things indifferent to you, ſo as Chriſt may be Magnified in you; Phil. 1. 20.

4. Look to this your Head for ſupply of all Grace: From His fulneſs it is to be had, and No where elſe. Therefore, Hold to your Head, leſt Notions beguile you of your Reward, Col. 2. v. 18, 19. Be ſure, withall, that you keep to your Place and Duty, leſt you miſs of the Nouriſhment that belongs to you: A Member out of its place, is (for the time) as a Member cut off.Joh. 154, 5.

5. Adorn your Head by a conſtant Reaching at perfect Conformity to Him; Shew forth His virtues; Be holy as He was; Let all your fruits be ſuch as are meet for ſuch a Root. God the Father is the Head of Chriſt; and ye know, that He bore the expreſs Image of His Perſon, in all that He did: He could do Nothing but what He ſaw the Father do: So do you by your Head Chriſt; Make Him your Example: And in order thereto, live upon Him as your immediate Root; and give Him the honour of His own productions.

Then Carry it towards your Brethren as Members of the ſame Body.

1. Uſurp not upon them, as if more than a fellow-member with them. Judge not the Strong, Nor deſpiſe the Weak: Who made thee a Judge? There's none but hath need of forbearance from others; and the leſs you ſee your need, the more need you have of it.

2. Intrude not into Anothers place and office: Each Member hath its own, to which it is fi…ted: This it beſt becomes, and here it will be moſt uſeful; Elſewhere it would be both uſeleſs, and a deformity; as a finger, or other Member, if tranſpoſed and out of its own joynt.

3. Shew your Co-memberſhip by your love and tender p. 115regard towards others:Heb. 5. 2.Heb 5:2 Have compaſſion on the Ignorant, and thoſe out of the way (as your Head towards you.) If One be weak or Wounded, let him that is Strong and Whole, ſupport and bind it up: If one foot ſtumble, let the other ſtep in for its help:Gal. 6. 1.Gal 6:1 Conſider thy ſelf, leſt thou alſo be tempted. Members of the ſame Natural body, need no Arguments to perſwade to this duty; they do it by Inſtinct: And the want of Compaſſionateneſs in us towards others, (though it ſhall not dry up, yet) may much reſtrain, at leaſt in our apprehenſion, the Springs of Chriſt's pity towards our Selves.

4. Let the good of the whole have the preference before a particular part; And let That of a lower uſe deny it ſelf for the ſafety and aſſiſtance of That which is more Noble: This (in a degree) is to lay down our life for the Brethren. He that in theſe things ſerveth Chriſt, is acceptable to God, and approved of Men; and a good evidence it is of your Memberſhip to Chriſt.

IV. Let every One that is of this Body,Infer. 4. be well apaid with his Lot; Be glad and Rejoyce for ever in this your Portion.James 1. 9.Jas 1:9 This is the Exaltation the brother of low degree ſhould value himſelf by. Whatever your Rank or condition may be in the World, Reſt contented with your place, and be thankful for it: Deſire not (your ſelf) to change it; But ſtrive to fill it up, and be as uſeful in it as you can. Look alſo for Troubles, and think them not ſtrange: The Captain of your Salvation was made perfect through ſufferings; and the ſervant may not look to fare better than his Lord.Heb 3. 10.Heb 3:10

V. If Jeſus Chriſt be your Head,Infer. 5. Be confident then of all Love, Councel, Care, and Protection from Him: Union with Him intitles to All He hath. It is Natural to the head, to love, and to Cheriſh the Body, and every Member of it: To Contrive and Caſt-about for its welfare and ſafety: As a Man cheriſheth his own fleſh, ſo doth Chriſt His Church, Eph. 5. 29. What though be, in thy ſelf, an uncomely Member?1 Cor. 12. 23.1 Cor 12:23 He will put the more Comelineſs upon thee; He will cloath thee, and Feed thee, and Phyſick thee: p. 116He will give Grace and Glory, and No good thing will He with-hold from thee:Pſ. 84. vlt.Ps 84 For, He being the Firſt born, Prince and Head of the family, all the younger Brethen are to be Maintained upon His Inheritance.

VI. Reſt alſo aſſured of ſafe Conduct to the Promiſed land.Infer. 6. Adverſaries and difficulties you will certainly meet with: Remaining Corruptions (like the mix'd multitude) will be tumultuating and tempting within; The Amalel…ites and People of His wr…th will ſtand in your way without, Or be falling on your Rear, to Cut-off the weak and feeble; And the Serpent will yet be Nibling and bruiſing your heel: But higher than that he cannot touch; your heart and your head are out of his Reach, and therefore you are ſafe; yea this Serpent himſelf ſhall be bruiſed under your feet ſhortly-Come (will your Captain ſay to you) Come,Rom. 16. 20.Rom 16:20 ſet your feet on the Neck of this King of pride,I…ſh 10. 24. Rev. 18 6.Rev 18:6 and do by him as he hath done by others, and would have done alſo by you: Give him double according to his works. This is the time when ye ſhall Judge Angels;Cor. 6. 3. And all under the Conduct of this your Head and Captain; Who will Now preſent you to His Father even before the preſence of His Glory,Jude. ver. 24. with exceeding Joy!

[II] That Chriſt gave Himſelf a Ranſom for the Elect: Or. The Redemption wrought by Jeſus Chriſt, was peculiarly deſigned for Elect Perſons.

The Moſt High, who divided to the Nations their Inheritance, He gave the Elect to Chriſt, as His portion: And though Satan (through their ill husbandry in Adam) hath got a temporary Mortgage upon them; yet the Fee-ſimple, or Right of Inheritance, remains in Chriſt: and therefore, at the year of Jubilee (that is, in the time appointed by the Father) they return to Him as the Right heir, though not without both Conqueſt and full Price.

By [Chriſt's giving Himſelf a Ranſom] I underſtand the whole of His humiliation; What ever He Did or Suffered, p. 117as M…diat…r, from His Incarnation to His Reſurrection: All which are Summarily expreſs'd by [the bloud of his croſs;] as all the preci…us fruits of His death,Eph. 1. 7. Coll. 1. 11.Eph 1:7 are by [Forgiveneſs of Sins] This was the price wherewith He bought them that ſhould be Saved. Election is the Original Patern; according to which, the line and compaſs of Redemption is to be meaſured: The S…n can do nothing, but what He ſees the Father do, Joh. 5. 19.

To make Redemption larger than Electing love, is to Overlay the Foundation; and what is ſo built, will ſurely ſuffer loſs: It therefore behoves us to ſee, That we ſeperate not what God hath conjoyn'd, either by ſtretching or ſtreightning the Bounds He hath ſet. The Jews were opinion'd, That the Promiſe of the Meſſiah belong'd only to Them, excluſive to the Gentiles: Others ſince, would extend it to all the Sons of Men univerſally and alike; (Not conſidering the Reaſon why the Promiſe was made to the Woman's feed, and not to Adam's.) But the Meſſiah Himſelf, who beſt knew the End of His Coming, and Line of the Promiſe; exempteth none; but extends it to all Nations indifferently: Yet ſo,Iſa. 53. 10.Isa 53:10 as that He Reſtrains it to the Elect among them. Theſe are called His Seed, and the Travel of His Soul; with reſpect to whom, He ſhould make His Soul an Offering for Sin. Theſe alſo He terms His Sheep, and Himſelf the Good Shepheard, (as well He might) Whoſe own the Sheep are, and for whom He dy'd; Joh. 10. 15, I lay down my life f…x the Sheep. And that He might not be taken to in tend Thoſe only of the Jewiſh Nation, He preſently adds And other Sheep I have, which are not of this Fold, them alſo muſt I bring: And the Evangeliſt ſayes, in Chap. 11. That He ſhould not die for that Nation only, but for the Children of God which are ſcattered abroad; This …e expreſſes by [Gathering together] which was the effect of his death, according to Epheſ. 2. 13. Where they are ſaid to be made nigh by the blood of Chriſt; and that He Reconciled both (i. e. Jews and Gentiles, or The Elect ſcattered among both) unto God, in one body by the Croſs; according to the Father's Compact made with Him, and Recorded in Iſa. 49. 6. It alſo appears p. 118by Iſa. 53. that they were [Sheep] whoſe iniquities were laid upon Chriſt, ver. 6. And again ver. 8, For the tranſgreſſion of [my People] was He ſtricken: (Where note, That we do not find any party of Men termed Sheep, the People of God, and His Children, in diſtinction from Others, but with reſpect to ſome peculiar Intereſt He hath in them above others: And what that Intereſt may be, excepting Election, doth not appear to us; For thoſe other Sheep were not yet Called, and therefore not yet Believers, and Sheep on that accompt; but as they were of Gods Elect.

For though All Men were loſt, Chriſt was not ſent but to the loſt Sheep of the [Houſe of Iſrael] that is, Thoſe Perſons of the loſt and periſhing world, whom God had choſen for His Peculiars, as He did the Houſe of Iſrael from among the Nations; and who in that reſpect, were a ſpecial type of the Spiritual Election. And on this account, the Promiſes of the New Covenant were made to the Church under ſuch Names and Titles as were proper to that People as diſtinguiſhed from other Nations.

In Iſa. 62. We find [Holy] and [Redeemed] applied to the ſame perſons: Whether it be meant of Elective Holineſs or Actual, it comes to One; For, both of them, together with Redemption, do refer to the ſame Subject: For, as Actual Sanctification is the Fruit and Conſequent of Redemption; ſo, Election is the Root of them both; as ye have it in 1 Pet. 1. 2. Elect unto obedience and ſprinkling of the blood of Jeſus Chriſt. To be Holy, is to be ſacred, ſelected, and ſet apart for holy uſes, by appointment of God: And they were Actually ſanctified by the ſprinkling of blood: He…. 9. 19. 23.In both which reſpects, the People of Iſrael, the Tabernacle, Temple, Prieſts, Altars, &c. are all ſaid to be Holy.

In Luke 1. 72. God's ſending of Chriſt is ſaid to be, In performance of His Holy Covenant; Gen. 3 15.Gen 3:15which was firſt proclam'd in Paradiſe, as made with the Womans Seed; and afterwards renewed with Abraham; Gen. 12. 3.Gen 12:3and is therefore term'd, The Mer…y promiſed to Abraham and to His Seed: And who are Abraham's Seed? Not the World, but Believers; that is, The Elect: For, Theſe onelyonly obtain Faith, Rom. 11. 7. And p. 119Gal. 3. 29. Saith plainly, If ye be Chriſt's, then are ye Abraham's Seed: and Rom. 9. 8.

In Tit. 2. we read, That it was a Peculiar People, that Chriſt gave Himſelf for and purchaſed; i. e. A People peculiarly His Own: It denotes ſome ſpecial propriety He hath in Them above Others: and ſo, a ſpecial Cauſe for His giving Himſelf for them. We alſo find, That [Peculiar and Purchaſed] are ſo nearly allied, that one word is uſed to ſignifie both; 1 Pet. 2. 9.

According with this; is that in the 1 Pet. 1. 20, where Chriſt is ſaid to be Manifeſted for thoſe He writes that Epiſtle to: That they were perſons Elected, is evident by the 1. …nd 2. ver. And Elect unto the ſprinkling of His blood: And as they were Elected to it, ſo in the 17. John, He profeſſes to make it good,ver. 19. ver. 11, 15. For their ſakes (ſayes Chriſt) I ſanctifie my ſelf; and twice in the 10. John, That, He laid down His life for the Sheep; Which is perfectly excluſive of others, as where He ſaith, My Righteouſneſs extendeth unto the Saints; and he that believeth ſhall be Saved; that is, Such, and None elſe.

It alſo appears from Acts 20. 28. That it was the [Church] of God, that He purchaſed with His own blood. Now, the Church and the World, are plainly diſtinct, as a Garden incloſed is from the Common Fields. That the Church conſiſts of Elect perſons, is proved afore; and that it was the Church He dyed for, is proved by this Scripture; As alſo, from Eph; 5. 25, Where Husbands are required to love their Wives, as Chriſt loved the Church, and [gave Himſelf for it:] which ſhews, That as the Husband's love to his Wife, is another kind of love, than what he bears to others of the ſame Sex; So is Chriſt's love to His Church; and therefore, His death, which was the ſpecial effect of that His love, is peculiar to the Church only.

In Revel. 5. we Read that the Elders ſing a New Song to the Lamb, becauſe He Redeemed them to God by His blood, ver. 9. Among other Reaſons for that Stile of Elders, this may be one, That they were Choſen from the dayes of old; (For, their Names where written in His book of life from p. 120t…e foundation of the World, Rev. 1…. 8.) They are alſo ſaid to be Redeemed [out of] every Kindred, and tongue, and People and Nation; which Rationally implies, That the Bulk of thoſe People and Nations were not Redeemed with them. And again in the 1…. Ch. A certain Number are ſaid to be Redeemed [from the Earth] and [from among Men:] If Some from among Others, It follows of courſe, That thoſe Others were exempted. (Here note by the way, That theſe Elders were now in Heaven, above the Clouds of miſconception and prejudic'd Opinion; and therefore, no Reaſon to miſdoubt their teſtimony.) And further, Theſe Redeemed Ones are there alſo ſtiled, The Firſt Fruits unto God and to the Lamb; which appellation inſinuates, That they were ſeperated from the Reſt, as the Firſt Fruits under the Law were, by God Himſelf, Who took them for His Own portion, Numb. 2. 13. and Chap. 8. 16. They are likewiſe ſaid, To have the Father's name written in their Foreheads, Rev. 14. 1. (Election marked them out for Chriſt) And to be written in the Lamb's Book of life; and that as a Lamb ſlain, Rev. 13. 8. And on that account ſayes to His Father; Thine they were, and Thou gaveſt them Me, Joh. 17. 6. Where alſo in His prayer for thoſe whoſe Sacrifice He was now to offer, He ſtiles them, The Men which the Father had given Him [out of the World] And in ver, 10, All Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine: i. e. All that were Chriſt's in order to Redemption, were firſt the Father's by Election: It is as if He had ſaid, All that I undertake for, are Thine El…ct: And All Thine Elect I undertake for: He therefore reciprocates the terms of Relation, Turns them to and again, To ſhew the Sameneſs of the Perſons concerned in both. From all which it ſeems undeniably evident, That as a certain Number were Elected; ſo a Certain Number, and Thoſe the very ſame Perſons, were Redeemed.

The Ground and Truth of this Aſſertion, is further confirm'd by ſuch Arguments as theſe:

I. The Levitical Sacrifices were offered for the Houſe of Iſrael, Arg. 1.exemptive of other Nations; (Save only ſuch as p. 121became Proſelytes:) And Theſe being a Type of the Spiritual Election, It followes That this Sacrifice of Chriſt (typified by Theirs) was alſo Peculiar to Jews in Spirit; or Spiritual Jews. So, Aarons's making atonement for his Houſehold, and bearing the names of the twelve Tribes on his breaſt-plate, were typical of our Great High Prieſt's bearing the Names and ſuſtaining the perſons of thoſe for whom He offered Himſelf on the Croſs. Of all thoſe legal ſhadows, Chriſt and the Church of the firſt-born, are the Body and Subſtance.

II. The Right of Redemption among the Jews (which ſhadowed this) was founded on Brotherhood: Arg. 2.Hence I infer, That that Relation (ſpiritually taken) was both the Ground and Limit of Chriſt's office as a Redeemer. The Apoſtle's diſcourſe in Heb. 2. ſeems to point at this; where he ſayes They were Brethren, Children, and Sons, whom Chriſt ſhould deliver from bondage; Make Reconciliation for their Sins, and bring to Glory. But, how came they to be God's Children and Brethren to Chriſt, above others? It was by Predeſtination; and That was it entituled them to Redemption; as is evident by comparing the 5 and 7 verſes of Eph. 1. Having predeſtinated us to the Adoption of Children by Jeſus Chriſt; In whom we have [Redemption] through His blood. And 'tis worthy your notice, That by the law of Redemption, a ſtranger (that is, One that was not of the Brotherhood) might not be Redeemed;Levit. 25 46. & 48. with 41. & 54.Lev 25:46Lev 25:48 But One that was, though he were not Redeemed, muſt yet go free in the year of Jubile: which ſhews the peculiar reſpect the Lord has for his peculiar People.

III. The Saving benefits of Redemption do not redound to any but Elect perſons. Arg. 3.What ever is onewhere aſcribed to Redemption, as …he ſpecial fruit and conſequent thereof; is elſewhere aſcribed to Election, and to This as the firſt …nd Original Root: And, that Redemption it ſelf is the Fruit of Electing love, is evident by the 1 Pet. 1. 2. (quoted afore) Elect unto Obedience and ſprinkling of the blood of Jeſus Chriſt. They are alſo ſaid, to be Bleſſed with all ſpiritual bleſſings in Chriſt, Eph. 1. 3, 4.Eph 1:3Eph 1:4according as He had Choſen them in Him: And if all ſpiritual bleſſings be diſpenſed by the Law of p. 122Election; then all the ſaving benefits of Redemption (which are the ſame with thoſe of Election) muſt be diſpenſed by the ſame Rule; and ſo, to the ſame perſons onelyonly. We alſo find,Joh. 17. 6.John 17:6 That Chriſt's actual diſtribution of the Gifts He received for Men, is guided anſwerably: He manifeſts the Father's name to the Men He had given Him […ut] of the world: To Theſe He expounds that in private, which to others He ſpake in parables: And thus He did, Becauſe to them it was given to know the Myſteries of the Kingdom of God,Math. 13. 34. & 36. verMatt 13:34Matt 13:36 but to the Multitude it was not given; And Election was That as gave it them, (as it followes there) For So it ſeemed good in thy ſight. In like manner, the Apoſtle in Rom. 8. puts Election and Redemption together, as pertaining to the ſame perſons; And Juſtification (which is the next effect of Redemption) he makes alſo an unqueſtionable conſequent of Election: Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect? It is God that juſtifieth: Who ſhall condemn? It is Chriſt that dyed. The queſtion being put concerning God's Elect, and the Anſwer referring to thoſe for whom Chriſt dy'd; is a plain implication, That Redemption and Iuſtification are commenſurate with Election; That either of them concerneth onelyonly the ſame perſons; and that neither of them extends to any, but whom the other alſo taketh-in.

IV. The price of Redemption was of that Precious and Matchleſs Value, Arg. 4.that it could not be parted-with, but with reſpect to the Certainty of the End for which it was paid. Now the End of Redemption was the Salvation of Men; below Which there could not be an End worthy the death of Chriſt; And This Nothing could ſecure but Election; The Elect alwaies have abtain'd, and ſhall: This is a Rule affirm'd in Rom: 11. 7. But for the Reſt, they are blinded; that is, They are left to their own voluntary Miſunderſtanding; And being ſo, Not only they Do not, Job. 12. 39.Job 12:39but they c…nnot believe. And to what end ſhould Chriſt make His Precious Soul an Offering for Such! Men that never ſhall believe; and conſequently never be Saved? Surely To no better purpoſe than for the World of ungodly, whoſe Spirits were in priſon two thouſand years p. 123afore. Thoſe whom the Lord intends to ſave alive, He appoints an Atonement to be made for them;Numb. 16. ver. 46, 47.Num 16:46Num 16:47 But for thoſe He intends to kill, (which is alwaies done juſtly) He will not accept an Offering,Judg. 13. 23Judg 13:23 and therefore not appoint it; As He did not (under the Law) for thoſe Crimes which Men were to dye for.

V. I confine Redemption to Elect perſons,Arg. 5. becauſe Interceſsion (which is of equal latitude with Redemption) is limited to Theſe excluſive to Others. The Prieſts of old, were to pray for thoſe whoſe ſacrifice they offered; And what they did, was a patern of our Saviour's Prieſtly office; Whom likewiſe we finde to Sacrifice and pray, onelyonly for the ſame perſons: He is an Advocate for thoſe for whoſe ſins He is a Propitiation, 1 Joh. 2. 1. Whoſe tranſgreſſions He was ſmitten for, For them He makes Interceſſion, Iſa. 53. 8, 12. For their ſakes He Sanctified Himſelf, and for Them it was that He made that ſolemn prayer in the 17, of John. And He now prayes for them, as being juſt now to-offer their Sacrifice: He alſo ſhuts out the World expreſly from having any intereſt in it, I pray not for the World, but for them which Thou haſt given Me. And He adds the Reaſon (the foundation Reaſon) why He would pray for Theſe, [For, they are Thine] i. e. They were the Father's by Election: For, in all other reſpects the Earth is the Lord's, and the Fullneſs thereof.

VI. This Doctrine is further Warranted,Arg. 6. by thoſe Genuine and Neceſſary Concluſions, which follow from divers expreſs Scriptures touching this Subject; As 1. That thoſe who are planted with Chriſt in His death, ſhall be alſo in His Reſurrection, Rom. 6. 5. 2. That thoſe for whom Chriſt was Crucified, their old Man was Crucified with Him; That the body of ſin ſhould be deſtroyed, Rom. 6. 6. 3. That thoſe dead with Chriſt, are freed from ſin; and ſhall appear with Him in Glory, Rom. 6. 7. and Coll 3. 3, 4. 4. That thoſe for whom Chriſt dy'd, are Juſtified and Reconciled, Rom. 5. 8, 9, 10. 5. That for whom He was made ſin and a Curſe, They are made the Righteouſneſs of God in Him, 2 Cor. 5. 21. 6. They that are Redeemed, do p. 124follow the Lamb; and are made Kings and Prieſts unto God, Rev 5. 9, 10. Chap. 14. 3▪ 4.

All which bleſſings (with many the like) are the inſeparable fruits of Redemption. But it is obvious to all, That all men are not like unto Chriſt in Newneſs of life: All have not the body of ſin deſtroyed in them: All are not freed from ſin: Nor ſhall All appear with Chriſt in Glory: All are not Juſtified and Reconciled: All are not made the Righteouſneſs of God in Chriſt: All do not follow the Lamb: Nor are All made Kings and Prieſts unto God: Whence it ſhould follow, That All are not Redeemed.

VII. Another Argument for Peculiar Redemption,Arg. 7. is founded on the End of Chriſt's death, with the Merit and Efficacy of it:Tit. 2. 14.Titus 2:14 He gave Himſelf, That He might Redeem thoſe He dyed for, from all iniquity: Hence it follows, That if Chriſt dyed for all, then All ſhall be ſaved; (for iniquity only can be their Ruin) Or elſe, That Chriſt fails of the End of his Death. But, Chriſt cannot fall ſhort of His End in dying; For, all power in Heaven and Earth is committed to Him, for the Making of it good: And yet, All Men are not ſaved: (The Saved Ones are but a Remnant) Therefore He gave not Himſelf to Redeem All.

It is the Father's will, That of All He hath given to Chriſt He ſhould loſe Nothing; but ſhould give them Eternal life: Hence it follows; Either, That all men were not thus given to Chriſt; or if they were, Then All muſt have Eternal life; And if they have Not, The Father's Will is Not done: But, The Father's Will is done; (as is abundantly evident) and yet, All men are not ſaved: Therefore.

That which Chriſt layed down His life for, That He Merited; And what He Merited, is due to thoſe for whom it was Merited: (He was not cut off for Himſelf.) Now, The Principal thing intended and Merited by the death of Chriſt was the Juſtification of Sinners; Rom. 3. 26.Rom 3:26And That God might be Juſt in Juſtifying of them. If therefore He Merited this for All, then All muſt be Juſti…ied; and it cannot be juſtly denyed to Any: For, it is their due by virtue of a Price; which alſo was paid to that very end; and this, by God's own appointment; p. 125Who (we know) cannot condemn any for whom Chriſt died: Rom. 8. 34.Rom 8:34His Juſtice ſhall not be liable to ſuch a Reflection. Whence it ſeems to be ſafely concluded; That if All men are not Juſtified, juſtification doth not belong to all; and conſequently, That Chriſt did not give Himſelf for All. And as touching Efficacy; Adam's tranſgreſſion was efficacious on the Will, and whole Man to Deprave, why not (then) the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt to Reſtore; ſince the Preheminence, in that very thing, is given to Him? Rom. 5. 17.

VIII.Arg. 8 The Doctrine of Special and Peculiar Redemption is further confirm'd by thoſe Inglonious and hurtful Conſequents which do attend the Doctrine of General Redemption (as it is commonly held forth) which (1) ſeems to reflect on the Wiſedom of God, as imputing to Him ſuch a Contrivance for Men's Salvation, as was altogether fruſtruble. (2) It alſo ſeems to tax God of Injuſtice; Iſa. 53. 8.Isa 53:8as Not diſcharging Thoſe whoſe tranſgreſſions are anſwer'd for by their Surety; or elſe, That the Sufferings of Chriſt were not ſufficient to make a Diſcharge due to them? Or (3) It inſinuates a deficiency of Power, or want of good will, to proſecute His deſign to perfection: (4) It ſuſpends the virtue and ſucceſs of all that Chriſt hath done for Men, upon ſomething to be done by themſelves, which He is not the Doer of▪ and conſequently, that Men are Principals in procuring their own Salvation: And ſo, Chriſt ſhall have but His Thouſands (in truth His Nothings) whiles Freedom of Will ſhall have its Ten Thouſands to cry up the praiſe of Men: This is not That the Lord alone ſhould be exalted. (5) It would alſo follow, That thoſe who are Saved and gone to Heaven, have nothing more of Chriſt's to glory in, and to praiſe Him for, than thoſe, who are periſhed and gone to Hell: For, according to the Principles o… General Redemption, He did and doth for all alike; and not a jot more for the one party than for the other. (6) It makes Men preſumptuous and carnally ſecure. How many have ſooth'd-up themſelves in their impenitency and hardneſs of Heart, and fenced themſelves againſt the Word; upon this very Suppoſition, That Chriſt p. 126died for all, and therefore for them: And why then ſhould not they look to be ſaved as well as any other? and ſo they lean (pretendedly) on the Lord and tranſgreſs: Not conſidering, that thoſe for whom Chriſt died, He purchaſed for them a freedom from ſin, and not a liberty of Sinning; Nor impunity, but upon terms of Faith and Repentance. And that the Tempter diſturbs them not in their reſt upon ſuch a foundation, may be a principal Reaſon why Men ſo ſtifly adhere to it; and that thoſe of the General principle are ſo ſeldom troubled with terrours of Conſcience.

But yet, (notwithſtanding all this) it is not denied, that all Men, even thoſe that never heard of Chriſt's Redemption, have benefit by His death, (and more might have, did they not ſtand in their own light) albeit He had not, in His death, the ſame reſpect to all as to ſome. The mix'd Multitude that came up with Iſrael, It was not for them that Moſes was ſent to Pharaoh, That the Sea was divided, and the Egyptians drowned; That the Rock followed the Camp, and that they had Mannah from Heaven, &c. though theſe being in company with Iſrael, had a ſhare in thoſe outward benefits. So the Lord gives water in the Wilderneſs; by which the Beaſts and Owls have benefit, in their kind; and yet it is not for their ſakes that the Lord doth it; but for His People, His Choſen, Thoſe whom He had formed for Himſelf.

I ſhould now come to the Inferences: But finding this Doctrine of Peculiar Redemption as much oppoſed as that of Election, and upon the ſame grounds: Obſerving alſo a great readineſs in Men to embrace the Notion of General Redemption; (which proceeds partly from Nature's unableneſs to diſcern a Reaſon why One Man ſhould be Redeemed, and not Another: Partly, for that it is grateful to lapſed Nature to fancy it ſelf active in its own Recovery: Partly alſo, from an aptneſs to catch at any thing that pretends to give quiet under Convictions.) … hope it ſhall not be time loſt to ſee their exceptions againſt Our Doctrine; What they alledge in defence of their own; and how groundleſs in both. In the doing of which, I ſhall take p. 127but the ſubſtance of what I have heard, and not intermeddle with jangling diſputes.

Is it not plain by Rom. 5. 14, 15. That the Reſtauration by Chriſt is as large and extenſive as Adam's ſin?

The Compariſon there ſtated, is Not put Extenſively; (i. e. in reſpect… of the objects of Sin and Grace) but Intenſively; (i. e. in reſpect of the different efficacy of the ſeveral Means by which thoſe ſeveral Effects are produced. The Apoſtle therefore (to obviate ſuch objections) Reſtrayn…s it in ver. 15, But not as the offenſe, ſo alſo is the free Gift: i. e. The Free Gift of Righteouſneſs and life doth not extend to Men Ʋniverſally and Efficaciously, as ſin and death did: And he gives the Reaſon of it; For, if through the offenſe of One Many be dead; Much more the Grace of God, and the Gift by Grace, hath abounded unto Many: q. d. If the Free Gift had took-in All, as the offenſe did, Then All muſt have been Saved; For that, Grace hath abounded more than the offenſe: (Which muſt be Meant of the powerfull and prevalent efficacy of Grace: For, as to the Objects, It could not take-in more than All) And therefore, thoſe towards whom it hath thus abounded, ſhall ſurely partake of the benefits of it: As All in Adam dy'd, ſo All in Chriſt ſhall be made alive.

But if ſome onelyonly are Redeemed, And Thoſe but a Few in Compariſon; Then all ground of Believing is taken away from the moſt of Men?

1. The Makers of this Objection will not ſay That All Men are Saved; albeit they hold, That All are Redeemed: And therefore to hold and affirm That Chriſt did not Dye for All; hinders None from believing, any more, than That Many of Thoſe He dyed for, are not Saved: yea To teach That Chriſt dyed for all, and that yet the Generality of Men ſhall dye in their ſins and Periſh for ever; is a greater impediment to b…lieveing, than to teach That He dyed onelyonly for Some, and that every One of this [Some] ſhall certainly be Saved.

p. 1282. He that will know his own particular Redemption before he will Believe, begins at the wrong end of his Work; and is very unlikely to come (that way) to the knowledge of it. The firſt Act of Faith is not, That Chriſt dyed for All, or for you in particular: The One is not true; the other not certain to you, Nor can be, till after you have believed: He that woul… live, Muſt ſubmit to Mercy, with [Per adventure] He will ſave me alive.

3. There are Reaſons enough, and of great weight, to induce Men to believe, without laying Generall Redemption for the Ground of their Faith: As

(1) That faithful ſaying,1 Tim. 1. 15.1 Tim 1:15 and worthy of all acceptation, That Jeſus Chriſt came to ſave Sinners; and ſuch are you.

(2) That He gave His Life a Ranſome for Many; Math. 20. 28.Matt 20:28and you may be of that Number as well as Another.

(3) That thoſe He died for, ſhall be Juſtified upon their believing;Rom. 5. 8, 9. Phil. 1. 29.Rom 5:8Rom 5:9Phil 1:29 and ſhall have Faith alſo upon their ſeeking for it, as a part of His Purchaſe, and given on His behalf.

(4) That to Believe on His Son, is the will and Commandment of the Everlaſting God; Whom we ought to obey, although our Salvation were not dependent on it. Rom. 16. 26. 1 John 3. 23.

(5) Thoſe many faithful Promiſes aſſuring Salvation to them that believe; Mark 16. 16. Joh. 3. 16, 36. Chap. 6. 47. Matth. 11. 29. And

(6) Laſtly, The Remedileſs danger of unbelief; He that believes not ſhall be Damned; as Mark 16. 16. Joh. 8. 24. &c. And, if ſuch Conſiderations as theſe, will not prevail with you to believe; the Notion of General Redemption, together with the general ſucceſsleſsneſs of it (to be ſure) will never do it.

Redemption is often ſet forth in terms that import a Ʋniverſality: As, That Chriſt takes away the Sin of the World: That He is the propitiation for the Sins of the whole World, &c.

The word World hath many and various acceptions in Scripture: It is not alwayes meant of Men, but p. 129ſomething elſe; And when Men are intended, it ſeldom intends the Ʋniverſality of them; yea 'tis often underſtood of a very few in compariſon of the whole: It would therefore be very great Raſhneſs, to appropriate or limit ſo general a term to any particular Senſe; and much more, if extended to Men Univerſally; as is ſhewn, in part, by the following Inſtances.

1 The word [World] is taken for the place of Mens habitation upon earth: Nahum. l. 5, The earth is burnt up at His preſence; yea, the [World] and all that dwell therein.

2 For the Inhabitants of the World, good and bad together, Pſal. 9. 8, He ſhall judge the World in Righteouſneſs.

3 For the Things of the world, and diſpoſitions anſwerable to them: Eccleſ. 3. 11, He hath ſet the World in their heart.

4 For the time of the Worlds continuance from one Remarkable period to another: The time before the flood is called the old world; and the time of Chriſt's Kingdom, the world to come.

5 The particular time of a Mans life upon Earth; Mat. 12. 32. Whoſoever ſpeaketh againſt the Holy Ghoſt, it ſhall not be forgiven him, in this World; Nor in the World to come.

6 For the extent or Compaſs of the Roman Empire; Luke 2. 1, There went a Decree from Caeſar Auguſtus, That all the World ſhould be taxed.

7 For the time, and ſtate of things, after the diſſolution of the preſent frame; Luke 20. 35, They that ſhall be accounted worthy to obtain that World, and the Reſurrection, &c.

8 For the Religion and Manners of the World: Acts 17. 6, Theſe that have turned the World upſide-down are come hither.

9 For the troubles which Chriſt's Diſciples meet with in the World: Joh. 16. 33, Be of good Comfort, I have overcome the World.

10 For the ſplendour, honour, wealth, pleaſure, or whatever elſe in the World, is taking with the hearts of p. 130Men: Gal. 6. 14, I am Crucified to the World, and the World to Me.

11 To ſet forth the greatneſs of ſomething that cannot well be expreſt: Job. 21. 25. The World it ſelf could not contain the books that ſhould be written.

12 For the Gentiles in diſtinction from the Jews: Rom. 11. 12, If the fall of them (that is, the Jews) be the riches of the World, &c.

13 For the Multitudinous increaſe of ſome particular Party: Job. 12. 19, The World is gone after Him.

More of this kind might be cited; But theſe may ſuffice to ſhew, How much it behoves to conſider well the ſcope and Context of Scripture; and Not to be led by the Vocal ſound of words.

There are yet, two other Senſes of the word [World] which come neareſt the Matter in hand:—One is that which takes-in the whole party of Wicked Men alone, and by themſelves; As where it is ſaid, The Saints ſhall judge the World: 1 Cor. 6. 2.1 Cor 6:2It muſt be intended of the World of ungodly; For, the Saints ſhall not Judge one another. That All the World wondred after the Beaſt, Rev. 13. 3, 4. Ch. 14. 4.Rev 13:3Rev 13:4And worſhipped the Dragon: This alſo muſt be meant of the Herd of Idolaters, exemptive of Thoſe who followed the Lamb. And again, The [whole World] lyeth in wickedneſs: 1 Job. 5. 19.Job 5:19Here ye have the very words, and in the ſame Manner connex'd, as in the place objected; which therefore may well be ſuppoſed to be of as large a Comprehenſion: And yet, it cannot be meant of the Ʋniverſality of Mankind; But, of ſuch of them as are under the power and conduct of Satan; which the Saints are not; and ſo, cannot be any part of the [World] or [whole World] there intended.

The other ſenſe of the Word, ſeems Couched in the places objected; where Chriſt is ſaid, To take away the ſin of the World; And to be a Propitiation for the ſins of the whole World: For it ſeems Agreeable to Reaſon, to underſtand the word in a Reſtrict and limited ſenſe here, as in the places above-quoted. For, if by [World] is ſometimes meant The World of Ʋngodly, as ſeperate from the Saints: p. 131By like Reaſon, at other times, it may be meant of the World of Saints as ſeperate from the Wicked; eſpecially, when there is Nothing in the Context and ſcope of the place, to Contradict it. And what then ſhould hinder but that the word [World] in the places objected, may be ſo…ly intended of the [World of Elect] excluſive of Others, As the [World that lies in wickedneſs] is of thoſe Others excluſive of the Elect? To be ſure, There can be no peril in ſo underſtanding it: For, we know that Chriſt is the Propitiation for their ſins: But, To affirm it of the whole of Mankind, as it hath no ſolid foundation; ſo many uncomly, and unruly Conſequents do attend it: ſome of which are ſhewn afore.

To end this Debate, I would ask the Objector, What World it was that Chriſt would not pray for? For, by knowing that, it may be gather'd, What World it was that He died for. It could not be That for which He would not Pray; For, the Prieſt was bound to pray for Thoſe for whom he offered. It muſt then be Another; And ſo, it ſeems, there be two Worlds.

1 A leſſer World, which conſiſts of Elect Perſons, and was taken out of the World Ʋniverſall…: (As the Iſraelitiſh Nation was out of the Egyptian; Deut. 4. 34. Or, as the Chriſtian Church at firſt was out of the Jewiſh:) Theſe our Saviour ſtiles,Joh. 17. 6. v. 9.John 17:6 The Men which His Father gave Him [out of the World:] For Theſe it was that He ſanctified Himſelf; And for theſe He prayed: And of Theſe conſiſteth that World whoſe Sin He taketh away; and for whoſe Sins (even of the whole of it) He is the Propitiation. Theſe are the Men that ſhall be counted worthy of the World to come; And they are as properly termed a World, as that bleſſed Place and State they ſhall be in:Luke 20. 35.Luke 20:35 Or, as the Dwellers upon earth are denominated a World, from the Place of their habitation, Pſ. 9. 8.

2 There is alſo a World of Ʋngodly, Joh. 15. 19. ch. 17. 6. 2 Cor. 4. 4. Rev. 13. 3 & 4 with v. 8. 1 Joh. 5. 19.John 15:192 Cor 4:4Rev 13:3Rev 13:41 John 5:19from among whom that leſſer World are taken and ſeperated; Of whom it is ſaid, The Devil is their God; And that their Names are not in the Lambs book of life: But, the whole of it lies in wickedneſs: p. 132And, This is the World for whom Chriſt would not vouchſafe to pray: Then ſurely He would not make His Soul an offering for their ſins.

The Reaſon why all Men are not Saved, is not becauſe Chriſt did not die for all; but becauſe they will not Believe?

Men's Not believing in Chriſt, is not the OnelyOnly, or firſt, procuring Cauſe of their Condemnation; but their Rebellion and Apoſtacy from God: Albeit, the Condemnation of thoſe who reject Chriſt, is greatly aggravated by their Not-receiving Him: As One Condemned, or Condemnable, for an Act of Treaſon, refuſing a Pardon; His Refuſal is (indeed) the next and immediate cauſe of his execution, and perhaps ſhall heighten the Rigour of it: But, his treaſonable practiſe was the firſt procuring cauſe of his death: which alſo he ſhould have ſuffered for, if no ſuch pardon had been tendred to him. It muſt always be granted and Maintained, That Faith is the one thing neceſſary on our part, in order to our being Saved: And as true it is, That this Faith adds nothing of virtue or Merit to the Croſs of Chriſt. Where Men are ſaid to be Juſtified, or Saved, by Faith; it is meant of the Object of Faith, and not of the Act: For, the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt alone is the Matter of our Juſtification; which this Objection ſeems to deny.

2 Chriſt's Redemption extends to Unbelief: For this Purpoſe was the Son of God Manifeſted, 1 Joh. 3. 8.1 John 3:8to deſtroy the works of the devil: Of which, Ʋnbelief is the Chief. And He gave Himſelf to Redeem from [all] iniquity: Tit. 2. 14.Titus 2:14And if from All, then Unbelief (which is the Sum and S…um of all) cannot be exempted: For, Otherwiſe (ſcil. If He had Redeemed from all but this) that Redemption would litle avail us; It would be, as if One ſhould purchaſe your pardon for pilfering felonies; but let the Guilt of your Treaſons lye ſtill upon you: Or, undertake to Cure a Man of his phrenſie, upon condition he will be Sober! What will they do, who content themſelves with ſuch a Redemption as this!

3 Faith it ſelf is a Grace of Chriſt's own Working; It p. 133flows from His Fulneſs:Joh. 1. 16.John 1:16 He apprehends us before we do or can apprehend Him. The People's Sins under the Law, had not been expiated by the Sacrifice without ſprinkling the blood; And it was not themſelves who ſprinkled it, but the Prieſt: And can we think that Chriſt ſhed His Blood for thoſe on whom He will not ſprinkle it? That He died for Thoſe to whom He will not give a little faith; when as without that, all that He doth beſides will not profit them? If any ſay; He would, but they will not: I ananſwer, This [Will not] is their Unbelief; which He is to take away by [making them Willing] A Will to believe is Believing;Pſ. 110Ps 110 And in the day of His Power they find it. And for any to ſay, That a Will to believe, is not purchaſed by Chriſt;Heb. 9. 12. 14.Heb 9:12Heb 9:14 is a great derogation from the virtue and Merit of His ſufferings. This is further Argued, where the Office of Chriſt, in order to Effectual Calling, is treated of.

Inferences.

From what hath been proved in behalf of Redemption, as peculiar to the Elect, I infer,

I. The important neceſſity of Trying the Spirits,Infer. 1. and the Doctrines they bring, whether they be of God. A pla… ſible outſide, and fair ſhew in the fleſh, are no Argument of Truth in the bottom. Takingneſs with Nature, ſhould Render things ſuſpitious to us, rather than approved. Our beſt rule of Judgement in this caſe, is that of our Saviour; The Tree is known by its fruits. And if by this we meaſure the general point, it will be found wanting in what it pretends to, and not-a-little Reprovable.

1. In ſtead of Magnifying the Grace of Chriſt, and Merit of His ſufferings, it does (in effect.) Nullifie both. It makes Redemption general as to Perſons, but not as to Things: That is, it Redeems the whole of Mankind from part of their bondage; but no part of them from the whole of it;) Or upon ſuch a Condition as no Man in nature is able to perform: which (ſure) is too defective to be the Deviſe of Sovereign Wiſdome and Grace: That cannot be call'd An p. 134Univerſal Remedy that ſuffers it ſelf to be Worſted by the diſeaſe. I doubt not at all, That the blood of the Son of God in our Nature, is of infinite Merit; but withall, that is of like Infinite Virtue and Efficacy; and will for ever operate accordingly. But, if the ſucceſs and ſaving effects thereof ſhould depend upon ſomething to be done by Men, which Redemption it ſelf doth not Inveſt them with; then will Men come in for a ſhare with Chriſt, in the glory of their Salvation: yea, in this caſe, any addition of humane ability, annihilates the Grace of Chriſt; Gal. 5. 2. Whereas, to depend upon Chriſt for Sanctifiction as well as Righteouſneſs; To expect from Him a Power to Repent and Believe, as well as Acceptance upon your believing, gives Him His true honour, as intit'ling Him to the whole of your Salvation; which is (indeed) His proper Due, and due to Him alone. And this may be a main Reaſon, why Men profeſſing the Name of Chriſt are ſo generally ſtrangers to Faith and Holineſs: They do not ſeek it at the hands of Chriſt as a part of His purchaſe, according to John 5. 40.

2. In ſtead of laying a foundation for Faith, and an help to believing; the General Doctrine nuzzles the Soul in its unbelief upon a preſumption of Power in himſelf to believe when he will. We litle think how much preſumption and carnal ſecurity derive from this Root: whereas Peculiar Redemption in the vigour and latitude of it, (viz. as procuring us a Right to Faith and Holineſs, with the Spirit of Chriſt to work them effectually in us;) is a far greater incouragement to apply our ſelves to Chriſt for them, as a part of His purchaſe;Phil. 1. 29.Phil 1:29 and that without which we cannot partake the other benefits of His death. And I cannot but think, that any Man in His right mind, (upon a due enquiry, and thorow conſidering the Matter) would rathet depend upon ſuch a Redemption, as redeems from all iniquity; (though the perſons concern'd in that Redemption, be but few) than on that which is ſuppoſed to Redeem All univerſally upon condition of Faith and Repentance, but does not Reedeem from impenitency and unbelief. In That Redemption p. 135let my part be that ſaves from Sin; That ſlayes the enmity; That Reconciles to God effectually; that makes an end of ſin, and brings-in everlaſting Righteouſneſs; that does not onelyonly bring iuto a Savable ſtate conditionally; but works alſo, and maintains thoſe Conditions and Qualifications, that have Salvation at the End of them.

II. Since your propriety in Redemption is founded on your Intereſt in Electing love;Infer. 2. Give all diligence to make your Election ſure; Spare not for pains; It's fruit will be worth all the coſt and labour you can beſtow upon it: If cleer in this point, the whole body will be full of light. And, among other Evidences of Election, Look over thoſe ſpecified afore under that head. Then Make out your Intereſt in Redemption, by walking worthy of Redeeming love; which cannot be done, but by being and doing fomething more than others: Some ſingular thing it muſt be, that muſt warrant your claim to that ſingular Priviledge. Holdforth therefore in your life, the effects of your Union with Chriſt in His death: As he gave Himſelf for you; ſo give up your ſelf to Him. As He is for you; ſo, be you for Him (for Him only) and not for another: 2 Cor. 8. 5. Hoſea 3. 3.

1. Determine to know nothing, but Jeſus Chriſt and Him Crucified: Count all things elſe not worth your knowing, for in truth all knowledge, without this, will come to Nothing. Let all (therefore) be loſs and dung, for the excellency of the Knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus our Lord, Phil. 3. 8.

2. Let nothing be ſo dear to you, as not to part with it for God, when 'tis called for; and riſe early to do it. This is love, 2 Joh. 6.2 John 1:6that we walk after His Commandments. The Lord parted with His delight for you from Eternity: There's nothing more Reaſonable, Nothing more Natural, to an heart rightly placed; than that you ſhould love and live to Him, who died for you: And, whoever hath known the Grace of God, and the love of Chriſt, in truth; cannot but ſo judge.

3. Let not Chriſt be Divided: Know Him for your Lord p. 136aſwell as your Redeemer; Take Orders from Him as your Captain General; Receive your Law from His Mouth; What ever He bids you do, Do it; Follow Him where ever He goes; and Carry it ſo as becomes His Attendants: The Armies in Heaven follow Him upon white Horſes,Rev 19. 14.Rev 19:14 and arrayed in white: Be not your own Director in any thing, Nor over-haſty; Stir not up your Beloved until He pleaſe; But Await His Counſel and Conduct, as preferring His knowledge of times and Seaſons, with the manner and method of His Working and preſcribing, before your own.

4. Let Nothing divide you from Chriſt: Let Nothing but death, yea, let not death it ſelf, ſeparate between you and Him. Nothing (you ſee) could ſeparate Him from you; yea,1 Cor. 6. 20.1 Cor 6:20 had it not been for you, and ſuch as you are, He had not dyed. We are not our own, we are bought with a price; which is the higheſt engagement, in every ſtate and Duty; whether living or dying,Rom. 14. 8.Rom 14:8 to be the Lord's.

III. Chriſts giving Himſelf a Ranſom for you:Infer. 3. warrants your largeſt expectation of Good things from Him: What Sins too great to be pardoned? or iniquities ſo ſtubborn as not to be ſubdued?Heb. 9. 14Heb 9:14 or Graces ſo precious, as not to be obtained? The Lord delights in nothing more than Mercy; The only Bar was Sin; which being diſſolved by the bloud of Chriſt, Grace and Glory run freely. The making us Kings and Prieſts unto God, yea, One in the Father and Himſelf, being the thing He dyed for;Joh. 17. 21.John 17:21 no inferiour good thing can be withholden from us Faith and Holyneſs are great things (indeed) and highly to be valued: yet let me ſay, That even theſe and all other good things, when layed totogether; will be but a very little heap to that Grace which put us into Chriſt;1 Joh. 4 10.1 John 4:10 the honour and priviledge of Union with Him; and the price He hath paid for our Ranſom: Herein is Love that God ſent His Son to be the Propitiation for our Sins: The Purchaſe is paid; Releafes are Sealed; and He in poſſeſſion; All things are ready: It is now but His Giving forth the Revenue that lies by Him; which alſo He delights to do.

p. 137IV. This Doctrine alſo prepares a Chief corner Stone for the Saints Perſeverance. They for whom Chriſt died, died with Him; and if dead with Him, they ſhall live with Him; Rom. 6. 8. Even the Righteouſneſs of God is engaged to Save them; and then He muſt either prevent, Remove, or Over-rule, what ever would hinder that Salvation. Therefore unto Him that loved us, and waſhed us from our ſins in His own blood,Rev. 1. 5, 6.Rev 1:5Rev 1:6 be glory and dominion, for ever and ever, Amen.

[III] That the purpoſe and end of Chriſt's death cannot be fruſtrate: Or Thoſe whom Chriſt dyed for, cannot miſs of the benefits accruing by His death.

All the Councels of God from eternity; All His promiſes and Declarations holding forth thoſe Councels; and all His Diſpenſations in order to their accompliſhment, have a ſpecial relation to Chriſt as dying for His people; and their actual Salvation thereby, as the end thereof.

Now, the End of a Thing is that for which the Thing it ſelf, is; and but for which, it had not been: 'tis that the Chief Agent principally propoſeth, and aimes at: and if he be wiſe, he will certainly uſe and appoint ſuch Means, and Order them in ſuch manner, that the thing deſigned ſhall not miſcarry.

Men (indeed) may miſs of their End: They aim at This, and That's produced; (as in building the Tower of Babel:) But this is ſtill from ſome imperfection in themſelves; Either the Thing it ſelf is not feaſible; Or the way to it is imprudently contriv'd; or the Means unduely applyed; their minds alter; or they are made to deſiſt by a power above them, &c. But, God only wiſe and Almighty, it is not ſo with Him; None of thoſe things, which impede the deſigns of Men, can happen to His; There can be no other Event of them, but what He ſetly intended: The leaſt of p. 138His Purpoſes ſhall never ſuffer diſappointment; much leſs that great Deſign of Men's Salvation by the Death of Jeſus Chriſt: For,

1. The Thing it ſelf i… feaſible: Millions of Souls are gon to Heaven on His accompt.

2. It was ſo wiſely contrived, That all Intereſts concern'd are ſecured and ſatisfied; God is Juſt in J…ſtifying; The Sinner ſaved, even whiles Vengeance is taken on his Sins; and Chriſt well pleaſed with a Seed to ſerve Him.

3. The way of obtainment is ſuch as will certainly compaſs the End: The Divine Power is engaged in it, which reſts not (in the leaſt) on the concourſe or compliance of any fruſtrable Inſtrument.

4. His Heart cannot be taken off from it: It is That which His bleſſed thoughts have run upon from Eternity; and thoſe Thoughts of His ſtand faſt to all Generations. And,

5. No higher Power can ſuperſede His Decree; He is Sovereign Lord, and controlleth all.

There he divers Arguments which readily offer to confirm the Matter in hand.

I. The firſt is from the Nature and Import of Redemption:Arg. 1. It was not the mere depoſiting of the Ranſom demanded, as a pledge to ſecure the Creditor's Satisfaction, in caſe the Treaty took effect: Nor was it ſuch a pledge as might be reſum'd or paid-back, in caſe it ſucceeded not: Neither yet was the Price of that undervalue and imperfection as to need the addition of any thing from without it ſelf, to make it effectual: But ſuch a Price it was, ſo paid, ſo accepted, and ſo qualified, as for ever concludes all Parties and Intereſts concern'd in it. It was in all reſpects Adequate to, and worthy of, the Purchaſe deſign'd by it. Redemption is a term of large comprehenſion; It is next to Election, and carries in it All that Election hath Choſen us to: It does not barely make Men Releaſable, or Capable of pardon: but the Actual and Eternal Deliverance from Sin, Satan, Death, and the Law; together with the full and perfect Salvation p. 139of Redeemed Ones, is included in it. And this is not barely affirm'd, but evident proof will make it good. A Witneſs or two for each of theſe.

1. The Redemption wrought by Chriſt imports Satisfaction: Without this, the World had not been Reconciled; Nor could it be ſaid the pleaſure of the Lord had proſpered in His hand: But both theſe are affirm'd; Iſa. 53. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 18, and 19. and Heb. 2. 17. expreſly, That He made Reconciliation for the Sins of the People: Yea, our Grand Creditour proclames Himſelf ſatisfied, by His ſending from Heaven to Releaſe our Surety.

2. Juſtification, or Deliverance from Guilt: Eph. 1. 7, In whom we have Redemption through His blood, the forgiveneſs of Sins. Gal. 3. 13, Chriſt hath Redeem'd us from the Curſe of the Law; being made a Curſe for us: He blots out the Hand-writing againſt us, Nailing it to His Croſs, Col. 2. 14.

3. It imports the vanquiſhing and binding of the Strong Man; who would not elſe have let-go the Prey: By death He deſtroyed Him who had the power of death; that is, the Devil, Heb. 2. 14. By the blood of His Croſs He ſpoiled Principalities, and Powers, and triumphed over them, Col. 2. 15.

4. Freedom from the power of ſin: Rom. 6. 6, Our old Man was Crucified with Him,—that henceforth we ſhould not ſerve Sin: Upon which it follows; Sin ſhall not have dominion over you, ver. 14.

5. Inherent Holyneſs, or Sanctification: Col. 1. 21, You that were ſomtimes enemies in your mind, now hath He reconciled; in the Body of His fleſh through death, to preſent you Holy, &c. ver. 22.—We are ſanctified through the offering of the Body of Jeſus Chriſt; Heb. 10. 10. and Rom. 6, 18, Being then made free from Sin, ye became the Servants of Righteouſneſs: And that it was by virtue of Chriſt's death, appears by ver. Heb. 9. 14.Heb 9:148, For, if we be dead with Chriſt, we ſhall alſo live with Him.

6. It likewiſe imports Reſurrection: Joh. 6, 54, 55, I will raiſe Him at the laſt day; For my fleſh is meat indeed, (that is, as Crucified) Chriſt dying, was the death of death; Hoſ. 13. 14.

p. 1407. It alſo extends to the actual poſſeſſing of Redeemed ones, with bleſſedneſs and Glory: Rom. 8. 30. Wh…m He juſtified, them He glorified. Liberty of entring into the holieſt, is by the blood of Jeſus, Heb 10. 19. and Rev. 5. 9, 10. That haſt Redeemed us unto God by thy blood; and haſt made us Kings and Prieſts: (It is the voice of Thoſe in Heaven.)

Now, All theſe are in Redemption, they proceed out of Chriſt's fulneſs as a Redeemer: And for this cauſe it was, that Paul cared not to know any thing but Jeſus Chriſt and Him Crucified. It is true, That the Reſurrection of Chriſt, His Aſcention, Sitting at God's right hand, and Interceſſion have their reſpective influence into every of thoſe particulars aforenamed; but they all ſpring from His Crucifixi…n: If He had not dyed, He had not been a Prieſt for ever (as He is) after the order of Melchiſedeck, Heb. 9. 12.

II. Another Argument is from the ineſtimable worth and dignity of the Ranſom that was given:Arg. 2. It was the life of the Son of God; Matth. 20. 28. Heaven and Earth will bear no proportion in value to this price of Redemption: which therefore could not be parted-with for a doubtful or uncertain Purchaſe. In this lies the ſtreſs of the Apoſtle's Argument; Who when He would ſet forth the happy eſtate of God's Elect, and prove them above the Reach of danger; He doth it in two words, (but very ſignificant ones) [Chriſt hath dyed] Who ſhall condemn? It is [Chriſt that dyed] Rom. 8. 38. The Eminency of the Perſon, and the ſufferings He ſubmitted to; as they greatly illuſtrate His love to Men; So they ſtrongly affirm and inſure the event of His death: If reconciled to God by the death of [His Son] much more Saved by His life, Rom. 5. 10. It may truly be ſaid of every one He died for,Ezek. 18. 9.Ezek 18:9 He is juſt, He ſhall ſurely live. But this in the ſame reſpect and ſenſe, as thoſe then unborn were ſaid to be ſanctified through the offering of the body of Jeſus Chriſt, Heb. 10. 10. And their Old Man to be crucified with Him: Rom. 6. No Man is actually juſtified till he actually believes: But Repentance and Faith being purchaſed by Chriſt, for thoſe He died for; They ſhall p. 141as certainly be made to Repent and Believe, as that Chriſt died for them, Phil. 1. 29.

III. The Righteouſneſs of Chriſt is more prevalent and effectual to His Seed,Arg. 3. than Adam's tranſgreſſion was to his: All his Poſterity (indeed) fell under the Curſe by it; yet ſo, that there was ſtill (through the Intervention of Grace) a poſſibility of Releaſe: But the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt hath ſo perfectly recovered and 'ſtabliſhed His Seed, that their juſtified 'ſtate can never be loſt. And the Reaſon is, becauſe Grace hath out-done Sin, and gone beyond it, Grace hath abounded much more, Rom. 5. 20. Which ſuper-abounding of Grace, cannot referr to the Subjects of Grace, as if they were more in number than the Subjects of Sin; (for, ſin came upon All, and Grace cannot come upon more than all:) But 'tis meant of the prevalent efficacy of Grace; and the permanency of its effects towards all that are the Subjects of it:Rom. 5. 21.Rom 5:21 And, thence it is, that Grace is ſaid to Reign, and that to Eternal life.

IV. If the End of Chriſt's death might poſſibly be fruſtrate;Arg. 4. as poſſibly the very end of God's making the World, might ſuffer diſappointment. All things were made for Himſelf; and by this ſcale they aſcend to Him; The World for the Elect,1 Cor. 3. 22, 23.1 Cor 3:221 Cor 3:23 The Elect for Chriſt, and Chriſt for God. All His works praiſe Him; but above all, that of Redemption, as of higheſt note and eminency. Moſt conſpicuouſly doth the Glory of God ſhin…-forth in the face of Chriſt as Dying; and as dying for ſuch an End; (viz. the Salvation of His People:) It is the chief of the wayes of God, the very Meridian and height of His Glory, (not eſſential, but manifeſtative) both in this world, and that to come. It therefore behoved Him ſo to lay it, that of all his deſignments, This might be ſure to ſucceed. For, do but ſubtract the ſureneſs of its Effect; and leave His Redeem'd in a periſhable condition; and it draws a blemiſh inſtead of beauty, upon all the Divine Attributes.

1. The end of God's ſetting forth Chriſt a Propitiation,Rom. 3. 25, 26.Rom 3:25Rom 3:26 was to declare His Righteouſneſs in the Remiſſion of ſins; (which it does doubly,) 1. That without ſatisfaction, p. 142ſin could not juſtly be remitted. 2. That ſatisfaction being given, it could not juſtly be imputed; Who ſhall condemn? It is Chriſt that dyed. Rom. 8. 34.Rom 8:34But if thoſe for whom this plenary ſatisfaction has been given, ſhould not be juſtified and effectually ſaved, Divine Juſtice would be as liable to impeachment, as if He had ſaved them without: And ſo, the thing deſigned for the honour of His Righteouſneſs, would turn to its diſparagement.

2. It would not accord with the love and goodneſs of God towards His Elect, that That which was meant for their Recovery,Joh. 3. 19.John 3:19 and was alſo a price well-worthy their Ranſom; ſhould poſſibly turn to their deeper condemnation: (for, ſo it muſt if they be not effectually ſaved:) This could not be that Pleaſure of the Lord which ſhould proſper in the hands of Chriſt.

3. It would not be according to the Faithfulneſs and Truth of God, that Chriſt ſhould fail of That He was promiſed, and earneſtly looked-for, as the fruit of His Sufferings; which was a Seed to ſerve Him: Iſa 49 6. ch. 53. 10. Prov 8. 31.Isa 49:6Prov 8:31The thoughts of which were matter of complacency to Him from Everlaſting. But if thoſe He died for, ſhould not only abide in the ſame condemnation He came to deliver them from; but under a much ſorer vengeance than if He had not undertaken for them; How grievous would it be to Him, and contradictious to the Faithfulneſs of God!

4. Another End of Redemption was, That the manifold Wiſdom of God might ſhine-forth in the ſight of Angels and Men. Chriſt crucified is the Wiſdom of God, 1 Cor. 1. 24. But if it were ſo contrived, that the Thing chiefly deſign'd might poſſibly miſcarry, it would be no illuſtration of Wiſdom. Will one of common prudence part with His Jewels and choyceſt treaſure, and that in ſuch manner as never to be regain'd, and leave his purchaſe knowingly under hazzard? Men (…deed) may poſſibly waſte their Eſtates in Tryals and Eſſayes that come to nothing, but did they foreſee the ſucceſs, they would not ſo expoſe their prudence to reproach.

5. The Greatneſs and Power of God would ſuffer an eclipſe, p. 143if it were in the power of Creatures to defeat. His moſt wiſe and holy Deſignments, and hinder the accompliſhment of His greateſt work: What would the Aegyptians ſay, but that He deſtroyed them, becauſe not able to go through with what He undertook? Numb. 14. 16.

6. Laſtly, If the end of Chriſt's death might poſſibly be fruſtrate; Then that bleſſed project for glorifying the Grace of God, might poſſibly be diſannulled and come to nothing: For, None but Saved Ones do or can glorifie that Grace.

V. Another Argument for the Sure effect of Chriſt's death,Arg. 5. is, becauſe He hath the Management of the whole work committed to Himſelf; as well the Application or Redemption, as the procurement of it: He is the Repoſitory Root, and Treaſury, wherein all the benefits of Redemption are laid up; and the Great Almoner by whoſe hand they are diſpenſed. Adam was no more a publique, Perſon after his fall: The new Stock was not intruſted with him, but put into the hands of Chriſt, who will give a better account of it: For

VI. There is Nothing wanting to Him (who is our Redeemer) which might any way conduce to the final Compleatment of His Work.Arg. 6. There are Five things mainly requiſite, to make a great undertaking Succeſſeful; viz. Authority, Strength, Underſtanding, Courage, and Faithfulneſs: All which, the Captain of our Salvation is eminently inveſted with;Joh. 3. 35.John 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand.

1. Authority; He was appointed to His Office: (For, as Mediatour, the Father is Greater than He:) He came not of Himſelf, but the Father ſent Him, Joh. 9. 42. He was called of God, Iſa. 42. 6 Heb. 7. 21.Isa 42:6Heb 7:21Heb. 5. 4, 5. It was laid on Him, and undertaken by Him, in the way of a Covenant, And Confirmed hy an Oath; Never to be Reverſed; which alſo may partly be the Meaning of God the Father's Sealing Him,Joh. 10. 18. Iſa. 61. 1.John 10:18Isa 61:1 Joh. 6. 27. The Government is laid upon His Shoulder; He hath the Key of David committed to Him, Rev. 3. 7. Which ſhewes the abſoluteneſs of His Authority:Gen 41. 44.Gen 41:44 Without Him, No man can lift up his hand or his foot in all the Earth.

p. 1442. Strength or Power; Theſe cannot be wanting to Him, if All in Heaven and Earth be ſufficient for it, Matth. 28. 18, And this he hath, That He might give Eternal life to as many as He dyed for, Joh. 17. 2. Which if they ſhould miſs o…, it would be ſaid, That all power was not able to Save them. He that made the World, is ſurely well able to Govern it, and to over-rule whatever comes into it: He would never have ſuffered ſin (the onelyonly enemy) to invade it, if He could not have quell'd it at pleaſure.Iſa. 63. 1. Ch. 9. 6.Isa 63:1 Their Redeemer is ſtrong; The Lord of Hoſts is His name; He ſhall [thorowly] plead their cauſe: Jer. 50. 34.Jer 50:34He muſt reign until He ſhall have put all enemies both under His own feet and ours, 1 Cor. 15. 25. Rom. 16. 20.

3. Ʋnderſtanding, or Knowledge; This cannot be wanting to Him, who is the Wiſdom of the Father; The Lord hath given Him the tongue of the Learned, that He might ſpeakwords [in ſeaſon] to him that is weary, Jſa. 50. 4. He knows His work what it is; How to effect it; and who they be that are concern'd in it.

(1) He knows what His work is; that it is, To ſeek and to ſave that which was loſt: Not to bring Men into a ſalvable condition, (as ſome ſpeak) but to Save them, Mat. 1. 21. His work was, To open the blind eyes; To bore the deaf ears; To reſtore the withered Limbs; To cleanſe the Lepers; To heal the Sick; To raiſe the Dead; To caſt out Devils; To preach the Goſpel, and to cauſe thoſe it belongs unto, to hear and receive it: he knows they are Dead, and He knows as well, that He is to Quicken them: and thence we have it in Joh. 5. 25, The Dead ſhall hear and live: And Chap. 10. 16, Other Sheep I have; Them alſo muſt I bring; and they ſhall hear my voice. He is alſo to keep them,Joh. 17 12. 22. Ch. 6. 39.John 17:12John 17:22 and look to them, ſo as that one be not loſt; and ſinally, To raiſe them up at the laſt day, and to take them to Heaven with Him: All which He is perfectly acquainted with, His work is before Him. Iſa. 40 10.

(2) As He knows His work, what it is; ſo the beſt ſeaſon and method for its performance. He came in the fulneſs of time; when things were ripe for His coming: He p. 145came Then when there was moſt need of Him; the Devil's Kingdom at the higheſt, his Oracles in greateſt credit, the World moſt oppreſſed by the Roman Power, and the true Religion near quite depraved among the Jews. It argues a Dextrous underſtanding, To take an enemy in his Ruff, at his higheſt pitch of ſtrength and confidence, and throw him on his back: To ſuccour a diſtreſſed Friend or Ally, when brought under foot, and ſet him on his high places; This the Scripture calls A ſtrengthening of the Spoiled againſt the Strong: Amos 5. 9.Amos 5:9And thus doth our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Who is (partly) therefore ſaid to be of Quick underſtanding. Iſa. 11. 3. Ch. 52. 13.Isa 11:3In all His Ʋndertakings He deals prudently: And to This it is, that Hannah aſcribeth ſucceſs; The Lord is a God of [knowledge] and His Purp…ſes come to paſs, 1 Sam. 2. 3.

(3.) He knows Who they are for whom He is to do it. The fruits of his death are not as things to be given in common; They fall not indifferently upon Men, (as Rain upon all ſorts of ground:) He knows Whom he came to Redeem; Not their Number only, but their Names; They were all written in his bo…k: And ſo well is He vers'd in it,Joh. 10. 3.John 10:3 That He calleth them all by their Names: He does not omit any, nor call One for Another: He knows Whom the Father hath Choſen and Given to Him:ch. 13. 18. He can neither forget them, Nor Miſtake them: They are written in His breaſt, and on the palms of His hands, Iſa. 49. 16.

(4.) To a Great undertaking is required Courage, or Greatneſs of Spirit; to confront oppoſition, and cutthrough difficulties: And if this be wanting, all other Endowments will ſignifie little, as to ſucceſs. And how was our Lord and Redeemer qualified as to this! When He was entring into his paſſion, (againſt which He prayed, If it were poſſible, that Cup might paſs from Him:) He then needed Courage in the Abſtract; and we find That He had it anſwerably. In Iſaiah 50. 7, the Prophet brings Him in as putting on His Armour of proof: Therefore have I ſet my face as a Flint, and I know that I ſhall not be confounded. In the greatneſs of this His ſtrength, did He travel through all thoſe Contradictions of Sinners, Temptations, Reproaches, p. 146Blaſphemies, &c. And when His hour was come, He did not Recoil, nor hide Himſelf from them; No, nor ſtay till they came where he was;Joh. 18. 4.John 18:4 but goes to meet them. And though He might have had more than twelve Legions of Angels for asking; He waives their aſſiſtance, and in His own ſingle perſon, Undertakes both this World and the Powers of darkneſs; yea, and the Wrath of His Father too; which was much more grievous, and of far Greater terrour, than all the Reſt. And in all this, He was Alone; there was None with Him. And, that an Angel appear'd to Him from Heaven ſtrengthening Him; It was rather a Token and Part of His deep humiliation, (That the Mighty God ſhould ſeem to want, and ſo admit the profered ſervice of His Creature) than a leſſening of His ſufferings.Luke 22. 43.Luke 22:43 Now, all this was for the Procurement of Redemption; And can He then be wanting to the Effectual application of it? He cannot ſhrink at the ſight of ſtragling parties, that hath Won the pitcht battel, and remains abſolute Maſter of the Field: For this alſo, we have a ſure word of Prophecy, in Iſa. 42. 4, He ſhall not fail, nor be diſcouraged, until He have ſet Judgment in the Earth.

(5.) Faithfulneſs: This alſo is a grand and Neceſſary qualification for an high Undertaking: And for this our Redeemer is alſo ſignally Eminent. To do the Father's Will, was That He came for from Heaven: And this was His Will,Joh. 6. 38, 39.John 6:38John 6:39 That of all He had given Him, He ſhould looſe nothing; but ſhould Raiſe it up at the laſt day: that is, That He ſhould give them Eternal life; as it is in the 17 John 2. And we find Him profeſſing, That He had done it accordingly, (v. 12.) and that He will do it, (v. 26.) according to His Promiſe ſo often repeated in the 39, 40, 44, 54. v. of John 6. And He keeps them, in Faithfulneſs to His truſt; viz. That the Scripture might be fulfilled. Joh. 17 12.John 17:12Judas was let-go, to fall by his own tranſgreſſion; Whom (doubtleſs) He could and would have kept, as He did the Reſt; had he been (as they were) committed to His Charge: For, He gives to every one, according as He received for them; as is ſeen by comparing Pſal. 68. 18. with Epheſ. 4. 8. In the one p. 147place, it is ſaid, He received Gifts for Men; and in the other, (which is a quotation of the former) He gave Gifts to Men: Thoſe therefore for whom He Received Eternal life, cannot fail of it, unleſs He ſhould fail of His Truſt; which indeed He cannot do, for He is Faithful in all His houſe, and That as a Son: Heb. 3. 5, 6.Heb 3:5Heb 3:6and joynt-intereſt (you know) is a Natural and prevalent Obligation to Faithfulneſs. If any ſhould offer to diſpoſſeſs Him, He would anſwer as Naboth did Ahab; 1 Kings 21. 3.1 Kgs 21:3God forbid that I ſhould part with the Inheritance of my Father. And His Faithfulneſs further appears, in that He makes it a Main part of His buſineſs now in Heaven, to have this work perfected; He ever liveth to make Interceſſion for Thoſe He died for, Heb. 7. 25. There is great weight put upon this, in Rom. 8. 34, Who is he that Condemneth? It is Chriſt that died; yea rather, that is Riſen again—Who alſo [maketh Interceſſion] for us. And the ſum of His Prayer is, (1) That Thoſe given to Him, might be kept from evil, John 17. 15. (2) That they might be One in the Father and Himſelf, v. 21. And (3) That they may be Where He is, to behold His Glory, v. 24.

Now then, If the Salvation of Thoſe He died for, was the End of His death: If it be the Father's Will, that they ſhould be ſaved: If alſo this Salvation be the Thing for which He prays:Joh. 11 22.John 11:22 And, whatſoever He asketh of God, He will give it: It needs muſt follow, That the End of His death cannot be fruſtrate.

Inferences.

I. This Doctrine,Infer. 1. holding forth the Impoſſibility of Fruſtrating the end of Chriſt's death; is a Manifeſt proof and Argument for the Doctrine of Peculiar Redemption (before aſſerted:) For, If the Salvation of Thoſe He died for, was the End of His dying; and the Intent of His death cannot be fruſtrate; Then He had not in His eye and deſign, the Salvation of them that are Not Saved.

II. It gives Believers high encouragement in their Conflict againſt ſin.Infer. 2. For, if our old Man was Crucified with Chriſt, That the body of ſin might be deſtroyed in us; and the p. 148intent of His death cannot be fruſtrate; Then ſin ſhall not have Dominion over you. Than which there is Nothing more ſtrengthens your hands in fighting againſt ſin; as is Argued in Rom. 6. 6, 12, 14, and 22, verſes.

The truth is, We have nothing to do, (in compariſon) but to take the prey: for the enemy is beaten to our hand. Eleazar ſlew, 2 Sam. 23. 10.2 Sam 23:10and the people return'd after him only to Spoil: So is it here: Our buſineſs now, is, to diſplay our General's Trophees; To tell of His Victories, and prepare our ſelves for His triumph; That we may be ſuitable Attendants on Him at that Glorious and long'd-for Day.

There are Stragling parties (indeed) who watch for our halting; and ſeldom (elſe) can they have advantage againſt us: But their heart is broken; and if followed in our Captain's victorious Name, they'l ſtill be Recoiling; Nothing daunts them more than to ſee you ſtand to it: Your Adverſary would make you a Bridge of Gold, or any thing; (even to the half of his Kingdom) ſo you would ſound a Retreat; or ſpeak no more in that Name. Gird up therefore the loyns of your Mind; let an holy Magnanimity poſſeſs you; as knowing your Conflict ſhall end in your being Crown'd. You Run not for an Ʋncertainty; therefore fight not as they that beat the air: For, it is Nevertheleſs true, that your enemy is ſtubborn, and your conſtant purſuit will make him deſperate: Since he may not have quarter, he'l do all he can, Not to die alone: He will ſtand on his Stumps when his legs are off; or lye on his back, and fight: (for his Malice is implicable) He will never give-over, till quite out of breath; (and yet he will not be quite without, whiles we have any; We muſt expire together) But here lies the odds; That We, dying in the Conflict, ſhall riſe again with Marks of honour; and our Laurel hold green to Eternity: yea, we ſhall ſit with our Glorious Captain in His Triumphal Chariot, Rev. 3. 21. but our enemy lies in eternal ſilence, and his Name ſhall Rot; or be Remembred only to Greaten our Glory: Only (as before,) be ſure you ſtand to it; ſet your face as a flint; as your Lord and Maſter did; and know, That as he was not Confounded, ſo neither ſhall p. 149you: All that he had, you have on your ſide, and the Merit of His improvement added to it: What Power the Father gave to Him, He delegates to you; even a power over all the power of the enemy; As it were an Antidote or Superſedeas, to invalidate all that comes againſt you. Wherefore then ſhould we doubt? Though they come about you like Bees, In the Name of the Lord you ſhall deſtroy them. Remember the advantages you have; Beſides the bruifing of your enemie's head, and that incurably; your own Head is in Heaven; and He is there as on a Mount, to behold both yours and your enemies poſture, and to ſend-in relief; which He never fails to do at a dead lift: And He makes interceſſion for you; whiles you are fighting, His hands are up, and never weary: and therefore you may be confident of ſucceſs. It was by virtue of His prayer, that Peter's faith did not fail, when there was but an hairs breadth between him and death:Pro. 30. 4. Jer. 31. 10, 11.Prov 30:4Jer 31:10Jer 31:11 The Devil Winnow'd, but Chriſt ſtood-by, and held the Wind in Hist fiſt: The Lord will keep His people, becauſe He hath Redeemed them.

III. Since the Lord hath So firmly Secured the bleſſedneſs of His Redeemed Ones;Infer. 3. Then let None who hope themſelves of that happy Remnant, darken their evidences: Do Nothing, Omit Nothing, whereby your Intereſt in Redemption may be rendred doubtful to you; leſt you looſe the Comfort and Strength which the Lord intends His People, by thus firmly inſuring of it.

IV. This alſo Confirms the Doctrines of Peculiar and Abſolute Election;Infer. 4. Effectual Calling; and Final Perſeverance: As is very obvious to them that will ſeriouſly Mind it. Every of which, hath ſomething of that kind, under thoſe reſpective heads.

And ſo I come to Effectual Calling, as the next great effect of peculiar Redemption.