Answer to Granthams Book, Chapter 1
CHAP. I. Examination of the Author's Title Page.
THE Perſon with whom I have now to do, calls his Book, A Dialogue between the Baptiſt and the Presbyterian; and ſtileth himſelf Meſſenger of the Baptized Churches in Lincolnſhire. It is fit to enquire a little into theſe two Titles he giveth himſelf. He ſtileth himſelf the Baptiſt. Indeed, we read, Mat. 3.1, 2, 3. In thoſe days came John the Baptiſt, preaching in the wilderneſs of Judea, and ſaying, Repens ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; and this is he that was ſpoken of by the Prophet Eſaias, ſaying, The voice of one crying in the wilderneſs, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths ſtraight. So we read of John the Baptiſt, that was propheſied of by Eſaias, who is already come: but I find no Prophecy of any Thomas the Baptiſt, that was to be ſent of God. John is called the Baptiſt, becauſe he Baptized Chriſt himſelf, and becauſe he was ſent in an extraordinary way to Baptize the people of the Jews. I think it is too high a Title for any man now living in the World to call himſelf the Baptiſt.
2. This Author ſtiles himſelf Meſſenger of the Baptized Churches in Lincolnſhire. I ſuppoſe, that all the Churches and Congregations in Lincolnſhire, of all perſwaſions, do think, that the Members of their Churches are Baptized, tho' not in this Author's way, and is he the Meſſenger of them all? But take it for the Churches of his own Perſwaſion. Let us enquire how he is their Meſſenger. We read of Meſſengers of the Churches, 2 Cor. 8.23.24. Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow-helper: or our Brethren be enquired of, they are the Meſſengers of the Churches, and the glory of Chriſt. Wherefore ſhew ye to them, and before the Churches, the proof of your Love, and of our boaſting on your behalf. As for the Meſſengers of the Churches here ſpoken of, as ſuch, they were only choſen by ſome Churches to travel up and down to other Churches for a ſhort ſpace, to get Contribution and Relief for other Churches, that were in great want by being ſpoiled of their Goods by Perſecutors, or by ſome other means brought to ſome great outward neceſſities. And if this Author be a Meſſenger of Churches in that way, he hath undertaken a good work; and I hope, that thoſe he is ſo violent againſt, will be as Charitable to relieve the neceſſities of other Chriſtians, though not of their Perſwaſion, as he can expect. But when he calleth himſelf Meſſenger of the Baptized Churches in Lincolnſhire, he hath another meaning. We read of the Angels of the ſeven Churches, Rev. 1.20. Now by the Angels of thoſe Churches, is meant, Meſſengers of the Lord to thoſe Churches: The Lord's Meſſengers to declare his Mind and Will to them. Here were ſeveral Angels and Meſſengers of the Seven Churches; but one Man was not the Angel or Meſſenger of ſeveral Churches. The Angel of the Church of Epheſus was not the Angel of the Church of Pergamos, and of the reſt of the Seven Churches. So that it is likely, that this Author counteth himſelf to have Juriſdiction and Authority over many Churches. And truly if he be the Baptiſt, a Title given only to John hitherto, and be Meſſenger at the ſame time, of ſeveral Churches, we know not how many, and have Spiritual Power over them, he is an extraordinary perſon, and 'tis no wonder that he deals with ſo many perſons and things. Yet truly, I ſhould think, if he were more than an ordinary Presbyter, he ſhould viſit with more Mildneſs and Moderation.
There is another thing in the Title Page that is very bold and daring to the moſt high God. He repreſents the Presbyterians as holding Cruel and Soul-devouring Doctrines, making God the ordainer of all the Sins of Men and Devils; and reprobating the greateſt part of mankind without any help of Salvation.
1. Concerning God's ordaining of all the ſins of Men and Devils, I ſhall ſpeak (God willing) in anſwer to your Book, and ſhew in what Senſe God ordained and decreed to leave Angels and Men to themſelves, and ſo to ſin.
2 As to Reprobating the greateſt part of mankind, without any help of Salvation; this you call, A Cruel and Soul-devouring Doctrine.
I anſwer, 1. That I ſuppoſe your ſelf hold, that the greateſt part of mankind do in the end periſh eternally. I am ſure our Saviour declared, that few there be that find the ſtrait gate and narrow way to Heaven. That 'tis but a little Flock to whom God gives the Kingdom of Heaven. That tho' many are called, yet few are choſen. Not but thoſe that are ſaved, are a Multitude which no Man can number, Rev. 7.9. yet comparatively they are few; they are few in compariſon of thoſe that periſh.
2. Whether they that periſh were ordained of old from Eternity to Condemnation for their ſins; or reprobated in time, as you hold: Truly this little alters the caſe. As for the greateſt part of mankind, reprobated they are, and caſt into Hell at laſt, without any help, or hope of Salvation; and if this be cruel Doctrine, have a care that you don't contend and ſtrive with the holy Sovereignty and Juſtice of God; and when you argue with men about theſe things, have a care you don't quarrel with God himſelf. Do you think that thoſe that do not adore the incomprehenſible Greatneſs and Holineſs of God can ever be ſatisfied that God puniſhes mens temporary ſinning with Eternal Puniſhment. 'Tis not talking of a common love of God to mankind, and talking of Univerſal Redemption, when in the Concluſion God takes Vengeance for ever upon ſo many of mankind for their Sin and Folly: That will really take off men from quarrelling with God: But the humble acknowledgment of his abſolute Lordſhip over the Works of his Hands; and that he is infinitely Juſt and Righteous in all that he doth; tho' we, poor Duſt and Aſhes, cannot comprehend it: This muſt ſilence Man.
This Author ſets down a Scripture in the Title Page, Pſalm 64.7, 8, 9. But God ſhall ſhoot at them with an Arrow; ſuddenly ſhall they be wounded, ſo they ſhall make their own Tongue to fall upon themſelves: This is to reflect upon the Presbyterians, who, he had ſaid before, are puniſhed by their own Pens. I pray God that you, as well as others, may not be puniſhed for your Pen, for your Writings. Lord enter not into Judgment with any of us; but pardon us for Chriſt's ſake. And as to thoſe words you quote, God ſhall ſhoot at them, ſuddenly ſhall they be wounded: How do you apply theſe words to the Presbyterians, againſt whom you write? They hope to be pardoned and ſaved by the Free Grace of God in Chriſt. God might ſhoot at them, and you with an Arrow. Let us have a care of being proud Phariſees. And truly you ſeem to ſhoot your Arrow againſt the Sovereignty of the God of Heaven, have a care it doth not fall upon your own Head. You do, as it were, arraign God at your Bar, about his Lordſhip over the Creature; and he muſt do ſo and ſo, or elſe he is not Juſt. Repent, and turn to God, leſt he arraign you at his Bar-Tremble at this word, at this Scripture you have ſet down. And for making mens Tongues fall upon themſelves, let us all fear and tremble. Thoſe upon whom God is pleaſed to beſtow ſuch Grace, as that they ſay from their Hearts, that they do not ſtand upon terms with God; but acknowledge God might have had no thoughts of Eternal Love to them; but might have decreed to leave them to their ſins, and to glorifie his Juſtice upon them for ever: and that if it had not been for ſpecial diſcriminating Grace, they had never come to Chriſt; tho' they had thoſe common helps that others think are ſufficient. I ſay, theſe are not ſo like to have their Tongues fall upon themſelves another day, as thoſe that ſay, That notwithſtanding any thing that God freely decreed as to their particular perſons; and notwithſtanding any thing Chriſt did for them in Redemption, or the Holy Ghoſt in working upon their Hearts, they might have been damned; but their own Will had the Caſting-Voice, and was ſo towardly, that they ſhall be ſaved. When thoſe that God on his part did every way as much, as for them, do periſh in Hell for ever.