A short and plaine proofe by the word, and workes off God, that Gods decree is not the cause off anye mans sinne or condemnation And that all men are redeamed by Christ. As also. That no infants are condemned.

AMonge the rest of the fearefull works of the misterie of iniquitie , this is not the least ( if not the greatest ) that men seduced by Sathan , & sinne ( through ignorance ) are growne to that hight off evil , as they do call the Creator ( who is a Spirit ) to accompt : & they wil have a natural reason off al his works . And to come to one particuler , they will have a reason how sinne came , & who or what was the first cause thereoff ? the word off God cannot restraine these men , they will not be kept within the bounds thereoff : But they will enter into the secret counsels off God , & by their vanie Philosophy , measuring Gods thoughts by their thoughts & his wayes by their wayes , they wil find out a cause off sin before the World was : & finding that the Almightie hath decreed al thinges that come to passe , & that off him , & through him al thinges are , they wil & do conclude most blasphemously that God hath foredecreed that sin should come to passe : & not content to stay themselves here , they runne on with an high hand , & because they see sin enters by action , & that God is the moveing cause off al thinges . For in him wee live / and move / and have our being . Act. 17.28 . These men by their natural art , & from their harts that are carnal , must , & do necessarily conclude that God is the moving cause in the action off sinne . But yet by the craste & subtiltye off Sathan who lieth in wait hereby to deceive vnder a culler , they say that God is not the author off sinne , nor actor off sin : But he is the author & actor off every action , & they Wil have Gods providence in everie action , although the action bee sinfull , but not Gods providence in the sin off the action , as in Adams eating off the forbidden 〈…〉 , & moveing cause in the action off eating , but not in the sinne , not seeing that that action was the sinne .

Thus do they walke by their owne ymaginations and intents deceaving , & being deceaved pretending not to lay sin vpon God , when ( indeed & in truth ) they directly make God the author off sin . Our best thoughts off them is , that they do it ignorantly : the Lord give them harts to repent all whose conversions should bee the ioy off our soules .

To deale in this high point & mistery off godlines who more vnfit then we : & to deale with these men off al wee are most vnfit : but yet to shew our selves Faithfull with that talent that God hath given vs , we have through the grace off God taken in hand to do our best service vnto the Lord herein , hopeing off his assistance & acceptance

And first thus much to these their reasons & conclusions , to shew wherein we differ from them , & they digresse From the truth .

Wee confesse that God hath decreed al the good that cometh to passe , & that off him , & through him are all good thinghs : & that the Lord is the author , actor , & moveing cause in , & to every good action : & that his providence is in every good action . ( But God hath not decreed that any evil should come to passe : neither is he the author , actor , or moveing cause , to , or in , anie evil action : neither is his providence over , or in , anie action , wherein is evil . Iam. 1.13 — 18. Al these forealleged reasons , & collections , ( & how many mo we knowe not ) are brought to mainteine that Faire glorious deceaving opinion off perticuler Election , & perticuler reprobation , & so off perticuler Redemption : which ( to speake to the vnderstanding off the simplest ) is , that God hath out off his eternal decre & wil , especially chosen & appointed some perticuler men to be saved , & they off necessity must be saved ; & out off his owne Fore purpose & wil , he hath cast away some to be daned which he would not should be saved , & they of necessity must be damned : & so hath perticulerly redeamed some , & left others to perish ,

To conclude , & vtterly destroy , vnder one ground off truth , a these & al other distinctions , conclusions , & devices produced to mainteyne this opinion , we wil ( by the grace off God ) take the most plaine , easie , and short way that by the direction off his Spirit , our harts can device , which is a way most fitting our owne capacities , & ( wee hope ) wil be most profitable for the vprigt harted reader .

And to proceed to this , we wil first set downe what is the cause off condemnation , & that is shewed in these words off th' appostle . Rom , 5.12 . Death entred by sin & vers 18. by Offence the fault came on all men to condemnation . Whereby it is proved , that Syn / is the cause off condemnation , which al wil graunt that knowe God . And all that feare God might graunt here & seeke no Further , that iff sin be the cause off condemnation . then Gods decree is not the cause , this wee knowe will not give satisfaction . But to give ful satisfaction , we must seeke to find out , who , or what , is the first cause off sin , and this must be found out , by the first sin in the first sinner . In the which passage ( by the grace off God ) wee will labor , withal our poore endeavours to shew , that the Almightie hath cleared himself , by his word & works . That he did not decre , nor was the author , actor , nor moveing cause , in , or to the first sin , & then off no sin , which being proved , we hope it wil appeare vnto al , that do not either willingly , or necligently shut their eies , that no man is condemned because God hath decreed him to condemnation : mans sin being the cause off condemnation , as is proved , & the Holie one being no cause off mans sin .

To prove that God did not decre , nor was the author actor , nor moveing cause in , or off the action off sin , let vs be guided by the holy word & workes off God , both wch . wil prove this so evidently , as it shal never be gain said with anie cullor or shew off truth .

First then to come to a due consideration off Gods worke in the Creation off Adam ▪ which though al men knowe , yet it should appeare few do throughly consider off .

God Created him a perfect man / according to his owne ymage and likenes . Gen. 1.26.27 . in righteousnes and true Holines . Ephes. 4.24 . Giveing him free power over his owne wil , as is proved when he saieth . Thou shalt eate freely of every tree of the garden . Gen. 2.16 . But of the tree of knowledg of good and evill / thou shalt not eat of it : For whensoever thou eatest thereof / thou shalt dye the death . Thus giveing him free power over his owne wil & bodie , to eate , or not to eate , yet the Lord restraning him off the forbidden Fruit by his commaundement , & threatning judgment , but not by his omnipotent power .

This perfect Holy worke off God : & this perfect Holy word off God , doth shewe not to bee gaine-said , that God did not decree Adam should sin : & then was God no author , actor , nor moveing cause in , or off the action off sin .

In that wee purpose not ( because wee think wee have no need ) to stand vpon anie otherground , for the whole tryal off this great & waighty cause , wee will strive to make it as plaine , as possibly wee can by Gods assistance that in these few words it is proved that God decreed not that Adam should sin , thus then wee proceed .

It is proved heere that God gave Adam free-wil & power to eat , or not to eate , & this al men doe confesse , how then can it bee said , with anie Spiritual vnderstanding , that God decreed he should sin : For Gods fore counsel & decree , must off necessitie come to passe , as the Propheth David sheweth . Psal. 33.11 . The Counsels of the Lord shal stand for ever : and the thoughts off his hart throughout all ages .

The Lord cannot bee prevented by men or Angels . but what in his Eternal decree before al beginings hee hath decreed , it must off necessitie come to passe : Now therefore it could not bee the decree off God , that man should sinne , seing that God gave him Fre-wil & power not to have sinned : & iff man had not sinned , as it was in his owne free choyce , then Gods decree had bene prevented , which cannot bee . Therefore off necessitie it must neede bee yeilded , that God did not decree that man should sinne , except anie wil deny , that man had not free wil : & that were to speake directly & plainely against the Holines off God , which though men doe , ( in maintayning this opinion , that God hath appointed off his owne wil , some to condemnation ) yet they do it vnder a cullor .

Is it not then plaine , that every one that hath an eye , may see . That to give Adam a Free wil not to sinne , & an Eternal decree off God that man should sinne : can never stand together in the Almightie / that is one and the same / with whome there is no variablenes / neither shadowe of turning . jam . 2.17 . Can men make Freedome & bondage in one & the same action , all in one man , & al at one time , how shall men bee able with any good conscience to make thinges so contrary hang together .

Moreover wee see the Lord , by his commaundement commaunded Adam that he should not sinne , & will anie notwithstanding this , say that it was God Eternall purpose & will , that Adam should sinne : doth God commaund anie thinge against his Eternal wil. In the feare off God let men take heed how they go about ( by subtil arguments ) to prove God contrary to himselff , which they Plainely do , when they say , it was the eternal wil off God that man should sinne , & yet God commaunds he should not sinne .

Thus doth it appeare by the excellent , perfect , & holy worke off God in mans Creation , that God hath freed himselff From decreing that Adam should sinne : as also by his holy word , in that he commaunds him not to sinne , & layes death before his eyes for a judgment , iff he sinned What could the Lord do more for Adam then he hath done , He made him a perfect man , in righteousnes & true holines : he blessed him , & gave him his commaundement with power & abilitie in himself to kepe it . And wil men for all this say , that God decreed he should sinne , & bee condemned , or that God was any actor , author , or moveing cause in , or to his sinne .

And iff men will deny , & say , they do not hold , that God hath decreed : or was the author , actor , or moveing cause in Adams sinne : then let them also deny that their opinion that God hath decreed , anie man especially , to condemnation : For iff God decreed not man to sinne , then God decreed not man to condemnation , in that sinne is the cause off condemnation : For iff sinne had not bene , there had bene no condemnation .

This then is the decree off God concerning condemnation , that God decreed , that iff man sinned he should dye the death : but God in no wise decreed that man should sinne , as wee have shewed both by the word off God , & by the works off God , which we wish men to hold them vnto , iff they wil stil contradict , & not runne after vaine inventions .

Wee wil now set downe the fairest deceaving shewe , that al the contrary mynded have for their opinion : that God hath decreed & appointed some to condemnation , & they must be condemned , making Gods decree the cause off their condemnation : But let it alwaies be remembred , that it is proved by the word off God , that sinne is the cause off condemnation , & not Gods decree .

This is then the whole substance off that they say . That God hath decreed to forsake & leave those that he hath appointed to condemnation , to themselves , & with holdeth his grace from them , leaving them to sinne , & so to perish for their sinne , we wil not put them to prove this because we knowe they cannot , but we wil shewe by the mercy off God that it is an old conceived ymagination , & hath no ground off truth .

In this their fained ground wee must vnderstand then that they hold that God leaues , & forsakes man first . And this wee haue vtterly disproved already in that we have shewed & proved that God did not leave Adam first , who was the first that fell vnder condemnation : By whose Offence the fault came on all men to condemnation : This will seeme straing ( but let God have the glorie ) that God hath decreed no mans condemnation no otherwise then hee decreed Adams , For both Gods mercie , & his justice in all things & perticulerly concerning salvation & condemnation is one & the same to all man-kind as it was to Adam after his fall : For Gods decree was before the World was ,

To make this plaine , & so by the grace off God to make an end off all : Lett vs consider with holie & vpright harts , & with willingnes to bee enformed From the Word off God , by the meanest earthen vessell that God shall strr vp For the witnessing off anie parte off his truth . Lett vs I say consider , the estate off Adam affter his Fall .

First hee was Fallen , & by him all man-kind . Roman. 5.12 , 18. Vnder the condemnation which God had pronounced against him . Genes. 2.17 . And can anie man device or ymagine , that anie off his posterity , who were yet all in his loynes , and had not yet sinned : affter the same manner off transgression , were fallen Further vnder the Condemnation off God then hee : It could not bee that anie should : Although it may be that some may ymagine that they did fal further But it could not bee that anie should fal further vnder the decree off condemnation then he , in that he fel vnder the depest judgment off Gods decree off condemnacion , which God had , or hath declared by his word : For wee knowe no deeper decree off judgment then the decree off condemnation , & vnder this was Adam fallen : And this went over him , & over al by his transgression .

When Adam was thus fallen , & had off his owne Freewil first forsaken God , did God yet leave him ? No : such was the mercie off God ( everlasting glorie & praise bee given to his name ) as he would not yet leave Adam , but gives him Freely off his owne grace , deliverance by the promissed seed Gen. 3.15 . And as the Apostle hath shewed Rom. 5.12 . — 21. That by Adams sinne the fault came on al to condemnation , so doth he in the same Chapter & verses equally shewe , with equal like words & reasons , yea with the selff same words & reasons : that as by the offence off one ( that was Adam ) the Fault came on al to condemnation : Even so by the justifying off one ( that is Christ Iesus ) the benifit abounded towards al men to the justification off life . That as sinne reigned vnto death , even so might grace also reigne by righteousnes vnto Eternal life by Iesus Christ . How hath the Lord by the vnspeakeable evidence off his truth , proved to mens consciences that wil beleeve his word , that he did not leave & forsake Adam , nor for his sinne any mankind vnder that condemnation which by Adams offence went over al. But by grace in Christ , hath Freed Adam , & in him al man-kind From that sinne off Adam .

To make it yet more plaine , that as Adam was Freed From that sinne , so al man-kind was Freed : And as the promise off Christ the promised seed was made & sent to Adam , even so was he promised & sent to al the world for the same end , which was to save him , as the Lord sheweth by his owne words ( iff hee may bee beleeved , & the Lord give men harts to beleeve him ) Ioh. 12.47 I came not to judg the World / but to save the world : And Ioh. 3.17 . God sent not his Sonne into the World that hee should condemne the World / but that the World through him might bee saved . Now let the Godly harted Reader judg , whether the promissed seed Christ was not promissed & sent to al the world For the same end , for the which he was promissed and sent to Adam , which was to save the World & as he was promissed & sent for the same end to al the World as to Adam : So was hee promissed & sent vnder the same condition to all the World as hee was promissed and sent to Adam .

The Condition was , that Adam should beleeve , and vnder this same Condition was Christ promissed and sent to al the World , as is shewed by Christs owne words . joh. 12.46 . I am come a light into the World / that whosoever beleeveth in mee should not abide in darkenes . And joh. 3.16 . God so loved the world / that hee hath given his onely begotten Sonne / that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish / but have everlasting life . Where is now this conceived device that God should decree to leave & forsake some , that they might perish ? Who hath told men off such a decree ? that God hath or doth with hold his grace from anie , & so leave them to sinne and to perish for their sinne : Where have they found it out & learned it so perfectly ? The word off God hath not taught it them ; And the works off God hath not shewed it vnto them thus to teach men : That the Lords decrees and waies are vnequal , either in his justice or in his mercie : as they doe judg and teach , which judg and teach that God hath decreed ( for Adams sinne ) to forsake and leave some , & to with-hold his grace from them , that they might perish : & hath decreed to save other some , by giveing than Grace . Whereby they would make the Lord more just to some then to other some in condemning : And more merciful to some then to other some in saveing , and all For one & the same Synne . The Lord complaynes off Israel , because they say his waies are vnequal . Ezech. 18. The whole Chapter throwe , shewing them how vnjustly they accused him in vseing that Proverbe . The Fathers have eaten sower grapes / and the Childrens feeth are set on edge . Charging the Lord herein , to punish the Child , For the Fathers Fault : And the Lord in that whole part off his word , even strives to prove his wayes equall in punishing the soule that sinneth : And that the sonne not shall beare the iniquitie off the Father . Saying Furthermore . That hee hath no desire that the wicked should dye / but that they should returne and live .

And iff the Lord had great cause to complayne off Israell For this so vnjust accusation , which they laid vpon him : how greater cause hath he to complayne off all you / that charge him to have condemned al the soules that are condemned From the beginning off the World vnto the end thereoff For Adams sinne . Sayinge , that God decreed to leave them vnder Adams sinne : And not to give them a Saviour : And to with-hold his grace that they might perish , makeing Adams sinne the cause off all their condemnation : For it being the cause that the Lord doth leave & forsake them , it is then the cause off their condemnation . And vnder this condemnation , to bring so manie thousands off millions off poore infants that dye before they have done good or evill . Rom. 9.11 . As he Holy Ghost testifyeth , to be bee their condition . And our Saviour Christ . Luke 18.16 . in commendation off the condition & qualitie off Babes , saith . Suffer the Babes to come vnto me / for of such is the kingdome of Heaven . And Matt. 18 3. Except ye bee converted and become as little Children / ye shal not enter into the kingdome of heaven . & vers. 4. Whosoever therefore shal humble himself / as this little Child / the same is the greatest in the Kingdome of heaven . In all this shewing , that the Children off Christs Kingdome must be off such humble qualitie & condition as infants : & I hope none wil deny , but al infants are off one qualitie & condition , even the infants off the Turks . Our Saviour Christ speakes off al infants generally : & wil men yet judg some infants condemned .

And of such infants the Lord sheweth his great compassion , when he saith to the Prophet Ionah . Ionah . 4.11 . Should I not spare Nyneueh that great cittie : where are six score thousand persons / that cannot descerne betwene their right hand and their left / and also much Cattel ? Whereby the Lord sheweth that they had not sinned , neither were giltie off their Fathers sinnes . And wil you yet charge the Lord to condemne so manie infants , & al for Adams sinne , are not your waies vnequall thus to say & teach men to hold & thinke off God . Doth the Lord say , that that soule that sinneth shall dye : And dare men say , that the soules off infants shal dye / who have neither done good nor evil . Vpon these rocks , and manie moe doth your opinion off perticuler redemption cast you : And little doe you knowe the misterie off iniquitie in this point . And who doth knowe the depth off the misterie off iniquitie herein . Yet give vs leave to shewe you some high degrees off the misterie off iniquitie in this your opinion .

First it makes Gods decree / the cause off sinne , & condemnation : & so makes God / the author & cause off condemnation , & sinne , which is high blasphemy against the Holy one . And hereby is all the sinne in the World , ( that ever hath bene , is , & shal be committed ) laid vpon God , which is high iniquity & the sinne off sinnes .

Secondly it restraineth the love off God to the world , in giveing his Sonne for a Saviour : and whereas our Saviour Christ saith Ioh. 3.16 God so loved the World that he hath given his onely begotten sonne / that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish / but have eternal life . This opinion off perticuler redemption saith . That God did not so love the World , but he loved some few perticuler persons , as he gave his sonne for them , & they onely shal beleve & shal be saved : & the greatest part off man-kind God loved them not , but hath decreed , they shal be damned , & he hath not given his Sonne for them , but hath left them to perish . Thus denying the greatest parte off the World , to have anie meanes off salvation , & that ther is no Saviour for them . And so was it to no end , that our Saviour Christ commaunded his Disciples . Mark . 16.15 . Goe ye into al the world / and preach the Gospel to every Creature . And whereas our Saviour Christ saith . Mat. 10.14.15 . Into what Cittie or Towne ye enter / if they receive you not nor heare your words / shake of the dust of your feet : truly it shal be easier for them of the Land of Sodome and Gomorah in the day of judgment / then for that Cittie . And were he also saith , Ioh. 16.8 . When the comforter cometh / he wil reprove the world of sinne / because they beleeved not in me . By al these places & al the gospel through-out shewing , that their iudgments shall be increased , that receive not Christ nor his word : And yet this lamentable opinion off perticuler Redemption and Reprobation saith they can have no part nor portion in Christ , so is their judgment enlarged for not receiving Christ , with whome they have nothing to do : & thus do they make Christ to offer himselff to them that he would not have receive him , & which he hath decreed shal not receive him , nor beleeve in him : & make the words off the Lord fayned words , & words off dissimulation , Deu. 5.29 . Where he wisheth concerning al Israel . O that there were such an hart in them to feare me / and to kepe al my commaundements alwaie / that it might goe well with them / and with their Children for ever . As also those words off our Saviour Christ Luk. 13.34 . Where he speaketh with such vnfained earnestnes . O Ierusalem Ierusalem / which killest the Prophets / and stonest them that are sent to thee / how often would I have gathered thy Children together / as the Henne gathereth hir broode vnder hir wings / and yee would not . What impietie is this to accompt these words fayned : & if any shal say they do not accompt them fayned , then must they bee forced to confesse that God would have had al Israel & al their posteritie in vprightnes off hart , to have Feared him , & kept his commaundements , that it might have gone wel with them For ever : & so did not decree anie off them , nor off their posteritie to be condemned , & iff our Saviour Christs words were not fayned words then would he have gathered the Children off Ierusalem together which would not be gathered : & so would have had them beleeve in him that would not . And yet they that hold this feareful opinion , hold that God would not have some men , yea the most men to beleeve , but hath decreed their condemnation And though the holy ghost say Act , 17.30 . That now God admonisheth all men every where to repent . Yet they off this opinion that hold that God hath decreed to Reprobate some , say , he would not have al , but some to repent . And if they would speake plainely , & not halt betwixt opinions , they must say that God would have some to be vnbeleevers , & wicked , and disobedient , & that were the hiest blasphemy , it were above the wickednes off the Foole ▪ that saith in his ●ere their is no God . For it were to say there is a wicked God that hath decreed wickednes .

Furthermore this opinion doth excedingly diminish & lessen , that great worke off grace wrought by Christs redemption , makeing Christ a perticuler private redeamer for some private men , whereby Christ is highly dishonored in that his great sufferings are not accompted sufficient to take away Adams sinne , & so hath he not vtterly broken , but onely brused the Serpents head , makeing Adams sinne , to abound above the grace off God by Christ , overthrowing that word off God , Rom. 5.20 . which saith . Where sinne abounded grace abounded much more speakeing off Adams sinne .

Moreover this opinion , that God hath by his decree Elected some perticulerly to salvation , & that there neither is , nor ever was , nor ever can be condemnation vnto them , works presumption in men , for iff men can but once get a perswation in themselves , that God hath Elected them then they are secure , they need not worke out their salvation with feare & trembling : For God haveing decreed them to be saved , they must be saved , they need not feare : Iff they increase & growe in knowledg & grace , it is wel but iff they do not it is al one , for it is decreed they must be saved , & this causeth al sloathful carelesse , & negligent profession , & these are they which shal say we have by thy name prophesied / Cast out Devils / and done many great workes . Mat. 7-22 We have eaten and drunke in thy presence / and thou haist taught in our streets : But for al their presumption , it shal be said vnto them , I knowe you not / depart from me al you workers of iniqujtie . Luk. 13.26.27 .

And this opinion , that God hath decreed & rejected some to be damned , & that there neither is nor ever was salvation for them by Christ , ( for they were as you say decreed to condemnation before Adam fel ) makes some dispare vtterly , as thinking there is no grace for them , & that God hath decreed their distruction : & it makes others desperately careles , holding that iff God have decreed they shal be saved , them they shal be saved : & iff God have decreed they shal be damned , they shal be damned , & so in a desperate carelesnes runne head-long to distruction .

To conclude by this opinion , the Fal off Man ( in respect off the world , which hereby is held not to be redeamed ) is al one with the fal off the deuils : & then the Gadarens Mat. 8.29 . Might have said with the devils . Iesus thou sonne of God what have we to do with thee . Heere is all Faith in preaching the Gospel to the World distroyed : For what Faith can a man have to preach the Gospel to such as ( by this opinion ) he hath more cause to suspect that God hath decreed to condemnation then otherwise : & what faith can there be to preach the Gospel , when we knowe not whether Christ belong to them or no : Al faith in praying one for another is overthrowne , for how can a man off faith pray for any man , when hee cannot knowe , whetheer God God have decreed him to condemnation , & so he pray against God decree . In deed & in truth holding this opinion , that God hath perticulerly by his decree , decreed some perticuler men to condemnation , & they cannot but be condemned , doth make that a man cannot have faith in his owne salvation , for when he cannot have Faith in an other mans salvation , that bringeth furth as good , or better Fruyts then himself , how should he have Faith in his owne salvation , seeing he may aswel fal away as any other , & can no more knowe Gods decree concerning himself , then concerning another . And if a mans soule come to distresse , betwixt feare & doubting , as the Holy Prophet Davids did manie times . In the 40. psalm he saith . My sinnes have taken such hold vpon me / that I am not able to looke vp : Yea they are no in number then the hayres of my head / therefore my hart hath fayled me . Iff thou fal vnder such an estate & condition , ( which the most Godly do ) where shal be thy comfort In the mercies off God ? Why , thou knowest not whether God have decreed to shew mercie on thee or no : Wilt thou say thou knowest God hath decreed to shew mercy on al that beleeve ? so say we : but how knowest thou that God hath decreed that thou art one off those that shall beleeve seeing thou haist much more cause to feare thou art none off them : thou mayst ymagine thy selff to bee one , but this opinion that God hath decreed some especially to bee saved , & some perticulerly to bee condemned , overthrowes thy Faith vtterly : For thou canst not certenly knowe it , & then thou canst not beleeve it . And let , this bee well observed off all that have any vnderstanding , or love off Gods truth that this opinion setts Faith before knowledg , For thou must first beleeve that Christ is given a Saviour for thee before thou canst knowe that hee is a Saviour for thee , which cannot bee , that a man should beleeve that he knowes not : For how shall they beleeve in him off whome they have not heard Roma. 10.14 . And iff a man must first knowe that God hath sent his Sonne a Saviour For him , before he can beleeve it , which iff men bee not void off all religion , they must confesse , then lett the misterie off iniquitie the man off sinne himselff devise ( whose device this perticuler redemption is ) how any man shal knowe by the word off God that Christ is given a Saviour For him , but by knowing that he is given a Saviour for all men , except he can shewe his name especially set downe in the Word . They that see not this ( let it not offend ) are blind & cannot see at noone day . These are some off the Fearefull proper Fruyts off this opinion , That God hath decreed some perticuler men to salvation , & they cannot but bee saved , & some perticuler men to bee damned , & they must bee damned and cannot bee saved , because God hath decreed their condemnation , And thus Far off that .

Now will we endeavor to shew what vnderstanding God hath given vs in this high misterie & great worke off Redemption , & iff wee can prove by plaine evidence off Scripture , that Christ by his death & sufferings hath redeamed all men , then is this whole cause at an end .

And First to prove that the first promisse concerning Christ was generall to all it is evident . Gen ▪ 3.15 Where the promisse off Christ is made off Adam & Hevah , which were al mankind , & in whome were al mankind in whome al had sinned , & for the takeing away off the condemnation due for that sinne , Christ was there promissed & given , & not for a parte which is Further proved . 1. Ioh. 22 And he is a reconsiliation for our sinnes / ( speaking off al the Faithfull to whome he writ ) and not for ours onely / but also for the sinnes off the whole world / how is it possible that the holy ghost should speake more plainely , to shew that Iesus Christ is a reconsiliation for the Faithful which are not off the world , and For the vnfaithful which are the World . Moreover . 2. Cor. 5.15 . Thus reasoneth the Appostle to prove that all were dead , in that one was dead for al. That if one bee dead for al then were al dead / and he died for al / and vers. 19. God was in Christ and reconsiled the world to himself not imputing their sinnes vnto them . and 1. Tym 2.5.9 . There is one God and one Mediator betwene God and man / the man Christ Iesus / who gave himself a ransome for al men . Thus we se , Christ is a reconsiliation for the sinnes off the Faithful , & not so onely but also of the sinnes off the whole world : & that al were dead , & he is dead for al : & that God in Christ reconsiled the World to himselff : & that Iesus Christ hath given him selff a ransome for al men . This might be sufficient to satisfie every vpright hart , but let vs yet see Further.

The Holy Ghost by the Apostle Peter . 2. Pet. 3.9 . speaketh thus vnto those Mockers which said where is the promisse off his comming . The Lord of that promisse is not slack ( as some men count slacknes ) but is patient towards vs / and would have no man perish / but would al come to repentance . Here doth the Apostle shew that it is not slacknes in the Lord that he comes not to judgment , but it is his patience , & the reason off the lords patience is , because hee would have no man to perish , but would al men come to repentance , therefore certenly he hath redeamed al ▪ & . 1. Tym. 2.4 . God wil that all men shal be saved and come to thee acknowledging of the truth . Furthermore . Col. 2.20 . and through peace made by that blood of that his crosse / to reconsile to himselff through him / through him I say / al things both which are in earth / and which are in Heaven .

What shal we need to allege any moe grounds of scripture to prove that Christ hath redeamed al men , & that he would have no man perish . These may suffice , oh that they might suffice what gladnes should come to our soules to see men tractably mynded to submitt themselves to the Word off truth which is so evident in this point : Far bee it from any feareing God either off a Froward or necligent mynd to passe by this great point , though hand led by so weake meanes , by reason off which exceeding weaknes , wee are not able to the ful desire off our soules to discover the depth off the misterie off iniquitie in this opinion off particuler Election , & Reprobation , & so off perticuler Redemption : nor to shew furth the great misterie off Godlines in the true & holy vnderstanding off vniversal , or the general Redemption off al by Christ : yet let us in a few words shew vnto you how greatly the mercy of God towards mankind , is advanced by Christs redeaming off all .

In that when man had off his owne Fre wil , ( being tempted ) yeilded vnto the temptation off the serpent , neclecting the comaundement off his God & Creator , & brought condemnation vpon himselff , & al mankind : God of his infinit mercy , would not leave Adam & in him al mankind to perish vnder that condemnation , but hath sent a Saviour to redeame Adam & al mankind from that sinne shewing himself equally merciful , & equally just vnto al being no respecter of persons , not perdoning Adam & giveing him a Saviour ▪ & condemning the greatest part of his posterity for that his sinne : but hath given his sonne a Saviour For al , iff through vnbeleefe they deprive not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ves .

And what a comfortable doctrine is this vnto al , when every poore soule may knowe , that there is grace & salvation for him by Christ , & that Christ hath shedd his blood for him , that beleeving in him he may bee saved , and that God would not the death off him , but that he should repent & live . Thus is al dispaire taken away , For the grace off God that bringeth salvation vnto al men hath appeared . Tit. 2.11 . And al careles presumption cut off . For hee that wil not beleeve shal be damned Mark . 16 16. & Revel. 2.25 . That which ye have already hold fast til I come / for he that overcometh and keepeth my works to the end / to him wil I give power over nations . and Heb. 3.14 . We are made pertakers of Christ if we keepe sure vnto the end that begining wherewith we are vpholden .

What gratious hart can ever disaprove off this understanding . That Christ hath redeamed al. It is most straing , that men fearing God shoule be so full off indignation against it , why should men thinke much , that Christ should be a Saviour for al men , aswel as for them , especially it being agreable to the whole word off God , & being a doctrine that doth so magnifie & sett furth the mercie off God to al man kind , in giveing a Saviour , that al beleeving in him might be saved : as also advancing the justice off God , in condemning vnbeleevers seing he hath left them without excuse , in that he hath given them a Saviour , in whome because they beleeve not , they are justly condemned .

Much more might be said for the advancement of the great mysterie off Godlines in this point off Christs general redeaming off al men , but we especially desire that the true ground of the cause may prevaile with you : & we doubt not the confort wil folow aboundantly . Iff we have in any thinge led you from the first ground wee have vttetly gone besids our purpose , for the some off al we purposed to speake , is this . That Adam haveing free-will , ( which no man that knowes God to be Holy , may deny ) then God could not decree any man perticulerly to be saved , nor anie man perticulerly to be condemned for life & death , salvation & condemnation were in the Freechoyce off Adam , & depended not vpon Gods decree , but vpon Adams owne wil , in that God gave Adam power in & over himselff , to chuse life or death , not decreing him either to life or death : For iff God had decreed him either to life or death , then had his Freewil bene taken away , For Gods decree must needs come to passe : therefore this most easie & plaine to bee vnderstood , that Adam haveing Free-wil & power , not to have eaten off the Forbidden Fruyt , & so to have lived for ever , God did not decree he should dye : And Adam haveing Free-will & power in , & over himselff to eate off the Forbidden Fruit & dye , God did not decre that Adam should lyve . This then is the decree off God ( as he hath declared in his word to Adam ) Obey and live . Disobey and dye . This is the Law off workes , which Adam had Freewil & power in him selff From God perfectly to kepe , God not decreeing , ( as wee have shewed ) that hee should obey or disobey , live or dye . And let it bee wel observed , that all the decrees off God concerning life or death , to man & man-kind were made with Adam , & therefore we produce him for al. And we have shewed that as Christ the promissed seed was given & sent to Adam to be his Saviour , for the same end he was given & sent to al the world as also vnder the same condition , which was that he should beleeve in him : for iff Adam had not beleeved , he must have bene condemned , & iff all the world had not beleeved , al the world must have bene condemned , & as Adam beleeving in the promissed seed , was ( though the Grace & mercie off God in Christ ) to bee saved , even so all the world beleeving in the promissed seed was ( through the grace & mercie off God in Christ ) to be saved .

And whereas the Holy Ghost Roman. 5.14.15 . Speaking off Infants , saith .

That death reigned also over them that sinned not after the like manner of thee transgression of Adam / the Grace off God / and gift by grace / which is by one man Christ Iesus hath abounded much more to them . Hereby also is further confirmed that al infants are freed by the vniversall redemption off Christ From that condemnation , which you ( by your opinion off perticuler redemption ) would cast vpon the most off them , as is also before shewed ,

What els hath bene spoken , & hath the Word of God for warrant thereoff , wee earnestly beseech all that feare God , & love his truth , with the Holiest thoughts of their harts to consider off , and the Lord give you all vnderstanding harts . And our harts desire and praier to God for you all is , that you might bee saved , & come to the acknowledging off the Truth .