A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

Some understand it thus; that this purging is meant by the shedding of CHRISTS blood, whereby the whole world is purged, John 1.29. But that all men are purged by CHRISTS blood, is neither a true position in it self, nor a true exposition of this place. The blood of Christ only purgeth his Church, Ephes. 5.26. And there are none admitted to stand before the Throne, but such as have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹If any soul be thus washed, he shall never be confounded. If this man were thus purged, how could he forget it? God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. ²Yet no man thinks that the whole world shall go to heaven; for then were hell mad to no purpose. So God loved the world, that he gave his Son; ³yet the whole world lies in wickedness. Thus it is clear; Expiation was offered for the world, and offered to the world; but those that are blessed by it, be separated from the world, Joh. 15.19. I have chosen you out of the world. Salvation may be said to belong to many, that belong not to salvation. Now the reprobate forgets, that a purgation was made for him, by the shedding of the Messiah's blood, which is a wretched thing, to forget so great a ransom?

Some understand it thus; that this purging is meant by the shedding of CHRISTS bloud, whereby the whole world is purged, Iohn 1.29. But that all men are purged by CHRISTS bloud, is neither a true position in it selfe, nor a true exposition of this place. The bloud of Christ onely purgeth his Church, Ephes. 5.26. And there are none admitted to stand before the Throne, but such as have washed their roabes, and made them white in the bloud of the Lambe. ¹