The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

The Apostle describes the case of the Gentiles in such terms as argue it to be extremely dangerous, if not desperate. Their understandings were darkened, being alienated from the life of God, ¹through the ignorance that is in them. They were without Christ, aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel, strangers from the Covenant of the Promise, without hope. They had no sense of their misery, no expectation, nor desire of Mercy. Not only the barbarous and savage, but the polished and civilized Nations are called [Greek or Hebrew], being without the knowledge of the true God, and of a Saviour. Philosophy never made one Believer. And as the want of a Sovereign Remedy exposes a man that hath a mortal Disease to certain ruin; so the single Ignorance of the Gospel leaves men in a state of Perdition. 'Tis true, where the Faculties are not capable, or the Object is not revealed, God doth not impute the want of Knowledge as a crime. But Salvation is obtained only by the Covenant of Grace, which is founded in the Satisfaction of the Redeemer.² And 'tis by the knowledge of him that he justifies many ▪ God would have all men saved by coming to the knowledge of the Truth, ³that is the Doctrine of the Gospel, so called in respect of its excellency, being the most profitable that ever was revealed. The Infants of Believers are saved by special Privilege, for the merits of Christ, without any apprehension of him. But others who are come to the use of Reason, and made partakers of Blessedness by the ⟨p. 112⟩Knowledge of God in Christ. This is Life eternal, to know thee to be the only true God, ⁴and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. The Sun quickens some creatures by its vital Influences, which are buried in the caves of the Earth, and never see the Light. But the Sun of Righteousness illuminates all whom he saves. What degree of Knowledge is necessary of the Dignity of his Person, and the Efficacy of his Mediation, I cannot determine; But that the Heathens, who are absolutely strangers to the only means of our recovery, and do not believe on God reconciled in the Son of his Love, should partake of Saving Mercy; I do not see any thing in the Gospel (which is the revelation of God's Will concerning our Salvation) upon which to build a rational Hope.