Of justification four disputations clearing and amicably defending the truth against the unnecessary oppositions…

4. Your last Question is about Universal Redemption. [If it be affirmed that Christ dyed for every child of Adam conditionally, it would be well proved from Scripture that the procuring of such a conditional Law or Covenant, was the end or effect of Christs death: and whether the so interpreting Texts that speak of his dying for all, will not serve for evasions to put by the Arguments drawn from them to prove Christs satisfaction and merit proper to the Elect? &c.] Answer. 1. Though I do not doubt much of the point, yet I have no mind to meddle with the question, as it concerns those Pagans that never heard of Christ. Not for fear of any disadvantage thence to the cause, but 1. Because I find God speaks sparingly of those to whom he speaks not: it concerns not us so much to know his Counsel concerning others. 2. Because it is an ill way of arguing to lay the stress of all on the most obscure point; (as men do, that study more how to silence an adversary, then to see the Truth) and to prove obscurum per obscurius. 2. This is a point that I cannot give you my thoughts of in a few words; there needs so much for Explication: and therefore ⟨p. 382⟩being but here touched, I shall forbear. 3. I doubt not but to prove abundantly from Scripture with much evidence, what I assert in this. 4. It was not the only, nor the first effect of his Death, that Christ was [Satisfaction to Gods Justice for the Violation of the Law.] 5. That such a conditional Law or Covenant is granted, and extant in Scripture, is as plain as most points in the Gospel: and sure no such thing can be but upon Christs death as the meritorious cause. 6. So interpreting these Texts which are so to be interpreted, is no evasion: And no Text will prove Christs satisfaction and Merit wholly proper to the Elect. Much less those which say, He died for all men, That God intendeth only the Elect to be certainly saved by Christs death, I can easily prove from many other Texts: But if I should prove it by these, it were strange. It is an ill consequence [Christ died for all men; therefore his satisfaction is proper to the Elect.] 7. In point of Law the Elect have no more Title to Christ and his Benefits, then any others (as Elect before they believe.) But Gods Decree hath from Eternity appropriated Salvation by Christ only to the Elect in point of Event.

4. Your last Question is about Universal Redemption. [If it be affirmed that Christ dyed for every child of Adam conditionally, it would be well proved from Scripture that the procuring of such a conditional Law or Covenant, was the end or effect of Christs death: and whether the so interpreting Texts that speak of his dying for all, will not serve for evasions to put by the Arguments drawn from them to prove Christs satisfaction and merit proper to the Elect? &c.] Answer. 1. Though I do not doubt much of the point, yet I have no mind to meddle with the question, as it concerns those Pagans that never heard of Christ. Not for fear of any disadvantage thence to the cause, but 1. Because I find God speaks sparingly of those to whom he speaks not: it concerns not us so much to know his Counsel concerning others. 2. Because it is an ill way of arguing to lay the stress of all on the most obscure point; (as men do, that study more how to silence an adversary, then to see the Truth) and to prove obscurum per obscurius. 2. This is a point that I cannot give you my thoughts of in a few words; there needs so much for Explication: and therefore