Universal redemption of mankind, by the Lord Jesus Christ stated and cleared by the…

Prop. XVIII. Nay in this case the very Law of Grace, commanding Faith in Christ Crucified doth oblige these men remotely to the Duty, and to punishment for neglect of the Duty. For though a Law not promulgate cannot oblige, yet the Question is, Who it was long of? Or, Who was the faulty cause that it was not Published? If the Law-giver, then it cannot oblige: But if it were the subject, then it doth actually, though remotely oblige. For no man is to receive benefit (saith the Civil Law) by his own fault. Who knows not that among us if a Man will lie in an Ale-House and never come to hear the word, God will judge him guilty of being Ignorant of all the Truths which he might have there learnt? And of neglecting all the Duties which he might have been informed of? And if a man ⟨p. 472⟩know some few preparatory Truths here, (as that he is a sinner, and miserable, and ought to seek out for remedy, and should come to hear the word, and forsake his known sin, and keep good company, &c.) and yet he despise or disobey these, shall we say this Man was never bound to believe? I say, he is bound [remotely] that is, first to do some other Duties which tend towards the obtaining of the Gospel; and then to believe: For the obligation to both Duties lieth on him at once; but not an obligation to perform both Duties at once.

Prop. XVIII. Nay in this case the very Law of Grace, commanding Faith in Christ Crucified doth oblige these men remotely to the Duty, and to punishment for neglect of the Duty. For though a Law not promulgate cannot oblige, yet the Question is, Who it was long of? Or, Who was the faulty cause that it was not Published? If the Law-giver, then it cannot oblige: But if it were the subject, then it doth actually, though remotely oblige. For no man is to receive benefit (saith the Civil Law) by his own fault. Who knows not that among us if a Man will lie in an Ale-House and never come to hear the word, God will judge him guilty of being Ignorant of all the Truths which he might have there learnt? And of neglecting all the Duties which he might have been informed of? And if a man ⟨p. 472⟩know some few preparatory Truths here, (as that he is a sinner, and miserable, and ought to seek out for remedy, and should come to hear the word, and forsake his known sin, and keep good company, &c.) and yet he despise or disobey these, shall we say this Man was never bound to believe? I say, he is bound [remotely] that is, first to do some other Duties which tend towards the obtaining of the Gospel; and then to believe: For the obligation to both Duties lyeth on him at once; but not an obligation to perform both Duties at once.