A27064:243
Universal redemption of mankind, by the Lord Jesus Christ stated and cleared by the…
Universal redemption of mankind, by the Lord Jesus Christ stated and cleared by the late learned Mr. Richard Barter [sic] ; whereunto is added a short account of Special redemption, by the same author.
London: printed for John Salusbury, 1694
OF Universal Redemption. › Chapter 4: The First Proposition Asserted.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Major is also plain. It is injustice to punish those to whom no punishment is due: But no punishment is due to them that have fully suffered for all Sin: Therefore to punish them that have so suffered is injustice. I know God is absolute Lord of the Creature, and therefore may in that regard use them as he please: And therefore I say, as Twice, that he may without injustice torment or afflict the most innocent Creature, (supposing him not to have promised the contrary, and to be only Dominus, & non Rector): But (saith Twice) he cannot punish the innocent: For that is a contradiction and so impossible. For all punishment is for sin. Affliction is but the matter of punishment and not the form. Besides; God being Rector of the reasonable Creature, and having expressed in his Laws, that he will not punish Men that deserve it not, it is not to be charged on him. If any say, God is not capable of injustice, if you should suppose the breach of his promise? I say, 1. as Abraham Gen. 18. 25. ⟨p. 74⟩that be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the Righteous with the wicked, and that the Righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from thee: Shall not the judge of all the Earth do Right? 2. We cannot suppose God to reconcile contradictions: Such it is to punish the Innocent.
The Major is also plain. It is injustice to punish those to whom no punishment is due: But no punishment is due to them that have fully suffered for all Sin: Therefore to punish them that have so suffered is injustice. I know God is absolute Lord of the Creature, and therefore may in that regard use them as he please: And therefore I say, as Twisse, that he may without injustice torment or afflict the most innocent Creature, (supposing him not to have promised the contrary, and to be only Dominus, & non Rector): But (saith Twisse) he cannot punish the innocent: For that is a contradiction and so impossible. For all punishment is for sin. Affliction is but the matter of punishment and not the form. Besides; God being Rector of the reasonable Creature, and having expressed in his Laws, that he will not punish Men that deserve it not, it is not to be charged on him. If any say, God is not capable of injustice, if you should suppose the breach of his promise? I say, 1. as Abraham Gen. 18. 25. ⟨p. 74⟩