I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

Arg. 3 That Doctrine which is contrary, or repugnant to the free Grace of God, cannot be a true friend to the comfort of a poor, doubting soul; for what is our great comfort on this side Heaven, but the Free Grace of God? Now, what is Free Grace? but the special Favour of God shown to some, more than to others? And therefore if ye look into Romans, 9. ye shall find, that when the Apostle would set out the free Grace of God, saying, Whom he will, he shows mercy to; and who• he will, he hardens; he first shows that Jacob and Esau were alike, alike in regard of their Parentage, for both were of Isaac and Rebecca; alike in regard of their Work, For the Children being not yet born, and having done neither good or evil, &c. yet God did love the one, and hate the other, showing mercy to the one, and not to the other, Why? ⟨p. 321⟩Because God will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and will have compassion on whom he will have compassion, ver. 15. So that it is the work of Free Grace to show mercy to some, and not to others, who are alike unworthy. So again, Ephes. 2. the Apostle proving, that by Grace we are saved; first he shows, that the Ephesians by Nature, were as unworthy as any other, being all by Nature, the children of wrath, ver. 1.2. ye• those Ephesians did obtain mercy, and not others, Why? Because by Grace they were saved: So that Free Grace, is that distinguishing Mercy of God, whereby he doth show mercy to some, and not to others, who are alike miserable, and unworthy. But now this Doctrine of Universal Redemption, tells us, That as Christ died for all, so he doth give a sufficiency of Grace unto all, and therefore that which distinguisheth one man from another, must be the free Will of man, and not the free Grace of God; for, Commune quae tenus, commune non distinguit; That which is common, as common, cannot distinguish. As suppose now, that a Father doth bestow an equal Sum of Money upon two Children, to purchase House or Land with; one doth purchase, and the other not: the reason why the one purchases, and the other not, is, Because the one wills it, and the other not; indeed he that purchaseth, doth it by his Fathers help, assistance, and Money; but what reason is there why he doth make a Purchase, and the other not, but because he wills it, and the other not? So, if God give a sufficiency of Grace unto all;