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

Arg. 5 The more any Doctrine doth hang the Mercy of God upon Conditions to be performed by us; the less comfortable it is, and the more it leaves a poor doubting soul in his fears. Now according to this Doctrine of Universal Redemption, the whole Mercy of God is made to depend, and hang upon performance of our Conditions, yea, upon the performance of the Condition of Nature: For say we, If Christ died for all particular men, and so God doth will the Salvation of all the particular men in the world, then he doth will this, either absolutely, or conditionally; if absolutely, then it must needs come to pass; conditionally therefore saith this Doctrine, God doth will the Salvation of all men, upon condition that they repent, believe, and obey; if so, say we, then either God doth will this Condition, viz. That all particular men should repent and believe, or not; if not, then God doth not will the Salvation of all; for he that doth not will the means, doth not will the end; Qui vult finem, vult media ad finem: If God do will this condition, viz. The Faith and Repentance of all the men in the World; then say we, he doth will this, either absolutely, or conditionally; if absolutely, then it must needs come to pass, that all men should repent and believe, which they do not: Conditionally therefore, say the maintainers of this Doctrine, and what condition is there precedent to Faith and Repentance, but Nature, and the work thereof? yea, what Grace or Mercy is there in the Gospel, but they do tie it up unto our conditions? Will ye instance in the Purchase and Benefits of the Death of Christ? these, say they, are to be given out upon condition. Will ye instance in the Grace of the new Covenant? all that, say they, is to be given out, and is promised upon condition: There is no absolute Promise of Grace, say they, in all the Scripture. Now look what that Doctrine is, which doth make all Grace conditional, that must needs be very obstructive to the hope, and comfort, of a poor, doubting soul. Such is this Doctrine of Universal Redemption; surely therefore it can be no true friend, but is a real enemy to the consolation of a poor, doubting, and afflicted soul.

Arg. 5 The more any Doctrine doth hang the Mercy of God upon Conditions to be performed by us; the less comfortable it is, and the more it leaves a poor doubting soul in his fears. Now according to this Doctrine of Universal Redemption, the whol Mercy of God is made to depend, and hang upon performance of our Conditions, yea, upon the performance of the Condition of Nature: For say we, If Christ died for all particular men, and so God doth wil the Salvation of al the particular men in the world, then he doth wil this, either absolutely, or conditionally; if absolutely, then it must needs come to pass; conditionally therefore saith this Doctrine, God doth will the Salvation of all men, upon condition that they repent, beleeve, and obey; if so, say we, then either God doth will this Condition, viz. That all particular men should repent and beleeve, or not; if not, then God doth not will the Salvation of all; for he that doth not wil the means, doth not wil the end; Qui vult finem, vult media ad finem: If God do wil this condition, viz. The Faith and Repentance of all the men in the World; then say we, he doth wil this, either absolutely, or conditionally; if absolutely, then it must needs come to pass, that all men should repent and beleeve, which they do not: Conditionally therefore, say the maintainers of this Doctrine, and what condition is there precedent to Faith and Repentance, but Nature, and the work thereof? yea, what Grace or Mercy is there in the Gospel, but they do tie it up unto our conditions? Wil ye instance in the Purchase and Benefits of the Death of Christ? these, say they, are to be given out upon condition. Will ye instance in the Grace of the new Covenant? all that, say they, is to be given out, and is promised upon condition: There is no absolute Promise of Grace, say they, in all the Scripture. Now look what that Doctrine is, which doth make all Grace conditional, that must needs be very obstructive to the hope, and comfort, of a poor, doubting soul. Such is this Doctrine of Universal Redemption; surely therefore it can be no true friend, but is a real enemy to the consolation of a poor, doubting, and afflicted soul.