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

Answ. Those are many; and because there are so many Opinions of Men about them, I shall answer to this Question, both Negatively, and Affirmatively.

Answ. Those are many; and because there are so many Opinions of Men about them, I shal answer to this Question, both Negatively, and Affirmatively.

1. Negatively.

First: Some think that the first, and immediate effect of Christs Death was, to make God reconcilable to Man-kind; for God was in Christ, reconciling the World unto himself; but the world was not actually reconciled at his Death; and therefore, say they, the first effect of Christs Death, was to make God reconcilable. But this cannot be the next, and immediate effect of the Death of Christ; for God was reconcilable before Christ died, and had not only a velleity, but a full will to show mercy to us; for John, 3. God so loved the World, that he sent his only begotten Son: Now if the Love of God to Man-kind were the cause of Christs coming into the World, then he was reconcilable before the Death of Christ.

First: Some think that the first, and immediate effect of Christs Death was, to make God reconcilable to Man-kind; for God was in Christ, reconciling the World unto himself; but the world was not actually reconciled at his Death; and therefore, say they, the first effect of Christs Death, was to make God reconcilable. But this cannot be the next, and immediate effect of the Death of Christ; for God was reconcilable before Christ died, and had not only a velleity, but a ful wil to shew mercy to us; for