CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

5. In this Point of Religion as in all others we must not go according to our carnal affections and desires, but the direction and revelation that is in the Scripture; For the way of Salvation being wholly depending upon Gods Will; None are able to judge of it but so far as he discovers his will therein; Therefore ⟨p. 235⟩the Gospel is said to be Light come into the world; The world had not this Light of it self; We cannot say of the things of the Gospel as the Apostle doth of the things of the Law, that they do them by nature, and know them by nature; No, it's necessary these things should be revealed from heaven, therefore when thou goest to study this Point, do as in all other Mysteries, lay aside thy own thoughts, thy own imaginations, become an abrasa tabula, have none of thy philosophical or natural principles within thee; This dust or humour in the Eye will hinder thee from beholding perfectly this Object; It's true it's a very specious and taking doctrine that Christ died for all, that grace is universal, but if a man would therefore embrace it because it's so pleasing to flesh and blood, then there is that of Origens which goeth further and is much more pleasing; That all even devils and all shall be actually saved. Therefore to hold universal grace or redemption is nothing so pleasing as to hold universal Salvation; Alas, though men hold Christ died for all, yet they grant the most of them are damned; Therefore that doctrine is nothing so desirable as that which maintains the salvation of all; If then you say that is too broad a way the Scripture gainsays that; Thus it followeth also, If the Scripture gainsay the other we are to attend to what that saith, and not to what our own hearts would have; Therefore throw away the head of the Sacrifice as God commanded, all thy own thoughts and natural Imaginations in this matter.

5. In this Point of Religion as in all others we must not go according to our carnal affections and desires, but the direction and revelation that is in the Scripture; For the way of Salvation being wholly depending upon Gods Will; None are able to judge of it but so farre as he discovers his will therein; Therefore ⟨p. 235⟩the Gospel is said to be Light come into the world; The world had not this Light of it self; We cannot say of the things of the Gospel as the Apostle doth of the things of the Law, that they do them by nature, and know them by nature; No, it's necessary these things should be revealed from heaven, therefore when thou goest to study this Point, do as in all other Mysteries, lay aside thy own thoughts, thy own imaginations, become an abrasa tabula, have none of thy philosophical or natural principles within thee; This dust or humour in the Eye will hinder thee from beholding perfectly this Object; It's true it's a very specious and taking doctrine that Christ died for all, that grace is universal, but if a man would therefore embrace it because it's so pleasing to flesh and bloud, then there is that of Origens which goeth further and is much more pleasing; That all even devils and all shall be actually saved. Therefore to hold universal grace or redemption is nothing so pleasing as to hold universal Salvation; Alas, though men hold Christ died for all, yet they grant the most of them are damned; Therefore that doctrine is nothing so desirable as that which maintains the salvation of all; If then you say that is too broad a way the Scripture gainsays that; Thus it followeth also, If the Scripture gainsay the other we are to attend to what that saith, and not to what our own hearts would have; Therefore throw away the head of the Sacrifice as God commanded, all thy own thoughts and natural Imaginations in this matter.