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

JOH. 17.9. I pray not for the world.

The controversial part being dispatched so far as was convenient in this place, we now come to the practical: We lead you out of the Camp that ye may gather honey; For you may ask To what purpose is all this Disputation? What matter is it whether Christ had a special or an universal love in his Death? I acknowledge it is very good to keep within the bounds of Sobriety and Piety, and not to be so disputative about the universality of Christs Death as to be solicitous whether we are in the number of those for whom he died▪ for whether he died for all or for some, If we repent not and believe there will be little comfort or advantage for us either way.

THe controversall part being dispatched so farre as was convenient in this place, we now come to the practicall: We leade you out of the Camp that ye may gather honey; For you may ask To what purpose is all this D•sputation? What matter is it whether Christ had a speciall or an universal love in his Death? I acknowledge it is very good to keep within the bounds of Sobriety and Piety, and not to be so disputative about the universality of Christs Death as to be sollicitous whether we are in the number of those for whom he died▪ for whether he died for all or for some, If we repent not and beleeve there will be little comfort or advantage for us either way.

Use 1 And therefore the first Use shall be of Instruction to demonstrate the necessity of conversion and turning unto God from our sins, for all men that pretend to any reason or piety howsoever they differ about Christs death, yet agree in this, that no man hath benefit by Christs death but such who cleanse themselves from their iniquities, who renounce their former lusts that were like so many Lords, quot vitia tot Domini; And take Jesus Christ for their Lord and King; There was scarce any Heretic ever so besotted as to preach Christ so died for all that it's no matter whether ye repent or no; whether you forsake your sins or no, Christ died to save you; No, they agree in this, though otherwise so different that no benefit of Christs death is actually applied to any man, till by Faith and Repentance he be a qualified Subject; so that the wicked man wallowing in his sins hath cause to tremble and quake under this Truth, he may say Mihi nec seritur nec metitur; Here is nothing makes for me in all these Opinions: If I be Calvinist, Arminian, or any other way, I cannot have any quietness, or look for any comfort till I and my sins are divided; Only that of Origens might give thee some ease, if it could be