A30345:466
A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the gradual breakings out of Gospel…A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the graduall breakings out of Gospel…
A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the gradual breakings out of Gospel grace from Adam to Christ are clearly discovered, the differences betwixt the Old and New Testament are laid open, divers errors of Arminians and others are confuted, the nature of uprightness, and the way of Christ in bringing the soul into communion with himself ... are solidly handled / by that faithful servant of Jesus Christ, and minister of the Gospel, John Ball ; published by Simeon Ash.A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the graduall breakings out of Gospel grace from Adam to Christ are clearly discovered, the differences betwixt the Old and New Testament are laid open, divers errours of Arminians and others are confuted, the nature of uprightnesse, and the way of Christ in bringing the soul into communion with himself ... are solidly handled / by that faithfull servant of Jesus Christ, and minister of the Gospel, John Ball ; published by Simeon Ash.
London: printed by G. Miller for Edward Brewster, 1645
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
If the maintainers of universal redemption consider their own grounds, it will be hard to fit this Text to their purpose: or rather from them the former exposition may be confirmed. For either by all men, they must understand mankind in the common lapse, as fallen in Adam, and then Christ by his death hath restored them into the favour of God, they stand actually reconciled, they be regenerated, and if they die before by actual sin committed in their own person they fall from that estate, are undoubtedly saved: or they must understand all men considered as obstinate, impenitent, rebellious, unbelievers. And then Christ died for all, and every man as obstinate, impenitent and unbelievers: which I cannot find that any of them hath or dare affirm: or by all men they must understand all believers, who apply and possess the benefits of Christs death, which is that we affirm. They say (how truly I dispute not) his dominion over all men, that they are bound to obey him, and live unto him, is grounded upon his dying for every one. But if that be granted, is it not necessary that his death should be applied to every one in some sort, at least made known unto them in the word of life? For men are bound to obey and live unto Christ, as they will grant, not because he hath impetrated righteousness and salvability, but because he hath entered into Covenant with them, made known unto them the way of life, imparted unto them his blessings, and they have accepted of the condition, and received him to be their Saviour.
If the maintainers of universall redemption consider their owne grounds, it will be hard to fit this Text to their purpose: or rather from them the former exposition may be confirmed. For either by all men, they must understand mankind in the common lapse, as fallen in Adam, and then Christ by his death hath restored them into the favour of God, they stand actually reconciled, they be regenerated, and if they die before by actuall sinne committed in their owne person they fall from that estate, are undoubtedly saved: or they must understand all men considered as obstinate, impenitent, rebellious, unbelievers. And then Christ died for all, and every man as obstinate, impenitent and unbelievers: which I cannot find that any of them hath or dare affirme: or by all men they must understand all beleevers, who apply and possesse the benefits of Christs death, which is that we affirme. They say (how truly I dispute not) his dominion over all men, that they are bound to obey him, and live unto him, is grounded upon his dying for every one. But if that be granted, is it not necessary that his death should be applied to every one in some sort, at least made knowne unto them in the word of life? For men are bound to obey and live unto Christ, as they will grant, not because he hath impetrated righteousnesse and salvabilitie, but because he hath entred into Covenant with them, made knowne unto them the way of life, imparted unto them his blessings, and they have accepted of the condition, and received him to be their Saviour.