O Saint Paul, What Ignorance was this in thee, or unskilfulness of Speech? Thou mightst learn of Vega to speak more curiously, and to polish thy Stile according to the elegance of the Roman Court, after this manner. The Righteousness of God by the Faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and not only all, but also unto every one, and upon every one present and to come, that believe, so that thereby you might comprehend not only the kinds of every one, but also every species of the kinds, and every individual of the Species. But that ⟨p. 470⟩I may answer seriously to the vain-glorious Spaniard. It was your Duty, O Vega, to correct your Spirit of Error, by the divinely inspired Words of Paul; and not to pride your self in such vain and empty Notions. For who sees not the clear and perspicuous simplicity of this Speech of Paul, whereby he proclaims a common Interest in Eternal Life and 1Righteousness, not only to Jews and Gentiles in the general, but to every one of them in particular, whether they be Jews or Gentiles, that believe in Christ? Unless the Apostle had together with the universal Term set down the proper Mark of Distinction, that is, the peculiar Condition of attaining to Righteousness, you might have some colour of Reason for what you pretend. As for Example, when the Scripture speaks thus. They shall be all taught of God: God would have all Men to be saved, and come to the Knowledge of the Truth, in such a Case a Man may interpret the universal Term. (As Augustine did) in such a manner as you speak of: To wit, that it is not every one of all, but some particular Persons of all kind of Men and Nations, that attain unto the Knowledge 2of the Truth; but the Case is otherways in this Expression of Paul, where the Apostle together with the universal Term, adds also a peculiar and proper mark of Distinction: So that he doth not only make the Righteousness of God common to all in the general, but also expressly sets down ⟨p. 471⟩a certain manner, whereby all do attain unto it, and to whom it peculiarly belongs; in these Words: By the Faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all that believe. Whence of necessity it follows, that every Mans Righteousness consists in his believing in Christ by Faith unfeigned, and embracing of him according to the saying of the Prophet, 3The just shall live by Faith.
O Saint Paul, What Ignorance was this in thee, or unskilfulness of Speech? Thou mightst learn of Vega to speak more curiously, and to polish thy Stile according to the elegancy of the Roman Court, after this manner. The Righteousness of God by the Faith of Iesus Christ unto all, and not only all, but also unto every one, and upon every one present and to come, that believe, so that thereby you might comprehend not only the kinds of every one, but also every species of the kinds, and every individual of the Species. But that ⟨p. 470⟩I may answer seriously to the vain-glorious Spaniard. It was your Duty, O Vega, to correct your Spirit of Errour, by the divinely inspired Words of Paul; and not to pride your self in such vain and empty Notions. For who sees not the clear and perspicuous simplicity of this Speech of Paul, whereby he proclaims a common Interest in Eternal Life and 1Righteousness, not only to Iews and Gentiles in the general, but to every one of them in particular, whether they be Iews or Gentiles, that believe in Christ? Unless the Apostle had together with the universal Term set down the proper Mark of Distinction, that is, the peculiar Condition of attaining to Righteousness, you might have some colour of Reason for what you pretend. As for Example, when the Scripture speaks thus. They shall be all taught of God: God would have all Men to be saved, and come to the Knowledge of the Truth, in such a Case a Man may interpret the universal Term. (As Augustine did) in such a manner as you speak of: To wit, that it is not every one of all, but some particular Persons of all kind of Men and Nations, that attain unto the Knowledge 2of the Truth; but the Case is otherways in this Expression of Paul, where the Apostle together with the universal Term, adds also a peculiar and proper mark of Distinction: So that he doth not only make the Righteousness of God common to all in the general, but also expresly sets down ⟨p. 471⟩a certain manner, whereby all do attain unto it, and to whom it peculiarly belongs; in these Words: By the Faith of Iesus Christ unto all, and upon all that believe. Whence of necessity it follows, that every Mans Righteousness consists in his believing in Christ by Faith unfeigned, and embracing of him according to the saying of the Prophet, 3The just shall live by Faith.
- 1The popish comment about the universal Sign is overturned.
- 2Aug. de praedest. Sanct. lib. 1. cap. 8.
- 3Hab.
