The application of redemption

There is no promise of giving saving Grace to such, §3and none could ever be showed. That which sometimes the Arminians pretend, but press it with no great confidence, is in Matth. 25. 29. in the Parable of the Talents; To every man that hath, shall be given; and to him that hath not, shall be taken away, even that he hath: Hence, He that hath, and useth his Natural abilities well, shall be given Supernatural. Answ. That gloss corrupts […] Text, and doth not suit with the Scope and Circumstances of the Parable, as hath been made good by many Arguments, by such as have diligently searched into the sense of the place. The unprofitable Servant that used not his Talents well, he is to receive that Sentence, […] must be cast into utter darkness; which were it understood according to the former Opinion, it would infer an apparent falsehood. He that did not improve his Talent, was forth with to be cast into utter darkness; but many that do not use their natural abilities, and the special advantages well, have been formerly, and will without question be brought home to Christ and happiness, 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10. Know ye not, that no Adulterer, Covetous Reviler, Extortioner, shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven; but such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are cleansed. 1 Pet. 4. 2. It is sufficient that in time past we have had our Conversation among the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, […], excess of Riot, Revellings, and abominable […]. These did not use their Natural abilities well, and yet were not cast out into utter darkness; ⟨p. 305⟩therefore the using of the Natural abilities, is not the having, or the using of the Talent there meant. […] I suppose the meaning of the Phrase is, by him that hath, is meant the man that is truly gracious; the Talent is the Gospel; by having, is the receiving and […] of it in a good and honest heart, and the sanctified use of it in a saving manner. For the Evangelists Expressions seem undeniable to evidence this meaning, Matth. 13. 11, 12. When our Saviour Christ had told his Disciples it was given to them (q. d. it's the peculiar special work of the Spirit of Grace in your hearts) to know the mysteries of the Kingdom, but to them it is not given; he ads the reason and proof in the next verse;