Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D.…

2. This Doctrine also confuteth the Error of Universal Redemption. Certainly if Christ had dyed for all, he would never himself affirm, that but few shall find the way to Eternal Life. If Christ have died to save men, and yet they fall short of Salvation, then must his blood be shed in vain, as not being able to accomplish the end intended by him, which thing may not be imagined, Gal. 2.21. It's a sure Proposition, That the Redemption of Christ, and the Application of this Redemption, are of equal extent; but my Text teacheth us, that the Application of this Redemption reacheth only to those that are comparatively but a few. And shall we think that Christ would dye for those whom he would not so much as pray for: He would not pray for the Reprobate World, John 17.9. Surely they that are not interested in Christs Intercession, are not interested in his Oblation. To dye for another is an evidence of the greatest love that can be, John 15.13. How harsh and horrid is it to affirm that Christ loved Judas as much as he did ⟨p. 193⟩Peter? yet so it must be, if he dyed for the one, as much as for the other: Wherefore the Scripture plainly intimateth, that Christ dyed only for the Elect of God: Thus some understand that place, Heb. 2.16. He took not on him the nature of Angels. So the words are rendered; but they may be read, He taketh not hold of the Angels. Saith the Apostle, Christ saw the Reprobate Angels falling into the pit of Destruction, but he did not take hold of them to recover and save them; No, but the seed of Abraham he taketh hold of. He doth not say, the seed of Adam, but the seed of Abraham, thereby intimating, that Christ did not come to redeem all men whatsoever, but the Elect of God, who are noted by that expression of the seed of Abraham.

2. This Doctrine also confuteth the Error of Ʋniversal Redemption. Certainly if Christ had dyed for all, he would never himself affirm, that but few shall find the way to Eternal Life. If Christ have died to save men, and yet they fall short of Salvation, then must his blood be shed in vain, as not being able to accomplish the end intended by him, which thing may not be imagined,