But, faith he, all denotes not all, who are dead to Sin and themselves, is plain, because the End of Chrift's Death is the fame for all, that they should not live unto themselves but to Christ who died for them: Therefore be died for them in that State, in which, as yet, they were not dead to Sin (k). Anfw. As when they were Enemies they were reconciled to God, by the Death of his Son (1): So by the Death of Chrift, their Head and Reprefentative they really, tho' not perfonally, became dead to Sin, when in themselves they were Enemies to God, and dead in Trefpaffes and Sins, which is the Caufe of their quickening, and dying unto Sin. It therefore is very evident, that Circumstances occur, even in thefe Words which require a Reftriction in the Interpretation of the Term ALL, and fo far are they from countepancing the Opinion of the unlimited Extent of Chrift's Death, that they are a clear Proof he died not for ALL MEN.

CHA P. IV.

Contains an Answer to the Argument taken from its being faid, that Chrift died for

the World.

Arg. II. A fecond principal Argument we take from thofe Places, where it is said Chrift died for the World: The first of which occurs is John

iii. 16. and the Word World denotes all Men in Kind (m).

Anfw. I. It cannot be denied but that the Term World is ambiguous, and of very different Significations in Scripture: And therefore from the bare Ufe of that Term with Relation to the Death of Chrift, we are not to form our Opinion of its Extent. But we ought to confider and compare other Places, where this important Subject is treated of; and if they hold forth fuch a Senfe, as will not admit of the univerfal Extent of his Death, we cannot fairly conclude that fo it is, from the Ufe of this Word, which we know to be of doubtful Import: And efpecially as it is ufed in a limited Senfe, and is even fometimes put for, and defigns no more than Believers, and the Elect of God, who fhall infallibly be saved.

II. Tho' it is denied that the Term World is put for the Church and Elect of God, the Proof that fo it is, will not be attended with the least Difficulty by any thing our Opponents are able to object to that Senfe. It is indeed put for the Non-elect, or at least for Men in a State of Unregeneracy, in thefe Words: Whom the World cannot receive (). It is very evident that it defigns the Non-elect in thefe Words: I pray not for the World (o). And thus it may mean, at leaft it must mean Men in a State of Unregeneracy, where it is faid: The whole World lieth in Wickedness (p). Its of the fame Import when Satan is called the Prince of this World (q): And the God of this World (r). But because it is put for the Non-elect, that therefore it is not used for the

This alfo is if the Fall This like

Elect, by no means follows. Its manifeftly put for the Elect and Church of God in feveral Places of Scripture, thus in thefe Words: For the Promife that he should be the Heir of the World (f). That is of the fame Import with, the Father of the Faithful: Both Phrafes are of the fame Latitude, and exprefs the fame Idea; and therefore by the Term World the Elect of God and they only are to be understood in that Text. its Signification in thefe Words: Now of them be the Riches of the World (1). wife must be its Senfe where it is faid: God was in Chrift reconciling the World unto himself, not imputing their Trefpasses unto them (u). Until clear and evident Proof is given, that God imputes not Sin to the Non-elect, it must neceffarily be concluded, that the Elect alone are intended in this Text. God imputes Sin to thofe, and only to thofe, whom he eternally condemns and punishes, and therefore the Non-elect to whom he imputes Sin, and on whom he inflicts endless Punishment cannot be intended. It is alfo put for the Church under the New Teftament-Difpenfation in these Words: For unto the Angels bath be not put in Subjection the World to come, whereof we Speak (x).

This Term World denotes the Elect and Church of God in thefe Words: And giveth Life. to the World (y). Chrift gives Life only to his Sheep or to fuch who are given to him of the Father: To this it is indeed anfwered, That it deSigns Chrift's doing what is required in order to it, tho' it follows not through the Vice of Men, refufing, or oppofing his Operation. Limborch (x)

(S) Rom. iv, 13. (t) Chap. xi, 13. (x) Heb, ii, v. (3) John vi, 33.

(x)

(u) 2 Cor. v, 19. Lib. IV. Cap. iii,

I reply, 1. An Attempt to give Life to Men, who are dead, which is infuccefsful, thro' what Caufe foever, cannot properly be called giving Life, feeing they still remain dead. 2. Doth Christ fo much as attempt to give Life to fuch, to whom he reveals not himself, as the Way, the Truth, and the Life; I fhould think not, which we are fure he doth not to VAST Multitudes. But to fupport this it is farther obferved, that God is faid to have purged Ifrael, and they were not purged (a). I answer thereby are intended, thofe Warnings, Reproofs, Threatnings of Punishment: And Promifes of Protection, Peace, and Plenty, in cafe they would reform in their Worship, and Conduct, which they received by the Miniftry of the Prophets: But what are all thefe Things to Chrift's giving Life to the World? Which is effected by a real, powerful, and pofitive Work of his Spirit upon their Hearts, and is always effectual, or elfe his People are not made willing in the Day of his Power; which we cannot but apprehend they are, because it is exprefly declared, that fo they fhall be (b). It is also objected thus: But be it fo that the Term World, fometimes denotes the Elect, yet the Circumftances of this Place, viz. John iii, 16. will by no means bear that Expofition, because it is added, that every one that believeth, fhould not perish; but have everlasting Life: For bence it is plain, that fome of thofe for whom Chrift died, may not believe, and may perish: Otherwife the Language is unapt and improper, which, fince they (the Calvinifts) will not grant; it follows by the Word World, others also befides the Elect are comprehended, and as we say all Men (c).

(a) Ibid.

(b) Pfal. cx, 3.

(c) Limborch, Ibid. Anfw.

Anfw. 1. Refpect may be had to the Elect, tho' not under that formal Confideration; but as Perfons in like Circumftances with others; i. e, finful, condemned by the Law, and liable to Wrath, and therefore may very properly be cal led by the Name of the World, as expreffive of their Mifery, and deplorable State by Nature, as fo confidered, they are Children of Wrath, even as oibers. 2. The Elect of God consist of Jews, and Gentiles, which was a Mystery but little known, till the clearer Revelation of the Gospel, by Chrift, and his Apostles. The Jews generally appre hended themselves, to be the only Favourites of Heaven: To convince them of this Miftake, we meet with fuch general Expreffions, as comprife Gentiles, as well as Jews, and particularly the Term World in this Text. 3. Therefore underftanding the Words of the Elect only, no Impropriety attends the Mode of Expreffion, though it is denied, that any of them may not believe, and may perish; because Refpect is had to them, as guilty miferable Sinners, and as Jews and Gentiles. God fo loved the World, i. e. his Elect; that who foever, i. e. that what Perfons foever they are, believing, they fhall not perish. The Words regard their State and Condition: And therefore the Senfe is not, whoever of thefe Perfons believes; but whatever be the Extract, Circumftance, and State of him, who believes, he fhall not perish but infallibly be faved, thro' the Mediation and Sufferings of Chrift. 4. So it must be, because God infinitely loves ALL thofe Perfons, repre fented under the Character of the World, in this Place. Doth God fo love ALL Men? Why then doth he reveal his Will to SOME Men only? Why then doth not God give his Spirit and Grace