ticular man in the world, that he is not bound to beleeve, because it is not found in Scripture, nor can he beleeve it, according to their grounds that urge this argument, neither can such perswasion be the ground of justifying faith. I say every man in the world good or bad cannot beleeve it, as they teach: For either they be considered as in the common Masse, as all Infants, and then they be actually restored into grace; or as impenitent and unbeleevers, fallen from the Covenant themselves, (or as Arminius addeth, in their parents) and then Christ died not for them as such. Script. Rem.
advers. coll.
Hag. art. 2.If they be admitted into Covenant, and continue therein, Christ died for them in respect of application: if they be fallen from that state by impenitency, obstinacy, rebellion, Christ died not for them as such: If they be cast off, and not so much as outwardly called, how can they beleeve that Christ died for them, specially, when by transgression they have departed from that Covenant, and fallen from that state unto which (they say) they were admitted. Neither can this perswasion be the ground of faith justifying, for many ungodly men are perswaded that Christ died for all mankind, that neither will, nor can, nor ought as such, to beleeve in Christ, or rest upon him for Salvation: and many beleeve it not, that beleeve truly in Christ, and know they beleeve and that they ought to beleeve. If by beleeving in Christ be meant faith justifying, the proposition may be granted with two limitations. First, that under this terme they be not comprehended, who never heard of Christ, or had possible, at least probable meanes to come to the knowledge of Christ, or were admitted into Covenant. So Vorstius seemes to limit it, unlesse (saith he) Christ had died for all that are called, in vaine should they all be commanded to beleeve in him. The Authours of the Synod. cap de Election. A Law not given,See Synod. de. fens. sent. pag. 332.
Non repugnat, &c. or when it cannot be understood, doth not bind: Whosoever is bound to beleeve in Christ, must have the rule of new life, which is the Covenant; which was purchased by the blood of the Mediatour, as they dispute. And then he which is not in Covenant, nor ever had the rule of new life, how should he be bound to beleeve in Christ? The second caution is, that he that goeth on in an evill way, and maketh a pastime of sinne, is not called immediately to beleeve in Christ, nor hath received grace sufficient as such a man, to rest upon him for Salvation. Before they will or can come unto Christ,it
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for whom he died and rose againe.
223
