truth of God, he vouchsafeth the Gospell unto them, and word of reconciliation. But the word of reconciliation was not vouchsafed to every Nation under heaven in every age, much lesse to every man; Nor to all Nations in any age, specially since the distinction of Jew and Gentile, before the times of the Gospell.
It will be replied, that God was ready to have communicated the Gospell unto them, if they had used well what they had received: but abusing what he had given, it was just to with-hold further meanes from them. But this answer will in no sort fit this place, because the Lords willing that all men be saved, and the actuall communication1 Tim. 2.7. of the Gospell unto all men are plainly conjoyned, and so is Christs actuall giving of himselfe a ransome for all, both in this and other passages of Scripture. Besides, it is most evident those All, which in this place are meant, are such as2 Cor. 5.19,20. had fearfully abused the common grace received, and with-held the truth of God in unrighteousnesse, and for which many of them were given up unto a reprobate sence. Of these the Apostle speaking of the times of grace, saith, God willeth that they should come to the knowledge of the truth, not that he willeth to vouchsafe the Gospell unto them, if they should use the common graces well, (for they had fearefully abused them already) but actually to vouchsafe the word of reconciliation notwithstanding such their abuse.
Those all whom God willeth to be saved, are they that havever. 5. God to be their God, and Christ to be their Mediatour: but all men in every age have not God for their God. Is heRom. 3.29. the God of the Jewes only? Is he not of the Gentiles also? Yes, of the Gentiles also? But of the world of Jew and Gentile he is the God, in times of the new Testament, and not of the old. The place is much like that of the same Apostle, for God hath concluded them allRom. 11.32. in unbeliefe, that he might have mercy upon all, that is, not upon the Jews alone, but all beleevers, both Jewes and Gentiles, because there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female; but in Christ Jesus they are all one. This was meant of the daies of salvation, and the acceptable yeare which was fore-prophesied, 2 Cor. 6. 2. and began from the ascension of Christ to receive generall execution, Act. 13. 46, 47. when according to promise all should be taught of God, Joh. 6. 45. and Christ would draw allmen
