to all and every man, it is manifest, he died not equally for all men.
Let us consider the Texts themselves, 2 Pet. 2. 1. Some denied the Lord that bought them. How? in respect of the impetration of righteousnesse, or in respect of the application of it? Let the Text speake for it selfe. These false teachers lived in the Church, enjoyed the Ordinances of God, professed the faith, had known the way of truth, and escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. 2. 20. they had turned from the holy Commandement delivered unto them, and it had happened unto them according to the true Proverbe, The dog is turned unto his own vomit againe, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. Therefore the death of Christ was applyed unto them, and they were partakers of the fruits and benefits thereof by some kind of faith. They that most urge this place, doe thus interpret it. Thus the Authors of the Synodal. def. Sent. Remonst. circ. Art. 2. pag. 358. It is most evidently and invincibly manifest, that those false teachers, of whom Peter speakes, were truly bought of the Lord Jesus Christ, by the knowledge of whom they had escaped the pollutions of the world: or if thou hadst rather, that God the Father by the bloud of his only begotten Sonne had truly bought them, and by his Spirit truly regenerated them. Vorstius in like manner upon this place:Vorst. in 2 Pet. 2.1. Schol. first, he saith it is indifferent whether thou referre this word bought to Christ, or to God the Father. For both God the Father is said every where to have redeemed us, and Christ to have bought or redeemed us to God: and then he sends us to these places. Act. 20. 28. 1 Cor. 6. 20. Eph. 5. 25. Rev. 1. 5. More plainly in loc. com. following, It is demanded, saith he, how the Lord may be said to have bought them, who deny him. For this seemes contrary to those places of Scripture, in which it is affirmed, that the faithfull alone, of whom the Catholike Church of Christ consisteth, be redeemed by Christ, Act. 20. 28. Eph. 5. 23. and that the faithfull do alwayes remain in the Church. 1 Joh. 2. 19. Some answer (saith he) that those who fall away, were never truly redeemed, nor did ever truly beleeve. Therefore they thinke these places and such like are to be taken not according to the truth of the thing; but according to the apearance or opinion: to wit because these Apostates professe the faith for a time, and so feeme both to themselves, andto
