MR. Beach enters upon this Discourse with a sur­prizing Confidence; and in Effect represents all those to be either Fools or Knaves, or both, who differ from him in the Sentiments, which he here espouses. ‘Whether (says he) it be through Weakness, or Perverseness, or both, I can't deter­mine; but it is notorious, that there is such a Distinction kept between those who pretend to be Preachers of the Gospel, as that one Sort are stiled Exalters of Free-Will, the other are called the Preachers of Free-Grace: As if Free-Grace and Free-Will were directly contrary to each other.’ — A bold Stroke this, against all those who keep this Distinction, &c. But who are these?— If it should appear upon Examination, that the Church of England, to whose Liturgy Mr. Beach has declared his hearty Assent and Consent, and whose Articles he has subscribed, do teach the very Doctrine that here stands indicted with Weakness or Perverseness; and that too i [...] direct and express Opposition to the Scheme of Principles laid down by him in this Sermon; he must appear but in a very indifferent Figure as a Clergy-man of the Church of England, un­der Vows and Subscriptions to her Formula's, while eating her Bread, and lifting up his Heel against her Doctrines. — If it should further appear, that all the Protestant Churches, without one [Page] Exception, agree with the Church of England in the same doctri­nal Articles of Religion, and teach as the Church of England does, the Contrariety between Free-Will and Free-Grace, and do directly contradict the very Scheme of Principles laid down by Mr. Beach in this Sermon; I can't envy him his Character of a protestant Minister, while directly and publickly opposing all the protestant Churches, in some of the most important Articles of their Faith. — If it should also appear that Mr. Beach's mannerly Sarcasm does not stop here, but extends to the sacred Scriptures, and that his Doc­trines are directly opposite to the Oracles of God, his Character of a Christian must be recommended by something better than this Performance; or else it will appear in as dark a View, as his Character of a Churchman, or a Protestant. — And once more, if Mr. Beach himself, in this very Sermon, has set Free-Grace and Free-Will in Opposition and Contrariety one to the other; and has most inconsistently treated upon the Subject in View, he must then at least share with the rest of the christian World, in the fine Compliment, he is pleased to give both himself and them.

If all these Things can be made appear (as I am pretty sure they can) there will nothing more be needful to be offered in Answer to this Sermon, but to obviate his plausible Objections against the Doctrines which he so confidently opposes: except a serious Address to those who espouse and propagate these his Principles, be thought proper and seasonable.

I am first to consider, whether the Church of England don't teach the very same Doctrines, which Mr. Beach thus treats with Disdain and Contempt.— That I may set this Matter in a proper Light, I will exhibit the Articles of the Church of England in one Column, and Mr. Beach's Doctrine in another; that the Reader may, in one View, behold the Conformity of his Principles to the Articles, unto which he is bound by such sacred Ties.

When Mr. Beach can fairly reconcile this Doctrine of his to the XVIIth Article of the Church of England, which he has subscribed, and according to which he is obliged to preach, I here give him my Promise to reconcile the greatest Contradictions that he can devise, and to prove by the same Way of Reasoning which he uses to that Purpose, that Light and Darkness, Life and Death, Holiness and Sin, are the same Thing.

If the Ele [...] are those, whom [...] constantly decreed to deliver from Curse [...] Damnation; then they who belong to the Election of Grace, cannot yet notwithstanding perish, by walking unworthy of God's electing Love, as Mr. Beach says they may.—If the Elect are chosen in Christ out of Mankind, to be brought by Christ to everlasting Salva­tion, as Vessels made to Honour, as the Article teaches; then the en­joying the Privileges of the Gospel, is not that Election of Grace, which so often occurs in the New-Testament; and all (visible professed) Chri­stians are not the Elect, the Election of Grace, and Vessels of Mercy, as Mr. Beach says they are.— It cannot be true, that they who are endued with so excellent a Benefit (as Predestination to Life) be called according to God's Purpose, by his Spirit working in due Season,— do [Page 8] walk religiously in good Works, and at Length by God's Mercy attain to everlasting Felicity, as the Article teaches; and yet it be also true, that all who enjoy the Privileges of the Gospel, belong to the Elec­tion of Grace; and that these may notwithstanding perish, by walk­ing unworthy of God's electing Love, as Mr. Beach teaches that they may. But this is so plain a Case, that there is no Need to insist. I therefore proceed.

The Comparison here between Mr. Beach's Sermon and the Ar­ticle is obvious enough, that there needs not much to be said, to set it in a proper Light.— The Article asserts, that in every Person born into this World, it (original Sin) deserveth God's Wrath and Damnation. On the other Hand, Mr. Beach not only burlesques the Doctrine, and treats it with an Air of Contempt; but the whole Design of his Discourse is to prove, that Adam's Sin, and the necessary and unavoidable Effects of it, do not deserve God's Wrath and Dam­nation.

The direct Contrariety of these Doctrines is visible to every Ob­server. If the Condition of Man after the Fall of Adam is such, that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural Strength and good Works, to Faith and calling upon God, as the Article asserts, then there is not in every one a Power of Self-determining, of chusing or re­fusing, by which a Man can comply with, or reject, the Suggestions of the Holy Spirit; Man has not this self-moving Principle in his Consti­tution, as Mr. Beach teaches us.— If we have no Power to do good Works, pleasant and acceptable [...], without the Grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good Will; and working with us, when we have that good Will, as the Article asserts: then no Man can, by Advantages and Abilities common to the rest of the World, so improve his Power of Consideration, as to become a wise and happy Man, and an eternal Companion to the blessed Angels, as Mr. Beach says we may.

Here likewise the Contrariety between the Article and Mr. Beach's Doctrine, is most conspicuous.— To be saved NO OTHER WAY, than by our obeying the Gospel, as Mr. Beach asserts we are, and to be accounted righteous before God ONLY for the Merit of our [Page 10] Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ, and not for our OWN WORKS and De­servings, as the Article asserts we be: To have our eternal Happiness FOUNDED upon our Moral and Christian Virtues, as Mr. Beach asserts, and to be justified by Faith ONLY, as the Article teaches: To be FIT to appear before God, by a Temper of Mind and Life agreeable to the Gospel, like a Wedding Garment to the Soul, as Mr. Beach asserts we are, and to be righteous before God only for the Merit of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ, by Faith, as the Article teaches: These, I say, are all, or the most of them, Doctrines as directly opposite, as Light and Darkness.

I might in like Manner have proceeded to shew the Contrariety of Mr. Beach's Doctrine, to the XIIIth and XVIIIth Articles of the Church of England: But what is already done, is sufficient for a Specimen of his Conformity to the Articles, which he has subscribed.

I am not ignorant, that some of our modern and episcopal Cler­gy have attempted to represent these Articles as a Nose of Wax, even capable of an Arminian Sense. An Attempt no less ridiculous in it self, than it is scandalous to the Church of England, who have done all that can be done, to convince the World, that they under­stood these Articles in the plain literal Sense.— To this End were the Articles of Lambeth framed, by the supream ecclesiastical Gover­nours of that Church, conven'd at Lam [...]eth-House for that Purpose, Nov. 20. 1595.—It is true, that the Episcopal Clergy are not oblig­ed to subscribe these Articles; but as they represent to us what has been the standing Doctrine of the Church of England, and in what Sense the Church has understood the XXXIX Articles, which are subscribed by all her Clergy, it mayn't be improper to transcribe three or four of those Articles also, and set Mr. Beach's Doctrines in an opposite Column, to further represent his Conformity to the Doctrines of the Church of England.

I think, I may now refer it to the Reader, and even to Mr. Beach himself, whether I han't given full and plain Documents of the express Contrariety of this Discourse of his, to the Doctrines of the Church of England: But after all, if this be not sufficient, I have much more to offer, when it shall be called for. And shall now only add, that whoever affirm the XXXIX Articles to be in Part erroneous, are ipso Facto excommunicated by the Vth Canon of the Church of England.

I am next to consider, whether all the Protestant Churches do not unitedly agree with the Church of England, in the Doctrines under Consideration; and expresly oppose the Principles so confidently taught by Mr. Beach, in this Sermon.

It would indeed be too tedious a Work for me, to transcribe the several Confessions of all the reformed Churches. Whoever wants Satisfaction in this Point, may read the Syntagma Confessionum, where he'll have them all in View at once; and see what were the first Principles of the whole Body of the Reformers, and what are yet their standing Confessions of Faith. He will see, that the Sermon under Examination, is expresly contradictory to every one of them, without Exception.

I shall however, endeavour to give a brief View of Mr. Beach's Opposition to the Judgment of the reformed Churches, by shewing how these Doctrines of his were condemned by them, when they were by their Delegates conveen'd for that Purpose, at the Synod of DORT.— There the Delegates of the several Churches (and of the Church of England among the rest) separately gave in their Suffrages, in direct Opposition to Mr. Beach's Doctrine: And there they all unitedly stated and represented in a true Scripture-Light the Doctrines of special Grace; and then proceeded to detect and condemn the contrary Errors.— It will be sufficient to my present Purpose, to exhibit in one Column some of those Things condemned by them all as dangerous Errors; and to exhibit in the opposite Column, the same Errors taught by Mr. Beach, in this Sermon of his.

I might in many other Instances have shewn the direct Contra­riety of Mr. Beach's Discourse, to the Doctrine of the reformed Churches in this their Convention: But what is already said, is a suf­ficient Document to every one, that will open his Eyes, how well the Man deserves the Character of a Protestant Minister, who teaches such Principles as are here found in Mr. Beach's Sermon.— I shall therefore add no more from this Synod, but a Paragraph or two out of their concluding Exhortation; which, it concerns Mr. Beach and those who join with him in these Pelagian Doctrines, and in his bold Invectives against the established Principles of the Protestant Churches, seriously to attend to.— ‘This (says the Synod) is a plain, simple and inge [...]uous Declaration of the Orthodox Doctrine concerning the five Articles, controverted in Holland; and a Re­jection of those Errors, with which the Church of Holland has been for some Time disturbed, which the Synod judges to be ta­ken from the Word of God, and agreeable to the Confessions of the reformed Churches. Whence it clearly appears, that they whom it least becomes, would inculcate upon the People, what [Page 14] is contrary to all Truth, Equity and Charity.— The Synod there­fore seriously admonish the Calumniators themselves, that they would see how heavy a Judgment of God they lie under, who bear false Testimonies against the Confessions of so many Churches, trouble the Consciences of the weak; and busy themselves to render the Society of the Faithful suspected to many.’

Having thus consider'd how well Mr. Beach's Performance intitles the Author to the Character of a Church-man, and a Protestant: I am in the next Place to consider, whether it be more agreable to the holy Scriptures, than to the Principles of the reformed Churches.— And this I shall also endeavour in the same Method I have already used, by setting the Texts of Scripture and his Doctrines in Opposition to each other, in different Columns.

[Page 15]The following Reflections are open to every one's Observation. If all the Elect were chosen before the Foundation of the World, that they should be holy and without Blame before God in Love, then all professing Christians are not the Elect; for it's evident, that they are not all (ever in their Lives) holy and without Blame.— This Consequence is necessary, unless God's eternal Purpose, that the Elect should be holy, be mutable and precarious; which, I hope, none will venture to suppose.

Again, If the Predestinate have the Adoption of God's Children by Iesus Christ, and are made accepted in the Beloved, as the Text as­sures us they are; then all professed Christians and Gospel-Enjoyers are not of the Election of Grace, as Mr. Beach supposes. For all professed Christians are not God's adopted Children, nor accepted in the Beloved.

Moreover, If the Vessels of Mercy are afore prepared unto Glory, as the quoted Text assures us they are; then all professed Chri­stians and Gospel-Enjoyers are not Vessels of Mercy, as Mr. Beach tells us they be. For all these certainly are not prepared unto Glory.

I add, If all Things work together for Good, to them who are called according to God's Purpose, as the Text assures us; then all that enjoy the Privileges of the Gospel, are not the Elect, nor called according to God's Purpose. For many Gospel-Professors have by their Wickedness provoked God to leave them to themselves; are going on in their Sins; and laying a Foundation of most aggravated Misery and Ruin in the End.

Furthermore, If all whom God did foreknow, were predestinated to be conformed to the Image of his Son, and are called, and justified, and will be glorified, as the Text assures us, then all who enjoy the Privileges of the Gospel, are not the Elect: Nor are the Elect liable to pe­rish, by walking unworthy of electing Love, as Mr. Beach suggests. For all such are not conformed to the Image of God's Son, are not called and justified, nor will all such be glorified.— Neither can it be true, that they who are called and justified, and shall finally be glorified, can walk unworthy of electing Love, so as to perish.

Once more, If there can be nothing laid to the Charge of God's Elect, since God justifies them; and nothing can separate them from the Love of Christ; but they shall be in all Things more than Con­querors, as we are assured by the Text, then all Gospel-Professors are not the Elect. For there can be much laid to the Charge of many of them; God does not justify them; and they are sepa­rated from the Love of Christ.— It also follows, that the Elect can­not continue to walk so unworthy of electing Love, as to perish. For they that perish, are separated from the Love of Christ; and are not more than Conquerors.

I venture to say, that it's utterly impossible, fairly to reconcile these plain and manifest Contradictions, between the cited Text [...] [Page 16] of Scripture and Mr. Beach's Sermon. And if it be attempted with any Appearance of Plausibility, it must be by wresting the Scripture-Expressions to some foreign Sense, inconsistent with their plain and native Meaning; and inconsistent with the stated Sense of the same Expressions in the Word of God.

But it's Time that I should return, to the Consideration of some other Instances of express Contrariety, between the sacred Scripture and Mr. Beach's Sermon.

Nothing can be more plainly and strongly spoken, than these Texts do speak, that we were shapen and conceived in Sin; that by one Man (Adam) Sin and Death have come upon all Men in the World; that all Men are hereby made Sinners; and that JUDG­MENT and CONDEMNATION upon all are the Fruits of this Sin. And yet Nothing is more evident, than that Mr. Beach does re­ject the Doctrine of our being under the Guilt of Adam's Sin; and of our Obnoxiousness to eternal Condemnation by Vertue of it. — And therefore, Nothing can be more certain, than that he does plainly contradict the infallible Dictates of the blessed SPIRIT in his Word.

Having already something particularly represented Mr. Beach's Attack upon the Specialty of God's Grace, in the Conversion and Salvation of Sinners, I shall not now have any Occasion to offer [Page 17] any more than some brief Specimen of his Opposition to that important Article of the Christian Faith; and of his greatest Con­trariety to the Word of God therein.— It appears from the fol­lowing Scriptures, that God does not give all Men Grace sufficient for their eternal Salvation.

That two Men being under the same natural Abilities, and under the same Advantages and Operations of the Holy Ghost, the one can't by the Improvement of his own Power obtain Salvation, when the other by the Misimprovement of his Power, may finally perish, is abun­dantly evident, from the Texts already recited, as well as by these that follow.

Rom. xi.5, 6. There is a Remnant according to the Election of Grace: And if by Grace, then it is no more of Works; otherwise Grace is no more Grace: But if it be of Works, then it is no more Grace; otherwise Work is no more Work. —Rom. iv.4, 5. Now to him that worketh, is the Reward, not reckoned of Grace, but of Debt: But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the Ungodly, his Faith is counted for Righteousness. — Rom. 3.27, 28. Where is Boasting then? It is excluded. By what Law? Of Works? Nay! but by the Law of Faith. Therefore we conclude, that a Man is justified by Faith, without the Deeds of the Law.— 2 Tim. i.9. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy Call­ing, not according to our Works: but according to his own Purpose and Grace, which was given us in Christ Iesus, before the World began.— Tit. iii.5. Not by Works of Righteousness which we have done, but according to his Mercy he saved us, by the Washing of Regeneration, and Renewing of the Holy Ghost.

[Page 19]I might go on to multiply Texts of Scripture, to the same Pur­pose with these already cited. For the Doctrine here represented is the great Scope and Design of the whole New-Testament. — The [...]a [...]n Tendency of the whole is, to abase poor fallen sinful Man; and to lay him low, under a Sense of his own Vileness, Im­potence and Nothingness; and to bring him to a humble Dependance upon the Riches of sovereign Grace, and the Merits of Christ only, for Justification and eternal Salvation.— And now, what Estimate must be made of the Doctrines, transcribed from Mr. Beach's Ser­mon, when they are impartially compared with so many Texts of Scripture, expresly contrary to them?

I think, I have now fully perform'd the three first Things I proposed; and have shewn the Contrariety of Mr. Beach's Ser­mon, to the Doctrines of the Church of England, to those of all the Protestant Churches; and to the blessed Oracles of God.

It remains yet, to consider the SERMON'S Contrariety to itself; and I shall leave it to the Reader to judge, whether Mr. Beach's Doctrines of Free Grace, and his Doctrines of Free-Will, are not directly repug­nant one to another.

Thus then we find, that our Obedience cannot OBLIGE God to REWARD us; and yet by Vertue of his Promise, our Obedience does OBLIGE God to REWARD us: And if this don't imply a Contradiction, I am at a Loss where to find one.

Here then, we are taught, that eternal Life is not the WAGES of our good Works, as WAGES are due to an Hireling when he has done his Work; and yet we are also taught, that God deals with us in Relation to eternal Life, as a Father with his Chil­dren, whom he hires to do a Day's Work, with a Promise of an Hundred Pounds for a REWARD. — And is it not then the WAGES due to them by Promise; and by such a Promise too, which Mr. Beach owns, his Veracity and Iustice obliges him to make good?— It is a Reward of their Hire, which is the proper Meaning of the Word Wages, whether there be, or be not, a Proportion be­tween the Value of the Work and the Reward.— This therefore must go for another Self-Contradiction.

Thus we are plainly taught, that no Man can come to Christ till he be drawn of the Father, and it be given him from above, i. e. till God determines his Will and Choice; and yet that there is in every one a Freedom of Will, and a Power to determine his own Will and Choice, by which he can comply with, or reject the Sug­gestions of the Holy Spirit.— It is GOD who works in us both to will and to do: And yet we have this self-moving Principle in our very CONSTITUTION.—Are not these Contradictions!

Thus our Acceptance of Grace when offered, is All, and Nothing, which we do towards our Salvation. We are saved only by our accepting offered Grace; and yet no other Way, but by our obeying the Gospel, by our moral and christian Vertues, by a faithful Obedience.— Is not here a palpable Inconsistency!

This is a sufficient Exemplication of the perfect and harmonious Agreement of Free-Grace and Free-Will, which Mr. Beach boasts of: by which, I think, every one will own, that he himself must take his Part of the mannerly Compliment, wherewith he began his Discourse.

I shall now proceed to take some particular Notice of Mr. BEACH'S Arguments against the Doctrines of special Grace; and consider what Evidence he brings in Confirmation of his own Schemes.

His first Attempt is to prove universal Redemption, in the strong­est and strictest Sense; from whence (I conclude) he would infer the harmonious Agreement of Free-Grace and Free-Will. ‘Our Redemption by Jesus Christ is (he tells us) the Gift and Effect of God's Mercy.— And this redeeming Grace is so free, that it is not confined nor restrain'd to an elect Number: but comprehends the whole Race of Adam.— As it is frequently and most expresly asserted in the holy Scriptures. He died for all, he tasted Death for every Man, he is the Propitiation for the Sins of the whole World.’ (Pag. 6, &c.)

In Answer to this, I freely allow, that Christ has died for all Men, in such a Sense as that every Individual of the human Race may, by Vertue of the Ransom paid by him, obtain eternal Life, upon Faith in his Blood. — And that the Gospel-Invita­tion is indefinite, putting no Difference between Iew and Greek, Male and Female, Bond and Free; but that every one without Distinction is freely invited in the Word, and ought to be invited in the Ministry of the Word, to come to Christ, and believe in him, with a full Assurance, that upon his so doing, he should not fail of a Title to eternal Life.— And hence it is always true, with Respect to every Person, who remains impenitent under the Gospel, that the immediate Reason why he continues and perishes [Page 22] in his Sins, is only because he will not come to Christ, that he might have Life.— All this seems to be fully asserted in the Scriptures; by which it plainly appears, that Gospel-Sinners have no Cloak for their Rejection of Christ and his offered Salvation. Universal Re­demption is never taught us in Scripture, in any other Sense than this.

But then the Question yet remains, whether Christ has not in some special and peculiar Sense died for the Elect? Whether he has not only died to purchase for these the Privilege, that they shall be saved, if they believe; but also to purchase for and to bestow upon them that Faith, whereby they certainly may and will believe, and be saved?— Or in other Words, whether he has not undertaken efficaciously to bestow Grace upon the Elect, whereby they shall be united to him, be justified and sanctified thro' Faith in him, be enabled to live a Life of Holiness, and thereby be qua­lified for future Salvation, with eternal Glory?— And whether the blessed Redeemer has undertaken to bestow all these Benefits and Privileges upon the rest of the World, in the same Manner as upon the Elect?— In short, whether this Salvation, altho' it be call'd the common Salvation, be call'd so in such a Sense as that we must conceive it equally intended for all Men?

Mr. Beach can't be ignorant, that this is the true State of the Controversy: and that it has been the received Doctrine of all the reformed Churches, that in this Sense the Lord Jesus Christ has not wrought out the same Redemption for the rest of the World, as he has wrought out for the Elect.— This Gentleman however, in direct Opposition to them all (as I have already shewn) teaches the quite contrary Doctrine.— And if we understand the Words under Consideration, as being consistent with the rest of his Discourse, and pertinent to his Purpose, they must imply, that this redeeming Grace is so free, that it is not (in any of its distinguishing Benefits) confined or restrained to an elect Number: but (in the same Manner, in all Respects) comprehends the whole Race of Adam.— This therefore is now to be consider'd.

And I shall first take some Notice of what Mr. Beach offers, in Confirmation of his Principles. ‘And as it is (says he) frequently and most expresly asserted in Scripture, He died for all, He tasted Death for every Man, He is the Propitiation for the Sins of the whole World. Now if such Expressions as the World, the whole World, all and every Man, be allow'd to mean not all indeed, nor the greatest Part, but only a small Number selected from all Sorts of Men, who do actually obtain eternal Salvation; then the Holy Ghost with the same Propriety might have asserted, that the whole World should be saved, and that all and every Man should obtain eternal Happiness.’

[Page 23]To this I first answer, as above, that I doubt not but the Re­demption by Christ is of sufficient Value for every individual Child of Adam; so sufficient, that every one of them shall surely obtain Salvation, by Vertue of that Redemption, who exercise a true and lively Faith in Christ: And that every one under Gospel-Light has a sufficient Warrant to believe in Christ for eternal Salvation: And therefore, that there is nothing at all to hinder their being saved thro' Faith in Christ, but their own indulged Corruption, and wilful and obstinate Choice.— But such is the dreadful Case of a sinful World, that even Mr. Beach himself allows (p. 15.) No Man will ever come to Christ and accept of his kind Offer, unless the Father draw him, and it be given him from above. Whence it follows, that no Man will ever be saved by this general Grace or universal Re­demption, because no Man will (by Vertue thereof) ever comply with the Terms proposed in the Gospel. — Though this general Redemption puts all Men under a Capacity of Salvation, upon Faith in Christ: Yet inasmuch as such is the natural Opposition of all Men to the Terms of the Gospel, that no Man ever did, or ever will comply with the Gospel-Offer, without special and distinguish­ing Grace, whereby they are made willing in the Day of the Me­diator's Power; it is certain, that no Man will ever get to Hea­ven, who is not Partaker of a more special Redemption (whe­ther in Point of Impetration or Application) than the World in ge­neral are Partakers of: As will be more particularly explain'd, before I dismiss this Subject.

But then, I have this further Remark upon Mr. Beach's Rea­soning; that the Scripture does in Fact assert the Application of the Redemption by Christ, to the World, in the same Manner, and in the same universal Terms, as it asserts the Impetration of it. His boast­ed Argument can therefore afford him no Conclusion at all. — This is very apparent, from the following Texts of Scripture. 2 Cor. v.19. God was in Christ reconciling the WORLD unto himself; not imputing their Trespasses.—Col. i.20. And having made Peace by the Blood of his Cross, by him to reconcile ALL THINGS to himself.— Joh. vi.33. For the Bread of God is he which cometh down from Heaven, and giveth Life unto the WORLD. — Rom. v.18. Even so by the Righteousness of one, the free Gift came upon ALL MEN unto Iustification of LIFE.— Joh. i.29. Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the Sin of the WORLD.—Joh. xii.32. And I, if I be lifted up from the Earth, will draw ALL MEN unto me. — Since these and such like Texts of Scripture must have a limited Construction, it belongs to Mr. Beach to give a Reason, why the Texts cited by him, are not to be understood with the same Li­mitations. — This Remark will be further corroborated by observ­ing, that the Scripture not only every where considers the Appli­cation of special Redemption to be of the same Extent with the Purchase of it, but shews us, that the former is a necessary Fruit [Page 24] and Consequence of the latter. Thus, Rom. viii.32. He that spar­ed not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all Things?— Joh. x.11, 16. I am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd giveth his Life for the Sheep.— And other Sheep I have, which are not of this Fold: them also I must bring in; and they shall hear my Voice.— Joh. vi.37, 39. All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me. — And this is the Father's Will, that of ALL which he hath given me, I should lose NOTHING; but should raise it up again at the last Day.

Now let Mr. Beach's Argument be turn'd upon himself; and what Answer soever he is pleased to give to it, may with like Propriety and Force be given to all that he has offered upon this Head. ‘Now if such Expressions, as God's reconciling the WORLD to himself in Christ, as reconciling ALL THINGS to himself by the Blood of the Cross, as that Christ giveth Life to the WORLD, as his bestowing upon ALL MEN Justification of Life, and his drawing ALL MEN to him, &c, be allowed to mean, that not all indeed, nor the greatest Part, but only a small Number selected from all Sorts of Men,’ are actually re­conciled to God, justified, and made Partakers of eternal Life; then it can't be proved from the Use of the same, or like Expressions with Relation to Christ's purchasing of Redemption by his Death, that every individual Person is effectually redeemed thereby. — Moreover, If God will freely give all Things, to all those for whom his Son was delivered up; if those Sheep for whom Christ gave his Life, must be brought in, and shall hear his Voice; if ALL shall come to him, and he will lose NOTHING, that was given him to be re­deemed, but will raise them ALL up at the last Day; then it fol­lows, that all those whom Christ has redeemed by his Death, all those who were given to him by the Father to be redeemed, and for whom he undertook to work out an effectual Redemption, shall be eventually or actually and eternally saved; and the Application of Christ's Redemption does undoubtedly extend to every individual Person, whom he has undertaken to redeem and save.

Mr. Beach argues, ‘If Redemption is as much confined as eter­nal Salvation, and Christ died for none who do perish, it is certainly as proper to say, that all Men shall be eternally happy, as that Christ died for all.’ — To which I answer, he sees that the Scriptures do say the one as much as the other; and there­fore, that they are both proper to be spoken, in the same Sense, and in the same Extent. And he can give no Reason, why the latter should not be as strictly and literally understood, as the former. —And thus all his Arguments on this Head, must necessarily fall to the Ground.— Upon the whole then it appears, that in what­ever Sense we understand such Expressions of the sacred Scriptures, as that Christ died for all, tasted Death for every Man, &c. it must [Page 25] be acknowledged, that he designed to, and [...]ill actually, bestow eternal Salvation upon all the Subjects of [...] special Redemption. — In what Sense he died for all, and in what Sense the Elect only are the Subjects of his special Redemption, I have spoken something already; but am now to speak more particularly.

In Order to set this in a proper Light, I proceed in the next Place to consider▪ whether Christ has equally and indifferently re­deem'd the whole Race of Adam; and is in the same Sense, and in all the same Respects, the Redeemer and Saviour of all Men alike.— That Christ has not thus redeemed all Mankind, will appear with the strongest Evidence, from the following Considerations.

If Christ be the Saviour of Believers in such a Way and in such Respects, as he is not the Saviour of all Men, then all Men are not equally and alike redeemed by him.—Now, that he is in such a special Manner the Saviour of Believers, is confirm'd from 1 Tim. iv.10. Who is the Saviour of all Men, especially of those that believe. — Again,

If there be a chosen Number, in a Manner distinct from the rest of the World, given to Christ by the Father, to be redeem'd and saved by him, then all Men were not equally and alike redeemed by him.— And that this is so in Fact, we are assured from Christ's own Mouth. Joh. xvii.9, 20. I pray not for the World: but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine; neither pray I for those alone (viz. that are now my Disciples) but for them also, which shall believe in me thro' their Word.—Again,

If all those who are given to Christ by the Father to be redeem'd and saved by him, will eventually believe in him, and actually ob­tain eternal Life, then all Men are not equally redeem'd by him: Since it is undoubted Fact, that all Men have not Faith, but many perish in their Unbelief. — And yet we are assured from Christ's own Mouth, that this is so in Fact. Joh. 6.37. All that the Fa­ther giveth me, shall come to me: and he that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. So likewise, Joh. xvii.2. As thou hast given him Power over all Flesh, that he should give eternal Life to as many as thou hast given him. See also Joh. vi.39. And Joh. x.28, 29.

Moreover,

If Christ thanks his heavenly Father, for hiding the Benefits of his Redemption from some, and revealing them to others, then it's cer­tain, that he did not design his Redemption for every one equally, and alike.— Surely he did not thank his heavenly Father for defeating the Design of his Redemption, with respect to any Men, and yet he thanks him for revealing Salvation to some, and not to others. Matth. xi.25, 26. I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, because thou hast [Page 26] hid these Things from the Wise and Prudent; and hast revealed them unto Babes: Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy Sight.

Once more,

If no Man whatever will be eternally saved, but those only who are specially redeemed, in a Manner distinct from the rest of the World, then every individual Person of Adam's Posterity are not equally and alike redeemed by Christ. — Now, that no Man whatever will be eternally saved, but those only who are redeemed in a Manner distinct from the rest of the World, is evident, in that no Man can come to Christ, unless it be given unto him of the Fa­ther, (Joh. vi.65.) and in that it is not given to any of the Fa­ther, to come to Christ and believe in him, but only to those for whom that Gift of Grace is purchased by the Redemption of Christ; as appears from Joh. x.14, 15, 16. I know my Sheep; and am known of mine; and I lay down my Life for the Sheep. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my Sheep.— The same is also further evident from the Consideration following.

If Christ has by his Redemption purchased Faith, and the actual Communication of all sanctifying Grace, for every one that will ever be eternally saved, then none can be eternally saved, but by Virtue of a special Redemption, not common to all Men.—For all Men don't obtain saving Faith, and sanctifying Grace.— And yet Christ has purchased the actual Communication of Faith, and all sanctifying Grace, for every one that will ever be eternally saved. Joh. xvii.16, 17, 19. They are not of the World, even as I am not of the World. Sanctify them through thy Truth; thy Word is Truth.—And for their Sakes I sanctify my self, that they also might be sanctified through the Truth.— Isa. liii.10. He shall see his Seed; he shall prolong his Days; and the Pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his Hands.—Rom. ix.23. And that he might make known the Riches of his Glory, on the Vessels of Mercy, which he had afore-prepared unto Glory. — Eph. v.25, 26. Christ also loved the Church; and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it: — That he might present it unto himself a glorious Church, not having Spot or Wrinkle or any such Thing: but that it should he holy and without Blemish.

Thus then, upon a Review of the Case, it evidently appears, that although Christ is in some Sense the Saviour of all Men, so that all who enjoy the Gospel, have the gracious and free Offer of Salvation, yea, all have a full and sufficient Warrant to believe in Christ, and each Individual of them shall surely obtain Salvation, who comply with the free and gracious Offer of the Gospel: Yet Christ has wrought out a special and distinguishing Redemption for the Elect, whereby they are not only put into a salvable State, but shall be actually saved.— He has not only purchased for them [Page 27] a Possibility of Salvation; but the actual Communication of Grace here and Glory hereafter.— He has not only procured for them, that they may be saved, if they will; but that they shall assuredly have Salvation begun in them here, and perfected hereafter, be­cause God will.

This Truth has (I think) been made sufficiently evident, to every unprejudiced Person.—But if further Evidence be thought needful, it shall be at Mr. Beach's Service (if God spare my Life and Health) when he has given a rational and fair Answer, to what is already offered.

I now proceed further to attend upon Mr. Beach's Reasoning. ‘But (says he) if Redemption be of no larger Extent than Salva­tion, then no Man who perishes in his Wickedness, doth or can deny Christ who bought him; he being no more bought or re­deem'd by Christ than the Devils themselves.’ (P. 8.)

How unjust is this Representation! From whom did Mr. Beach take this View of the Case?— Is it not constantly acknow­ledged by all the Reformed, that in some Sense Christ died for all; that there is a sufficient Value in the Blood of his Cross, for the Salvation of all Mankind; that Salvation by Christ should be preach'd to all; that all are Partakers of the Strivings of the Spirit; that there is nothing more needful for the Salvation of any, than their believing Entertainment of Christ, and Acceptance of the Benefits already purchased for them; and that none will perish at last but through their Neglect of the great Salvation, and for their wilful Continuance in their Sins? — And now is all this done for the Devils?— What if Christ has done more for some, than others; purchased for and bestowed upon them special efficacious Grace, whereby they are made willing in the Day of his Power, and brought to comply with the Gospel Offer? Will this excuse the rest of the World in their Rejection of Christ; for which they have no Plea, but their obstinate Unwillingness to accept of him, when offered upon Terms the most gracious and conde­scending!

Mr. Beach goes on to argue.— ‘And if this be true, when wicked Men are come into the Regions of eternal Despair, they will be perfectly easy in their Consciences, and free from all Re­morse and Self-Reproaches, for having despised redeeming Grace. For they must know, that no Pardon, no Aids of the Spirit, no eternal Life, was ever purchased or sincerely offered to them: So that Necessity, not Choice, brought them to Hell. And he must be a Fool, or a Mad-Man, that will vex or condemn him­self, for what was never in his Power to avoid.’

[Page 28]Call it not meer Exclamation, if I say, Did ever Man venture to talk at this Rate! Would not a small Allay of Modesty and Sobriety, on so tremendous a Subject, have much better become a Man of Mr. Beach's Character? — What! will Sinners be perfectly easy in their Consciences, in the Regions of eternal De­spair, when they come to reflect, that Christ wrought out a suf­ficient Redemption for them, exhibited himself, and freely offered his saving Benefits in the Gospel to 'em; but they wilfully rejected both him and them! — And when they reflect, that God had used all proper Means with them for their Salvation; made known their Duty, and the Way of Salvation to them; laid all proper Motives before them, by the Discovery of their Need of Salvation, by Threatnings and Warnings, by Promises and Invitations, that he might excite both their Hopes and Fears; sent them his Ambas­sadors, to beseech them to be reconciled to God; excited them to consider and turn to God, by the common Motions of his Holy Spirit; and long exercised Patience and Forbearance towards them in the Use of all these Methods and Means of Grace; and after all, they rejected, abused, and sinned away all these Advantages, from no other Necessity, but the Indulgence of their Lusts, and the Perverseness of their Wills; and finally perished, because they would not come unto Christ, that they might have Life! — Is it possible, Conscience should be perfectly Easy under these Reflections, when awaken'd by Hell-Fire! Surely, Sinners will have another View of Things in the Regions of Despair, than is pretended by Mr. Beach in his Discourse. Their Consciences won't then allow them to argue, as this Gentleman now seems to do, that they were excuseable, in not improving what Grace and Power they had, because Christ had not purchased greater Benefits for them, or not be­stowed the same upon them, as he had done by some others.— They'll then feel, that their Perdition was their wilful Choice; and therefore most just and righteous.

Would Mr. Beach himself accept of such an Excuse, as he here puts into the Mouths of impenitent Sinners, from an unfaithful and rebellious Servant! Would he be satisfied with such a Plea as this! ‘It's true, Sir, I neglected your Business, and wasted your Substance: but it was because my Inclination and Will led me to do so; and I could not will otherwise than I did, while my Affections were so corrupt, and my Will was excited by such a View of Things as I then had: and therefore, I should be a Fool, or a Mad-Man, to condemn my self, for what was not in any Power to avoid. You should have used some effectual Methods to change my Affections; and should have done all in your Power to have efficaciously changed my Will: And then I should not have transgressed.’ — It is certain, that the Foundation of this Plea is as just in the present Case as the [Page 29] other; and the Application is accordingly most easy and fa­miliar.

And now Mr. Beach must allow me to turn his own Artillery upon himself; and let him try what Way he can avoid the Force of it.— He tells us, that ‘ Election denotes certain peculiar Privileges and Favours, bestowed on some, whereby they are distinguished from others. To elect, is to chuse one before ano­ther. Now in that God has distinguished Christians from all the rest of Mankind, by making us his peculiar People, therefore all Christians are the Elect, the Election of Grace, and Vessels of Mercy.— Which is affirmed of all Christians in general, be­cause they are separated from, and preferred before the rest of Mankind, to enjoy the unsearchable Riches of God's Grace, by Jesus Christ.’ (P. 8, 9.)

Thus then, by Mr. Beach's own Account of the Matter, the much greater Part of the World of Mankind are by an Act of God's Sovereignty left in a State of Perdition, without so much as the Means of Grace, or the Knowledge of any Possibility of Sal­vation by Christ; while a smaller Number, selected from the rest of the World, are preferred before them, to be Vessels of Mercy, and en­joy the unsearchable Riches of God's Grace by Iesus Christ.— ‘And if this be true, then when those poor Heathen are come into the Regions of eternal Despair, they will be perfectly easy in their Consciences, and free from all Remorse and Self-Reproaches, for having despised the Riches of God's Goodness. For they must know, that no Pardon, no Aids of the Spirit, no eternal Life was ever purchased for them, or at all offered to them: so Necessity, not Choice, brought them to Hell. And he must be a Fool, or a Mad-Man, who will vex or condemn himself, for what never was in his Power to avoid.’

When Mr. Beach will be pleased to pass his Censure upon his own Argument, as I have turn'd it: And tell us whether he does, or does not esteem it a good one, a Reply will be ready at Hand, however he decides the Case. — If this Argument be good, as I have now apply'd it, then his Reasoning must be good for Nothing. For with what Colour can an Argument be urged against another Man's Sentiment, which militates with as great or greater Force against his own?— If this Argument be not good, as used by me, in the present Case, then it is certainly good for No­thing as urged by him. — For there is an infinite Difference in Point of Privilege, between those Gospel-Enjoyers, who are not Par­takers of Christ's special redeeming Mercy and Love; and those poor Heathen, who never heard so much as the Name of Christ, the [...] proved.

[Page 30]Upon the whole then, how much better would it have been for Mr. Beach, to have reflected upon this tremendous Mystery of the divine Sovereignty in some such Manner as the great Apostle did, when discoursing upon the same awful Subject? Rom. xi.33. O the Depth of the Riches, both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his Iudgments; and his Ways past finding out! For who hath known the Mind of the Lord; or who hath been his Counsellor?

I proceed next to the Consideration of Mr. Beach's Attempt to prove, that ‘Enjoying the Privileges of the Gospel, is that Election of Grace, which so often occurs in the New-Testament.’ — This he repeatedly asserts, and particularly insists upon; and it must be received for true, as far as his Word will go in the Case. But the Reasons why he thus understands the Doctrine of Election, he sees fit to keep to himself; unless the mentioning some Texts of Scripture, without any proper Illustration or Evidence o [...] their Pertinency to his Purpose, be esteem'd by him sufficient to prove the Point.— Whether this be so or not, I shall now consider.

I shall first take Notice of two Texts of Scripture cited by him, from the first Epistle of Peter. I mention them both together, be­cause one Answer will serve for 'em both. — The first is, 1 Pet. ii.9. Ye are a chosen Generation, a royal Priesthood, a holy Nation, a peculiar People. The second is, 1 Pet. v.13. The Church that is at Babylon, elect together with you, saluteth you.— Of the first of these Texts he tells us, ‘It is affirmed of all Christi­ans in general, because they are separated from, and preferred before the rest of Mankind, to enjoy the unsearchable Riches of God's Grace by Jesus Christ.’ Of the second he tells us, that ‘by their being elect together, the Apostle only means, that these two Churches were planted about the same Time.’ — But why does he understand these Texts in this View? Is there any Thing in the Texts themselves, any Thing in the Nature of Things, which makes this Interpretation so much as probable? Here he is silent.— This is his Sense of the Texts; and we must receive this Comment, upon his Authority. — But let us look into the Case a little, and judge for ourselves.

Are all Christians, in general, "a royal Priesthood, and an holy Nation?" Do they all "shew forth the Praises of God," as they ought to do whom He hath "called out of Darkness into his marvellous Light?" Is it not evident beyond all Contradiction, that this Text does not, cannot, refer to all professed Christians, in com [...]: But to such only, who are not meerly chosen to the En­joyment of Gospel-Privileges, but are also chosen to Sanctification and eternal Salvation? — Let the Apostle himself determine this [Page 31] Case, by the Superscription or Direction of this Epistle, in the two first Verses of it. — Peter, an Apostle of Iesus Christ, to the STRANGERS scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia; Elect, according to the Foreknowledge of God the Father, through Sanctification of the Spirit, unto Obedience, and sprink­ling of the Blood of Iesus Christ.— Here then, we see who the "Elect" are, to whom this Epistle was directed, who we [...] ‘the chosen Generation, the royal Priesthood,’ in the first cited Text: and how empty Mr. Beach's Pretence is, that this implies "all Christians in general."— Have all professing Christians, in ge­neral, "the Sanctification of the Spirit, unto Obedience?" Are they all "sprinkled with the Blood of Christ?" Have they all this Evidence of their being " Elect, according to the Fore-knowledge of God the Father?" Alas, the Case is far otherwise!— Here we likewise see, what the Apostle means by the Word Elect in the second cited Text. He means such as were "chosen according to the Foreknowledge of God the Father," to Holiness here and eternal Happiness hereafter; for to these was the Epistle expresly directed: and not, as Mr. Beach pretends, that these two Churches were planted about the same Time. For Nothing can be more tri­fling and ludicrous, than this Pretence.— Which, I beseech him, were the "two Churches that were planted about the same Time? — The one must be the Church that was at Babylon, the other the Church of all the converted "STRANGERS, scatter'd throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia." This latter must be a vastly extended Church indeed; which must have required a very active and indefatigable Metropolitan, duely to inspect it! GALATIA, which was comparatively but a very small Part of this pretended Church, contain'd more than one Church, in the Apostle Paul's Account of it. Gal. i.2. Unto the CHURCHES of Galatia. —But were it admitted, that this prodigious Extent of Territory was all consider'd as one Church; Does this Gentleman suppose, that all the Strangers throughout so large a Tract of the World, were converted "about the same Time?" Don't we all know, from the sacred Story, that it took the Apostles a very large Space of Time, to propagate the Gospel thro' those very distant Regions of the World?— Thus we see what becomes of Mr. Beach's first and chief Foundation for his new and chimerical Doc­trine of Election.

The second Text produced by Mr. Beach in favour of this Notion, is, Eph. i.4. According as he hath chosen us in him, be­fore the Foundation of the World, that we should be holy and with­out Blame before him in Love; having predestinated us to the Adop­tion of Children. — But how does he prove from this Text, that enjoying the Privileges of the Gospel is that " Election of Grace, that so often occurs in the New Testament?" — He assures us that "in this eternal Election, St. Paul comprehends all Christian [Page 32] People." And this is all the Reason he pretends to assign, for the Pertinency of this Text to his Purpose.

I can't imagine what should prompt him to cite this Text, un­less it were merely to impose upon an injudicious Reader, with a Shew of Scripture-Authority. What can be more directly repug­nant to his Scheme, than this Passage of Scripture?— Was not this Epistle directed to the SAINTS, which were at Ephesus, ver. 1? Are they not represented as accepted in the Beloved, ver. 6? Are they not, in the cited Text, said to be chosen, that they should be holy and without Blame before God in Love; and predestinated to the Adoption of Children?— But are all professing Christians SAINTS? Are they all accepted in the Beloved? Are they all holy and with­out Blame? Are they all God's adopted Children?— Could Mr. Beach imagine, that citing a Scripture, so directly repugnant to what he would maintain, will ever prevail upon Men of Reason and Conscience, to reject the Doctrines of the Reformation, for such a new and trifling Notion as this?

The last Text cited by him, is 2 Pet. i.10. Wherefore the ra­ther, Brethren, give Diligence to make your Calling and Election sure. —Upon it I must observe, That all which has been said with Rela­tion to the two first cited Texts, are applicable to this also; this being in the same Epistle, and spoken to the same Persons, as those other Texts were: and this therefore might have been consider'd conjunctly with them, were it not for an Argument Mr. Beach pretends to draw from this, which he may suppose deserves Conside­ration— He thus argues: ‘This cannot be meant [...] an absolute personal Election; for, if there be such a Thing, it is not in our Power to make it surer and firmer than God has made it.’ P. 14.— But is it not possible to make this sure to our selves? Is it not possible by making our Calling sure, to make it also sure, that we are the Objects of God's electing Love? Is it not possible to know the [...]ause by the Effect, the Fountain by the Streams; or the Antecedent by the Consequent? And does not the Apostle assure us, that this is pos­sible by such Means to be known? 1 Thess. i.4, 5. Knowing, Bre­thren beloved, your Election of God. For our Gospel came not unto you in Word only; but also in Power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much Assurance.— But now let us turn the Tables, and see how pertinent the Text is to the Purpose for which it is cited, and to Mr. Beach's Doctrine of Election. In that View, it must be thus paraphrased, "Let Christians give Diligence to make it sure, that they profess Christianity." — This is the necessary Construction of the Words, if consider'd as speaking in Favour of his Scheme; and there needs no further Remarks upon it. It would be an idle and ludicrous Attempt, to undertake to prove, that there does not need much Diligence, to be assured, that we make a christian Profession?

[Page 33]There is one Text of Scripture quoted by Mr. Beach, which I have not yet taken Notice of; because I did not know whether he cited it as a direct Proof of his Doctrine of Election, or not; though he tells us, that Election and the quoted Text are both to be understood of our being called to the Knowledge of Christianity. However, that he mayn't complain of Neglect, I shall take some very brief Notice of it.—The Text I refer to, is this, Eph. ii.8. By Grace are ye saved through Faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the Gift of God: not of Works, lest any Man should boast. ‘This Salvation (says he) which these Christians had already ob­tain'd, was not eternal Salvation: but a Deliverance from that wretched Condition they were in, and the horrid Guilt they had contracted, while Heathens.’ — But I demand, Were they de­livered from their former Guilt; and therefore justified before God: And yet not Partakers of eternal Salvation? The Apostle teaches us another Doctrine, Rom. viii.30. Whom he justified, them he also glorified.— I have observ'd already, that these Ephesians were consider'd as SAINTS, and addressed as such, Chap. i. ver. 1. — Now God hath given to such eternal Life. 1 Joh. v.11. He not only will glorify them: but he hath already glorified them. Glory is already begun in their Souls; and will be carried on from Glory to Glory. 2 Cor. iii.18. He not only will give them eternal Life: but hath already given it. They are at present ac­tual Partakers of that Salvation, which shall never end. Joh. iii.36. He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting Life.—And shall not come into Condemnation; but is passed from Death unto Life. Joh. v.24.

Mr. Beach further observes, ‘This Text does not mean, that their Faith is so God's Gift, as not to be of themselves, as is most evident to any who reads the Original.’ Ibid — This is certainly a great Mistake. For many learned Commentators and Criticks, more capable Judges of the Original than he or I can pretend to be, have read the Original, and have found the quite contrary to what Mr. Beach asserts, to be most evident.— What, I suppose, he means is, that the Relative THAT, being of the neuter Gender, and the Word FAITH of the feminine, they can't agree together. But if he would only translate the Greek Rela­tive That Thing, viz. the Thing last spoken of, so all Difficulty at once vanishes. ( Vid. Beza in Loc.)— But what will Mr. Beach gain by this Criticism? — It must be either Faith, or Grace, or else the whole Matter of the Sentence foregoing, which the Apo­stle asserts to be not of our selves.— There is the same Objection against the Greek Relative's agreeing with Grace, as with Faith. The Apostle must therefore, according to this Criticism, refer to the whole Sentence aforegoing; and mean, that our Salvation, by Grace, through Faith, is not of our selves.— Well then! Gra [...]e [Page 34] is not of our selves; Salvation is not of our selves; and Faith is not of our selves: but they are all the Gift of GOD. And if Mr. Beach chuses this Comment, I'll not contend with him.— He un­derstands it (he tells us) to signify that their being saved or deli­ver'd by the Gospel, was not of themselves. But he should remem­ber, that the Apostle here speaks of no other but being saved by Grace through Faith: And therefore he here agrees with the same Doctrine, which he elsewhere teaches, that Faith is not of our selves; but that Christ Iesus is both the Author and Finisher of our Faith. (Heb. xii.2.) And that God fulfills the Work of Faith with Power. 2 Thess. i.11.

But what Evidence have we all this while, that this Text refers to Nothing but our Enjoyment of the Gospel?— No more than this, it is Mr. Beach's Opinion: but why it is so, he either does not know, or does not see Cause to tell.

To conclude this Discourse upon Election.— The infinite Perfec­tions of the divine Nature make the Doctrine of personal Election most certain and evident: that there is no Room for any one, who has a just Apprehension of the glorious Attributes of God, to call it into Question, as Mr. Beach repeatedly does.—The divine Om­niscience must certainly have all Futurities in View at once. — Impossible it is, that God should foreknow all Events with Respect to rational Agents, if they were not certainly future, or to be:— And equally impossible that they could be future, or foreknown by God as Futurities, if not according to the Counsel of his Will. — Hence it necessarily follows, that the eternal State of each single Person, with all the Means conducing to it, is what God's Counsel had determined before.— I am the more convinced of the Justice of this Reasoning, because the Apostle has used it long before me. Rom. viii.29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son.— When Mr. Beach pleases to make a Reply, and to shew the Reason why he doubts, whe­ther there be such a Thing as a personal Election, I desire he would give a particular Answer to this Argument.

The Order of Mr. Beach's Discouse calls upon me next to con­sider, whether God has given to every Man Grace sufficient for Salvation: But he having in the Prosecution of his Discourse upon that Subject, made some very indecent Reflections upon the Doctrine of ORIGINAL SIN, it seems proper in the first Place, to consider and remove these out of the Way.

‘Could we (says he) have had our Choice, when Adam was created, I am perswaded, that no Man who had a just Regard to his own Interest, would willingly have reposed such a vast Trust in the Hands of Adam, nor indeed of the best Angel in [Page 35] Heaven, as to be obliged to be eternally happy or miserable, accord­ing to the Choice he should make.’ (Page 19.) And again, ‘As to the Bulk of Mankind, he having given them such a Diabo­lical Nature, that they can no more cease to sin, than to breathe. —But are left in as helpless and hopeless a Condition as the Devils, who fell by their own personal Act; while these were undone by Adam's Sin, to which they never consented: Yet for this Sin, or the necessary and unavoidable Effects of it, they must be tormented to all Eternity.’ — I am sure, I have no Need to make any Remarks upon the bold and daring (not to say the profane) Air of this Language and Manner of Address! It lies much too open to the Reflection of every Reader, who has any just Impressions of the tremendous Majesty of Heaven and Earth. — I shall therefore confine my Remarks, to what is principally design'd to be insinuated in this Part of his Discourse; which seems to be, that it would not be just in God, to impute Adam's Sin to his Descendants, because it was not equal, nor what we, if then ex­isting, should have consented to, that he should be our foederal Re­presentative, and we appointed to stand or fall with him: And therefore, that we cannot be under such an Imputation of Adam's Sin.— This must have been his Meaning, if his Words are con­sider'd as signifying any Thing at all to his Purpose. This there­fore, I shall briefly consider.

And I remark first, that to me there is nothing more evident, than that Adam's Sin is imputed to us; and consequently that God is most equal and just in the Imputation. For the Judge of all the Earth always does, and always will do Right.— It is much more becoming such poor Worms as we, to enquire whether God has done this, than whether it is equal that he should do it.— For if the former be evident, the latter should be concluded without any Hesitancy or Dispute. — This should swallow up all our Doubts and Enquiries of that Kind. The infinite Fountain of Jus­tice and Equity most certainly does, and cannot but do, what is equal and right; whether we can see into the Equity of his Dispensations, or not.— And I think, we have no less Certainty from our continued Experience, that we are fallen Creatures, than we have of our own Existence. — No Man can look into him­self, and not find the dreadful Defection of his whole Nature; his Understanding naturally dark, his Affections irregular, his Appetites and Passions exorbitant, his Will perverse; and his Soul running out more after the Creature, than the Creator; and dreadfully dis­tant from a Conformity to, and Delight in the glorious Perfections of God.— No Man can look about him, but he must behold the World of Mankind in a degenerate State. He must see, that Wickedness covers the Face of the Earth; that the natural Dispo­si [...]ion of Mankind in common, from Generation to Generation, is evil, only evil, and that continually.—And whence did this slow? [Page 36] It is certain from the divine Perfections, that we could not come thus polluted out of the Hands of God at our first Creation: But that human Nature must have degenerated, and lost its primi­tive Rectitude. Nor could the blessed God be the Author or Spring of this: And therefore, that there must be some other Source of this Apostacy.— Why then can't we rest satisfied, with­out disputing, in the Representation God himself has given us of this Matter in his Word? It is amazing, that any Man who has the least Reverence for the Word of God, should call in Question a Fact, which is so strongly and repeatedly asserted, as well as par­ticularly explain'd, in many Places of the sacred Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testament; though more fully in the latter, and perhaps most fully in the Epistle to the Romans.— Are we not there taught (in Chapter 5 th) That by one Man Sin entered into the World; and Death by Sin; and so Death passed upon all Men; for that all have sinned; That through the Offence of one, many be dead; That the Iudgment was by one, to Condemnation: And that by one Man's Disobedience, many were made Sinners, &c?— Is it possible, that any Thing can be represented in more intelligible, expressive, and convincing Words, than the Imputation of Adam's Sin is here represented and confirmed?— And what greater Confirmation can we have of any Truth, than our own Experience and the Word of God?— What then stands in the Way of this Doctrine? We mayn't perhaps see into the Equity of the divine Conduct, in this Matter. What then? Can't we be throughly satisfied, that all God's Ways are just and right, whether we can account for some of them, or not? Can't we adore his Footsteps, when we are forc'd to cry out, O the Depths of the Riches, both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God!

But then, in the present Case, there appears Matter enough of Satisfaction to every humble Soul, who will look into it wi [...]h an unprejudiced Eye.— Mr. Beach indeed tells us, ‘he is perswaded, that no Man who had a just Regard to his own Interest, would willingly have reposed such a vast Trust in the Hands of Adam.’ — [...] on the contrary, I am perswaded that every Man (if then actually existing) who had known his own Interest, would willingly have reposed this Trust in the Hands of Adam; and would have esteemed it much safer there, than in his own Hands.

Was it not an incomparably easier Thing, for Adam to have refrain'd from the forbidden Fruit, than for every one, or for any one of his Posterity, for ever to have kept the Law of Nature, in all its Demands?— Was not Adam much more concern'd, than any of his Posterity could have been, not to incur the Penalty of a broken Law; in that he had not only his own Interest, but the In­terest of all his Posterity at Stake?— Was not Adam much more likely to stand, than any of his Posterity could have been; having [Page 37] at least as great natural Powers, and so much higher Motives, as his being God's immediate Workmanship, his personally receiving the Law from the Mouth of God, and his representing so many Mil­lions of Souls besides himself, to give him the most lively Impres­sions of his Duty and Interest, and the strongest Inducements to Vigilance and Care lest he should fall?— Was there not the greatest Probability in the World, that Adam would by the Influ­ence of such powerful Motives, have kept the easy Condition of Life; and have thereby established himself and all his Posterity in a perpetual State of Life and Happiness?— And on the other Hand, was there any Thing a like Probability, that every one of his Posterity would perpetually have kept the Law of Nature; when the Demands of it would have been (at least in their Du­ration) incomparably greater, their Strength no greater than his, and they liable to Temptation as great, every Hour of their Lives, as his was at the fatal Trial? And was it not a Thing infinitely desirable, to be brought into a State of Stability, and freed of all uneasy Apprehensions of Danger from a prevalent Temptation?— And I may add to all this; Would it not have been voted, by all the World, a Dispensation of infinite Goodness, if Adam had stood; and we had all through him been established in a State of Life and Peace for ever? — When all these Things are consi­der'd, let any Man judge, whether he would not have concurred to the Covenant made with Adam, if he had then personally exist­ed, and it had been left to his own Choice; and whether this was not a good and equal Dispensation, in that God, who takes his Measures from the Perfections of his own Nature, and not from the future Conduct of his Creatures?— But of these Things I have spoken more largely in another Discourse, to which the Reader is refer'd, if he desires fuller Satisfaction. ^*

I am now to consider, whether God has universally and indif­ferently given to all Men Grace sufficient for Salvation: Or whe­ther we can obtain eternal Life, by Vertue of our Improvement of that common Grace, which is given to all Men.— This Mr. Beach strongly and confidently asserts, and endeavours to prove.

‘If that common Grace (says he) which God affords to all Christians, did not render their Salvation possible, we had e'en as good be without, as receive it.’ (Page 17.)— That he means by their Salvation being possible, that it is attainable by their Im­provement of that common Grace, is certain from his further Ex­plications of his Meaning. He accordingly tells us, ‘Tho' Man is a fallen Creature, yet there is in every one a Power of self-determining, of chusing and refusing, by which a Man can com­ply with, or reject the Suggestions of the Holy Spirit.’ (P. 21.) [Page 38] —And again, ‘If we suppose two Men of the same natural Abili­ties, and under the same Advantages and Operations of the Holy Ghost, the one may so improve his Power of Consideration, as to become a wise and happy Man, and an eternal Companion of the blessed Angel; while the other by neglecting his Reason, and abandoning himself to be govern'd by his fleshly Appetites, may make himself so vile a Monster, as to be fit for nothing but the Portion of Devils.’ (Page 28.)—With much more to the same Purpose.— His Arguments to confirm this Doctrine, are now to be considered.

He argues from Ezek. xxiv.13. Because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, therefore thou shalt not be purged any more.— ‘Which, without all Peradventure (says he) denotes, that God had done his Part: but it failed through their neglecting to do their Part.’ (Page 17.)—Very well! GOD had done his Part, that is (according to Mr. Beach's own Interpretation) he had given them common Grace, whereby they might reform their Lives, and perform the external Duties of Religion: But they provoked God by not improving these Advantages and Powers, that were given them.— Now what follows? How does it appear, that improving com­mon Grace would have intitled them to, or qualified them for eternal Salvation? Does the Text say any Thing of this Kind; or can any Thing of this Kind be any Way deduced from it?—No! but this is the whole Force of the Argument. Common Grace must be sufficient to all Men for eternal Salvation; because God gave common Grace to some Men, and was provoked with them for not improving it. Or in other Words, God gives Power to Men to improve common Grace, therefore the Improvement of com­mon Grace is sufficient to eternal Salvation.— That is, the Improve­ment of common Grace is sufficient to Salvation, because it is so.— Let Mr. Beach try his Skill; and make more of this Argument, if he can.

He proceeds.— ‘So Hos. xiii.9. O Israel, thou hast destroyed thy self. But how can a Sinner's Destruction be of himself, if he can't help it, and God never put it in his Power to be any Thing else, but a wicked and miserable Creature?’

To this I answer, that the Argument concludes the quite contrary Way. For, if it be as here supposed, that Sinners have Power to be nothing but wicked Creatures, it is certain that they will destroy themselves; and can't do otherwise. For Wickedness overthroweth the Sinner, Prov. xiii.6. — But perhaps by the Expression, how can a Sinner's Destruction be of himself? Mr. Beach may mean, how can a Sinner be the faulty Cause of his own Destruction, if God has not given him Power to be any Thing else, but a wicked Creature?— But to this I also answer, as before. If this be sup­posed, [Page 39] he must necessarily be the faulty Cause of his own De­struction, upon that very Account: For Wickedness is always faul­ty; and always, by its natural and moral Efficacy, the Cause of De­struction: And therefore he that necessarily continues a wicked Creature, must necessarily, by that very Means, be the faulty Cause of his own Destruction.— What therefore could Mr. Beach mean by this Argument, unless it be to deduce this horrible and amaz­ing Consequence; That if God don't give the Sinner Grace suffi­cient for Salvation, he can't help his working Wickedness: and therefore God, and not he, must be the blameable Cause of it: And his Destruction must be of God, and not of himself!— I can see no Colour of Argument in it, unless it be taken in this View. And if this be his Meaning, I must needs say, it is high Time he should learn more awful Reverence for the glorious GOD, than to dare either to speak, or think, after this Manner. And that this is indeed his Meaning, appears evident, by his sarcastick Flouts, else­where in this Discourse, particularly in P. 25, where he has these scandalous Expressions; ‘As to the Bulk of Mankind, he having given them such a wicked and diabolical Nature, that they can no more cease to sin, than to breathe, &c.’ See likewise, Pages 19, 23 [...] 26.— There is therefore too just Occasion to apply the Apostle's Rebuke to him: Nay, but O Man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the Thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the Potter Power over the Clay, to make one Vessel unto Honour; and another unto Dishonour? Rom. ix.20.

Here then I might fairly dismiss this pretended Argument. But this being the main Plea, which runs through his whole Discourse, it may be proper to make some more particular Reflections upon it, once for all. And here,

1. What does Mr. Beach mean by God's not having put it in the Sinner's Power, to be any Thing else, but a wicked and mise­rable Creature?— Don't the Calvinist Divines unitedly agree, that God has given common Grace, even to those, unto whom he has not given his special and saving Influences? Is it not universally al­low'd, that by Virtue of this common Grace, they have a Power to refrain from open Scandal, to perform the external Duties of Religion, to take Pains with their Hearts to get them into a pro­per Frame for Duty, and thereby to excite in themselves some Se­riousness, Earnestness and Diligence, to consider of their own Im­potence and Unworthiness, and continue to lie at the Foot­stool of divine Grace for all Supplies of Grace and Strength, for the Sake of Christ, the Mediator and Redeemer?— Is it not uni­versally allow'd, that if this be their Temper and Conduct, they have sufficient Encouragement given them in the Gospel, to hope, that they may obtain the special and saving Influences of the bless­ed [Page 40] Spirit? Are they not told often, that in this Way Thousands have sought and succeeded; and that every individual Sinner has in this Way as much Reason to hope, as any unconverted Sinner in the World ever had?— And is not this enough to animate a poor condemned Malefactor to apply to his offended Sovereign for Grace and Mercy? Shall such a poor guilty Worm stand upon Terms, with an infinite and sovereign God; and refuse to comply with the Methods and Means of Grace, which he is able to comply with, unless God will first give him further Strength and Helps?— Shall he venture to go on in his Sins, under the most powerful In­centives to the contrary: And yet plead, that because God has not given him special Grace, his Destruction is not from himself, but from God; though the Sinner voluntarily indulges his Lusts, neglects the Means of Grace, and rejects the free Offers of Mercy?— If these be the Terms, that poor foolish Sinners will insist upon, they must finally know, by a terrible Conviction, when it is too late, that they have not only brought Destruction, but an aggravated Destruc­tion, upon themselves.

2. Let it also be consider'd, where the Seat of this Impotency is, namely, in the Will: That the true Reason why Sinners can't com­ply with the Terms of the Gospel, is because they won't.— Their Hearts and Affections are wedded to their Lusts and Idols; and they have such a self-righteous Disposition, as to be too proud to stoop to the self-abasing, tho' most gracious Terms of the Gospel: and for this Cause, and this only, they continue in their Sins, and perish.— Whosoever will, are invited to come to Christ, and to par­take of the Waters of Life freely. Let their Sins be ever so many, and ever so great, they may obtain Justification, Sanctification, and eternal Salvation, if they are but truly willing to accept of a precious Saviour, as exhibited in the Gospel. And they have no other Ex­cuse for continuing in Sin, but that they would not comply with the Gospel-Call, embrace the Gospel-Promise, and trust in the only Redeemer.— From whence then is their Destruction, but from them­selves; and from their own voluntary Choice?

Mr. Beach must allow this Argument to be conclusive, because it is his own; and may be found in this Sermon of his, now under Consideration. He himself tells us, ‘That all we do towards our Salvation, is to accept of the Grace of God, when offered. And if we do accept it, we shall be saved: but if we do not, we shall perish.’ (Page 25.) And yet he tells us, ‘That no Man will ever come to Christ and accept of this kind Offer, unless the Fa­ther draw him, and it be given him from above.’ (P. 15.) — And does it not then follow, that though no Man will comply with the Terms of Salvation, unless excited by the special Influences of divine Grace, they yet fail of Salvation, only by their wilful Re­jection of the most condescending and gracious Proposal, which can [Page 41] be made to rational Creatures; and therefore that their De­struction is wholly of themselves?

He goes on to argue; ‘When GOD ( Ezek. xxxiii.11.) swears, that he has no Pleasure in the Death of the Wicked, but chuses that he should turn and live; how can this be true, that he don't chuse that Men should remain wicked and perish, if he withholds from them that Grace, without which they can no more turn, than a dead Corpse can raise itself to Life.’

To which I answer, that the Printer of Mr. Beach's Bible must have been very faulty; or Mr. Beach himself very careless in reading the quoted Text. For I find Nothing there, of God's chusing that a Sinner should turn and live. God does indeed there declare, that he hath no Pleasure in the Death of the Wicked, but that the Wicked turn from his Way▪ and live. Yet all that can be justly infer'd from this Text, is, that the Repentance and Conversion of Sinners is a Thing acceptable to the God of all Grace, and according to the good Pleasure of his Goodness; but not that he efficaciously chuses, purposes, and consequently endeavours the Conversion indifferently of Sinners in general. The former flows from the Goodness of his Nature: The latter would argue his Want of Power, with Respect to those who fail of Salvation.

This being premised, I proceed to consider the Force of Mr. Beach's Arguings from the Text.

As for his first Argument, from God's giving Men such a Nature▪ that they can't help but be wicked; I have newly consider'd it, and shall therefore now pass it over as impertinent.

His second Argument is, ‘He doth not truly will an Event, who doth not will the necessary Means. And if God is not willing to give all Men sufficient Grace, I can't conceive how he can be truly said to be willing and desirous, that they should turn and live.’ — By "necessary Means," he must intend, if he speaks to the Purpose, Grace sufficient for the Conversion of Sinners unto God. And what are these necessary Means, or this Grace sufficient? What but Christ's making them willing in the Day of his Power? Psal. cx.3. What but the Exercise of the exceeding Greatness of God's [...]ower; and the working of his mighty Power? Eph. i.19. What but God's working in them both to will and to do, of his good Pleasure? Phil. i.13. What but God's giving a new Heart, and a new Spirit; taking away the Heart of St [...]e out of their Flesh, and giving them a Heart of Flesh? Ezek. xxxvi.26.— These, and these only, are Means sufficient for the Conversion of Sinners to God; as appears from Multitudes of Passages in the Word of God, besides these now recited. — The Question therefore is, whether God does in Fact [Page 42] "will these necessary Means," in Order to the Conversion of all Sinners, without Distinction?— If so, whence is it, that all Sinners in common, don't turn and live?— Surely it must be within the Compass of the exceeding Greatness of God's Power, to give a new Heart, and a new Spirit to all Men, without Exception. For he can do all his Will.— But if God does not will these necessary Means for the Conversion of all Sinners indifferently, what becomes of Mr. Beach's Argument?— He "can't conceive" how God can truly ex­postulate with Sinners as he does in Ezek. xxxiii.11. And what then? Is there nothing true with Respect to the glorious God, but what Mr. Beach has an adequate Conception of?— But why can't he conceive the Goodness of God's Nature to be such, that he does not take Pleasure in the Death of a Sinner, as his Creature's Mi­sery: but yet, at the same Time, conceive his Justice and Holiness to be such, that he mayn't see fit to exert his Almighty Power to prevent it?— Why can't Mr. Beach conceive, that Repentance or Conversion in every Instance would be acceptable to God, or agree­able to the good Pleasure of his Goodness, when yet he does not see fit to engage all his Power in the Accomplishment of it in the Case of every Sinner, without Difference?— And why can't he conceive, that though God be infinite Goodness and Mercy, yet that he is also absolute Master and arbitrary Donor of his own special Favours, which he owes to none, and has therefore a Right to bestow where and when he pleases, to have Mercy upon whom he will have Mercy? — Whether he can conceive of these Things or not, we have no greater Certainty of any Truths whatsoever, than that these are all true. And he that reproveth GOD, let him answer it.

We are next told, ‘When GOD works in us, he does not work irr [...]sistably. For in that Case, we could not forbear to work out our Salvation. But the Holy Ghost works so in us, that we may chuse whether we will work with him, or against him. We can at the same Time, either quench, or cherish the Spirit. — We can either resist, or comply with the Holy Ghost.’ (P. 20.)

There is a Vein of such extraordinary Discourse running through his whole Sermon.— But what Evidence have we to sustain it? No­thing more than his confident Assertion. All therefore that appears needful, is to look on the other Side of the Question; and to see if the contrary to this has no better Support.

The Scriptures represent to us, that the Conversion of Sinners is wrought by the special Illumination and Influence of the Spirit of God; whereby they have an effectual Discovery, not only of their own Sin and Misery, but of the glorious Nature and Way and Au­thor of the Salvation revealed in the Gospel. And when they thus, with open Face, behold as in a Glass, the Glory of the Lord, it power­fully changes them into the same Image, from Glory to Glory. 2 Cor. [Page 43] iii.18. They can't but be pleased with & concur to the Gospel-Offer of Salvation, when the Spirit of God enables them to behold it in its Divine Grace and Excellency. They know themselves to be con­demned Malefactors, and can't but be willing to accept a Pardon, when they have a sensible View that there is one freely offered. They feel themselves sinking & drowning in Perdition, and can't but be willing to be pulled out of the horrible Pit, when they have a sensible View of sufficient Help at Hand. They are irresistibly drawn to Christ, and compelled to turn and live.— But Mr. Beach tells us, that if this were the Case, ‘we could not forbear to work out our own Salvation.’ I answer, that though there be no Force in the Case, yet when the Mind is thus illuminated and re­newed by the Holy Spirit, he invincibly perswades and influences the Will, so that the Sinner is necessarily, though freely and willingly, drawn to Christ, is sweetly constrain'd by the Love of Christ, and under this blessed Influence, he cannot, he will not, forbear to work out his own Salvation.— When I am told, that two and three make five, the Proposition commands my Assent, without offering any Violence to my Understanding. And so in the present Case, there is no Force upon the Sinner, when by a divine Light, and Life-giving Influence, he is brought to see and feel his Misery and Remedy; and thereby necessarily, but freely acquiesces in that Way of Salvation, so glori­ously accommodated to all his Wants and Desires.— That this is the Case in Fact, is abundantly confirm'd, not only by the Experience of the Children of God, who have found themselves thus compelled, and yet willing, in the Day of Christ's Power: but also from the Oracles of God, where this Method of the divine Operation is par­ticularly described. 2 Cor. iv.6. For God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness, hath shined into our Hearts, to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God, in the Face of Iesus Christ. So likewise Eph. i.18. and many other Places.— That Sinners should thus have their Understanding enlightned, their Mind renewed, and thereby be brought into a willing Compliance with the Gospel-Offer, is absolutely necessary to their saving Conversion, be­cause they are under the Power of Darkness, Col. i.13. They are dead in Trespasses and Sins, Eph. ii.1. And they receive not the Things of the Spirit of God; neither can they know them, until they are en­abled spiritually to discern them. 2 Cor. ii.14.— And I venture to shew my Opinion, that he who has not experienced this transform­ing Light and Power of the Holy Ghost, illuminating his Mind, al­luring his Heart, and attracting his Will, so as to necessitate his free Compliance with the Gospel-Offer, such an one has Reason to fear, that he is yet in his Sins, a Stranger to Christ, and an Enemy to God. — Mr. Beach indeed insinuates, that this Doctrine takes away a Man's Freedom, renders him a mere Engine, and leaves him but an intelligent Machine. (Page 21, 22.)—But how, I beseech him, does a Man's acting from the clearest Light and purest Reason, from the [Page 44] most rational Convictions, and the noblest Motives impressed by the Spirit of God, render him an Engine, or a Machine?

Another Argument Mr. Beach offers, to confirm his Doctrine, is this;— ‘Without supposing, that sufficient Grace is afforded to all, I cannot possibly understand the Sense of that Expostulation, Isai. v.3, 4. And now, O Inhabitants of Jerusalem, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my Vineyard; what could have been done more unto my Vineyard, that I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth Grapes, brought it forth wild Grapes?’ —Upon which he observes, ‘They could easily have answered, that he had not done the main Thing, without which all the rest was Nothing, and that he had no more put it in their Power to bring forth Grapes, than to create a new World.’ Page 23.

It's sad to consider, how triflingly and impertinently Men will rea­son, to serve an Hypothesis! For, had not these, God's ancient Peo­ple, the Powers of Nature and common Grace, besides the distinguish­ing Privileges of his Sanctuary and Ordinances? And were not these sufficient to have enabled them (without the special renewing Influences of the Spirit) to reform their abominable Idolatry, and those horrid Impieties, which abounded among them?— Were not these sufficient (without special Grace) to have put them upon the diligent Use of the Means of Conversion; upon earnest Inqui [...]ies af­ter God, and Endeavours of Conformity to his Will, and in that Way to have lain at the Foot of sovereign Grace, for renewing or saving Influences?— And had not God the highest Reason to ex­postulate with, and complain of them, that they did not bring forth these Grapes, which were justly to be expected; considering the Ex­pence, which he had laid out upon them, and especially considering, that all was done, that needed to be done, or that even could be done, to produce those Effects?

Mr. Beach proceeds to argue: ‘In the Parable of the Sower, of four Sorts of Ground, but one was fruitful: Now, what made the Difference, arose from the Soil, as our Lord explains it.’ — Very well! but Who was it that specially enrich'd that particular Soil, and made it fruitful above the rest? It is most certain, that all Men by Nature are like a barren Heath, uncapable as of them­selves to bring forth any good Fruit; and our Saviour accordingly tells us, Joh. xv.4, 5. As the Branch cannot bear Fruit, of it self; except it abide in the Vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in me. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much Fruit: for without me ye can do nothing; or can produce no Fruit. — I have chosen you,— that you should go and bring forth Fruit, and that your Fruit should remain.— Here then we see, that th [...] [Page 45] distinguishing Fruitfulness of one more than another, is derived from an Union to Christ, and from his free and sovereign Grace.

We have one Argument more in the Way, which Mr. Beach (it seems) dare venture his Eternity upon; and this is, that ‘his Doc­trine certainly yields greater Encouragement to all Men to strive for eternal Life, than that which teaches, that it is a mere arbitrary Act of God which secures Salvation to Men; and that their own Endeavours do neither hinder nor promote their Salvation: Which Notion if I should once entertain, I am sure, I should with good Reason cast off all Care and Solicitude for my eternal Interest; and strive to be contented with the secret and decretive Will of God, whatever it might appear to be, when I come into the eternal World.’

It is a soft Answer to this, and to much more of the like Kind fre­quently occurring in his Sermon, to observe, that it is a very unjust, abusive and bitter Invective, against the Doctrine which he is pleased to oppose.— For who ever supposed, that "our own Endeavours neither hinder nor promote our Salvation?" Don't the Calvinist Divines constantly teach, agreeable to the Oracles of God, that the Duties of Religion belong to the Way of Salvation, as God has ap­pointed them in Order to the seeking of special Grace, in a diligent Attendance on them, and that we have no Reason nor Encouragement to hope ever to experience the special Influences of the Spirit, in any other Way? That although God be sovereign in giving a new Heart and a new Spirit, and in causing us to walk in his Statutes and keep his Iudgments, and do them; and does this not for our Sakes, but for his own Name's Sake: Yet he will be inquired of by the House of Israel to do this for them? Ezek. xxxvi.25, 26, 32, 37.— And the Sove­reignty of God is so far from a Discouragement to Diligence in Duty, that it ought to be improved as a most forceable Incentive to it: And the Apostle accordingly urges it, as a Motive to active Diligence, Phil. ii.12, 13. Work out your own Salvation with Fear and Trem­bling: FOR it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do, of his good Pleasure.— If we lie at Mercy, we should most earnestly implore it. If God only can help us, we should the more diligently seek Help from him. If we are Bankrupts and depend upon Alms for our Subsistence, we should therefore seek, that we may obtain. If we are condemn'd Malefactors, and none but the Prince can forgive us, we should the more earnestly petition him for a Pardon.— But if Sinners are too proud and stout, to acknowledge a glorious God the sovereign Donor of his own Favours, and to lie at the Footstool of his Mercy: if they will run into those desperate Conclusions, which Mr. Beach here tells us he would do, and as he thinks, with good Reason, then they may expect, that the righteous God will leave them to the dire Effects of their own Pride and Contumacy. He [Page 46] will finally convince them of his Sovereignty, as well as Justice, whe­ther they will now submit to it, or no.

Thus I have taken Notice, I think, of every Thing in this Sermon, which has so much as the Appearance of an Argument, in Favour of the "Sufficiency of common Grace for Salvation." I have indeed passed over many Things, which are justly exceptionable: but I think, Nothing which he could suppose to have any direct Tendency to the Confirmation of his Hypothesis.— And now let all serious and conscientious Persons judge, whether their Duty and Interest don't oblige 'em, to leave the glorious GOD in Possession of his So­vereignty, without finding. Fault, and without quarrelling the Equity of his Dispensations. Let them judge, whether it don't become such sinful Worms as we, humbly to acknowledge, that God has a just Claim to absolute Liberty in the Exercise of his Grace, to have Mercy upon whom he will have Mercy; and with humble Abasement of Soul to prostrate themselves as guilty Criminals at his Feet, imploring Mercy for his Name's Sake, for his Son's Sake, and not for theirs; acknowledging, that if they are rejected and left to perish in their Sins, God is just, and they deservedly miserable: But that if they are saved, it must be from the infinite Riches of free unmerited and forfeited Mercy.— Let them judge, who know what vital Piety means, and have had a blessed Experience of the Power of the Holy Ghost in calling them to Christ, whether they are not under most unspeakable Obligations to acknowledge, that the Salvation begun in their Souls is the sole Result of sovereign Grace; owing to no other Cause but God's mere good Pleasure; excited by no other Motive, but because it so seemed good in his Sight.

Yet there is one Thing in Mr. Beach's Sermon, which I can't conclude without taking a more particular Notice of. And that is, his plainly insinuating, that we are justified before God by our own Works. Thus (Page 33.) ‘Grace saves us no other Way, but by our obeying the Gospel.’ —So (Page 31.) ‘Now this Wedding-Garment is a Temper of Mind and Life agreeable to the Gospel, which like an Ornament or Wedding Garment to the Soul, makes it FIT to appear before God, in the Company of Saints and An­gels.’ — So likewise (Page 37.) ‘Let us labour to excel in all moral and christian Virtues, in which is FOUNDED the eternal Happiness of a rational Creature.’

He does not indeed explain himself and inform us, what this Obedience to the Gospel is, what this Temper of Mind and Life, or what these moral and christian Vertues are, which save us, which make us fit to appear before God, and upon which our eternal Happiness i [...] founded.— But I think, let them be taken in what Sense he pleases, this Doctrine is directly subversive of the whole Tenor of the Gospel, and of the Method of Reconciliation therein proposed.

[Page 47]If our blessed Saviour be the Lord our Righteousness (as in Jer. xxiii.6.) If we are justified freely by God's Grace, through the Redemption which is in Christ Iesus (as in Rom. iii.24) If it be not by Works of Righteousness which we have done, but according to his Mercy he saveth us (as in Tit. iii.5.) then we are not saved by our Obedience to the Gospel; nor will any Temper of Mind, or Life agreeable, serve for a Wedding-Garment to the Soul, to make it fit to appear before God: Our eternal Happiness is then founded upon CHRIST'S Righteousness only, and not upon our moral or christian Vertues.

If to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the Ungodly, his Faith is counted for Righteousness (as in Rom. iv.5) If it be not of Works, that we are saved, lest any Man should boast (as in Eph. ii.9) And if Grace and Works, are directly contrary one to the other (as in Rom. xi.6) then we are not saved by our Obedience to the Gospel, by any Temper of Mind, or Tenor of Life, we have or can have▪ nor is our eternal Happiness founded upon our moral and christian Vertues.—It is surprizing, that a Man of Mr. Beach's Character can teach Doctrines so directly repugnant to the whole Oeconomy of our Salvation by Jesus Christ.

Mr. Beach tells us, ‘Certainly he ( the Apostle) did not mean to ex­clude our Faith, Repentance, Charity, and other Fruits of the Spi­rit, from being necessary to, or bearing a Part in our eternal Life.’ But I answer, Certainly he did mean to exclude all these, as they are Works of our own, (though not from being necessary to, yet) from being any Manner of procuring Cause of our Salvation, or bearing a Part (as Works of ours) in justifying, and intitling us to Life eternal.

He further observes, that ‘by Works St. Paul means the Works of the Law of Moses, and all such Works whereby Men pretend to claim the Reward, not of Favour and Courtesy, but of Debt.’ — I would here inquire of Mr. Beach, whether if God has promised to save us by our Obedience, he is not indebted to us, to make that Promise good, upon our performing of that Obedience, whatever Proportion there may be, between the Work and the promised Re­ward? And if the Condition be Works, of whatever Value the Works be, is not the Fulfilment of the Obligation, due to him who has done the Work, and perform'd the Condition?

I shall now conclude these my Remarks, with a brief Expostulation with those of Mr. Beach's Disposition, who, not content with embra­cing these dangerous Opinions themselves, are so fond of making Proselytes. — Bear with me, Gentlemen, while I address you in a few Words; and briefly inquire into the Grounds of this Conduct.

[Page 48]You will perhaps plead, that you can't believe, contrary to the Reason and Evidence that appears to your selves.— But why so fond of making Proselytes of those▪ who by your own Principles, are already (if they live up to the Articles of their Faith) in a more cer­tain State of Safety, than you can with any Modesty pretend to.— They have common Grace, as well as you: Their Prnciiples as much influence them not to receive the Grace of God in vain; and as much teach them the Necessity of Holiness, as yours can do. And if they walk worthy of their Principles, you must acknowledge, that though their Sentiments may be wrong, their Souls are safe. And though they may have Cause to reflect at the Bar of Christ, that they have had a more lowly Sense of their own Impotence and Unwor­thiness, than there was Occasion for, and have done more Honour to the Sovereignty of God's Grace, than they were oblig'd to: Yet they have comply'd with the Terms of the Gospel, and will there­fore be accepted of their righteous Judge.— These (Gentlemen) are Consequences naturally deduced from your own Principles. — But now, if the Case be as the whole Reformation has voted it, that you are greatly mistaken, and that you deny that Submission to the Righteousness of Christ, and that Acknowledgment of the free and sovereign Grace of God in him, which the Gospel makes the Terms of your Acceptance with God, and of your eternal Salvation, you can't but know how dreadful the Consequence must be in [...] great Day of Trial.— Suffer me, Gentlemen, to tell you, that ten thousand Worlds would not tempt me to venture my Soul upon the Foundation, you are so earnestly perswading poor Sinners to build their eternal Hope upon.

You may perhaps pretend, you are certain that you are in the right, and cannot be mistaken.— But would not common Modesty put you upon considering, That besides the Church of England, the whole Reformation in general have all along been, and still are pro­fessedly of a contrary Mind to you; That very many of these have taken as much Pains to inquire into this Cause, were at least as capable Judges, and have as good a Claim to Certainty, as your selves: And that these have seen the whole Tenor of the Gospel, in the plainest and strongest Language, opposing your Principles?

You may perhaps pretend, that the Doctrines of special Grace, as held by the Calvinists, are destructive of a religious and godly Life. — But you must know (how inconsistent soever you may suppose their Principles) that the Calvinists constantly teach the Necessity of Sanctification, in Order to final Salvation; and that without Holiness no Man shall or can see the Lord. And it is a notorious Fact, which cannot justly be disputed, that the Practice of Piety towards God, and Righteousness toward Men, prevails as much (at least) among those of the Calvinian, as among others of the Arminian Perswasion; yea, that the more humbly sensible of his own Impotence and No­thingness, [Page 49] any Man is, and the firmer Trust he has in Christ for Grace, Mercy, and Peace, so much the more godly, righteous, sober, and watchful will his Conversation be. —While on the contrary, it has been an old Observation, too constantly verified, that the most zeal­ous Patrons of the Sufficiency of common Grace, and of our Iustifica­tion by Works, have been generally very far from confirming or com­mending their Principles, by their Conversations.

You may possibly, after all, make it your Apology, that Truth is not to be estimated by Consequences, but by Evidence.— Well! I have now been considering and examining your Evidence: and the World must judge, whether it will bear a Trial by the Standard of the Sanctuary.— And it concerns both you and me to consider so­lemnly, whether our Principles and our Hopes will bear the Trial in the great Day of Accounts.— The Lord of his free Grace direct and keep us in his own Way, that we mayn't at last be ashamed of our Hope, and find our Expectation perish: but that we may receive the End of our Faith, the Salvation of our Souls. AMEN.

BEFORE I had finished my Remarks upon Mr. Beach's Sermon, I had two other Pamphlets put into my Hands, written with the same Design as the Sermon already considered. The one of them intitled, The Nature and Method of christian Preaching; the other, A Letter concerning the Sovereignty and Promises of God. The former of these, written by Mr. Henry Caner: The latter (as I am well informed) by Dr. Samuel Iohnson.— Though I can't but conclude, that what I have already said in Answer to Mr. Beach, is a sufficient Refutation of whatever occurs in these Discourses, if pro­perly applied: Yet there being some Things here plausibly offered, which will be likely to stumble the unwary and injudicious Reader, and lead him off from the true Foundation of his Hope and Safety, it is thought needful, that there be some general View given of the false Foundation, upon which those Discourses are built, and of their dangerous Tendency to the Souls of Men.

I shall begin with some brief Reflections upon Mr. CANER'S SER­MON; the professed Design of which is, to instruct us in the true Method of Preaching: But if he himself has mistaken his Way, our Saviour's Observation (Matth. xv.14.) must take Place, If the Blind lead the Blind, both shall fall into the Ditch. — Whether this be so, or not, comes under immediate Consideration.

[Page 51]The Sum of what Mr. Caner endeavours to prove, [...]is, that according to the Method of our blessed Saviour's and his Apostles Preaching, when we preach to the unconverted Heathen World, Repen­tance of their former wicked Life, and Faith in Christ, are the only proper necessary Doctrines, to be inculcated upon such Men as these. (Page 14.) But when we preach to those who are already Christians, who have professed their Faith in Christ, and have been received into his Church by Baptism, we should intirely change our Applications; and no longer now insist upon Faith, but Practice.

He says but little to illustrate the first of these Propositions; nor was there any Occasion that he should, it being on all Hands allowed for Truth. But he is large and particular in his Endeavours to confirm the latter Proposition: With what Success, I am now to inquire.

He begins with urging the Pattern of CHRIST himself: And his Evidence here is thus proposed. ‘First (says he) let us consider the Example of our blessed Saviour's Preaching, as it is exhibited to us in this Sermon (the Sermon on the Mount,) of which Mention is made in my Text. For though he taught upon many other Oc­casions, both in publick and private; yet we have no compleat publick Sermon of his, besides this which is here recorded.’

‘And the first Thing remarkable in this Sermon is, that it is a­dapted to his Hearers, that is, his Disciples. For though there was a mixt Multitude, that now heard him: Yet his Discourse was chiefly directed to his Disciples. (P. 8.) — These Men having already made Profession of CHRIST, and yielded up them­selves to become his hearty and sincere Followers, and being re­ceived by him as Members of his Body, or of that Church which he came to establish, and whereof he himself is the Head, did not need a Discourse about Faith, nor an Exhortation about coming to CHRIST, so much as proper Instructions in Regard to their Con­duct and Behaviour as Christians.’ (P. 11.)

This is the Sum of his Reasoning upon this Head, in his own Words. From whence these several Things offer to our Conside­ration and Inquiry.

1. Whether Christ's Sermon on the Mount was especially addressed to the twelve Disciples, and accommodated to their Circumstances; and not to the Circumstances of the vast Multitude, which attended it.

2. Whether there be no compleat publick Sermon of our Lord's, besides this in the Mount, recorded by the Evangelists.

[Page 52]3. Whether when our Saviour preached to his twelve Disciples only, just before his Crucifixion, he did not inculcate upon them the Necessity of their Faith in him. And,

4. Whether our blessed Saviour did not insist upon Faith and Re­pentance, in the whole Course of his Ministry.— These Things duly consider'd will set the Case in a proper Light.

I am first then to consider, whether this Sermon upon the Mount was especially addressed to the twelve Disciples, and accommodated to their Circumstances; but not to the Circumstances of the Multitude, which attended it.— Mr. Caner takes it for granted, that this Ser­mon was chiefly directed to Christ's own Disciples (the Twelve he must mean, if he would speak pertinently) and builds all his Reasoning upon this Postulatum. That these Disciples had already received him as their Master, and listed themselves as his Followers. (Page 8.) Had already received him by Faith; and professed their Dependance upon him. (Page 14.) Therefore to these he gives such Directions as might govern their Lives; and make it evident, they did not receive their Religion in vain. (Page 8.) To these he preached the Doctrine of new Obedience; and exhorted them to live suitably to their holy Calling. (Page 14.) — Now will there upon Examination be found any Manner of Founda­tion for all this?— Does not the Text assure us, it was upon see­ing the MULTITUDES, he went up into the Mountain; that seating himself upon the Summit, so great a Multitude might (by the De­clivity of the Hill) have the Advantage to sit in a Semi-Circle at his Feet, according to their Custom of attending upon the Teachings of the Jewish Doctors in that Day. ^‡— By his Disciples coming to him, I think, we are not to understand the Twelve, who were not yet called to be his Followers: but the Multitude mention'd in the fore­going Part of the Verse, who approached to him as Disciples or Learners were wont to do to the Iewish Doctors, to sit at his Feet, and attend his Doctrine. They are called Disciples, not in the special and appropriate, but general and lax Sense of the Word, as they were now waiting on his Instruction and Discipline.— This seems the natural and necessary Construction of the Passage.— For what Sense can be made of our Saviour's going to the Top of a Mountain, for the Sake of the Multitudes, when he designed to appropriate or specially direct his Address to his twelve Disciples, whom he could have as conveniently instructed in a House, or on a Plain any where, as upon the Top of a Mountain?— It is therefore certain, both from the Text and from the Nature of the Thing, that he chose that Situation, that the Multitude might conveniently attend and hear him. And what puts this beyond Dispute, is, that the Twelve Dis­ciples were not yet called to be his constant Attendants and Followers; a [...] before h [...]n [...]ed. We find indeed, by the 21st Verse of the foregoing [Page 53] Chapter, that the first four were now newly called to follow him. And it appears from Mark i.17,—45. that there were no other Disciples in constant Attendance upon him, when this Multitude resort­ed to him, but Simon, Andrew, Iames, and Iohn. The same is also evident from Luke v.10,—15. In which Places our Lord's several Transactions from the Time of his calling these four Disciples, to the Convention of this Multitude, are particularly related: and we may justly suppose, it was a considerable Time before any other of the Twelve were called, as his stated Attendants.— I might moreover observe, that Mr. Caner's Text serves further to illustrate this Mat­ter,. It was the People (the Multitude) that were astonished at his Doctrine, and consequently to them was the Sermon directed; and upon them did our blessed Lord d [...]signedly impress it with such Power, as excited their Approbation and Admiration. — All those Remarks therefore upon our Lord's accommodating his Discourse to his Disciples, who had already listed themselves as his Followers, received him as their Master, received him by Faith, &c. are merely imaginary & trifling.

The true State of the Case seems to be this. — The Multitude were struck with a Conviction, that Iesus was their expected Messiah, and from thence filled with an Apprehension, that he would quickly assume that temporal Dominion and Grandeur, which the Iews of that Day imagined necessarily consequent upon the Messiah's Appear­ing. They therefore seem to flock to him, that they may be early in his Service, assist him in his Victories, and secure a Part in the Glory and Magnificence of his Kingdom.— He accordingly adapts his Discourse, to check these their ambitious Views; corrects their Mis­takes, and shews them, that instead of this temporal Pomp and Gran­deur, Riches and Honours, Conquests and Triumphs, in which they hoped to be happy, true Blessedness consists in the Seeing of God, and enjoying the Honours, Privileges and Blessings of the Kingdom of God, which is spiritual and heavenly: And that the Characters of the bless­ed Man are such as these, Poverty of Spirit, Meekness, Self-Denial, Patience, Love to all Men, Forgiveness of Enemies, and universal Conformity to the Will of God.— If any would see this set in a par­ticular and clear Light, let him read Dr. Doddridge's excellent Para­phrase upon this Sermon in the Mount.— Upon the whole then, it is most evident, that this Sermon of our Lord's doth afford no Foun­dation at all for that Method of Preaching, which Mr. Caner attempts to establish upon it. But all his Pretences of our Saviour's preaching Faith and Repentance, to those only who were not brought over to the christian Profession, and changing his Applications, to those who had already received him, are meerly chimerical, without the least Coun­tenance from his Text and Context; or indeed from any Thing else in the whole Gospels.

I'm aware, that it may be objected against this Reasoning, that where this same Sermon is recorded in the sixth Chapter of Luke, we [Page 54] are assured, that the twelve Disciples were previously chosen; and were all personally Auditors of this Discourse.— But, I think it certain, that the Sermon recorded in Luke, was preached at another Time, and upon another Occasion (probably of a like Kind with what has been just consider'd) and was not the same Discourse, though some of the same Things occur in it.— This is evident from the Discourse it self; the greatest Part of what is recorded in Matthew, not being found in Luke. Matthew records nine Beati­tudes: Luke but four, and with considerable Variation from Matthew. And on the other Hand, there is a Variety of Things in Luke, particularly three Verses together, wherein Woes are denounced, of which Matthew saith Nothing.— Besides, the Multitude, which at­tended the Sermon recorded by Matthew, came from Galilee, Deca­polis, Ierusalem, Iudea, and from beyond Iordan. Whereas those men­tion'd by Luke, came from Iudea, Ierusalem, and the Sea-Coast of Tyre and Sidon.— And what puts it beyond all Doubt is, that according to Matthew's Narrative, our Lord took the Multitude with him to the Top of the Mountain: But according to Luke's Report, he took his Disciples only into the Mountain, and continued with them there all Night in Prayer to God; and met with the Multitude in the Plain, after his Descent from the Mountain. According to Matthew's Ac­count, the Sermon recorded by him was delivered upon the Mountain: But according to Luke's History, he stood upon a Plain, after he came down from the Mountain, when he preached the Sermon there record­ed. Luke vi.17. — Thus we see, that the very Foundation of Mr. Caner's Sermon is but a mere Quicksand: and what then must become of his pompous Superstructure?

I am next to consider, whether there be no compleat publick Sermon of our Blessed LORD'S, besides this in the Mount, recorded by the Evangelists.— This Mr. Caner denies; insinuating thereby, that this Sermon is the only Pattern, which can be taken from our blessed Saviour's Preaching, to guide us in our Addresses to those, who are already professed Christians.— But how came Mr. Caner to make this egregious Blunder?— Did he never read the sixth and the tenth Chapters of Iohn's Gospel? Were not they publick Sermons, that are there recorded? Have we not as much Evidence, that they were compleat Sermons, as we have with Respect to this Sermon in the Mount? Were not Christ's Twelve Disciples present, when he preach­ed them? And (what is full to the present Purpose) were not those whole Discourses upon the Nature, Necessity and blessed Consequences of Faith in Christ, of an Interest in and Union to him, and on the dangerous State of Unbelievers?— Some of his Disciples indeed were prejudiced against Discourses of such a Tenor. They concluded (no Doubt) with some of the present Times, that it was not a proper Method of Preaching to professed Christians; and therefore went back, and walked no more with him. Joh. vi.66.— Such publick Sermons, however, our Lord did see Cause to preach, whether his [Page 55] Disciples were pleased, or displeased with them. And therefore Mr. Caner's Remark, that we have no compleat publick Sermon of his, besides that in the Mount, is certainly a very gross Mistake in Point of History.

But supposing it were Fact, that we have no Instance of any public Sermon preach'd by our blessed LORD to his professed Disciples, upon the Doctrines of Faith and Repentance; will it not be as repugnant to Mr. Caner's Scheme, if we can find a private Sermon of our Lord's, preach'd to his Disciples, wherein these Doctrines are insisted upon? His Business was to prove, that quite other Doctrine than Faith and Repentance was necessary, to those who had already received Christ by Faith, and submitted to him as a Mediator and Guide (Page 14.) And that this was constantly exemplified in our LORD'S Preaching.— What then must become of this fine Speculation, if it appears, that when our Lord preached to his twelve Disciples only, and that too in [...] last Sermon they ever heard from his Mouth (certainly therefore after they had received him by Faith, and professed their Dependance upon him as their Mediator and Guide) the Doctrine of Faith in him, of Union to him by Faith, of the Fruits of Faith, and of the Peace and Consolation that should flow from Faith in him, were the chief Sub­jects of his Discourse! That this was so in Fact, cannot be debated by any one who will read the xivth, xvth, and xvith Chapters of Iohn.— In a Word, what was the Spirit and Scope of our Lord's Parables, in general? Was it not to teach Faith and Repentance? And were not his Parables principally design'd for his Disciples Use? See Matth. xlii.11.— From whence it follows, that as the Facts alledged by Mr. Caner are meer Imagination [...] without any Appear­ance of Truth, the Consequences he has [...]uced from them, must be of the same airy Nature with the Premises, on which he argues.

Upon the whole then, I think, it must appear to every one who won't shut his Eyes against the Light, that although our blessed SA­VIOUR preached upon a great Variety of other Subjects, and thereby has set an Example to those who minister in his Name, to bring out of their Treasure Things new and old: Yet the chief Subjects insisted upon in the whole Course of his Ministry, were the Doc­trines of Faith and Repentance, or what depended upon them, led to them, and was necessary to the Description, Illustration and Enforce­ment of those important Points.— Thus he began his Ministry, Matth. iv.17, 23.— Thus he continued it; as appears from the Gospel of Iohn, ^‡ where his Discourses are more fully and particu­larly [Page 56] represented.— Thus he concluded it; in the Sermon above-cited, the last which he ever preached while resident among Men.— And these were the Doctrines, which without any Reserves, Limita­tions or Distinctions, he recommended to his Disciples, to preach also, when he commissioned them to go forth, and preach the Gospel in his Name. See Mark xvi.15, 16. and Luke xxiv.47.— And as the Apostles well understood his Meaning, they preached accordingly: testifying both to Jews and Greeks, Repentance towards God, and Faith towards our Lord Iesus Christ. See Acts xiii.38, 39. and Chap. xx.21. With many other Places.— For his Ministers therefore (under whatever Pretence) to neglect insisting upon these important Points, as essentially necessary to a well grounded Hope of Salvation, and as what alone will be productive of true Holiness in Heart and Life, is to deviate from the Pattern given them by the great Head of their Order, to counteract the Design of their Mission, to impoverish their Ministry, and to starve the Souls of their Hearers.

Thus I have briefly examined the Evidence Mr. Caner has pretend­ed to produce, from the Tenor of our blessed Saviour's Ministry. — And the Reader must now judge, whether there be any Foundation for his Reasoning, or any Safety in his Scheme of Christian Preach­ing.— After all, I know it's the Opinion of some judicious Divines, that not so much CHRIST'S own personal Ministry, as that of his Apo­stles, under the Dispensation of the SPIRIT, which follow'd his As­cension, is to be consider'd as the proper Standard of Christian Preach­ing: And as they observe, a Mistake about the Design of CHRIST'S dwelling so much on the Law in his own Preaching, may be of dan­gerous Consequence, in many Regards. ^*

I am next to consider, whether Mr. Caner's Scheme of Preaching will receive any better Countenance or Support from the Example of the APOSTLES.

Previous to a distinct Examination of this, it should be observed, that it is not the Question, whether the Apostles in their Epistles to the Churches, taught the Necessity of Morality, Obedience, and Holi­ness; this is granted by every Body, and needs no Proof.— The Ministry of the present Age have undoubtedly an Example set before them in the Apostolick, to affirm constantly, that they who have believ­ed in God, should be careful to maintain good Works. And I can't ima­gine, to what Purpose, are those numerous Quotations in the Margin of Mr. Caner's Sermon to prove this.— I would further premise, that I have no Controversy with this Gentleman, about the chief Points [Page 57] of Doctrine insisted on by the Apostles, in what he calls the first Period of their Preaching, from our Saviour's Ascension unto the Settlement of Churches and Societies of Christians. I agree with him▪ that ‘the Points then chiefly insisted on were these, Christ crucified, Iesus and the Resurrection, Faith and Repentance, Putting on Christ, being bap­tized into Christ, and the like.’

But then the Question is, Whether during what he calls ‘the se­cond Period of their Labours, which they exercised towards those who were already Christians, who had professed their Faith in Christ, and had been received into his Church by Baptism, we shall then find that they intirely changed their Applications; and no longer now insisted upon Faith, but Practice, the Duties we owe to God, our selves, and one another?’ As he assures us, the Case was. (Page 17.)

The only Method to set this Matter in a fair and just Light, is to take a general View of the several Epistles, written by the Apostles to the Churches; and see whether in them, or in any of them, they in [...]i [...]t upon Faith in Christ, as well as upon Practice of the Duties we owe to God, to our selves, and to one another.—If upon Exami­nation it is found, that this is the Case in Fact, in any of the Epistles written to the Professors of Christianity, who were received into the Gospel Church, it must necessarily teach us the Impertinence of Mr. Caner's Reasoning, and the dangerous Tendency of his Doctrine in the Sermon before us.

To consider these Epistles in their Order, as placed in the Bible, I begin with the Epistle to the ROMANS. That this Epistle was di­rected to those who professed their Faith in Christ, appears beyond Debate, from Chap. i. ver. 7, 8. To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be Saints.— I thank my God through Iesus Christ for you all, that your Faith is spoken of through the whole World.— That the main Scope of this Epistle is, to prove the Necessity of Faith in Christ, in Order to our Justification before God, and our Progress in a Life of holy Conformity to his Will, must appear in a Meridian Light to every careful Reader.— This is summarily proposed, Chap. i. ver. 17. For therein is the Righteousness of God revealed, from Faith to Faith; as it is written, The Iust shall live by Faith.— This is particularly proved, from the Impotence and Guilt both of Iew and Gentile, in the three first Chapters. And from thence is this Conclu­sion drawn in the 28th Verse of the iiid Chapter, Therefore we con­clude, that a Man is justified by Faith, without the Deeds of the Law. — This Conclusion is strongly ratified and confirmed throughout the ivth Chapter, by the Examples of Abraham and David, whose Faith was imputed to them for Righteousness.— The Manner in which we are Partakers of the Righteousness of Christ by Faith, is repre­sented in the vth Chapter.— The State, Character, and Hope of Be­lievers [Page 58] is set before us, in the vi, vii, and viiith Chapters.— The Sovereignty of God in the Donation of his Grace, is the Subject of the ix and xith Chapters.— The Difference between the Righteous­ness of the Law and the Righteousness of Faith, is represented in the xth Chapter. — And some practical Reflections made upon the whole, in the remaining Part of the Epistle. This is a just Representation of the Case; and must not all the World vote that Man very tho't­less and inattentive (to say no worse) who will venture to publish i [...] for Fact, that with Respect to those who professed their Faith in Christ, the Apostles intirely changed their Applications! They no longer now insist upon Faith, but Practice.— The Duties we owe to God, to ours [...]lves, and to one another, are the chief Subjects of their Discours [...]s, in ALL their Epistles to the Christian Churches.

I proceed now to consider the two Epistles to the CORINTHIANS: And to see whether in them, the Apostle does not insist upon Faith, as well as Practice. — Though the first of these was written on a special Occasion, to rebuke their Factions and Contentions, their A­buse of their spiritual Gifts, and their Profanation of the Lord's Sup­per; and to answer some Letters, containing sundry Questions, relat­ing to Marriage and Divorce; whence it's necessary, that these prac­tical Matters should be the principal Subjects treated on: Yet the important Point, which Mr. Caner says was no longer insisted on by the Apostles, in their Epistles to the Churches, was so far from being neglected or overlook'd, that this Apostle enters immediately upon that Subject, in the very first Chapter; mentions the precious Name of CHRIST, not less than seventeen Times in that Chapter▪ tells 'em, that Christ crucified was the great Subject of his Preaching (ver. 23.) That the Preaching of the Cross (or Faith in a crucified Saviour) is to those that are saved, the Power of God; and that how wise soever the unbelieving Iews or Greeks might be esteem'd by themselves or others, their Wisdom was Foolishness with God, while the most weak, foolish and contemptible true Believers were wiser than any of them all; be­cause they are in Christ Iesus (are united to him by Faith) who of God is made u [...]t [...] us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption. (ver. 18. to the End.)— And in the second Chapter, he pursues the same Argument; and shews them, that when personally among them he came not to them with Excellency of Speech, or Wisdom; but deter­mined to know nothing among them (to make nothing else the Subject of his p [...]blick D [...]scourses) but Iesus Christ, and him crucified; that their Faith should not stand in the Wisdom of Men, but in the Power of God. (from ver. 1, to 5.)—If then an Account of the Manner and Su [...]j [...]ct of his Preaching may be taken from the Apostle himself, the Matter is directly contrary to Mr. Caner's Representation. — I need not therefore spend Time distinctly to consider the Re­mainder of this Epistle; nor the second Epistle to the same Church: the Apostle having thus determin'd the Point, with Respect to his Preaching among the Corinthians, beyond Debate.

[Page 59]If we proceed to consider this Matter, as represented in the Epistle to the GALATIANS, it will appear that the great Design of this Epis­tle was a Refutation of some such Doctrines as are taught by Mr. Caner: with a distinct Proof and Illustration of the important Doc­trine of our Iustification by Faith in Christ, and not by the Works of the Law.— The Apostle begins this Epistle with a heavy Complaint of these Galatians, for being so soon removed from the Grace of Christ, unto another Gospel (that is, for their forsaking the Doctrine of Ius­tification by Faith, without Works, as appears from the whole Tenor of the Epistle) and denounces an awful Curse against any Man, or Angel from Heaven, that should preach any other Doctrine to 'em, than he had preached, and thereby lead them from the Grace of Christ, and the Way of Salvation by Faith, without the Works of the Law. Chap. i.6, 8.— A Text that demands the serious and so­lemn Consideration of those Preachers, who follow Mr. Caner's Di­rections, in the Sermon now before us.— The Apostle, after a par­ticular Justification of his Mission to, and Conduct in the Gospel-Mi­nistry, in the Remainder of the first and former Part of the second Chapter, proceeds in the latter Part of the second, and in the third and fourth Chapters, to explain and prove to the Galatians the Doc­trine of our Iustification by Faith, without the Works of the Law; to shew the Necessity of building all their Hopes of Salvation upon Ius­tification by Faith alone; and smartly to expostulate with them, and reprove them, for being so bewitch'd, as to depart from this most im­portant Doctrine of Grace and Life.— After this, he concludes his Epistle by a twofold Exhortation. The first is, to stand fast in the Liberty, wherewith Christ had made them free; and not be entangled again with the Yoke of Bondage. The second is, to bring forth the Fruits of the SPIRIT; and walk worthy of their Christian Profession. — This (though a very brief) is a just View of the main Scope of the Epistle to the Galatians. How astonishing is it therefore, that this Epistle should be cited by Mr. Caner (Page 19.) to prove, that in the Apostle's Addresses to those who professed their Faith in Christ, they no longer now insist upon Faith, but Practice.— This Conduct is exactly parallel to the Papist Bellarmine's Attempt to prove from Matth. xxvi.27. Drink ye all of it, that the Cup in the Eucharist must be withheld from the Laity.— Upon the whole, this obvious Re­mark offers it self to Mr. Caner's Consideration, that it greatly con­cerns us all to imitate the Example, which this great Apostle recom­mends to his Galatians, to live the Life which we live in the Flesh, by the FAITH of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us; lest we frustrate the Grace of God; since if Righteousness come by the Law, Christ is dead in vain. Chap. ii.20, 21.

If we go on to consider the Point in View, as represented in the Epistle to the EPHESIANS, we shall find that the Apostle begins that Epistle, as the others before consider'd, by distinctly treating upon the Doctrines of special Grace.— His th [...]ce first Chapters are a particular [Page 60] and elegant Discourse upon the Grace of God in Election, Redemption, Vocation, Iustification, and Adoption; wherein he takes frequent Occa­sion to shew 'em, that they were Partakers of all the Benefits of Christ's Redemption, by Faith in Jesus Christ; that he ceased not to give Thanks to God for their Faith in Iesus Christ (Chap. i.15, 16.) that they were brought to believe in Christ, by the exceeding Greatness of God's Power, and according to the Working of his mighty Power (ver▪ 19.) that by Grace they were saved, through Faith; [...]nd that not of themselves: it is the Gift of God; not of Works, lest any Man should boast (Chap. ii.8, 9.) that they have Boldn [...]ss & A [...]cess with Confidence unto God, by the Faith of Christ. (Chap. iii.17.) With much more to the same Purpose.— And indeed it is the whole Scope of the three first Chap­ters, to shew them what were the Benefits procured for them by Christ; and that they must be Partakers of these Benefits by Faith in him: And to shew them, that the great Design of his Ministry among the Gentiles, was to preach the unsearchable Riches of Christ, Chap. iii.1—9.— The three l [...]st Chapters of this Epistle consist of a practical Improvement of the Premises.— Thus we see, how far this Epistle is from justifying the Method of Preaching recommended by our Author.

Should we go on to consider this Affair, as represented in the Epis­tle to the PHILIPPIANS, it will equally make against Mr. Caner's Scheme. It is remarkable, that the Apostle is so far from treating of moral Duties only in this Epistle, that the dear Name of CHRIST is mention'd no less than eighteen Times, in the first Chapter. And how joyful, how thankful, does he shew himself, on the Behalf of th [...]se Philippians, for their Fellowship in the Gospel; and for their Enjoyment of the preaching of CHRIST among them? Whether he was preach'd out of Envy and Strif [...], or of good Will; wheth [...]r in Pre­tence, or in Truth, CHRIST was preached; and therein he did r [...]joice; yea, and would rejoice. Chap. i.5, 15 — 18. — This was the Preaching, that his Heart was set upon; this the Preaching, which he peculiarly insists upon, in all his Epistles.— If we proceed to take a View of the third Chapter, the Apostle there purposely handles the very Argument now before us. He there teaches Christians, to rejoice in Christ Iesus, without Confid [...]nce in the Fl [...]sh, ver. 3. He largely and particularly proves from his own Experience, the Defi­ciency of all imaginary Attainments of our own, and of all legal O­bedience; and the Necessity of esteeming all th [...]se things but Loss, of suffering the Loss of all Things, and of esteeming them but Dung, that [...] may win CHRIST, and be found in him; not having our own Righ­teousness, which is of the Law; but that which is through the FAITH of Christ, the Righteousn [...]ss which is of God by FAITH.— The ex­plaining and confirming this Point, and improving it against the false Teachers of those Times, is manifestly the Scope of the whole third Chapter.— In [...]he search, he concludes, as he does all his other [Page 61] Epistles to the Churches, with a practical Improvement of the Doc­trines of Grace, he had before insisted upon.

The Apostle Iames calls on Christians, when they pray, to ask in Faith: And represents the Prayer of Faith as the only availing Prayer.— Peter declares Christians kept by the Power of God thro' Faith unto Salvation;— coming unto the Lord, as unto a living Stone; — and exhorts them to commit the Keeping of their Souls to Him, i. e. by renewed Acts of Faith; but to resist the Devil, stedfast in the Faith. — The Apostle Iohn tells [...], this is the Victory that overcometh the World, even our Faith: — And this is God's Commandment, that we should believe on the Name of his Son Iesus Christ.—The Apostle Iude exhorts Christians to be building up themselves on their most holy Faith, and looking for the Mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ.

Were it consistent with my designed Brevity in these Remarks, I might proceed to a more distinct and particular Consideration of all the Epistles to the Churches, through the whole New-Testament; and could prove, from every one of them. the direct contrary to what Mr. Caner assert [...] for Truth.— That this may be brought to a short Issue, I here challenge Mr. Caner to instance in any one of them (the Epistle of Iames not excepted) where the Necessity of a saving Faith is not insisted upon, and inculcated in these Epistolary Sermons to professed Christians. If he cannot do this (as I am very certain he cannot) what Truth is there in that Assertion, that they no longer now insist upon Faith, but Practice? Or what Foundation for the new Scheme, which he builds upon that imaginary Fact?

Thus I have very briefly shewn, that the Method of Preaching Mr. Caner directs us to, is so far from being warranted by the Ex­amples of our Blessed SAVIOUR and his Apostles, that it is directly contrary to them.—And having thereby answered the chief Design of these Remarks, I should here conclude, were it not for two or three Things, which seem to demand our particular Notice.

One Thing which especially requires Attention, is expressed in the following Words: ‘When we preach to Christians, we are not to spend Time in exhorting them to believe; for this their very Pro­fession supposes they do already: But to press and perswade them to live as becomes Christians, to be found in the Practice of all mo­ral Duties.’ (P. 22.)

What strange Doctrine is here! — Does a bare Profession of Christianity suppose a Man to be a true Believer in Christ? It must then follow, that every Professor of Christianity is actually in a jus­tified State, reconciled to God, and at Peace with him. For the Righ­teousness of God by Faith of Iesus Christ, is unto all, and upon all them [Page 62] that believe; for there is no Difference. Rom. iii.22.— It will also follow, that these are all of them also sanctified. For Faith pu­rifies the Heart (Acts xv.9) works by Love (Gal. v.6.) and overcometh the World (1 Joh. v.4, 5.) It will likewise follow, that every Professor of Christianity will be an actual Partaker of eternal Salvation. For whosoever believeth in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting Life. Joh. iii.16. — He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved. Mark xvi.16. — And is this the Method of Preaching, which Mr. Caner recom­mends? Are the Ministers of the Gospel to do, as this Gentleman says he does, take it for granted, that such a one (a baptized Profes­sor) has Faith, till we hear he renounces it again? (P. 25.) Are we to declare in the Name of the Lord, that the most secure and sen­sual of our baptized Hearers, are justified before God, are sanctified, and Heirs of eternal Glory?— Certainly the Case of that People is greatly to be pitied and lamented, who sit under such a Ministry, even as Sheep without a Shepherd.

Another Thing worthy of particular Notice, is Mr. Caner's Asser­tion, that ‘a strong and lively Faith, is so frequently attended with the Fruits of a good and holy Life, all moral Duties and Virtue [...], do so generally, and as it were naturally, accompany and flow from it, that it is sometimes made Use of in the Scriptures, in a very comprehensive Sense, to signify both the Faith and Practice of a Christian.’ — On which my Remark is, that I know very well a strong and lively Faith is not only frequently, but always attended with the Fruits of a good and holy Life; and that all moral Dutie [...] do not only generally, but evermore, nor only as it were, but properly speaking, naturally accompany or flow from it.— But then this is so far from rendering it a Propriety, to consider that Grace as signifying both the Faith and Practice of a Christian, that for this very Reason it cannot with any Propriety be consider'd in such a comprehensive Sense; unless the Cause and Effect, the Tree and its Fruits, may be properly consider'd as the same Thing.— And the Scripture is so far from considering it in this View, that in the Affair of our Iustification FAITH and WORKS are frequently put in direct Opposition. Thus, Rom. iv.5. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him who justifieth the Ungodly, his Faith is counted for Righteousness.— Whereas on the contrary, there cannot be so much as one Text found in the whole Bible, to verify this Gentleman's Assertion.— He indeed does in his Margin cite three Texts, in Confirmation of this Imagi­nation; and he might with as much Pertinence, have cited three Thousand.— The first Text he undertakes to prove this by, is Rom. iii.28. Therefore we conclude, that a Man is justified by Faith, without the Deeds of the Law. Very well! A Man is justified by Faith, without the Deeds of the Law; therefore Faith is the Deeds of the Law. It seems, if (in the Affair of our Iustification) Faith be without the Deeds of the Law, it must be with the Deeds of the Law. Nay! it must contain the Deeds of the Law, in its very Na­ture. [Page 63] — Another Text cited to this Purpose, is Gal. v.6. Faith worketh by Love. Well! what follows? If Faith worketh by Love, must Faith therefore be, in its Nature, Love, and be all moral Duties and Virtues besides? If Solomon workt (in building the Temple) by his Subjects, does it follow, that Solomon therefore and his Subjects were one and the same? If the glorious GOD works by second Causes, is he therefore the second Causes themselves?— If Faith worketh by Love, it proves indeed, that it is productive of Love: but it also equally proves, that Eaith cannot be the same Thing with that Affection which it produces.— A third Text cited by him, is Iames ii.22. Seest thou how Faith wrought with his Works; and by Works was Faith made perfect? Well! If Faith wrought with his Works, it must needs be distinct from his Works. For there can be no Propriety, in supposing any Thing to work in Concomitancy with it self. Faith's being made perfect by Works, can imply no more, than that it was thereby manifested and proved to be perfect, i. e. a true, upright, and sincere Faith: and not, that Faith and Works are the same Thing. For how inconsistent would all the Apostle's Reasoning in this Chap­ter, about the respective Characters and Properties of Faith and Works, appear, if he had consider'd them both as one and the same moral Pefection or Excellency?

A third Thing worthy of particular Notice, is Mr. Caner's Repre­sentation of his Aim and Design in this Discourse. ‘What I aim at (says he) is to show the Weakness and Absurdity of calling upon Christians to come to Christ, by a naked, barren, and ineffectual Faith; as if that would save them, without a serious Endeavour to obey his Commands.’ (Page 25.)— But who does he find chargeable with this Weakness and Absurdity? — Has it not been the constant Profession of these Churches, and the constant Doctrine of their Ministers, that a true Faith is such a Receiving the Lord Ie­sus Christ, as unites the Soul to him, and both inclines and enables the Believer, through Grace and Strength derived from Christ's Ful­ness, to serve God in Righteousness and Holiness, all the Days of his Life?—And has it not been our constant Doctrine, that Holiness is the necessary Fruit and Evidence of a true Faith: and that no Man is to be reputed a Believer, who is grosly wanting in it?—We don't, with this Author, consider Faith as a naked doctrinal Assent to the Truth of the Gospel; but as also a hearty Consent to the Gospel-Offer, a cordial embracing the Promises, and a trusting in CHRIST both for Righteousness and Life. — And he that lives in the Exercise of this unfeigned Faith, finds it true, by happy Experience, that Christ does not leave him to be ashamed of his Confidence and Hope in him. He does find, by happy Experience, that Christ Iesus is to him, not only Wisdom and Righteousness, but Sanctification and Redemp­tion also.— From whence it follows, that as an unholy Life is ut­terly incompatible with the State and Character of a true Believer, so all Shews of Holiness, without Faith in Christ, are but Streams with­out [Page 64] a Fountain, that will soon dry up, and leave the poor Soul to fa­mish & perish for ever. He that believeth in Christ, out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living Water. Of what Necessity is it therefore, that this important Subject should be insisted upon by the Ministers of the Gospel, in their publick Sermons, and private Converse, as absolute­ly necessary, not only to the Beginning, but to the continued Progress of the divine Life in the Soul; since the Righteousness of God is re­vealed from Faith to Faith; and the Iust shall live by his Faith!— Ministers are to pray for Christians, that God would fulfil in them the Work of Faith with Power; and to exhort Christians, that they con­tinue in the Faith; that they abound therein; and whatsoever they do in Word or Deed, that they do all in the Name of the Lord Iesus Christ; that they come unto God by Him, in all their religious Duties and moral Obedience; eyeing Christ as the only Medium of their Hope in God, Access to Him, and Communion with Him; being in the daily Exercise of a humble Trust in Christ, for Righteousness and Strength; and looking for the Mercy of the Lord Iesus Christ, unto eternal Life. — May we be found so doing!