t2S Con% ELECTION OF MEN IN JESUS CHRIST. [sztist. 73. in Christ to be made holy and happy. There are sonie difficulties attend the belief of it, which ought to be re- lieved. There are sonne prdper uses to which this doc- trine should be applied. There are some practical abuses of it, against which we must' set a guard; and there are sonne remarks or inferences which may be form- ed upon the whole discourse. _First, As for the difficulties which attend it, and the many cavils and objections which are raised against it, I sball not interrupt this half-hour with controversy, so far as to take notice of any of them in the body of my dis- course*. * There is one objection of the greatest importance and weight, and therefore I would say something to relieve it in the margin. Some persons have argued thus ; IfGod lias chosen a certain number to be made holy and happy by Jesus Christ, the Mediator, while others are left out of this choice, and go on in sin to their final destruction, will they not justly complain' of God, at the last day, as having laid a bar against their salvation, by not chusing them? Will they not say, there was ndMediator to undertake their cause, no pardon, no salvation provided for them; and therefore the Offers of pardon and salvation, which are made to them incommon with other sinners in the gospel, are mere delu- sive words, and have no truth in them ?. But far be this imputation from theGod of grace and truth ! - Answer I. The offers of salvation by a Mediator, are made in general terms to all sinners wheresòever the gospel is preached, and every one that applies himself to Christ in the appointed way; and is sincerely will- ing to receive this salvation, shall have it bestowed upon him. John iii. 16. " God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him, should not perish, but should llave everlast- ing life." So far was our blessed Lord appointed the common Mediator of mankind, that none shall be able to complain in the day ofjudgment, that theyperish for want of a Mediator. " This is the will of God who sent him," or the grand commission with which he came into the world, not only that he should take care of those whom the Father had given him, but it runs in general, that he should receive all that cone to him, and " he will by no means cast them out." See John vi. 37 ---40. None shall complain, that their sins are unpardoned for want of a sufficiency in the merit or atonement of Christ. And though it is confessed, that his blood and life were paid down as a price for the certain redemption and salvation of all that the Father had given him, yet the blood of him who was " God manifest in the flesh," had a sufficient value in it to procure pardon; heaven and happiness, for a whole world of sinful men : And the reason why unbelievers and impenitent sinners are condemned is, beea se they did not apply themselves sincerely to this Mediator, they did not chuse to lay hold of this salvation, which consists in a likeness to God, as well as in his favour, in holiness as well as happiness. Answer II. Nor shall any be able to say at that day, that they missed of the salvation of Christ, for want of sufficient natural powers to lay hold of it, and receive it. Sinners who hear the gospel have a natural under-
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