348 RUIN AND RECOVERY, &C. does not invite them to trust in a Saviour for something which this Saviour was never entrusted with to be bestowed upon them, even if theydid repent : or to hope in him for a verbal salvation which has nothing real in it, that is, for a mere word or name without a meaning, or a promise without a blessing in it. But because this is a question of great importance, 1 shall treat it more distinctly. QUEST. XIILflorin far has the glorious Undertaking of our Lord Jesus Christ provided any Hope of Salvation for those who were not eternally chosen, and given into the Hands of Christ, to be redeemed and saved? The enquiry here is not, whether any of themwho are not originally chosen of God, shall be finally saved. The event though it be known to God, yet it is left to be determined by their own choice, or refusal of this salvation. God himself has putno effectual and insurmountable bar, or rather no bar at all, in their way, to prevent their acceptance of his grace. His chasing other persons who were fellow-sinners, to make them certain partakers of this grace, is no hinderance to thosewho were not chosen, from accepting thesame. It is my opinion that there is such a thing as a general sufficiency of pardon, grace, and happiness, provided for all mankind by Jesus Christ : And it is left to their own natural powers, under common helps, to accept or refuse it. That there is such a conditional salvation, and such real offers of eternal life procured by the overflowing merit of Christ, I think may be proved by these following con- siderations : I. It is veryhard to vindicate the sincerity of theblessed God, or his Son, in their universal offers of grace and salvation to men, and their sending ministers with such messages and invi- tations to accept of mercy, if there be not such a conditional pardon and salvation provided for them. It is granted that the ministers who are sent to preach this gospel, and offer this grace of salvation to thenon- elect, may be very sincere in their minis- try, for they know not whom God has chosen, and for whom he bas provided this special grace ; and therefore they offer it to all persons, according to their general commission ; Mark xvi. 15. Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every crea- ture, Ste. But how can God, or Christ, be sincere in sending their ministers with this commission, to offer this grace to all men, if they know that God has never provided such grace or salvationfor any but the elect, no,, not so much as conditionally ? It ishard to suppose that the great God, who is truth itself, and sincere and faithful in all his dealings, should call upon dying
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