Page:Man of Dunse.pdf/20

Rh in the Name of him whom they had crucified; for, says he, the Promise is to you, because Jesus is exalted to give Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins; and not only to you, but to your Children who believe, and all whom the Lord your God shall call. This Promise is only a Promise of Forgiveness of Sins that are past, to those whom the Lord hath or shall call. The Apostles Words have much the same Signification Rom iii. xx. Being justified freely by his Grace, through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ, whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in his Blood, to declare his Righteousness for the Remission of Sins that are past through the Forbearance of God; that he might be Just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. It would be saying little for the Divine Character to affirm, that God hath made a Grant to all upon a Condition he knew none of them could fulfil: This is to accuse the Almighty of Duplicity, and Equivocation. But may I not ask the Presbytery, Can that be called a Gift: which is never given? If Christ be exhibited as a common Gift in the Gospel to all, why is he not given to all? Likely the Seceders will say, because Sinners will not accept of him. But if Christ loved them, and did for them what he did for others, as the Presbytery affirms all are bound to believe, why did he not merit every necessary Grace and Power for them to accept of himself? Or why is not this Atonement effectual for their final Salvation as well