The Universal Restoration; Exhibited in Four Dialogues Between a Minister and His Friend ... Chiefly Designed Fully to State, and Fairly to Answer

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1831 edition. Excerpt: ... world know him, whom to know is life eternal. See verses 2 and 3. But as this great cause has never yet existed, the effect has not yet followed; but when the first shall be, the last shall take place in consequence. The petitions in that most excellent prayer, that may, with great propriety be called the Lord's prayer, may be divided into four classes. 1. For himself, verses 1st and 5th. 2. For his apostles, 9, 19. 3. For them that should believe through their word, 20, 21, 22, 23. And 4. for the world, verses 21, 23: as I have just observed, and need not add any more upon so plain a matter. Friend. Proceed, if you please, to show, that the doctrine of the universality of the death of Christ does not lead to licentiousness. Minister. It is evident that it doth not; but on the contrary, it is the strongest motive to all who believe it, to love and live to him who died for them, and rose again. We are not our own, but are bought with a price; therefore, we are exorted not to be the servants of sin, slaves to our passions, and servants to men; but to glorify God in our bodies and spirits, which are his; and the apostle beseeches us by the mercies of God, to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God; which is our reasonable service. Forasmuch, as we know that we were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver & gold; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish, and without spot. See 2 Cor. v. 15. Rom. vi. 12, 13. 1 Cor. vii. 23. vi. 19,20. Rom. xii. 1. 1 Pet. i. 18, 19. What a horrid thought would it be, that Christ should be the minister of sin, and that his bloodshedding should cause wickedness to abound! The love of God in giving his Son to die, is enough to move a heart of stone. "For...