by Robert Barclay

“ I exhort therefore, that first of all Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions and Giving of Thanks be made for all Men; For this is good and acceptable in the Sight of God our Saviour, who will have all Men to be saved, and to come to the Knowledge of the Truth ”

“ What saith the Scripture to such?
A. For God sent not his Son into the World to condemn the World, but that the World through him might be saved [John 3:17] .
I am come a Light into the World, that whosoever believeth in me, should not abide in Darkness. And if any Man hear my Words and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the World, but to save the World [John 12:46-47] .
Q. From what Scripture then came these Men to wrest an Opinion so contrary to Truth? ”

“ A. Every one that doth Evil hateth the Light, neither cometh to the Light, lest his Deeds should be reproved [John 3:20] .
They are of those that Rebel against the Light [Job 24:13] .
Q. Do good Men love it, and follow it?
A. He that doth Truth comes to the Light, that his Deeds might be made manifest, that they are wrought in God [John 3:21] .
Q. What Benefits doth redound to such as love the Light, and walk in it?
A. If we walk in the Light, as he is in the Light, we have Fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all Sin [1 John 1:7] . ”

“ Q. Is this Seed small in its first Appearance?
A. The Kingdom of Heaven is like to a Grain of Mustard Seed, which a Man took and sowed in his Field, which indeed is the least of all Seeds [Matt. 13:31-32] .
Q. Forasmuch as many understand not this under the Notion and Appellation of Light or Seed, it being quite another Dialect than the common; though I must needs confess it is the very Language of the Scriptures, Is there a saving Manifestation of the Spirit given unto all? ”

“ For the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of man, who hold the Truth in Unrighteousness [Rom. 1:18] .
Q. Hath God manifested to Man that which may be known of himself?
A. That which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them [Rom. 1:19] .
Q. Is then this Light or Seed sown in the Hearts of Evil Men? ”

“ Q. But seeing that such allege, that it is because of Adam's Sin that many, even Children are Damned: Doth not the Scripture aver, that the Death of Christ was as large to Heal, as Adam's Sin could Condemn?
A. For if through the Offence of one many be Dead, much more the Grace of God, and the Gift by Grace, which is by one Man, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the Offence of one, Judgment came upon all Men to Condemnation, even so by the Righteousness of one, the free Gift came upon all Men unto Justification of Life [Rom. 5:15,18] . ”

“ Q. That proves abundantly that Christ's Death is of sufficient Extent to make up any Hurt Adam's Sin brought upon Mankind: What is then the cause of Condemnation?
A. He that believeth on him is not Condemned, but he that believeth not is Condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the Only Begotten Son of God [John 3:18] .
And with all Deceivableness of Unrighteousness in them that Perish, because they received not the Love of the Truth that they might be saved. ”

“ Q. Is every Man enlightened by this Light.
A. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light, that was the True Light, which enlighteneth every Man that cometh into the World [John 1:8-9] . ”

“ A. The Manifestation of the Spirit given to every Man to profit withal [1 Cor. 12:7] .
Q. Sure if it be to profit withal, it must be in order to save; for if it were not useful, yea, sufficient to save, what Profit could it be of? But in regard some speak of a Grace that is common, and of a Grace that is saving, is there such a Grace common unto all as brings Salvation?
A. The Grace of God that brings Salvation hath appeared to all Men [Tit. 2:11] .
Q. That which brings Salvation must needs be saving; What doth that Grace teach us? ”