Object. If Christ is to be offered to all, or Peace proclaimed unto all, is there then not Ʋniversal Redemption purchased by him?
1. Answ. Redemption is a Word that denotes Persons were in Slavery, or Bondage, for whom a Price is paid, and they therefore are set at Liberty: Suppose Ten Men were Slaves in Algier, and a Thousand Pound was paid down to Redeem them all, and yet but four were actually Redeemed, is it true to say all the Ten were Redeemed?
So here, Is it true to say, That the Redemption by Christ is Universal, when the greatest part of the World were never Redeemed, but remain under the Power of Sin and Satan? That Redemption which is by Jesus Christ, is from Sin, from the Guilt, Power, and Punishment thereof: And are all Men in the World thus Redeemed? 'Tis not a Redemption only from the Curse of the Law, and Wrath of God, but also fom all Iniquity; 'Who gave himself for us, that he might Redeem us from all Iniquity, and purifie unto himself a peculiar People, zealous of Good Works:' And are all thus Redeemed?
2. If Christ laid down his Life to Redeem every Man and Woman in the World, hath he his whole Purchase? A Man would think himself cheated, or strangely deceived, that laid down a Thousand Pounds to Redeem Ten Men, when he finds there are not above Three or Four indeed actually Redeemed; this renders Christ's Blood spilt in vain for the greatest part for whom it was shed, or whom he intended to Redeem thereby, and so he is deceived, or disappointed.
3. There can be no Universal Redemption, unless Christ were a Universal Redeemer, but Christ is not a Universal Redeemer, Millions of Souls are left under the Power of Sin, and dominion of Satan.
4. Will a Man lay down Ten Thousand Pounds, to purchase such or such an Estate, and will he refuse to part with Ten Pounds to take up that Estate to make it sure to himself?
Brethren, the Gift of Christ for us, i. e. his laying down his Life is far the greater Gift; and will he do this, and not give the Gospel to many Nations, nor Faith to believe and receive him, and yet died for them all? See how Paul argues, Rom. 5.10. Chap. 8.32.
5. Or would Jesus Christ die for the whole World, and yet refuse to pray for them, that they may all be saved? See Joh. 17.9. The Reprobate World he prayed not for; yet he prayed for all that should be saved: 'Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their Words;' that World, Christ is a Propitiation for their Sins; or had made their Peace with God, for he died for—Even that World which he takes away the Sins of, he died for, and that All which he draws to himself by his Spirit, he died for on the Cross, he taketh away the Sin of the World by bearing it himself, or by satisfying for the Sins thereof; 'He was made Sin for us, that knew no Sin, that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him:' He made a Plenary Satisfaction to the Justice of God, for the Sins of this whole World, and obtained plenary Remission and Grace by his Blood, that we might be Redeemed from a vain Conversation: The Elect, before Calling, are as much the World as any others; yea, and the best part of it too. Moreover, by A Metonomy [All] is put for a part, frequently in the Scripture. 'God so loved the World, that he gave his only Begotten Son;' that is, God so loved Sinful Mankind, both Jews and Gentiles, 'That whosoever believeth on him might not perish, but have everlasting Life.'
Benjamin Keach- A Display of Glorious Grace- SERMON VII. Shewing the Nature of the Proclamation of the Gospel, and the Terms thereof.