creature infected with sin, in such manner as hatred may be attributed to Q-od. But for all this He so generally loved man- kind, fallen in Adam, that He hath given His only begotten Son^ that what sinner soever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. And this everlasting life is so provided for man by God, that no decrees of His can bring any man thither without faith and repentance ; and no decrees of His can keep any man out who repenteth and beheveth. As for the measure of God's love exhibited in the external effect unto man, it must not be denied that God poureth out His grace more abundantly on some men than on others, and worketh more powerfully and effectually in the hearts of some men than of other:?, and that out of His alone will and pleasure. But yet, when this more special love is not extended, His less special love is not restrained to outward and temporal mercies, but reacheth to internal and spiritual blessings, even such as will bring men to an eternal blessedness, if their voluntary wickedness hinders not." — Dave- nanfs Answer to Hoard^ p. 469.
" No divine of the Reformed Church, of sound judgment, will deny a general intention or appointment concerning the salvation of all men individually by the death of Christ, on the condition if they should believe. For the intention or appointment of God is general, and is plainly revealed in holy Scripture, although the absolute and not to be frustrated intention of God concerning the gift of faith and eternal life to some persons, is special, and limited to the elect alone. So I have maintained and do main- tain."— Davenanfs Opinion on the Gallican Controversy.
Calvin observes on this text, " Christ brought life, because the heavenly Father loves the human race, and wishes that they should not perish," Again he says, '' Christ employed the uni- versal term whosoever^ both to invite indiscriminately all to par- take of hfe, and to cut off every excuse from unbelievers. Such also is the import of the term world. Though there is nothing in the world that is worthy of God's favour, yet He shows Him- self to be, reconciled to the whole world, when He invites all men without exception to the faith of Christ."
The same view of God's " love" and the " world," in this text, is taken by Brentius, Bucer, Calovius, Glassius, Chemnitius, Musculus. Bullinger, Bengel, Nifanius, Dyke, Scott, Henry, and Man ton.
The little word " so," in this verse, has called forth many re- marks, on account of its depth of meaning. It doubtless signifies " so greatly, so much, so dearly." Bishop Sanderson, quoted by Ford, observes, "How much that 'so' containeth, no tongue or wit of man cai reach : nothing expresseth it better to the life, than the work .tself doth."