CHAP. beginning were saved, obtained salvation. IV. For since God knew that his Son was a faith .II. It is serted that chased sal ful surety, and the actual payment was by the most wise counsel of the Divine will, deferred till the fulness of time; the payment certainly to be, availed as much to the salvation of the elect, and to the grace necessary to salvation, as the payment now actually made. And thus far, indeed, if we consider the sum and substance of the thing, as we use to speak, there is no difference in the diversity of times: the believers of the most ancient ages were as much partakers of the same eternal salvation by virtue of the one satisfaction of Christ, as those who lived after he was perfected. though if we attend to the grace of this life, according to its extent, its degree, and other circumstances, God provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect, Heb. xi. 40. Al II. Nevertheless, since the saving grace of unjustly as Christ is taught more largely and explicitly Christ pur- in the gospel of performance, than in that of promise, come now, let us see what fruit revation, upon a condi- dounds to the elect from the finished obedition to be performed ence of Christ. And here they by no means by men. obtain my assent, who think that Christ by taking our sins upon him, and satisfying for them, purchased our reconciliation unto God, and therefore eternal life, only upon condition, that then only that merit can have its effect in us, if we believe; so that the possibility of our salvation is purchased by Christ, IV. but salvation itself remains to be communi- CHAP. cated by God as the supreme Lord, to whom he thinks fit, and upon what conditions he shall be pleased to prescribe. III. Since he purchas III. Induced by the authority of sacred scripture, and setting a higher value on the ed salvation satisfaction of Christ, I thus believe: that a absolutely to the elect, of with all things pre requisite to right to all the benefits of the testament IV. IV. And this is what the Apostle says, which is 2 Cor. v. 19. "God was in Christ reconcil- proved from, ing the world to himself, not imputing their 2 Cor. v. trespasses to them." That is, when God ac- 19. cepted the oblation of his Son, giving himself up unto death for his people, at the same time he received into favour, not only the remnant of Israel which was according to election, but alsó all the nations and families of the earth, which otherwise lay in sin; de IV. CHAP. claring that he was satisfied for their sins, and that after this they should not be imputed to them in order to condemnation, or to their seclusion from his saving grace. [8.] from the over the elect. V. And V. It ought not be doubted, but that Christ right which obtained a right over all the elect, which alhe procured so the Father cheerfully and deservedly granted him, Psal. ii. 8. "Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance." That is, the reward of Christ's ba work with his God, was, that he should not only restore the preserved of Israel, but be the salvation of God even to the end of the earth, Isa. xlix. 4, 6. And that according to the promise, Isa. liii. 10. "When his soul should make itself an offering for sin, he should see a seed." VI. And from his VI. It is impossible that Christ should not be willing to use that right of his, which he will to so dearly purchased. For why should he efficacious claim them to himself. not actually claim to himself, those whom he bought with so great a price? unless we suppose that he cannot accomplish it, without hurting the liberty of the human will. For in reality, this rock is known to be the shipwreck of many. But we know that the Spirit of Christ is possessed of such a power to change the heart and soul, that he can make those who were formerly the slaves of the devil, cheerfully receive Christ for their Lord; and cleave to him with the most free and the Note [8.] IV. most constant assent of the will. Let us hear CHAP. Christ himself: John. x. 16, I have also other sheep which are not of this fold; and them I must bring, and they shall hear my voice. Because these sheep were his by right, therefore it behoved him to claim them in fact. And he knew he could effectuate that by his grace, which maketh willing: They shall bear my voice. He VII. that he ple not on mission of sins, but al sanctifica VII. It is also to be considered that he is Finally, said to have purchased for his elect, not only the from these, possibility of the remission of sins, but remis- purchased to his peosion itself, Mat. xxvi. 28. Eph. i. 7. and not on condition only that they believe; but ly the realso the drawing of the Father, and grace that they may believe. Truly, God blesses us so faith and with no spiritual blessing, except in Christ, tion. Eph. i. 3. that is, on account of his merits. Now since the gift of faith is one of the most excellent blessings, Phil. i. 29. it must needs be allotted to us on the same account. gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father, Gal. i. 4. He purchased salvation for the elect, not on condition only, that they take a pleasure in the constant study of holiness; but he also purchased sanctification, as a part of salvation, necessarily preceding its consummation. "He gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works," Titus ii. 14. Add, Eph. v. 25, IV. CHAP. 26, 27. Christ loved the church, and gave himself for her, that he might sanctify her— that he might present her glorious to himself. But since I have elsewhere professedly prosecuted this subject, suffer thyself, reader, now to be remitted thither, and consult, if you please, the Economy of the Covenants between God and man, Book II. chap. vii. |
