SALUSELECTORUM,SANGUISJESU;

OR,

THEDEATHOFDEATHINTHEDEATHOFCHRIST:

byJohnOwen1647

ATREATISEOFTHEREDEMPTIONANDRECONCILIATIONTHATISINTHEBLOODOFCHRIST;

THEMERITOFIT,ANDTHESATISFACTIONWORKEDBYIT:INWHICH

THEPROPERENDOFTHEDEATHOFCHRISTISASSERTED;THEIMMEDIATEEFFECTSANDFRUITSOFITAREASSIGNED,WITHTHEIREXTENTINRESPECTTOITSOBJECT;

AndThe

WholeControversyAboutUniversalRedemptionFullyDiscussed.INFOURPARTS.

fromTHEWORKSOFJOHNOWEN

EDITEDBYWILLIAMH.GOOLD

VOLUME10

ThisEditionofTHEWORKSOFJOHNOWEN

firstpublishedbyJohnstone&Hunter,1850-53

Source:AgesSoftware

OriginaleditornotesbyWm.Gooldare(inblack)

Modernized,formatted,andannotated(inblue)byWilliamH.Grosswww.onthewing.org©Jan2004

Lastupdated2/16/2016

http://www.onthewing.org

TableofContentsINTRODUCTIONPREFATORYNOTENOTETOTHEEARLOFWARWICKTOTHEREADER.BOOKICHAPTER1-THEPURPOSEOFTHEDEATHOFCHRISTI.THEINTENTINTHEDEATHOFCHRISTII.THEEFFECTOFTHEDEATHOFCHRISTFirst,ReconciliationwithGodSecondly,JustificationThirdly,SanctificationFourthly,AdoptionFifthly,Glorification

III.THEINTENTANDEFFECTISLIMITEDCHAPTERII–THEGENERALNATUREOFANYPURPOSEI.THEDISTINCTIONBETWEENENDANDMEANSII.THERELATIONOFENDTOMEANSIII.THEENDSAREEITHEROFTHEWORK,OROFTHEWORKERIV.THEENDISEITHERTHEBENEFIT,ORTHEBENEFICIARYV.MEANSAREEITHERINNATELYGOOD,ORTHEYARECONDUCIVETOTHEENDVI.APPLYINGTHEPROPOSITIONS

CHAPTERIII-THEAUTHORITYOFTHEFATHERI.THEJOINTEFFORTOFTHETRINITYII.THEROLEOFTHEFATHER1.TheFatherSendstheSon(1.)TheFatherimposestheOfficeofMediator(2.)TheFatherFurnishestheSonforhisOffice(3.)TheFatherestablishesaCovenantwiththeSonTheFatherpromisestoprotectandassisttheSonTheFatherpromisessuccess

2.TheFatherPunishestheSonCHAPTERIV–THEREDEEMINGWORKOFTHESONFIRST,HISINCARNATIONSECONDLY,HISOBLATION

THIRDLY,HISINTERCESSIONCHAPTERV–THEACTIONSOFTHEHOLYSPIRITFIRST,THEINCARNATIONOFTHESONSECONDLY,INTHESON’SOBLATIONTHIRDLY,INTHESON’SRESURRECTION

CHAPTERVI–THEMEANSUSEDI.CHRIST’SDISPENSATIONASMEDIATORFirst,HisOblationSecond,HisIntercession

II.OBLATIONANDINTERCESSIONASASINGLEMEANSFirst,theybothhavethesameendSecondly,theybothhavethesameobjectThirdly,HisOblationistheFoundationofHisIntercession

CHAPTERVII–PROOFSFORASINGLEMEANSI.SCRIPTUREJOINSTHEMII.THEYAREBOTHACTSOFTHEPRIESTLYOFFICEIII.THENATUREOFINTERCESSIONREQUIRESITIV.THECOVENANTSPECIFIESITV.CHRISTUNITEDTHEMVI.OURCONSOLATIONDEPENDSONIT

CHAPTERVIII–OBJECTIONSTOASINGLEMEANSGENERALARGUMENTSINFAVOROFUNIVERSALREDEMPTION.II.Christdiedforall,thatsomeSinnersmaybePersuadedFirst,theproposeduniversalintercessionisunclear.First,isthisintercessionaccidentalorintentional?Secondly,isitbyhisoblationornot?Thirdly,isittoinstillbelief?Fourthly,ishisintercessionfortheworld,oronlythechurch?Fifthly,isitabsoluteorconditional?

Secondly,HisIntercessionisLimitedandConditionalFirst,heintercedesonlyforsometransgressorsSecondly,hepraysonlyforhiscrucifiersThirdly,hisprayerisonlyforforgiveness,notbeliefFourthly,hepraysonlyforthoseathisdeathFifthly,itisunlikelyheprayedfortheimpenitentSixthly,hisprayerwaseffectual–butnotallbelievedSeventhly,hepraysforhisenemiesasaduty,notasaMediator

John17confirmshisintercessionislimited,notuniversalFirst,hedidnotgrantmeansofgracetoallSecondly,John17:9precludesalargerobjectThirdly,“world”doesnotmeanallmen

Fourthly,believinghereonlymeansacknowledgementMatthew5:15-16addresseswitnessing,notintercessionJohn1:9onlyspeaksofillumination,notintercessionIII.AsPriest,hissacrificeisforoneend,andallmenFirst,thelanguageofthepropositionisunclearSecondly,ifChristisPriestforall,itcanonlybeforsomeends

BOOKIICHAPTERI–PURPOSEANDEFFECTOFCHRIST’SDEATH1.ITISSUPREMEANDULTIMATEWITHREGARDTOGOD’SGLORY2.ITISINTERMEDIATEANDSUBSERVIENTWITHREGARDTOUS

CHAPTER II – REFUTING MISTAKEN PURPOSES OF CHRIST’SDEATHI.ITWASNOTFORCHRIST’SOWNGOODII.ITWASNOTFORHISFATHER’SGOOD.First,GodwasnotrestrictedtothissolutionSecondly,itwouldbewishing,notwillingThirdly,itwouldliberatetheFather,notusFourthly,despitehissacrifice,somewouldnotbesaved

CHAPTERIII–SCRIPTURESASSERTINGTHEIMMEDIATEENDOFCHRIST’SDEATHI.THOSEWHICHSHOWTHEINTENTOFGODFirst,theparableofthelostsheepSecondly,theangel’sdeclarationofChrist’spurposeThirdly,Paul’sdeclarationofhispurposeFourthly,thedeclarationinHebrewsFifthly,thedeclarationinEphesiansSixthly,Christ’sowndeclarationrecordedinJohnSeventhly,thedeclarationinGalatiansEighthly,thedeclarationin2Corinthians

II.THOSEWHICHLAYDOWNTHEACTUALEFFECTOFHISOBLATIONFirst,sanctificationSecondly,freedomfrompunishmentThirdly,peaceandreconciliationwithGodFourthly,lifeandeternalgloryforhissheep

III.THOSEWHICHSHOWFORWHOMCHRISTDIED:THEELECTMoore’sObjections:Theword“many”meansallmen.Christ’sdeathisformoreendsthanpropitiation

Scripturedoesnotsaytheransomispaidonlyforhissheep

CHAPTER IV – DISTINCTION BETWEEN IMPETRATION ANDAPPLICATIONFIRST,UNIVERSALISTSINSISTTHATIMPETRATIONANDAPPLICATIONARESEPARATE.I.IMPETRATIONISFORALL,APPLICATIONISFORBELIEVERSFirst,Christreconciledall,butonlybelieversbenefit.Secondly,Christdiedforall,butonlybelieversarereconciled.Thirdly,Reconciliationistwofold:paidforall,butworkedinsome.

II.THETRUENATUREOFTHEDISTINCTIONFirst,impetrationispurchase,applicationisenjoyment.First,Thedistinctionregardswhatisprocured,notChrist’sintent.Secondly,whatispurchasedisnotpurchasedconditionally.Thirdly,whatispurchasedisnotbestowedconditionally.Fourthly,impetrationandapplicationhavethesameobjects.Secondly,whatisobtainedisappliedbynature.Thirdly,Christintercedesforthoseforwhomhedied.

SECONDLY,UNIVERSALISTSSAYRECONCILIATIONISONLYAPPLIEDTOSOME.First,BecauseofGod’suniversallove,Hedesiresalltobesaved.Secondly,God’slovehasnoeffectunlesssatisfactionismadeforall.Thirdly,HesentChristtofulfillhisuniversallove,andsatisfyhisjustice.Fourthly,thepurposeofChrist’sdeathwastoobtainthepowertosave.Fifthly,ChristsatisfiedGod’sjustice,allowingconditionalsalvation.

III.SUMMATIONFirst,GodsenthisSonfortheelectalone.Secondly,theransomwassufficientforallthoseintended.Thirdly,thoseintendedweretheelect.Fourthly,whatwaspurchasedisnecessarilybestowed.

CHAPTERV–FURTHERDISTINCTIONSIMPETRATIONANDAPPLICATIONMAYBEDISTINCT,BUTTHEYCANNOTBESEPARATE.First,whatisobtainediscertainlypossessed.Secondly,ifChristdiedforthem,thebenefitbelongstothem.Thirdly,ifaransomispaidforthem,thecaptivesmustbefreed.Fourthly,ScripturetiesApplicationtoImpetration.

WHATISOBTAINEDISNOTOBTAINEDCONDITIONALLY.First,suchaconditionoughttoberevealed.Secondly,suchaconditionmustbewithinourpowertoperform.Thirdly,theconditionoffaithisprocuredbyChrist.Fourthly,ifitwereconditional,thenChristwouldonlybehalfamediator.

BOOKIII

CHAPTERI–ARGUMENTSAGAINSTUNIVERSALREDEMPTIONARGUMENT1.THECOVENANTISNOTUNIVERSALBUTPARTICULAR.ARGUMENTII.IFTHEINTENTWASUNIVERSAL,ITMUSTBEKNOWNUNIVERSALLY.

CHAPTERII–THREEMOREARGUMENTSARGUMENTIII.IFTHERANSOMISUNIVERSAL,ANYCONDITIONISPAIDFORTOO.First,suchaconditionmustbemadeknowntoall(Arg.II).Secondly,allmenmustbeabletobelieve.ThatiscontrarytotheScriptures.

ARGUMENTIV.MENARETWOSORTS;CHRISTDIEDFORONE,NOTFORBOTH.First,Scriptureidentifiestwosortsofmen.Second,Christdiedonlyfortheonesort.

ARGUMENTV.SCRIPTURENOWHERESAYSTHATCHRISTDIEDFORALLMEN.CHAPTERIII–TWOOTHERARGUMENTSFROMTHEPERSONOFCHRISTARGUMENTVI.CHRISTDIEDASASURETYFORTHOSEHEREPRESENTED.First,Heenduredthepenaltydueotherstofreeeachfromit.Secondly,satisfactionwasmadeforeachpersonChristdiedfor.

CHRISTDIDNOTMAKESATISFACTIONFORALLMEN.First,ifhesatisfiedforall,thenallaresaved.Secondly,hedidnotintendtosatisfyformorethancouldbesaved.

THEEXCEPTIONTHATITSAPPLICATIONWASCONDITIONALHASNOFORCEFirst,theconditionwasunknownbyall.Secondly,Christknewwhoeverfailedtheconditionwouldbelost.Thirdly,conditionalredemptionisrejected.

ASSERTINGTHATCHRISTSATISFIEDFORBOTHDAMNEDANDSAVEDISVALUELESS.First,Christwasrequiredtodieforthosewhowouldbesaved.Secondly,Christ’sintentwastofreethoseforwhomhedied.Thirdly,ifChristsatisfiedforallsin,thesinofunbeliefwaspaidfor.

ARGUMENTVII.CHRISTDIEDASAMEDIATOR,APRIESTFORHISOWNPEOPLE.CHAPTERIV–PROCUREMENTOFSANCTIFICATIONANDFAITHARGUMENTVIII.CHRIST’SBLOODISEFFECTUALTOWASH,PURGE,ANDSANCTIFY.First,theScripturaltypeofsacrificelegallysanctifies.Secondly,Scripturesaysbloodsacrificesareintendedtosanctify.ScriptureProofsTheDeathofChrististhesolecauseofRedemptionFirst,thepaidransomisthesolecauseofredemption.Secondly,faithitselfisprocuredbyChrist’sdeath

ARGUMENTIX.FAITHISPROCUREDBYCHRIST’SDEATHPremises:1.NothingisbestowedonusthatwasnotpurchasedbyChrist’sDeath2.Faithisindispensabletooursalvation3.ThequestioniswhetherfaithisafruitandeffectofChrist’sdeath?First,ifitis,thenwasitabsoluteorconditional?Ifabsolutely,thensurely,ifhediedforall,theymustallbelieve.Ifconditionally,andtheconditionisourfaith,thenthisfaithisofourselvesandnotofChrist.

Secondly,ifitisnot,thenitisanactofwillandwesaveourselves1.Itmustbeanactofourownwill2.WearethecauseofoursalvationandChrist’sdeathhasnovalue

Proofs:1.FaithispartofoursanctificationandholinesspurchasedbyChrist2.AllthefruitsofelectionarepurchasedbyChrist3.AlltheblessingsoftheCovenantarepurchasedbyChrist4.EverythingnecessarytobesavedmustbepurchasedbyChrist5.Faithisagift,ablessing,procuredforusbyChristConclusion:Ifwhatheprocuredisnotcommontoall,hedidnotdieforall

ARGUMENTX.THEANTITYPEOFTHEPEOPLEOFISRAELASGOD’SELECTCHAPTERV–THENATUREOFREDEMPTIONARGUMENTXI.FIRST:BYITSNATURE,REDEMPTIONISNOTUNIVERSAL.SpiritualRedemptiondiffersfromtemporalredemption.First,theonewhoreceivestheransomalsogivesit.Secondly,wearenotfreedfromGod,butbroughtneartoHim.Thirdly,theJailerwasconqueredtosatisfytheJudgeRedemptionmeanstofreeapersonbypayingaransomforhimConclusion:Ifthereisauniversalredemption,allmenareredeemed.

CHAPTERVI–THENATUREOFRECONCILIATIONARGUMENTXII.SECOND:BYITSNATURE,RECONCILIATIONISNOTUNIVERSAL.ReconciliationisascribedtotheDeathofChristBothpartiesmustbereconciled,notjustone.IfreconciliationwaspurchasedbytheDeathofChrist,allarereconciled.1.ChristturnedawayGod’swrathtowardsus2.ChristturnsusawayfromourenmitytowardsGodIfbothpartiesarereconciled,howcanoneremainunderGod’swrath?Conclusion:Christdiedonlyforthosewhoarereconciled.

CHAPTERVII–THESATISFACTIONOFCHRISTARGUMENTXIII.THIRD:CHRIST’SSATISFACTIONWASNOTUNIVERSAL.TheNatureofLegalSatisfactionFirst,satisfactionmaybemadebypayingexactlywhatisowed

Secondly,satisfactionmaybemadebysubstitutinganacceptablevalueTheNatureofChrist’sSatisfactionFirst,thedebtorisman;Secondly,Thedebtissin;Thirdly,whatwillsatisfyisdeath;Fourthly,theobligationisobediencetothelaw;Fifthly,thecreditorisGod;Sixthly,whatintervenesistheransompaidbyChrist’sDeath;Twothingsmustbecleared:First,thatChristmadetherequiredsatisfaction.WasthesatisfactionofChristsolutioejusdem,orsolutiotantidem?Argumentsagainstsolutioejusdem,byGrotiusArgumentsforsolutioejusdem,refutingGrotius:

Conclusion:Christ’ssatisfactionwassolutioejusdemforthoseherepresented.Secondly,whatresponseGodoughttohavetothissatisfaction.

First,withregardtous,heisconsideredacreditor;Secondly,withregardtoChrist,heisconsideredsupremeLordandLawgiver;

Therefore,twoactsareeminentinGod’sresponsetoChrist’sDeath:1.AnActofJustice–ChallengesandAnswers2.AnactofSupremeSovereignty.AComparisonoftheseinferenceswithUniversalRedemption

CHAPTER VIII – THE SUBSTANCE OF THE SATISFACTION OFCHRISTFIRST,ANYOBJECTIONTOCHRIST’SSATISFACTIONISPELAGIANORARMINIANHERESY.SECONDLY,THEELECTANDTHEREPROBATESARESEPARATECAMPSBYNATURE.THIRDLY,THEETERNALLOVEOFGODISANACTOFWILL,NOTPASSION.First,GodwillfullychoosestoactinbehalfofHiselect.Secondly,noactofGodchangesthenatureitsobject.Thirdly,thewrathofGodisalsonotpassionate,butwillful.Fourthly,God’slovedoesnotremoveanyconditionsforHiselect.

1.ACKNOWLEDGINGGOD’SELECTIONDOESNOTJUSTIFYORRECONCILEUS.2.ALLMENREMAINUNDERTHEWRATHOFGODUNTILTHEYARERECONCILED.3.THEELECTAREUNDERGOD’SWRATHINTHESAMEWAYASREPROBATES.4.THEELECTARENOTRECONCILEDTOGODUNTILTHEYBELIEVETHESON.CONCLUSION:ELECTIONDOESNOTREMOVETHENEEDFORCHRIST’SSATISFACTION.

CHAPTER IX – ARGUMENTS PROVING THE SATISFACTION OFCHRISTI.FROMCHRISTBEARINGOURSIN,ANDTHEPUNISHMENTFORITFirst,hetookandboreoursins.Secondly,heunderwentthepunishmentforoursinsThirdly,hedidthisinourstead

II.FROMCHRISTPAYINGTHERANSOMFOROURSINSASOURSURETY

First,Christpaidthepriceandransomforoursins.Secondly,HepaidthispriceintothehandsofhisFather.Thirdly,hedidthisasoursurety.Fourthly,hedidthisforourfreedom.

III.FROMCHRISTMAKINGANATONEMENTANDRECONCILIATIONIV.FROMTHENATUREOFHISPRIESTLYOFFICEFirst,ThepunishmentduetosinisthewrathofGod:Secondly,ThecurseofthelawisthewrathofGodtakenpassively,Thirdly,ThedeaththatsinnersaretoundergoisthewrathofGod.

V.FROMTHENECESSITYOFHISSATISFACTIONTOOURFAITHANDCONSOLATIONVI.FROMHISBEINGMADESINFORUS,ANDBRUISEDFOROURINIQUITIESObjection1:TheSonispunisheddespitepleasingtheFather.Objection2:TheElectarenotpunishedfortheirsin.

CHAPTERX–THEMERITOFCHRISTARGUMENTXIV.FOURTH:THEMERITASCRIBEDTOCHRISTISNOTUNIVERSAL.ARGUMENTXV.FIFTH:SPECIFICPHRASESPRECLUDEUNIVERSALREDEMPTION.

CHAPTERXI–LASTGENERALARGUMENTARGUMENTXVI.SIXTH:SCRIPTURESTHATPRECLUDEUNIVERSALREDEMPTION.1.Genesis3:15–TherearetwoSeeds.First,theseedofthewoman.Secondly,theseedoftheserpent.2.Matt.7:23–TherearethosewhoareknownandunknownbyChrist.3.Matt.11:25,26–Therearethosewhoknow,anddonotknow.4.John10:11-29–Therearethesheepandthegoats.First,allmenarenotthesheepofChrist,Secondly,thesheepthatarehiselectarecalledbyGodThirdly,Christsaysthathelaiddownhislifeforhissheep,5.Rom.8:31-34–Christ’slove,sacrifice,andintercessionisfortheElect.First,ifChristdiedforalloutoflove,thenGodlovesthosewhoperish.Secondly,Godfreelygivesallgoodthingstothoseheloves,includingfaith.Thirdly,thosehediedforarefreelyjustfied.6.Eph.1:7–Christ’sbloodbringsforgivenessonlytoAbraham’sseed.7.2Cor.5:21–Thoseforwhomhediedareconsideredrighteous.8.John17:9,19–ChristprayedforandsanctifiedhimselffortheElect.9.Eph.5:25–TheobjectofChrist’sloveishisbridealone,notanother.

BOOKIVCHAPTER I –CONSIDERATIONS PRIOR TO ANSWERINGOBJECTIONS

1.THEDIGNITY,WORTH,ANDVALUEOFTHEBLOODOFCHRISTFirst,thedignityofthepersonthatofferedit,andwasoffered.Secondly,thegreatnessofthepainheendured,TheworthoftheDeathofChristisundervaluedbyUniversalRedemption.

2.THEADMINISTRATIONOFTHENEWCOVENANTUNDERTHEGOSPEL.3.THEDISTINCTIONBETWEENMAN’SDUTYANDGOD’SPURPOSE.4.THEERROROFTHEJEWSCONCERNINGTHEEXTENTOFREDEMPTION.5.THEMEANINGOFTHEWORDSCONCERNINGTHEEXTENTOFTHEATONEMENT.First,istheword“world.”Second,istheword“all”

6.THEAPPEARANCEOFPERSONSANDTHINGSINTHESCRIPTURE.7.THEDIFFERENCEBETWEENAJUDGMENTOFCHARITY,ANDONEOFFACT.8.THECONNECTIONBETWEENFAITHANDSALVATION.9.THEMIXTUREOFELECTANDREPROBATESINTHEWORLD.10.THEDIFFERENTACTSANDDEGREESOFFAITH.First,wecannotsaveourselves.Secondly,Salvationisfoundinthepromisedseedonly.Thirdly,Jesuswasthispromisedseed,theSavior.Fourthly,theGospelrequiresustorelyonChristastheRedeemer.Fifthly,wemustindividuallybelieveintheefficacyofChrist’sblood.

CHAPTERII–ANSWERTOOBJECTIONSFROMSCRIPTUREI.PASSAGESTHATAFFIRMCHRISTDIEDFORTHE“WORLD”-JOHN3:16First,allegedproofbyreasonSecond,considerationofspecificScripturalpassages1.John3:16FIRST,thecauseforsendingChristisLove.SECOND,theobjectofthisloveisthe“world”THIRD,theintentofGodinsendinghisSonistosavebelievers

CHAPTERIII–OTHERTEXTSPRODUCEDBYUNIVERSALISTS2.1Jn.2:1-2(1.)TowhomtheApostlewrites(2.)Theaimandintentionoftheapostle(3.)Themeaningofthewords“propitiation”and“wholeworld”First,themeaningoftheword“propitiation”Secondly,themeaningofthephrase“ofthewholeworld”

3.John6:514.2Cor5:195.John1:96.John1:297.John3:178.John4:42;1Jn.4:14;John6:519.John12:46

CHAPTER IV – ANSWER TO SECOND ARGUMENT FORUNIVERSALISMII.PASSAGESTHATSIGNIFYCHRISTDIEDFORALL,ORGODWILLSSALVATIONFORALL.1.1Tim.2:4,62.2Pet.3:9,3.Heb.2:9,4.2Cor.5:14-155.1Cor.15:226.Rom.5:18

CHAPTERV-ANSWERTOLASTARGUMENTFORUNIVERSALISMIII.PASSAGESWHICHAFFIRMCHRISTBOUGHT,ORDIEDFOR,THOSEWHOPERISH1.Rom.14:152.1Cor.8:113.2Pet.2:14.Heb.10:29

CHAPTER VI – ANSWER TO CHAP. 20 OF UNIVERSALITY OFGRACEARGUMENTSMADEBYTHOMASMOORE:I.ScripturedeclaresthatChristgavehimselfaransomforeveryman.II.Christcametosaveallsinners,notjustsomeofthem.III.ThepurposeofChrist’sdeathandexaltationistobeLordofall.IV.ChrististheSaviorofthewholeworld,butonlybelieversreceivelife.V.Christgavehimselfforall,togaintherightofLordshipoverall.VI.TheplainmeaningofScriptureisthatChristdiedforallmen.Proof1ofargument6–GodgavehisSontobeSavioroftheworld.Proof2.Christcametotakeawaythesinsoftheworld,apropitiationforall.Proof3.ChristinvitesalltorepentandbelievethroughhisSpirit.Proof4.TheHolyGhostwilljudgeallastothesinofnotbelievinginChrist.Proof5.GodtestifiesthathewantshisSontoredeemallmen.Proof6.TheverywordsandphrasesofScriptureimplynolessthanallmen.Proof7.Theuniqueprivilegesofbelieversdonotexcluderansomforall.Proof8.AsinAdamallfell,inChristallareredeemed.Proof9.Thegospelistobepreachedtoall,thereforeallarecapableofbelief.Proof10.Believersaretoprayforall,thereforeallmaybesaved.Proof11.Christwillalwaysbewithhispeople,preachingtoandprayingforall.Proof12.Christmadegoodhiswordtoall,thatnonewouldexcludethemselves.Proof13.Theblessingoflifeextendstoallmankind,overcomingGod’schosen.Proof14.Thosewhorejectthegospel“choose”darknessanddestruction.Proof15.God’sgoodintentionsinpleadingwithallmenrequiresthatChristsavedallmen.Proof16.Scripturesaysitissintorefusegrace,indicatingitbelongstoall.Proof17.Ifsomearejudgedtoaseconddeath,Christfirstdiedforthem.Proof18.Believersmaycontendfor,andlose,acommonsalvation.

CHAPTERVII–REMOVINGREMAININGOBJECTIONSOBJECTIONI.EACHMUSTBELIEVEJESUSDIEDFORHIM;ERGOHEDIEDFORALL.AssumptionsofthisObjection:first,“believing”,bothastoitsobligationandthetruth,meansthesame.secondly,“believing”meansChristissavinglyappliedtothesoul.thirdly,“believing”referstothepurposeoftheFatherandtheintentofJesus.fourthly,theconditionofeveryoneforwhomChristdiedisthesameMinorProposition:Everyone isbound tobelieve thatJesusChristdied forhim.First,ifitwereso,thensomemustbeboundtobelievewhatisfalse.Secondly,menwouldbeboundtobelievewhatisnotrevealed.Thirdly,theobjectsoffaithareGod’scommands,promises,andthreats.Fourthly,anycommandtobelievecannotbeinterpretedbyGod’sintent.Fifthly,unlesshehears,howcananyonebeboundtobelieve?

OBJECTIONII.PARTICULARREDEMPTIONCAUSESDOUBTWHETHERONEISSAVED.OBJECTIONIII.UNIVERSALREDEMPTIONBETTERREPRESENTSTHELOVEOFGOD.OBJECTIONIV.UNIVERSALREDEMPTIONBETTEREXALTSTHEMERITOFCHRIST.OBJECTIONV.UNIVERSALREDEMPTIONOFFERSGREATERCONSOLATION.ANSWER:1.UniversalRedemptionisnocauseforConsolation.2.UniversalRedemptionunderminesthetruecauseofConsolation.3.ParticularRedemptiondoesnotabridgeanypartofabeliever’sConsolation.4.ParticularRedemptionisthesolidfoundationofallenduringConsolation.

CONCLUSION-AFEWTESTIMONIESOFTHEANCIENTS.I.CHURCHOFSMYRNA,II.THEWITNESSOFHOLYIGNATIUS,III.CLEMENS,IV.CYPRIAN,V.CYRILVI.ATHANASIUS,VII.AMBROSEVIII.AUGUSTINE,IX.PROSPERX.CONCIL.VALENTINUS,CAN.4:

APPENDIXAREPLYTOMR.JOSHUASPRIGGE

IntroductionThisisarestatementandsimplificationofOwen’soriginalwork.Itshouldbeusedforteachingpurposesonly.Youmayreproduce the textso longasyoudonotchange itandyoudonotsell it toanyone.Thisrestriction is placed on it so that the propagation of any errors in the updated language is limited. Ifsomeone rephrasesmy updated language, the treatisewill quickly degenerate into amisstatement ratherthan a restatement ofOwen’swork.Thatwould be lamentable. Sowhat are the changes that have beenmade?

TheoldEnglishwordinghasbeenupdated,sothat“thee”and“thou”arenow“you”and“yours.”Americanspellinghasbeenemployed.ScripturereferenceswithRomannumeralshavebeenupdatedtoArabicandcorrectedwhere needed. The difficult structure and syntax have been simplified. Little-usedwords havebeen replaced with simpler ones as well. Some exceptions to this simplification include the words“oblation”(p.27)which is an act of offering; and “impetration” (p.66)which is obtaining something bypetitionorbeseeching.Becauseoftheircontext,extensiveuse,andthewiderconnotationsofthesewords,theyhavebeenleftalone.Goold’s1850-53editornotesarefollowedby“-Ed.”

Sentenceshavebeenshortened,and inmanycasessplit intoseveralsentencesforclarity.Parallelismhasbeen employed to maintain rhythm and clarity. Unreferenced pronouns have been made explicit. Thepassivevoicehasbeenchangedtoactiveinmostplaces.Duplicatedtexts,digressionsthatdonotaffectthecontent,andalternatephrasingswithinthesamesentence,havebeenremovedforeasiercomprehension.Adhominem attacks, however, have been kept as an expression of Owen’s outrage, and his acidic humor.BecauseLatinisnolongerarequiredcourseinpubliceducation,Latinpassageshavebeenexcisedexceptwhere they are core to his argument; those remaining have been crudely translated to help the reader.Hence,thismustbecalledanabridgment.However,thefullargumentandsupportingtextaremaintained.Thisisnotasynopsis,buttheentiretreatisepresentedintheoriginalwork.Asaresult,theexpositorystyleremains.Ifitseemsstilted,itisbecauseitisstiltedintheoriginal.

TheoldKingJamespassagesofScripture,andOwen’sdirecttranslations,havebeenrestatedinmanycasesfor readability as well. Where this was done, the original Hebrew and Greek meanings were used topreservehis intent. Passages inOwen’s originalwork that hadno reference are nowmarked to help thereader find them more easily. Where Owen cites the original Greek or Hebrew, a bracket containing[NT:xxxx]or[OT:xxxx]hasbeeninsertedwiththeAnglicizedGreek/HebrewwordandStrong’snumbers.Referencedbutunquotedscriptureshavebeenfootnotedforyourconvenience.

Atableofcontentshasbeencreatedtomakeiteasiertolocateparticularpassagesandtoserveasageneraloutline of the argument. Therefore, additional sub-headings have been added. I make no apologies foralteringthetext.MypurposeisnottopreserveOwen’soriginaltextasifitwereScripture,buttopreservehis teaching andwisdom,organized and annotated. Itwouldbe a shame if themodern audiencedidnotbenefitfromhislaborsbecausethelanguagewastoocomplexorarcanetocomprehend.

AndsoIhope therestatementof this importantworkmakes itmoreaccessible toyou,and that itbringshometheimportanceofthedoctrinehearticulatesfromScripture.WeareseekersofGodlytruth,notlogicor human wisdom. These doctrines don’t result from logic and reason alone, nor are they imposed onscripturebysomesystemoftheology.TheyarederivedfromthetruthofGod’sword.OnlythetruthwillenableustoseeGodasHeis,andtherebycometoknowhim(John17:3).

WilliamH.Grosswww.onthewing.org

©Jan2004

http://www.onthewing.org

PREFATORYNOTEIn the testimonies from the ancient fathers, which Owen appends to thefollowingtreatise,hequotesAugustineandProsperasauthoritiesinsupportofhisownviewof adefinite andeffectual atonement.Though these fathersheldthis view in opposition to the Pelagians and semi-Pelagians of their day, thepoint did not emerge into commanding prominence in the controversy withwhich theirnamesarechieflyandhonorablyassociated. Itwasbynomeansasubjectofspecialcontroversy,orthekeyoftheirpositioninthefieldonwhichtheirpolemicallaurelswerewon.ItwasotherwiseinthedisputewhichprevailedbetweenHincmarandGottschalc,exactlyfourcenturieslater.Thediscussiononthe extent of the atonement then assumed a distinct and positive shape. Thedecisionsofthedifferentcouncilswhichsatinjudgmentupontheirconflictingprincipleswillbe found in theappendix to this treatise.The samecontroversywas renewed inHolland between theGomarists and theArminians,when theSynodofDort, inoneofitsarticles,condemnedtheRemonstrantdoctrineofauniversal atonement. Cameron, the accomplished professor of divinity atSaumur,originatedthelastimportantdiscussiononthispointbeforeOwenwrotehis treatise on it. The views of Cameron were adopted and urged with greatability by two of his scholars, Amyraut and Testard; and in the year 1634 acontroversyarose,whichagitated theFrenchChurch formanyyears.Amyrauthad the support of Daillé and Blondell. He was ably opposed by Rivet,Spanheim,andDesMarets.In the last two instances in which discussion on the extent of the atonementrevived in the Reformed Churches, there was an essential distinction, verycommonlyoverlooked,betweenthespecialpointsuponwhichthecontroversiesrespectivelyturned.Theobjectof thearticleonthedeathofChrist,emittedbytheSynodofDort,wastocounteractthetenetthatChristbytheatonementonlyacquiredfortheFatheraplenaryrightandfreedomtoinstituteanewprocedurewithallmenbywhichtheymightbesavedonconditionoftheirownobedience.The divines of Saumur would not have accepted this tenet as a correctrepresentationoftheirsentiments.Admittingthattheelectareinfalliblysecuredin theenjoymentof salvationby thepurposeofGodand through thedeathofChrist, they contended for an antecedent decree bywhichGod is free to givesalvation to allmen throughChrist on thecondition that they believe on him.Hence their system was termed hypothetic universalism. The vital differencebetweenitandthestrictArminiantheory,liesintheabsolutesecurityassertedin

the former for the spiritual recovery of the elect. They agree, however, inattributingsomekindofuniversalitytotheatonement,andinmaintainingthat,on a certain condition,within the reach of fulfilment by all men – generallyobedience according to the Arminians, and faith according to the divines ofSaumur – all men have access to the benefits of Christ’s death. To impartconsistencytothetheoryofAmyraut,faithmustinsomesensebecompetenttoallmen;andheheld,accordingly,thedoctrineofuniversalgrace.Inthisrespect,his theory differs essentially from the doctrine of universal atonement, asembracedbyeminentCalvinisticdivines,whoheldthenecessityofthespecialoperation of grace in order to exercise faith. The readers of Owen willunderstand,fromthiscursoryexplanation,whyhedwellswithpeculiarkeennessand reiterationof statements to refute theconditional system,or the systemofuniversalgrace,accordingtothenameitboreinsubsequentdiscussions.Itwasplausible;ithadmanylearnedmenforitsadvocates;ithadobtainedcurrencyintheforeignchurches;anditseemstohavebeenembracedbyMore,orMoore,towhosework on “TheUniversality ofGod’s FreeGrace,” our author replies atgreatlength.ThomasMooreisdescribedbyEdwards,inhis“Gangraena,”partII.p.86,as“agreat sectarian, who did much harm in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, andCambridgeshire;whowas famous also inBoston,Lynn, and even inHolland,andwasfollowedfromplacetoplacebymany.”Hiswork,inaquartovolume,waspublishedin1643;andinthesameyearareplytoitappearedfromthepenofThomasWhitefield, “Minister of theGospel atGreatYarmouth.”MrOrmeremarks,“Hetakescaretoinformusonthetitle-pagethat‘ThomasMoorewasof late aweaver atWills, nearWisbitch.’”Andhe adds, in regard toMoore’sproduction, “Without approving of the argument of the work, I have nohesitation in saying that it is creditable to the talents of the weaver, and notdiscreditable to his piety.” Theweaver, it should be added,was the author ofsome other works: “Discovery of Seducers that Creep into Houses,” “OnBaptism,”“ADiscourseaboutthePreciousBloodandSacrificeofChrist,”etc.In 1650, Mr Horne, minister at Lynn in Norfolk, a man “of exemplary andprimitivepiety,”accordingtoPalmer(Nonconf.Mem,IIIpp.6,7),andauthorofseveral works, published a reply to Owen’s work under the title, “The OpenDoor for Man’s Approach to God; or, a vindication of the record of Godconcerning the extent of the death of Christ, in answer to a treatise on thatsubject byMr JohnOwen.”Hornehad considerable reputation for skill in theorientallanguages,and“someofhisremarksandinterpretationsofScripture,”inthe judgment ofMr Orme, “were not unworthy of Owen’s attention.” Owen,

however, in his epistle prefixed to his “Vindiciae Evangelicae,” expresses hisopinionthattheworkofHornedidnotdeserveareply.Twoyearsafterthefollowingworkhadbeenpublished,itsauthorhadtodefendsome of the views he had maintained in it against a more formidable andcelebrated adversary. Richard Baxter, in an appendix to his “Aphorisms onJustification,” took exception to some of the views of Owen on redemption.Owenansweredhiminatreatisewhichmayberegardedasanappendixtohis“Death of Death.” In the discussions between them, so much of scholasticsubtilty appears on both sides that little interest is likely to be felt in thatdepartmentofthegeneralquestiononwhichtheywereatvariance.It may be necessary to state precisely what opinion Owen really held on thesubjectoftheextentoftheatonement.Allopinionsonthispointmay,ingeneralterms, be reduced to four. There are a few who hold that Christ died so asultimatelytosecurethesalvationofallmen.Thereareotherswhomaintaintheview condemned by the Synod of Dort, that by the death of Christ God isenabledtosaveallorany,onconditionoftheirobedience.Thereisathirdparty,who,whiletheybelievethatChristdiedsoastoinfalliblysecurethesalvationoftheelect,holdthatinasmuchasChrist,inhisobedienceandsufferings,didwhatall men were under obligation to do, and suffered what all men deserved tosuffer,hisatonementhasageneralaswellasaspecialaspectandreference,invirtueofwhich theofferof thegospelmaybefreely tendered to them.Lastly,there are those, and Owen amongst the number, who advocate a limited ordefinite atonement, such an atonement as implies a necessary connectionbetweenthedeathofChristandthesalvationofthoseforwhomhedied,whilethe actual bearing of the atonement on the lost is left among the thingsunrevealed, save only that their guilt and punishment are enhanced by therejection of that mercy offered in the gospel. Hagenbach, in his “History ofDoctrines,” vol. II. p. 255, strangely asserts, that “as regards the extent of theatonement, all denominations, with the exception of the Calvinists, hold thatsalvation was offered to all.” It would be difficult to specify any Calvinistsworthyofthenamewhoholdthatsalvationshouldnotbeofferedtoall;anditseemsneedfultostatethatOwenatleast,averyCalvinistofCalvinists,heldnosuch view.On the contrary, amongCalvinists that adhere to the doctrine of adefiniteatonement,ithasbeenamatterofdebate,notwhetherthegospelshouldbe universally offered, but on what basis the universal offer of the gospelproceeds: the simple command and warrant of theWord, or the intrinsic andinfinite sufficiency of the atonement. Perhaps this point was never formallybeforethemindofourauthor,butheintimatesthatthe“innatesufficiencyofthe

death ofChrist is the foundation of its promiscuous proposal to the elect andreprobate.”Amongtheeditionsofthisvaluablework,theoneprintedinEdinburghin1755underthesuperintendenceoftheRev.AdamGibdeserveshonorablemention.Itisprintedwithsomecare;considerableattentionispaidtothenumeration;andavaluableanalysisofthewholeworkisprefixedtoit.Wehavenotfeltatlibertytoadoptthenumerationinallrespects,asrathermorefreedomisusedwiththeoriginal than is consistentwith theprinciples onwhich this editionofOwen’sworkshasbeenissued.Weacknowledgeourobligationstoitinthepreparationofthesubjoinedanalysis,whichismostlytakenfromit.

Editor-WilliamH.Gooldc.1850-1853

NotetotheEarlofWarwickTOTHERIGHTHONORABLE

ROBERT,EARLOFWARWICK,1ETC.

MYLORD,It isnot toprotect theensuing treatise,nor to takeadvantageofyourpersonalworthandhonor,thatprevaileduponmetoboldlyprefixyourhonorednametothisensuingtreatise.Letthetreatisestandorfallasitmaybythejudgmentsofmen.Andyourcharacter iswhathastrulyennobledyourlordship,andmadeawaytodeliveryourfamilytoposterity,withaneminentlusteraddedtotherollofyourworthyprogenitors. If Idesired toproduce this treatisebymyself,myunfitness to perform would necessarily render the performance unacceptable.Nor do I desire at all to attempt to further gain your lordship’s favor by it. Itwould be far below what I have already received from you. And I am fullyresolved to own no other esteem among the sons of men than what will beaccountedbydischargingmydutytomymaster,JesusChrist.Iwouldbewhollyhis.Idonotprefixyournameforalloranyoneof thesereasons,norforanythinglikethem,norfortheusualsubjectsandendsofdedications,realorpretended.ItisonlythatImighttaketheopportunitytotestifytoalltheworldtheresponseofmyheart to theobligation thatyour lordshipwaspleased toplaceonme.Youhave bestowed the undeserved, undesired favor of opening the door you areentrustedwith,togivemeanentrancetothatplacewhereIwasdirectedbytheprovidenceoftheMostHightopreachthegospel,andwhereIwassoughtbyhispeople. I dare say, by the grace of God, that such a stock of prayers andthankfullnessistenderedtoandforyourlordshipasyourheartwillnotdespise,aheartwhichhaslearnedtovaluetheleastofChrist,whomeveritmaybe.AnditistenderedonbehalfofonewhoislessthantheleastofallthesaintsofGod,and unworthy of the namewhich he still boldly subscribes to –Your honor’smostobligedservantintheserviceofJesusChrist,JOHNOWEN.

TOTHEREADER.READER,Ifyouintendtogoanyfurther,Iwouldentreatyoutostayherea little.Ifyouare,likemanyinthispretendingage,asignoratitlegazer,andyoucomeintochallenges likeCato into the theater, only to go out again, then you have hadyourentertainment;farewell!Butifyouaresomeoneresolvedtotakeaseriousview of the following discourse, and who really desires satisfaction from thewordandChristianreasonaboutthegreatthingsitcontains,thenIdesireafewwordsinthedoorway.Therearevariousthingsaffectingthebusinesswehaveinhand,whichIampersuadedyoucannotbeunacquaintedwith.ThereforeIwillnottroubleyoubyneedlesslyrepeatingthem.IonlycraveyourpermissiontoprefacethisundertakingwiththeresultsofsomeofmythoughtsaftermorethansevenyearsofseriousinquiryintothemindofGodaboutthesethings.Ihope,onChrist’sstrength,thattheyaregroundedandguidedbyhisSpirit.IwillincludeaseriousperusalofallIcouldattainthatthewitofman, in formeror latterdays,haspublished inopposition to the truth. Iwouldlikethereadertoobservesomethingsconcerningthemainpoint.First,theassertionofuniversalredemption,orgeneralransom,cannotreachitsintendedendalone.Ifitisaccepted,thentheelectionoffreegracemustalsoberemoved.Thatisbecauseelectionisthesourceofallresultingdispensations,andallselectivepurposesoftheAlmightythatdependonhisowngoodpleasureandwill.Thereare thosewhodesire to retain thenotionofeternally selective freegrace,forthemoment.Butiftheydo,thentheyrazethewholeimaginaryfabricofgeneralredemptionthattheyerected,inrespecttoitsfruitorprofitableissue.Somesaythereisadecreeofelection“priortothedeathofChrist.”Whattheyframe,then,isatwofoldelectionofsometobesons,andotherstobeservants.Yet, electing some to be servants is what the Scripture calls reprobation. Itspeaksofitastheconsequenceofhatredorrejection,Romans9:11-13.2Tobeaservant,asopposedtohavingthelibertyofchildren,isashighacurseascanbeexpressed(Genesis9:25).3 Is thisScripturalelection?Besides, ifChristdied tobringthoseforwhomhediedintotheadoptionandinheritanceofchildren,thenwhat good could possibly redound to those who were predestined only to beservants?

Others say there is a general conditional decree of redemption that precedeselection.Theyassertthatthisisthefirstselectivepurposeconcerningthesonsofmen, and that it depends on the good pleasure of God alone. They deny thatanyone other than the elect will partake of the death of Christ or its fruits,whethergraceorglory.Now,towhatend?Whatpurposedoesageneralransomserve,excepttoassertthatAlmightyGodwouldhavethepreciousbloodofhisdearSonpouredoutforcountlesssoulswhomhewillnotallowtobenefitfromasingledropof it?Andso, in respect to them,hisblood isspilt invain,or it isshedforthemonlytodamnthemmoredeeply.This fountain, then, of free grace, this foundation of the new covenant, thisbottomofallgospeldispensations, this fruitfulwombofall eternally selectivemercies, thispurposeofGodaccording toelection,mustbeopposed, slighted,andblasphemed,sothatafigmentofmenmaynotappeartobenonsense.Andall the thoughts of theMostHigh,which differentiate betweenman andman,mustaccommodatetheirholy,self-spiritualendeavors.ThisisasavorysacrificetotheRomanBelus,4asacredorgytothelong-bewailedmanesofSt.Pelagius.

Secondly,free-will(whichiscorruptednature’sdeformeddarling,thePallas,5orthebelovedself-conceptionofdarkenedminds)findsopenheartsandarmsforits adulterous embraces. The die is cast is and the Rubicon has been passedover.6Free-willadvancesitselfbyopposingthefreeselectivegraceofGodasitssoleswornenemy.Itpresentsitselfasaninbrednativeabilityineveryonetotakea portion of general mercy, under the name of free grace. This, this, is theuniversalists’freegrace,whichtheScripturecallsourcursed,corruptednature.It cannot be otherwise. A general ransom without free-will is only “aburdensomefancy.”ThemeritofthedeathofChristtothemislikeointmentinabox.Ithasnovalueorpowertoapplyitselftoanyoneinparticular.Itisplacedineveryone’sviewbythegospel,sothatthosewholayholdofit,andapplyittothemselves by their own strength, may be healed. That is why this old idolnamed free-will has attained so dear an esteem and high valuation these days.Thetheoryofageneralransomcannotlivewithoutit.Ifwhat theScripture affirms is true, thatbynatureweare “dead in trespassesandsins,”thennotashredwouldbeleftofgeneralransomtotakefirefromthehearth.Likethewoodofthevine,itwouldnotyieldapintohangagarmenton.7

Youwillfindallof thisfullydeclaredintheensuingtreatise.Buthere, it isasthoughall theeffortsandBabylonianattemptsoftheoldPelagians,alongwiththe lateArminians(theirvarnishedoffspring),weremildandeasy. Iwillshowyougreaterabominationsthanthese,andfurtherrevelationsoftheimagerythat

existsintheheartsofmen.Insupportinguniversalredemption,anumberhavecometodenythesatisfactionandmeritofChrist,asthetheorynaturallyleadsthemtodo.WitnessP–H–,whobeingunabletountieitfromfree-will,boldlycutthisGordianknot,onlytomakebothendsofthechainuseless.TothequestionwhetherChristdiedforallmenornot,heanswers,“Hediedneitherforallnorany,soastopurchaselifeandsalvationforthem.”Ifyouaskforproofsofthisassertion,youmightjustlyexpectAchilleanarguments.Indeed,whatyouwillheararegreatswellingwordsofvanity,drum-likeexpressions,andnoisefromtheemptiness.Thisistheusuallanguage ofmenwhodo not knowwhat they speak of, norwhat they affirm.Thesearepoorcreatures,whosesoulsaremerchandisedbythepaintedfacesofnoveltyandvanity.WhiletheseJoabssaluteyouwithkissesoffreegrace,youdonotseetheswordthatisintheirhands,andwithwhichtheystabyouunderthefifthrib,intheveryheartbloodoffaithandallChristianconsolation.Our blessed Redeemer’s deep humiliation consists in a number of things: inbearingthechastisementofourpeaceandthepunishmentofourtransgressions;being made a curse and sin; deserted under wrath and the power of death;procuringredemptionandtheremissionofsinsthroughthespillingofhisblood;offeringhimselfupasasacrificetoGodtomakereconciliation,andtopurchaseanatonement;andpursuingthisundertakingwithcontinuedintercession in theholy of holies, with all the benefits that flow from his mediation. It seems,accordingtotheuniversalists,thatallofthisdidnotinanywayprocurelifeandsalvationor remissionof sins for us. It only served to declare thatwe are notwhathiswordactuallyaffirmsweare–namely,cursed,guilty,defiled,andnotyetcast intohell.“Judas,doyoubetray theSonofmanwithakiss?”See thisconfutedatlarge,lib.3.Now,thislastassertionthatwearenotcursedandcorrupt, thoroughlyfancied,hasopenedadoor toall thosepretendedattainmentsof thehumansoulwhichhavemetamorphosedthepersonandmediationofChrist.Hisworkhasbecomeanimaginaryall-inclusivegoodnessandlove,communicatedfromtheCreatortothe new creation. Cerdon’s fables could not be more absurd. The Platonicnumbers, and the Valentinian Eons were more intelligible than this. Thecorrosionof theScripturesby thatPonticverminMarcion couldnot equal thecontempt and scorn that are cast on them by these impotent impostors. Theyexempt theirwhispered discoveries from their trial, and exalt their revelationsbeyondtheirauthority.Nordosomestophere.Heavenitselfisbrokenopenforalltoenter.Fromuniversalredemption,andthroughuniversaljustificationinageneral covenant, they have arrived at universal salvation, whose purchased

inheritancecannotbeforfeited.“Marchon,braveyouths,inthepraiseofsuchfreegrace,Surroundyourlockswithbays;andfullcupsplaceInyourrighthands:drinkfreelyon,thencall

Onthecommonhope,theransomgeneral.”8

Iamnotopposedtowhatmotivatesthepursuitoftheseandsimilarpersuasions.Theyarewhollynewtothemenofthisgeneration.Everyageisengagedinthediscoveryof truth.Wehavenot come to the endof vice or virtue.Thewholeworldhaspracticediniquityfivethousandyearsandmore,andyet“aspicehocnovum,”beholdthisnovelty,maybesetonmanycrimes.Itisnowonder,then,thatwehearsuchdebates,ifalltruthisnotyetdiscovered.Still,somethingmayberevealed to thosewhohavenotmadeup theirminds.Donotbeshocked tofind Saul among the prophets, for who is their father? Is God not free in hisdispensations?Areall thedepthsofScripture,where theelephantsmayswim,fathomed to their bottom? If anyone were to observe the progress of the lastcenturyinunfoldingthetruthsofGod,hewouldhardlyclaimthatnomoreislefttobediscovered.Ionlydesiretoopposetheitchingofcorruptedfancies,theboldnessofdarkenedminds, the lasciviousandwantonwits, that inventnewlycreatednothings thatare insignificant vanities, mixed with a dash of blasphemy. And I especiallyoppose themconsidering the penchant amongus these days, by onemeans oranother,tobedistractedbynovelty.“Somearecredulous,somenegligent,somefallintoerrors,someseekthem.”Agreatsuspiciongrowsinmeeverydaythatprideofspirit,withaHerostratus-likedesigntoensuretheirfame,9haspromptedmanytoconceiveandpublishsomeeasilyinventedfalseopinions.AndImightalsothinkthatthisisthereasontheystrivetooutdotheircompanionsinframingsome unique and clever device. To be a follower of others is too lowly anundertakingforthem,andsowehearthesedesperateengagements.What attracts the eyes of poor deluded souls must of course be gloriousattainments, beyond the understanding of men, and above the wisdom of theword.May the great shepherd of the sheep, ourLord JesusChrist, restore hispoorwandererstohisownfold!ThistheoryisafatalHelena:10auseless,barren,fruitless fancy, whose enthronement has caused such irksome, tediouscontentionstothechurchesofGod.ItisamereRome:adesolate,dirtyplaceofcottages,untilalltheworldisrobbedandspoiledtoadornit.Let us suppose thatChrist died for all. IfGod in his free purpose has chosensometoobtainlifeandsalvation,andhaspassedbyothers,willitprofitonlythe

chosen,orall?Surely thepurposeofGodmust stand, andhewilldowhathewants. Therefore, either election, as Huberus says11 with wild contradiction,mustbeuniversal,orthethoughtsoftheMostHighdependonthefree-willofman.IfthefreegraceofGodworkseffectuallyinsome,butnotinothers,thencanthoseothers,whomthispowerfulgracehaspassedover,haveanybenefitbyuniversal redemption?Nomore than theEgyptianshadwhen theangelpassedoverthosehouseswhosedoorswerenotsprinkledwithblood,leavingthemdeadbehindhim.Almighty,powerful,freegrace,then,mustdropitssail,sothatfree-will, like theAlexandrian ships coming into theRomanharbors,maycome inwith top sail unfurled and gallant. Without free-will, the whole territory ofuniversalredemptionwillcertainlybefamished.ButletthesedoctrinesofGod’seternalelection,thefreegraceofconversion,perseverance,andtheirnecessaryconsequencesbeasserted, and free-willbecomes laughable.Theonlyprofitorconsolationthatfree-willhas iswhat it robsfromthesovereigntyandgraceofGod.Butmoreaboutthesethingslater.Somepretencesareusuallymadebythosewhoadvocategeneralransom.Withyour patience, courteous reader, we will examine them a little at the start, toremoveanyprejudicethatmaylieinthewayoftruth:First, they say that thegloryofGod is exaltedbyageneral ransom;hisgoodwillandkindnesstowardsmenareabundantlyshownbyenlargingtheextentoftheransom.Andhisfreegrace,whichisrestrainedbyothers,ispresentedasapowerfulendearment.Theysay,ineffect,“AllthingswillbewellwhenGodiscontentwiththatportionofglorywhichweourselvesassign.”Theprincesoftheearth consider it their greatestwisdom tomake their favors sound better thantheyare,todescribewithafullmouthwhattheyhavedonewithhalfahand.IsitacceptabletolieforGodbyextendinghisbountybeyondthemarksandeternalbounds assigned to it inhisword?Changeahaironyourownhead,or addacubit to your own stature, before you add someglory to theAlmighty that hedoesnotclaim.But,forthemostpart,thisishowthecorruptednaturetreatsallsuchmysteriousthings,revealingitsownbasenessandvileness.Theysay that ifGod’sgraceextends toalloffenders, thoughhisgrace is free,andhedoeswhathewillswithhisown,thenallshallbewell–heisgracious,merciful,etc.But if theScripture isonce found topresenthis sovereigntyandfreeselectivegraceaccordingtoelection,thenheismonstrous,mean,evil,anddreadful.Suchprideisinbred;itisapartofourcorruptiontowanttodefendit.IfweseektoupholdthegloryofGod,thenletusspeakinhisownlanguage,orbe forever silent.What is glorious in him iswhat he ascribes to himself.Our

inventions,assplendidas theymaybeinourowneyes,areanabominationtohim,anattempttopullhimdownfromhiseternalexcellence,andtomakehimcompletely like us. Godwould never allow the will of the creature to be themeasure of his honor. The obedience of paradise was a regulated obedience.God’sprescriptionhasbeenthebasisforacceptinganydutyeversincehehadacreaturetoworshiphim.EventheheathenknewthattheonlyservicewelcometoGodwaswhathehimself required,and theonlygloryhewouldacceptwaswhat he himself revealed, so that he would appear glorious in it. Hence,Epimenides advised theAthenians in a time of danger to sacrifice “to him towhom itwas acceptable and due.”12 This resulted in the altarwhich Paul sawbearingtheinscription,“TotheunknownGod.”SocratestellsusinPlato,13thateverygodwillbeworshipped“in thatwaywhichpleasesbesthisownmind.”AndinChristianity,Jerome 14 sets itdownasa rule thatGod isdishonoredbyany honor which is ascribed to him beyond his own prescription. It is basedwittily on the second commandment. Assigning anything to God that is notassigned by him is making to ourselves an idol; we are deifying our ownimaginations. Men should cease squaring the glory of God by their owncorrupted principles and more corrupted persuasions. The word alone is thearbitrator in the things of God. I hope that the following treatise will presentnothingcontrarytothosenaturalnotionsofGodandhisgoodnessthathavebeenretainedinthesadruinsofourinnocence.Onthesegrounds,weaffirmthatanyofthatgloryofGodwhichageneralransompretendstoassert,howevergloriousitmayseemtoourpurblindnature,isindeedasinfulflourish;foritobscuresthatgloryinwhichGodisdelighted.Secondly,itispretendedthattheworthandvalueofthesatisfactionofChristaremagnified by extending them to all. I can only desire the reader’s sincereconsiderationofwhatwassaidbefore,asthismatterisofnosmallimportance.BesidesextendingthethingsofGodbeyondtheboundswhichhehimselfsetforthem,themeritofthedeathofChristisrobbedofitsstrengthandoverthrownbyit.Itismademeaningless,asifitneverproducedtheleastgoodtoanyone.ThemeritofChristconsistsofitsowninternalworthandsufficiency,alongwiththatobligationwhich,becauseofhisobedienceuntodeath,callsuponthejusticeofGodforitsapplicationtothoseforwhomhedied.Thisisfullymanifestedinthefollowingtreatise.Thirdly,ThereisaseemingwarrantforuniversalredemptionbymanytextsofScripture.Thewordsofthesetextsareambiguous.Althoughtheyarefigurativeor indefinite, they still seem to indicate a universal extent. This makes the

supporters of universalism rejoice. Now, concerning this apparent Scrupturalfoundation, I only desire that the reader not be startled at themany passageswhich have been gathered by some lately (especially Thomas Moore, in his“UniversalityofFreeGrace”),asthoughtheyprovethepoint.Rather,preparetoadmire theconfidenceofmen likeMr.Moore,whomakesucha flourishwiththeircolorsanddrums,buthavenosoldiersatall.For,notwithstandingalltheirpretences, it will become apparent that they hang the whole weight of theirbuildingon threeor four textsofScripture (1Tim.2:5,6; John3:16,17;Heb.2:9;and1Jn.2:2).Andtheuseofthosehangsontheambiguityoftwoorthreewords, which theymust agree are variously understood. Not one passage hasbeenpresentedbyouradversaries,intheirowndefense,thatcanshowtheleastgrounds for opposing the effectual redemption of the elect only. ThomasMoore’sbookwillbefullyaddressed,androbbedofallitsownstrength.Fourthly, somemenhavebeenpersuaded that theopinionof theuniversalistsserves to present the love and free grace of God. They make that gloriousexpression, “free grace,” the only thing that is being couched in universalism:“Godlovesallalike,gaveChrist todieforall,andisreadytosaveall, if theywill layholdonhim.”Weexperiencedailyhowgreedily thehookandbaitofthisnotionisswallowedbymany.Thetruthis,universalismcompletelydestroysthefreeselectivegraceofGodinallitsdispensationsandworkings.ItobviouslyopposesGod’sfreegraceofelection,asdeclared,andsotootheverylovefromwhichGodsenthisSon.ThefreegraceofGod’sEffectualcallingmustalsogivewaytonature’sdarling,freewill.Indeed,thewholecovenantofgraceisvoidedbyuniversalism’sgeneralremovalofthewrathduetothebreachofthecovenantofworks.Whatelsecouldtheyimagineisgrantedtothose“all”withwhomtheyassert this covenantwasmade?Theycertainlyhavenot imagined John3:36.15

Notwithstandingtheirflourishoffreegrace,theyareforcedtograntthatdespiteallthatChrist’sdeatheffected,itisstillpossiblethatnoonewillbesaved.SoIhope Ihaveclearlyproved that if he accomplishednomorebyhisdeath thanwhattheyascribetoit,thenitisutterlyimpossibleforanyonetobesaved.Fifthly, the opinionof universal redemptionhas an advantagebypresenting areadywayforconvincedmentoextricatethemselvesfromall theirdoubtsandanxieties.ItgivesthemallthecomfortthatthedeathofChristcanaffordbeforetheyactuallyfeelthepowerofthatdeathworkingwithinthem.TheydonotneedfreegracetoeffectuallydrawtheirheartstoembraceChristinthepromise,nordotheyneedtoobtainaparticularinterestinhim.Thesearetediousthingsforfleshandbloodtoconfrontandawait.Someboastthat,byusingthisapproachinevangelism,theyhaveeffectedinanhourwhattheyformerlywaitedsevenyears

forwithoutsuccess.Todispelthisemptyflourish,Iwillshowthatthisopinionisapttodeceivemultitudeswithaplausibledelusion.Butinreality,itunderminesthe very foundations of that strong unfailing consolation that God hasabundantlyshownhewantstheheirsofthepromisetoreceive.Theseandsimilarfalsehoodsarethegeneralpretenceswithwhichthepromotersof general ransom commend themselves and their opinion to the emotions ofcredulouspeople.Theyuse them tomakeanopenandeasypassage into theirbelief, to have them swallow and digest that bitter potion which lurks in thebottomof their cup. I thought it appropriate togive the readerabriefviewofthemintheintroduction, togetbeyondemptygeneralities,so thathemightbebetterpreparedtoweighallthesethingscarefullyinanequalbalance.Later,thereader will come to consider those things in which the great strength of ouradversaries lies. It only remains for me to give the Christian reader a briefaccountofwhyIhaveundertakenthiswork,andthusclosethispreface.

First,mayIassureyouthatitwasnotmydesiretodrinkthewatersofMeribah,16

orshareinIshmael’sportion,17 toputmyhandagainstothers,ortohavetheirsplacedagainstme,thatputmeonthistask.IneverlikemyselfworsethanwhenI am facedwith the role of disputing in controversies.The complexionofmysoulismuchmorepleasanttomeinthewatersofShiloah:18

Eccl2:25,“Forwhocaneat,orhastenmoretothisthanI?”

I do not know what attraction there can be to visit, much less stay, in thisquarrelsome,strugglingterritory,where,asTertulliansaysofPontus,“nowindblows but what is sharp and keen.”19 There is little pleasure in taking walksbesidedangerousprecipiceswithunpleasantdifficultiesoneveryside:

NOquietnorpeaceinthesethingsandways,butcontinualbrawlsanddissensions:20

Thestrongestbondsofournearestrelationsare toocommonlybrokenbysuchquarrels.Icouldwillinglyresolvetofleeallwordybattlesandpapercombatsforthe remainder of my days except for two things: the precept of Jude 3 to“contendearnestlyforthefaithoncedeliveredtothesaints,”andthesoundingsfrommydepthsforthelossofpoorseducedsouls.

It isnot, then, any salamandriancomplexion21 thatmotivated thisundertaking.Norwasitanyconceitofmyownabilitiesfor thiswork,as thoughIwerethebestqualified toundertake it. Iknow that, as inall things, I am“less than theleastofallsaints.”22

Ablerpens23 in the last fewyears have discussed and aired out some of thesequestionsinourownlanguage.Someofthesewritingshavecometomyhands,butnoneofanyweightbeforeIhadnearlyfinishedthisheapofmyown.Thatwassometwelvemonthsagoormore.Iwasfullysatisfiedthattheyallansweredpartsofthecontroversy,especiallyobjections,butnoneencompassedthewhole.Idiscernedthethingsunderlyingthedebate,suchassatisfaction,reconciliation,and redemption,were left in thedark; the strong foundationof thewholewasmissing.Itwasalwaysmydesirethatsomeonewouldundertakethemainpartofthedebate,andunfoldfromthewordthefoundationofthewholedispensationofthe love of God to his elect in Jesus Christ. I hoped they would include itsconveyance through thepromisesof thegospel,whichareall the fruitsof thatlove, purchased andprocuredby theoblation and intercessionof JesusChrist.From this, the great design of the blessed Trinity in this great work ofredemptionwouldbecomeapparent. Itwouldalsobecomeclearhowvainandfruitlessitistoextendthisloveanditsfruitsbeyondtheboundsassignedtoitbytheprincipalagentsinvolved.Iverymuchwishedthatargumentsmightalsobeproducedtoconfirmthetruthweassert,andopposetheerrors,thusestablishingthe weak and convincing the dissenters. The doctrine of the satisfaction ofChrist,hismerit, and the reconciliationwhich results, arecorrectlyunderstoodbyfew,andlatelyopposedbysome.Becausethesethingsarecloselyrelatedtoredemption,Ialsodesiredtoseethemclarified,unfolded,andvindicatedbyanable pen. After waiting a long time, I have found none to answer myexpectations.LookingtoHimwhosuppliesseedtothesower,anddoesallourworksforus,IsufferedmyselftoundertaketheworkIexpectedofanother.“Iwouldratheritbedonebyany thanmyself,but rathermyself thannone.”This is especially trueconsideringtheindustriousdiligenceofthosewhoopposetruththesedays.Add to these considerations the frequent conferences I have been invited toabout these things, the daily spreading near my home of the opinions that Iopposehere, an increasingnoiseas theyprevail inotherplaces, theadvantagetheyhavegainedthroughsomemilitarysupporters,andtheagitationofvariouseminentand learnedfriends,andyouhave thereasonsformyundertaking thistask.What theLordhasenabledme todo in thisendeavormustbe left to thejudgmentofothers.Iamnotentirelyhopelessofsuccess,butIamfullyresolvedthatIwillnotlivetoseeasolidanswergiventoit.Ifanyonetriestoplucksomeofthebranches,tornfromtherootsandprinciplesofthewholediscourse,Ifreelygivethemleavetoenjoytheirownwisdomand

imaginaryconquest.Ifanyoneseriouslyundertakestodebatethewholecause,ifIlivetoseeiteffected,Iwillengagemyself,bytheLord’sassistance,tobetheirhumbleconvert,ortheirfairantagonist.Inwhathasalreadybeenaccomplishedbythegoodhandof theLord,Ihopethe learnedmayfindsomethingfor theircontentment,andtheweakfortheirstrengtheningandsatisfaction.Inallofthis,maysomegloryredoundto theOnewhoowns it,andwhose truth isunfoldedherebytheunworthiestlaborerinhisvineyard.J.O.

BOOKI

CHAPTER1-ThePurposeoftheDeathofChristBythepurposeofthedeathofChrist,wegenerallymeanfirst,whathisFatherand he intended in it; and, secondly, what was effectually fulfilled andaccomplished by it. Concerning either, we may take a brief view of theexpressionsusedbytheHolyGhost.

I.TheintentinthedeathofChristFIRST,doyouwanttoknowthepurposeforandintentwithwhichChristcameintotheworld?LetusasktheOnewhoknewhismindandallthesecretsofhisFather’sheart.Hewilltellusthatthe“Sonofmancametosavewhatwaslost,”Matt.18:11, to recoverandsavepoor lost sinners.Thatwashis intentandhisdesign,asitisagainassertedinLuke19:10.Askalsohisapostles,whoknowhismind, and theywill tell you the same. SoPaul says in 1Tim. 1:15, “This is afaithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into theworldtosavesinners.”Now,ifyouaskwhothesesinnersaretowardswhomhehasthisgraciousintentandpurpose,ChristhimselftellsyouinMatt.20:28,thathecameto“givehislifearansomformany.”In other places, these sinners are called believers, as distinguished from theworld. For he “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from thispresentevilworld,accordingtothewillofGodandourFather,”Gal.1:4.ThatwasthewillandintentionofGod,thatChristwouldgivehimselfforus,thatwemightbesaved,beingseparatedfromtheworld.Theyarehischurch:Eph.5:25-27, “He loved the church, and gave himself for it; that hemight sanctify andcleanse it with thewashing of water by theword, that hemight present it tohimselfagloriouschurch,nothavingspot,orwrinkle,oranysuchthing;butthatitwouldbeholyandwithoutblemish.”These lastwordsalsoexpress theveryaimandendofChristingivinghimselfforanyone.HediditsothattheymaybemadefitforGod,andbroughtneartohim.AlikeassertionismadeinTit.2:14:“Hegavehimself forus, thathemight redeemus fromall iniquity,andpurifyuntohimself a specialpeople, zealousofgoodworks.”Thus the intentionanddesign ofChrist and his Father in this greatwork are clear and apparent.Weknowwhatitwas,andtowardswhomitwasdirected,namely,tosaveus.Itwastodeliverusfromtheevilworld,topurgeandwashus,tomakeusholy,zealous,fruitful in good works, to render us acceptable, and to bring us to God. Forthroughhim“wehaveaccessintothegraceinwhichwestand.”Rom.5:2.

II.TheEffectoftheDeathofChristTheeffectandactualproductoftheworkitselfisnolessclearlymanifestedthanits intent.What is accomplished and fulfilledby thedeath, blood-shedding, oroblationofJesusChrist,isjustasfullyexpressed,andveryoftenmoredistinctly.

First,ReconciliationwithGodGod reconciles us to himself by removing and slaying the enmity that wasbetweenhimandus.For“whenwewereenemies,wewerereconciledtoGodbythe death of his Son,” Rom. 5:10. “Godwas in him reconciling the world tohimself,notimputingtheir trespassestothem,”2Cor.5:19.Hehas“reconciledus to himself by Jesus Christ,” verse 18. If you want to know how thisreconstructionwas effected, the apostlewill tell you that “he abolished in hisflesh the enmity, the lawof commandments consisting in ordinances, tomakeonenewmaninhimselffromtwo,somakingpeace;andthathemightreconcileboth toGod in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby,”Eph.2:15,16:sothat“heisourpeace,”verse14.

Secondly,JustificationChristjustifiesusbytakingawaytheguiltofoursins,procuringremissionandpardon for them. He redeems us from their power, along with the curse andwraththatareduetousforthem.For“byhisownbloodheenteredintotheholyplace,havingobtainedeternalredemptionforus,”Heb.9:12.“Heredeemedusfromthecurse,beingmadeacurseforus,”Gal.3:13;“hisownselfbearingoursins in his ownbodyon the tree,” 1Pet. 2:24.Wehave “all sinned, and comeshort of the glory of God;” but are “justified freely by his grace through theredemptionthat is inChristJesus,whomGodhassetforthtobeapropitiationthroughfaithinhisblood,todeclarehisrighteousnessfortheremissionofsins,”Rom. 3:23-25. For “in him we have redemption through his blood, even theforgivenessofsins,”Col.1:14.

Thirdly,SanctificationTheHolySpiritsanctifiesusbypurgingawaytheuncleannessandpollutionofoursins,renewinginustheimageofGod,andsupplyinguswiththegracesoftheSpirit of holiness.For “thebloodofChrist,who through the eternalSpiritofferedhimself toGod,purgesour consciences fromdeadworks thatwemayservethelivingGod,”Heb.9:14.Infact,“thebloodofJesusChristcleansesusfromallsin,”1Jn.1:7.“Byhimselfhepurgedoursins,”Heb.1:3.To“sanctify

thepeoplewithhisownblood,he sufferedoutside thegate,”Heb.13:12.“Hegavehimself for thechurch tosanctifyandcleanse it,so that itwouldbeholyandwithoutblemish,”Eph.5:25-27.UniquelyamongthegracesoftheSpirit,“itisgiventous,forChrist’ssake,tobelieveonhim,”Phil1:29;God“blessingusinhimwithallspiritualblessingsinheavenlyplaces,”Eph.1:3.

Fourthly,AdoptionWe are adopted,with that evangelical liberty and all those glorious privilegespertainingto thesonsofGod.For“GodsentforthhisSon,madeofawoman,made under the law, to redeem thosewhowere under the law, thatwemightreceivetheadoptionofsons,”Gal4:4,5.

Fifthly,GlorificationNordotheeffectsofthedeathofChristresthere.Theydonotleaveusuntilweare settled in heaven, in glory and immortality forever. Our inheritance is a“purchasedpossession,”Eph1:14.“Andforthiscauseheisthemediatorofthenewtestament,thatbymeansofdeath,fortheredemptionofthetransgressionsthat were under the first testament, those who are called might receive thepromiseofeternalinheritance,”Heb.9:15.Thesumofallthisisthatthedeathandblood-sheddingofJesusChristhaswrought,andeffectuallyprocures,forallthosewho are concerned, eternal redemption.That consists in grace here, andgloryhereafter.

III.TheIntentandEffectisLimitedThus the expressions in the Scripture concerning the ends and effects of thedeathofChristaresofull,clear,andevident,thatamanwouldthinkeveryonemightrunandreadit.Butwemustpause:amongallthingsinChristianreligion,scarcelyanythingismorequestionedthanthisseeminglyfundamentalprinciple.ThereisaspreadingpersuasionthatageneralransomwaspaidbyChristforall;thathediedtoredeemeveryone.Hedidnotdieonlyforhischurch,theelectofGod,but forallofAdam’sposterity.Now, themastersof thisopinionsee fullwellthatifthatistheendofthedeathofChrist,andtheeffectsmentionedarethe immediate fruits and products of that death, then one of two things willnecessarilyfollow:Either, first, thatGod andChrist failed to accomplishwhat they intended; thedeath of Christ was not a fitmeans to attain that end. To assert such a thingseems blasphemously injurious to thewisdom, power, and perfection ofGod.AnditislikewisederogatorytotheworthandvalueofthedeathofChrist;

Or else, second, that all men, the entire posterity of Adam, must be saved,purged,sanctified,andglorified.Surelytheseadvocatesofuniversalredemptionwill not maintain that, because the Scripture and the woeful experience ofmillionswillnotallowit.Therefore,tocastatolerablecolorontheirpersuasion,theymust deny thatGod or his Son had any such absolute aim or end in thedeathorblood-sheddingofJesusChrist.Theymustdenythatanysuchthingwasimmediately procured and purchased by his death, as we recounted before.Instead, they assert that God intended nothing, nor was anything effected byChrist. No immediate benefit arises to anyone by his death except what iscommon to all and every soul, no matter how cursedly unbelieving here andeternallydamnedhereafter.Nobenefitarisesuntilanactoffaith,notprocuredfor thembyChrist,distinguishes themfromothers.For if itwereprocuredforthembyChrist,whywouldtheyallnothaveitalike?Now, this seems to me to enervate the virtue, value, fruits and effects of thesatisfactionanddeathofChrist.Besidesthat,itservesasabasisandfoundationfor a dangerous, uncomfortable, and erroneous persuasion. Therefore, by theLord’sassistance,IwilldeclarewhattheScriptureholdsoutrelatedtoboththeassertiontheymake,andwhattheypresenttoproveit.IdesiretheLordtoleadusintoalltruthbyhisSpirit,togiveusunderstandinginallthings,andifanyonethinksotherwise,torevealthattohimalso.

CHAPTERII–TheGeneralNatureofanyPurposeOfthenatureofanendingeneral,andsomedistinctionsaboutit.

I.TheDistinctionbetweenEndandMeansTheendofanythingiswhattheagentintendstoaccomplishbyanoperationthatispropertothenatureofthatend,andthatisappliedtoit.Itiswhatanyoneaimsatanddesignstoattain.Itisathingthatisgoodanddesirabletothatpersoninhis state and condition. So Noah’s end in building the ark was to preservehimself andothers.According to thewill ofGod, hemade an ark to preservehimself and his family from the flood: “He did it according to all that Godcommandedhim,”Gen.6:22.Whattheagentdoesorapplieshimselftowithinthe scope of his proposed end is called themeans. In free intellectual agents,thesetwothings,endandmeans,completethewholereasonforworking.Ispeakonlyofthosewhoworkaccordingtochoiceorelection.SoAbsalom,intendingarevolt against his father, and to procure the crown and kingdom for himself,“prepared horses and chariots, and fiftymen to run before him,” 2Sam. 15:1.Further,byattractivewordsandmisleadingacquiescence,“hestoletheheartsofthemen of Israel” verse 6. He then pretends a sacrifice at Hebron, where heestablishesastrongconspiracy,verse12.Allofwhichwerethemeansheusedtoattainhisend.

II.TheRelationofEndtoMeansThereisasucharelationshipbetweenendandmeansthat(invariousways)theyaremutualcausesofoneanother.Theendisthefirst,principal,movingcauseofthewhole.Thatis,thewholeworkisforthesakeoftheend.Noagentapplieshimselftoactionwithoutanendinmind;andwerehenotdeterminedtoproducesomecertaineffect,hewouldnotchoosetodoonethingmorethananother.Theinhabitantsoftheoldworld,intendingtoproduceunityandacommonhabitat,andperhapstoprovidefortheirsafetyagainstasecondstorm,cry,“Goto,letusbuildusacity,andatowerwhosetopmayreachtoheaven;andletusmakeaname for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the wholeearth,”Gen.9:4.First,theylayouttheiraimanddesign,andthentheydeterminethe means that are conducive to attaining it. It is manifest, then, that thereasoningandmethodawiseworkeroragentuses,andexecutesaccordingtoaplanofaction, is taken from theend thatheaimsat.That is, thebeginningofthatwork,inhisintentionandmethodology,isitsend.

Now,themeansareall thosethingswhichareusedtoattaintheendproposed,suchasmeat topreserve life, sailing ina ship topassover the sea,or laws toquietlycontinuehumansociety.Theyaretheprocuringcauseoftheend,inonekindoranother.Theyexistfortheend’ssake,andtheendismotivatedbythem.Theendfollowsthemeithermorallyastheirdesert,ornaturallyastheirfruitandproduct.First, in a moral sense. When the action and the end are to be measured orconsideredinreferencetoamoralrule,oralawthatisprescribedtotheagent,thenthemeansarethedeservingormeritoriouscauseoftheend.IfAdamhadcontinued in his innocence, and done all things according to the law given tohim,thentheendprocuredbyhisobediencewouldhavebeenablessedlife toeternity,justasnowtheendofanysinfulactisdeath,thecurseofthelaw.Secondly,whenthemeansareconsideredonlyintheirnaturalrelation,thentheyare theefficient instrumentalcauseof theend.SoJoab, intending thedeathofAbner, “smote himwith his spear under the fifth rib, so that he died,” 2Sam.3:27. And when Benaiah, by the command of Solomon, fell on Shimei, thewounds he gave him were the efficient and instrumental cause of his death,1Kings 2:46. In this regard, there is no difference between murdering aninnocentmanandexecutinganoffender.Butunderamoralconsideration,theirendswillonly followwhat theydeservewith regard to theirconformity to therule.Andsothereischasmamegas[alargegap]betweenthem.

III.TheEndsareeitheroftheWork,oroftheWorkerConsideringwhathasbeensaid,andthedefectandperversenessofsomeagents,thereisatwofoldendofthings.First,thereiswhattheworkitselfproduces(theact), and, secondly, there is the intent of the workman (the actor).When themeanschosenarenotfittoattaintheend,accordingtotherulethattheagentistoworkby,thenitisinevitablethathewillaimatonethingandattainanother(withregardtothemoralityofthework).SoitwaswhenAdamwasenticedbyhisdesiretobelikeGod.Hemadethathisaim.Toeffectit,heatetheforbiddenfruit. That contracted a guilt that he did not aim at. But when the agent actsrightly,asheshould,andheaimsataproperendaccordingtohiscondition,andheworksbymeansthatarefitandsuitabletotheendproposed,thentheendofthe work and the intent of the workman are one and the same. When Abelintended toworship the Lord, he offered a sacrifice through faith,whichwasacceptabletotheLord.AmandesiringsalvationthroughChrist,applieshimself

togainaninterestinhim.Now,thesolereasonforthisdiversitybetweentheactandtheactoristhatsecondaryagents,whichmenare,haveanendassignedtotheiractionsbyGod.Itgivesthemanexternalruleorlawtoworkby.Thisrulealwaysattendstheirwork,whethertheywant it toornot.God’swillandgoodpleasure is the sole rule of all those works which outwardly belong to him.Therefore, only God can never deviate in his actions, nor have any endaccompanyorfollowhisactsthathedoesnotpreciselyintend.

IV. The End is either the Benefit, or theBeneficiaryAgain,theendofeveryfreeagentiseitherwhatheeffects,orforwhosesakeheeffects it.When an agent builds a house to sell or rent,what he effects is thehouse; what moves him to do it is his love of gain. The physician cures thepatient,andismovedtodoitbyhisreward.TheendwhichJudasIscariotaimedatbygoing to thepriests,bargainingwith them,conducting thesoldiers to thegarden,andkissingChrist,wastobetrayhisMaster;buttheendthatmotivatedthewholeundertakingwasobtaining thirtypiecesof silver forhimself: “WhatwillyougivemeifIdeliverhim?”(Matt.26:15).TheendwhichGodeffectedbythedeathofChristwastosatisfyhisjustice:theendforwhosesakehediditwaseitherprimarilyhisownglory,orsubordinatelyourglorywithhim.

V.Meansareeither innatelygood,or theyareconducivetotheendMeansareoftwosorts:First, therearemeanswhicharetrulygoodinthemselves,withoutreferencetoanyfurtherpurpose;thoughwedonotconsiderthemsowhenweusethemonlyasameans toanend.Nomeans,asameans, isconsideredgoodin itself. It isgood only as it is conducive to a further end. It is repugnant to the nature ofmeans to consider them as good in themselves. Study is the most nobleemployment of the soul; but if we are aiming at wisdom or knowledge, weconsideritgoodonlyifitconductsustothatend.Otherwise,itmerely“weariestheflesh,”Eccl.12:12.Secondly,therearemeanswhichhavenogoodatall,consideredinthemselves.Theyaregoodmerelyonlyastheyareconducivetotheendwhichtheyarefittoattain. They receive all their goodness (which is a relative assessment) fromwhattheyareappointedtodo,thoughinthemselvestheyarenotdesirableinany

way. For example: cutting off a leg or an arm to preserve life, taking a bitterpotion for health’s sake, or throwing corn and cargo into the sea to prevent ashipwreck.ThisisthenatureofthedeathofChrist,aswewilldeclareafterward.

VI.ApplyingthePropositionsThese thingsbeinggenerallyproposed,ournext taskmustbe toaccommodatethemtothepresentbusinessinhand.Wewilldothisinorderbypresentingtheagentworking, themeansemployed,and theendeffected in thegreatworkofourredemption.Thesethreemustbeconsidereddistinctlyandinorder,sothatwe may rightly apprehend the whole. Concerning the first of these, sun theo[withGod],weintroducethethirdchapter.

CHAPTERIII-TheAuthorityoftheFatherThischapterconcernstheagentorchiefauthoroftheworkofourredemption,agencybeingdistinctlyascribedtothepersonoftheFather.

I.TheJointEffortoftheTrinityTheagent andchief authorof thisgreatworkofour redemption, is thewholeblessed Trinity. This is because all the works which outwardly belong to theDeity are undivided. They belong to each person of the godhead equally,observing their distinctmanner of subsistence and order. It is true, therewerevariousother instrumentalcauses in theoblation(orpassion)ofChrist,but theworkcannotinanysensebeascribedtothem[i.e.toJudas,theJews,theRomanguards, etc.].With regard toGod theFather, the result of their endeavorswascontrarytotheirownintentions.Intheend,theydidnothingbutwhatthe“handandcounselofGodhadbeforedeterminedshouldbedone,”Acts4:28.AndwithregardtoChrist, theywereincapableofaccomplishingwhattheyaimedat,forhelaiddownhisownlifeandnoonewasabletotakeitfromhim,John10:17,18.Sotheyare tobeexcludedfromthisconsideration.TheScriptureproposesdistinctandvariousactsoroperationsuniquelyassignedtoeachof theseveralpersonsoftheholyTrinity,thejointauthorofthewholework.And,accordingtoourweakwayofunderstanding,wearetoconsiderthemseverallyandapart.Wewilldoso,beginningwiththoseascribedtotheFather.

II.TheRoleoftheFatherTherearetwospecificactsinthisworkofourredemptionbythebloodofJesusthatmaybeproperlyassignedtothepersonoftheFather.First,sendinghisSonintotheworldforthisemployment.Secondly,layingonhimthepunishmentduetooursin.

1.TheFatherSendstheSonTheFather loves theworld,andsenthisSon todie:He“senthisSon into theworldthattheworldmightbesavedthroughhim,”John3:16,17.“SendinghisSoninthelikenessofsinfulfleshandforsin,Hecondemnedsinintheflesh,thattherighteousnessofthelawmightbefulfilledinus,”Rom.8:3,4.He“sethimforthtobeapropitiationthroughfaithinhisblood,”Rom.3:25.For“whenthefullnessofthetimehadcome,GodsentforthhisSon,madeofawoman,madeunderthelaw,toredeemthosewhowereunderthelaw,sothatwemightreceive

theadoptionofsons,”Gal.4:4,5.More than twenty times, theGospelofJohnmentions thissendingof theSon.OurSaviordescribeshimselfas,“HimwhomtheFatherhassent,”John10:36;andhedescribestheFatheras,“Hewhosentme,”chap.5:37.Sothisactionofsending is appropriate to the Father, according to his promise that he would“sendusaSavior, agreatone, todeliverus,” Isa.19:20;andaccording to theprofessionofourSavior,“Ihavenotspokeninsecretfromthebeginning;fromthetimethatitwas,thereamI:andnowtheLordGod,andhisSpirit,hassentme,”Isa.48:16.Hence,theFatherhimselfissometimescalledourSavior:1Tim.1:1,“AccordingtothecommandmentofGodourSavior.”Somecopies,indeed,read,“ofGodandourSavior.”Buttheinterpositionofthatparticle“kai”arose,doubtless,fromamisapprehensionthatChristaloneiscalledSavior.ThephraseisthesameonefoundinthedirectparallelpassageofTitus1:3,“Accordingtothe commandment of God our Savior.” Here, there is no interposition of theconjunctiveparticle“kai.”Thesametitleisalsoascribedtohiminotherplaces,suchasLuke1:47,“MyspirithasrejoicedinGodmySavior.”Also,1Tim.4:10,“WetrustinthelivingGod,whoistheSaviorofallmen,speciallyofthosewhobelieve.”Though, in this lastplace, it isnot ascribed tohimwith reference toredeemingusbyChrist.Instead,itisascribedtohimbysavingandpreservingusallbyhisprovidence.SeealsoTit.2:10,3:4;Deut.32:15;1Sam10:19;Ps.24:5,25:5;Isa.12:2,40:10,45:15;Jer.14:8;Micah7:7;andHab.3:18.MostoftheseplacesrefertohissendingChrist.Thisisdividedintothreeseparateacts,whichwemustlaydowninorder:(1.)TheFatherimposestheOfficeofMediatorThereisanauthoritativeimpositionoftheofficeofMediator.Christembraceditby his voluntarily acceptance.Hewillingly underwent the office inwhich theFatherexercisedakindofsuperioritybyhisdispensation.TheSon,though“intheformofGod,”humbledhimselftoit,Phil2:6-8.Thiscommissioningmaybeconceivedashavingtwoparts:[1.]There isapurposed impositionof theFather’seternalcounsel forsettingaparthisSonincarnatetothisoffice.Hesaidtohim,“YouaremySon;thisdayI have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for yourinheritance,andthefurthestpartsoftheearthforyourpossession,”Ps.2:7,8.He also said to him, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies yourfootstool,” for “theLord swore, andwill not repent, you are a priest foreveraftertheorderofMelchizedek,”Ps.110:1,4.Heappointedhimtobe“heirofall things,”Heb.1:2,having“ordainedhim tobe Judgeof thequickand the

dead,” Acts 10:42. To this, he was “ordained before the foundation of theworld,”1Pet.1:20,and“determined,(NT:3724,horizo),tobetheSonofGodwith power,” Rom. 1:4, “so that he might be the first-born among manybrethren,”chap.8:29.I know that this imposition of the office of Mediator is an act eternallyestablishedinthemindandwillofGod.Andsoitisnottobearrangedinorderwith the other acts, which are all temporary, and had their beginning in thefullnessoftime.ThisisthespringandfountainofallthoseothersaccordingtoJames in Acts 15:18, “All his works from the beginning of the world areknown toGod.”Yet, aiming at truth and not exactness,we present it in thisarrangement. It is not unusual to say that the purpose is understood inwhatbringsitsaccomplishment.[2.]ThenthereistheactualinaugurationofChristintohisoffice.Thisinvolves“committingall judgmentunto theSon,” John5:22;“makinghim tobebothLordandChrist,”Acts2:36;“appointinghimoverhiswholehouse,”Heb.3:1-6. This is the “anointing of themostHoly,”Dan. 9:24;God “anointing himwiththeoilofgladnessabovehisfellows”Ps.45:7.TheactualsettingapartofChristtohisofficeisbyanointingbecauseallofthoseholythingswhichweretypesofhim,suchastheark,thealtar,etc.,weresetapartandconsecratedbyanointing, Exod. 30:25-28, etc. To this inauguration also belongs the publictestimonybycountlessangelsfromheavenathisnativity,anddeclaredbyoneofthemtotheshepherds.“Behold,”hesays,“Ibringyougoodtidingsofgreatjoy,whichshallbetoallpeople;foraSaviorisborntoyouthisdayinthecityofDavid,whichisChristtheLord,”Luke2:10,11.Thismessagewasclosedwith that triumphant exultation of the host of heaven, “Glory be to God onhigh, on earth peace, towards men good will,” verse 14. Afterward, it wasrepeated by that voice which came from the excellent glory, “This is mybelovedSon,inwhomIamwell-pleased,”Matt..3:7,17:5;2Pet.1:7.Ifthesethings ought to be distinguished, and placed in order, then they may beconsideredinthesethreeseparateacts:First,theFathermadethegloriousproclamationatChrist’snativity,whenhe“prepared him a body,” Heb. 10:5. He brought his First-begotten into theworld saying, “Let all the angels of God worship him” chap. 1:6, sendingthemtoproclaimthemessagethatwerecountedbefore.Secondly,hevisiblysenttheSpirit,intheformofadove,tolightuponhimatthe time of his baptism,Matt. 3:16. This is when he was endowedwith afullnessoftheSpirittoaccomplishtheworkanddischargetheofficehewas

designed for. Itwas attendedwith thatvoicebywhichheownedhim fromheavenashisonly-beloved.Thirdly, He “crowned him with glory and honor” in his resurrection,ascension,andsittingdown“attherighthandoftheMajestyonhigh.”Heb.1:3.Heset“himashiskinguponhisholyhillofZion,”Ps.2:6,when“allpower was given unto him in heaven and in earth,”Matt, 28:18, and “allthingswereputunderhisfeet”Heb.2:7,8.Hewashighlyexalted,and“givenanameaboveeveryname,”Phil.2:9-11.Itpleasedhimtoappointwitnessesof all sorts: angels fromheaven,Luke 24:4,Acts 1:10; the deadout of thegraves,Matt.27:52;theapostlesamongtheliving,Acts2:32;andalongwiththose,morethanfivehundredbrethren,towhomheappearedatonce,1Cor.15:6.

Thushewasgloriouslyinauguratedintohisoffice,Godsayingtohim,“ItisalightthingthatyoushouldbemyservanttoraiseupthetribesofJacob,andtorestore thepreservedof Israel: Iwillalsogiveyoufora light to theGentilesthatyoumaybemysalvationtotheendsoftheearth,”Isa.49:6.Betweenthesetwoacts,atwofoldpromiseofGodintercedes:One is giving a Savior to his people, aMediator, according to his formerpurpose as revealed inGen. 3:15, “The seed of thewoman shall break theserpent’shead;”and,“ThesceptershallnotdepartfromJudah,noralawgiverfrombetweenhisfeet,tillShilohcome;andtohimshallbethegatheringofthepeople,”Gen.49:10.Healsoforeshadowedthiswithmanysacrificesandothertypes,andwithpropheticalpredictions:“theprophetshaveinquiredandsearched diligently concerning this salvation. They prophesied of the gracethatwouldcome toyou, searching for the timeormanner that theSpiritofChristinthemsignified.IttestifiedbeforehandaboutthesufferingsofChrist,andtheglorythatwouldfollow.Tothemitwasrevealedthattheyministered,nottothemselvesbuttous,thethingsnowreportedtoyoubythosewhohavepreachedthegospeltoyouwiththeHolyGhostsentdownfromheaven;thesearethingstheangelsdesiretolookinto,”1Pet1:10-12.The other is a promise to apply the benefits purchased by this Savior, sodesigned for thosewhowould believe on him.They are to be given in thefullnessoftime,accordingtotheformerpromises.TheFathertoldAbrahamthat “in his seed all the families of the earth would be blessed,” and hejustifiedhimselfbythissamefaithinthepromise,Gen,12:3,15:6.Buttheseblessingsbelongentirelytotheapplication,whichwasequalbothbeforeandafterhisactualmission.

(2.)TheFatherFurnishestheSonforhisOfficeThesecondactoftheFatherinsendingtheSon,isfurnishinghimwithafullnessofallthegiftsandgracesthatmightinanywayberequisiteto,

1.theofficehewastoundertake,2.theworkhewastoundergo,and3.thechargehehadoverthehouseofGod.

Indeed, in Christ there was a twofold fullness and perfection of all spiritualexcellences:First,therewasthenaturalall-sufficientperfectionofhisDeity.HewasasonewithhisFatherwithregardtohisdivinenature,forhisglorywas“thegloryoftheonly-begottenof theFather,” John1:14.Hewas“in the formofGod, andthoughtitnotrobberytobeequalwithGod,”Phil.2:6,beingthe“fellowoftheLORDofhosts,”Zech.13:7.Fromwhichwehave thatgloriousappearance inIsaiah6:3,4,whentheseraphimscriedonetoanothersaying,“Holy,holy,holy,istheLORDofhosts:thewholeearthisfullofhisglory.Andthepostsofthedoormoved at the voice of the onewho cried, and the housewas filledwithsmoke.” And the prophet cried, “My eyes have seen the King, the LORD ofhosts,”6:5.Concerningthisvision,theapostlesays,“Isaiahsawhim,andspokeof his glory,” John 12:41. As it were, he emptied himself of this glory for aseasonwhenhewas“found in the form”orcondition“ofa servant,humblinghimselfuntodeath,”Phil.2:7,8.HelaidasidetheglorythatattendedhisDeity,outwardlyappearingtohave“neitherform,norbeauty,norcomeliness, thatheshould be desired,” Isa. 53:2 But we do not treat of this fullness. It was notcommunicatedtohim,butessentiallybelongedtohisperson,whichiseternallybegottenofthepersonofhisFather.The second fullness inChristwas a communicated fullness. Itwas in him bydispensationfromhisFather,bestowedonhimtofithimforhisworkandoffice.He was and is the “Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”1Tim.2:5.Thisfullnessisinhim,notasheisthe“LORDofhosts,”butasheis“Emmanuel,Godwithus,”Matt.1:23.Itisinhimashewasa“songiventous,called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, ThePrince of Peace, with the government upon his shoulders,” Isa. 9:6. It is afullnessofgrace.ItisnotthatessentialnatureoftheDeity,butwhatishabitualandinfusedintohishumanity,aspersonallyunitedtohisothernature.Thoughitis not absolutely infinite, as his other nature is, yet it extends itself to allperfectionsofgrace,withregardtobothitspartsanddegrees.Thereisnogracethat is not in Christ. Every grace is in him, and in the highest degree. So

whatever the perfection of grace requires, either for the several kinds orrespectiveadvancementsof thatgrace, is inhimhabitually. It is inhimbyhisFather’sarrangementforthisverypurpose,andtoaccomplishtheworkdesignedforhim.Thiswork,thoughnotproperlyinfinite,isboundlessandendless.Itisinhimasthelight is inthebeamsofthesun,andaswateris inalivingfountainwhichcanneverfail.Heisthe“candlestick”fromwherethe“goldenpipesemptythegoldenoiloutofthemselves”(Zech.4:12)andintoallthatarehis.Forheis“thebeginning,thefirst-bornfromthedead,inallthingshavingthepre-eminence;foritpleasedtheFatherthatinhimallfullnessshoulddwell;”Col.1:18,19.InhimGodcausedtobe“hidallthetreasurerofwisdomandknowledge,”Col.2:3;and“inhimdweltall the fullness of the Godhead bodily (NT:4985, somatikos),” that is,substantiallyorpersonally,verse9.Andthis,sothat“ofhisfullnesswemightallreceivegraceforgrace”(John1:16),inacontinualsupply.Andso,settingupontheworkofredemption,hefirstlooksatthis.“TheSpiritoftheLordGod,”hesays,“isuponme;becausetheLORDhasanointedmetopreachgoodtidingstothemeek;hehassentme tobindup thebroken-hearted, toproclaimliberty tothecaptives,andtheopeningoftheprisontothosewhoarebound;toproclaimthe acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; tocomfortallthatmourn,”Isa.61:1,2.This was the “anointing with the oil of gladness” which he had “above hisfellows,” Ps. 45:7; “itwas upon his head, and ran down to his beard, indeed,downtotheskirtsofhisgarments,”Ps.133:2,sothateveryonecoveredwiththegarment of his righteousnessmight bemade partaker of it. “The Spirit of theLORD rested on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit ofcounselandmight, thespiritofknowledgeandof the fearof theLORD,” Isa.11:2.And this spiritwas not granted in parcels and beginnings, as it is in us,proportioned to ourmeasure and our degrees of sanctification. Instead, itwasgrantedinfullness,for“hereceivednottheSpiritbymeasure,”John3:34.Thatis,itwasnotlimitedinhimwhenhecameofage,asinEph.4:13.Foruntilthatpointitwasinfactmanifestedandamassedinhimbydegrees,forhe“increasedinwisdomandstature,andinfavorwithGodandman,”Luke2:51.Tothiswasadded “all power in heaven and earth,whichwas given to him,”Matt. 28:18;and “power over all flesh, to give eternal life to asmany as hewould,” John17:2.Wemightbranchout intomanyparticulars,but thismuchwill suffice toaffirmthesecondactofGodinsendinghisSon.(3.)TheFatherestablishesaCovenantwiththeSon

ThethirdactinthissendingisenteringintocovenantandcompactwithhisSon.Itconcernstheworktobeundertaken,andtheresultoreventofthatwork.Therearetwopartstothiscovenant:TheFatherpromisestoprotectandassisttheSon

First, the Father promises to protect and assist the Son in accomplishing andperfectlyfulfillingthewholedispensationinwhichhewasemployed,orwhichhewasabouttoundertake.Uponundertakingthisgreatworkofredemption,theFatherengagedhimselfthattheSonwouldnotlackanyassistanceinhistrials.He would not lack strength against opposition, encouragement againsttemptations, nor strong consolation in themidst of terrors.Hewould not lackwhatevermightbenecessaryorrequisiteinanywaytocarryhimonthroughalldifficulties to the endof so great an employment.Upon this promise, theSonundertakesthisheavyburdenwhichissofullofmiseryandtrouble.For the Father, before this engagement, requires no less of him than that he“becomeaSavior,andbeafflictedinalltheafflictionofhispeople,”Isa.63:8,9.Althoughheis“thefellowoftheLORDofhosts,”hewouldendurethe“sword”thatwasdrawnagainsthimasthe“shepherd”ofthesheep,Zech.13:7;“treadingthewinepressalone,untilhebecameredinhisapparel,”Isa.63:2,3.Hewouldbe“stricken,smittenofGod,andafflicted;woundedforourtransgressions,andbruised for our iniquities; to be bruised and put to grief; tomake his soul anofferingforsin,andtobeartheiniquityofmany,”Isa53.Heistobedestituteofcomfort so far as tocry, “myGod,myGod,whyhaveyou forsakenme?”Ps.22:1.It isnowonder that,upon theSon’sundertaking, theFatherpromised tomake“hismouthlikeasharpsword,tohidehimintheshadowofhishand,tomakehimapolishedshaft,andtohidehiminhisquiver, tomakehimhisservantinwhomhewouldbeglorified,” Isa.49:2,3.Though“thekingsof the earth setthemselvesagainsthim,andtherulerstakecounseltogether,yethewouldlaughthem to scorn, and set him as king upon his holy hill of Zion,” Ps. 2:2, 4, 6.Though the “builders rejected him,” yet he would “become the head of thecomer,” to the amazement and astonishment of all the world, Ps. 118:22, 23;Matt.21:42,Mark12:10,Luke20:17,Acts4:11,12,1Pet2:4.Indeed,hewould“layhimforafoundation,astone,atriedstone,apreciouscorner-stone,asurefoundation,” Isa. 28:16, so that “whoever fell uponhimwouldbebroken, anduponwhomeverhefellhewouldgrindhimtopowder,’Matt.21:44.From this arose our Savior’s confidence during his greatest trials. He wasassured by his Father’s engagement in this covenant and treaty about the

redemptionofman, that theFatherwouldnever leavehimnor forsakehim.“Igave,”hesays,“mybacktothosewhostruckme,andmycheekstothosewhopluckedoffthehair:Ididnothidemyfacefromshameandspitting,”Isa.50:6.Withwhatconfidence,blessedSavior,youunderwentallthisshameandsorrow!Why, “The Lord GOD will help me; therefore I shall not be confounded:thereforeIhavesetmyfacelikeaflint,andIknowthatIshallnotbeashamed.Hewhojustifiesmeisnear;whowillcontendwithme?Letusstandtogether:who ismy adversary?Let him come near tome.Behold, theLordGODwillhelpme;whoistheonewhocondemnsme?Behold!Theyshallallwearoutlikeagarment;themothwilleatthemup,”verses7-9.Withthisassurance,hewasbroughtasa“lambtotheslaughter,andasasheepbeforehershearersissilent;he did not open hismouth,” Isa. 53:7. For “when hewas reviled, he did notrevileback;whenhesuffered,hedidnotthreaten;buthecommittedhimselftothe one who judges righteously,” 1Pet. 2:23. So the ground of our Savior’sconfidence and assurance in this great undertaking, and a strong motive toexercise the graces that he received in his greatest endurings, was theengagementofhisFatherinthiscompactofassistanceandprotection.TheFatherpromisessuccess

TheSecondPartofthiscovenantis theFather’spromiseofsuccess,oragoodresultfromallhissufferings.Hepromisesahappyattainmentofthepurposeofhisgreatundertaking.Now,ofall,thisistheprimaryconsideration.Itisdirectlyconducive to thebusinessproposed,butwouldnothavebeen soclearwithoutthe former considerations. For whatever God promised his Son would befulfilledandattainedbyhim,itwascertainlythisatwhichtheSonaimedinthewholeundertaking.Hedesigneditastheendoftheworkthatwascommittedtohim,andwhichhealonecouldanddidclaimuponaccomplishinghisFather’swill.InIsa.49,youhavewhatthiswas,andthepromisessurroundingit:“Youshallbemyservant,”say