Thomas Adams
2 Peter 2:1:
“That bought them.” This last aggravation is derived from the consideration of the unspeakable good which this Lord hath done them; in that were delivered by the most excellent benefit that ever came to mankind, which is redemption by the blood of Christ. For howsoever it was a singular work and favour of God, to give us by creation a blessed being; yet was it no otherwise given us, than with a possibility to keep it or lose it: but redemption hath instated us to a blessedness never to be lost. Here then is a doubt to be resolved: how they may perish from Christ if they were redeemed? how were they redeemed if they can perish?
First, we must lay this ground of truth, that no soul which Christ hath truly bought can perish eternally. This is the Father’s will, that of a11 which he hath given me I should lose nothing,” John vi. 39. But all they are given to Christ whom he hath purchased:” I give unto them eternal life ; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand,” John x. 29. If I give them eternal life, nothing shall bring them to eternal death; and to pluck them out of his land that is Almighty, requires an adversary stronger than himself. And our Saviour there adds, My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand,” ver. 29. Hereupon Paul makes a free challenge to all the actors, and pleaders, and powers that ever damnation had: “Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth,” (and if all this be not enough,) “nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus,” Rom, viii. 39: none can do it. And whether they be Romish or Arminian, that seek to weaken the grace of God, and permit the redeemed ones of the Lord to perish; let us know them for the brokers of Satan, the seminaries of despair, and deniers of Christ. But against this doctrine is opposed, “Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died?” Rom. xiv. 15. “Through thy knowledge shall thy weak brother perish, for whom Christ died,” I Cor. viii. 11. But those places may be understood not “kat’ aletheian”: not that they can perish through thy default, but that thou dost what thou canst to make them perish. But here it seems most lain, that they may be lost in denying Christ, whom He bought. To clear this, we say that reprobates may be said to be redeemed in divers respects.
1. In regard of the all-sufficient price paid for them. So Christ is said to be that Lamb which taketh away the sins of the world. Though he meant not to save all, yet he died for all, performing his part. (Chrysost.) For he doth not really take away all sin from the world; and this himself declares by not praying for the world, “I pray not for the world,” John xvii. 9. Otherwise the two main parts or offices of his priesthood were disjoined, and he should sacrifice for them for whom he doth not supplicate. Now for his mediation, it concludes his own in it, excludes the world out of it; “I pray not for the world.”
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