Archive for January 30th, 2014
Calvert:
6. If it be ruled thus, that Christ died sufficiently for all, but it is not effectual to all, me thinks that is not a sufficient answer. His death was sufficient for all, if the will of God had been1 so set, and if men would receive him. We are not to look at an aptitudinal, potential, objective, abstracted sufficiency of the death of Christ, but we look at it subjectively, and actually and formally, with the will and intention of the Father and the Son, for a price to be paid, and merit to be given, and satisfaction to be made for sinners. [Vide Voetium disputat. Theolog. p. 2. Cap. De mertito Christi.] We do not look whether Christ’s death was sufficient to save the damned, but whether Christ did actually give himself a ransom for the reprobates, or no. It will be a hard thing and not to be digested by the reason of Scripture, to take this for a truth, that Christ died for those that shall perish; that he suffered in the stead and room of the damned, that he paid a price for them, and yet they perish [Maxime, hypothetica minime est positiva.]. It will but come to this, that the death and sufferings of Christ might have been sufficient for all, if God so had intended, if Christ so would have had it, but it does not conclude, that the obedience and death of Christ is sufficient for all. The sufficiency of a thing is best seen in the intention it should be so, and in the efficiency of it.
1. Better were it for us to see if we be Christ’s sheep, know our shepherd, hear his voice and follow him [Matt 1:21.].
2. If we be soul-wounded sheep, these may best look at wounds of the Savior [Luke 1:77.].
3. If we be a people in covenant with Christ, he came to save his people from their iniquities [Luke 1:77.].
4. If we believe Christ, and can trust in him for remission of sins, the knowledge of salvation is given by remission of sins.
5. If we be obedient to Christ, for he is the author of eternal salvation to them that obey him [Heb. 5:9.].
6. If we partake of Christ’s Spirit of sanctification and purifying, for he gave himself for us, that he might purify us to himself [Tit. 2:14.].