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III.

vant was laid aside, whereby the glory as of CHAP., the only begotten of the Father had hitherto been much obscured, and his equality to God had not been evident to all. But if we properly attend, Paul has another point in view. Acts xiii. 33. He does not prove the resurrection of Christ from the second Psalm, but from Isaiah lv. 3. and Psal. xvi. 10. while verse 34th thus begins, But that he raised him from the dead, &c. He said on this wise, &c. Accurately speaking, Paul's meaning is this, that the promise made to the fathers, God fulfilled to their children, Jesus being raised, that is, exhibited in the flesh: for the same phrase has this signification elsewhere, Acts. ii. 30. iii. 26. vii. 37. Now, who he is whom God promised to exhibit, may be collected from Psal. ii. where he promises to the church, that he would give her a King, who should be his Son, being begotten in a singular manner from eternity. It appears therefore, that that allegation does not at all belong to this controversy. [6.]

XIV. Αναλ ψις

XIV. I am unwilling, however, according to my candour, to conceal, that there is ano- signifies ther thing which may somehow, and that only

an acknow. ledging, in

to abdication.

so, be referred to this head: the scripture speak- opposition ing of Christ's being taken up into the heavens, frequently uses the word avanews, Luke ix. 51. Mark xvi. 19. Acts i. 2, 22. 1 Tim. iii. 16. Now avλμbarv, as Budæus observed, is to resume;

Note [6.]

III.

CHAP. and αναλαμβάνων τον παιδα in Demosthenes against Neæra, is opposed to rã anoxpuт; as among the Latins, the recognizing of children is contrary to abdication. He therefore thinks that avany signifies the acknowledging of Christ, formerly abdicated as it were by the Father. Beza rejects this as an empty trifle. But Cloppenburgh commends it: and long ago, I professed that I most cordially embraced it: in regard that it both agrees with the genius of the language, and exhibits an useful doctrine. The Son was sent by the Father into this lower world, to accomplish the work of redemption in the form of a servant, in a fashion so base and abject, that he seemed rather a worm than a man, much less the most glorious Son of God, except that now and then some rays of Divinity shone forth: but in his exaltation to celestial glory, the Father declared before all, that he acknowledged him for his Son, and meant that he should be adorned with honour befitting so great a name. But these things do not import such or so rigid an abdication as learned men urge, which beginning with his crucifixion, ceased precisely at his resurrection.

XV. It

was not

necessary

should un

XV. I know not whether that stubbornness of style wherein they delight in explaining that Christ the sufferings of Christ, arises from this, that dergo prethey think he was so substituted for sinners cisely the that he behoved to undergo precisely the same nishment punishment, which was otherwise due to our which the sins, and which the damned shall suffer in

same pu

their own persons. Which opinion, Owen CHAP. defends at large in his Prolegomena to the

III.

Hebrews, vol. 2. page 80, &c. I profess damned truly, that I agree with those Divines, who be- shall suffer. lieve that the Father demanded from the Son a sufficient ransom indeed, and worthy of his injured majesty; yet so, that all clemency was not excluded, nor was every thing found in Christ's sufferings, which shall be found in the most righteous punishment of the reprobates. For from his untainted holiness, from the covenant between him and the Father, finally, from the dignity of his Divine person, some things are to be observed in his sufferings, which have no place in the eternal misery of the damned.

There is

tween the

other.

XVI. While impious men, roaring and XVI. gnashing their teeth, and raging with diabo- a great diflical fury against Divine justice, are forced to ference beundergo the punishment inflicted on them; so one and the much the more grievous for this reason, that they wretchedly weary themselves in vain resistance, and because they are gnawed with the never dying worm of conscience, continually upbraiding them with their crimes; Christ from the purest love to the Divine glory, voluntarily underwent his afflictions, though most grievous, and with a calm submission to his Father's will, drank the overflowing cup. which was mixed to him; and well knowing that nothing befel him on account of his own sins, he enjoyed the serenity of a pure conscience. The rigour of a stubborn law, and

III.

CHAP. the peremptory sentence of an inexorable judge, whereby they are condemned to unavoidable and eternal anguish, being continually before the eyes of the wicked, inconceivably increase the terror of their torments, through horrible despair. But the sharp-sighted and the steadfast faith of Christ, representing to him ever and anon the Father's most certain promises concerning an inconceivable weight of glory, immediately to follow the most terrible torments indeed, but of short duration, encouraged him to bear them with alacrity, certain of victory, while he was in the most vehement ardour of the combat.

XVII.

Which

however

from the

XVII. Neither by asserting these things, which are most evidently true, do we any how derogates detract from the value of Christ's sufferings, nothing which is to be estimated not from their degree satisfaction only, nor from their duration, but also from the dignity of the person suffering: since in such pains of our Divine Saviour there is a sufficient ransom, and equivalent to the debts of the elect. [7.]

of Christ.

Note [7.]

CHAPTER IV.

Whether Christ by taking upon him the sins of the Elect, and satisfying Divine justice, absolutely purchased eternal salvation for them.

I. The virtue of Christ's satisfaction when future, was the same with respect to the salvation of the elect as now when it is past. II. It is unjustly asserted that Christ purchased salvation, upon a condition to be performed by men. III. Since he purchased salvation absolutely for the elect, with all things pre-requisite to it. IV. Which is proved from 2 Cor. v. 19. V. And from the right which Christ procured to himself over the elect. VI. And from his efficacious will to claim them to himself. VII. Finally from this, that he purchased for his people not only the remission of sins, but also faith and sanctification.

I.

I NOW

IV.

go on to the fifth controversy, CHAP. wherein it is inquired, What Christ obtained to the elect by that translation of our sins to him, I. The and by taking them upon himself. The fruits virtue of and effects of this matter may be considered tisfaction in a twofold point of view, either before, or when fuafter the Saviour bore our sins in his own bo

Christ's sa

ture, is the

same with

the salva

now when

dy on the tree. Now, it is to be maintained respect to for certain, that the efficacy of that trans- tion of the lation was so great, that it availed also to the elect, as redemption of the transgressions which were un- it is past. der the first testament, Heb. ix. 15.; and in consideration of it only, as many as from the E

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