Now, many plausible reasons may be assigned why, on the supposition of a personal and definite Atonement, general terms should be used on some occasions, to illus- trate the fact that the redemption is suited for all, suffi- cient for all, offered to all; that the elect are chosen out of every family, tribe, and nation under heaven, and from every successive generation; and that finally the whole earth shall be redeemed from the curse, the gospel triumph among all nations, and the saints inherit the regencrated world. But we affirm that, on the contrary
TRUTH OF THE REFORMED DOCTRINE. 379
hypothesis of a general and indefinite Atonement, no cmarrsr plausible pretext can be given for the use of the definite language above quoted. If Christ loved the whole world
so as to die for it, why say that the motive for his dying
was that his sheep should be saved ?
7. Christ’s work as high priest 1s one work, accom- Christ's plished in all its parts with one design and with one jon” effect, and having respect to the same persons. The pac work of the high priest—-as I showed in chapter ix., proved Parti lL. erelded sacrifice or oblation and intercession. rb se I proved also—(a.) That the work of the ancient priest “lect secured the actual and certain remission of the sins of all for whom he acted, and that it bore a definite reference to the persons of all those whom he represented, and to none others. (b.) That the ancient priest offered inter- cession for precisely the same persons—for all of them, and for none others—for whom he had previously made expiation. This argument I will not here repeat. It will answer our purpose to notice—
(1.) That the Scriptures declare that the ancient priest
was in all these respects a type of Christ. Our Lord, having made expiation in the outer court, went within the veil to make intercession: ‘‘ Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. SGA es For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us ;”——-where “he ever liveth to make intercession for Ms: (evs Vin ose ixe 12124).
(2.) But Christ intercedes only for his “sheep.” This is certain—(q@.) Because it is always effectual. He intercedes as “a priest upon his throne.” He says his “Father heareth him always.” His form of intercession is, “ Father, J will that they also, whom thou hast given
CHAPTER VI.
380 THE DESIGN OF THE ATONEMENT.
me,” &c. (John xvii. 24). (b.) He expressly declares the fact that he intercedes only for the elect : “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me” (John xvi. 9). “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” (John xvii. 20). “ Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd” (John x. 16).
(3.) But if Christ makes intercession for the elect only, he can of course have died for them alone. As proved before, the ancient priest made intercession for all for whom he made expiation. The priestly work was one in design and effect in all its parts. It is simply absurd to suppose that the priest acted as a mediator for one party when he made the oblation, and for another when he made the intercession. This is the view certainly that Paul took of the matter : “ Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is also at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” &c¢ Here it is plain that the argument establishes the security of the “elect.” The ground upon which that security rests is, that Christ died for them and intercedes for them.’ Plainly the dying and the intercession have one and the same personal object. 7
(4.) This is rendered more certain by the very nature of that perpetual intercession which Christ offers in behalf of his elect. ‘For us it is now perfected in heaven: it is not an humble dejection of himself, with cries, tears, and supplications; nay, it cannot be con- sidered as vocal, by the way of entreaty, but merely read, by the presentation of himself, sprinkled with the blood
TRUTH OF THE REFORMED DOCTRINE. 381