I answer, first, in general, that the whole fallacy of this objection lies in the opposing one part of the design and method of God's grace in this mystery of our justification unto another ; or the taking of one })art of it to be the whole, which, as to its efficacy and perfection, depends on somewhat else. Hereof we warned the reader in our previous discourses. For the whole of it is a supposition that the satisfaction of Christ, if there be any such thing, must have its whole effect without believing on our part ; which is contrary unto the whole declaration of the will of God in the gospel. But I shall principally respect them who are pleased to make use of this objection, and yet do not deny the satisfaction of Christ. And I say, —
(1.) When the Lord Christ died for us, and offered himself as a propitiatory sacrifice, " God laid all our sins on him," Isa. liii. 6 ; and he then " bare them all in his own body on the tree," 1 Pet. ii. 24. Then he suffered in our stead, and made full satisfaction for ail- tDur^-^— - sins; for he " appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself," Heb. ix. 26 ; and " by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified," chap. x. 1 4. He whose sins were not actually and absolutely satisfied for in that one offering of Christ, shall never have them expiated unto eternity; for " henceforth he dieth no more," there is " no more sacrifice for sin." The repetition of a sacrifice for sin, which must be the crucifying of Christ afresh, overthrows the foundation of Christian religion.
(2.) Notwithstanding \X\\s,full, plenaru-sntisf action once made for the sins of the world that shall be saved,%st4ll men continue equally to b^iorn by nature " children of wi'ath;" and -whilst tliey bejieye not^ " the wrath of God abideth on them," John iii. 36 ; — that is, they are obnoxious unto and under the curse of the law. Wherefore, on
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the only making of that satisfaction, no one for whom it was made in the design of God can be said to have suffered in Christ, nor to have an interest in his satisfaction, nor by any way or means be made partaker of it antecedently unto another act of God in its imputation unto him. For this is but one part of the purpose of God's grace as unto our justification by the blood of Christ, — namely, that he by his death should make satisfaction for our sins; nor is it to be separated from what also belongs unto it in the same purpose of God. Where- fore, from the position or grant of the satisfaction of Christ, no argu- ment can be taken unto the negation of a consequential act of its imputation unto us; nor, therefore, of the necessity of our faith in the believing and receiving of it, which is no less the appointment of God than it was that Christ should make tllaf satisfaction. Where- fore,—
(3.) That which the Lord Christ paid for us is as truly paid as if we had paid it ourselves. So he speaks, Ps. Ixix. 5, "'^.?Tri<7 '^^'^« yt'^ tX. He made no spoil of the glory of God; what was done of that nature by us, he returned it unto him. And what he under- went and suffered, he underwent and suffered in our stead. But yet the act of God in laying our sins on Christ conveyed no actual right and title to us unto what he did and suffered. They are not imme- diately thereon, nor by virtue thereof, ours, or esteemed ours ; because God hath appointed somewhat else, not only antecedent thereunto, but as the means of it, unto his own glory. These things, both as unto their being and order, depend on the free ordination of God. But yet, —
(4.) It cannot be said that this satisfaction was made for us on such a condition as should absolutely suspend the event, and render it uncertain whether it should ever be for us or no. Such a constitu- tion may be righteous in pecuniary solutions. A man may lay down a great sum of money for the discharge of another, on such a condi- tion as may never be fulfilled ; for, on the absolute failure of the con- dition, his money may and ought to be restored unto him, whereon he hath received no injury or damage. But in penal suffering for crimes and sins, there can be no righteous constitution that shall make the event and efficacy of it to depend on a condition absolutely un- certain, and which may not come to pass or be fulfilled; for if the condition fail, no recompense can be made unto him that hath suf- fered. Wherefore, the way of the application of the satisfaction of Christ unto them for whom it was made, is sm^e and steadfast in the purjoose of God. .. .-•^>.-^--- — =
(5.) God hath appointed that there shall be an immediate founda- tion of the imputation of the satisfaction and righteousness of Christ unto us; whereon we may be said to have done and suffered in him