II. Farther attempts, also, there are to give strength to this evasion, and so to invalidate our former argument, which I must also remove.
" Christ," say they,^ " in some sort intercedeth and putteth in for transgressors, even the sons of men, yet in and of the world, that the Spirit may so still unite and bless those that believe on him, and so go forth in their confessions and conversations, and in the ministra- tion of the gospel by his servants, that those among whom they dwell and converse might be convinced and brought to believe the report of the gospel, Isa. liii. 12; as once, Luke xxiii. 3-i; as himself left a pattern to us, John xvii. 21-23; that so the men of the world might be convinced, and the convinced allured to Christ and to God in liim, Matt. v. 14-16; yea, so as that he doth in some measure enlighten every man that cometh into the world, John i. 9. But in a more special manner doth he intercede," etc.
Here is a twofold intercession of Christ as mediator: — 1. For all sinners, that they may believe (for that is it which is intended by the many cloudy expressions wherein it is involved). 2. For believers, that they may be saved. It is the first member of the distinction which we oppose; and therefore must insist a little upon it.
First, Our author saith, " It is an interceding in some sort." I ask, in what sort? Is it directly, or indirectly? Is it by virtue of his blood shed for them, or otherwise? Is it with an intention and de- sire to obtain for them the good things interceded for, or with purpose that they shall go without them? Is it for all and every man, or only for those who live in the outward pale of the church? Is faith the thing required for them, or something else? Is that desired abso- lutely, or upon some condition? All which queries must be clearly answered before this general intercession can be made intelligible.
tirst. Whether it be directly or indirectly, and by consequence only, that this intercession after a sort is used, for that thing inter- ceded for is represented not as the immetliate issue or aim of the prayer of Christ, but as a reflex arising from a blessing obtained by others; for the prayer set down is that God would so bless believers, that those amongst whom they dwell may believe the report of the gospel. It is believers that are the direct object of this intercession, and others are only glanced at through thera. The good also so desired 1 Morc's UniTenality of Grace.
END OF Christ's death as actually accomplished. 103
for them is considered either as an accident that may come to pass, or follow the flourishing of believers, nara cu^ZiZriKog, or as an end intended to be accomj)lished by it. If the first, then their good is no more intended than their evil. If the latter, why is it not effected? why is not the intention of om' Saviour accomplished? Is it for want of wisdom to choose suitable and proportionable means to the end proposed ? or is it for want of power to effect what he intendeth ?
Secondly, Is it by virtue of his blood shed for them, or otherwise ? — If it be, then Christ intercedeth for them that they may enjoy those things which for them by his oblation he did procure ; for this it is to make his death and blood-shedding to be the foundation of his in- tercession ; then it follows that Christ by his death procured faith for all, because he intercedeth that all may believe, grounding that in- tercession upon the merit of his death. But, first, this is more than the assertors of universal redemption will sustain ; among all the ends of the death of Christ by them assigned, the effectual and infallible bestowing of faith on those for whom he died is none : secondly, if by his death he hath purchased it for all, and by intercession entreat- eth for it, why is it not actually bestowed on them? is not a con- currence of both these sufficient for the making out of that one spiritual blessing? — But, secondly. If it be not founded on his death and blood-shedding, then we desire that they would describe unto us this intercession of Christ, differing from his appearing for us in heaven sprinkled Avith his own blood.
Thirdly, Doth he intercede for them that they should believe, with an intention or desire that they should do so, or no? If not, it is but a mock intercession, and an entreaty for that which he would not have granted. If so, why is it not accomplished? why do not all believe? Yea, if he died for all, and prayed for all, that they might believe, why are not all saved? for Chiist is always heard of his Father, John xi. 42.
Fourthly, Is it for all and every one in the world that Christ makes this intercession, or only for those who live within the pale of the church? If only for these latter, then this doth not prove a general intercession for all, but only one more large than that for believers ; for if he leaves out any one in the world, the present hypo- thesis falls to the ground. If for all, how can it consist in that petition, " that the Spirit would so lead, guide, and bless believers, and so go forth in the ministration of the gospel by his sei-vants, that others (that is, all and every one in the world) may be con- vinced and brought to believe?" How, I say, can this be spoken with any reference to those millions of souls that never see a believer, that' hear no report of the gospel?