Rep. 1. Here is no word mentioned nor intimated of the death of Christ, but only that which was accomplished by his being a pro- pitiation, and making his death a ransom for us, with the fruits which certainly and infallibly spring therefrom. 2. If more ends than one of the death of Christ are here mentioned, and such as be- long not unto all, why do you deny that he speaks here of his sheep only? Take heed, or you will see the truth. 3. Where it is said, "Of all men," I know not; but this I am sure, that Christ is said to "give his life a ransom," and that is only mentioned where it is not said for all; as Matt, xx. 28, Mark x. 45.
And so, from these brief annotations, I hope any indifferent reader %yill be able to judge whether the reason opposed, or the exceptions against it devised, be to be accounted " weak, fraudulent, ungodly, and erroneous."
Although I fear that in this particular I have already intrenched upon the reader's patience, yet I cannot let pass the discourse im- mediately following in the same author to those exceptions which we last removed, laid by him against the arguments we had in hand, without an obelisk ; as also an observation -of his great abilities to cast down a man of clouds, which himself had set \\\) to manifest his skill in its direction. To the preceding discourse he adds another exception, which he imposeth on those that oppose universal redemp- tion, as though it were laid by them against the understanding of the general expressions in the Scripture, in that way and sense where- in he conceives them ; and it is, " That those words were fitted for the time of Christ and his apostles, having another meaning in them than they seem to import." Now, having thus gaily trimmed and set up this man of straw, — to whose framing I dare boldly say not one of his adversaries did ever contribute a penful of ink, — to show his rare skill, he chargeth it with I know not how many en'ors, blasphemies, lies, set on with exclamations and vehement outcries, until it tumble to the gi'ound. Had he not sometimes answered an argument, he would have been thought a most unhappy disputant. Now, to make sure that for once he would do it, I believe he was very careful that the objection of his own framing should not be too strong for his own defacing. In the meantime, how blind are they who admire him for a combatant who is skilful only at fencing with his own shadow ! and yet with such empty jangiings as these, proving what none denies, answering what none objects, is the greatest part of Mr More's book stuffed.
222 THE DEATH OF DEATH. [BOOK II.
CHAPTER IV.
Of the distinction of impetration and aj^plication — The use and abuse thereof; with the opinion of the adversaries upon tlie whole matter in controversy un- folded; and the question on Loth sides stated.
The farther reasons whereby the precedent discourse may be con- firmed, I defer until I come to oppose some argument to the general ransom. For the present, I shall only take away that general an- swer which is usually given to the places of Scripture produced, to waive the sense of them ; which is fdpiMaxov '?rdvso<pov to our adversa- ries, and serves them, as they suppose, to bear up all the weight wherewith in this case they are urged : —
I. They say, then, that in the oblation of Christ, and concerning the good things by him procured, two things are to be considered : — First, The impetration, or obtaining of them; and, secondly, The application of them to particular persons. " The first," say they, " is general, in respect to all. Christ obtained and procured all good things by his death of his Father, — reconciliation, redemption, for- giveness of sins, — for all and every man in the world, if they will be- lieve and lay hold upon him: but in respect of application, they are actually bestowed and confeiTed but on a few; because but a few believe, which is the condition on which they are bestowed. And in this latter sense are the texts of Scripture which we have argued, all of them, to be understood. So that they do no whit impeach the universality of 'merit, which they assert; but only the universality of application, Avhich they also deny." Now, this answer is com- monly set forth by them in various terms and divers dresses, accord- ing as it seems best to them that use it, and most subservient to their several oj)inions; for, —
First, Some of them say that Christ, by his death and passion, did absolutely, according to the intention of God, purchase for all and every man, dying for them, remission of sins and reconciliation with God, or a restitution into a state of grace and favour; all which shall be actually beneficial to them, provided that they do believe. So the Arminians.
Secondly, Some,^ again, that Christ died for all indeetl, but condi- tionally for some, if they do believe, or will so do (which he knows they cannot of themselves) ; and absolutely for his own, even them on whom he purposeth to bestow faith and grace, so as actually to be made possessors of the good things by him liurchased. So Camero, and the divines of France, which follow a new method by him de- vised.