640 VINDICIiE EVANGELIC^.
The observations given on these texts have been suited to obviate the exceptions of Socinus, treating of this subject in his book " De Ser- vatore," without troubhng the reader with the repetition of his words.
That which in the next place I thought to do is, to prove that we have this reconcihation by the death of Christ as a sacrifice. But because I cannot do this to my own satisfaction without insisting, first, on the whole doctrine of sacrifices in general ; secondly, on the institution, nature, end, and efficacy of the sacrifices of the Aaroni- cal priesthood ; thirdly, the respect and relation that was between them and the sacrifice of Christ, both in general and in particular; and from all these considerations at large deducing the conclusion proposed; — and finding that this procedure would draw out this treatise to a length utterly beyond my expectation, I shall not pro- ceed in it, but refer it to a peculiar discourse on that subject.
That which I proposed to confinnation at the entrance of this dis- course was the satisfaction made by the blood of Christ. This being proposed under several considerations, hath thus far been severally handled. That his death was a price, that we have redemption thereby properly so called, was first evinced. That truth standing, the satisfaction of Christ is sufficiently established, our adversaries themselves being judges. The sacrifice that he offered in his death hath also been manifested. Hereof is the reconciliation now deli- vered the fruit and effect. This also is no less destructive of the design of these men. What they have to object against that which hath been spoken shall have the next place in our discourse : —
Thus, then, our catechists to this business, in the 31st and S2d questions of the 8th chapter, which is about the death of Christ : —
Q. What say you, then, to those places that affirm that he reconciled us to Ood?
A. 1. That the Scripture nowhere says that God was reconciled to us by Christ, but this only, that by Christ, or the death of Christ, we are reconciled, or recon- ciled to God ; as may appear from all those places where reconciliation is treated of: wherefore from those places the satisfaction cannot be proved. 2. Because it is evident in the Scripture that God reconciled us to himself, which evinceth the opinion of the adversaries to be altogether false, 2 Cor. v. 18.. Col. i. 20-22.'
Ans. 1. Whether there be any mention in the Scripture of such a reconciliation as whereby the anger of God is turned away and we received into favour, the reader will judge from what hath been already proposed, and thither we appeal. It is not about words and syllables that we contend, but things themselves. The reconciliation
' " Ad htcc vero quod nos Deo reconciliarit quid affers ? — Primum, nusquam Scrip- turam asscvere Deum nobis a Christo reconciliatura, verum id tantum, quod nos per Christum, aut mortem ejus, simus reconciliati, vel Deo reconciliati, ut ex omnibus locis qune de hac reconciliatione agunt videi-e est. Quare nullo modo ex iis omnibus locis ea satisfactio cxtrui potest. Deinde vero quod aperte in Scri23turis extat, Deum nos sibi reconciliasse, id opinionem adversariorum prorsus falsam esse evincit, 2 Cor. v. 18, Col. i. 20-22."
OF THE SATISFACTION OF CHRIST. 541
of God to US by Christ is so expressed as the reconciliation of a judge to an offender, of a king to a rebel, may be expressed.
2. If Christ made reconciliation for us and for our sins an atone- ment, he made the satisfaction for us which we plead for.
S. It is true, God is said to reconcile us to himself, but always by Christ, by the blood of Christ, proposing himself as I'econciled there- by, and declaring to us the atonement that we may turn unto him.
They add, —
Q. But what thinkest thou of this reconciliation f
A. That Jesus Christ shovAed a way to us, who by reason of our sins were enemies to God and alienated from him, how we ought to turn unto God, and by that means be reconciled to him.'
Ans. I suppose there was never a more perverse description of any thing, part or parcel, of the gospel by any men fixed on. Some of the excellencies of it may be pointed out : —
1. Here is a reconciliation between tiuo parties, and yet a recon- ciliation but of one, the other excluded.
2. An enmity on one side only, between God and sinners, is sup- posed, and that on the part of the sinners, when the Scriptures do much more abound in setting out the enmity of God against them as such, his wrath abiding on them, — as some will find one day to their eternal sorrow.
8. Keconciliation is made nothing but conversion, or conversion to God, which yet are terms and things in the Scriptures everywhere distinguished.
4. We are said to be enemies to God " propter peccata nostra," when the Scripture says everywhere that God is an enemy to us "propter peccata nostra." He hateth and is angry with sinners. His judgment is, " that they which commit sin are worthy of death," Rom. i. 82.
5. Here is no mention of the death and blood of Christ, which, in every place in the whole Scripture where this reconciliation is spoken of, is expressly laid down as the cause of it, and necessarily denotes the reconciliation of God to us, by the averting of his anger, as the effect of it.