Universal Redemption of Mankind, Chapter 7
CHAP. VII. Prop. IV. It was not only the Sins of the Elect, but of all, even Elect and Non-elect which were the pro-cauſa meritoria of Christs ſufferings. Or it was not only the Sufferings Due to the Sins of the Elect, but of all, which Christ did undergo. And accordingly hath made ſatisfaction for all.
IT is neceſſary that we ſpeak of the efficient Cauſes of Chriſts Death, before we handle the Effects. And therefore we muſt conſider quorum loco he Dyed, before we conſider how far they ſhall partake of the Benefits. Here it muſt be remembred, that we have already proved that Chriſt did not repreſent our Perſons in ſatisfying; but yet he bore our ſins, that is, the penalty due to them; and ſo did in a larger ſence ſuffer noſtro loco or nostri loco; not as our Delegate or proper …carius; but as a voluntary Sponſor, and ſo ſubſtitute in ſuffering.
Alſo underſtand that Chriſts ſufferings had no real proper meritorious Cauſe: But yet Mans ſins were the pro-cauſa meritoria: He undertook to bear that ſuffering which for them was due to us, (not to him.) And therefore when I ſay he bore the ſufferings due to us, I mean it materialiter only; ſuch ſufferings for kind and weight he bore; but his obligation to bear them was only from his own Sponſion, and not the Law. The Law by conſtituting the Dueneſs of puniſhment to us, was the occaſion of his ſuffering it, but not the obliging cauſe. I add, that [accordingly he hath ſatisfied for all:] For this will not be denyed, if the firſt be proved. For he ſatisfied by ſuffering what the Sinner deſerved: And in whoſe ſtead ſoever he ſuffered, for them he ſatisfied.
Now I ſhall think it meet to ſtand the longer on this point, becauſe the deciſion of the main Queſtion [Whether Chriſt dyed for all men?] dependeth mainly on it. For the ſtricteſt ſence in which he is ſaid to die for men, is, to die in their ſtead; or to Die for their Sins as the procuring Cauſe, on his own undertaking. Yield this once, and we ſhall much eaſilier agree on the ſecond Part, Pro quorum beneficio, or what the benefits be which Chriſt hath procured to all. At leaſt, no man will think it unmeet to ſay, that [Chriſt died for all men] if we can prove that he dyed for the ſins, and in the ſtead of all, and ſatisfied Gods Juſtice for all. And if he dyed for them, it is certain that he ſatisfied for them (as is ſaid) becauſe God doth neither require nor accept the Death of his Righteous Son, but as it is necſſary to the ſatisfaction of his juſtice for Sin
Laſtly, remember that I put the word [all] as contradiſtinct from the Elect: pleading ſpecially againſt them that would confine Chriſts ſatisfaction only to the Elect: Not that I doubt of Chriſts ſufferings for all, in the utmoſt univerſality, but I think it far ſafer to diſpute it as to all that hear the Goſpel: For God hath plainlier ſhewed us how he dealeth with theſe than the reſt; and it is not fair nor profitable to carry the diſputation into the obſcureſt part, to loſe it rather than determine it: And if any agree with me in this that I prove: [That Chriſt ſatisfied for all that hear the Goſpel.] I will not trouble them with diſputing it about the reſt, but willingly let them enjoy their opinion, (though contrary to mine) as judging it to be to us of far leſſer moment My Arguments ſhall be firſt from the ſcope of Scripture Doctrine; and 2. From ſome particular Texts, which expreſly aſſert Univerſal Satisfaction, or Chriſts Dying for all: And then I ſhall anſwer the contrary Arguments.
This Firſt Argument ſhall be A conditionali remiſſione, & Jure ad Regnum caelorum omnibus per Teſtamentum Chriſti donatis.