706ObteMons tal`en j rorn teßimonies ofScrip t ure,anfuered. and inducd with faith may be deflroyed and perifh. Vnto whichI anfwere, firfl, by diflinguifhing ofthe affumption; for Chrifl is faid generally and improperlie to haue died for the whole vifible Church; butproperlie and truely for the faithfull only,i,vhich areoftheChurch inuiíble.The firfl phrafe of fpeech is true in regard of the fufficiencie ofhis death, which in it felfe was afull and fufficient price for the ranfome ofall, or elfe ifwe vnderfland it by a fynecdoche of ofthe whole for the feuerall parts and members ; but not in refpeaofthe eflïcacie ofhis death, for it is only effe&luall for the redemption and faluation ofthofe who applie vnto themfelues the vertue andmerit thereof, by a true and liue- ly faith. All therefore for whom Chrifl is faid tohaue died, are not ele&and faithfull, but only thofe to whom the ver- tue andpower ofhis death and merits are effe&ually appli- ed. Secondlie, Chrifl is faid to haue died for euery member ofthevifible Church,becaufebeing outward members ther- of, they are in the iudgement ofcharitie reputed and eflee- med ofthe Church tobee redeemed and iuf4jfied by Chriíls death, vntill by their apoflacie they make it knowne that theywerebuthypocrites, for whom Chrifl neuer died ; and of fuch may thefe places bee vnderflood, feeing the hohe Ghofl oftentimes fpeakethofthingsaccording to the iudge- ment and eflimation of men; and alto by fuch charitable fpeeches doth teachvs both to fpeakeand iudge charitably; andfeeing likevvife wee find by experience, that many fuch hypocritesas doe for a time profeffe theinfelues members of the Church,and redeemed by Chrifl death, being fcandali- zed and offended by the example offome others,doe fall a- wayfrom theirprofeflîon, and fovtterlie perifh. But if wee will vnderfland it of thofe for whom Chrifi truelie and effectuallydied,the propofition is falfe;for Chrifl Tea.ro.t S,zi;, died for none but his fheepe, Iohn r o. z 5. and Chrifls fheepe fhallneuerperifh, neither can any plucke them out ofhis bawl. verf.28. Yeabut it is Paid, that thywea4ebrother Jhallperifh. I anfwere, that isnot to bee vnderflood of the effect and e- uent,but of the caufe andoccafion:forhowfoeuer the weak Chriftian maybe ihreudly ilaken,and be grieuoufly woun- ded
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=