Page:A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace (John Ball).djvu/266

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Christ the Mediatour of the New Testament

event. For if it be exclusive in the modus, exclusive it is as well, though only be not added, as if it was. And the question is not of the sufficiency of Christs death for all men, in respect of the magnitude and excellency of the price: nor of the efficiency of his death in some degrees, for such as shall not inherit the crown of glory: but of the modus, whether he died sufficientèr & efficientèr quantum in se, for all and every man. That this Modus is excluded, will appeare in that we shall never reade that Christ died for any but for his sheep, his Church, his brethren, his people, or them that be considered as such in respect of present profession, externall administration, and application of his benefits. Unto youLuke 2.11. is borne this day in the City of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Blessed beLuke 1.68,69,70. the Lord God of Israel, because he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an borne of Salvation in the house of his servant David, as he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hands of all that hate us. Mine eyesLuke 1.30,31,32. have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. WhereforeHeb. 2.17. in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a mercifull and faithfull high Priest, in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sinnes of the people. Thou art worthyRev. 5.9. to take the booke, and to open the seales thereof: for thou wast slaine, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kinred, and tongue, and people, and nation. And generally in every place, they, for whom Christ is said to die, are called his elect, his sheep, his people, his brethren, not barely called into Covenant, but received upon their acceptance thereof. The severall passages alleadged to prove the universality of Christs death, have been examined already, and found to speake directly to this purpose. But amongst them that be called into, and accept of the Covenant, some be elected simply, others in comparison, some be the sheep and brethren of Christ in truth and sincerity, others in profession and externall administration, or in some respect only. And as we must distinguish of the elect and sheepe of Christ, so of his dying for them. For he died for all his elect, as they apply and be partakers of the benefits of his death: he died saving-effectually, scil. to bring them to grace and glory; according to the election of grace, for his simply electand