sion of Christ for them that beleeve[errata 1]. But here we cannot find that generall Intercession of Christ they speake of, that every man might come to the faith by fitting meanes, but for the most part ineffectuall. The prayer required in the second Psalme ArminiusArmin. Orat. de Sacerdot. Chr. referreth to the prayer which Christ offered to the Father for himselfe, according to the commandement and promise of the Father. Aske of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine Inheritance: to which Promise of the Father Christ having respect, said, Father glorifie thy Sonne, that thy Sonne also may glorifie thee, asJoh. 17.2 thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he might give eternall life to as many as thou hast given him. And from this prayer are to be distinguished (saith he) those supplications which with strong cries and teares he offered to his Father in the dayes of his flesh: by those he craved to be freed from his Agony, by this he prayeth that he might see his seed, and that the will of God might prosper in his hand. But howsoever it be, the prayer spoken of in that place, is absolute, certain, and effectuall: for what God there promised, Christ prayed for in particular, and he was heard therein: and therefore it cannot be applyed to that generall Intercession of Christ which they would maintaine, as every man may plainly see.
They further reply, that this Intercession of Christ, Joh. 17. pertaineth to the application of Christs death; that Christ maketh Intercession for beleevers: and by the world they are signified, who did or would contemne and reject Christ offered to them in the word of his Gospell; as the word world is used in many other places. Joh. 1. 10. and 3. 19. and 14. 17. & 16. 8, 9. & 14. 22. But if it pertain to the application of Christs death, it followeth thence, that the death of Christ shall be applyed to them, who were given unto him of the Father, that in speciall manner he might lay down his life for them, seeing Christ offered up himselfe a sacrifice to the Father for them, and them only, for whom according to his office of Mediatorship he made speciall Intercession. If by the world obstinate contemners of the Gospell be understood, what shall we thinke of them to whom the word of reconciliation was never sent, or Christ offered in the Ministery of the Gospell? are they partakers of the benefits of Christs speciall Intercession? or is the death of Christ applyed unto them? If only contemners of the Gospell be meant by the world, forwhich
- ↑ Correction: beleeve should be amended to believe not
