CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

3. It's good to take notice of that ordinary distinction,¹ The Sufficiency and worth of Christs death in it self, and the effectual application of it; For all do acknowledge that Christs death in it self is of value enough to redeem thousands of worlds, if there were so many, It cannot be otherwise because it's the obedience to death of that person who is God as well as man, and by reason of his Deity, there is such a merit and satisfaction upon his death that all the sins of men and devils are not able to counterpoise it; Therefore it's great Unbelief to be cast down as if the greatness of thy sins exceeded the greatness of Christs Sufferings; As the Heavens exceed the earth in magnitude, so do Christs merits our transgressions, but then if we speak of the Intention ⟨p. 234⟩and purpose of Christ in laying down his life, that is only for his Sheep, Joh. 10. I lay down my life for my Sheep; And if that be true which Truth it self speaks, Greater love then this can no man show, then to lay down his life for another; Our Saviour if he had died for others besides the Elect had vouchsafed the greatest love that could be to them, and certainly to become a Surety for another, to die in another's stead, must needs be an high expression: The Scripture useth two words when it speaks of Christs death for us, [Greek or Hebrew] and [Greek or Hebrew]; Now although they may be used promiscuously, yet [Greek or Hebrew] is a great deal more then [Greek or Hebrew], for [Greek or Hebrew] is vice alterius, in stead of another; So that what generally he was to undergo, the Surety did it in his room, but [Greek or Hebrew] is for the good of another, though not in his stead, as Paul said he suffered his afflictions for the bodies sake or the Churches sake, Col. 1.24. that was not in their stead, but for procuring of some good; It cannot be denied but that all mankind even reprobates themselves, do obtain a world of Mercies through Christs Death, yet to say that Christ died for them, viz. in their stead to suffer all that anger of God which was due to them, is to say the highest mercy that can be: If we say that such are justified, such are glorified, it's not so much as to say Christ died for them, as