The Fountain of Life Opened

Those that contend for such a forgiveness,¹ as is an Act of Charity, like that whereby private persons forgive one another, must at once suppose God to part with his right, cedendo de jure suo, and also render the satisfaction of Christ altogether useless, as to the procurement of forgiveness. Yea, rather an obstacle, than a means to it. Surely the nature and truth of God, oblige him to punish sin. He is of purer eyes, than to look upon iniquity, 1 Heb. 13. And beside, the word is gone out of his mouth; that the sinner shall dye.

1. 1Nulia alia ratione palam f••ripotest odium adversus peratum dici•um, quam poenae commeritae inflictione. Brad. de Justific. p. 61.

Thirdly, The Priesthood of Christ, presupposeth the utter impotency of man to appease God; and recover his favour by any thing he could do, or suffer. Surely God would not come down, to assume a body to dye; and be offered up for us; if at any cheaper rate it could have been accomplished. There was no other way to recover man, and satisfy God. Those that deny the satisfaction of Christ, and talk of his dying to confirm the truth; and give us an example of meekness, patience, and self-denial; affirming these to be the sole ends of his death, do not only therein root up the foundation of their own comfort, peace and pardon; but most boldly impeach, and tax the infinite Wisdom. God could have done all this at a cheaper rate. The sufferings of a mere creature, are able to attain these ends. The death of the Martyrs did it. But who by dying can satisfy, and reconcile God? What creature can bring him an adequate and proportionable value for sin? Yea, for all the sin that ever was or shall be transmitted to the natures, or committed by the persons of all Gods Elect; from Adam, to the last that shall be found alive at the Lords coming? Surely, none, but Christ, can do this.