The Fountain of Life Opened

Secondly, Needs be a most complete and all-sufficient Oblation, fully to expiate the sins of all, for whom it was offered, in all ⟨p. 143⟩ages of the world. The virtue of this Sacrifice reacheth backward as far as Adam, and reacheth forward to the last person of of the Elect springing from him. That the efficacy of it thus reached back to Adam, is plain; for on the account thereof he is styled the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Rev. 13.8.

Secondly, Needs be a most compleat and alsufficient Oblation, fully to expiate the sins of all, for whom it was offered, in all ⟨p. 143⟩ages of the world. The vertue of this Sacrifice reacheth backward as far as Adam, and reacheth forward to the last person of of the Elect springing from him. That the efficacy of it thus reached back to Adam, is plain; for on the account thereof he is stiled the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Rev. 13.8.

And to the same sense a Judicious Expositor understands those words of Christ.¹ Joh. 8.58. before Abraham was I am. And look as the Sun at mid-day extends his light and influence, not only forward towards the West; but also backward towards the East, where he arose: so did this most efficacious Sacrifice reach all the Elect in the virtue of it, who died before Christ came in the flesh.² It is therefore but a vain cavil that some make against the satisfaction of Christ to render it needless; when they say many wre saved without it, even as many as were saved before the death of Christ. For they say, the effect cannot be before the cause, which is true of physical, but not of moral causes; and such was Christs satisfaction. As for Example, a captive is freed out of prison from the time that his surety undertakes for him, and promises his Ransom; here the Captive is actually delivered, though the ransom that delivered him, be not yet actually paid. So it was in this case. Christ had engaged to the Father to satisfy for them, and upon that security they were delivered.