The Fountain of Life Opened

Thirdly, In the next place therefore, we shall reject those doctrines and remove the principal of those objections that are found militating against the satisfaction of Christ.

And in the first place, we reject with deep abhorrence that doctrine which ascribes to man any power in whole or in part to satisfy God for his own, or other mens sins. This no mere creature can do, by active obedience, were it so complete that he could never sin in thought, word, or deed any more; but live the most holy life, that ever any lived. For all this would be no more than his duty as a creature, Luk. 17.10. and so can be no satisfaction for what he is by nature, or hath done against God as a sinner. Nor yet by sufferings. For we have offended an infinite God, and can never satisfy him by our finite sufferings.

And in the first place, we reject with deep abhorrence that doctrine which ascribes to man any power in whole or in part to satisfie God for his own, or other mens sins. This no meer creature can do, by active obedience, were it so compleat that he could never sin in thought, word, or deed any more; but live the most holy life, that ever any lived. For all this would be no more than his duty as a creature, Luk. 17.10. and so can be no satisfaction for what he is by nature, or hath done against God as a sinner. Nor yet by sufferings. For we have offended an infinite God, and can never satisfie him by our finite sufferings.

We also with like detestation reject that doctrine which makes the satisfaction of Christ either impossible, or fictitious, and inconsistent with grace, in the free pardon of sin. Many are the cavils raised against Christs satisfaction; the principal are such as these that follow.