Father accepting: and from that intention, a particular application of that sacrifice, by conferring faith, and other gifts, infallibly bringing the elect to salvation.'

Redemption by Christ is, remarks Mr. Toplady, not that random and precarious thing which the Arminian scheme pretends. The salvation he wrought does not lie at sixes and sevens. It is by no means unsettled, uncertain, or undetermined. The dignity of his divine person, the infinite value of his obedience and sacrifice, together with the justice of his Almighty Father to whom the inestimable price was paid, render it impossible that any single soul should perish for whom such a Redeemer died.'

The very learned and excellent Dr. Ames, who, Neale tells us, was one of the most acute controversial writers of his age, remarks (speak. ing of redemption) The application of Redemption is the end and effect of impetration. But seeing the end is intended by God the Father and Christ, it hath a certain connexion with impetration as with its means. For if the re

demption of Christ were of incertain event, then the Father should appoint the Son to death, and the Son also should undergo it, being yet uncertain whether any would be saved by it or no; then also all the fruit of this mystery should depend upon the free will of man.

Hence application is altogether of the same latitude with redemption itself; that is, the redemption of Christ is applied to all and only those for whom it was obtained by the intention of Christ and the Father.'

Mr. Gillespie, when speaking of the covenant of redemption, observes, that there was a definite certain number of redeemed ones agreed upon, for whom Christ should pay a price; he was not Surety and undertaker for all mankind, nor for all the visible church to whom the gospel shall be preached; for his undertaking is no wider nor larger than his dying, purchasing redemption, bearing iniquity, praying, &c. these being of equal extent and efficacy-Christ was not an undertaker for a people under any general notions or qualifications (such as them that

should believe on him, or the like) not knowing definitely who the persons were: but he was surety and undertaker only for the elect, and for a definite number of people, who were by number and name given to him by the Father, and received by him to be redeemed by his bloodthey are described as those whom the Father gave unto Christ, John xvii. 3, 6, 9, 11; and vi. 37, 39; who were chosen in him, Eph. i. 4; whose names are written in the book of life, and in the Lamb's book of life; as if the Father who gave them to Christ, and kept one record of their number and names, and the Lord Mediator, who undertook for them, had kept another; Rev. xx. 12; and xxi. 27.'

The learned Gill says, in his reply to Dr. Whitby on the subject of redemption, I firmly believe that Christ died for all the elect of God, and them only; that by his death he has procured for them actual pardon, reconciliation, and salvation, and that in consequence of the absolute and unconditional covenant of grace being ratified and confirmed by his blood, faith and repentance are bestowed upon, and wrought in

these persons, not as conditions, but as blessings of that covenant; in which way they are brought to the full enjoyment of that salvation Christ has obtained for them."

What the excellent Dr. John Erskine observes concerning Jesus swallowing up death in victory, is applicable to the subject of redemption. 'It was obtained for a chosen number; not, as some say, conditionally for all, certainly for none. A matter, wherein the glory of God and the happiness of mankind were so deeply concerned, was of too great consequence to be left to the precarious determination of man's free will. God tried free will in a state of innocence; and it failed in the trial: and do you think that God will commit the success of his important schemes to the casual choice of free will in Adam's depraved offspring? To this chosen number, all of every tongue, kindred, and nation, who believe in Jesus, assuredly belong. Faith unfeigned is as sure a sign of election, as the rising sun is of approaching day. Doubt not this, from a sense of your unworthiness. It is a victory wholly of grace. Grace contrived, and grace accomplished it: and all your tri

umphant shoutings when you come forth from your graves at the last day shall be, 'Grace, grace.' The victory was gained by a person so near to you, that none can be more so; even by your own head and husband, the Lord Jesus Christ: and it was obtained by Christ, at the call and appointment of him, who is in covenant with you as your God and Father."

In disputing with the advocates for general redemption, it is common, and proper, to remark, That if all men are redeemed and all are not saved, Christ must, in reference to them that perish, have died in vain. Should this forcible objection be urged by those who, in contending for particular redemption, assert that the sufferings of our Lord would not have been greater had he died for the salvation of every individual of mankind; might it not be successfully retorted, That as these sufferings are allowedly incapable of addition, they must be adequate to the salvation of all men; and that therefore the objection of Christ's dying in vain, is no more chargeable on the doctrine of general than on particular redemption? The Respondent, in this.