The Marrow of Sacred Divinity - William Ames (1642)

1. THis application is that whereby all those things which Christ hath done, and doth as Mediator, are made actually effectuall in some certaine Men.

2. This application by a speciall appropriation is attributed to the holy Spirit, 1 Cor. 12. 13. By one spirit we are all baptised into 〈◊〉〈◊〉: yet it doth depend. 1. Upon the dceree, and donation of the Father▪ whereby he hath given some certaine men to Christ to be redeemed, and saved. John 6. 36. This is the will of my Father, that of that he hath given me, I should lose nothing, for all those, and only those whom the Father hath given to Christ, doe come to him. Ibid. verse 37. 2. Vpon the intention of Christ whereby he hath determined his satisfaction for the good of those, whom he hath appointed to him by his Father. John 17. 9. 11. 12. 19. I pray for them whom thou hast given me, because they are thine. 3. Vpon the acceptation of the Father, whereby he doth accept and ratifie that satisfaction for the reconciliation, & salvation of the same persons. 2 Cor. 5. 19. Namely, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himselfe, not imputing their sins unto them.

3. This transaction betweene God and Christ was a certaine fore-going application of our redemption, and deliverance to our surety, and to us in him: which unto the finishing of that secundary application in us, hath the respect of an effectuall example, so as, that is a representation of this, and this is brought forth by vertue of that.

4. Hence our deliverance from sinne and death, was not onely determined in the decree of God, but also granted, and communicated to Christ, and to us in him, before it be perceived by us. Rom. 5. 10. 11. We were reconciled to God, by the death of his Son. By whom we have now received a reconciliation.

5. Hence both the Father and the Sonne are said to send the Spirit to performe this application, John 14. 16. & 16. 7. The Father shall give you an advocate, I will send him unto you.

6. Hence every good giving, and every perfect good is said to descend from above from the Father. Iames 1. 17. And all saving things are said to be communicated to us, in Christ, as in the head. For Christ as obtaining it by his merit and through Christ, as effectually applying it. Eph. 1. 3. 5. 11.

7. Hence also application is the end & effect of impetration.⁷⁵ But seeing the end is intended by God the Father and Christ, it hath a certaine connexion with impetration as with its meanes. For if the redemption of Christ were of incertaine event, then the Father should appoint the Sonne to death, and the Sonne also should undergoe it, being yet uncertaine, whether any would be saved by it or no; then also all the fruit of this mystery should depend upon the free will of men.

8. Hence application is altogether of the same latitude with redemption it selfe, 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, yet for their sakes the same temporall benefits of Christ doe redound unto thers also.

9. And in this sence, namely in respect of the intention of application it is rightly said: Christ did onely satisfy for those that are saved by him: although in respect of that sufficiency which is in the mediation of Christ, it may be rightly said also, Christ satisfied for all, or every one: and because those counsells of God are hidden to us, it is agreeable to charity, to judge very well of every one, although we may not pronounce of all together collectively, that Christ did equally plead their cause before God.⁷⁶

10. The way of application whereby God doth with greatest firmnesse performe that, which was contained in a covenant formerly made, and broken, is called in the Scriptures a new covenant, Hebr. 8. 8. 10. A covenant of life, salvation, and grace, Rom. 4. 16. Gal. 3. 18. Which in the same sence also is called the Gospell. Rom. 1. 16. The good Word of God. Hebr. 6. 5. A faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation. 1 Tim. 1. 15. A good doctrine. 1 Tim. 4. 6. The Word of life. Phil. 2. 16. The Word of reconciliation, 2 Cor. 5. 19. The Gospell of peace. Eph. 2. 17. & 6. 15. The Gospell of salvation, and the Word of truth, Eph. 1. 13. The arme of God, Isay53. 1. The savour of life to life, 2 Cor. 2. 16.

11. It is called a covenant because it is a firme promise, for in the Scriptures every firme purpose, although it be of things without life, is called a covenant, Ierem. 33. 20. 25. My covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night: if my covenant be not with day and night, if I appoint not the statutes of Heaven and Earth.

12. Yet because it consists of a free donation, and is confirmed by the death of the giver, it is not so properly called a covenant as a testament, Hebr. 9. 16. Which seeing it is not found in the former,⁷⁷ that is not so properly called a testament as a covenant.

13. But this new covenant differs from the old many wayes. 1. In the kind, for that was as it were a covenant of friendship betweene the Creator and the creature: but this is a covenant of reconciliation between enemies.

14. 2. In the efficient: for in that there was an agreement of two parties, namely God and man: but in this God onely doth covenant. For man being now dead in sinne, had no ability to contract a spirituall covenant with God. But if two parties after the manner of a covenant are to be appointed, yet then God only is the party assuming, and constituting, but man is the party assumed.

15. 3. It differs in the object: for that is extended to all men, but this belongs to some certaine ones in a speciall manner. For although the promulgation of it be oftentimes propounded promiscuously, after the manner of men, yet by a special propriety it belongs, and is directed to those to whom it was intended by God, who are therefore called sonnes and heires, of this promise and of salvation, Gen. 15. Act. 1. 39. & 3. 25. Rom. 4. 16. 13. & 9. 7. 8. Gal. 3. 21. 29.

16. 4. In the beginning or moving cause: for there God according to his soveraingty did worke out of his wise and just counsell: but here mercy only hath place. There indeed there did some respect of grace shine forth, in appointing a reward due to obedience: yet it was not properly directed by grace: and so not this covenant of grace, but that was accomplished, that is, it did actually lead man to happinesse.

17. 5. In the foundation, which in the former was the ability of man himselfe; but in this, Christ Iesus.

18. 6. In the matter or good things promised: for in that God promised life only; but in this he promiseth righteousnesse also, and all the meanes of life: because to man being dead, not the continance or perfection of life, but restoring was necessary.

19. 7. In the conditions: for that required perfect obedience of workes, which was also to be performed by man of his own strength before any effect of the promise, that it might have respect of merit unto it: but this requires not any condition properly so called, or going before, but only following after or comming betweene, and that to be communicated by grace, that it might be a meanes to perfit the same grace: which is the proper nature of Faith.

20. 8. In the effects: for that teached and sheweth what is righteous, but this bestowes righteousnesse it selfe, in that there was a dead letter, and deadly to a sinner: but in this a quickning spirit.

21. Hence that never brought salvation to any man, neither could bring any thing to a sinner, but onely death but this doth not properly and of it selfe bring death or condemnation to any, but it brings assured salvation to all those of whom it is received.

22. 9. In the adjunct of continuance: for that is antiquated⁷⁸ in respect of those who are partakers of this new: but this is everlasting, both in respect of the countenance it hath in it selfe, because it admitts no end, or change, touching the substance, and also in respect of those to whom it is communicated, because the grace of this covenant doth continue for ever with them, who are once truly in covenant.