Objection Fifth. But if indeed Christ paid the full price for us by his death, suffering the punishment that we should have done, why is Scripture so silent as not to declare that by his death he hath made satisfaction?
Answer. No man may teach God knowledge; he knows best how to deliver his mind in such words and terms as best agree with his eternal wisdom and the consciences of those genuinely desirous of salvation, being overburdened with the guilt of sin. Perhaps the word 'satisfaction' will hardly be found in the Bible, and where is it said in so many words, 'God is dissatisfied with our sins?' yet it is sufficiently manifest that there is nothing that God hated but sin, and sinners for the sake of sin. What did he mean by turning Adam out of paradise, by drowning the old world, by burning up Sodom with fire and brimstone from heaven? What did he mean by drowning Pharaoh, causing the ground to swallow up Korah and his company, and destroying Israel in the wilderness if not to show that he was dissatisfied with sin? That God is also satisfied, yea, more than satisfied, by Christ's sufferings for our sins, is apparent; for, granting that he died for them as these scriptures declare—Isaiah 49:4-6, 53; 1 Corinthians 5:8, 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4, 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18; 1 John 2:2, 3:16, 4:14; Revelation 1:5, 5:9.—
First, it is apparent because it is said that God smelled a sweet-smelling savor in the body of Christ's offering for our sins—' He gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet-smelling savor' (Eph 5:2).
Second. It is apparent because it is expressly said that God for Christ's sake does now forgive: 'Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you' (Eph 4:32).
Third. It is apparent that God is satisfied with Christ's blood for our sins because he hath declared that he can justify those that believe in, or rely upon, that blood for life, in the way of justice and righteousness—' Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of past sins, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus' (Rom 3:24-26).
Now, I say, to object against such plain testimonies, what is it but to deny that Christ died for sin; or to conclude, that having so done, he is still in the grave; or that there is no such thing as sin; or, no such thing as revenging justice in God against it; or, that we must die ourselves for our sins; or, that sin may be pardoned without a satisfaction; or, that every man may merit his own salvation? But 'without shedding blood is no remission' (Heb 9:22).
Therefore, to avoid these cursed absurdities, it must be granted that Jesus Christ, by his death, made satisfaction for sin.
However, the Holy Ghost may not use the word 'satisfaction,' perhaps because it is too short and scanty to express the blessedness that comes to sinners through the blood of Christ.
1. To make satisfaction amounts to no more than completely to answer a legal demand for harms and injuries done. Now, when done to the full, this leaves the offender there where he was before committing the injury. If Christ had done no more than this, he would have only paid our debt but would not have obtained eternal redemption for us.
2. For complete satisfaction given by this man for harm done by another may neither obtain the love of the person offended nor the smallest gift the person offending hath not deserved. Suppose I owe this man ten thousand talents, and another should pay him every farthing there remained over and above by that complete satisfaction not one single halfpenny for me. Therefore, Christ has done more than to satisfy sin by his blood. He also 'made us kings and priests unto God and his Father,' and we 'shall reign with him forever and ever' (Rev 1:6, 22:5).
[Additional scriptures are proof of this doctrine.]
But take a few more scriptures to prove the doctrine before asserting.
First. 'We have redemption through his blood' (Col 1:14). 1. Redemption from sin (Eph 1:7). 2. Redemption from death (Heb 2:14,15; Hosea 13:14). 3. Redemption from Satan (Heb 2:14). 4. Redemption from the world (Gal 1:4). 5. Redemption to God (Rev 5:9). 6. Eternal redemption—' Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us' (Heb 9:12).
Second. We are said also to be washed in his blood. 1. Our persons are washed—He 'loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood' (Rev 1:5). 2. His blood also washed our performances—' Our robes are washed, and made white in the blood of the Lamb' (Rev 7:14).
Third. We are said to be purged by his blood. 1. Purged from sin before God—' When he had by himself purged our sins, he sat down on the right hand of God' (Heb 1:3). 2. Purged from evil consciences—' How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?' (Heb 9:14).
Fourth. We are said to be made nigh to God by his blood—' But now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ' (Eph 2:13).
Fifth. Peace is said to be made by his blood. 1. Peace with God (Col 1:20). 2. Peace of conscience (Heb 10:19-23). 3. Peace one with another (Eph 2:14).
Sixth. We are said to be justified by his blood. 'Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him' (Rom 5:9). Justified, that is, acquitted—1. Acquitted before God (Eph 5:26,27). 2. Acquitted before angels (Matt 28:5-8). 3. Acquitted by the law (Rom 3:21-23). 4. Acquitted in the court of conscience (Heb 9:14).
Seventh. We are said to be saved by his blood (Rom 5:8,9).
Eighth. We are said to be reconciled by his blood (Col 1:20-22).
Ninth. We are said to be sanctified by his blood (Heb 13:12).
Tenth. We are said to be admitted into the holiest by his blood
(Heb 10:19).
Eleventh. We are said to have eternal redemption by his blood (Heb 9:12).
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