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that his death might be actually applied unto them. He so died for all, that they might have an object of faith, and that if they should believe in Christ, they might be saved. But he so died for the elect that they might actually believe, and be saved. Hence it is that Christ's death becomes effectual to them, and not to the other, though sufficient for all. Now that many believe not, they having the means of faith, the fault is in themselves, Matt. xiii. 14, 15; Acts xxviii. 26, 27; Isa. vi. 9; through their wilfulness or negligence; but that any believe to salvation, is of God's grace, Matt. xiii. 11, attending his election, Acts xiii. 48, and Christ's dying out of his especial love for them; and not of the power of man's free-will: God sending his gospel, and giving the grace of faith and new obedience to those whom of his free grace he has ordained to eternal life, both where he pleases and when he pleases, John iii. 8.

Furthermore, it must be considered that notwithstanding the all-sufficiency of Christ's death, whereby the new covenant of grace is ratified and confirmed, the covenant is not absolute, but conditional. Now what God proposes conditionally, no man must take absolutely. For God has not said that all men without exception shall be saved by Christ's death: although he saith, Christ died for all; but salvation is promised to those only who repent and believe, Mark i. 15, xvi. 6.

Wherefore, notwithstanding Christ's infinite merit, whereby he satisfied for mankind; and notwithstanding the universality of the offer of salvation to all to whom the gospel is preached; both Scripture and experience show, that not all, nor yet the most, shall be saved, and that because the number of them who repent, and unfeignedly believe, whereby they make particular and actual application of Christ and his merits to themselves, are fewest. For of those many that are called, few are chosen, Matt. xx. 16. Wherefore let none ignorantly dream of an absolute, universal redemption, as many simple people do. For though Christ be said to suffer to take away the sins of the