IN GENERAL OF THE END OF THE DEATH OF CHRIST, AS IT IS IN THE SCRIPTURE PROPOSED.

By the end of the death of Christ, we mean in general, both, —
[1st] first, that which his
a. Father (intended)
b. and himself (Jesus) intended in it; and,
[2nd] secondly, that which was: effectually fulfilled and accomplished by it.

Concerning either we may take a brief view of the expressions used by the Holy Spirit: —
A. [The Holy Spirit says, i.e. Scripture says]

I. For the first. Will you know the end [purpose, goal, objective] wherefore,
and the intention wherewith,
Christ came into the world?

B. [Jesus says:] Let us ask himself [Jesus]
(who knew his own mind, as also all the secrets of his Father’s bosom),
[Owen highlighting the supremacy of Jesus' mind and knowledge]
and he will tell us
that the “Son of man came to save that which was lost,”
Matthew 18:11, — to recover and save poor lost sinners;
that was his intent and design, as is again asserted, Luke 19:10.

C. [Apostles say] Ask also his apostles, who know his mind,
[Owen highlighting the supremacy of inspired Scripture] and they will tell you the same.

C2. [Paul says] So Paul, 1 Timothy
1:15, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”


Now, if you will ask who these sinners are towards whom he hath this gracious intent and purpose, himself tells you,


A. Matthew 20:28, that he came to “give his life a ransom for many;” in other places called us,
B. believers, distinguished from the world:
>>for he “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father,” Galatians 1:4.
>> That was the will and intention of God, that he should give himself for us, that we might be saved, being separated from the world.

C. They are his church: Ephesians 5:25-27, “He loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish:”
>> which last words express also the very aim and end of Christ in givinghimself for any, even that they may be made fit for God, and brought nigh unto him;

C2. — the like whereof is also asserted, Titus 2:14, “He gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

RECAP: Thus clear, then, and apparent, is the intention and design of
A. Christ and
b. his Father in this great work, even:
>> what it was, and
>> towards whom, —namely,
1. to save us,
2. to deliver us from the evil world,
3. to purge and wash us,
4. to make us holy, zealous, fruitful in good works,
5. to render us acceptable, and to bring us unto God;
for through him “we have access into the grace wherein we stand Romans 5:2.