CHAPTER 3: OF THE AGENT OR CHIEF AUTHOR OF THE WORK OF OUR REDEMPTION, AND OF THE FIRST THING DISTINCTLY ASCRIBED TO THE PERSON OF THE FATHER.

I. THE AGENT IN, AND chief author of, this great work of our redemption is the whole blessed Trinity; for all the works which outwardly are of the Deity are undivided and belong equally to each person, their distinct manner of subsistence and order being observed. It is true, there were sundry other instrumental causes in the oblation, or rather passion of Christ but the work cannot in any sense be ascribed unto them;—for in respect of God the Father, the issue of their endeavors was exceeding contrary to their own intentions, and in the close they did nothing but what the “hand and counsel of God had before determined should be done,” Acts 4:28; and in respect of Christ they were no way able to accomplish what they aime