Death of death in the death of Christ - Owen - III - Chapters 4, 5, 6 & 7 of Book 1

Required reading
Death of death in the death of Christ by John Owen (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapters 4, 5, 6 and 7 of Book 1.

My summary
Today we continue to examine the death of Christ.

Last week we read Chapter Three and saw the work of the Father in redemption.  This week Chapter Four shows us the work of the Son in redemption, particularly in his:
(i) incarnation;
(ii) oblation;
(iii) intercession.

Then Chapter Five outlines the work of the Holy Spirit in redemption, particularly in regards to Christ's:
(i) incarnation;
(ii) oblation;
(iii) resurrection.

Chapter Six looks at the means used by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in redemption.  The means is that 'whole economy or dispensation carried along to the end, from whence our Saviour Jesus Christ is called a Mediator' distinguished into its two parts:
(i) his oblation;
(ii) his intercession.

Then Chapter Seven demonstrates that the oblation and intercession of Christ are inseparably together as one mean for the same end.

What grabbed me
I continue to enjoy the hammering out of the doctrine of limited atonement.

I liked the logic that if Christ only intercedes for the elect, his death must be only for the elect: 'These two, then, oblation and intercession, must in respect of their objects be of equal extent, and can by, no means be separated. And here, by the way (the thing being by this argument, in my apprehension, made so clear), I cannot but demand of those who oppose us about the death of Christ, whether they will sustain that he intercedeth for all or no; — if not, then they make him but half a priest; if they will, they must be necessitated either to defend this error, that all shall be saved, or own this blasphemy, that Christ is not heard of his Father, nor can prevail in his intercession, which yet the saints on earth are sure to do when they make their supplications according to the will of God, Rom. viii. 27; 1 John v. 14. Besides that, of our Saviour it is expressly said that the Father always heareth him, John xi. 42; and if that were true when he was yet in the way, in the days of his flesh, and had not finished the great work be was sent about, how much more then now, when, having done the will and finished the work of God, he is set down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, desiring and requesting the accomplishing of the promises that were made unto him upon his undertaking this work! of which before.'

Christ is certainly no half priest!

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 8 of Book 1.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.