In Chapter 3 Owen argues against universal redemption because of the work of Christ as:
(i) a sponsor in the stead of Christians;
(ii) a mediator for only some.
Then Chapter 4 argues that universal redemption is not true because:
(i) sanctification is only for some, not all;
(ii) faith was purchased by Christ's death, so if Christ died for all, all must believe;
(iii) the antitype of the people of Israel show that not all are saved.
I liked this display of logic: 'If Christ died in the stead of all men, and made satisfaction for their sins, then he did it for all their sins, or only for some of their sins. If for some only, who then can be saved? If for all, why then are all not saved? They say it is because of their unbelief; they will not believe, and therefore are not saved. That unbelief, is it a sin, or is it not? If it be not, how can it be a cause of damnation? If it be, Christ died for it, or he did not. If he did not, then he died not for all the sins of all men. If he did, why is this an obstacle to their salvation? Is there any new shift to be invented for this? or must we be contented with the old, namely, because they do not believe? that is, Christ did not die for their unbelief, or rather, did not by his death remove their unbelief, because they would not believe, or because they would not themselves remove their unbelief; or he died for their unbelief conditionally, that they were not unbelievers. These do not seem to me to be sober assertions. '
Unbelief is a sin and if Christ died for the sin of all then he died for their unbelief too.
Which means if you don't believe in limited atonement, then there must be no one in hell!
Read Chapters 5, 6 and 7.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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