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【Atonement, Extent of】To say that Christ redeemed men at the cross but did not also purchase for them the ability to believe would be like a man promising to give a thousand dollars to a blind man upon condition that he will open his eyes and see—which he knows full well the blind man cannot do.

【Atonement, Governmental View of】In a certain community in England, someone had been stealing sheep. The forces of the law were unable to apprehend the thief. A certain farmer was brought before the judge and accused of being the thief, but he established his innocence of any connection with the offense, beyond the shadow of a doubt. Thereupon the judge said, “You are an innocent man, but someone has been stealing sheep. I must show to this community what the law would do to a sheep thief.” Then the judge committed the innocent man to a period of incarceration, “to uphold public justice.” But what justice! ―― James O. Buswell