Note 31 — Chapter XI
Reading edition
When it is said that Christ died for the Church, it is necessary to remember that in His intention the Church included the whole world (see S. Matt. xxviii. 19). The wilfulness of man in refusing to believe cannot alter that intention though it spoils the completion of it. “God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son”—thus the wideness of His loving intention was set forth—“that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish” (S. John iii. 16)—thus the necessity of man’s belief, in order that the intention might be carried out, was announced beforehand.