The bond of this mysticall union betwixt Christ and us (as elsewhere hath more fully been declared) is on his part that quickening Spirit, which being in him as the Head, is from thence diffused to the spirituall animation of all his Members: and on our part Faith, which is the prime act of life wrought in those who are capable of understanding by that same Spirit. Both whereof must bee acknowledged to be of so high a nature, that none could possibly by such ligatures knit up so admirable a body, but hee that was God Almighty. And therefore although we did suppose such a man might be found who should perform the Law for us, suffer the death that was due to our offence and overcome it; yea and whose obedience and sufferings should be of such value, that it were sufficient for the redemption of the whole world: yet could it not be efficient to make us live by faith, unless that Man had been able to send Gods Spirit to apply the same unto us.
James Ussher, "The Mediatorial Office of Christ," in an Introduction to Puritan Theology: A Reader, ed. Edward Hindson (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1976), 125.
Bishop Ussher, in the above quote, doesn't ground the efficacy of our salvation in the sufferings and death of Christ, but rather in the Spirit who works according to the will of the Mediator who sent him. This quickening Spirit applies the work of the Son to the elect through faith. Ussher also affirms that the sufferings of Christ are "sufficient for the redemption of the whole world."
The editor of this book says "Though not a Puritan as such, James Ussher was a Calvinist and the Puritans esteemed him highly." Also, that "Cromwell admired him for his learning and Calvinism (p. 105)."
Among some popular "Calvinists" today in the blogosphere, his atonement views would be suspect at best, or, more probably, rejected as non-Calvinistic. That should come as no suprise. There were ignorant men in his day who treated Ussher "as if" he "had confirmed Papism" or "Arminianism," after he wrote one of the articles below. These buffoons apparently have some theological offspring among us today.
For more on Ussher, see the following:
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