A discourse concerning the knowledge of Jesus Christ and our union and communion with him &c. by William Sherlock ...
         Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707.
      
       
         
           1674
        
      
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             A discourse concerning the knowledge of Jesus Christ and our union and communion with him &c. by William Sherlock ...
             Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707.
          
           [15], 432 p.
           
             Printed by J.M. for Walter Kettilby ...,
             London :
             MDCLXXIV [1674]
          
           
             Errata on p. [15]
             Reproduction of original in the Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Jesus Christ -- Knowableness.
        
      
    
     
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           IMPRIMATUR
           ,
        
         
           
             
               May
               ,
               30.
               1673.
               
            
          
           
             Sam.
             Parker
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           A
           DISCOURSE
           Concerning
           the
           KNOWLEDGE
           OF
           JESUS
           CHRIST
           ,
           AND
           Our
           Union
           and
           Communion
           with
           him
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           By
           
             William
             Sherlock
          
           ,
           Rector
           of
           S
           t
           
             George
             Buttolph
             lane
             ,
             London
          
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
        
         
           Printed
           by
           
             I.
             M.
          
           for
           
             Walter
             Kettilby
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Bishops-Head
           in
           St
           
             Paul's
             Church-Yard
          
           .
        
         
           MDCLXXIV
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           PREFACE
           .
        
         
           
             Christian
             Reader
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Am
           conscious
           to
           my self
           of
           so
           honest
           a
           design
           in
           writing
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           very
           very
           well
           armed
           against
           those
           various
           censures
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           usual
           reward
           of
           such
           Attempts
           ;
           for
           there
           is
           no
           such
           Sanctuary
           against
           the
           rudest
           clamours
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           unjust
           reproaches
           ,
           as
           a
           good
           Conscience
           .
           I
           was
           heartily
           grieved
           to
           see
           so
           many
           well-disposed
           Persons
           abused
           with
           words
           and
           phrases
           ,
           which
           either
           signifie
           nothing
           ,
           or
           have
           a
           very
           ambiguous
           and
           doubtful
           ,
           or
           a
           very
           bad
           sense
           ;
           when
           I
           have
           observed
           that
           great
           zeal
           ,
           which
           some
           men
           have
           for
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           I
           have
           often
           thought
           ,
           what
           great
           
           Instruments
           they
           might
           be
           of
           Gods
           glory
           ,
           were
           their
           zeal
           directed
           and
           governed
           with
           Knowledge
           and
           Iudgment
           ;
           and
           when
           I
           have
           observed
           ,
           how
           innocently
           and
           vertuously
           some
           of
           those
           men
           live
           ,
           who
           have
           espoused
           such
           Principles
           ,
           as
           naturally
           tend
           to
           make
           them
           bad
           ,
           I
           have
           thought
           ,
           what
           excellent
           Persons
           they
           might
           prove
           ,
           did
           they
           rightly
           understand
           so
           excellent
           a
           Religion
           ,
           as
           is
           published
           to
           the
           World
           in
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Christ
           ;
           such
           thoughts
           as
           these
           at
           first
           engaged
           me
           in
           this
           Work
           ,
           to
           rectifie
           those
           mistakes
           ,
           which
           will
           either
           make
           men
           bad
           ,
           or
           hinder
           and
           retard
           their
           progress
           in
           true
           goodness
           ,
           which
           is
           so
           pious
           and
           charitable
           a
           design
           ,
           as
           may
           at
           least
           plead
           my
           excuse
           ,
           though
           it
           should
           appear
           to
           be
           a
           mistaken
           zeal
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           management
           of
           this
           Discourse
           I
           have
           carefully
           avoided
           all
           personal
           reflexions
           ,
           have
           not
           medled
           
           with
           the
           lives
           and
           actions
           of
           men
           ,
           which
           I
           am
           so
           charitable
           as
           to
           hope
           ,
           may
           be
           more
           orthodox
           than
           their
           judgments
           :
           I
           have
           represented
           their
           opinions
           in
           their
           own
           words
           ,
           and
           am
           not
           conscious
           to
           my self
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           put
           any
           other
           sense
           upon
           their
           words
           ,
           than
           they
           intended
           ,
           and
           I
           cannot
           see
           ,
           what
           reason
           any
           man
           hath
           to
           take
           it
           ill
           ;
           that
           I
           repeat
           that
           ,
           which
           he
           himself
           thought
           fit
           to
           publish
           :
           where
           they
           pretend
           to
           argue
           gravely
           ,
           I
           have
           examined
           their
           Arguments
           with
           all
           possible
           gravity
           and
           solemnity
           ;
           where
           they
           plainly
           toy
           and
           trifle
           ,
           I
           have
           so
           far
           complied
           with
           their
           humour
           ,
           as
           to
           smile
           sometimes
           ,
           though
           as
           modestly
           as
           any
           man
           can
           desire
           :
           I
           have
           taken
           care
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           unteach
           men
           ,
           what
           was
           amiss
           ,
           but
           to
           explain
           and
           consirm
           the
           true
           notions
           of
           Religion
           ,
           lest
           any
           man
           should
           suspect
           ,
           that
           under
           a
           pretence
           of
           rectifying
           mistakes
           
           I
           designed
           to
           expose
           all
           Religion
           :
           what
           men
           will
           account
           severe
           ,
           I
           cannot
           tell
           ,
           because
           the
           gentlest
           Arguments
           will
           appear
           severe
           to
           any
           man
           ,
           who
           is
           pinch't
           by
           them
           ;
           but
           I
           have
           given
           no
           hard
           words
           ,
           and
           have
           sometimes
           called
           things
           by
           softer
           names
           ,
           than
           they
           deserve
           ,
           on
           purpose
           to
           avoid
           the
           imputation
           of
           severity
           ,
           which
           is
           now
           the
           common
           artifice
           to
           teach
           men
           to
           despise
           and
           reproach
           ,
           what
           they
           cannot
           answer
           :
           and
           if
           after
           all
           this
           I
           cannot
           escape
           without
           some
           hard
           names
           and
           hard
           censures
           ,
           I
           must
           be
           contented
           with
           my
           portion
           ;
           and
           indeed
           no
           man
           ought
           to
           expect
           better
           usage
           ,
           who
           considers
           ,
           that
           Mr.
           Baxter
           himself
           ,
           who
           hath
           deserved
           so
           well
           for
           his
           pious
           labours
           ,
           could
           not
           escape
           ,
           when
           he
           touch't
           upon
           their
           Darling
           Notions
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           ,
           Christian
           Reader
           ,
           I
           shall
           beg
           no
           more
           of
           thee
           ,
           than
           to
           
           read
           this
           Discourse
           with
           an
           honest
           and
           unprejudiced
           mind
           ,
           and
           as
           I
           did
           not
           compose
           it
           without
           imploring
           the
           guidance
           and
           direction
           of
           God
           ,
           so
           I
           recommend
           it
           to
           thee
           with
           my
           hearty
           prayers
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           prove
           as
           useful
           ,
           as
           my
           intentions
           were
           honest
           and
           charitable
           .
        
         
           
             Farewel
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           CONTENTS
           .
        
         
           
             THE
             Introduction
             concerning
             the
             various
             significations
             of
             the
             Name
             Christ
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             that
             it
             originally
             is
             the
             name
             of
             an
             Office
             ,
             but
             is
             used
             also
             to
             signifie
             the
             Person
             invested
             with
             this
             Office
             ,
             and
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ.
             
               Pag.
               1.
            
             
          
           
             Of
             what
             use
             the
             consideration
             of
             Christs
             Person
             is
             in
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             .
             14
          
           
             As
             first
             the
             greatness
             of
             his
             Person
             is
             a
             plain
             demonstration
             of
             Gods
             love
             to
             Mankind
             ,
             in
             that
             he
             gave
             his
             own
             Son
             for
             us
             .
             15
          
           
             2.
             
             It
             gives
             great
             Reverence
             and
             Authority
             to
             his
             Gospel
             .
             17
          
           
             3.
             
             It
             gives
             great
             Authority
             to
             his
             Example
             .
             18
          
           
             4.
             
             This
             assures
             us
             of
             the
             infinite
             value
             of
             his
             Sacrifice
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             power
             of
             his
             Intercession
             .
             19
          
           
             5.
             
             The
             Person
             of
             Christ
             is
             of
             no
             other
             consideration
             in
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             than
             as
             it
             hath
             an
             influence
             upon
             the
             great
             Ends
             of
             his
             Undertaking
             .
             21
          
           
             
             Of
             the
             knowledge
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             various
             ways
             whereby
             God
             hath
             manifested
             himself
             to
             the
             World.
             25
          
           
             Dr.
             
             Owen's
             Notion
             of
             an
             acquaintance
             with
             Christs
             Person
             considered
             .
             38
          
           
             How
             the
             Nature
             and
             Attributes
             of
             God
             may
             be
             learn't
             from
             an
             acquaintance
             with
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ.
             42.
             
             And
             how
             we
             learn
             the
             knowledge
             of
             our selves
             with
             respect
             to
             sin
             .
             49.
             
             And
             to
             Righteousness
             .
             53.
             
             And
             our
             wisdom
             to
             walk
             with
             God.
             55
          
           
             A
             new
             Scheme
             of
             Religion
             deduced
             from
             this
             acquaintance
             with
             Christs
             Person
             .
             57
          
           
             How
             unsafe
             it
             is
             to
             found
             Religion
             on
             a
             pretended
             acquaintance
             with
             Christs
             Person
             ,
             which
             at
             most
             amounts
             to
             no
             more
             than
             uncertain
             conjectures
             or
             ambiguous
             and
             doubtful
             Reasonings
             .
             76
          
           
             This
             way
             will
             serve
             other
             men
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             themselves
             ,
             and
             another
             Scheme
             of
             Religion
             from
             an
             acquaintance
             with
             Christ.
             80
          
           
             Of
             expounding
             Scripture
             by
             the
             sound
             of
             words
             .
             102
          
           
             And
             by
             the
             Analogie
             of
             Faith.
             118
          
           
             What
             is
             meant
             by
             our
             Union
             to
             Christ.
             142
          
           
             Those
             Metaphors
             ,
             which
             describe
             the
             Union
             
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             Christians
             ,
             do
             primarily
             refer
             to
             the
             Christian
             Church
             .
             142
          
           
             The
             Union
             of
             particular
             Christians
             to
             Christ
             is
             by
             means
             of
             their
             Union
             to
             the
             Christian
             Church
             .
             143
          
           
             In
             what
             sense
             Christ
             calls
             himself
             a
             Vine
             .
             145
          
           
             The
             Union
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             the
             Christian
             Church
             is
             not
             natural
             ,
             but
             political
             .
             156
          
           
             In
             what
             sense
             Christ
             is
             called
             a
             Shepherd
             ,
             Head
             ,
             and
             Husband
             .
             157.
             
             The
             reason
             of
             these
             Metaphors
             .
             159
          
           
             This
             political
             Union
             is
             either
             only
             external
             and
             visible
             ,
             or
             true
             and
             real
             ,
             and
             what
             this
             external
             Union
             is
             .
             168
          
           
             Wherein
             the
             real
             Union
             consists
             ,
             and
             concerning
             the
             subjection
             of
             our
             Souls
             and
             Spirits
             to
             Christ.
             171
          
           
             We
             are
             united
             to
             Christ
             by
             a
             participation
             of
             his
             Nature
             .
             172.
             
             And
             by
             a
             mutual
             and
             reciprocal
             Love.
             174
          
           
             In
             what
             sense
             the
             Christian
             Church
             is
             called
             Gods
             Temple
             .
             175
          
           
             This
             Union
             to
             Christ
             represented
             in
             the
             Sacraments
             of
             the
             New
             Testament
             .
             181
          
           
             Fellowship
             and
             Communion
             with
             God
             and
             Christ
             in
             the
             Scripture-phrase
             signifie
             
             this
             political
             Union
             .
             186
          
           
             The
             Lords
             Supper
             the
             only
             Act
             ,
             whereby
             our
             fellowship
             with
             God
             in
             this
             World
             is
             expressed
             .
             192
          
           
             Of
             our
             Union
             to
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ
             196
          
           
             What
             is
             meant
             by
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ.
             200
          
           
             The
             Personal
             Excellencies
             of
             Christ
             considered
             .
             206
          
           
             What
             is
             meant
             by
             the
             Fulness
             of
             Christ.
             216
          
           
             In
             what
             sense
             Christ
             is
             called
             our
             Life
             .
             228
          
           
             Concerning
             the
             Personal
             Righteousness
             of
             Christ.
             234
          
           
             What
             is
             meant
             by
             the
             Lord
             our
             Righteousness
             .
             235
          
           
             What
             is
             meant
             by
             the
             Righteousness
             of
             Faith.
             245
          
           
             What
             Abrahams
             Faith
             was
             whereby
             he
             was
             justified
             .
             247.
             
             Phil.
             3.
             8
             ,
             9.
             considered
             .
             260
          
           
             What
             St.
             Pauls
             Righteousness
             was
             while
             a
             Pharisee
             .
             261
          
           
             In
             what
             sense
             the
             Apostle
             opposes
             the
             righteousness
             of
             the
             Law
             to
             the
             righteousness
             of
             Faith.
             264.
             
             And
             his
             own
             righteousness
             to
             the
             Righteousness
             of
             God.
             274
          
           
             
             Concerning
             the
             Conjugal
             Relation
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             Believers
             ,
             and
             whether
             this
             can
             intitle
             us
             to
             his
             Personal
             Excellencies
             ,
             Righteousness
             ,
             &c.
             281
          
           
             Concerning
             the
             Legal
             Union
             and
             Christ's
             being
             the
             Saints
             Surety
             .
             287
          
           
             Whether
             Christ
             fulfilled
             all
             Righteousness
             for
             us
             as
             our
             Mediator
             .
             296
          
           
             What
             influence
             the
             obedience
             of
             Christs
             life
             ,
             and
             the
             Sacrifice
             of
             his
             death
             have
             upon
             our
             acceptance
             with
             God.
             320
          
           
             That
             some
             men
             place
             our
             Union
             to
             Christ
             before
             holiness
             of
             life
             ,
             as
             appears
             from
             the
             whole
             progress
             of
             the
             Soul
             (
             as
             they
             represent
             it
             )
             to
             a
             closure
             with
             Christ.
             337
          
           
             That
             according
             to
             these
             Principles
             there
             is
             no
             certain
             way
             to
             get
             into
             Christ.
             353.
             
             Nor
             any
             certain
             evidence
             of
             our
             being
             in
             Christ.
             364
          
           
             The
             Evidence
             of
             Sanctification
             considered
             .
             366
          
           
             Concerning
             the
             Love
             of
             Christ
             to
             Believers
             .
             392
          
           
             Concerning
             the
             Saints
             Love
             to
             Christ.
             408
          
        
      
       
         
         
           Errata
           .
        
         
           Pag.
           17.
           lin
           .
           22.
           for
           which
           was
           imitated
           by
           ,
           read
           which
           was
           an
           imitation
           of
           ,
           p.
           52.
           l.
           5.
           for
           truckle
           r.
           truck
           ,
           p.
           62.
           l.
           28.
           r.
           sense
           ,
           p.
           65.
           l.
           24.
           for
           thou
           r.
           then
           ,
           p.
           76.
           l.
           24
           ,
           25.
           
             &
             p.
          
           77.
           l.
           1.
           for
           guest
           r.
           ghest
           ,
           l.
           21.
           r.
           Counsel
           ,
           p.
           87.
           l.
           5.
           r.
           Counsels
           ,
           p.
           89.
           in
           the
           Margent
           ,
           
             for
             p.
          
           19.
           r.
           29.
           p.
           95.
           l.
           29.
           r.
           workings
           ,
           p.
           97.
           l.
           9.
           for
           the
           r.
           that
           ,
           p.
           114.
           l.
           8.
           for
           Lydo
           r.
           Lyaeo
           ,
           p.
           118.
           l.
           5.
           r.
           non-sense
           ,
           p.
           126
           l.
           27.
           r.
           ghess
           ,
           p.
           139.
           l.
           8.
           r.
           in
           the
           government
           of
           our
           lives
           ,
           l.
           15
           r.
           sense
           ,
           p.
           189.
           l.
           10.
           for
           and
           that
           the
           r.
           and
           that
           this
           is
           the
           ,
           p.
           225.
           l.
           11.
           dele
           the
           ,
           p.
           337.
           l.
           16.
           r.
           did
           not
           continue
           there
           ,
           p.
           383.
           l.
           11.
           for
           zeal
           ;
           for
           God
           r.
           zeal
           for
           God.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           INTRODUCTION
           .
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             
          
           
             ALL
             errour
             hath
             some
             appearance
             of
             truth
             ;
             it
             being
             impossible
             to
             believe
             a
             plain
             and
             undisguised
             falshood
             :
             but
             yet
             most
             men
             are
             so
             easie
             and
             credulous
             ,
             so
             impatient
             of
             severe
             inquiries
             ,
             or
             by
             assed
             by
             so
             many
             corrupt
             passions
             and
             interests
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             too
             often
             imposed
             on
             by
             very
             slight
             appearances
             :
             And
             commonly
             the
             first
             and
             fundamental
             mistake
             is
             in
             a
             confusion
             of
             names
             ,
             in
             a
             doubtful
             and
             ambiguous
             use
             of
             words
             ,
             especially
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             depend
             upon
             Revelation
             ,
             and
             must
             be
             judged
             by
             the
             publick
             and
             authentick
             Records
             of
             inspired
             men
             :
             for
             
             it
             happens
             too
             often
             in
             this
             Case
             ,
             that
             men
             consider
             nothing
             but
             the
             sound
             of
             words
             ,
             and
             from
             thence
             form
             such
             uncouth
             Idaeas
             of
             Religion
             ,
             as
             are
             fitted
             to
             the
             meanness
             of
             their
             understandings
             ,
             or
             gratifie
             their
             natural
             Genius
             and
             disposition
             ,
             or
             are
             calculated
             to
             serve
             an
             interest
             :
             And
             thus
             the
             Gospel
             of
             our
             Saviour
             is
             defaced
             and
             obscured
             by
             affected
             Mysteries
             ,
             and
             Paradoxes
             ,
             and
             senseless
             propositions
             ;
             and
             Christ
             himself
             ,
             who
             was
             the
             brightness
             of
             his
             Fathers
             glory
             ,
             and
             the
             express
             image
             of
             his
             Person
             ,
             who
             in
             the
             most
             plain
             and
             perspicuous
             manner
             declared
             the
             will
             of
             God
             to
             us
             ,
             is
             represented
             with
             a
             thicker
             Vail
             upon
             his
             Face
             than
             Moses
             ,
             and
             the
             glory
             of
             the
             second
             Covenant
             is
             much
             more
             obscured
             with
             a
             mist
             of
             words
             ,
             than
             the
             first
             was
             with
             Types
             and
             Figures
             .
          
           
             This
             will
             appear
             to
             any
             man
             ,
             who
             shall
             observe
             ,
             what
             strange
             interpretations
             are
             commonly
             made
             of
             those
             Texts
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             especially
             in
             St.
             Pauls
             Epistles
             ,
             wherein
             Christ
             is
             mentioned
             ,
             what
             absurd
             propositions
             are
             built
             on
             them
             ,
             what
             pernicious
             consequences
             drawn
             from
             them
             ,
             to
             defeat
             the
             great
             ends
             of
             Christs
             appearing
             in
             the
             flesh
             .
          
           
           
             I
             always
             took
             it
             for
             granted
             ,
             that
             Christ
             and
             his
             Religion
             were
             very
             well
             agreed
             ,
             but
             ,
             if
             we
             believe
             some
             men
             ,
             there
             is
             as
             irreconcileable
             a
             difference
             between
             the
             Religion
             of
             
               Christs
               Person
            
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             Gospel
             ,
             as
             between
             the
             Law
             and
             Grace
             :
             For
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             is
             as
             severe
             a
             despensation
             as
             the
             Law
             ,
             which
             dooms
             all
             men
             to
             Eternal
             misery
             ,
             who
             live
             not
             very
             innocent
             and
             vertuous
             Lives
             ;
             but
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ
             is
             all
             Grace
             ,
             a
             meer
             refuge
             and
             Sanctuary
             for
             the
             wicked
             and
             ungodly
             .
          
           
             Surely
             here
             must
             be
             a
             mistake
             somewhere
             ;
             for
             I
             am
             still
             of
             the
             mind
             ,
             that
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ
             is
             not
             at
             odds
             with
             his
             Gospel
             ;
             and
             that
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ
             will
             save
             none
             whom
             his
             Gospel
             condemns
             ;
             or
             if
             Christ
             would
             save
             those
             ,
             whom
             his
             Gospel
             condemns
             ,
             viz.
             impenitent
             and
             incorrigible
             Sinners
             ,
             I
             cannot
             imagine
             how
             men
             should
             know
             this
             without
             a
             particular
             Revelation
             ,
             and
             I
             hope
             ,
             they
             do
             not
             mean
             this
             by
             the
             private
             testimony
             of
             the
             Spirit
             to
             work
             assurance
             in
             them
             ;
             And
             yet
             we
             can
             think
             of
             no
             other
             way
             ,
             since
             the
             Gospel
             is
             so
             silent
             in
             this
             matter
             :
             But
             it
             is
             easie
             to
             observe
             ,
             where
             
             the
             mistake
             lies
             :
             for
             some
             men
             ,
             where-ever
             they
             meet
             with
             the
             word
             Christ
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             always
             understand
             by
             it
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             thus
             Faith
             in
             Christ
             ,
             and
             hope
             in
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             Phrases
             ,
             are
             expounded
             of
             a
             siducial
             relyance
             and
             recumbency
             on
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ
             for
             Salvation
             in
             contra-distinction
             to
             obedience
             to
             his
             Laws
             ,
             which
             sets
             up
             a
             
               Religion
               of
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
            
             in
             opposition
             to
             the
             
               Religion
               of
               his
               Gospel
            
             .
             And
             therefore
             the
             best
             way
             of
             rectifying
             this
             mistake
             ,
             which
             sets
             the
             Person
             and
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             at
             such
             odds
             ,
             is
             to
             examine
             the
             various
             significations
             of
             this
             name
             Christ
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             which
             shall
             serve
             as
             an
             Introduction
             to
             what
             follows
             .
          
           
             And
             first
             Christ
             is
             originally
             the
             name
             of
             an
             Office
             ,
             which
             the
             Jews
             call
             the
             Messias
             or
             one
             anointed
             by
             God
             :
             for
             under
             the
             Law
             ,
             their
             Prophets
             ,
             Priests
             ,
             and
             Kings
             ,
             were
             invested
             in
             their
             several
             Offices
             by
             the
             Ceremony
             of
             anointing
             them
             with
             Oyl
             ,
             which
             was
             typical
             of
             that
             divine
             Unction
             the
             Holy
             Jesus
             received
             at
             his
             Baptism
             ,
             when
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             descended
             on
             him
             like
             a
             Dove
             .
             All
             those
             
             legal
             Unctions
             were
             accomplisht
             in
             Iesus
             of
             Nazareth
             ,
             whom
             God
             anointed
             with
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             and
             with
             power
             ,
             Acts
             10.
             
             Verse
             ,
             38.
             which
             was
             his
             Consecration
             to
             the
             Mediatory
             Function
             ,
             and
             vertually
             contained
             all
             those
             Offices
             of
             Prophet
             ,
             Priest
             ,
             and
             King
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             properly
             distinct
             Offices
             in
             Christ
             ,
             but
             the
             several
             parts
             ,
             and
             different
             administrations
             of
             his
             Mediatory
             Kingdom
             .
          
           
             His
             Preaching
             the
             Gospel
             (
             which
             we
             commonly
             call
             his
             Prophetical
             Office
             )
             was
             the
             exercise
             of
             his
             Regal
             Power
             and
             Authority
             ,
             in
             publishing
             his
             Laws
             ,
             and
             the
             conditions
             of
             Eternal
             Life
             .
             Hence
             the
             Gospel
             is
             so
             often
             called
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             our
             Saviour
             tells
             Pilate
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             born
             to
             be
             a
             King
             ,
             and
             the
             principal
             exercise
             of
             his
             Kingly
             Power
             in
             this
             World
             consists
             in
             bearing
             witness
             to
             the
             truth
             ,
             Iohn
             18.
             37.
             that
             is
             ,
             it
             was
             an
             Act
             of
             his
             Regal
             Power
             to
             Conquer
             errour
             and
             ignorance
             ,
             to
             destroy
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             darkness
             by
             the
             brightness
             of
             his
             appearing
             ,
             and
             to
             erect
             his
             Throne
             in
             the
             hearts
             and
             Consciences
             of
             men
             ,
             by
             the
             power
             and
             evidence
             of
             truth
             ;
             which
             is
             a
             true
             spiritual
             Kingdom
             .
          
           
           
             And
             he
             was
             a
             Kingly
             Priest
             ,
             a
             Priest
             after
             the
             order
             of
             Melchizedec
             ,
             who
             was
             King
             of
             Salem
             ,
             (
             the
             new
             Ierusalem
             which
             comes
             down
             from
             Heaven
             )
             and
             Priest
             of
             the
             most
             high
             God.
             Hebr.
             7.
             
             Verse
             1.
             when
             he
             offered
             himself
             a
             Sacrifice
             for
             sin
             ,
             he
             acted
             like
             a
             King.
             No
             man
             took
             his
             life
             from
             him
             ,
             but
             he
             had
             power
             to
             lay
             it
             down
             ,
             and
             he
             had
             power
             to
             take
             it
             again
             ,
             in
             the
             10th
             Chapter
             of
             St.
             
             Iohn's
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             18.
             
             Verse
             .
             Herein
             he
             differ'd
             from
             other
             Kings
             ,
             that
             he
             laid
             the
             Foundation
             of
             his
             Kingdom
             in
             his
             own
             blood
             ,
             purchas'd
             and
             redeem'd
             his
             Subjects
             by
             the
             Sacrifice
             of
             himself
             .
          
           
             And
             that
             ,
             to
             which
             we
             commonly
             appropriate
             the
             name
             of
             Regal
             Power
             ,
             that
             authority
             he
             is
             invested
             with
             ,
             to
             Govern
             his
             Church
             ,
             to
             send
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             to
             forgive
             sins
             ,
             to
             dispense
             his
             Grace
             ,
             and
             supernatural
             assistances
             ,
             to
             answer
             Prayers
             ,
             to
             raise
             the
             dead
             ,
             and
             judge
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             bestow
             immortal
             life
             on
             all
             his
             sincere
             Disciples
             ,
             all
             this
             is
             the
             reward
             of
             his
             death
             and
             sufferings
             ,
             and
             is
             therefore
             called
             his
             intercession
             ,
             because
             like
             the
             intercession
             of
             the
             high
             Priest
             under
             the
             Law
             ,
             it
             is
             founded
             on
             his
             expiation
             and
             Sacrifice
             .
             
             
               With
               his
               own
               blood
               he
               entred
               once
               into
               the
               holy
               place
               ,
               having
               obtained
               eternal
               redemption
               for
               us
               .
               Hebrews
            
             9.
             
             Verse
             12.
             so
             that
             intercession
             signifies
             the
             Administration
             of
             his
             Mediatory
             Kingdom
             :
             the
             Power
             of
             a
             Regal
             Priest
             to
             expiate
             and
             forgive
             sins
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             a
             true
             account
             of
             the
             nature
             of
             Christs
             Kingdom
             ,
             and
             the
             method
             whereby
             it
             is
             erected
             .
             He
             first
             conquers
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             by
             the
             power
             of
             his
             Word
             and
             Spirit
             ;
             and
             reduces
             them
             into
             subjection
             to
             God
             ;
             and
             then
             he
             pardons
             their
             sins
             ,
             and
             raiseth
             them
             into
             an
             immortal
             life
             by
             the
             expiation
             of
             his
             Sacrifice
             ,
             and
             that
             Power
             and
             Authority
             ,
             which
             is
             founded
             on
             it
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             is
             the
             interpretation
             of
             the
             name
             Christ
             ,
             which
             signifies
             a
             Mediatory
             King
             ,
             immediately
             appointed
             by
             God
             to
             that
             Office
             ,
             and
             consecrated
             to
             it
             by
             a
             Divine
             and
             Supernatural
             Unction
             .
             And
             thus
             the
             name
             Christ
             signifies
             in
             those
             places
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             where
             Iesus
             is
             said
             to
             be
             the
             
               Christ
               ,
               i.
               e.
            
             that
             Messias
             ,
             whom
             God
             promised
             to
             send
             ;
             Which
             are
             so
             many
             and
             so
             obvious
             ,
             that
             I
             need
             not
             name
             them
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Though
             Christ
             is
             originally
             
             the
             name
             of
             an
             Office
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             used
             in
             Scripture
             to
             signifie
             the
             Person
             ,
             who
             is
             invested
             with
             this
             Office
             :
             for
             the
             use
             of
             names
             being
             for
             distinction
             ,
             and
             the
             Office
             of
             a
             Mediator
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             first
             signification
             of
             the
             name
             Christ
             ,
             being
             appropriate
             to
             Him
             ,
             it
             might
             well
             serve
             for
             a
             proper
             name
             ,
             when
             once
             it
             was
             known
             ,
             who
             was
             
               the
               Christ.
            
             And
             therefore
             though
             before
             his
             designation
             to
             this
             Office
             was
             publickly
             owned
             ,
             he
             was
             only
             called
             Iesus
             ,
             the
             name
             given
             him
             by
             the
             Angel
             ,
             before
             he
             was
             born
             ;
             yet
             ,
             when
             by
             his
             resurrection
             from
             the
             dead
             ,
             He
             was
             declared
             with
             power
             to
             be
             the
             Son
             and
             the
             Christ
             of
             God
             ,
             Christ
             became
             as
             much
             his
             proper
             name
             ,
             as
             Iesus
             was
             before
             .
             In
             the
             Gospels
             ,
             which
             contain
             the
             History
             of
             his
             Life
             and
             Death
             ,
             He
             is
             always
             called
             Iesus
             ,
             because
             all
             this
             time
             it
             was
             disputed
             ,
             whether
             he
             were
             the
             Christ
             or
             not
             ;
             but
             in
             the
             Epistles
             ,
             which
             are
             directed
             to
             the
             Christian
             Churches
             ,
             which
             were
             founded
             on
             this
             Faith
             ,
             that
             Iesus
             is
             the
             Christ
             ,
             he
             is
             as
             familiarly
             called
             Christ
             as
             Iesus
             ,
             and
             oftentimes
             by
             both
             ,
             
               Iesus
               Christ.
            
             For
             there
             can
             be
             no
             mistake
             in
             the
             Person
             ,
             by
             what
             name
             soever
             
             he
             be
             called
             ,
             whether
             it
             belong
             to
             his
             Office
             ,
             or
             Nature
             ,
             or
             circumstances
             of
             his
             Life
             and
             Fortune
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             but
             One
             ,
             to
             whom
             that
             name
             belongs
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Christ
             signifies
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             Religion
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             Moses
             signifies
             the
             Writings
             ,
             and
             Laws
             of
             Moses
             ,
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             the
             Writings
             or
             Sermons
             of
             the
             Prophets
             ;
             in
             the
             16.
             
             Ch.
             of
             St.
             Lukes
             Gospel
             ,
             29.
             
             
               Verse
               ,
               They
               have
               Moses
               and
               the
               Prophets
               ,
               let
               them
               hear
               them
            
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             31.
             
             Verse
             ,
             
               If
               they
               hear
               not
               Moses
               and
               the
               Prophets
               ,
               neither
               will
               they
               be
               perswaded
               ,
               though
               one
               rise
               from
               the
               dead
               .
            
             And
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             usual
             in
             common
             speech
             ,
             than
             to
             call
             any
             Laws
             ,
             or
             Religion
             ,
             or
             Philosophy
             ,
             by
             the
             name
             of
             the
             first
             Authors
             :
             Thus
             in
             the
             6.
             
             Chapter
             to
             the
             Galathians
             15.
             
             Verse
             .
             In
             
               Christ
               Iesus
               neither
               Circumcision
               availeth
               anything
               ,
               nor
               uncircumcision
               ,
               but
               a
               new
               Creature
               :
            
             that
             is
             ,
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             Religion
             of
             Christ
             ,
             nothing
             is
             of
             any
             value
             to
             recommend
             us
             to
             the
             favour
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             a
             new
             Nature
             ,
             a
             holy
             and
             vertuous
             life
             :
             The
             Law
             preferr'd
             Circumcision
             before
             Uncircumcision
             ,
             but
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             makes
             no
             such
             distinction
             ;
             but
             instead
             of
             those
             external
             signs
             requires
             
             the
             inward
             purity
             of
             heart
             .
             Thus
             in
             the
             second
             Chapter
             of
             the
             
               Ep.
               to
               Coll.
            
             8.
             
             
               Verse
               ;
               Beware
               lest
               men
               spoil
               you
               through
               Philosophy
               ,
               and
               vain
               deceit
               ,
               after
               the
               traditions
               of
               men
               ,
               after
               the
               Rudiments
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               not
               after
               Christ.
            
             Where
             
               after
               Christ
            
             is
             opposed
             to
             the
             
               traditions
               of
               men
            
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Rudiments
               of
               the
               World
            
             ,
             and
             therefore
             must
             signifie
             not
             the
             Person
             ,
             but
             the
             
               Religion
               or
               Gospel
            
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               i.
               e.
            
             have
             a
             care
             ,
             lest
             you
             be
             corrupted
             with
             the
             foolish
             opinions
             and
             superstitions
             of
             men
             ,
             which
             are
             inconsistent
             with
             the
             Christian
             Philosophy
             ,
             a
             plain
             contradiction
             to
             the
             Doctrine
             and
             Religion
             of
             Christ.
             And
             in
             the
             6.
             
             Verse
             ,
             
               As
               you
               have
               therefore
               received
               Christ
               Iesus
               the
               Lord
               ,
               so
               walk
               in
               him
               .
               i.
               e.
            
             obey
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             you
             have
             been
             taught
             it
             by
             us
             ,
             for
             so
             in
             the
             next
             Verse
             he
             calls
             it
             ,
             
               Being
               established
               in
               the
               Faith
               ,
               as
               you
               have
               been
               taught
               .
            
             The
             like
             we
             may
             see
             in
             the
             4.
             
             Chapter
             of
             the
             Epistle
             to
             the
             Ephesians
             ,
             20
             ,
             21.
             
             
               Verses
               ,
               But
               you
               have
               not
               so
               learned
               Christ
               ,
               if
               so
               be
               ,
               you
               have
               heard
               him
               ,
               and
               been
               taught
               by
               him
               ,
               as
               the
               truth
               is
               in
               Iesus
               .
            
             Now
             what
             can
             
               learning
               Christ
            
             signifie
             ?
             but
             learning
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ.
             And
             how
             could
             
             the
             Ephesians
             ,
             who
             never
             saw
             Christ
             in
             the
             flesh
             ,
             be
             said
             to
             
               hear
               him
            
             ,
             in
             any
             other
             sense
             ,
             than
             as
             they
             heard
             his
             Gospel
             preacht
             to
             them
             ,
             ver
             .
             8.
             and
             to
             be
             
               instructed
               in
               him
               ,
               as
               the
               truth
               is
               in
               Iesus
            
             (
             for
             so
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             signifies
             ,
             not
             ,
             as
             our
             Translators
             render
             it
             ,
             being
             taught
             by
             him
             ,
             but
             instructed
             in
             him
             )
             must
             be
             expounded
             of
             his
             Religion
             ,
             in
             its
             genuine
             and
             primitive
             simplicity
             ,
             so
             as
             Christ
             taught
             it
             his
             Disciples
             ,
             without
             the
             mixture
             of
             such
             corrupt
             and
             impure
             Doctrines
             ,
             as
             the
             Gnostick
             Hereticks
             had
             taught
             under
             the
             name
             of
             Christianity
             .
             These
             I
             take
             to
             be
             very
             convincing
             allegations
             of
             the
             use
             of
             the
             name
             Christ
             ,
             for
             his
             Doctrine
             and
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             It
             is
             acknowledg'd
             by
             all
             ,
             that
             Christ
             sometimes
             signifies
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               which
               is
               his
               body
               ,
               the
               fullness
               of
               him
               ,
               that
               filleth
               all
               in
               all
               :
            
             And
             thus
             we
             must
             understand
             those
             Phrases
             of
             being
             
               in
               Christ
               ,
               engrafted
            
             into
             Christ
             ,
             and
             united
             to
             Christ
             ,
             which
             signifie
             no
             more
             than
             to
             be
             a
             Christian
             ,
             One
             ,
             who
             belongs
             to
             that
             Society
             ,
             whereof
             Christ
             is
             the
             Head
             and
             Governour
             :
             thus
             it
             is
             used
             in
             the
             12.
             
             Chapter
             of
             the
             Ep.
             to
             the
             Romans
             ,
             5.
             
             
             
               Verse
               .
               We
               being
               many
               are
               One
               Body
               in
               Christ
               ,
               i.
               e.
            
             we
             are
             all
             but
             one
             Christian
             Society
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             One
             Body
             of
             Christ.
             Thus
             
               Brethren
               in
               Christ
               ,
               i.
               e.
            
             Christian
             Brethren
             ,
             1
             Colossians
             .
             2.
             
             Verse
             .
             And
             ,
             
               if
               any
               man
               be
               in
               Christ
               ,
               he
               is
               a
               new
               Creature
               :
            
             2.
             
             Ep.
             to
             the
             Corinthians
             5.
             
             Chapter
             17.
             
               v.
               i.
               e.
            
             every
             sincere
             Christian
             is
             a
             new
             Creature
             ,
             or
             ,
             whoever
             professeth
             the
             Faith
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             lives
             in
             Society
             with
             the
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             hath
             obliged
             himself
             to
             live
             a
             new
             life
             :
             but
             of
             this
             more
             in
             its
             proper
             place
             .
          
           
             Thus
             variously
             is
             the
             name
             Christ
             used
             in
             the
             Writings
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             which
             hath
             occasioned
             very
             great
             mistakes
             in
             some
             mens
             Divinity
             ,
             who
             are
             very
             zealous
             to
             advance
             Christs
             Person
             to
             the
             prejudice
             and
             reproach
             of
             his
             Religion
             .
             Who
             ,
             instead
             of
             those
             substantial
             duties
             of
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             men
             ,
             and
             an
             universal
             holiness
             of
             life
             ,
             have
             introduced
             a
             fanciful
             application
             of
             Christ
             to
             our selves
             ,
             and
             Union
             to
             him
             ,
             set
             off
             with
             all
             those
             choice
             Phrases
             of
             
               closing
               with
               Christ
               ,
               and
               embracing
               Christ
               ,
               and
               getting
               into
               Christ
               ,
               and
               getting
               an
               interest
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               trusting
               ,
               and
               relying
               ,
               and
               rowling
            
             
             
               our
               Souls
               on
               Christ
            
             :
             And
             instead
             of
             obedience
             to
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             the
             Laws
             of
             Christ
             ,
             have
             advanced
             a
             kind
             of
             Amorous
             and
             Enthusiastick
             devotion
             ,
             which
             consists
             in
             a
             passionate
             love
             to
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ
             ,
             in
             admiring
             his
             
               Personal
               excellencies
               ,
               and
               perfections
               ,
               fulness
               ,
               beauty
               ,
               loveliness
               ,
               riches
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             The
             Foundation
             of
             all
             which
             Riddles
             ,
             and
             Mysteries
             ,
             is
             ,
             that
             these
             men
             make
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ
             almost
             the
             sole
             object
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             and
             whatever
             is
             spoken
             of
             Christ
             with
             respect
             to
             his
             Offices
             ,
             his
             Laws
             ,
             and
             his
             Religion
             ,
             they
             understand
             of
             his
             Person
             ,
             and
             personal
             excellencies
             .
             And
             therefore
             the
             design
             of
             this
             discourse
             is
             to
             reconcile
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ
             with
             his
             Religion
             ,
             that
             men
             may
             not
             abuse
             themselves
             with
             a
             pretended
             devotion
             to
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             while
             they
             contemn
             his
             Laws
             ,
             and
             purposely
             defeat
             the
             great
             end
             of
             his
             coming
             into
             the
             World.
             And
             to
             that
             end
             I
             shall
             discourse
             on
             these
             following
             Arguments
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             Of
             what
             use
             the
             consideration
             of
             Christs
             person
             is
             in
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ;
             Secondly
             ,
             What
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             Christ
             is
             ;
             Thirdly
             ,
             Wherein
             our
             Union
             to
             Christ
             ,
             and
             
             Communion
             with
             him
             consists
             ;
             Fourthly
             ,
             Christs
             love
             to
             us
             ,
             and
             our
             love
             to
             Christ.
             
          
        
         
           
             
               CHAP.
               II.
            
             Of
             what
             use
             the
             consideration
             of
             Christs
             Person
             is
             in
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             .
          
           
             THE
             first
             thing
             to
             be
             stated
             is
             ,
             of
             what
             use
             the
             consideration
             of
             Christs
             Person
             is
             in
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             :
             For
             those
             men
             ,
             who
             talk
             so
             much
             of
             the
             Person
             ,
             and
             
               Personal
               excellencies
            
             of
             Christ
             frequently
             without
             any
             sense
             ,
             and
             generally
             without
             any
             just
             ground
             from
             Reason
             or
             Scripture
             ,
             are
             very
             clamorous
             ,
             and
             alarm
             the
             World
             with
             strange
             jealousies
             and
             fears
             ;
             as
             if
             there
             were
             a
             party
             of
             men
             started
             up
             ,
             who
             design
             to
             make
             
               Christ
               useless
            
             ,
             and
             to
             reduce
             Religion
             to
             its
             first
             Natural
             State
             ,
             which
             knew
             no
             Priest
             ,
             nor
             Sacrifice
             ,
             nor
             Mediator
             .
             A
             design
             ,
             which
             ,
             I
             profess
             ,
             I
             am
             wholly
             a
             stranger
             to
             ,
             as
             I
             believe
             all
             those
             are
             ,
             who
             are
             so
             much
             charged
             
             with
             it
             ;
             The
             Foundation
             of
             my
             hope
             is
             that
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Foundation
             of
             the
             
               Christian
               Religion
               ,
               the
               Sacrifice
               and
               Intercession
               of
               our
               Lord
               Iesus
               Christ.
            
             But
             I
             doubt
             not
             ,
             it
             will
             appear
             in
             the
             Sequel
             ,
             what
             the
             ground
             of
             these
             calumnies
             are
             ,
             viz.
             that
             
               we
               are
               charged
               with
               making
               Christ
               useless
               ,
               only
               because
               we
               dare
               not
               make
               his
               Laws
               and
               Religion
               so
               :
            
             And
             to
             prevent
             such
             scandals
             for
             the
             future
             ,
             I
             shall
             lay
             the
             Foundation
             of
             all
             in
             this
             inquiry
             ;
             of
             what
             use
             the
             consideration
             of
             Christs
             Person
             is
             in
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             .
          
           
             By
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ
             I
             mean
             ,
             what
             all
             men
             ought
             to
             mean
             ,
             who
             talk
             of
             Christs
             Person
             ,
             
               viz.
               Christ
               himself
            
             ,
             as
             every
             mans
             Person
             is
             himself
             :
             and
             the
             only
             proper
             consideration
             here
             is
             the
             greatness
             of
             his
             Person
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             or
             
               God
               man
            
             ,
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             in
             whom
             his
             Soul
             was
             well
             pleased
             ,
             who
             left
             the
             glories
             of
             an
             Eternal
             Throne
             to
             undertake
             the
             work
             of
             mans
             redemption
             ;
             and
             this
             suggests
             many
             useful
             considerations
             ,
             which
             have
             a
             great
             influence
             upon
             Religion
             .
          
           
             As
             first
             ,
             This
             is
             a
             plain
             demonstration
             of
             Gods
             love
             to
             Mankind
             ,
             that
             he
             sent
             so
             great
             and
             so
             dear
             a
             Person
             ,
             
             as
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
             ,
             into
             the
             World
             to
             save
             Sinners
             .
             All
             Religion
             is
             founded
             on
             a
             belief
             of
             Gods
             Goodness
             ,
             
               He
               that
               cometh
               to
               God
               must
               believe
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               is
               a
               rewarder
               of
               them
               ,
               that
               diligently
               seek
               him
               .
               Hebr.
            
             11.
             6.
             that
             is
             ,
             must
             believe
             his
             Being
             and
             his
             Providence
             ,
             that
             he
             loves
             ,
             and
             takes
             care
             of
             good
             men
             ;
             for
             no
             man
             will
             serve
             God
             ,
             who
             does
             not
             hope
             to
             be
             the
             better
             by
             it
             .
             And
             therefore
             every
             Religion
             had
             its
             proper
             demonstrations
             of
             Gods
             Goodness
             :
             Natural
             Religion
             was
             founded
             on
             those
             natural
             evidences
             of
             the
             Divine
             bounty
             and
             goodness
             in
             making
             and
             governing
             the
             World
             ;
             the
             Mosaick
             Religion
             on
             those
             miraculous
             deliverances
             ,
             God
             wrought
             for
             Israel
             ,
             and
             that
             particular
             providence
             ,
             which
             watched
             over
             them
             :
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             on
             the
             Incarnation
             ,
             Death
             ,
             and
             Resurrection
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ;
             a
             work
             of
             such
             stupendious
             love
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             the
             wonder
             of
             Angels
             ,
             and
             the
             astonishment
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             praise
             of
             men
             .
             No
             man
             can
             doubt
             of
             Gods
             good
             will
             to
             Sinners
             ,
             who
             sees
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             cloathed
             with
             our
             flesh
             ,
             and
             dying
             as
             a
             Sacrifice
             for
             our
             sins
             ;
             this
             gives
             relief
             to
             
             our
             guilty
             fears
             ,
             and
             does
             encourage
             us
             to
             retrieve
             our
             past
             follies
             by
             new
             obedience
             ,
             that
             we
             have
             so
             great
             an
             assurance
             of
             God's
             goodness
             ;
             for
             he
             had
             nothing
             greater
             to
             bestow
             on
             us
             ,
             than
             his
             Son
             ;
             And
             
               he
               that
               spared
               not
               his
               own
               Son
               ,
               but
               delivered
               him
               up
               for
               us
               all
               ,
               how
               shall
               he
               not
               with
               him
               also
               freely
               give
               us
               all
               things
               ?
            
             8
             Rom.
             32.
             
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             This
             gives
             great
             reverence
             and
             authority
             to
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             preached
             by
             so
             great
             a
             Person
             ,
             as
             the
             Son
             of
             God.
             Laws
             always
             partake
             of
             the
             fate
             and
             condition
             of
             the
             Law-giver
             ;
             the
             greater
             opinion
             we
             have
             of
             his
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             Reverence
             for
             his
             Person
             ,
             the
             more
             sacred
             regard
             have
             we
             for
             his
             Laws
             ;
             and
             therefore
             Numa
             pretended
             ,
             that
             he
             received
             his
             Laws
             from
             the
             Goddess
             Aegeria
             ,
             to
             procure
             a
             greater
             veneration
             for
             them
             ;
             which
             was
             imitated
             by
             Lycurgus
             ,
             and
             other
             Law-givers
             :
             thus
             
               God
               ,
               who
               at
               sundry
               times
               ,
               and
               in
               divers
               manners
               ,
               spake
               in
               time
               past
               to
               the
               Fathers
               by
               the
               Prophets
               ,
               hath
               in
               these
               last
               days
               spoken
               to
               us
               by
               his
               Son
               ,
               whom
               he
               appointed
               Heir
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               by
               whom
               also
               he
               made
               the
               Worlds
               .
            
             1
             Hebr.
             1.
             2.
             
             And
             his
             greatness
             and
             Authority
             gives
             
             an
             inviolable
             sanction
             and
             just
             reverence
             to
             his
             Laws
             .
             
               Therefore
               we
               ought
               to
               give
               the
               more
               earnest
               heed
               to
               the
               things
               which
               we
               have
               heard
               ,
               lest
               at
               any
               time
               we
               should
               let
               them
               slip
               ;
               for
               if
               the
               word
               spoken
               by
               Angels
               was
               stedfast
               ,
               and
               every
               ▪
               transgression
               and
               disobedience
               received
               a
               just
               recompence
               of
               reward
               ,
               how
               shall
               we
               escape
               ,
               if
               we
               neglect
               so
               great
               Salvation
               ,
               which
               at
               first
               began
               to
               be
               spoken
               by
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             2.
             
             Hebr.
             1.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
             To
             the
             same
             purpose
             is
             that
             Parable
             in
             Luke
             20.
             9.
             
             &c.
             
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             The
             greatness
             of
             his
             Person
             gives
             great
             authority
             to
             his
             example
             .
             He
             came
             to
             be
             our
             Prophet
             and
             our
             guide
             ,
             to
             teach
             us
             by
             his
             Precepts
             and
             his
             life
             ;
             now
             we
             love
             to
             imitate
             great
             Persons
             ,
             and
             none
             so
             great
             as
             he
             ,
             who
             was
             the
             brightness
             of
             his
             Fathers
             Glory
             ,
             and
             the
             express
             image
             of
             his
             Person
             .
             His
             example
             secures
             the
             honour
             and
             reputation
             of
             vertue
             ,
             and
             gives
             us
             an
             evident
             demonstration
             ,
             wherein
             the
             perfection
             of
             our
             nature
             consists
             ;
             for
             he
             lived
             up
             to
             the
             perfection
             of
             humane
             nature
             ,
             and
             the
             only
             way
             to
             be
             perfect
             is
             to
             live
             ,
             as
             he
             lived
             .
             Nay
             the
             greatness
             of
             his
             Person
             makes
             all
             the
             expressions
             of
             his
             love
             and
             goodness
             
             the
             more
             wonderful
             .
             That
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             should
             become
             man
             ,
             that
             when
             he
             was
             rich
             ,
             for
             our
             sakes
             he
             should
             become
             poor
             ,
             that
             the
             great
             Lord
             of
             the
             Creation
             should
             become
             a
             Minister
             and
             Servant
             ,
             that
             the
             Lord
             of
             life
             and
             glory
             should
             suffer
             and
             die
             :
             These
             are
             such
             expressions
             of
             love
             and
             goodness
             ,
             as
             we
             can
             never
             fully
             imitate
             ,
             because
             we
             can
             never
             be
             so
             great
             ,
             as
             he
             was
             ,
             but
             yet
             they
             powerfully
             convince
             us
             ,
             how
             reasonable
             it
             is
             for
             us
             to
             stoop
             to
             the
             meanest
             offices
             of
             kindness
             ,
             since
             we
             can
             never
             stoop
             so
             low
             ,
             as
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             did
             ,
             when
             he
             came
             down
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             took
             up
             his
             Lodging
             in
             the
             grave
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             This
             assures
             us
             of
             the
             infinite
             value
             of
             his
             Sacrifice
             ,
             and
             the
             power
             of
             his
             intercession
             :
             He
             was
             a
             Priest
             of
             a
             higher
             order
             than
             that
             of
             Aaron
             ,
             and
             his
             Sacrifice
             of
             a
             greater
             value
             than
             the
             bloud
             of
             Bulls
             and
             Goats
             :
             God
             cannot
             but
             be
             pleased
             ,
             when
             his
             own
             Son
             undertakes
             to
             be
             a
             ransom
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             atonement
             for
             Sinners
             ,
             which
             is
             so
             great
             a
             vindication
             of
             Gods
             Dominion
             and
             Soveraignty
             ,
             of
             the
             authority
             of
             his
             Laws
             ,
             and
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Justice
             of
             his
             Providence
             ,
             
             that
             he
             may
             securely
             pardon
             humble
             and
             penitent
             Sinners
             without
             reproaching
             any
             of
             his
             Attributes
             .
             And
             we
             can
             reasonably
             desire
             no
             greater
             security
             for
             the
             performance
             of
             this
             Gospel
             Covenant
             ,
             than
             that
             it
             was
             sealed
             with
             the
             bloud
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             is
             such
             a
             confirmation
             of
             God's
             Covenant
             and
             Promise
             ,
             as
             the
             World
             never
             had
             before
             ;
             Christ
             is
             the
             surety
             of
             a
             better
             Testament
             ,
             Hebr.
             7.
             22.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             one
             who
             undertakes
             for
             the
             performance
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             security
             he
             gives
             us
             depends
             on
             thè
             vertue
             of
             his
             Priesthood
             and
             Sacrifice
             ,
             and
             the
             power
             of
             his
             Intercession
             ;
             for
             so
             in
             Verse
             21.
             the
             Apostle
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             God
             had
             confirmed
             the
             Priesthood
             of
             Christ
             by
             Oath
             ,
             
               The
               Lord
               hath
               sworn
               and
               will
               not
               repent
               ,
               Thou
               art
               a
               Priest
               for
               ever
               after
               the
               Order
               of
            
             Melchisedec
             :
             And
             whereas
             other
             Priests
             died
             ,
             and
             left
             their
             Priesthood
             to
             their
             Successors
             ,
             
               He
               continueth
               for
               ever
               ,
               and
               therefore
               hath
               an
               unchangeable
               Priesthood
               ,
               and
               is
               able
               to
               save
               them
               to
               the
               uttermost
               ,
               that
               come
               unto
               God
               by
               him
               ,
               seeing
               he
               ever
               liveth
               to
               make
               intercession
               for
               them
               .
               Verse
            
             23
             ,
             24
             ,
             25.
             
             And
             who
             can
             desire
             a
             more
             powerful
             Mediator
             than
             the
             Son
             of
             
             God
             ,
             to
             whom
             God
             hath
             given
             such
             signal
             demonstrations
             of
             his
             favour
             and
             acceptance
             by
             a
             voice
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             glory
             of
             his
             Miracles
             ,
             and
             his
             Resurrection
             from
             the
             Dead
             ?
          
           
             And
             that
             the
             vertue
             of
             Christs
             Sacrifice
             and
             Intercession
             depends
             very
             much
             on
             the
             greatness
             of
             his
             Person
             is
             plain
             from
             the
             Epistle
             to
             the
             Hebrews
             ;
             the
             design
             of
             which
             is
             to
             show
             ,
             how
             much
             the
             Priesthood
             and
             Sacrifice
             of
             Christ
             excels
             that
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             and
             the
             Foundation
             of
             all
             is
             laid
             in
             the
             first
             Chapter
             ,
             where
             the
             Apostle
             discourses
             of
             his
             greatness
             and
             excellency
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             the
             brightness
             of
             his
             Fathers
             glory
             ,
             and
             the
             express
             Image
             of
             his
             Person
             ;
             the
             Heir
             of
             all
             things
             by
             whom
             he
             made
             the
             Worlds
             ,
             exalted
             above
             all
             Angels
             ,
             who
             hath
             an
             everlasting
             Throne
             and
             Scepter
             ,
             and
             shall
             continue
             ,
             when
             all
             other
             things
             moulder
             and
             vanish
             away
             .
          
           
             But
             Fifthly
             ,
             The
             Person
             of
             Christ
             is
             of
             no
             other
             consideration
             in
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             than
             as
             it
             hath
             an
             influence
             upon
             the
             great
             ends
             of
             his
             undertaking
             ,
             
               i.
               e.
            
             we
             must
             expect
             no
             more
             from
             Christ
             upon
             account
             of
             his
             Personal
             excellencies
             and
             perfections
             ,
             
             than
             what
             he
             hath
             promised
             in
             his
             Gospel
             :
             He
             hath
             told
             us
             there
             ,
             whatever
             he
             intends
             to
             do
             for
             us
             ,
             and
             hath
             charged
             us
             to
             expect
             no
             more
             from
             him
             .
             Math.
             7.
             21.
             
             
               Not
               every
               one
               ,
               that
               saith
               unto
               me
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               shall
               enter
               into
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               but
               he
               that
               doth
               the
               will
               of
               my
               Father
               ,
               which
               is
               in
               Heaven
               .
            
             That
             is
             ,
             you
             must
             not
             expect
             ,
             that
             I
             will
             be
             better
             to
             you
             than
             my
             word
             ,
             and
             receive
             you
             into
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             upon
             easier
             terms
             ,
             than
             I
             have
             promised
             ,
             I
             shall
             be
             moved
             with
             none
             of
             your
             flattering
             speeches
             ,
             but
             how
             good
             and
             kind
             soever
             you
             may
             fancy
             me
             ,
             unless
             you
             obey
             those
             Laws
             I
             publish
             in
             my
             Fathers
             name
             ,
             I
             declare
             before
             hand
             ,
             that
             I
             will
             disown
             you
             ,
             when
             I
             come
             to
             judgment
             .
          
           
             For
             indeed
             should
             he
             absolve
             and
             justifie
             those
             men
             ,
             whom
             the
             Gospel
             condemns
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             wilful
             and
             incorrigible
             Sinners
             ,
             this
             were
             to
             disanul
             that
             Covenant
             which
             he
             had
             sealed
             with
             his
             bloud
             :
             Christ
             is
             the
             object
             of
             our
             Faith
             and
             Hope
             ,
             only
             as
             he
             is
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             he
             is
             our
             Saviour
             in
             no
             other
             sense
             ,
             than
             as
             he
             is
             our
             Mediator
             ,
             and
             he
             mediates
             for
             us
             as
             our
             Priest
             ,
             that
             is
             in
             vertue
             of
             that
             Covenant
             ,
             
             which
             he
             hath
             sealed
             with
             his
             bloud
             ,
             and
             therefore
             we
             have
             no
             reason
             to
             expect
             any
             thing
             from
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             contained
             in
             his
             Covenant
             ,
             much
             less
             which
             contradicts
             it
             ,
             for
             that
             would
             be
             in
             effect
             
               to
               renounce
               his
               Mediation
               ,
               and
               to
               trust
               to
               the
               goodness
               of
               his
               nature
               :
            
             And
             let
             any
             man
             judg
             ,
             whether
             this
             be
             not
             to
             set
             up
             a
             new
             Religion
             ,
             which
             hath
             no
             Covenant
             ,
             and
             no
             Promise
             ;
             for
             whatever
             we
             can
             expect
             from
             Christ
             by
             vertue
             of
             a
             Promise
             ,
             is
             contained
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             if
             we
             expect
             any
             thing
             else
             from
             him
             upon
             his
             Personal
             account
             ,
             it
             is
             without
             a
             promise
             :
             which
             at
             best
             reduces
             us
             to
             the
             same
             state
             ,
             in
             which
             the
             World
             was
             ,
             before
             God
             had
             made
             an
             express
             revelation
             of
             his
             will
             ,
             when
             all
             their
             hopes
             were
             founded
             on
             that
             natural
             perswasion
             they
             had
             of
             the
             divine
             Goodness
             ,
             that
             Faith
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Foundation
             of
             
               Natural
               Religion
               ,
               that
               God
               is
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               is
               a
               rewarder
               of
               them
               that
               diligently
               seek
               him
               .
               Hebr.
            
             11.
             6.
             thus
             these
             men
             trust
             in
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ
             without
             any
             Promise
             ,
             nay
             (
             which
             makes
             the
             case
             much
             worse
             )
             in
             contradiction
             to
             the
             terms
             of
             that
             
             Covenant
             ,
             which
             he
             sealed
             with
             his
             bloud
             :
             
               they
               quit
               his
               Promise
               and
               his
               Covenant
               ,
               to
               rely
               and
               rowl
               upon
               his
               Person
               .
            
          
           
             This
             is
             so
             very
             absurd
             at
             first
             sight
             ,
             that
             I
             know
             no
             man
             will
             be
             so
             senseless
             ,
             as
             to
             owne
             it
             
               in
               so
               many
               words
            
             ,
             nor
             do
             I
             charge
             any
             man
             with
             it
             ;
             but
             I
             say
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             natural
             interpretation
             of
             trusting
             in
             the
             Person
             of
             Christ
             ,
             in
             his
             blood
             ,
             and
             merits
             ,
             and
             satisfaction
             ,
             fulness
             ,
             and
             alsufficiency
             ,
             and
             of
             relying
             and
             rowling
             the
             Soul
             on
             Christ
             for
             Salvation
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             Phrases
             of
             a
             late
             date
             ,
             in
             which
             some
             men
             place
             the
             whole
             mystery
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             if
             they
             understand
             any
             thing
             more
             by
             them
             ,
             than
             expecting
             to
             be
             saved
             according
             to
             the
             terms
             of
             the
             Gospel
             Covenant
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             by
             believing
             and
             obeying
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             ;
             And
             certainly
             they
             must
             mean
             something
             more
             than
             this
             ,
             or
             else
             they
             raise
             a
             great
             noise
             and
             clamour
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             confound
             mens
             minds
             with
             obscure
             and
             unscriptural
             phrases
             to
             no
             purpose
             :
             as
             will
             appear
             more
             in
             what
             follows
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             
               CHAP.
               III.
            
             Of
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             Christ.
             
          
           
             
               SECT
               .
               I.
               
            
             
               THE
               happiness
               of
               Mankind
               consists
               in
               the
               Knowledge
               and
               Love
               of
               God
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               greatest
               and
               the
               best
               Being
               ,
               and
               therefore
               our
               good
               God
               ,
               who
               is
               never
               wanting
               to
               his
               own
               glory
               ,
               and
               the
               happiness
               of
               his
               Creatures
               ,
               hath
               taken
               care
               in
               all
               Ages
               by
               one
               means
               or
               other
               to
               make
               known
               himself
               and
               his
               will
               to
               the
               World.
               
            
             
               In
               the
               first
               Creation
               of
               all
               things
               he
               left
               such
               visible
               impresses
               of
               his
               own
               Divine
               Wisdom
               and
               Power
               on
               the
               works
               of
               Nature
               ,
               and
               planted
               in
               the
               mind
               of
               man
               such
               a
               natural
               knowledge
               of
               himself
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               as
               easie
               to
               discover
               the
               first
               Author
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               now
               for
               a
               well
               disposed
               eye
               to
               see
               the
               Sun
               ,
               when
               it
               shines
               ;
               And
               while
               man
               preserved
               his
               innocence
               ,
               God
               himself
               did
               not
               disdain
               to
               converse
               with
               him
               ,
               and
               to
               give
               him
               very
               present
               and
               sensible
               demonstrations
               of
               his
               Power
               and
               Providence
               .
            
             
             
               In
               after
               Ages
               as
               Mankind
               grew
               more
               corrupt
               ,
               and
               declined
               to
               Idolatry
               ,
               God
               afforded
               good
               men
               the
               frequent
               apparitions
               of
               Angels
               ,
               who
               were
               the
               great
               Ministers
               of
               his
               Providence
               ;
               and
               to
               instruct
               the
               more
               degenerate
               part
               of
               Mankind
               ,
               he
               raised
               up
               some
               great
               examples
               and
               Preachers
               of
               Righteousness
               ,
               such
               as
               Enoch
               ,
               and
               Noah
               ,
               and
               Abraham
               ;
               and
               gave
               such
               plain
               and
               undeniable
               proofs
               of
               his
               acceptance
               of
               these
               men
               ,
               as
               might
               reasonably
               incourage
               others
               to
               imitate
               their
               examples
               .
               He
               translated
               Enoch
               immediately
               to
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               preserved
               Noah
               and
               his
               Family
               in
               the
               Ark
               ,
               when
               he
               destroyed
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               World
               by
               a
               deluge
               of
               Waters
               ,
               which
               was
               a
               signal
               warning
               to
               that
               corrupt
               Generation
               ,
               while
               the
               Ark
               was
               preparing
               and
               a
               great
               example
               to
               Posterity
               ;
               he
               sent
               Lot
               out
               of
               the
               ruins
               of
               Sodom
               ,
               and
               made
               Abraham
               the
               Father
               of
               a
               great
               Nation
               ,
               which
               was
               a
               convincing
               argument
               ,
               how
               dear
               these
               good
               men
               were
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               what
               others
               might
               expect
               from
               him
               ,
               who
               would
               worship
               and
               fear
               him
               ,
               as
               they
               did
               .
            
             
               But
               when
               the
               World
               would
               not
               be
               reformed
               by
               these
               single
               Examples
               ,
               God
               
               chose
               the
               Posterity
               of
               Abraham
               to
               be
               a
               publick
               and
               constant
               demonstration
               of
               his
               Power
               and
               Providence
               ,
               and
               care
               of
               good
               men
               .
               For
               when
               God
               chose
               the
               Posterity
               of
               Abraham
               to
               be
               his
               peculiar
               people
               ,
               he
               did
               not
               design
               to
               exclude
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               World
               from
               his
               care
               and
               providence
               ,
               and
               all
               possible
               means
               of
               Salvation
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
               argues
               in
               Rom.
               3.
               29.
               
               
                 Is
                 he
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 the
                 Iews
                 only
                 ?
                 Is
                 he
                 not
                 also
                 of
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 ?
                 Yes
                 of
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 also
                 :
              
               which
               argument
               ,
               if
               it
               have
               any
               force
               in
               it
               ,
               must
               prove
               Gods
               respect
               to
               the
               Gentiles
               before
               the
               preaching
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               since
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               founded
               on
               that
               natural
               relation
               God
               owns
               to
               all
               Mankind
               ,
               as
               their
               merciful
               Creator
               and
               Governour
               ,
               which
               gives
               the
               Gentiles
               as
               well
               as
               Jews
               an
               intrest
               in
               his
               care
               and
               providence
               .
               This
               plainly
               evinces
               ,
               that
               all
               those
               particular
               favours
               ,
               which
               God
               bestowed
               on
               Israel
               ,
               were
               not
               owing
               to
               any
               partial
               fondness
               and
               respect
               to
               that
               people
               ,
               but
               the
               design
               of
               all
               was
               to
               encourage
               the
               whole
               World
               to
               worship
               the
               God
               of
               Israel
               ,
               who
               gave
               so
               many
               demonstrations
               of
               his
               power
               and
               providence
               .
               For
               this
               reason
               God
               brought
               
               Israel
               out
               of
               Aegypt
               ,
               with
               great
               signs
               and
               wonders
               and
               a
               mighty
               hand
               ,
               (
               when
               he
               could
               have
               done
               it
               with
               less
               noise
               and
               observation
               )
               that
               he
               might
               the
               more
               gloriously
               triumph
               over
               the
               numerous
               Gods
               of
               Aegypt
               ,
               and
               all
               their
               enchantments
               and
               divinations
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               might
               be
               honoured
               on
               Pharoah
               and
               all
               his
               Host.
               For
               this
               reason
               he
               maintained
               them
               in
               the
               Wilderness
               at
               the
               constant
               expence
               of
               miracles
               ,
               fought
               all
               their
               Battles
               for
               them
               ,
               and
               many
               times
               by
               weak
               and
               contemptible
               means
               overthrew
               great
               and
               puissant
               Armies
               ,
               drove
               out
               the
               Inhabitants
               of
               Canaan
               ,
               and
               gave
               them
               possession
               of
               that
               good
               land
               .
               I
               say
               one
               great
               and
               principal
               design
               of
               all
               this
               was
               to
               convince
               the
               World
               of
               the
               Majesty
               and
               Power
               of
               the
               God
               of
               Israel
               ,
               that
               they
               might
               renounce
               their
               foolish
               Idolatries
               and
               Country
               Gods
               ,
               and
               consent
               in
               the
               worship
               of
               that
               One
               God
               ,
               who
               alone
               doth
               wondrous
               things
               ;
               this
               account
               the
               Psalmist
               gives
               of
               it
               ;
               that
               God
               wrought
               such
               visible
               and
               miraculous
               deliverances
               for
               Israel
               ,
               to
               make
               his
               glory
               and
               his
               power
               known
               among
               the
               Heathen
               ;
               
                 The
                 Lord
                 hath
                 made
                 known
                 his
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 his
                 righteousness
              
               
               
                 hath
                 he
                 openly
                 shewed
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 the
                 Heathen
                 .
              
               Psalm
               98.
               2.
               
               
                 That
                 the
                 Heathen
                 might
                 fear
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 Kings
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 his
                 glory
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
              
               that
               all
               Nations
               might
               worship
               God
               ,
               and
               all
               Kings
               submit
               their
               Crowns
               and
               Scepters
               to
               him
               .
               Psal.
               102.
               15.
               that
               by
               this
               means
               they
               might
               be
               instructed
               in
               that
               important
               truth
               ,
               
                 That
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 great
                 and
                 greatly
                 to
                 be
                 praised
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 feared
                 above
                 all
                 Gods
                 ;
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 Gods
                 of
                 the
                 Nations
                 are
                 Idols
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 made
                 the
                 Heavens
                 .
                 Psal.
              
               96.
               4
               ,
               5.
               
            
             
               And
               as
               God
               set
               up
               the
               people
               of
               Israel
               as
               a
               visible
               demonstration
               to
               all
               the
               World
               of
               his
               power
               and
               providence
               ,
               so
               he
               committed
               his
               Laws
               and
               Oracles
               to
               them
               ,
               from
               whence
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               when
               they
               pleased
               ,
               might
               fetch
               the
               best
               rules
               of
               life
               ,
               and
               the
               most
               certain
               notices
               of
               the
               divine
               will.
               
            
             
               In
               such
               ways
               God
               instructed
               the
               World
               in
               former
               Ages
               ,
               by
               the
               light
               of
               Nature
               ,
               and
               the
               examples
               of
               good
               men
               ,
               and
               the
               Sermons
               of
               the
               Prophets
               ,
               and
               the
               publick
               example
               of
               a
               whole
               Nation
               ,
               which
               God
               chose
               for
               that
               very
               purpose
               .
            
             
             
               But
               when
               long
               and
               sad
               experience
               had
               proved
               all
               these
               ways
               ineffectual
               to
               reform
               the
               World
               ,
               at
               last
               God
               sent
               his
               own
               Son
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               to
               make
               a
               full
               and
               perfect
               Declaration
               of
               his
               will
               ,
               to
               give
               the
               best
               rules
               of
               life
               ,
               and
               to
               encourage
               our
               obedience
               by
               the
               most
               express
               promises
               of
               a
               blessed
               Immortality
               .
               This
               was
               one
               great
               design
               of
               Christ's
               appearing
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               to
               reveal
               and
               declare
               God
               to
               us
               .
               Iohn
               1.
               18.
               
               
                 No
                 man
                 hath
                 seen
                 God
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 ,
                 the
                 only
                 begotten
                 Son
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 bosom
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 declared
                 him
                 :
              
               and
               in
               Math.
               11.
               27.
               
               
                 All
                 things
                 are
                 delivered
                 unto
                 me
                 of
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 no
                 man
                 knoweth
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 neither
                 knoweth
                 any
                 man
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 ,
                 to
                 whomsoever
                 the
                 Son
                 will
                 reveal
                 him
                 .
              
               That
               is
               ,
               God
               hath
               now
               committed
               unto
               Christ
               all
               the
               secret
               purposes
               of
               his
               Counsel
               concerning
               the
               Salvation
               of
               Mankind
               ,
               which
               were
               concealed
               from
               Ages
               .
               None
               of
               the
               Prophets
               ,
               which
               lived
               before
               ,
               did
               so
               fully
               understand
               it
               ,
               nor
               have
               we
               any
               other
               certain
               way
               of
               knowing
               this
               ▪
               but
               by
               the
               Revelation
               Christ
               hath
               made
               to
               us
               .
            
             
               Thus
               in
               Iohn
               14.
               6
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 Iesus
                 saith
              
               
               
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 the
                 truth
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 life
                 ,
                 no
                 man
                 cometh
                 unto
                 the
                 Father
                 but
                 by
                 me
                 ;
                 if
                 you
                 had
                 known
                 me
                 ,
                 you
                 should
                 have
                 known
                 my
                 Father
                 also
                 ,
                 and
                 henceforth
                 you
                 have
                 known
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 seen
                 him
                 .
              
               That
               is
               ,
               I
               alone
               declare
               the
               true
               way
               to
               life
               and
               happiness
               ,
               and
               no
               man
               can
               thoroughly
               understand
               the
               will
               of
               God
               but
               by
               learning
               of
               me
               ,
               and
               therefore
               whoever
               knows
               me
               ,
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               whoever
               is
               acquainted
               with
               the
               Doctrine
               and
               Religion
               I
               preach
               ,
               knows
               my
               Father
               also
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               is
               thoroughly
               instructed
               in
               God's
               mind
               and
               will
               ,
               as
               he
               proves
               in
               the
               following
               Verses
               .
               So
               that
               
                 to
                 know
                 God
              
               ,
               is
               to
               understand
               the
               will
               of
               God
               concerning
               the
               Salvation
               of
               Mankind
               ,
               and
               
                 to
                 know
                 Christ
              
               ,
               is
               to
               understand
               that
               Declaration
               he
               hath
               made
               of
               Gods
               will
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               he
               Preached
               ,
               which
               is
               therefore
               called
               ,
               
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 Iesus
                 Christ.
              
               2
               Cor.
               4.
               6.
               
               That
               is
               ,
               that
               glorious
               manifestation
               God
               hath
               made
               of
               himself
               to
               the
               World
               by
               Christ
               :
               for
               the
               
                 face
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               signifies
               all
               that
               ,
               whereby
               he
               made
               himself
               known
               ,
               as
               a
               man
               is
               known
               by
               his
               face
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               his
               Laws
               ,
               and
               Religion
               ,
               and
               
               Miracles
               ,
               whereby
               it
               appeared
               ,
               that
               he
               was
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               the
               great
               Prophet
               and
               Saviour
               of
               the
               World
               ;
               by
               all
               this
               the
               glory
               of
               God
               was
               manifested
               ;
               in
               which
               the
               Apostle
               alludes
               to
               that
               shining
               glory
               ,
               which
               appeared
               on
               the
               face
               of
               Moses
               ,
               when
               he
               came
               down
               from
               the
               Mount
               ;
               which
               was
               but
               typical
               of
               that
               bright
               and
               glorious
               manifestation
               ,
               God
               would
               make
               of
               himself
               by
               Christ.
               God
               was
               seen
               in
               Christ
               ,
               
                 he
                 that
                 hath
                 seen
                 me
                 hath
                 seen
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               in
               plain
               words
               ,
               the
               will
               of
               God
               was
               fully
               declared
               to
               the
               World
               by
               Christ
               :
               upon
               which
               account
               too
               (
               as
               well
               as
               with
               respect
               to
               his
               divine
               Nature
               )
               he
               is
               called
               
                 the
                 brightness
                 of
                 his
                 Fathers
                 glory
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 express
                 image
                 of
                 his
                 Person
                 .
                 Hebr.
              
               1.
               1.
               those
               discoveries
               Christ
               hath
               made
               of
               God
               ,
               being
               a
               bright
               and
               glorious
               reflexion
               of
               the
               Nature
               and
               Attributes
               of
               God
               ,
               of
               his
               Eternal
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               truth
               ,
               and
               holiness
               ,
               as
               true
               a
               representation
               of
               the
               divine
               nature
               and
               will
               ,
               as
               any
               Picture
               is
               of
               the
               person
               it
               represents
               .
               It
               is
               plain
               ,
               that
               in
               this
               sense
               Christ
               is
               called
               the
               image
               of
               God.
               2
               Cor.
               4.
               4.
               
               
                 Lest
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 the
                 glorious
                 Gospel
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 image
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 should
                 shine
              
               
               
                 unto
                 them
              
               .
               Where
               Christ's
               being
               the
               Image
               of
               God
               comes
               in
               very
               abruptly
               ,
               unless
               we
               understand
               it
               in
               this
               sense
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               the
               Image
               of
               God
               with
               respect
               to
               the
               glorious
               Revelations
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               contain
               a
               true
               and
               faithful
               account
               of
               God's
               Nature
               and
               Will.
               
            
             
               The
               result
               of
               all
               is
               this
               ,
               that
               God
               is
               the
               last
               and
               highest
               object
               of
               Religious
               and
               saving
               Knowledge
               ,
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               that
               the
               only
               Knowledge
               necessary
               to
               the
               purposes
               of
               Religion
               ,
               is
               such
               a
               knowledge
               of
               God's
               Nature
               and
               Will
               ,
               as
               is
               sufficient
               to
               direct
               our
               actions
               ,
               and
               encourage
               our
               obedience
               :
               and
               whereas
               God
               was
               formerly
               known
               by
               the
               light
               of
               nature
               ,
               and
               the
               works
               of
               Creation
               and
               Providence
               ,
               and
               those
               partial
               and
               occasional
               revelations
               of
               his
               will
               ,
               which
               he
               made
               to
               the
               World
               ;
               now
               the
               only
               true
               medium
               of
               knowing
               God
               is
               the
               Knowledge
               of
               Christ
               ,
               who
               came
               into
               the
               World
               to
               declare
               God
               to
               us
               .
            
             
               He
               knows
               God
               best
               ,
               who
               is
               best
               acquainted
               with
               those
               Revelations
               Christ
               hath
               made
               of
               God's
               will
               :
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               who
               understands
               the
               Gospel
               in
               its
               full
               extent
               and
               latitude
               .
               This
               is
               the
               meaning
               of
               that
               expression
               in
               Iohn
               17.
               3.
               
               
               
                 This
                 is
                 life
                 Eternal
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 might
                 know
                 thee
                 the
                 only
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 whom
                 thou
                 hast
                 sent
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
              
               the
               only
               way
               to
               Eternal
               Life
               is
               to
               know
               the
               nature
               and
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               only
               certain
               way
               of
               attaining
               to
               the
               knowledg
               of
               God
               is
               by
               knowing
               Christ
               ,
               whom
               God
               sent
               into
               the
               World
               to
               publish
               the
               Everlasting
               Gospel
               ,
               who
               hath
               made
               more
               perfect
               revelations
               of
               Gods
               will
               ,
               than
               ever
               the
               World
               had
               before
               ,
               and
               who
               alone
               hath
               brought
               life
               and
               immortality
               to
               light
               ;
               so
               that
               to
               know
               Christ
               is
               not
               meerly
               to
               know
               his
               Person
               ,
               which
               we
               can
               have
               no
               other
               knowledge
               of
               ,
               than
               what
               he
               hath
               been
               pleased
               to
               reveal
               to
               us
               ,
               but
               to
               be
               acquainted
               with
               the
               whole
               Doctrine
               of
               the
               Gospel
               in
               its
               native
               simplicity
               ,
               as
               he
               published
               it
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               which
               I
               observed
               before
               .
               The
               Apostle
               calls
               this
               
                 learning
                 Christ
              
               ,
               and
               being
               instructed
               
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 truth
                 is
                 in
                 Iesus
                 .
              
               For
               
               when
               we
               speak
               of
               the
               Knowledge
               of
               Christ
               ,
               we
               must
               consider
               him
               as
               our
               Prophet
               ,
               and
               so
               to
               know
               Christ
               signifies
               to
               know
               his
               Gospel
               ;
               and
               to
               preach
               Christ
               is
               to
               preach
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               to
               expound
               all
               those
               rules
               of
               life
               and
               Articles
               of
               Faith
               ,
               which
               are
               contained
               in
               
               it
               ;
               whether
               they
               are
               concerning
               the
               nature
               of
               God
               ,
               or
               a
               future
               State
               ,
               or
               his
               own
               Nature
               and
               Office
               ,
               and
               Mediation
               .
               Thus
               Philip
               preached
               Christ
               to
               the
               
                 Samaritanes
                 ,
                 Acts
              
               8.
               5.
               which
               in
               Verse
               12.
               is
               called
               
                 preaching
                 the
                 things
                 concerning
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 Iesus
                 Christ.
              
               That
               is
               the
               whole
               Doctrine
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             
               This
               should
               make
               all
               considering
               men
               ashamed
               of
               those
               unreasonable
               and
               groundless
               clamours
               ,
               that
               Christ
               is
               not
               preached
               ,
               unless
               he
               be
               named
               in
               every
               sentence
               ,
               whether
               the
               argument
               require
               it
               or
               not
               ;
               as
               if
               
                 preaching
                 Christ
              
               were
               to
               be
               understood
               in
               a
               literal
               sense
               of
               preaching
               nothing
               ,
               but
               
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 Christ
              
               :
               those
               preach
               Christ
               most
               ,
               who
               are
               careful
               to
               confirm
               men
               in
               the
               belief
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               of
               that
               great
               promise
               of
               immortal
               life
               ,
               who
               expound
               his
               Laws
               ,
               and
               the
               true
               nature
               and
               design
               of
               his
               Mediation
               ;
               for
               every
               part
               of
               the
               Gospel
               is
               part
               of
               the
               Knowledge
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               his
               Laws
               as
               principal
               a
               part
               as
               any
               ,
               because
               the
               design
               of
               the
               whole
               Gospel
               is
               to
               make
               us
               obedient
               to
               these
               Eternal
               Rules
               of
               Righteousness
               ,
               whereby
               we
               are
               transformed
               into
               the
               nature
               and
               Image
               of
               God
               ,
               
               and
               qualified
               for
               the
               happiness
               of
               Heaven
               .
            
             
               There
               is
               indeed
               a
               larger
               notion
               of
               the
               Knowledge
               of
               God
               and
               Christ
               ,
               which
               includes
               the
               vertue
               and
               efficacy
               of
               this
               knowledge
               :
               for
               the
               design
               of
               all
               Religious
               knowledge
               being
               the
               Government
               of
               our
               lives
               and
               actions
               ,
               how
               true
               soever
               our
               speculations
               are
               ,
               the
               Scripture
               brands
               all
               those
               as
               ignorant
               of
               God
               ,
               who
               do
               not
               love
               ,
               and
               reverence
               ,
               and
               obey
               him
               :
               and
               though
               we
               be
               acquainted
               with
               the
               whole
               Doctrine
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               unless
               we
               heartily
               believe
               it
               ,
               and
               obey
               all
               those
               Revelations
               Christ
               hath
               made
               ,
               we
               know
               him
               not
               :
               Iohn
               1.
               2
               ,
               3.
               
               
                 Hereby
                 we
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 know
                 him
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 keep
                 his
                 Commandments
                 .
              
               And
               Verse
               4.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 saith
                 ,
                 I
                 know
                 him
                 and
                 keepeth
                 not
                 his
                 Commandments
                 is
                 a
                 lyar
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 truth
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 him
                 .
              
               And
               1
               Iohn
               3.
               6.
               
               
                 Whosoever
                 abideth
                 in
                 him
                 sinneth
                 not
                 ,
                 whosoever
                 sinneth
                 hath
                 not
                 seen
                 him
                 ,
                 neither
                 known
                 him
                 .
              
               Not
               but
               that
               bad
               men
               may
               have
               as
               true
               a
               speculative
               knowledge
               of
               the
               nature
               and
               design
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               as
               good
               men
               have
               ,
               but
               the
               meaning
               is
               ,
               that
               this
               is
               a
               knowledge
               ,
               which
               serves
               no
               end
               ,
               which
               wants
               life
               and
               sense
               ,
               and
               
               makes
               men
               no
               better
               ,
               than
               if
               they
               were
               perfectly
               ignorant
               ;
               and
               therefore
               is
               of
               no
               other
               account
               with
               God
               ,
               than
               ignorance
               ,
               unless
               it
               be
               to
               aggravate
               their
               sins
               ,
               and
               their
               condemnation
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 II.
              
               Of
               acquaintance
               with
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ.
               
            
             
               AFter
               this
               plain
               account
               wherein
               the
               Knowledge
               of
               Christ
               consists
               ,
               the
               sum
               of
               which
               is
               ,
               that
               to
               know
               Christ
               is
               to
               understand
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               contains
               all
               those
               revelations
               he
               made
               of
               God's
               will
               ,
               it
               will
               be
               necessary
               to
               examine
               another
               notion
               of
               the
               Knowledge
               of
               Christ
               very
               distinct
               from
               this
               ,
               which
               contains
               a
               greater
               secret
               ,
               than
               at
               first
               one
               would
               imagine
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               an
               
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               which
               if
               we
               will
               believe
               some
               men
               ,
               is
               the
               only
               fountain
               of
               saving
               knowledge
               .
            
             
               I
               shall
               not
               envy
               the
               Author
               the
               
               glory
               of
               this
               discovery
               ,
               and
               therefore
               shall
               honestly
               confess
               ,
               where
               I
               had
               it
               ,
               viz.
               in
               a
               Book
               Entitled
               ,
               
                 Communion
                 with
                 God
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 Son
                 ,
                 and
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 each
                 Person
                 distinctly
                 .
              
               Written
               by
               
                 Iohn
                 Owen
              
               ,
               D.
               D.
               And
               that
               I
               may
               not
               do
               this
               Author
               wrong
               ,
               I
               must
               tell
               you
               ,
               what
               he
               means
               by
               
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 Christ's
                 Person
              
               ,
               an
               account
               of
               which
               we
               have
               in
               digression
               2.
               pag.
               87.
               
                 of
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 .
              
               Where
               he
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               
                 Christ
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 made
                 wisdom
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 by
                 teaching
                 us
                 wisdom
              
               (
               that
               is
               by
               the
               Doctrines
               he
               preached
               ,
               and
               those
               revelations
               he
               hath
               made
               of
               God's
               will
               )
               
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 Prophet
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 because
                 by
                 the
                 knowing
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 we
                 become
                 acquainted
                 with
                 the
                 wisdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 our
                 wisdom
                 .
              
               To
               which
               purpose
               he
               applies
               that
               Text
               ,
               which
               speaks
               of
               the
               Doctrines
               and
               Revelations
               of
               Christ
               ,
               to
               his
               Person
               .
               Coll.
               2.
               3.
               
               
                 For
                 in
                 him
                 dwell
                 all
                 the
                 Treasures
                 of
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Knowledge
                 .
              
               So
               that
               our
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ's
               Person
               ,
               in
               this
               man's
               Divinity
               ,
               signifies
               such
               a
               knowledge
               of
               what
               Christ
               is
               ,
               hath
               done
               ,
               and
               suffered
               for
               us
               ,
               from
               whence
               we
               may
               learn
               
               those
               greater
               ,
               deeper
               ,
               and
               more
               saving
               Mysteries
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               Christ
               hath
               not
               expresly
               revealed
               to
               us
               :
               for
               so
               he
               adds
               soon
               after
               ,
               
                 that
                 these
                 properties
                 of
                 God
              
               (
               his
               pardoning
               mercy
               ,
               
                 &c.
                 )
                 Christ
                 hath
                 revealed
                 in
                 his
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 revelation
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 will
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 this
                 knowledge
                 lies
                 in
                 an
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 his
                 Person
                 ,
                 wherein
                 the
                 express
                 image
                 and
                 beams
                 of
                 this
                 glory
                 of
                 his
                 Father
                 doth
                 shine
                 forth
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               these
               things
               
                 are
                 clearly
                 ,
                 eminently
                 ,
                 and
                 savingly
                 ,
                 only
                 to
                 be
                 discovered
                 in
                 Iesus
                 Christ
              
               ;
               as
               he
               explains
               himself
               .
               So
               that
               it
               seems
               ,
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               makes
               a
               very
               imperfect
               and
               obscure
               discovery
               of
               the
               nature
               ,
               and
               Attributes
               ,
               and
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               methods
               of
               our
               recovery
               ;
               we
               may
               thoroughly
               understand
               whatever
               is
               revealed
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               yet
               not
               have
               a
               clear
               and
               
                 saving
                 knowledge
              
               of
               these
               things
               ,
               unless
               we
               gain
               a
               more
               intimate
               acquaintance
               with
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ.
              
               This
               indeed
               advances
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               very
               much
               ,
               but
               is
               no
               great
               commendation
               of
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               prophetick
               office
               :
               It
               sets
               up
               a
               new
               rule
               of
               Faith
               
               above
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               viz.
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ's
               Person
               ,
               in
               whom
               
                 dwell
                 all
                 the
                 treasures
                 of
                 wisdom
                 and
                 knowledge
                 .
              
            
             
               But
               that
               you
               may
               better
               understand
               the
               whole
               mystery
               of
               this
               
                 Acquaintance
                 with
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
                 :
              
               I
               shall
               first
               show
               you
               what
               additions
               these
               men
               make
               to
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               his
               Person
               ;
               and
               secondly
               ,
               show
               you
               what
               an
               unsafe
               way
               of
               arguing
               this
               is
               ,
               and
               how
               prejudicial
               to
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               .
               First
               ,
               to
               show
               you
               what
               additions
               these
               men
               make
               to
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               his
               Person
               .
               And
               I
               confess
               ,
               I
               am
               very
               much
               beholden
               to
               this
               Author
               for
               acknowledging
               whence
               they
               fetch
               all
               their
               Orthodoxy
               ,
               and
               
                 Gospel
                 Mysteries
              
               ;
               for
               I
               had
               almost
               pored
               my
               eyes
               out
               with
               seeking
               for
               them
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               could
               never
               find
               them
               ;
               but
               I
               learn
               now
               ,
               that
               indeed
               they
               are
               not
               to
               be
               found
               there
               ,
               unless
               we
               be
               first
               acquainted
               with
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ.
              
               This
               is
               an
               argument
               well
               worth
               considering
               ,
               and
               if
               this
               discourse
               should
               prove
               long
               (
               as
               I
               fear
               it
               will
               )
               I
               doubt
               not
               ,
               but
               the
               usefulness
               
               of
               it
               will
               be
               a
               sufficient
               reward
               both
               to
               the
               Writer
               and
               Reader
               .
               And
               since
               I
               owe
               this
               discovery
               to
               Dr.
               
                 Iohn
                 Owen
              
               ,
               I
               shall
               confine
               my self
               to
               his
               method
               ,
               who
               in
               the
               place
               above-mentioned
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               
                 the
                 sum
                 of
                 all
                 true
                 wisdom
                 and
              
               
               
                 knowledge
                 may
                 be
                 reduced
                 to
                 these
                 three
                 heads
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 knowledge
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 his
                 nature
                 and
                 properties
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 The
                 knowledge
                 of
                 our selves
                 with
                 reference
                 to
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 concerning
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 Skill
                 to
                 walk
                 in
                 Communion
                 with
                 God.
                 In
                 these
                 three
                 is
                 summed
                 up
                 all
                 true
                 wisdom
                 and
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 is
                 to
                 any
                 purpose
                 to
                 be
                 obtained
                 ,
                 or
                 is
                 manifested
                 ;
                 but
                 only
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 Lord
                 Christ.
                 
              
            
             
               Where
               By
               is
               fallaciously
               added
               to
               include
               the
               Revelations
               Christ
               hath
               made
               ,
               whereas
               his
               first
               undertaking
               was
               to
               show
               how
               impossible
               it
               is
               to
               understand
               these
               things
               savingly
               and
               clearly
               ,
               notwithstanding
               all
               those
               Revelations
               God
               hath
               made
               of
               himself
               and
               his
               will
               by
               Moses
               ,
               and
               the
               Prophets
               ,
               and
               by
               Christ
               himself
               ,
               without
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               his
               Person
               .
            
             
               But
               to
               let
               that
               pass
               ,
               I
               shall
               begin
               with
               
               the
               knowledge
               of
               God
               ,
               his
               nature
               and
               properties
               ;
               and
               I
               shall
               not
               particularly
               examine
               every
               thing
               ,
               he
               says
               ,
               but
               principally
               take
               notice
               of
               those
               peculiar
               discoveries
               of
               the
               nature
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               the
               World
               was
               ignorant
               of
               before
               ,
               and
               of
               which
               Revelation
               is
               wholly
               silent
               ,
               but
               are
               now
               clearly
               and
               savingly
               learnt
               from
               an
               
                 Acquaintance
                 with
                 Christ's
                 Person
              
               .
            
             
               The
               light
               of
               nature
               and
               the
               works
               of
               Creation
               and
               Providence
               ,
               and
               those
               manifold
               Revelations
               God
               hath
               made
               of
               himself
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               especially
               that
               last
               and
               most
               perfect
               Revelation
               by
               
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 our
                 Lord
              
               ;
               assure
               us
               ,
               that
               God
               is
               infinite
               in
               all
               perfections
               ;
               that
               he
               is
               so
               powerful
               ,
               that
               he
               can
               do
               whatever
               he
               pleases
               ;
               so
               wise
               ,
               that
               he
               knows
               how
               to
               order
               every
               thing
               for
               the
               best
               ;
               so
               good
               ,
               that
               he
               desires
               and
               designs
               the
               happiness
               of
               all
               his
               Creatures
               according
               to
               the
               capacity
               of
               their
               natures
               ;
               so
               holy
               ,
               that
               he
               hath
               a
               natural
               love
               for
               all
               good
               men
               ,
               and
               will
               not
               fail
               to
               reward
               them
               ;
               but
               hates
               all
               sin
               and
               wickedness
               ,
               and
               will
               as
               certainly
               punish
               all
               obstinate
               and
               incorrigible
               Sinners
               ;
               but
               yet
               that
               he
               is
               very
               patient
               and
               long-suffering
               towards
               the
               worst
               
               of
               men
               ,
               and
               uses
               various
               methods
               of
               kindness
               and
               severity
               to
               reclaim
               them
               ,
               and
               is
               as
               ready
               to
               pardon
               them
               ,
               when
               they
               return
               to
               their
               duty
               ,
               as
               a
               kind
               Father
               is
               to
               receive
               an
               humble
               and
               penitent
               Prodigal
               :
               These
               properties
               of
               God
               are
               plainly
               revealed
               in
               the
               Scripture
               without
               any
               further
               acquaintance
               with
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ;
               And
               had
               Christ
               never
               appeared
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               yet
               we
               had
               reason
               to
               believe
               ,
               that
               God
               is
               thus
               wise
               ,
               and
               good
               ,
               and
               holy
               ,
               and
               merciful
               ,
               because
               not
               only
               the
               works
               of
               Nature
               and
               Providence
               ,
               but
               the
               word
               of
               God
               ,
               assure
               us
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               so
               :
               the
               Appearance
               of
               Christ
               did
               not
               first
               discover
               the
               nature
               of
               God
               to
               us
               ,
               but
               only
               gave
               us
               a
               greater
               expression
               of
               God's
               goodness
               ,
               than
               ever
               we
               had
               before
               :
               confirms
               us
               in
               the
               belief
               of
               what
               we
               had
               learnt
               before
               from
               nature
               ,
               and
               Revelation
               ,
               just
               as
               his
               Resurrection
               ,
               which
               is
               an
               ocular
               demonstration
               of
               another
               life
               ,
               confirms
               us
               in
               the
               belief
               of
               that
               blessed
               Immortality
               ,
               he
               had
               promised
               ;
               and
               yet
               we
               could
               not
               have
               learnt
               this
               neither
               from
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               had
               he
               not
               told
               us
               ,
               for
               what
               ends
               he
               came
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               as
               will
               appear
               more
               anon
               .
            
             
             
               And
               is
               not
               this
               a
               confident
               man
               to
               tell
               us
               ,
               that
               the
               
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 Sinners
              
               ,
               
               
                 and
                 his
                 pardoning
                 mercy
                 could
                 never
                 have
                 entred
                 into
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 man
                 but
                 by
                 Christ
              
               ;
               when
               the
               experience
               of
               the
               whole
               World
               confutes
               him
               ;
               for
               whatever
               becomes
               of
               his
               new
               Theories
               ,
               both
               Jews
               and
               Heathens
               (
               who
               understood
               nothing
               at
               all
               of
               what
               Christ
               was
               to
               do
               in
               order
               to
               our
               recovery
               )
               did
               believe
               God
               to
               be
               gracious
               and
               merciful
               to
               Sinners
               ,
               and
               had
               reason
               to
               do
               so
               ,
               because
               God
               himself
               had
               assured
               the
               Jews
               ,
               
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 gracious
                 and
                 merciful
                 God
                 ,
                 pardoning
                 iniquitiy
                 ,
                 transgressions
                 and
                 sins
                 .
              
               And
               those
               natural
               notions
               the
               Heathens
               had
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               all
               those
               discoveries
               God
               had
               made
               of
               himself
               in
               the
               works
               of
               Creation
               and
               Providence
               ,
               did
               assure
               them
               ,
               that
               God
               is
               very
               good
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               not
               possible
               to
               understand
               what
               goodness
               is
               without
               pardoning
               Grace
               .
            
             
               But
               yet
               the
               truth
               is
               ,
               considering
               what
               these
               men
               mean
               by
               the
               love
               and
               pardoning
               Grace
               ,
               and
               Justice
               ,
               and
               Patience
               ,
               and
               Long-suffering
               of
               God
               ,
               I
               must
               acknowledge
               ,
               that
               these
               properties
               could
               never
               have
               been
               discovered
               but
               by
               a
               too
               familiar
               acquaintance
               
               with
               Christ's
               Person
               ;
               for
               Nature
               and
               Revelation
               say
               nothing
               of
               them
               ;
            
             
               As
               for
               Instance
               ,
               he
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               in
               Christ
               (
               that
               is
               in
               his
               death
               and
               sufferings
               
               for
               our
               sins
               )
               
                 God
                 hath
                 manifested
                 the
                 naturalness
                 of
                 this
                 Righteousness
                 (
                 i.
                 e.
              
               vindictive
               justice
               in
               punishing
               sin
               )
               
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 impossible
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 diverted
                 from
                 Sinners
                 without
                 the
                 interposing
                 of
                 a
                 propitiation
                 .
              
               That
               is
               ,
               that
               God
               is
               so
               just
               and
               righteous
               ,
               that
               he
               cannot
               pardon
               sin
               without
               satisfaction
               to
               his
               justice
               :
               now
               this
               indeed
               is
               such
               a
               notion
               of
               justice
               ,
               as
               is
               perfectly
               new
               ,
               which
               neither
               Scripture
               nor
               nature
               acquaints
               us
               with
               :
               for
               all
               mankind
               have
               accounted
               it
               an
               Act
               of
               goodness
               (
               without
               the
               least
               suspition
               of
               injustice
               in
               it
               )
               to
               remit
               injuries
               and
               offences
               ,
               without
               exacting
               any
               punishment
               :
               And
               that
               he
               is
               so
               far
               from
               being
               just
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               cruel
               and
               savage
               ,
               who
               will
               remit
               no
               offence
               ,
               till
               he
               hath
               satisfied
               his
               revenge
               .
               That
               part
               of
               justice
               ,
               which
               consists
               in
               punishing
               offenders
               ,
               was
               always
               lookt
               on
               as
               an
               Instrument
               of
               Government
               ,
               and
               therefore
               the
               exacting
               or
               remitting
               punishment
               was
               referred
               to
               the
               wisdom
               of
               Governours
               ,
               who
               might
               spare
               ,
               or
               punish
               ,
               
               as
               they
               saw
               reason
               for
               it
               ,
               without
               being
               unjust
               in
               either
               ,
               and
               therefore
               ,
               had
               not
               one
               who
               pretends
               to
               so
               great
               and
               personal
               an
               Acquaintance
               with
               Christ
               said
               so
               ,
               I
               should
               rather
               have
               thought
               ,
               that
               God's
               requiring
               such
               a
               Sacrifice
               ,
               as
               the
               death
               of
               Christ
               ,
               for
               the
               expiation
               of
               our
               sins
               was
               not
               ,
               because
               he
               could
               not
               do
               otherwise
               ,
               but
               because
               his
               Infinite
               Wisdom
               judged
               this
               the
               best
               and
               most
               effectual
               way
               of
               dispencing
               his
               Grace
               :
            
             
               But
               though
               this
               be
               a
               very
               terrible
               discovery
               of
               the
               naturalness
               of
               Gods
               righteousness
               or
               vindictive
               justice
               ,
               yet
               he
               makes
               some
               amends
               for
               it
               in
               that
               comfortable
               discovery
               of
               his
               patience
               and
               long-suffering
               towards
               Sinners
               ;
               for
               
               now
               in
               Christ
               
                 the
                 very
                 nature
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 discovered
                 to
                 be
                 love
                 and
                 kindness
                 :
              
               a
               happy
               change
               this
               from
               all
               justice
               to
               all
               love
               !
               but
               how
               comes
               this
               to
               pass
               ?
               why
               the
               account
               of
               that
               is
               very
               plain
               :
               because
               the
               justice
               of
               God
               hath
               glutted
               its
               self
               with
               revenge
               on
               sin
               in
               the
               death
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               so
               hence
               forward
               we
               may
               be
               sure
               he
               will
               be
               very
               kind
               ,
               as
               a
               revengful
               man
               is
               when
               his
               passion
               is
               over
               ;
               for
               so
               he
               speaks
               very
               honourably
               of
               God
               ,
               
                 whatever
                 discoveries
                 were
              
               
               
                 made
                 of
                 the
                 Patience
                 and
                 lenity
                 of
                 God
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 yet
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 not
                 withal
                 revealed
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 other
                 properties
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 Iustice
                 and
                 Revenge
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 had
                 their
                 actings
                 also
                 assigned
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 full
                 ,
                 there
                 could
                 be
                 little
                 consolation
                 gathered
                 from
                 the
                 former
                 .
              
               That
               is
               ,
               he
               would
               not
               believe
               God
               himself
               ,
               though
               he
               should
               make
               never
               so
               many
               promises
               of
               being
               good
               and
               gracious
               to
               Sinners
               ,
               unless
               he
               were
               sure
               ,
               that
               he
               had
               first
               satisfied
               his
               revenge
               ,
               which
               indeed
               is
               such
               a
               Character
               of
               the
               Love
               and
               Patience
               of
               God
               ,
               as
               we
               could
               never
               have
               understood
               ,
               but
               from
               an
               intimate
               acquaintance
               with
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ.
               The
               sum
               of
               which
               is
               ,
               that
               God
               is
               all
               love
               and
               Patience
               ,
               when
               he
               hath
               taken
               his
               fill
               of
               revenge
               ,
               as
               others
               use
               to
               say
               ,
               
                 that
                 the
                 Devil
                 is
                 very
                 good
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 pleased
                 .
              
            
             
               But
               however
               sinners
               have
               great
               reason
               to
               rejoice
               in
               it
               ,
               when
               they
               consider
               the
               nature
               and
               end
               of
               God's
               Patience
               and
               forbearance
               towards
               them
               ,
               viz.
               That
               
                 it
                 is
                 Gods
                 taking
                 a
                 course
                 in
                 his
                 infinite
                 wisdom
                 and
                 goodness
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 not
                 be
                 destroyed
                 notwithstanding
              
               
               
                 our
                 sins
              
               .
               That
               as
               before
               the
               least
               sin
               could
               not
               escape
               without
               a
               just
               punishment
               ,
               
               justice
               being
               so
               natural
               to
               God
               ,
               that
               he
               cannot
               forgive
               without
               punishing
               ;
               so
               the
               justice
               of
               God
               being
               now
               satisfied
               by
               the
               death
               of
               Christ
               ,
               the
               greatest
               sins
               can
               do
               us
               no
               hurt
               ;
               but
               we
               shall
               escape
               with
               a
               
                 Notwithstanding
                 our
                 sins
              
               .
               This
               it
               seems
               we
               learn
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               though
               his
               Gospel
               instructs
               us
               otherwise
               ,
               that
               
                 without
                 holiness
                 no
                 man
                 shall
                 see
                 God.
                 
              
            
             
               As
               for
               the
               
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 God
              
               (
               which
               is
               another
               property
               he
               instanceth
               in
               )
               no
               doubt
               ,
               but
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               makes
               great
               and
               glorious
               discoveries
               of
               it
               ,
               but
               then
               this
               is
               not
               very
               consistent
               with
               those
               other
               discoveries
               of
               the
               nature
               of
               God
               :
               for
               if
               justice
               be
               so
               natural
               to
               God
               ,
               that
               nothing
               could
               satisfie
               him
               but
               the
               death
               of
               his
               own
               Son
               ,
               the
               redemption
               of
               the
               World
               by
               Christ
               may
               discover
               his
               justice
               ,
               or
               his
               goodness
               ,
               but
               not
               his
               Wisdom
               ;
               for
               Wisdom
               consists
               in
               the
               choice
               of
               the
               best
               and
               fittest
               means
               to
               attain
               an
               end
               ,
               when
               there
               are
               more
               ways
               ,
               than
               one
               of
               doing
               it
               .
            
             
               But
               it
               requires
               no
               great
               Wisdom
               to
               chuse
               ,
               when
               there
               is
               but
               one
               possible
               way
               :
               and
               whatever
               Wisdom
               there
               is
               
               in
               Gods
               redeeming
               the
               World
               by
               his
               own
               Son
               ,
               the
               knowledge
               of
               it
               is
               wholly
               owing
               to
               the
               Revelations
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               not
               to
               such
               a
               fanciful
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ
               as
               these
               men
               talk
               of
               :
            
             
               Thus
               you
               see
               what
               excellent
               discoveries
               of
               the
               Nature
               of
               God
               are
               owing
               to
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ;
               And
               the
               second
               thing
               we
               learn
               from
               hence
               is
               the
               knowledge
               of
               our selves
               ,
               and
               that
               in
               respect
               of
               Sin
               ,
               and
               in
               respect
               of
               Righteousness
               :
            
             
               As
               for
               sin
               ,
               the
               Gospel
               assures
               us
               ,
               that
               God
               is
               an
               irreconcileable
               Enemy
               to
               all
               wickedness
               ,
               it
               being
               so
               contrary
               to
               his
               own
               most
               holy
               Nature
               ,
               that
               if
               he
               have
               any
               love
               for
               himself
               ,
               and
               any
               esteem
               and
               value
               for
               his
               own
               perfections
               ,
               and
               works
               ,
               he
               must
               hate
               sin
               ,
               which
               is
               so
               unlike
               himself
               ,
               and
               which
               destroys
               the
               beauty
               and
               perfection
               of
               his
               Workmanship
               .
               For
               this
               end
               he
               sent
               his
               Son
               into
               the
               World
               to
               destroy
               the
               works
               of
               the
               Devil
               ,
               and
               to
               reduce
               Mankind
               to
               their
               obedience
               ,
               to
               their
               great
               Creator
               ,
               to
               restore
               them
               to
               the
               uprightness
               and
               integrity
               of
               their
               natures
               ,
               and
               thereby
               to
               a
               state
               of
               friendship
               with
               God
               :
               This
               was
               the
               end
               of
               
               his
               holy
               Laws
               and
               precious
               Promises
               ,
               and
               exemplary
               Life
               ,
               and
               meritorious
               Death
               ,
               and
               glorious
               Resurrection
               ,
               and
               powerful
               Intercession
               for
               us
               ,
               to
               deliver
               us
               from
               the
               Power
               and
               Dominion
               of
               Sin
               ,
               to
               make
               us
               first
               holy
               ,
               as
               God
               is
               ,
               and
               then
               to
               receive
               us
               into
               that
               Blessed
               place
               ,
               where
               God
               dwells
               .
            
             
               But
               now
               acquaintance
               with
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               makes
               just
               such
               a
               discovery
               of
               sin
               ,
               as
               it
               did
               of
               the
               naturalness
               of
               God's
               Justice
               to
               him
               ;
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               that
               the
               desert
               and
               demerit
               of
               sin
               is
               such
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               impossible
               to
               make
               any
               atonement
               or
               satisfaction
               to
               the
               justice
               and
               wrath
               of
               God
               ,
               but
               only
               by
               the
               Death
               of
               Christ
               ,
               otherwise
               Christ
               had
               died
               in
               vain
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               God
               could
               not
               forgive
               it
               without
               full
               satisfaction
               ,
               which
               nothing
               but
               the
               Death
               of
               Christ
               could
               make
               .
            
             
               Thus
               we
               learn
               
                 our
                 disability
                 to
                 answer
              
               
               
                 the
                 mind
                 and
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 all
                 or
                 any
                 of
                 the
                 obedience
                 he
                 requireth
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               impossible
               for
               us
               to
               do
               any
               thing
               that
               is
               good
               ,
               but
               we
               must
               be
               acted
               like
               Machines
               by
               an
               external
               force
               ,
               by
               the
               irresistable
               power
               of
               the
               Grace
               and
               Spirit
               of
               God
               ;
               this
               I
               am
               sure
               is
               a
               new
               discovery
               ;
               we
               learn
               no
               
               such
               thing
               from
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               I
               do
               not
               see
               ,
               how
               he
               proves
               it
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ.
               
            
             
               But
               still
               there
               is
               a
               more
               glorious
               discovery
               than
               this
               behind
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               ,
               
                 the
                 glorious
                 end
                 whereunto
                 sin
                 is
                 appointed
                 and
                 ordained
              
               (
               I
               suppose
               he
               means
               by
               God
               )
               
                 is
                 discovered
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 viz.
              
               for
               the
               
                 demonstration
                 of
                 Gods
                 vindictive
              
               
               
                 justice
                 in
                 measuring
                 out
                 to
                 it
                 a
                 meet
                 recompence
                 of
                 reward
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 praise
                 of
                 God's
                 glorious
                 grace
                 in
                 the
                 pardon
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               That
               is
               ,
               it
               could
               not
               be
               known
               ,
               how
               just
               and
               severe
               God
               is
               ,
               but
               by
               punishing
               sin
               ,
               nor
               how
               good
               and
               gracious
               God
               is
               ,
               but
               by
               pardoning
               it
               ,
               and
               therefore
               lest
               his
               justice
               and
               mercy
               should
               never
               be
               known
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               he
               appoints
               and
               ordains
               sin
               to
               this
               end
               ,
               that
               is
               Decrees
               ,
               that
               men
               shall
               sin
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               make
               some
               of
               them
               the
               Vessels
               of
               his
               wrath
               ,
               and
               the
               examples
               of
               his
               fierce
               vengeance
               and
               displeasure
               ,
               and
               others
               the
               Vessels
               of
               his
               mercy
               to
               the
               praise
               and
               glory
               of
               his
               free
               Grace
               in
               Christ
               :
               this
               indeed
               is
               such
               a
               discovery
               ,
               as
               nature
               and
               revelation
               could
               not
               make
               .
               For
               nature
               would
               teach
               us
               ,
               that
               so
               infinitely
               a
               glorious
               Being
               ,
               as
               God
               is
               ,
               needs
               
               not
               sin
               and
               misery
               to
               recommend
               his
               glory
               and
               perfections
               ,
               and
               that
               so
               holy
               a
               God
               ,
               who
               so
               perfectly
               hates
               every
               thing
               ,
               that
               is
               wicked
               ;
               would
               not
               truckle
               and
               barter
               with
               Sin
               and
               the
               Devil
               for
               his
               glory
               .
               And
               that
               so
               good
               a
               God
               had
               much
               rather
               be
               glorious
               in
               the
               happiness
               ,
               and
               perfection
               ,
               and
               obedience
               of
               his
               Creatures
               ,
               than
               in
               their
               sin
               and
               misery
               :
               and
               Revelation
               tells
               us
               the
               same
               thing
               ,
               that
               as
               much
               as
               sin
               is
               for
               the
               glory
               of
               his
               vindictive
               justice
               ,
               yet
               God
               takes
               no
               pleasure
               in
               punishing
               ,
               delights
               not
               in
               the
               Death
               of
               a
               Sinner
               ,
               but
               rather
               that
               he
               should
               return
               and
               live
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               he
               had
               rather
               there
               were
               no
               occasion
               for
               punishing
               ,
               than
               be
               made
               glorious
               by
               such
               acts
               of
               vengeance
               :
               and
               therefore
               though
               God
               be
               so
               holy
               as
               to
               punish
               incorrigible
               Sinners
               ,
               and
               so
               merciful
               ,
               as
               to
               forgive
               all
               true
               Penitents
               through
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               yet
               he
               did
               not
               ordain
               ,
               and
               appoint
               ,
               and
               decree
               sin
               to
               this
               end
               :
               for
               vindictive
               justice
               and
               pardoning
               mercy
               are
               but
               secondary
               Attributes
               of
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               ,
               and
               therefore
               God
               cannot
               primarily
               design
               the
               glorifying
               of
               them
               ;
               for
               that
               cannot
               be
               without
               primarily
               designing
               
               the
               sin
               and
               misery
               of
               his
               Creatures
               ,
               which
               would
               be
               inconsistent
               with
               the
               goodness
               and
               holiness
               of
               his
               Nature
               .
               Thus
               Nature
               and
               Revelation
               teaches
               ,
               though
               these
               men
               pretend
               to
               have
               learn't
               otherwise
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ.
               
            
             
               Thus
               much
               for
               the
               knowledge
               of
               our selves
               with
               respect
               to
               sin
               ,
               
                 which
                 is
                 hid
                 only
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 .
              
               But
               then
               we
               learn
               what
               our
               righteousness
               is
               ,
               wherewith
               we
               must
               appear
               before
               God
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ.
               We
               have
               already
               learnt
               ,
               how
               unable
               we
               are
               to
               make
               atonement
               for
               our
               sins
               ,
               without
               which
               they
               can
               never
               be
               forgiven
               ,
               and
               how
               unable
               we
               are
               to
               do
               any
               thing
               that
               is
               good
               :
               and
               yet
               nothing
               can
               deliver
               us
               from
               the
               justice
               and
               wrath
               of
               God
               ,
               but
               a
               full
               satisfaction
               for
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               nothing
               can
               give
               us
               a
               title
               to
               a
               reward
               ,
               but
               a
               perfect
               and
               unsinning
               righteousness
               ;
               what
               shall
               we
               do
               in
               this
               Case
               ?
               how
               shall
               we
               escape
               Hell
               ,
               or
               get
               to
               Heaven
               ,
               when
               we
               can
               neither
               expiate
               for
               our
               past
               sins
               ,
               nor
               do
               any
               good
               for
               the
               time
               to
               come
               ?
               why
               here
               we
               are
               relieved
               again
               by
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ
               :
               his
               Death
               expiates
               former
               iniquities
               ,
               and
               
               removes
               the
               whole
               guilt
               of
               sin
               :
               but
               
                 this
                 is
                 not
                 enough
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 guilty
                 ;
                 we
                 must
                 also
                 be
                 actually
                 righteous
                 ;
                 not
                 only
                 all
                 sin
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 answered
                 for
                 ,
                 but
                 all
                 righteousness
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 fulfilled
                 .
              
               Now
               this
               righteousness
               we
               find
               only
               in
               Christ
               ,
               
                 We
                 are
                 reconciled
                 to
                 God
                 by
                 his
                 Death
                 ,
              
               
               
                 and
                 saved
                 by
                 his
                 life
                 ,
                 that
                 actual
                 obedience
                 he
                 yielded
                 to
                 the
                 whole
                 law
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 whereby
                 we
                 are
                 saved
                 :
              
               we
               are
               innocent
               by
               vertue
               of
               his
               Sacrifice
               and
               expiation
               ,
               and
               righteous
               with
               his
               righteousness
               .
            
             
               Now
               this
               is
               a
               mighty
               comfortable
               discovery
               ,
               how
               we
               may
               be
               righteous
               without
               doing
               any
               thing
               that
               is
               good
               ,
               or
               righteous
               .
               And
               I
               confess
               we
               could
               never
               have
               known
               this
               but
               by
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               his
               Person
               ;
               for
               his
               Gospel
               makes
               a
               different
               representation
               of
               it
               ;
               tells
               us
               expresly
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               righteous
               ,
               who
               doth
               righteousness
               ,
               that
               without
               holiness
               no
               man
               shall
               see
               God
               :
               that
               the
               only
               way
               to
               obtain
               the
               pardon
               of
               our
               sins
               is
               to
               repent
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               forsake
               them
               ;
               and
               the
               only
               thing
               that
               gives
               a
               right
               to
               the
               promises
               of
               future
               glory
               ,
               is
               to
               obey
               the
               Laws
               ,
               and
               imitate
               the
               example
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               transformed
               into
               the
               nature
               
               and
               likeness
               of
               God
               :
               and
               though
               our
               obedience
               be
               not
               in
               every
               thing
               exact
               and
               perfect
               ,
               if
               it
               be
               sincere
               ,
               we
               shall
               be
               accepted
               for
               the
               sake
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               by
               vertue
               of
               that
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               ,
               which
               he
               hath
               sealed
               with
               his
               blood
               ,
               which
               admits
               of
               an
               Evangelical
               ,
               instead
               of
               a
               strict
               legal
               perfection
               :
               such
               different
               discoveries
               doth
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               with
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               make
               .
            
             
               
                 The
                 third
                 part
                 of
                 our
                 Wisdom
                 is
                 to
              
               
               
                 walk
                 with
                 God
              
               ,
               and
               to
               that
               is
               required
               
                 Agreement
                 ,
                 acquaintance
                 ,
                 a
                 way
                 ,
                 strength
                 ,
                 boldness
                 ,
                 and
                 aiming
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 end
                 :
                 and
                 all
                 these
                 with
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 them
                 are
                 hid
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 .
              
               The
               sum
               of
               which
               in
               short
               is
               this
               ,
               that
               Christ
               having
               expiated
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               fulfilled
               all
               righteousness
               for
               us
               ,
               though
               we
               have
               no
               personal
               righteousness
               of
               our
               own
               ,
               but
               are
               as
               contrary
               to
               God
               ,
               as
               darkness
               is
               to
               light
               ,
               and
               death
               to
               life
               ,
               and
               an
               universal
               pollution
               and
               defilement
               to
               an
               universal
               and
               glorious
               holiness
               ,
               and
               hatred
               to
               love
               ;
               yet
               the
               righteousness
               of
               Christ
               is
               a
               sufficient
               ,
               nay
               the
               only
               foundation
               of
               our
               agreement
               ,
               and
               upon
               that
               ,
               of
               our
               walking
               with
               God
               :
               though
               St.
               Iohn
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 If
                 we
                 say
                 we
              
               
               
                 have
                 fellowship
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 walk
                 in
                 darkness
                 we
                 lye
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 not
                 the
                 truth
                 ,
                 but
                 if
                 we
                 walk
                 in
                 the
                 light
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 light
                 ,
                 then
                 have
                 we
                 fellowship
                 one
                 with
                 another
                 ,
                 and
              
               (
               then
               )
               
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 his
                 Son
                 cleanseth
                 us
                 from
                 all
                 sins
                 .
                 Iohn
              
               1.
               
               Ch.
               1.
               v.
               6
               ,
               7.
               
               And
               our
               only
               acquaintance
               with
               God
               and
               knowledge
               of
               him
               is
               hid
               in
               Christ
               ,
               which
               his
               word
               and
               works
               could
               not
               discover
               ,
               as
               you
               heard
               above
               .
               And
               he
               is
               the
               only
               way
               ,
               wherein
               we
               must
               walk
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               we
               receive
               all
               our
               strength
               from
               him
               ;
               and
               he
               makes
               us
               bold
               and
               confident
               too
               ,
               having
               removed
               the
               guilt
               of
               sin
               ,
               that
               now
               we
               may
               look
               Justice
               in
               the
               face
               ,
               and
               
                 whet
                 our
                 Knife
                 at
                 the
                 Counter
                 door
                 ,
              
               all
               our
               Debts
               being
               discharged
               by
               Christ
               ,
               as
               these
               bold
               acquaintance
               and
               familiars
               of
               Christ
               use
               to
               speak
               .
               And
               in
               Christ
               we
               design
               the
               same
               end
               that
               God
               doth
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               
                 advancement
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 glory
              
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               I
               suppose
               ,
               by
               trusting
               to
               the
               expiation
               and
               righteousness
               of
               Christ
               for
               Salvation
               ,
               without
               doing
               any
               thing
               our selves
               ,
               we
               take
               care
               that
               God
               shall
               not
               be
               robbed
               of
               the
               glory
               of
               his
               free
               Grace
               by
               a
               competition
               of
               any
               merits
               and
               deserts
               of
               our
               own
               :
            
             
             
               These
               are
               those
               great
               
                 Gospel
                 Mysteries
                 and
                 Soul-saving
                 truths
              
               ,
               which
               are
               learnt
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ's
               Person
               ,
               which
               his
               Gospel
               is
               so
               silent
               in
               ,
               or
               speaks
               so
               darkly
               and
               imperfectly
               of
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               impossible
               to
               understand
               them
               ,
               without
               being
               first
               acquainted
               with
               his
               Person
               .
               And
               that
               you
               may
               the
               better
               understand
               the
               whole
               design
               and
               contrivance
               of
               it
               ,
               I
               shall
               put
               every
               thing
               into
               its
               just
               and
               natural
               order
               ;
            
             
               God
               then
               from
               the
               beginning
               designed
               to
               glorifie
               his
               justice
               ,
               and
               his
               mercy
               ,
               and
               because
               there
               had
               been
               no
               occasion
               either
               to
               punish
               or
               pardon
               ,
               unless
               man
               had
               sinned
               ,
               he
               
                 appointed
                 and
                 ordained
                 sin
                 for
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 his
                 vindictive
                 justice
                 and
                 pardoning
                 Grace
                 :
              
               and
               accordingly
               (
               since
               nothing
               can
               withstand
               the
               Decrees
               and
               appointments
               of
               God
               )
               it
               pleaseth
               God
               that
               Man
               should
               sin
               ;
               but
               when
               he
               hath
               sinned
               he
               is
               extreamly
               displeased
               with
               it
               ,
               and
               now
               his
               Justice
               must
               be
               satisfied
               ;
               for
               it
               is
               impossible
               for
               God
               to
               forgive
               the
               the
               least
               sin
               without
               a
               compleat
               and
               perfect
               satisfaction
               ;
               this
               falls
               hard
               upon
               those
               miserable
               wretches
               ,
               whose
               ill
               fortune
               it
               was
               ,
               without
               any
               faults
               of
               
               theirs
               ,
               to
               be
               left
               out
               of
               the
               Roll
               of
               Election
               ,
               and
               who
               have
               no
               way
               to
               satisfie
               the
               Divine
               Justice
               ,
               but
               by
               their
               Eternal
               Torments
               ;
               by
               this
               it
               appears
               ,
               how
               rigorously
               just
               God
               is
               ,
               that
               he
               will
               never
               pardon
               the
               least
               sin
               ,
               when
               he
               can
               serve
               his
               own
               glory
               by
               the
               misery
               and
               confusion
               of
               Sinners
               :
            
             
               But
               this
               is
               but
               one
               part
               of
               the
               glory
               of
               God
               ,
               to
               be
               just
               in
               punishing
               sin
               ,
               the
               other
               is
               to
               shew
               mercy
               in
               sparing
               and
               rewarding
               the
               Sinner
               ;
               now
               here
               was
               the
               great
               difficulty
               ,
               how
               God
               should
               be
               just
               ,
               and
               merciful
               too
               ,
               when
               Justice
               requires
               a
               full
               satisfaction
               ,
               and
               mercy
               excludes
               all
               desert
               .
               For
               the
               demerit
               of
               sin
               being
               infinite
               ,
               no
               Creature
               can
               expiate
               sin
               ,
               but
               by
               enduring
               infinite
               ,
               that
               is
               endless
               Torments
               ;
               and
               those
               who
               must
               be
               always
               miserable
               ,
               can
               never
               be
               the
               subjects
               of
               God's
               mercy
               .
            
             
               To
               unite
               these
               two
               extreams
               ,
               and
               reconcile
               such
               contradictions
               ,
               was
               a
               work
               of
               infinite
               Wisdom
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               goodness
               ;
               And
               it
               was
               effected
               thus
               .
               God
               sends
               his
               only
               begotten
               Son
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               into
               the
               World
               to
               fulfil
               all
               righteousness
               in
               his
               life
               ,
               and
               to
               make
               a
               full
               satisfaction
               for
               sin
               by
               his
               
               Death
               .
               For
               his
               blood
               being
               of
               infinite
               value
               (
               as
               being
               the
               blood
               of
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               )
               could
               expiate
               an
               infinite
               guilt
               ,
               and
               so
               make
               a
               compleat
               satisfaction
               to
               Justice
               ;
               which
               is
               more
               glorified
               by
               the
               Death
               of
               Christ
               ,
               than
               by
               the
               Eternal
               miseries
               of
               all
               the
               Sinners
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               because
               it
               discovers
               the
               naturalness
               of
               Justice
               to
               God
               (
               which
               is
               the
               Position
               to
               be
               maintain'd
               )
               that
               he
               could
               not
               pardon
               without
               full
               satisfaction
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               so
               just
               ,
               that
               he
               hath
               not
               one
               dram
               of
               goodness
               in
               him
               ,
               till
               his
               rage
               and
               vengeance
               be
               satisfied
               ;
               which
               is
               I
               confess
               a
               glorious
               kind
               of
               Justice
               :
            
             
               But
               now
               
                 the
                 Iustice
                 and
                 vengeance
                 of
                 God
                 having
                 their
                 actings
                 assigned
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 full
                 ,
              
               being
               glutted
               and
               satiated
               with
               the
               blood
               of
               Christ
               ;
               God
               may
               pardon
               as
               many
               and
               great
               sins
               ,
               as
               he
               pleases
               ,
               without
               fear
               of
               the
               least
               imputation
               of
               injustice
               :
               and
               now
               a
               glorious
               and
               more
               comfortable
               Scene
               of
               mercy
               begins
               to
               appear
               ;
               now
               God
               embraces
               Sinners
               ,
               as
               a
               kind
               Father
               ,
               and
               accounts
               them
               perfectly
               innocent
               in
               vertue
               of
               that
               satisfaction
               Christ
               hath
               made
               for
               their
               sins
               ;
               but
               this
               is
               not
               enough
               ,
               the
               law
               of
               God
               must
               be
               fulfilled
               ,
               
               as
               well
               as
               his
               justice
               satisfied
               ,
               we
               must
               be
               righteous
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               innocent
               ,
               otherwise
               we
               may
               escape
               punishment
               ,
               but
               can
               expect
               no
               reward
               (
               though
               I
               confess
               ,
               I
               should
               have
               thought
               ,
               that
               Christ
               had
               satisfied
               for
               sins
               of
               omission
               ,
               together
               with
               sins
               of
               Commission
               :
               and
               as
               by
               his
               satisfaction
               for
               our
               doing
               ,
               what
               we
               ought
               not
               to
               do
               ,
               we
               are
               reputed
               by
               God
               as
               having
               never
               done
               any
               thing
               amiss
               ,
               so
               by
               his
               satisfaction
               for
               our
               neglecting
               what
               we
               ought
               to
               have
               done
               ,
               we
               might
               by
               the
               same
               reason
               be
               reputed
               by
               God
               perfectly
               righteous
               ,
               to
               have
               done
               all
               ,
               that
               we
               ought
               ,
               to
               have
               kept
               the
               whole
               Law
               ,
               but
               it
               seems
               this
               was
               not
               sufficient
               )
               and
               therefore
               as
               the
               satisfaction
               of
               Christ
               is
               imputed
               to
               us
               for
               the
               forgiveness
               of
               sins
               ,
               so
               the
               righteousness
               of
               Christ
               is
               imputed
               to
               us
               to
               make
               us
               perfectly
               righteous
               ;
               and
               this
               makes
               the
               Grace
               of
               God
               perfectly
               free
               without
               any
               suspition
               of
               merit
               or
               desert
               in
               us
               .
            
             
               And
               now
               God
               and
               Sinners
               may
               agree
               very
               well
               and
               walk
               comfortably
               together
               ,
               for
               though
               they
               have
               guilt
               enough
               ,
               and
               he
               Justice
               enough
               to
               destroy
               a
               World
               ,
               yet
               there
               is
               no
               danger
               ,
               
               since
               Christ
               hath
               satisfied
               Justice
               ;
               and
               though
               he
               be
               infinitely
               holy
               and
               pure
               ,
               perfect
               light
               ,
               and
               Sinners
               abominably
               filthy
               ,
               yet
               there
               is
               no
               fear
               he
               should
               loath
               and
               abhor
               them
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               Cloathed
               with
               the
               white
               and
               spotless
               Robes
               of
               Christs
               righteousness
               ;
               and
               they
               are
               so
               well
               acquainted
               now
               with
               the
               design
               of
               God
               to
               advance
               the
               glory
               of
               his
               free
               Grace
               in
               their
               Salvation
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               very
               secure
               ,
               that
               neither
               their
               past
               sins
               ,
               nor
               present
               habitual
               impurities
               can
               do
               them
               any
               hurt
               :
               but
               they
               
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 with
                 a
                 notwithstanding
                 their
                 sins
                 .
              
            
             
               These
               are
               those
               fundamental
               Doctrines
               ,
               with
               which
               these
               men
               have
               blessed
               the
               World
               from
               a
               pretended
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ's
               Person
               ,
               which
               are
               so
               unlike
               the
               
                 holy
                 Religion
                 of
                 our
                 Saviour
              
               ,
               that
               for
               distinction
               sake
               ,
               it
               ought
               to
               be
               called
               the
               
                 Religion
                 of
                 Christ's
                 Person
              
               ,
               in
               opposition
               to
               the
               Religion
               of
               his
               Gospel
               .
            
             
               And
               since
               we
               have
               discovered
               the
               Principles
               of
               this
               new
               Religion
               of
               Christ's
               Person
               ,
               I
               cannot
               forbear
               inquiring
               briefly
               into
               the
               practical
               inferences
               from
               it
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               at
               once
               view
               the
               grand
               Mystery
               of
               this
               Religion
               
               both
               in
               its
               principles
               and
               practice
               .
            
             
               Now
               the
               practice
               of
               this
               Religion
               consists
               in
               accepting
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               coming
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               applying
               his
               merits
               and
               satisfaction
               ,
               and
               righteousness
               to
               our selves
               ,
               for
               pardon
               and
               justification
               ;
               and
               in
               those
               duties
               which
               are
               consequent
               upon
               such
               an
               Union
               and
               closure
               with
               Christ.
               For
               Christ
               having
               satisfied
               for
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               fulfilled
               the
               righteousness
               of
               the
               law
               for
               us
               ,
               it
               is
               a
               plain
               and
               necessary
               consequence
               ,
               that
               we
               have
               nothing
               to
               do
               ,
               but
               to
               get
               an
               interest
               in
               the
               satisfaction
               and
               righteousness
               of
               Christ
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               be
               imputed
               to
               us
               ;
               for
               he
               is
               very
               ignorant
               of
               Christ
               ,
               who
               hopes
               that
               any
               thing
               else
               will
               avail
               him
               to
               Salvation
               .
            
             
               Now
               that
               we
               may
               thus
               come
               to
               Christ
               and
               close
               with
               him
               ,
               it
               is
               absolutely
               necessary
               ,
               that
               we
               be
               sensible
               of
               our
               lost
               and
               undone
               condition
               out
               of
               Christ.
               How
               impossible
               it
               is
               for
               us
               to
               atone
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               ,
               or
               to
               have
               any
               righteousness
               of
               our
               own
               ,
               which
               can
               bear
               the
               severe
               scrutiny
               of
               his
               justice
               ;
               and
               in
               a
               sence
               of
               this
               we
               must
               work
               our
               imagination
               and
               fancy
               into
               great
               terrours
               and
               agonies
               ,
               and
               a
               dismal
               
               fear
               of
               the
               unsupportable
               wrath
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               his
               natural
               and
               inexorable
               justice
               :
               this
               is
               the
               spirit
               of
               bondage
               ,
               which
               we
               must
               lie
               under
               ,
               before
               we
               can
               attain
               to
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Adoption
               :
               for
               we
               shall
               never
               value
               and
               prize
               Christ
               ,
               and
               go
               to
               him
               for
               Salvation
               ,
               till
               we
               are
               convinc't
               of
               our
               necessity
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               driven
               to
               him
               by
               the
               threatnings
               and
               terrours
               of
               the
               Law
               ;
               and
               the
               promise
               of
               ease
               and
               rest
               ,
               is
               made
               only
               to
               the
               weary
               and
               heavy
               laden
               ;
               and
               these
               only
               shall
               be
               satisfied
               ,
               who
               hunger
               and
               thirst
               after
               the
               imputed
               righteousness
               of
               Christ.
               
            
             
               And
               now
               being
               thus
               stung
               with
               sin
               ,
               it
               is
               time
               for
               us
               to
               look
               up
               to
               Christ
               ,
               as
               the
               Israelites
               did
               on
               the
               brazen
               Serpent
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               be
               healed
               ;
               now
               we
               must
               begin
               to
               see
               his
               fulness
               and
               perfection
               and
               suitableness
               to
               the
               wants
               and
               necessities
               of
               our
               Souls
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               our
               atonement
               and
               expiation
               ,
               our
               wisdom
               and
               righteousness
               ,
               all
               that
               we
               can
               desire
               or
               need
               .
            
             
               And
               if
               it
               should
               so
               happen
               ,
               that
               the
               sense
               of
               our
               sins
               and
               unworthiness
               makes
               us
               afraid
               to
               come
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               apply
               him
               to
               our
               Souls
               ,
               we
               must
               then
               have
               recourse
               to
               our
               acquaintance
               
               with
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               to
               answer
               all
               our
               doubts
               ,
               and
               quiet
               our
               Consciences
               .
               As
               for
               instance
               ,
               
                 Dost
                 thou
                 object
                 I
                 am
                 a
                 great
                 Sinner
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 Christ
                 save
                 me
                 ?
              
               the
               Answer
               is
               easie
               ,
               
                 whom
                 did
                 Christ
                 come
                 to
                 save
                 ?
                 whom
                 doth
                 God
                 justifie
                 but
                 the
                 ungodly
                 ?
                 did
                 he
                 take
                 our
                 flesh
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 our
                 sins
                 ?
                 ballance
                 all
                 things
                 together
                 ,
                 your
                 sins
                 and
                 Christs
                 merits
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 greatness
                 of
                 your
                 sins
                 should
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 discourage
                 you
                 from
                 coming
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 greatness
                 of
                 his
                 merits
                 should
                 encourage
                 you
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 where
                 sin
                 abounded
                 ,
                 Grace
                 did
                 much
                 more
                 abound
                 .
                 Compare
                 your
                 distress
                 and
                 Christ's
                 compassion
                 together
                 ,
                 your
                 wants
                 and
                 Christ's
                 fulness
                 together
                 ,
                 your
                 unworthiness
                 and
                 Christ's
                 freeness
                 together
                 ,
                 your
                 desires
                 and
                 Christ's
                 invitations
                 together
                 ,
                 your
                 own
                 weakness
                 and
                 Christ's
                 strength
                 together
                 ,
                 Satan's
                 objections
                 and
                 Christ's
                 answers
                 together
              
               ;
               and
               now
               if
               Christ
               do
               not
               prevail
               above
               all
               thy
               fears
               ,
               thou
               art
               not
               worthy
               to
               be
               acquainted
               with
               him
               .
            
             
               Nay
               further
               ,
               
                 if
                 thou
                 objectest
                 ,
                 what
              
               
               
                 have
                 I
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 Christ
                 ?
                 why
                 should
                 he
                 have
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 me
                 ;
                 who
                 have
                 such
                 an
                 unholy
                 ,
                 vile
                 ,
                 hard
                 ,
                 blind
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 wicked
              
               
               heart
               ?
               (
               the
               objection
               you
               see
               is
               full
               and
               home
               to
               the
               purpose
               ,
               but
               mark
               the
               answer
               )
               
                 O!
                 for
                 the
                 Lord's
                 sake
                 dishonour
                 not
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 thou
                 canst
                 not
                 come
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 till
                 thou
                 art
                 laden
                 ,
                 humble
                 ,
                 and
                 separated
                 from
                 thy
                 sins
                 —
                 yet
                 remember
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 more
                 sorrow
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 no
                 more
                 separation
                 from
                 sin
                 ,
                 is
                 necessary
                 to
                 thy
                 closing
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 than
                 so
                 much
                 ,
                 as
                 makes
                 thee
                 willing
                 ,
                 or
                 rather
                 not
                 unwilling
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 should
                 take
                 it
                 away
                 ;
                 and
                 know
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 seekest
                 for
                 a
                 greater
                 measure
                 of
                 humiliation
                 ,
                 antecedent
                 to
                 thy
                 closing
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 than
                 this
                 ,
                 thou
                 showest
                 the
                 more
                 pride
                 therein
                 ,
                 who
                 wilt
                 rather
                 go
                 into
                 thy self
                 to
                 make
                 thy self
                 holy
                 and
                 humble
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 worthy
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 than
                 go
                 out
                 of
                 thy self
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 to
                 take
                 away
                 thy
                 sin
                 ;
                 In
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 who
                 thinkest
                 ,
                 Christ
                 cannot
                 love
                 thee
                 ,
                 until
                 thou
                 makest
                 thy self
                 fair
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 thou
                 thinkest
                 thy self
                 so
                 (
                 which
                 is
                 pride
                 )
                 wilt
                 thou
                 think
                 otherwise
                 of
                 Christ.
                 
              
            
             
               And
               now
               the
               reason
               of
               all
               this
               is
               very
               plain
               from
               our
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ
               ;
               for
               he
               is
               our
               Physician
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               must
               not
               think
               of
               healing
               our selves
               ,
               but
               must
               go
               to
               him
               with
               all
               
               our
               Diseases
               and
               Sores
               about
               us
               ,
               that
               he
               alone
               may
               have
               the
               honour
               of
               healing
               us
               .
               He
               is
               a
               Fountain
               set
               open
               for
               sin
               and
               for
               uncleanness
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               must
               go
               to
               him
               with
               all
               our
               filthiness
               to
               be
               cleansed
               and
               washed
               ,
               for
               if
               we
               be
               first
               clean
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               need
               of
               a
               Fountain
               .
               He
               is
               all
               fulness
               ,
               and
               therefore
               it
               is
               not
               fit
               we
               should
               carry
               any
               thing
               to
               him
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               needed
               any
               thing
               from
               us
               .
               He
               is
               our
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               therefore
               if
               we
               have
               any
               ,
               we
               must
               leave
               all
               our
               righteousness
               behind
               us
               ,
               when
               we
               go
               to
               him
               .
               He
               is
               all
               beauty
               and
               loveliness
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               must
               not
               carry
               any
               beauty
               to
               him
               ,
               but
               receive
               it
               all
               from
               him
               ;
               So
               that
               all
               we
               have
               to
               do
               in
               this
               great
               work
               ,
               is
               to
               go
               to
               Christ
               weary
               ,
               and
               sick
               ,
               and
               filthy
               ,
               and
               naked
               ,
               stript
               of
               every
               thing
               ,
               but
               our
               sins
               and
               impurities
               ,
               to
               receive
               ease
               and
               health
               ,
               and
               fulness
               ,
               and
               beauty
               from
               him
               .
               Christ
               is
               the
               gift
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               must
               only
               receive
               him
               by
               the
               hand
               of
               Faith
               ,
               and
               apply
               him
               to
               our
               Souls
               ,
               and
               then
               what
               a
               blessed
               change
               and
               Metamorphosis
               is
               there
               presently
               made
               in
               us
               !
               for
               though
               we
               continue
               as
               we
               were
               ,
               yet
               we
               have
               all
               in
               Christ.
               We
               
               are
               now
               united
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               made
               his
               Members
               and
               Spouse
               ,
               and
               so
               have
               an
               interest
               in
               all
               his
               merits
               and
               fulness
               .
               *
               
                 Christ
                 saith
                 to
                 a
                 believer
                 with
                 my
                 body
                 ,
                 yea
                 with
                 my
                 blood
                 I
                 endowe
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Believer
                 saith
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 with
                 my
                 Soul
                 I
                 thee
                 worship
              
               (
               as
               if
               Christ
               and
               a
               Believer
               were
               marryed
               by
               the
               Liturgy
               .
               )
               And
               now
               a
               Sinner
               may
               with
               the
               greatest
               confidence
               look
               Justice
               in
               the
               face
               ,
               as
               being
               out
               of
               its
               reach
               .
               
                 A
                 Soul
                 in
                 Christ
                 is
                 actually
                 united
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 One
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 being
                 so
                 ,
                 no
                 sentence
                 of
                 condemnation
                 can
                 fall
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 same
                 must
                 light
                 upon
                 Christ
                 himself
                 ,
              
               (
               and
               who
               would
               desire
               to
               be
               more
               secure
               than
               Christ
               is
               )
               
                 as
                 a
                 Woman
                 in
                 marriage
                 ,
                 though
                 she
                 owe
                 never
                 so
                 many
                 debts
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 arrest
                 doth
                 not
                 light
                 upon
                 her
                 ,
                 but
                 upon
                 her
                 Husband
                 :
              
               O
               blessed
               priviledge
               !
               and
               who
               would
               be
               afraid
               of
               running
               into
               debt
               with
               God
               ,
               when
               he
               hath
               such
               a
               Husband
               to
               discharge
               all
               .
               And
               then
               how
               vile
               and
               impure
               soever
               men
               are
               ,
               
                 here
                 is
                 their
                 comfort
              
               
               
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 marryed
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 their
                 glorious
                 priviledge
                 ,
                 Christ's
                 beauty
                 and
                 loveliness
                 shall
                 be
                 put
                 upon
                 them
                 ;
                 his
                 lilly
                 whiteness
                 shall
                 be
                 put
                 upon
                 the
                 Saints
                 .
              
               And
               to
               Crown
               all
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               once
               
               thus
               engrafted
               into
               Christ
               ,
               and
               made
               his
               Spouse
               ,
               and
               Members
               of
               his
               body
               ,
               they
               are
               secure
               to
               Eternity
               .
               
                 For
                 nothing
              
               
               
                 that
                 ever
                 was
                 a
                 Member
                 ,
                 can
                 be
                 lost
                 to
                 Eternity
                 ;
                 for
                 is
                 Christ
                 divided
                 ?
                 can
                 he
                 lose
                 a
                 Member
                 of
                 his
                 body
                 ?
                 then
                 his
                 body
                 is
                 not
                 perfect
                 .
                 No
                 ,
                 no
                 ,
                 fear
                 not
                 O
                 ye
                 Saints
                 ,
                 neither
                 sin
                 ,
                 nor
                 Satan
                 ,
                 can
                 dissolve
                 your
                 Union
                 with
                 Christ
              
               (
               but
               what
               if
               sin
               should
               make
               them
               no
               Saints
               ,
               would
               not
               that
               endanger
               the
               dissolveing
               of
               this
               Union
               ?
               )
               For
               as
               the
               same
               Author
               sweetly
               reasons
               ,
               
                 if
                 any
                 branch
                 be
                 pluckt
                 away
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 either
                 because
                 Christ
                 is
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 keep
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 willing
                 to
                 lose
                 it
              
               (
               and
               why
               not
               ,
               because
               it
               will
               not
               stay
               ?
               )
               he
               
               
                 is
                 able
                 surely
                 to
                 keep
                 it
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 is
                 strengthned
                 with
                 the
                 Godhead
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 willing
                 to
                 lose
                 it
                 ;
                 for
                 why
                 then
                 should
                 he
                 shed
                 his
                 bloud
                 for
                 it
                 .
              
               And
               as
               another
               great
               acquaintance
               of
               Christs
               speaks
               ,
               Weakness
               (
               that
               is
               
                 no
                 strength
                 ,
                 no
                 Grace
              
               ,
               
               
                 no
                 nor
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 sense
                 of
                 poverty
                 )
                 do
                 not
                 debar
                 us
                 from
                 God's
                 mercy
                 ,
              
               and
               the
               reason
               is
               very
               precious
               and
               convincing
               ;
               
                 for
                 the
                 Husband
                 is
                 bound
                 to
                 bear
                 with
                 the
                 Wife
                 as
                 the
                 weaker
                 Vessel
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 we
                 think
                 God
                 will
                 exempt
                 himself
                 from
                 his
                 own
                 Rules
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 bear
                 with
              
               
               
                 his
                 weak
                 Spouse
                 .
                 Christ
                 hath
                 taken
                 upon
                 him
                 to
                 purge
                 his
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 her
                 fit
                 for
                 himself
              
               ;
               so
               that
               if
               she
               be
               not
               purged
               ,
               and
               cleansed
               ,
               and
               made
               fair
               and
               lovely
               ,
               whose
               fault
               can
               it
               be
               but
               his
               own
               ,
               and
               surely
               that
               can
               be
               no
               just
               reason
               for
               a
               divorce
               .
               Thus
               you
               see
               ,
               what
               it
               is
               to
               come
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               accept
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               close
               with
               him
               ;
               the
               result
               of
               which
               is
               (
               so
               far
               as
               I
               can
               understand
               it
               )
               to
               be
               content
               to
               be
               saved
               by
               Christ
               without
               being
               either
               humble
               or
               holy
               ,
               fair
               or
               beautiful
               ,
               any
               otherwise
               ,
               than
               as
               he
               is
               pleased
               to
               make
               us
               so
               ,
               by
               his
               satisfaction
               for
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               the
               imputation
               of
               his
               righteousness
               to
               us
               .
            
             
               Let
               us
               now
               consider
               what
               duties
               are
               consequent
               upon
               such
               a
               union
               and
               closure
               of
               the
               Soul
               with
               Christ
               ,
               and
               they
               are
               
                 consequential
                 ,
                 conjugal
                 affections
              
               .
               As
               first
               a
               mighty
               love
               for
               her
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               head
               ,
               and
               Husband
               :
               the
               Soul
               must
               be
               enamoured
               with
               the
               beauty
               ,
               and
               loveliness
               ,
               and
               preciousness
               of
               Christ
               ,
               must
               form
               pleasant
               and
               charming
               ideas
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               feel
               great
               ravishments
               and
               transports
               of
               passion
               for
               him
               :
               
                 You
                 must
                 be
                 sick
                 of
                 love
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 O
                 ye
                 Saints
                 !
                 and
                 let
                 him
                 lye
                 as
                 a
                 bundle
                 of
                 Myrrhe
                 always
              
               
               
                 between
                 your
                 Breasts
                 ;
                 Christ
                 is
              
               
               
                 maximè
                 diligibilis
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 Schoolmen
                 speak
                 )
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 very
                 abstract
                 and
                 Quintessence
                 of
                 beauty
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 whole
                 Paradise
                 of
                 delight
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 flower
                 of
              
               Sharon
               
                 enriched
                 with
                 orient
                 Colours
                 ,
                 and
                 perfumed
                 with
                 the
                 sweetest
                 savour
                 ,
                 O
                 wear
                 this
                 flower
                 not
                 in
                 your
                 bosoms
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 always
                 smelling
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 show
                 your
                 love
                 to
                 this
                 lovely
                 Saviour
                 .
              
               You
               must
               delight
               in
               his
               embraces
               ,
               and
               thirst
               after
               a
               more
               intimate
               acquaintance
               with
               him
               ,
               you
               must
               never
               be
               satisfied
               one
               moment
               without
               him
               ,
               but
               must
               follow
               him
               from
               one
               Ordinance
               to
               another
               ,
               and
               never
               be
               satisfied
               unless
               you
               meet
               with
               Christ
               ,
               and
               enjoy
               Communion
               with
               him
               in
               Ordinances
               :
               this
               is
               the
               Foundation
               of
               the
               Saints
               love
               to
               Ordinances
               ,
               that
               there
               they
               meet
               with
               the
               beloved
               of
               their
               Souls
               ,
               and
               enjoy
               the
               sweet
               caresses
               and
               endearments
               of
               his
               love
               ;
               there
               they
               hear
               of
               his
               beauty
               ,
               and
               loveliness
               ,
               and
               riches
               ,
               and
               fulness
               ,
               and
               alsufficiency
               ,
               and
               though
               
                 Evangelical
                 truths
                 will
                 not
                 down
                 with
                 a
                 natural
                 heart
                 ,
                 such
                 an
                 one
                 had
                 rather
                 hear
                 some
                 quaint
                 point
                 of
                 some
                 vertue
                 or
                 vice
                 stood
                 upon
                 ,
                 than
                 any
                 thing
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 yet
                 when
                 the
              
               
               
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 hath
                 altered
                 him
                 ,
                 than
                 of
                 all
                 truths
                 the
                 truths
                 of
                 Christ
                 savour
                 best
                 ,
                 those
                 truths
                 that
                 come
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Ministry
                 concerning
                 Christ
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 most
                 sweet
                 of
                 all
                 .
              
               Such
               sanctified
               Souls
               and
               Ears
               loath
               all
               dull
               ,
               insipid
               ,
               moral
               discourses
               ,
               which
               are
               perpetually
               inculcating
               their
               duty
               on
               them
               ,
               and
               troubling
               them
               with
               a
               great
               many
               rules
               and
               directions
               for
               a
               good
               life
               ;
               which
               he
               is
               pleas'd
               to
               call
               the
               
                 quaint
                 Points
                 of
                 Vertue
                 and
                 Vice
              
               ;
               for
               this
               is
               not
               to
               enjoy
               
                 Christ
                 in
                 Ordinances
              
               ,
               they
               go
               away
               from
               such
               entertainment
               without
               having
               met
               with
               the
               beloved
               of
               their
               Soul
               ,
               without
               hearing
               any
               news
               from
               him
               ,
               or
               having
               the
               least
               glympse
               of
               his
               beauty
               and
               perfections
               ;
               which
               is
               a
               plain
               contradiction
               to
               the
               nature
               and
               design
               of
               Ordinances
               ,
               which
               are
               only
               for
               our
               enjoyment
               of
               Communion
               with
               Jesus
               Christ.
               That
               is
               ,
               to
               unload
               our
               Consciences
               ,
               and
               disburden
               our
               sins
               on
               him
               in
               our
               Confessions
               ,
               and
               to
               beg
               of
               him
               the
               imputation
               of
               his
               righteousness
               to
               make
               us
               lovely
               ,
               and
               to
               put
               our
               Souls
               into
               some
               raptures
               ,
               and
               amorous
               passions
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               to
               hear
               some
               good
               news
               from
               him
               by
               his
               Ministers
               ,
               how
               
               much
               he
               loves
               us
               ,
               and
               longs
               after
               us
               ,
               how
               pittiful
               he
               is
               to
               us
               ,
               ready
               to
               overlook
               all
               our
               miscarriages
               ,
               and
               cover
               all
               our
               deformities
               with
               his
               own
               beauty
               and
               loveliness
               ,
               and
               to
               take
               us
               to
               the
               enjoyment
               of
               himself
               ,
               that
               where
               he
               is
               ,
               we
               also
               may
               be
               ,
               perpetually
               to
               behold
               his
               glory
               ,
               and
               solace
               our selves
               in
               his
               love
               :
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               another
               consequential
               conjugal
               Act
               is
               obedience
               to
               our
               spiritual
               Husband
               ,
               a
               duty
               which
               few
               Wives
               care
               for
               ,
               and
               the
               truth
               is
               ,
               though
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               be
               very
               plain
               and
               express
               in
               exacting
               this
               from
               them
               ,
               and
               inculcates
               it
               so
               much
               ,
               that
               it
               savours
               too
               strong
               of
               a
               legal
               spirit
               and
               dispensation
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               very
               hard
               to
               find
               a
               proper
               place
               for
               it
               in
               this
               new
               Religion
               ,
               or
               to
               deduce
               it
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christs
               Person
               .
            
             
               For
               this
               is
               not
               necessary
               at
               all
               to
               our
               coming
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               closing
               with
               him
               ,
               nay
               it
               is
               a
               great
               hindrance
               to
               it
               ,
               for
               we
               must
               bring
               nothing
               to
               Christ
               with
               us
               ,
               the
               marriage
               is
               consummated
               without
               it
               ,
               and
               then
               we
               have
               less
               need
               of
               it
               than
               before
               ;
               for
               then
               we
               are
               adorned
               with
               the
               beauty
               of
               Christ
               ,
               are
               holy
               with
               his
               holiness
               ,
               we
               are
               delivered
               
               from
               the
               guilt
               of
               sin
               by
               his
               expiation
               ,
               he
               must
               look
               to
               it
               to
               see
               the
               debt
               discharged
               ,
               which
               he
               hath
               now
               taken
               upon
               himself
               ,
               and
               we
               are
               righteous
               with
               his
               righteousness
               ,
               which
               gives
               us
               an
               actual
               right
               to
               glory
               ,
               and
               we
               need
               no
               righteousness
               of
               our
               own
               to
               save
               us
               ,
               which
               were
               to
               suppose
               a
               defect
               in
               the
               righteousness
               of
               Christ
               ;
               so
               that
               ,
               how
               obedience
               should
               come
               in
               ,
               is
               hard
               to
               say
               .
               It
               is
               concluded
               on
               all
               hands
               by
               those
               ,
               who
               are
               most
               intimately
               acquainted
               with
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               but
               a
               consequential
               duty
               ,
               that
               which
               ought
               to
               follow
               our
               Espousals
               with
               Christ
               ,
               and
               Justification
               by
               him
               ,
               as
               a
               fruit
               and
               effect
               of
               it
               ;
               but
               yet
               the
               reason
               of
               it
               is
               not
               evident
               .
               Some
               tell
               us
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               due
               upon
               account
               of
               gratitude
               and
               thankfulness
               to
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               which
               I
               cannot
               so
               well
               understand
               ,
               unless
               our
               righteousness
               and
               obedience
               be
               due
               to
               Christ
               in
               thankfulness
               to
               him
               for
               saving
               us
               without
               obedience
               and
               righteousness
               ,
               which
               is
               just
               as
               broad
               as
               long
               ,
               and
               we
               get
               nothing
               by
               the
               bargain
               .
               Especially
               considering
               that
               this
               is
               hardly
               reconcileable
               with
               that
               essential
               condition
               of
               accepting
               Christ
               ,
               wherein
               these
               spiritual
               Espousals
               consist
               .
               
               
                 Viz
                 That
                 the
                 Soul
                 consents
                 to
                 take
                 Christ
              
               
               
                 on
                 his
                 own
                 terms
                 ,
                 to
                 save
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 saith
                 .
                 Lord
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 had
                 thee
                 and
                 salvation
                 in
                 my
                 way
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 might
                 have
                 been
                 partly
                 of
                 mine
                 endeavours
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 by
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 the
                 Law
              
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               by
               obeying
               the
               Laws
               of
               the
               Gospel
               )
               
                 but
                 I
                 am
                 now
                 willing
                 to
                 receive
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 saved
                 in
                 thy
                 way
                 ,
                 meerly
                 by
                 Grace
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               without
               doing
               any
               thing
               ,
               without
               obeying
               thee
               ;
               the
               most
               contented
               Spouse
               certainly
               that
               ever
               was
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               to
               submit
               to
               such
               hard
               conditions
               ,
               as
               to
               be
               saved
               for
               nothing
               ;
               but
               what
               a
               pretty
               complement
               doth
               the
               Soul
               make
               to
               Christ
               after
               all
               this
               ,
               when
               she
               adds
               ,
               
                 And
                 though
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 walk't
                 according
                 to
                 my
                 own
                 mind
                 ,
                 yet
                 now
                 I
                 wholly
                 give
                 up
                 my self
                 to
                 be
                 ruled
                 by
                 thy
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               But
               the
               mystery
               of
               this
               will
               appear
               in
               what
               follows
               :
               for
               others
               make
               obedience
               necessary
               upon
               account
               of
               our
               participation
               of
               Christs
               fulness
               ,
               for
               this
               is
               one
               part
               of
               his
               fulness
               ,
               a
               power
               and
               ability
               to
               do
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               this
               proves
               that
               it
               will
               be
               so
               ,
               but
               makes
               it
               no
               otherwise
               necessary
               to
               us
               ,
               than
               as
               we
               are
               necessarily
               passive
               in
               it
               ,
               and
               this
               is
               all
               the
               Soul
               means
               in
               giving
               
               it self
               up
               to
               be
               ruled
               by
               the
               spirit
               of
               Christ
               ,
               to
               be
               passively
               ,
               not
               actively
               good
               ,
               to
               submit
               (
               as
               needs
               it
               must
               )
               to
               the
               irresistible
               working
               of
               the
               Divine
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               to
               obey
               ,
               when
               it
               can
               rebel
               no
               longer
               .
            
             
               Thus
               ,
               Reader
               ,
               I
               have
               given
               thee
               an
               entire
               Scheme
               of
               a
               new
               Religion
               ,
               resulting
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ's
               Person
               ,
               in
               all
               its
               fundamental
               Principles
               ,
               and
               practices
               ;
               here
               is
               every
               jot
               and
               tittle
               of
               reason
               ,
               it
               is
               founded
               on
               ,
               or
               pretends
               to
               ,
               and
               the
               most
               obvious
               and
               easie
               connexion
               of
               one
               part
               with
               another
               ,
               whereby
               thou
               maist
               easily
               judge
               of
               the
               whole
               fabrick
               and
               contrivance
               ;
               and
               I
               think
               there
               needs
               no
               more
               to
               expose
               it
               to
               the
               scorn
               of
               every
               considering
               man
               ,
               who
               cannot
               but
               discover
               ,
               how
               inconsistent
               the
               Religion
               of
               Christ's
               Person
               ,
               and
               of
               his
               Gospel
               are
               :
               this
               is
               that
               knowledge
               of
               Christ
               these
               men
               glory
               in
               ,
               as
               containing
               greater
               Mysteries
               and
               more
               Soul-saving
               truths
               ,
               than
               are
               revealed
               in
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 III.
              
               How
               unsafe
               it
               is
               to
               found
               Religion
               upon
               a
               pretended
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ's
               Person
               .
            
             
               HAving
               thus
               shewed
               you
               what
               that
               Religion
               is
               ,
               which
               these
               men
               pretend
               to
               learn
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ's
               Person
               ,
               it
               is
               time
               now
               to
               consider
               this
               way
               of
               Reasoning
               ,
               and
               shew
               you
               what
               an
               unsafe
               foundation
               it
               is
               to
               build
               any
               Religion
               on
               .
            
             
               And
               first
               ,
               this
               is
               at
               best
               to
               build
               Religion
               upon
               uncertain
               conjectures
               ,
               or
               ambiguous
               and
               doubtful
               reasons
               ;
               for
               suppose
               men
               were
               wary
               and
               cautious
               in
               drawing
               conclusions
               from
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               (
               which
               few
               of
               these
               men
               are
               )
               yet
               what
               assurance
               can
               they
               have
               ,
               that
               their
               inferences
               are
               true
               :
               Had
               we
               seen
               Christ
               in
               the
               flesh
               ,
               and
               been
               witnesses
               of
               the
               many
               miracles
               he
               wrought
               ,
               of
               his
               Death
               upon
               the
               Cross
               ,
               and
               his
               resurrection
               from
               the
               dead
               ,
               had
               he
               not
               acquainted
               us
               with
               the
               end
               and
               design
               of
               all
               this
               ,
               we
               might
               have
               guest
               ,
               and
               guest
               ,
               till
               we
               had
               been
               weary
               ,
               but
               
               it
               is
               great
               odds
               we
               had
               never
               guest
               right
               ,
               or
               at
               best
               could
               never
               have
               been
               secure
               we
               had
               .
            
             
               We
               may
               understand
               necessary
               causes
               from
               necessary
               effects
               ,
               and
               necessary
               effects
               from
               necessary
               causes
               ;
               if
               we
               see
               a
               fire
               we
               know
               it
               burns
               something
               ,
               and
               if
               we
               see
               smoak
               ,
               we
               may
               safely
               conclude
               ,
               there
               is
               some
               fire
               ;
               but
               where
               the
               connexion
               of
               the
               effect
               with
               the
               cause
               is
               not
               necessary
               ,
               but
               arbitrary
               ,
               doth
               not
               depend
               upon
               the
               nature
               of
               things
               ,
               but
               the
               institution
               and
               appointment
               of
               free
               Agents
               ,
               we
               can
               understand
               no
               more
               of
               the
               design
               ,
               than
               the
               principal
               Agent
               is
               pleased
               to
               tell
               us
               .
               This
               is
               the
               case
               here
               :
               Christs
               coming
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               he
               did
               and
               suffered
               for
               us
               ,
               is
               the
               pure
               effect
               of
               God's
               free
               Grace
               ,
               and
               the
               design
               of
               his
               unsearchable
               Wisdom
               and
               Council
               ,
               and
               therefore
               none
               can
               understand
               the
               reason
               and
               contrivance
               of
               this
               ,
               but
               he
               who
               lay
               in
               the
               bosom
               of
               his
               Father
               ,
               and
               those
               who
               learn
               from
               him
               :
               so
               that
               whoever
               would
               understand
               the
               Religion
               of
               our
               Saviour
               must
               learn
               it
               from
               his
               Doctrine
               ,
               not
               from
               his
               Person
               ;
               because
               there
               is
               not
               a
               natural
               and
               necessary
               connexion
               between
               the
               Person
               of
               
               Christ
               ,
               and
               what
               he
               did
               and
               suffered
               ,
               and
               the
               Salvation
               of
               Mankind
               :
               the
               Incarnation
               ,
               and
               Life
               ,
               and
               Death
               ,
               and
               Resurrection
               of
               Christ
               were
               available
               to
               those
               ends
               ,
               for
               which
               God
               designed
               them
               ,
               but
               the
               vertue
               and
               efficacy
               of
               them
               doth
               depend
               upon
               Gods
               institution
               and
               appointment
               ,
               and
               therefore
               can
               be
               known
               only
               by
               Revelation
               .
            
             
               When
               we
               are
               acquainted
               by
               Christ
               ,
               for
               what
               end
               he
               came
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               suffered
               ,
               and
               died
               ,
               and
               rose
               again
               ,
               we
               may
               discover
               the
               Wisdom
               and
               goodness
               of
               God
               in
               it
               ,
               in
               sending
               us
               such
               a
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               qualifying
               him
               in
               so
               excellent
               a
               manner
               for
               the
               work
               of
               our
               Redemption
               ;
               but
               we
               cannot
               safely
               draw
               any
               one
               conclusion
               from
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               which
               his
               Gospel
               hath
               not
               expresly
               taught
               ,
               because
               we
               can
               know
               no
               more
               of
               the
               design
               of
               it
               ,
               than
               what
               is
               there
               revealed
               .
            
             
               And
               is
               it
               not
               intolerable
               presumption
               for
               men
               to
               mould
               and
               shape
               Religion
               according
               to
               their
               fancies
               and
               humours
               ,
               and
               to
               stuff
               it
               with
               an
               infinite
               number
               of
               Orthodox
               propositions
               ,
               none
               of
               which
               are
               to
               be
               found
               in
               express
               terms
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               but
               are
               only
               pretended
               to
               be
               deduced
               from
               thence
               by
               
               such
               imaginary
               consequences
               ,
               from
               some
               little
               hints
               and
               appearances
               of
               things
               ?
               Especially
               ,
               is
               not
               this
               unpardonable
               in
               those
               men
               ,
               who
               cry
               down
               reason
               for
               such
               a
               prophane
               and
               carnal
               thing
               ,
               as
               must
               not
               presume
               to
               intermeddle
               in
               holy
               matters
               ,
               and
               yet
               lay
               the
               foundation
               of
               their
               Religion
               ,
               and
               erect
               such
               glorious
               and
               magnificent
               Fabricks
               ,
               on
               nothing
               else
               but
               some
               little
               shews
               and
               appearances
               of
               Reason
               ?
               But
               the
               plain
               truth
               is
               this
               ,
               when
               men
               argue
               from
               the
               nature
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               his
               Works
               and
               Providences
               ,
               from
               the
               nature
               of
               Mankind
               ,
               and
               those
               eternal
               notions
               of
               good
               and
               evil
               ,
               and
               the
               essential
               differences
               of
               things
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               when
               men
               argue
               from
               plain
               and
               undeniable
               Principles
               ,
               which
               have
               an
               immutable
               and
               unchangeable
               nature
               ,
               and
               so
               can
               bear
               the
               stress
               and
               weight
               of
               a
               just
               consequence
               ,
               this
               is
               carnal
               Reason
               ;
               but
               when
               men
               argue
               from
               fancies
               and
               imaginations
               ,
               which
               have
               no
               stable
               nature
               ,
               from
               some
               pretty
               Allusions
               ,
               and
               Similitudes
               ,
               and
               Allegories
               ,
               which
               have
               no
               certain
               shape
               ,
               nor
               form
               ,
               but
               what
               every
               mans
               fancy
               gives
               them
               ,
               this
               is
               sanctified
               and
               spiritual
               reason
               ,
               but
               why
               I
               cannot
               imagine
               ,
               unless
               that
               
               it
               so
               much
               resembles
               Ghosts
               and
               shadows
               ,
               which
               have
               nothing
               solid
               and
               substantial
               in
               them
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               How
               dangerous
               this
               way
               of
               reasoning
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ's
               Person
               is
               ,
               appears
               in
               this
               ,
               that
               it
               will
               serve
               any
               mans
               turn
               ,
               who
               hath
               any
               quickness
               and
               vigour
               of
               fancy
               .
               It
               is
               an
               easie
               matter
               at
               this
               rate
               to
               set
               up
               the
               trade
               of
               making
               new
               Hypotheses
               of
               Religion
               .
               I
               have
               already
               given
               you
               one
               draught
               and
               Scheme
               of
               Religion
               from
               a
               pretended
               acquaintance
               with
               Christs
               Person
               ,
               and
               it
               were
               easie
               to
               present
               you
               with
               many
               more
               ,
               with
               as
               fair
               colours
               and
               pretences
               ,
               and
               as
               exact
               and
               regular
               proportions
               ,
               and
               fanciful
               consequences
               ,
               and
               artificial
               connexions
               ;
               I
               need
               not
               tell
               you
               ,
               what
               use
               all
               our
               Allegorical
               Divines
               would
               make
               of
               this
               ,
               who
               have
               the
               peculiar
               knack
               and
               gift
               of
               adapting
               every
               similitude
               and
               resemblance
               ,
               to
               what
               purposes
               they
               please
               :
               We
               know
               how
               the
               Valentinians
               of
               old
               perverted
               all
               the
               passages
               of
               our
               Saviours
               Life
               and
               Death
               by
               such
               fanciful
               applications
               to
               confirm
               the
               doctrine
               of
               their
               Aeones
               ,
               and
               the
               portentous
               production
               of
               their
               Gods
               ,
               and
               to
               patronize
               all
               their
               vilest
               
               practices
               ;
               and
               if
               we
               allow
               of
               this
               way
               ,
               I
               know
               not
               ,
               why
               one
               mans
               fancy
               should
               not
               be
               admitted
               as
               well
               as
               anothers
               .
               But
               to
               shew
               how
               easily
               this
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ's
               Person
               may
               be
               made
               to
               serve
               different
               purposes
               ,
               I
               shall
               oppose
               another
               Scheme
               of
               Religion
               ,
               which
               is
               much
               more
               plainly
               deducible
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christs
               Person
               ,
               to
               what
               these
               men
               advance
               for
               the
               great
               Mystery
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               the
               only
               spiritual
               Wisdom
               ;
               And
               thus
               I
               argue
               .
            
             
               Since
               we
               see
               the
               Eternal
               Son
               of
               God
               leave
               his
               Fathers
               Throne
               ,
               and
               condescend
               to
               come
               into
               the
               World
               in
               the
               nature
               and
               likeness
               of
               a
               man
               ,
               we
               may
               certainly
               conclude
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               upon
               a
               design
               of
               love
               and
               goodness
               ;
               for
               had
               he
               intended
               to
               destroy
               the
               World
               ,
               he
               would
               have
               Cloathed
               himself
               with
               thunder
               and
               lightning
               ,
               he
               would
               have
               appeared
               like
               himself
               with
               an
               awful
               and
               astonishing
               Majesty
               ,
               and
               with
               all
               the
               terrible
               solemnities
               of
               vengeance
               and
               judgment
               ,
               incircled
               with
               Legions
               of
               Angels
               ,
               and
               with
               Clouds
               of
               smoak
               and
               fire
               :
               but
               we
               now
               see
               nothing
               dreadful
               in
               his
               looks
               ,
               nor
               in
               his
               Conversation
               ,
               he
               was
               made
               a
               Man
               ,
               as
               we
               are
               ,
               
               which
               argues
               a
               good
               will
               and
               kindness
               to
               humane
               Nature
               ,
               he
               had
               all
               the
               sweetness
               of
               innocence
               ,
               and
               an
               obliging
               goodness
               ,
               that
               we
               have
               no
               reason
               to
               suspect
               any
               ill
               design
               under
               so
               charming
               and
               inviting
               an
               appearance
               ,
               his
               miracles
               were
               great
               and
               glorious
               ,
               but
               not
               frightful
               and
               astonishing
               ,
               they
               surprized
               with
               wonder
               ,
               not
               with
               terrour
               and
               fear
               :
               his
               Almighty
               Power
               was
               displayed
               and
               manifested
               in
               methods
               of
               love
               and
               kindness
               ,
               in
               healing
               the
               sick
               ,
               and
               dispossessing
               Devils
               ,
               in
               feeding
               the
               hungry
               ,
               and
               raising
               the
               dead
               ,
               not
               in
               over-turning
               Kingdoms
               and
               Empires
               ,
               or
               bringing
               fire
               from
               Heaven
               to
               consume
               his
               Enemies
               .
               From
               all
               this
               we
               may
               safely
               conclude
               ,
               that
               he
               came
               upon
               an
               Embassy
               of
               Peace
               ,
               to
               assure
               the
               World
               of
               Gods
               good
               will
               towards
               them
               ,
               and
               to
               reconcile
               the
               differences
               between
               God
               and
               Men.
               
            
             
               And
               when
               we
               consider
               further
               ,
               that
               this
               Heavenly
               Embassador
               and
               Mediator
               is
               no
               less
               than
               the
               Eternal
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               by
               whom
               the
               Worlds
               were
               made
               ,
               we
               may
               reasonably
               conclude
               ,
               that
               he
               came
               upon
               no
               less
               design
               ,
               than
               of
               universal
               goodness
               ,
               for
               he
               can
               have
               no
               temptation
               to
               partiality
               ,
               as
               being
               
               equally
               concerned
               in
               the
               happiness
               of
               all
               men
               ,
               and
               we
               cannot
               imagine
               ,
               why
               he
               should
               lay
               a
               narrower
               design
               of
               love
               in
               the
               redemption
               ,
               than
               in
               the
               Creation
               of
               Mankind
               ;
               that
               when
               in
               the
               first
               Creation
               he
               designed
               all
               men
               for
               happiness
               ,
               in
               this
               new
               and
               second
               Creation
               ,
               he
               should
               design
               ,
               and
               intend
               the
               happiness
               only
               of
               some
               few
               ,
               which
               is
               to
               make
               him
               less
               good
               in
               redeeming
               ,
               than
               in
               creating
               Mankind
               ,
               though
               Creation
               cost
               him
               no
               more
               than
               the
               exercise
               of
               his
               power
               ,
               but
               redemption
               the
               expence
               of
               his
               bloud
               :
               no
               sure
               ,
               his
               goodness
               did
               not
               become
               less
               infinite
               and
               boundless
               ,
               when
               he
               became
               man
               ;
               the
               design
               of
               his
               appearing
               was
               to
               restore
               Mankind
               to
               that
               honour
               ,
               and
               happiness
               ,
               and
               immortality
               ,
               they
               had
               lost
               ;
               and
               to
               repair
               the
               sullied
               glory
               of
               the
               first
               Creation
               by
               making
               all
               things
               new
               again
               .
            
             
               Thus
               when
               we
               consider
               the
               innocence
               and
               holiness
               of
               his
               life
               ,
               that
               he
               was
               a
               great
               example
               of
               an
               unaffected
               piety
               towards
               God
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               vertues
               of
               an
               innocent
               and
               useful
               Conversation
               with
               men
               ,
               we
               may
               reasonably
               conclude
               ,
               that
               his
               great
               design
               was
               to
               reform
               the
               debaucht
               manners
               of
               the
               
               World
               ,
               to
               reduce
               Mankind
               to
               the
               obedience
               of
               God
               ,
               to
               teach
               man
               how
               to
               live
               as
               well
               as
               talk
               ,
               and
               to
               restore
               the
               practice
               of
               piety
               ,
               and
               justice
               ,
               of
               meekness
               ,
               and
               humility
               ,
               and
               an
               universal
               good
               will
               ,
               which
               had
               been
               banished
               out
               of
               the
               World
               by
               the
               Hypocritical
               pretences
               of
               a
               more
               refined
               sanctity
               in
               washing
               hands
               and
               Dishes
               ,
               in
               tithing
               Mint
               and
               Cumming
               ,
               and
               such
               like
               pieces
               of
               legal
               and
               Ceremonial
               Righteousness
               ;
               But
               now
               our
               Saviour
               by
               his
               example
               as
               well
               as
               laws
               ,
               taught
               us
               another
               Lesson
               ,
               that
               as
               we
               lost
               our
               happiness
               at
               first
               by
               sin
               ,
               so
               the
               way
               to
               regain
               the
               favour
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               an
               immortal
               life
               ,
               is
               by
               the
               practice
               of
               a
               sincere
               and
               universal
               righteousness
               .
               He
               came
               to
               be
               our
               example
               and
               guide
               to
               Heaven
               as
               well
               as
               our
               Mediator
               and
               Advocate
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               must
               imitate
               his
               life
               ,
               if
               we
               would
               enjoy
               the
               benefits
               of
               his
               Death
               and
               Intercession
               ;
               for
               so
               holy
               a
               Person
               can
               never
               be
               the
               Patron
               of
               Vice
               ,
               nor
               an
               Advocate
               for
               impenitent
               and
               incorrigible
               Sinners
               .
            
             
               When
               we
               remember
               ,
               that
               Christ
               died
               as
               a
               Sacrifice
               and
               propitiation
               for
               sin
               ,
               this
               gives
               us
               a
               great
               demonstration
               of
               Gods
               good
               will
               to
               us
               ,
               how
               ready
               
               he
               is
               to
               pass
               by
               all
               our
               former
               sins
               ,
               in
               that
               he
               hath
               appointed
               an
               atonement
               for
               us
               ,
               and
               given
               no
               less
               person
               ,
               than
               his
               own
               Son
               ,
               for
               our
               ransom
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               greatest
               assurance
               God
               could
               give
               us
               of
               his
               readiness
               to
               accept
               of
               true
               Penitents
               ,
               and
               therefore
               the
               most
               powerful
               motive
               and
               encouragement
               to
               return
               to
               our
               duty
               .
            
             
               And
               besides
               this
               ,
               the
               death
               of
               Christ
               assures
               us
               ,
               what
               the
               desert
               of
               sin
               is
               ,
               and
               what
               will
               be
               the
               portion
               of
               all
               impenitent
               Sinners
               :
               for
               in
               that
               he
               required
               the
               death
               of
               his
               own
               Son
               to
               be
               an
               atonement
               for
               sin
               ,
               he
               hath
               plainly
               declared
               ,
               that
               all
               Sinners
               deserve
               to
               die
               ,
               and
               that
               none
               shall
               escape
               this
               just
               Condemnation
               ,
               but
               those
               ,
               who
               are
               washed
               and
               purifyed
               in
               the
               blood
               of
               Christ
               :
               He
               will
               not
               pardon
               sin
               without
               a
               Sacrifice
               ,
               nor
               accept
               of
               any
               other
               atonement
               ,
               but
               the
               death
               of
               his
               Son
               ,
               and
               accept
               of
               that
               for
               none
               ,
               but
               those
               ,
               who
               believe
               and
               obey
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               and
               if
               God
               did
               not
               think
               fit
               to
               save
               true
               Penitents
               without
               a
               ransom
               ,
               where
               shall
               the
               Sinner
               and
               ungodly
               appear
               .
               So
               that
               though
               we
               do
               not
               pretend
               to
               understand
               the
               strict
               Philosophy
               of
               that
               atonement
               made
               by
               Christ
               ,
               yet
               we
               may
               
               easily
               learn
               all
               that
               is
               useful
               and
               necessary
               for
               us
               to
               know
               ;
               that
               Christ's
               Death
               and
               Sacrifice
               for
               sin
               Seals
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               and
               pardon
               to
               all
               penitent
               and
               reformed
               Sinners
               ,
               and
               seals
               the
               irrevocable
               decree
               of
               Reprobation
               against
               all
               others
               ;
               for
               that
               Covenant
               ,
               which
               is
               sealed
               with
               the
               blood
               of
               so
               great
               and
               stupendious
               a
               Sacrifice
               ,
               must
               needs
               be
               irrevocable
               and
               Eternal
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               Resurrection
               of
               Christ
               from
               the
               dead
               ,
               and
               his
               Ascension
               into
               Heaven
               ,
               we
               have
               an
               ocular
               demonstration
               of
               the
               rewards
               of
               holiness
               and
               obedience
               ,
               that
               for
               the
               innocence
               and
               purity
               of
               his
               life
               ,
               and
               the
               humility
               and
               obedience
               of
               his
               Death
               ,
               he
               is
               now
               exalted
               to
               the
               right
               hand
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               cloathed
               with
               Majesty
               and
               Glory
               .
               That
               Power
               and
               Authority
               ,
               he
               is
               now
               invested
               with
               ,
               secures
               us
               of
               the
               prevalency
               of
               his
               intercession
               ,
               of
               his
               constant
               care
               and
               providence
               over
               his
               Church
               ,
               of
               the
               influences
               of
               his
               Grace
               ,
               and
               the
               supply
               of
               all
               our
               spiritual
               wants
               ,
               and
               of
               that
               glory
               and
               happiness
               ,
               to
               which
               he
               will
               advance
               us
               at
               the
               last
               day
               .
            
             
               All
               this
               we
               learn
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               
               with
               Christ's
               Person
               (
               as
               these
               men
               call
               it
               )
               and
               it
               were
               easie
               now
               to
               draw
               the
               whole
               plot
               and
               design
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               to
               search
               into
               the
               deep
               Councils
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               discover
               those
               principles
               and
               motives
               ,
               he
               was
               acted
               by
               ,
               and
               the
               infinite
               Wisdom
               of
               the
               contrivance
               ,
               and
               the
               true
               methods
               of
               a
               Sinners
               recovery
               by
               Christ
               ,
               and
               what
               that
               homage
               and
               worship
               is
               ,
               which
               we
               owe
               our
               Saviour
               .
            
             
               As
               to
               make
               some
               short
               Essay
               of
               it
               .
               Those
               natural
               notions
               ,
               which
               we
               have
               of
               God
               ,
               acquaint
               us
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               infinitely
               good
               ,
               and
               the
               History
               of
               the
               Creation
               assures
               us
               ,
               that
               God
               made
               the
               World
               to
               be
               an
               image
               and
               representation
               of
               his
               own
               glory
               and
               perfections
               ,
               but
               especially
               Man
               ,
               who
               was
               made
               after
               the
               image
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               endowed
               with
               that
               Wisdom
               and
               Knowledge
               ,
               and
               all
               those
               Principles
               of
               Piety
               and
               Vertue
               ,
               which
               would
               have
               made
               him
               a
               living
               and
               active
               image
               of
               the
               Divine
               perfections
               .
               This
               was
               the
               glory
               and
               the
               happiness
               of
               his
               nature
               to
               know
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               like
               him
               ,
               to
               praise
               and
               adore
               his
               great
               Benefactor
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               inseperably
               united
               to
               him
               by
               those
               natural
               tyes
               of
               love
               and
               obedience
               .
               
               For
               nothing
               else
               can
               be
               the
               happiness
               of
               a
               reasonable
               Creature
               ,
               but
               Conformity
               to
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               pattern
               and
               measure
               of
               all
               rational
               perfections
               and
               happiness
               .
               And
               therefore
               when
               Mankind
               apostatized
               from
               God
               ,
               they
               miserably
               defeated
               the
               end
               of
               their
               Creation
               ,
               and
               intercepted
               those
               natural
               Communications
               of
               the
               divine
               goodness
               ,
               by
               making
               themselves
               unworthy
               and
               uncapable
               of
               them
               :
               and
               now
               we
               may
               easily
               imagine
               ,
               how
               much
               a
               good
               God
               was
               grieved
               ,
               and
               offended
               with
               this
               ,
               not
               as
               a
               haughty
               and
               Imperious
               Prince
               would
               be
               with
               the
               miscarriages
               and
               rebellion
               of
               his
               Subjects
               ,
               but
               as
               a
               kind
               Father
               is
               displeased
               and
               grieved
               for
               the
               disobedience
               of
               his
               Children
               ,
               for
               their
               refractory
               and
               unmanageable
               temper
               ;
               not
               so
               much
               as
               an
               affront
               and
               contempt
               of
               his
               own
               Authority
               ,
               but
               as
               it
               is
               a
               necessary
               cause
               of
               the
               ruine
               and
               misery
               of
               his
               Children
               ,
               whose
               happiness
               he
               so
               passionately
               desires
               and
               designs
               .
            
             
               This
               made
               the
               divine
               goodness
               so
               restlesly
               zealous
               and
               concerned
               for
               the
               recovery
               of
               Mankind
               ;
               various
               ways
               he
               attempted
               in
               former
               Ages
               ,
               but
            
             
             
               *
               with
               little
               success
               ,
               as
               I
               observed
               before
               :
               but
               at
               last
               God
               sent
               his
               own
               Son
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               into
               the
               World
               to
               be
               the
               great
               Shepherd
               and
               Bishop
               of
               Souls
               ,
               to
               seek
               and
               to
               save
               that
               which
               was
               lost
               .
            
             
               And
               that
               we
               may
               be
               able
               in
               some
               measure
               to
               comprehend
               the
               infinite
               Wisdom
               and
               goodness
               of
               this
               contrivance
               ,
               and
               how
               well
               the
               means
               is
               fitted
               to
               the
               end
               ,
               we
               must
               consider
               that
               the
               whole
               Mystery
               of
               the
               recovery
               of
               mankind
               consists
               only
               in
               repairing
               the
               Divine
               Image
               ,
               which
               was
               defaced
               by
               sin
               ;
               that
               is
               in
               making
               all
               men
               truly
               good
               and
               vertuous
               .
               Sin
               is
               our
               apostasie
               from
               God
               ,
               and
               doth
               as
               naturally
               make
               us
               miserable
               ,
               as
               it
               makes
               us
               unlike
               the
               most
               happy
               Being
               .
               But
               holiness
               restores
               us
               to
               our
               Primitive
               State
               ,
               to
               the
               perfect
               constitution
               of
               our
               Natures
               ,
               and
               makes
               us
               good
               ,
               and
               therefore
               happy
               ,
               as
               God
               is
               .
            
             
               And
               this
               was
               the
               great
               difficulty
               to
               perswade
               men
               to
               be
               good
               ,
               to
               work
               upon
               the
               different
               tempers
               ,
               and
               inclinations
               ,
               and
               passions
               ,
               of
               mankind
               ,
               and
               to
               reduce
               them
               to
               the
               forsaken
               and
               untrodden
               paths
               of
               vertue
               :
               and
               though
               the
               laws
               and
               precepts
               ,
               the
               great
               promises
               
               and
               threatnings
               of
               the
               Gospel
               confirmed
               by
               so
               many
               stupendious
               miracles
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               resurrection
               of
               Christ
               from
               the
               Dead
               ,
               have
               in
               themselves
               a
               mighty
               power
               to
               reform
               the
               World
               ,
               yet
               the
               consideration
               of
               Christ's
               Person
               ,
               of
               what
               he
               did
               ,
               and
               suffered
               for
               us
               gives
               a
               peculiar
               force
               and
               energy
               to
               them
               .
            
             
               Sin
               and
               guilt
               makes
               men
               fearful
               ,
               and
               it
               makes
               them
               disingenuous
               ,
               they
               are
               apt
               to
               distrust
               goodness
               or
               to
               abuse
               it
               :
               will
               either
               believe
               God
               implacable
               ,
               which
               makes
               them
               desperate
               ,
               because
               there
               is
               no
               hope
               of
               pardon
               ;
               or
               believe
               him
               to
               be
               fond
               and
               indulgent
               ,
               which
               makes
               them
               saucy
               and
               presumptuous
               ;
               and
               to
               prevent
               both
               these
               extreams
               of
               superstition
               ,
               which
               are
               such
               profest
               Enemies
               to
               a
               sincere
               and
               unaffected
               Religion
               ,
               God
               sent
               his
               own
               Son
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               greatness
               of
               his
               Person
               ,
               and
               the
               manner
               and
               circumstances
               of
               his
               appearance
               ,
               did
               confute
               them
               both
               .
            
             
               If
               guilt
               make
               us
               afraid
               of
               God
               as
               an
               angry
               and
               severe
               judge
               ,
               behold
               here
               the
               distance
               taken
               in
               the
               Incarnation
               of
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               who
               condescended
               to
               come
               down
               to
               us
               cloathed
               
               with
               our
               nature
               ,
               as
               a
               mild
               and
               a
               gentle
               Prince
               ,
               by
               all
               the
               methods
               of
               love
               and
               sweetness
               to
               reduce
               us
               to
               our
               Allegiance
               and
               subjection
               to
               God
               ;
               in
               him
               we
               see
               the
               good
               will
               of
               God
               to
               Sinners
               ,
               here
               is
               a
               demonstration
               of
               condescending
               goodness
               ,
               which
               stooped
               as
               low
               as
               earth
               ,
               and
               did
               not
               disdain
               the
               nature
               and
               appearance
               of
               a
               man
               ,
               nor
               the
               Conversation
               of
               Sinners
               ,
               nor
               the
               shame
               of
               the
               Cross
               ,
               nor
               the
               pale
               terrours
               and
               agonies
               of
               Death
               and
               the
               Grave
               .
            
             
               And
               to
               remove
               all
               possible
               suspition
               concerning
               Gods
               love
               to
               Sinners
               ,
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               dies
               as
               a
               Sacrifice
               for
               our
               sins
               ,
               to
               make
               atonement
               for
               us
               ,
               and
               with
               his
               blood
               Seals
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               and
               Pardon
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               promises
               of
               Eternal
               life
               .
               And
               still
               to
               give
               us
               the
               greater
               security
               of
               the
               performance
               of
               all
               this
               ,
               our
               dying
               and
               suffering
               Lord
               is
               raised
               again
               from
               the
               dead
               ,
               and
               advanced
               to
               the
               right
               hand
               of
               power
               and
               Majesty
               to
               intercede
               for
               us
               .
            
             
               Thus
               God
               deals
               with
               us
               after
               the
               manner
               of
               men
               ,
               and
               to
               encourage
               us
               to
               return
               to
               our
               duty
               ,
               hath
               given
               us
               all
               the
               security
               of
               our
               acceptance
               ,
               that
               
               guilt
               it self
               (
               though
               infinitely
               jealous
               and
               suspicious
               )
               could
               desire
               :
               for
               what
               could
               we
               wish
               for
               more
               ,
               than
               that
               God
               should
               send
               so
               great
               and
               so
               beloved
               a
               Person
               to
               us
               on
               an
               Embassy
               of
               Peace
               ,
               than
               that
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               should
               be
               our
               propitiation
               and
               Advocate
               ,
               our
               Lord
               and
               Judge
               ,
               he
               who
               took
               our
               nature
               and
               our
               infirmities
               on
               him
               ,
               who
               knows
               our
               weakness
               and
               our
               temptations
               ,
               who
               died
               to
               expiate
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               is
               entred
               into
               the
               Holy
               of
               Holies
               to
               intercede
               for
               us
               in
               the
               vertue
               of
               his
               blood
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               power
               of
               his
               glory
               ,
               and
               the
               triumphs
               of
               his
               Conquests
               ,
               and
               with
               a
               tender
               and
               compassionate
               sense
               of
               our
               infirmities
               .
            
             
               But
               then
               on
               the
               other
               hand
               to
               cure
               our
               presumption
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               not
               think
               God
               to
               be
               so
               easie
               ,
               as
               to
               be
               reconciled
               to
               Sinners
               ,
               and
               to
               their
               vices
               together
               ;
               the
               death
               of
               Christ
               upon
               the
               Cross
               assures
               us
               ,
               what
               the
               merit
               is
               ,
               and
               what
               the
               portion
               of
               sin
               shall
               be
               ;
               that
               all
               Sinners
               deserve
               to
               die
               ,
               and
               shall
               certainly
               have
               their
               deserts
               without
               a
               sincere
               repentance
               and
               reformation
               of
               their
               lives
               ;
               for
               to
               expiate
               sin
               by
               death
               can
               signifie
               no
               less
               than
               this
               ,
               that
               death
               is
               the
               proper
               recompence
               of
               
               sin
               ,
               and
               therefore
               that
               those
               sins
               which
               are
               not
               expiated
               by
               the
               Sacrifice
               of
               Christ
               (
               as
               none
               are
               ,
               till
               we
               repent
               and
               reform
               )
               shall
               certainly
               be
               expiated
               by
               the
               Death
               of
               the
               Sinner
               .
               Especially
               considering
               how
               holy
               our
               Priest
               and
               Sacrifice
               was
               ,
               we
               cannot
               reasonably
               conceive
               ,
               that
               he
               died
               ,
               or
               that
               he
               intercedes
               for
               incorrigible
               Sinners
               .
               The
               Sacrifice
               of
               his
               Death
               extends
               no
               farther
               ,
               than
               the
               example
               of
               his
               life
               ,
               
                 he
                 was
                 made
                 manifest
                 to
                 destroy
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 him
                 was
                 no
                 sin
                 .
              
            
             
               Now
               though
               I
               dare
               not
               be
               so
               bold
               as
               to
               say
               ,
               what
               infinite
               Wisdom
               can
               do
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               not
               imaginable
               ,
               how
               God
               could
               have
               contrived
               a
               more
               effectual
               way
               to
               reform
               the
               World
               ,
               which
               contains
               so
               many
               powerful
               obligations
               ,
               such
               forceable
               endearments
               ,
               such
               ravishing
               charms
               ;
               which
               makes
               such
               a
               pleasant
               and
               inviting
               representation
               of
               God
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               which
               so
               confirms
               our
               Faith
               ,
               and
               encourages
               our
               hopes
               ,
               and
               enflames
               our
               love
               ,
               and
               awakens
               our
               fears
               ,
               and
               excites
               our
               emulation
               ,
               which
               doth
               even
               affect
               our
               senses
               with
               the
               arguments
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               storm
               the
               lower
               and
               more
               bruitish
               faculties
               of
               our
               Souls
               ,
               and
               captivate
               them
               to
               
               the
               love
               and
               obedience
               of
               Christ.
               
            
             
               From
               hence
               it
               is
               easie
               to
               understand
               ,
               what
               is
               the
               true
               method
               of
               a
               Sinners
               recovery
               by
               Christ
               ,
               and
               what
               returns
               of
               love
               and
               gratitude
               we
               owe
               our
               Lord
               and
               Saviour
               .
               When
               we
               are
               so
               affected
               with
               all
               the
               powerful
               arguments
               to
               a
               new
               life
               ,
               which
               are
               contained
               in
               his
               Incarnation
               ,
               and
               life
               ,
               and
               doctrine
               ,
               and
               example
               ,
               and
               miracles
               ,
               and
               death
               ,
               and
               resurrection
               ,
               and
               Ascension
               into
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               his
               Intercession
               for
               us
               ,
               as
               to
               be
               sensible
               of
               the
               shame
               and
               folly
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               reconciled
               to
               the
               love
               and
               practice
               of
               true
               piety
               and
               holiness
               ,
               then
               we
               partake
               in
               the
               merits
               of
               his
               Sacrifice
               ,
               and
               find
               the
               benefit
               of
               his
               Intercession
               ,
               and
               have
               a
               title
               to
               all
               the
               blessings
               ,
               and
               promises
               of
               his
               Gospel
               :
               this
               was
               the
               design
               of
               Christ's
               coming
               into
               the
               World
               not
               to
               distract
               our
               guilty
               minds
               with
               the
               terrours
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               the
               inexorable
               justice
               of
               God
               ,
               not
               to
               bring
               us
               under
               a
               Legal
               dispensation
               of
               fear
               and
               bondage
               ,
               but
               to
               encourage
               us
               to
               forsake
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               reform
               our
               lives
               ,
               by
               all
               the
               endearments
               of
               love
               and
               goodness
               ,
               and
               the
               lively
               hopes
               of
               a
               blessed
               Immortality
               ,
               mixt
               with
               an
               awful
               regard
               and
               Reverence
               
               for
               God
               ,
               who
               is
               a
               holy
               and
               righteous
               Judge
               ,
               and
               an
               irreconcileable
               Enemy
               to
               all
               sin
               .
               This
               is
               such
               a
               method
               of
               converting
               Sinners
               ,
               as
               is
               proper
               to
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               manner
               of
               his
               appearance
               ,
               which
               was
               not
               designed
               to
               cause
               tempests
               and
               Earthquakes
               in
               our
               minds
               ,
               like
               the
               Thunder
               and
               Lightning
               from
               Mount
               Sinai
               ,
               but
               to
               work
               a
               reformation
               in
               the
               World
               by
               more
               silent
               and
               gentle
               methods
               ,
               and
               in
               more
               humane
               ways
               .
               If
               our
               Faith
               in
               Christ
               have
               reformed
               our
               lives
               ,
               and
               rectified
               the
               temper
               and
               disposition
               of
               our
               minds
               ,
               and
               made
               us
               sincere
               Lovers
               of
               God
               and
               goodness
               .
            
             
               Though
               we
               are
               not
               acquainted
               with
               these
               artificial
               methods
               of
               repentance
               ,
               have
               not
               felt
               the
               workings
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               nor
               the
               amazing
               terrours
               of
               Gods
               wrath
               ,
               nor
               the
               raging
               despair
               of
               damned
               Spirits
               ,
               and
               then
               all
               on
               a
               sudden
               (
               as
               if
               we
               had
               never
               heard
               of
               any
               such
               thing
               before
               )
               have
               had
               Christ
               offered
               to
               us
               to
               be
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               heard
               the
               woings
               and
               beseechings
               of
               Christ
               to
               accept
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               upon
               this
               have
               made
               a
               formal
               contract
               and
               espousal
               with
               Christ
               ,
               and
               such
               like
               working
               of
               a
               heated
               fancy
               ,
               and
               religious
               distraction
               ,
               
               though
               our
               conversion
               be
               not
               managed
               with
               so
               much
               art
               and
               method
               ,
               and
               by
               so
               many
               steps
               and
               gradations
               ,
               we
               are
               never
               the
               worse
               Christians
               for
               want
               of
               it
               .
               For
               indeed
               this
               must
               needs
               be
               the
               effect
               of
               ignorance
               ,
               not
               of
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ
               ,
               which
               suggests
               so
               many
               encouraging
               considerations
               to
               return
               to
               God
               ,
               as
               to
               a
               merciful
               and
               compassionate
               Father
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               tremble
               at
               his
               presence
               ,
               as
               a
               severe
               and
               inexorable
               judge
               .
            
             
               And
               hence
               we
               learn
               ,
               that
               the
               truest
               expression
               of
               love
               to
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               is
               not
               some
               fond
               and
               amorous
               passions
               ,
               but
               obedience
               to
               his
               Laws
               ,
               and
               the
               greatest
               honour
               we
               can
               do
               him
               ,
               is
               to
               imitate
               his
               example
               ,
               and
               to
               express
               the
               power
               of
               his
               death
               and
               resurrection
               in
               the
               exemplary
               holiness
               of
               our
               lives
               ;
               for
               this
               best
               answers
               the
               end
               of
               his
               coming
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               is
               the
               fruit
               of
               his
               intercession
               for
               us
               ,
               and
               the
               greatest
               glory
               and
               ornament
               of
               his
               spiritual
               Kingdom
               .
            
             
               Thus
               I
               have
               given
               you
               a
               brief
               Scheme
               and
               Hypothesis
               of
               Religion
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christs
               Person
               ;
               and
               if
               they
               will
               owne
               this
               a
               safe
               way
               ,
               to
               build
               Religion
               on
               an
               acquaintance
               
               with
               Christs
               Person
               ,
               they
               must
               owne
               ,
               what
               I
               have
               now
               discoursed
               ,
               which
               is
               much
               more
               agreeable
               to
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               and
               the
               design
               of
               his
               appearing
               ,
               and
               more
               easily
               and
               naturally
               deduced
               from
               it
               ,
               than
               their
               own
               wild
               and
               fantastical
               conceits
               .
               If
               they
               do
               not
               like
               this
               ,
               I
               must
               advise
               them
               to
               quit
               this
               way
               ,
               as
               the
               which
               will
               serve
               others
               as
               well
               as
               themselves
               ,
               and
               let
               us
               all
               fetch
               our
               Religion
               from
               the
               plain
               Doctrines
               and
               Precepts
               of
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               ,
               not
               from
               any
               pretended
               Personal
               Acquaintance
               with
               him
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 IV.
              
               How
               men
               pervert
               the
               Scripture
               to
               make
               it
               comply
               with
               their
               fancies
               .
            
             
               THere
               is
               a
               very
               obvious
               objection
               against
               this
               whole
               discourse
               ,
               the
               answering
               of
               which
               will
               further
               discover
               the
               ill
               consequences
               of
               frameing
               such
               fanciful
               Idaeas
               of
               Religion
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ's
               Person
               ;
               And
               that
               is
               this
               ,
               that
               though
               these
               men
               deduce
               their
               Religion
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ
               ,
               yet
               there
               are
               no
               men
               ,
               that
               so
               abound
               in
               Scripture
               proofs
               to
               confirm
               what
               they
               say
               ,
               and
               therefore
               they
               do
               not
               lay
               the
               Foundation
               of
               their
               Religion
               on
               such
               uncertain
               conjectures
               ;
               and
               the
               truth
               is
               ,
               if
               you
               consult
               these
               mens
               Writings
               ,
               you
               shall
               find
               their
               Books
               stuffed
               with
               Scripture
               ,
               or
               if
               you
               talk
               with
               them
               ,
               their
               whole
               discourse
               is
               little
               else
               ,
               but
               Scripture
               phrase
               :
               but
               that
               
                 Reverend
                 Doctor
              
               confessed
               the
               plain
               truth
               ,
               that
               their
               Religion
               is
               wholly
               owing
               to
               
                 an
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               
               and
               could
               never
               have
               been
               clearly
               and
               savingly
               learn't
               from
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               had
               they
               not
               first
               grown
               acquainted
               with
               his
               Person
               .
               And
               then
               it
               is
               no
               wonder
               ,
               if
               they
               can
               accommodate
               Scripture
               expressions
               to
               their
               own
               dreams
               and
               fancies
               .
               For
               when
               mens
               fancies
               are
               so
               posfest
               with
               Schemes
               and
               Idaeas
               of
               Religion
               ,
               whatever
               they
               look
               on
               appears
               of
               the
               same
               shape
               and
               colour
               ,
               wherewith
               their
               minds
               are
               already
               tinctured
               ,
               like
               a
               man
               sick
               of
               the
               Jaundies
               ,
               or
               that
               looks
               through
               a
               painted
               Glass
               ,
               who
               seeth
               every
               thing
               of
               the
               same
               colour
               ,
               that
               his
               eye
               or
               Glass
               gives
               it
               :
               all
               the
               Metaphors
               ,
               and
               Similitudes
               ,
               and
               Allegories
               of
               Scripture
               are
               easily
               applyed
               to
               their
               purpose
               ;
               and
               if
               any
               word
               sound
               like
               the
               tinkling
               of
               their
               own
               sancies
               ,
               It
               is
               no
               less
               than
               a
               demonstration
               ,
               that
               that
               is
               the
               meaning
               of
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               every
               little
               shadow
               and
               appearance
               doth
               mightily
               confirm
               them
               in
               their
               pre-conceived
               opinions
               .
               As
               Inenaeus
               observes
               of
               the
               Valentinians
               ,
               that
               they
               used
               one
               Artifice
               or
               other
               to
               adapt
               all
               the
               speeches
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               Allegories
               of
               Scripture
               
                 male
                 composito
                 phantasmati
              
               ,
               to
               the
               ill
               
               contrived
               sigment
               of
               their
               own
               brain
               :
               and
               thus
               the
               minds
               of
               men
               are
               abused
               with
               words
               and
               phrases
               ,
               and
               the
               Scripture
               is
               prest
               to
               serve
               every
               new-fangled
               conceit
               in
               Religion
               .
            
             
               The
               wildest
               and
               most
               extravagant
               opinions
               that
               were
               ever
               yet
               vented
               under
               the
               name
               of
               Religion
               ,
               have
               pretended
               the
               authority
               of
               Scripture
               for
               their
               Patronage
               ;
               though
               any
               unprejudiced
               man
               would
               wonder
               ,
               how
               the
               reading
               such
               places
               of
               Scripture
               should
               suggest
               such
               notions
               to
               them
               :
               but
               this
               is
               no
               wonder
               ,
               when
               we
               consider
               that
               men
               first
               contrive
               their
               Religion
               (
               as
               these
               acquaintances
               of
               Christ
               do
               )
               and
               possess
               their
               Fancies
               throughly
               with
               their
               private
               opinions
               ,
               and
               then
               read
               the
               Scripture
               with
               no
               other
               design
               ,
               than
               to
               find
               something
               there
               to
               stamp
               Divinity
               on
               their
               own
               conceits
               .
               For
               it
               is
               easie
               to
               pervert
               the
               plainest
               sense
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               help
               of
               a
               strong
               imagination
               to
               make
               any
               thing
               of
               any
               thing
               ;
               such
               men
               dote
               upon
               words
               and
               phrases
               ,
               metaphors
               ,
               and
               allusions
               ,
               as
               best
               fitted
               for
               their
               purpose
               ,
               they
               found
               their
               Religion
               on
               obscure
               Texts
               ,
               or
               Mystical
               interpretations
               of
               plain
               Texts
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               help
               of
               some
               arbitrary
               distinctions
               ,
               
               and
               limitations
               ,
               glosses
               ,
               and
               paraphrases
               ,
               by
               curtailing
               of
               Texts
               ,
               or
               transplacing
               words
               and
               comma's
               ,
               or
               separating
               a
               single
               sentence
               from
               the
               body
               of
               the
               discourse
               ,
               make
               the
               Scripture
               speak
               their
               sense
               as
               plainly
               ,
               as
               the
               Bells
               ring
               ,
               what
               every
               boy
               will
               have
               them
               .
               Which
               is
               to
               deal
               with
               the
               Scripture
               (
               as
               Irenaeus
               observes
               )
               as
               if
               a
               man
               should
               take
               a
               Picture
               of
               the
               King
               which
               consisted
               of
               an
               artificial
               composition
               of
               precious
               stones
               ,
               and
               transplace
               all
               these
               stones
               into
               another
               form
               ,
               as
               suppose
               of
               an
               Ape
               ,
               and
               then
               should
               perswade
               silly
               people
               ,
               that
               that
               was
               the
               Kings
               Picture
               :
               At
               this
               rate
               we
               may
               find
               the
               Alcoran
               in
               the
               Bible
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               make
               so
               many
               Books
               so
               different
               ,
               and
               contrary
               to
               each
               other
               ,
               from
               the
               various
               compasition
               of
               twenty
               four
               Letters
               .
               This
               is
               plain
               and
               evident
               at
               the
               first
               proposal
               to
               any
               intelligent
               Reader
               ,
               but
               to
               put
               it
               out
               of
               all
               doubt
               ,
               I
               shall
               give
               you
               some
               Instances
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               show
               you
               how
               these
               
                 familiar
                 acquaintances
                 of
                 Christ
              
               (
               and
               who
               may
               better
               make
               bold
               with
               him
               than
               they
               )
               take
               the
               liberty
               to
               pervert
               his
               Gospel
               to
               serve
               their
               opinion
               .
            
             
               There
               are
               two
               ways
               of
               expounding
               
               Scripture
               in
               great
               vogue
               among
               them
               .
               First
               ,
               by
               the
               sound
               and
               clink
               of
               words
               and
               phrases
               ,
               which
               is
               all
               some
               men
               understand
               by
               
                 keeping
                 a
                 form
                 of
                 sound
                 words
                 .
              
               Secondly
               ,
               when
               this
               will
               not
               do
               ,
               they
               reason
               about
               the
               sense
               of
               Scripture
               from
               their
               own
               pre-conceived
               notions
               ,
               and
               opinions
               ,
               and
               prove
               that
               this
               must
               be
               the
               meaning
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               because
               otherwise
               it
               is
               not
               reconcileable
               to
               their
               dreams
               ,
               which
               is
               called
               expounding
               Scripture
               by
               the
               
                 Analogy
                 of
                 Faith
              
               :
            
             
               First
               ,
               they
               expound
               Scripture
               by
               the
               sound
               of
               words
               and
               phrases
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               if
               they
               can
               find
               any
               words
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               which
               chime
               to
               the
               tune
               of
               their
               private
               conceits
               ,
               without
               ever
               considering
               the
               use
               of
               the
               words
               in
               those
               places
               where
               they
               are
               found
               ,
               they
               clap
               their
               own
               sense
               on
               them
               ,
               and
               then
               they
               serve
               for
               very
               solid
               and
               substantial
               proofs
               .
               I
               shall
               give
               you
               several
               instances
               of
               this
               way
               .
            
             
               Thus
               when
               men
               are
               possest
               with
               the
               fancy
               of
               
                 an
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 Christs
              
               Person
               ,
               then
               to
               
                 know
                 Christ
              
               can
               signifie
               nothing
               else
               ,
               but
               to
               know
               his
               Person
               ,
               and
               all
               his
               personal
               excellencies
               and
               beauties
               ,
               fulness
               and
               preciousness
               ,
               
               &c.
               and
               when
               Christ
               is
               said
               to
               
                 be
                 made
                 Wisdom
                 to
                 us
              
               ,
               this
               is
               a
               plain
               proof
               ,
               that
               we
               must
               learn
               all
               our
               spiritual
               Wisdom
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               his
               Person
               .
               Though
               some
               duller
               men
               can
               understand
               no
               more
               by
               it
               ,
               than
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               those
               Revelations
               Christ
               hath
               made
               of
               Gods
               will
               to
               the
               World.
               
            
             
               Thus
               when
               men
               have
               first
               learn't
               from
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christ
               to
               place
               all
               their
               hopes
               of
               Salvation
               in
               a
               
                 Personal
                 Union
              
               with
               Christ
               ,
               from
               whom
               they
               receive
               the
               free
               Communications
               of
               Pardon
               and
               Grace
               ,
               Righteousness
               and
               Salvation
               ,
               what
               more
               plain
               proof
               can
               any
               man
               who
               is
               resolved
               to
               believe
               this
               ,
               desire
               of
               it
               ,
               than
               first
               
                 Ep.
                 Iohn
              
               5.
               12.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 hath
                 the
                 Son
                 hath
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 hath
                 not
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 hath
                 not
                 life
                 .
              
               For
               what
               can
               
                 having
                 the
                 Son
              
               signifie
               ,
               but
               having
               an
               Interest
               in
               him
               ,
               being
               made
               one
               with
               him
               ;
               though
               some
               will
               be
               so
               perverse
               as
               to
               understand
               it
               ,
               of
               believing
               and
               obeying
               his
               Gospel
               ;
               but
               the
               phrase
               of
               
                 Having
                 the
                 Son
              
               confutes
               that
               dull
               and
               moral
               interpretation
               ,
               especially
               when
               we
               remember
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               called
               being
               
                 In
                 Christ
              
               and
               
                 abiding
                 in
                 him
              
               ,
               which
               must
               signifie
               a
               very
               near
               Union
               between
               Christs
               Person
               
               and
               us
               ,
               such
               as
               there
               is
               between
               two
               things
               ,
               which
               are
               within
               one
               another
               ,
               which
               makes
               all
               Christ
               ours
               ,
               and
               us
               Christs
               .
            
             
               Now
               it
               is
               self
               evident
               ,
               that
               before
               we
               can
               thus
               be
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               we
               must
               go
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               therefore
               Faith
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               Instrument
               of
               this
               Union
               ,
               is
               very
               luckily
               called
               
                 coming
                 to
                 Christ
              
               :
               from
               whence
               it
               is
               very
               evident
               ,
               that
               to
               believe
               in
               Christ
               is
               to
               go
               to
               him
               for
               Salvation
               ,
               which
               Metaphors
               of
               coming
               and
               going
               are
               a
               very
               intelligible
               explication
               of
               believing
               .
               But
               when
               the
               Soul
               is
               come
               to
               Christ
               ,
               is
               this
               enough
               ?
               no
               surely
               ,
               the
               Soul
               then
               must
               
                 receive
                 Christ
              
               ,
               as
               Saint
               Iohn
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 to
                 as
                 many
                 as
                 received
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 them
                 gave
                 he
                 power
                 to
                 become
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 God.
                 Iohn
              
               1.
               12.
               
               That
               Faith
               ,
               which
               serves
               us
               for
               legs
               to
               go
               to
               Christ
               ,
               must
               be
               a
               hand
               to
               receive
               him
               ,
               and
               to
               apply
               all
               his
               merits
               and
               fulness
               and
               righteousness
               to
               our
               Souls
               ;
               and
               now
               when
               we
               have
               received
               him
               ,
               we
               must
               embrace
               him
               in
               our
               arms
               too
               ,
               
                 as
                 good
                 old
              
               Simeon
               
                 did
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 found
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
              
               which
               is
               a
               little
               nearer
               Union
               ;
               as
               plainly
               appears
               from
               the
               example
               of
               the
               
                 Patriarchs
                 ,
                 who
                 saw
                 the
                 promises
                 afar
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 embraced
              
               
               
                 them
                 .
                 Hebr.
              
               11.
               13.
               and
               now
               we
               have
               Christ
               ,
               we
               must
               
                 trust
                 ,
                 and
                 lean
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
              
               as
               we
               are
               often
               commanded
               ,
               
                 to
                 trust
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 signifies
                 that
                 Act
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 whereby
                 finding
                 and
                 feeling
                 our
                 own
                 weakness
                 ,
                 as
                 unable
                 to
                 support
                 our selves
                 ,
                 we
                 do
                 lean
                 and
                 rest
                 on
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               and
               if
               leaning
               be
               not
               enough
               ,
               we
               may
               make
               a
               little
               more
               bold
               ,
               
                 and
                 rowl
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 appears
                 from
                 Psalne
              
               37.
               5.
               
                 rowl
                 thy
                 ways
                 on
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Original
              
               Gal
               
                 signifies
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 that
                 Act
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 whereby
                 we
                 being
                 laden
                 with
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 seeking
                 ease
                 ,
                 we
                 at
                 last
                 discharge
                 our
                 Load
                 ,
                 and
                 cast
                 it
                 on
                 Christ.
              
               And
               this
               is
               plain
               from
               the
               phrase
               of
               believing
               In
               Christ
               ,
               and
               On
               Him.
               1
               Peter
               2.
               6.
               for
               what
               can
               that
               signifie
               ,
               but
               leaning
               and
               rowling
               on
               Him
               ,
               
                 laying
                 and
                 building
                 our selves
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 on
                 a
                 Foundation
                 .
              
               And
               now
               we
               have
               thus
               brought
               our
               Souls
               to
               Christ
               ,
               we
               must
               commit
               them
               to
               his
               trust
               to
               take
               charge
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               save
               them
               ,
               and
               if
               they
               perish
               ,
               it
               will
               be
               his
               fault
               ,
               and
               he
               must
               give
               account
               of
               it
               .
               Thus
               Saint
               Paul
               did
               2
               Tim.
               1.
               12.
               
               
                 I
                 know
                 whom
                 I
                 have
                 believed
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 perswaded
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 keep
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 committed
                 to
                 him
                 against
                 that
                 day
                 .
              
               And
               now
               we
               must
               hide
               our
               
               selves
               in
               Christ
               from
               the
               fierce
               wrath
               and
               displeasure
               of
               God
               ,
               
                 as
                 the
                 Dove
                 hides
                 in
                 the
                 Rocks
                 ,
              
               Cant.
               2.
               14.
               
               
                 O
                 my
              
               
               
                 Dove
                 in
                 the
                 Clefts
                 of
                 the
                 Rocks
                 .
                 Christ's
                 wounds
                 are
                 the
                 clefts
                 of
                 the
                 rocks
                 ,
                 where
                 this
                 believing
                 Soul
                 ,
                 Christs
                 Dove
                 ,
                 hides
                 it self
                 .
              
               And
               besides
               this
               ,
               
                 a
                 Rock
                 is
                 a
                 Screne
                 to
                 shade
                 off
                 the
                 heat
                 ,
                 so
                 Christ
                 is
                 called
                 Isai.
              
               32.
               2.
               
               
                 a
                 shadow
                 from
                 the
                 heat
                 ;
                 he
                 shades
                 a
                 poor
                 Sinner
                 from
                 the
                 scorchings
                 of
                 Gods
                 wrath
                 .
              
               And
               then
               ,
               
                 We
                 must
                 fetch
                 comfort
                 too
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 honey
                 came
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Rock
                 ,
                 Deut.
              
               32.
               13.
               
                 he
                 made
                 him
                 suck
                 honey
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Rock
                 ,
                 and
                 oyl
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 stinty
                 Rock
                 ,
                 the
                 honey
                 of
                 the
                 Promise
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 oyl
                 of
                 gladness
                 comes
                 out
                 of
                 this
                 blessed
                 Rock
                 ▪
              
            
             
               But
               this
               is
               not
               enough
               yet
               ;
               for
               we
               must
               
                 be
                 cloathed
                 with
                 the
                 Righteousness
              
               
               
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 appears
                 from
                 that
                 expression
                 that
                 we
                 must
                 put-on
                 Christ
                 ▪
                 Rom.
              
               13.
               14.
               
               Gal.
               3.
               27.
               which
               can
               signifie
               nothing
               else
               ,
               but
               putting
               on
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               that
               is
               his
               righteousness
               ,
               as
               men
               put
               on
               a
               Garment
               to
               cover
               their
               nakedness
               ,
               and
               to
               adorn
               them
               .
               
                 And
                 therefore
                 Christ
                 is
                 resembled
                 to
                 a
                 beautiful
                 Robe
                 .
              
               Isai.
               61.
               10.
               
               
                 He
                 hath
                 covered
                 me
                 with
                 the
                 Robe
              
               
               
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 :
                 His
                 righteousness
                 is
                 a
                 lovely
                 Robe
                 ,
                 no
                 Robe
                 of
                 Gold
                 or
                 Ermin
                 ,
              
               
               
                 wherewith
                 Kings
                 are
                 invested
                 ,
                 is
                 so
                 honourable
                 as
                 this
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 Robe
                 we
                 shine
                 as
                 Angels
                 in
                 Gods
                 Eye
                 ;
                 The
                 High
                 Priests
                 glorious
                 Vestments
                 ,
              
               Exod.
               28.
               2.
               
               
                 The
                 Mytre
                 ,
                 the
                 Robe
                 ,
                 the
                 Ephod
                 of
                 gold
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Breast
                 plate
                 of
                 precious
                 stones
                 ,
                 did
                 all
                 but
                 serve
                 to
                 set
                 out
                 the
                 beautiful
                 Robes
                 of
                 Christs
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 a
                 Believer
                 is
                 adorned
                 :
              
               thus
               if
               we
               would
               get
               the
               blessing
               ,
               we
               must
               go
               to
               God
               ,
               as
               Iacob
               did
               in
               the
               Robes
               of
               our
               Elder
               Brother
               ,
               though
               I
               confess
               ,
               this
               resemblance
               doth
               not
               very
               well
               please
               me
               ;
               for
               though
               Iacob
               was
               a
               good
               man
               ,
               yet
               this
               looks
               like
               a
               cunning
               trick
               ,
               to
               rob
               his
               elder
               Brother
               of
               the
               blessing
               ,
               and
               to
               cheat
               his
               blind
               Father
               ,
               and
               men
               must
               not
               think
               that
               God
               is
               thus
               to
               be
               impos'd
               upon
               .
               But
               however
               that
               be
               ,
               this
               is
               plain
               ,
               that
               when
               we
               are
               thus
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               made
               one
               with
               him
               ,
               then
               
                 all
                 Christ
                 is
                 ours
              
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 All
                 is
                 yours
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 are
                 Christs
                 ,
                 and
                 Christ
                 is
                 Gods
                 :
              
               The
               merit
               of
               his
               Death
               is
               ours
               to
               free
               us
               from
               the
               guilt
               and
               punishment
               of
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               his
               Active
               obedience
               to
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               his
               Righteousness
               is
               ours
               for
               our
               justification
               ,
               as
               is
               plain
               ,
               in
               that
               he
               is
               called
               the
               
                 Lord
                 our
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               and
               is
               
               said
               
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 unto
                 us
                 of
                 God
                 Righteousness
                 .
              
               And
               as
               
                 I.
                 O.
              
               well
               observes
               ,
               we
               are
               reconciled
               to
               God
               by
               the
               Death
               of
               his
               Son
               ,
               and
               saved
               by
               his
               life
               ,
               that
               is
               by
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 his
                 life
              
               ,
               which
               is
               made
               ours
               .
               Rom.
               5.
               10.
               
               And
               now
               what
               better
               proof
               can
               you
               desire
               for
               all
               this
               ,
               if
               you
               will
               be
               contented
               with
               express
               words
               .
               Though
               I
               am
               very
               much
               of
               the
               Doctors
               mind
               ,
               that
               we
               could
               never
               have
               discovered
               these
               mysteries
               clearly
               and
               savingly
               ,
               had
               it
               not
               been
               for
               an
               acquaintance
               with
               Christs
               Person
               .
               No
               man
               would
               ever
               have
               dream't
               of
               such
               interpretations
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               who
               had
               not
               been
               prepossest
               with
               the
               mysterious
               notion
               of
               a
               fanciful
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               application
               of
               Christ
               to
               us
               :
               for
               here
               is
               no
               other
               proof
               of
               this
               ,
               but
               words
               and
               phrases
               ,
               separated
               from
               the
               body
               of
               the
               Text
               ,
               and
               the
               design
               of
               the
               discourse
               ,
               and
               like
               straglers
               pickt
               up
               ,
               and
               listed
               into
               the
               service
               of
               their
               Hypothesis
               .
            
             
               For
               indeed
               the
               whole
               mystery
               of
               this
               ,
               and
               a
               great
               deal
               more
               stuff
               of
               this
               nature
               ,
               consists
               in
               wresting
               metaphorical
               ,
               and
               allusive
               expressions
               to
               a
               proper
               sense
               .
               When
               the
               Scripture
               describes
               the
               profession
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               a
               sincere
               belief
               and
               obedience
               to
               the
               
               Gospel
               ,
               by
               having
               Christ
               ,
               and
               being
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               coming
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               receiving
               him
               ,
               these
               men
               expound
               these
               phrases
               to
               a
               proper
               and
               natural
               sense
               ,
               to
               signifie
               ,
               I
               know
               not
               what
               unintelligible
               Union
               ,
               and
               spiritual
               progress
               and
               closure
               of
               the
               Soul
               with
               him
               ;
               An
               Union
               of
               Persons
               ,
               instead
               of
               an
               agreement
               in
               faith
               and
               manners
               .
               As
               will
               appear
               more
               hereafter
               .
            
             
               Thus
               when
               they
               talk
               of
               our
               spiritual
               impotency
               ,
               and
               inability
               to
               do
               any
               good
               thing
               (
               for
               after
               all
               the
               noise
               they
               make
               about
               our
               coming
               to
               Christ
               ,
               they
               mean
               being
               carryed
               thither
               with
               an
               Omnipotent
               and
               irresistible
               power
               )
               they
               prove
               it
               wonderfully
               from
               our
               
               
                 being
                 dead
                 in
                 trespasses
                 and
                 sins
                 ,
              
               and
               therefore
               as
               a
               dead
               man
               can
               contribute
               nothing
               to
               his
               own
               Resurrection
               ,
               no
               more
               can
               we
               towards
               our
               Conversion
               :
               which
               is
               true
               of
               natural
               Death
               ,
               but
               will
               be
               hard
               to
               prove
               of
               a
               moral
               Death
               ,
               which
               consists
               in
               the
               prevalency
               of
               vicious
               habits
               contracted
               by
               long
               custom
               (
               which
               was
               the
               case
               of
               the
               Heathens
               ,
               whom
               the
               Apostle
               there
               speaks
               of
               )
               which
               do
               so
               enslave
               the
               will
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               very
               difficult
               ,
               though
               not
               impossible
               ,
               for
               such
               persons
               to
               return
               to
               
               the
               love
               and
               practice
               of
               vertue
               :
               another
               argument
               of
               the
               like
               nature
               is
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               said
               to
               be
               
                 created
                 to
                 good
                 works
              
               ,
               and
               to
               
                 become
                 new
                 Creatures
              
               ,
               and
               therefore
               can
               contribute
               no
               more
               to
               it
               ,
               than
               we
               did
               to
               our
               first
               Creation
               :
               and
               that
               we
               are
               
                 born
                 again
              
               ,
               which
               signifies
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               wholly
               passive
               in
               it
               :
               which
               were
               true
               indeed
               ,
               if
               our
               
                 being
                 created
              
               to
               good
               works
               did
               signifie
               the
               manner
               and
               method
               of
               our
               Conversion
               ,
               and
               not
               the
               nature
               of
               the
               new
               Creature
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               true
               meaning
               of
               it
               ;
               that
               as
               in
               the
               first
               Creation
               we
               were
               created
               after
               the
               image
               of
               God
               ,
               so
               we
               are
               renewed
               after
               his
               
               image
               in
               the
               second
               ;
               which
               is
               therefore
               expresly
               called
               in
               other
               places
               the
               renewing
               and
               renovation
               of
               our
               minds
               .
            
             
               When
               this
               way
               fails
               ,
               they
               take
               another
               course
               with
               metaphors
               ,
               and
               similitudes
               to
               make
               them
               serve
               their
               purpose
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               ,
               by
               considering
               all
               the
               properties
               and
               qualifications
               of
               those
               things
               Christ
               is
               compared
               to
               ,
               and
               applying
               all
               ,
               that
               will
               serve
               their
               turn
               ,
               to
               Christ
               ,
               without
               any
               regard
               to
               the
               end
               ,
               for
               which
               they
               are
               used
               .
            
             
               Thus
               the
               
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
              
               ,
               that
               
               is
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               is
               compared
               to
               a
               pearl
               of
               great
               price
               .
               Mathew
               13.
               46.
               
               This
               Pearl
               in
               some
               mens
               Divinity
               signifies
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               excellency
               of
               Christ
               appears
               plainly
               in
               this
               comparison
               .
               For
               
               
                 other
                 Pearls
                 add
                 no
                 real
                 worth
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 wear
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 Christ
                 this
                 Illustrious
                 Pearl
                 doth
                 ,
                 he
                 makes
                 us
                 worthy
                 with
                 his
                 worthiness
                 .
              
               Excellently
               turned
               to
               serve
               their
               purpose
               ;
               though
               all
               that
               the
               Parable
               means
               is
               ,
               that
               we
               should
               be
               as
               ready
               to
               part
               with
               all
               for
               the
               belief
               and
               profession
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               as
               other
               men
               are
               ,
               to
               sell
               all
               they
               have
               to
               purchase
               a
               pearl
               of
               great
               value
               .
            
             
               
                 Thus
                 Christ
                 was
                 prefigured
                 by
              
               Mannah
               ,
               
               
                 and
                 this
              
               Mannah
               
                 was
                 of
                 a
                 circular
                 figure
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 Circle
                 was
                 a
                 figure
                 of
                 Christs
                 perfection
                 ;
                 this
                 was
                 meat
                 cooked
                 and
                 drest
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 God
                 himself
                 prepared
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 served
                 it
                 in
                 ,
                 thus
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 was
                 prepared
                 and
                 set
                 apart
                 of
                 his
                 Father
                 to
                 the
                 blessed
                 work
                 of
                 Mediatorship
                 .
                 And
              
               Mannah
               
                 suited
                 it self
                 to
                 every
                 ones
                 Palate
                 ,
                 thus
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 suits
                 himself
                 to
                 every
                 Christians
                 condition
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 full
                 of
                 quickning
                 ,
                 strengthening
                 ,
                 comforting
                 vertue
                 .
              
               That
               is
               ,
               he
               is
               what
               every
               man
               fancies
               him
               to
               be
               ,
               relishes
               according
               to
               the
               gusto
               of
               their
               own
               palates
               :
               
               what
               precious
               discoveries
               are
               here
               of
               Christ
               !
               and
               what
               irrefragable
               proofs
               for
               them
               !
               Thus
               to
               proceed
               ,
               Christ
               was
               resembled
               to
               a
               Rock
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               10.
               3.
               
               
               
                 That
                 Rock
                 was
                 Christ.
                 And
                 then
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 Rock
                 for
                 defence
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Rock
                 for
                 offence
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Rock
                 for
                 Comfort
                 to
                 screne
                 us
                 from
                 the
                 wrath
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 contain
                 the
                 honey
                 of
                 the
                 promises
                 .
              
               Christ
               is
               resembled
               by
               the
               brazen
               Serpent
               :
               now
               
               
                 brass
                 being
                 an
                 inferiour
                 metal
                 signifies
                 the
                 meanness
                 of
                 his
                 humanity
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 being
                 a
                 firm
                 solid
                 metal
                 ,
                 it
                 signifies
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 his
                 Godhead
                 ,
                 and
                 though
                 it
                 shines
                 ,
                 it
                 doth
                 not
                 dazle
                 the
                 eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 signifies
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 Godhead
                 vailed
                 with
                 the
                 Manhood
                 :
              
               thus
               the
               
                 brazen
                 Serpent
                 was
                 made
                 like
                 a
                 Serpent
                 ,
                 but
                 was
                 no
                 real
                 Serpent
                 ,
                 so
                 Christ
                 was
                 made
                 in
                 the
                 likeness
                 of
                 sinful
                 flesh
                 ,
                 but
                 was
                 no
                 Sinner
                 .
                 The
                 Serpent
                 was
                 lift
                 up
                 ,
                 so
                 Christ
                 was
                 lift
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 acclamations
                 of
                 Angels
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 preaching
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 upon
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Pole
                 was
                 a
                 Type
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 by
                 contemplating
                 ,
                 admiring
                 ,
                 loving
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 Serpent
                 was
                 lift
                 up
                 to
                 be
                 lookt
                 upon
                 by
                 the
                 stung
                 Israelites
                 ,
                 which
                 looking
                 implyed
                 a
                 secret
                 hope
                 ,
                 they
                 had
                 of
                 Cure
                 ,
                 so
                 if
                 we
                 do
                 but
                 look
                 on
                 Christ
                 fiducially
                 ,
              
               
               
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 cured
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 .
              
               Never
               was
               there
               so
               happy
               a
               man
               in
               expounding
               Types
               ;
               never
               was
               any
               brazen
               Serpent
               half
               so
               subtil
               .
            
             
               Thus
               as
               the
               same
               Author
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 Christ
                 is
                 compared
                 to
                 a
              
               Vine
               ,
               
                 and
                 that
                 upon
                 several
                 accounts
                 .
                 The
                 Vine
                 of
                 its
                 self
                 is
                 weak
                 ,
                 and
                 must
                 be
                 supported
                 and
                 born
                 up
                 ,
                 so
                 the
                 Humane
                 Nature
                 of
                 Christ
              
               
               (
               which
               it
               seems
               is
               represented
               by
               the
               Vine
               )
               
                 was
                 of
                 it self
                 weak
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 fain
                 to
                 be
                 supported
                 ,
                 and
                 underpropt
                 by
                 the
                 Divine
                 Nature
                 .
                 The
                 Vine
                 grows
                 in
                 the
                 Garden
                 ,
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 Forest
                 ,
                 thus
                 Christ
                 grows
                 in
                 the
                 Garden
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 known
                 among
                 the
                 Heathen
                 :
              
               but
               I
               should
               have
               thought
               it
               more
               grand
               to
               have
               said
               ,
               that
               Christ
               this
               Spiritual
               Vine
               doth
               not
               find
               ,
               but
               make
               a
               Garden
               ,
               where
               ever
               he
               grows
               ,
               since
               the
               Church
               owes
               its
               Being
               to
               him
               ,
               not
               he
               to
               the
               Church
               ;
               thus
               
                 the
                 Vine
                 communicates
                 to
                 the
                 branches
                 ,
                 and
                 Christ
                 shoots
                 up
                 his
                 sap
                 of
                 grace
                 into
                 Believers
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 the
                 branches
                 of
                 this
                 Vine
                 :
                 And
                 the
                 Vine
                 hath
                 rare
                 ,
                 delicious
                 ,
                 fruit
                 growing
                 on
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 thus
                 the
                 promises
                 are
                 the
                 Clusters
                 of
                 Grapes
                 growing
                 upon
                 Christ
                 the
                 true
                 Vine
                 .
                 And
                 whereas
                 other
                 Vines
                 bear
                 but
                 one
                 sort
                 of
                 fruit
                 ,
                 this
                 spiritual
              
               
               
                 Vine
                 bears
                 many
                 ,
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 justification
                 ,
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 sanctification
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 consolation
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 Wine
                 of
                 this
                 Spiritual
                 Vine
                 ,
                 which
                 chears
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 as
                 other
                 Wine
                 doth
                 ,
              
               as
               he
               excellently
               proves
               from
               an
               old
               Latin
               Catch
               ,
               
                 Curam
                 metumque
                 juvat
                 dulci
                 lydo
                 solvere
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               let
               us
               drink
               away
               care
               ,
               &c.
               and
               now
               what
               fine
               work
               might
               a
               prophane
               wit
               make
               with
               Scripture
               at
               this
               rate
               of
               expounding
               metaphors
               .
            
             
               But
               still
               they
               have
               a
               fetch
               beyond
               all
               this
               ,
               which
               consists
               in
               jumbling
               metaphors
               ,
               and
               Allegories
               ,
               and
               Types
               ,
               and
               Figures
               ,
               altogether
               ,
               and
               proving
               one
               thing
               from
               another
               in
               a
               most
               wonderful
               manner
               .
            
             
               As
               suppose
               a
               man
               would
               prove
               ,
               that
               Christ
               is
               infinitely
               beautiful
               and
               lovely
               ,
               this
               is
               a
               most
               easie
               thing
               to
               do
               ,
               if
               you
               take
               the
               right
               method
               :
               for
               first
               ,
               
                 he
                 is
              
               
               
                 Lovely
                 in
                 his
                 Titles
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 desire
                 of
                 all
                 Nations
                 ,
                 the
                 Prince
                 of
                 Peace
                 ,
                 the
                 holy
                 one
                 of
              
               Israel
               ,
               
                 Elect
                 and
                 precious
                 ,
                 these
                 are
                 most
                 lovely
                 Titles
                 ,
                 which
                 argue
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 very
                 beautiful
                 .
              
            
             
               And
               then
               he
               is
               lovely
               in
               his
               Types
               too
               :
               
                 he
                 was
                 typified
                 by
                 Persons
                 most
                 lovely
                 :
                 by
              
               Moses
               ,
               and
               David
               ,
               and
               Solomon
               ,
               
               who
               were
               all
               lovely
               for
               one
               thing
               or
               other
               ,
               either
               upon
               account
               of
               Natural
               beauty
               ,
               or
               education
               ,
               or
               office
               ,
               or
               those
               great
               things
               done
               by
               them
               .
               But
               then
               he
               was
               typified
               by
               lovely
               things
               ;
               As
               by
               the
               
                 Pillar
                 of
                 Cloud
                 and
                 Fire
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 most
                 lovely
                 to
                 behold
                 ;
                 by
                 the
              
               Mannah
               ,
               
                 which
                 was
                 very
                 lovely
                 too
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 was
                 of
                 a
                 circular
                 figure
                 ,
                 and
                 extraordinary
                 meat
                 ,
                 and
                 suited
                 to
                 every
                 ones
                 Palate
              
               ;
               and
               by
               
                 the
                 mercy
                 seat
                 ,
                 and
                 brazen
                 Serpent
                 ,
                 and
                 Noahs
                 Ark.
              
               Who
               can
               forbear
               being
               smitten
               with
               so
               lovely
               a
               Person
               ?
               
                 Lovely
                 as
                 a
                 Pillar
                 of
                 Cloud
                 and
                 fire
                 ,
                 lovely
                 as
                 Noahs
                 Ark
                 ,
                 lovely
              
               as
               any
               Serpent
               ,
               yea
               as
               
                 a
                 brazen
                 Serpent
              
               ?
               But
               besides
               all
               these
               ,
               
                 Christ
                 is
                 resembled
                 to
                 a
                 Rose
                 ,
                 the
                 Rose
                 of
              
               Sharon
               ,
               
                 the
                 Queen
                 of
                 flowers
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 lovely
                 is
                 this
                 Rose
                 .
                 To
                 a
                 Vine
                 ,
                 the
                 noblest
                 of
                 Plants
                 ,
                 and
                 oh
                 what
                 lovely
                 Clusters
                 grow
                 upon
                 this
                 Vine
                 !
                 To
                 a
                 Corner
                 stone
                 ,
                 and
                 oh
                 how
                 lovely
                 and
                 precious
                 is
                 this
                 Stone
                 !
                 to
                 a
                 Rock
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 River
                 in
                 a
                 dry
                 ground
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 rich
                 treasure
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 beautiful
                 Robe
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 these
                 are
                 lovely
                 ,
              
               (
               and
               so
               should
               any
               thing
               have
               been
               ,
               that
               had
               come
               in
               his
               way
               at
               that
               time
               )
               and
               who
               can
               doubt
               after
               all
               this
               ,
               
                 but
                 that
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 chiefest
                 of
                 ten
                 thousands
                 ,
              
               
               
                 yea
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 altogether
                 lovely
                 .
              
            
             
               Thus
               if
               I
               had
               a
               mind
               to
               imitate
               these
               men
               ,
               and
               prove
               that
               Christ
               is
               very
               powerful
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               lovely
               ,
               most
               of
               the
               same
               types
               and
               resemblances
               ,
               would
               serve
               the
               turn
               .
               For
               he
               was
               prefigured
               by
               Moses
               ,
               who
               did
               wonders
               in
               Aegypt
               ;
               He
               was
               typified
               by
               David
               ;
               who
               killed
               Goliah
               ;
               by
               Solomon
               ;
               who
               was
               the
               most
               powerful
               Prince
               in
               his
               days
               ;
               by
               the
               Pillar
               of
               Cloud
               and
               Fire
               ,
               out
               of
               which
               God
               thundred
               upon
               the
               Host
               of
               Pharoah
               ;
               By
               the
               brazen
               Serpent
               ,
               which
               had
               power
               to
               Cure
               the
               stung
               Israelites
               ;
               by
               Noahs
               Ark
               ,
               which
               was
               certainly
               very
               strong
               ,
               that
               it
               could
               resist
               all
               the
               force
               and
               power
               of
               the
               general
               deluge
               ;
               He
               is
               resembled
               to
               a
               Corner
               stone
               ,
               which
               supports
               the
               whole
               building
               ,
               to
               a
               Rock
               which
               is
               for
               offence
               ,
               and
               defence
               ,
               to
               a
               rich
               treasure
               ,
               and
               riches
               all
               men
               know
               ,
               are
               the
               Nerves
               and
               Sinews
               of
               Power
               ,
               and
               he
               is
               most
               beautiful
               ,
               and
               beauty
               is
               stronger
               than
               all
               the
               rest
               ,
               and
               Conquers
               more
               than
               Sword
               or
               Fire
               .
            
             
               Thus
               Christ
               is
               very
               rich
               ;
               for
               he
               is
               rich
               in
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               rich
               in
               beauty
               ,
               and
               rich
               in
               strength
               ,
               and
               power
               ,
               rich
               in
               his
               Godhead
               ,
               and
               rich
               in
               his
               Manhood
               ;
               
               and
               then
               do
               but
               add
               Husband
               to
               all
               this
               ,
               and
               he
               is
               a
               rich
               and
               a
               powerful
               ,
               and
               a
               beautiful
               Husband
               :
               thus
               Christ
               is
               Lovely
               ,
               because
               he
               is
               rich
               and
               powerful
               ,
               and
               he
               is
               powerful
               ,
               because
               he
               is
               rich
               and
               lovely
               ,
               and
               Rich
               ,
               because
               he
               is
               powerful
               and
               lovely
               :
               and
               how
               is
               it
               possible
               these
               men
               should
               want
               proofs
               for
               any
               thing
               .
               And
               is
               there
               any
               need
               now
               to
               prove
               ,
               that
               all
               this
               is
               the
               work
               of
               fancy
               and
               imagination
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               nothing
               but
               phrase
               ,
               and
               Religious
               tattle
               ,
               the
               fruit
               of
               precarious
               Hypotheses
               ,
               and
               of
               a
               pretended
               acquaintance
               with
               Christs
               Person
               ;
               for
               at
               this
               Rate
               it
               were
               easie
               to
               make
               any
               thing
               of
               any
               thing
               ,
               to
               find
               out
               some
               pretty
               words
               ,
               and
               phrases
               ,
               and
               allusions
               ,
               types
               ,
               or
               Metaphors
               ,
               to
               countenance
               all
               the
               feats
               of
               Enthusiasm
               ,
               and
               the
               more
               godly
               Romances
               of
               Popish
               Legends
               .
               He
               who
               would
               be
               an
               honest
               Reader
               of
               Books
               ,
               who
               hath
               no
               mind
               to
               turn
               every
               thing
               into
               Burlesque
               ,
               ought
               carefully
               to
               distinguish
               between
               proper
               ,
               and
               allusive
               ,
               or
               metaphorical
               expressions
               ,
               to
               consider
               the
               use
               of
               words
               and
               phrases
               ,
               and
               the
               great
               variety
               of
               Dialects
               ,
               and
               the
               peculiar
               Moods
               of
               speaking
               in
               every
               language
               ,
               
               and
               in
               every
               age
               ,
               and
               to
               urge
               Metaphors
               no
               further
               than
               their
               first
               intention
               ,
               without
               which
               we
               may
               deal
               by
               all
               Authors
               ,
               as
               these
               men
               deal
               by
               the
               Scripture
               ,
               make
               them
               speak
               non-sence
               ,
               or
               (
               as
               they
               use
               to
               call
               them
               )
               venerable
               Mysteries
               ,
               and
               overthrow
               and
               contradict
               their
               own
               design
               :
               And
               this
               is
               their
               first
               way
               of
               expounding
               ,
               otherwise
               called
               adulterating
               and
               debauching
               Scripture
               ,
               by
               the
               sound
               of
               words
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               When
               this
               will
               not
               do
               ,
               then
               they
               argue
               and
               reason
               about
               the
               sense
               of
               Scripture
               from
               their
               own
               preconceived
               notions
               and
               opinions
               of
               Religion
               ,
               pretend
               to
               prove
               their
               own
               Scheme
               and
               fancies
               of
               Religion
               from
               the
               Scripture
               ,
               but
               in
               truth
               prove
               the
               sense
               of
               the
               Scripture
               by
               its
               agreement
               with
               their
               own
               opinions
               ;
               which
               is
               such
               a
               trick
               ,
               as
               the
               Papists
               have
               got
               ,
               to
               prove
               the
               Authority
               of
               the
               Church
               from
               the
               Scripture
               ,
               and
               the
               Scripture
               from
               the
               Church
               .
               I
               might
               give
               Instances
               of
               this
               in
               abundance
               ,
               but
               I
               shall
               mention
               only
               some
               few
               ,
               lest
               I
               tire
               my self
               ,
               and
               my
               Reader
               .
            
             
               Thus
               after
               all
               their
               talk
               of
               being
               justified
               by
               the
               imputation
               of
               Christs
               Righteousness
               ,
               there
               are
               a
               great
               many
               
               places
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               which
               expresly
               tell
               us
               ,
               
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 justified
                 by
                 Faith
                 ,
                 have
                 Remission
                 of
                 sins
                 by
                 Faith
                 ,
                 have
                 peace
                 with
                 God
                 by
                 Faith
                 ,
                 are
                 sanctified
                 by
                 Faith
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 Faith
                 ,
                 have
                 Eternal
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 saved
                 by
                 Faith
                 :
              
               now
               how
               do
               you
               think
               shall
               all
               these
               Scriptures
               be
               reconciled
               to
               their
               notion
               of
               being
               justified
               by
               the
               imputation
               of
               Christs
               Righteousness
               :
               for
               Faith
               certainly
               is
               not
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               in
               their
               notion
               of
               it
               :
               why
               this
               is
               plain
               at
               first
               sight
               to
               these
               acquaintances
               of
               Christ.
               
                 For
                 when
                 Faith
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 justifie
                 ,
                 and
                 save
                 ,
                 &c.
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 understand
                 this
                 absolutely
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 understand
                 this
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 considered
                 as
                 Faith
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 must
                 understand
                 it
                 relatively
                 ,
                 that
                 Faith
                 justifies
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 brings
                 us
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 us
                 one
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 we
                 are
                 justified
                 :
                 Faith
                 apprehends
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
                 justifies
                 :
              
               now
               this
               distinction
               is
               plainly
               owing
               to
               their
               preconceived
               opinions
               ,
               without
               which
               no
               man
               could
               ever
               have
               stumbled
               on
               't
               :
               that
               when
               the
               Scripture
               saith
               ,
               that
               Faith
               justifies
               ,
               the
               meaning
               should
               be
               ,
               that
               it
               justifies
               and
               saves
               instrumentally
               and
               relatively
               (
               words
               
               which
               the
               Scriptures
               are
               unacquainted
               with
               )
               that
               is
               ,
               not
               as
               it
               is
               Faith
               ,
               but
               as
               it
               apprehends
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               ;
               which
               in
               plain
               words
               signifies
               ,
               that
               Faith
               does
               not
               justifie
               ;
               though
               the
               Scripture
               so
               often
               says
               it
               does
               .
            
             
               But
               now
               the
               Reason
               of
               this
               Interpretation
               is
               very
               plain
               ;
               for
               should
               Faith
               justifie
               ,
               as
               our
               own
               Act
               ,
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               as
               Faith
               )
               it
               would
               be
               as
               bad
               as
               good
               works
               ,
               and
               as
               perfectly
               irreconcileable
               with
               the
               free
               Grace
               of
               God
               :
               
                 For
                 had
                 justification
                 been
                 promised
                 to
                 any
                 thing
                 wrought
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 done
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 of
                 desert
                 ,
                 not
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 of
                 wages
                 ,
                 not
                 of
                 mercy
                 :
                 if
                 God
                 had
                 promised
                 justification
                 upon
                 any
                 work
                 of
                 ours
                 ,
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 bring
                 so
                 much
                 humiliation
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 repentance
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 breaking
                 of
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 Grace
                 ,
                 so
                 many
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 Alms-deeds
                 ,
              
               (
               or
               so
               much
               Faith
               ,
               as
               our
               own
               Act
               )
               
                 and
                 then
                 we
                 should
                 be
                 justified
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 been
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
              
               not
               of
               free
               mercy
               :
               though
               modest
               men
               ,
               who
               are
               not
               so
               apt
               to
               dream
               of
               meriting
               by
               every
               thing
               they
               do
               ,
               would
               have
               thought
               ,
               that
               free
               Grace
               and
               Faith
               might
               have
               been
               easily
               reconciled
               ,
               though
               Faith
               had
               justified
               ,
               as
               our
               own
               Act
               ,
               since
               the
               reward
               and
               recompence
               
               does
               so
               infinitly
               exceed
               the
               work
               that
               there
               can
               be
               no
               suspition
               of
               merit
               ,
               and
               where
               there
               is
               no
               merit
               ,
               the
               Reward
               is
               of
               Grace
               ,
               and
               not
               of
               debt
               ,
               whatever
               the
               condition
               of
               the
               promise
               be
               .
            
             
               But
               this
               is
               past
               all
               doubt
               ,
               when
               it
               is
               confirmed
               by
               a
               metaphor
               or
               two
               ,
               of
               which
               there
               is
               great
               variety
               ,
               some
               more
               apt
               than
               others
               :
               as
               for
               Instance
               :
               
                 the
                 vertue
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 Faith
                 but
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               as
               appears
               in
               this
               ,
               
                 a
                 Ring
                 ,
                 which
                 hath
              
               
               
                 a
                 precious
                 stone
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 staunch
                 blood
                 ,
                 we
                 say
                 the
                 Ring
                 stauncheth
                 blood
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 vertue
                 doth
                 not
                 barely
                 lye
                 in
                 the
                 Ring
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 stone
                 in
                 the
                 Ring
                 :
                 so
                 Faith
                 is
                 the
                 Ring
                 ,
                 Christ
                 the
                 precious
                 stone
                 ,
                 all
                 that
                 Faith
                 does
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 bring
                 home
                 Christs
                 merits
                 to
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 it
                 justifies
                 :
              
               so
               that
               if
               you
               can
               but
               find
               out
               an
               improper
               and
               absurd
               form
               of
               speech
               in
               use
               among
               the
               vulgar
               ,
               or
               if
               you
               can
               but
               invent
               one
               ,
               as
               this
               Gentleman
               does
               ,
               for
               I
               never
               met
               with
               this
               before
               ;
               it
               is
               a
               sufficient
               reason
               to
               expound
               Scripture
               ,
               as
               improperly
               as
               unlearned
               men
               talk
               ,
               or
               think
               ;
               or
               if
               you
               can
               but
               fancy
               Faith
               a
               Ring
               ,
               and
               Christ
               a
               precious
               Stone
               ,
               it
               is
               enough
               to
               answer
               all
               those
               places
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               which
               speak
               of
               that
               legal
               and
               meritorious
               way
               
               of
               justification
               by
               Faith
               :
               And
               thus
               Faith
               justifies
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               a
               receptive
               Grace
               :
               it
               is
               the
               receiving
               the
               Gold
               ,
               that
               enriches
               ,
               so
               Faith
               receiving
               of
               Christs
               merits
               ,
               and
               filling
               the
               Soul
               with
               all
               the
               fulness
               of
               God
               ,
               must
               needs
               be
               an
               enriching
               Grace
               :
               
                 In
                 the
                 body
                 there
                 are
              
               
               
                 Veins
                 ,
                 that
                 suck
                 the
                 nourishment
                 that
                 comes
                 into
                 the
                 Stomach
                 ,
                 and
                 turns
                 it
                 into
                 blood
                 and
                 Spirits
                 ;
                 Faith
                 is
                 such
                 a
                 sucking
                 Vein
                 ,
                 that
                 draws
                 vertue
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 is
                 called
                 a
                 precious
                 Faith
                 :
              
               Is
               not
               this
               very
               plain
               now
               to
               him
               ,
               who
               understands
               the
               nature
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               which
               is
               like
               that
               of
               the
               Members
               of
               a
               natural
               body
               ,
               and
               that
               we
               are
               saved
               by
               Christ
               ,
               just
               as
               the
               body
               is
               nourished
               by
               the
               Stomach
               .
            
             
               And
               now
               to
               make
               all
               clear
               ,
               we
               may
               give
               a
               Philosophical
               account
               ,
               why
               God
               chose
               Faith
               to
               be
               the
               Instrument
               of
               our
               Justification
               ;
               
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 humble
              
               
               
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 gives
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 all
                 to
                 free
                 Grace
                 .
                 If
                 repentance
                 should
                 fetch
                 justification
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 a
                 man
                 would
                 be
                 ready
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 this
                 was
                 for
                 my
                 tears
              
               (
               strange
               deserving
               Creatures
               these
               ,
               who
               can
               dream
               of
               meriting
               Heaven
               with
               a
               few
               tears
               )
               
                 but
                 Faith
                 is
                 humble
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 an
                 empty
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 merit
                 can
              
               
               
                 there
                 be
                 in
                 that
                 ?
                 doth
                 a
                 poor
                 mans
                 reaching
                 out
                 his
                 hand
                 ,
                 merit
                 an
                 Alms
                 ?
              
               (
               yes
               just
               as
               much
               as
               a
               few
               tears
               merit
               Heaven
               )
               
                 Faith
                 is
                 only
                 a
                 golden
                 Bucket
                 ,
                 that
                 draws
                 Water
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 well
                 of
                 life
              
               ;
               But
               why
               may
               not
               those
               ,
               who
               are
               so
               apt
               to
               be
               conceited
               of
               merit
               ,
               grow
               as
               proud
               ,
               that
               they
               have
               a
               
                 golden
                 Bucket
              
               ,
               as
               if
               the
               whole
               Well
               were
               their
               own
               .
            
             
               Thus
               you
               see
               ,
               how
               these
               men
               deal
               with
               the
               Scripture
               ,
               and
               
                 poor
                 humble
                 Faith
              
               ,
               make
               what
               they
               please
               of
               them
               ,
               to
               fit
               them
               to
               their
               purpose
               ;
               that
               Faith
               is
               sometimes
               feet
               to
               go
               to
               Christ
               ,
               sometimes
               a
               hand
               to
               receive
               him
               ,
               a
               mouth
               to
               feed
               on
               him
               ,
               an
               eye
               to
               look
               fiducially
               on
               him
               ,
               a
               Ring
               to
               hold
               this
               precious
               Stone
               ,
               a
               Vein
               to
               suck
               justification
               out
               of
               the
               Spiritual
               Stomach
               (
               which
               by
               the
               way
               is
               a
               very
               new
               conceit
               ,
               for
               though
               Christ
               is
               called
               the
               head
               ,
               I
               never
               before
               read
               ,
               that
               he
               was
               the
               Stomach
               )
               a
               Bucket
               to
               draw
               water
               out
               of
               this
               
                 Well
                 ,
                 Christ
              
               ,
               though
               in
               this
               they
               are
               very
               civil
               to
               Faith
               ,
               in
               making
               it
               a
               Golden
               Bucket
               ;
               whereas
               at
               other
               times
               they
               tell
               us
               ,
               that
               Faith
               may
               be
               a
               sore
               and
               blear-eyed
               Leah
               ,
               a
               shaking
               and
               Palsie
               hand
               ,
               weak
               and
               bending
               Legs
               ,
               and
               have
               all
               the
               infirmities
               that
               
               may
               be
               ,
               and
               be
               never
               the
               worse
               neither
               as
               to
               the
               purpose
               of
               justification
               ;
               so
               that
               Faith
               had
               need
               be
               a
               very
               humble
               Grace
               ,
               else
               it
               would
               take
               such
               language
               very
               ill
               from
               them
               .
            
             
               Thus
               to
               give
               you
               but
               one
               instance
               more
               ;
               when
               these
               men
               are
               prest
               with
               those
               Scriptures
               ,
               that
               urge
               the
               necessity
               of
               good
               works
               ,
               and
               a
               holy
               life
               :
               
                 that
                 without
                 holiness
                 no
                 man
                 shall
                 see
                 God
                 ;
                 that
                 the
                 wrath
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 revealed
                 from
                 Heaven
                 against
                 all
                 unrighteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 ungodliness
                 of
                 men
                 .
              
               That
               our
               acceptation
               with
               God
               depends
               upon
               a
               holy
               and
               vertuous
               life
               :
               
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 no
                 respector
                 of
                 Persons
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 every
                 Nation
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 feareth
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 worketh
                 Righteousness
                 is
                 accepted
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 That
                 except
                 our
                 Righteousness
                 exceed
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 Scribes
                 and
                 Pharisees
              
               (
               those
               Immoral
               Hypocrites
               who
               plac't
               all
               their
               Righteousness
               in
               observing
               the
               Ceremonies
               of
               the
               Law
               without
               the
               purity
               of
               their
               hearts
               and
               lives
               )
               
                 we
                 shall
                 in
                 no
                 wise
                 enter
                 into
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 .
                 That
                 he
                 who
                 breaks
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 these
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 and
                 teacheth
                 men
                 so
                 ;
                 shall
                 be
                 called
                 least
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
              
               (
               that
               is
               shall
               have
               no
               Inheritance
               there
               )
               
                 and
                 he
                 that
              
               
               
                 doth
                 ,
                 and
                 teacheth
                 them
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 called
                 great
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               shall
               be
               greatly
               rewarded
               ,
               with
               many
               more
               of
               the
               like
               nature
               ,
               which
               assert
               the
               absolute
               necessity
               of
               a
               holy
               life
               ,
               and
               keeping
               the
               Commandments
               of
               God
               ,
               to
               entitle
               us
               to
               his
               love
               and
               favour
               ,
               and
               the
               rewards
               of
               the
               next
               life
               ;
               which
               perfectly
               overthrow
               their
               fundamental
               notion
               of
               justification
               by
               the
               righteousness
               of
               Christ
               ;
               the
               merits
               of
               whose
               death
               they
               say
               free
               us
               from
               the
               guilt
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               that
               punishment
               ,
               which
               is
               due
               to
               it
               ,
               make
               us
               as
               perfectly
               Innocent
               ,
               as
               if
               we
               had
               never
               offended
               ,
               and
               the
               righteousness
               of
               his
               life
               imputed
               to
               us
               ,
               makes
               us
               righteous
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               deserve
               a
               reward
               :
               gives
               us
               an
               actual
               title
               to
               glory
               :
               Now
               any
               one
               ,
               who
               is
               not
               mightily
               acquainted
               with
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               would
               think
               it
               a
               very
               hard
               task
               to
               reconcile
               this
               Doctrine
               of
               Justification
               by
               the
               imputation
               of
               Christs
               Righteousness
               without
               any
               thing
               of
               our
               own
               ,
               with
               the
               necessity
               of
               a
               holy
               life
               ,
               which
               the
               Scripture
               doth
               so
               expresly
               assert
               .
               But
               these
               men
               defie
               you
               ,
               if
               you
               charge
               them
               with
               destroying
               the
               necessity
               of
               a
               holy
               life
               :
               And
               I
               wish
               with
               all
               my
               
               heart
               ,
               that
               whatever
               the
               consequence
               of
               their
               Doctrines
               is
               ,
               it
               may
               have
               no
               bad
               influence
               upon
               their
               lives
               .
            
             
               For
               they
               tell
               us
               ,
               
                 that
                 this
                 Universal
                 Obedience
                 and
                 good
                 works
              
               (
               a
               very
               suspicious
               word
               ,
               which
               methinks
               these
               men
               should
               be
               afraid
               to
               name
               )
               
                 are
                 indispensably
              
               
               
                 necessary
                 from
                 the
                 Soveraign
                 appointment
                 and
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 even
                 our
                 Sanctification
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 ordained
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 bring
                 forth
                 fruit
                 .
              
               John
               15.
               16.
               
                 and
                 the
                 appointment
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 Holiness
                 is
                 one
                 eminent
                 and
                 special
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 peculiar
                 dispensation
                 of
                 Father
                 ,
                 Son
                 ,
                 and
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 business
                 of
                 exalting
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 our
                 Salvation
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 Fathers
                 electing
                 love
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 chosen
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 be
                 holy
                 ,
              
               Eph.
               1.
               4.
               
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 Sons
                 redeeming
                 love
                 ,
                 who
                 gave
                 himself
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 redeem
                 us
                 from
                 all
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 purifie
                 to
                 himself
                 a
                 peculiar
                 people
                 zealous
                 of
                 good
                 works
                 .
              
               Titus
               2.
               14.
               
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Spirits
                 sanctifying
                 love
                 ,
              
               as
               any
               one
               would
               easily
               guess
               .
            
             
               
                 It
                 is
                 necessary
                 to
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
              
               
               
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 whose
                 Temple
                 we
                 are
                 :
              
               and
               are
               not
               these
               men
               now
               mightily
               injured
               in
               being
               charged
               with
               denying
               the
               necessity
               of
               a
               Holy
               Life
               ,
               who
               make
               it
               necessary
               upon
               so
               many
               accounts
               ?
               Is
               it
               not
               great
               pity
               ,
               they
               should
               be
               so
               abused
               ?
               But
               the
               truth
               is
               ,
               all
               this
               is
               not
               one
               syllable
               to
               the
               purpose
               ;
               for
               the
               question
               was
               about
               its
               necessity
               to
               Salvation
               ,
               and
               if
               we
               be
               justified
               and
               saved
               without
               it
               ,
               all
               this
               cannot
               prove
               any
               necessary
               obligation
               on
               us
               to
               the
               practice
               of
               it
               :
               God
               hath
               appointed
               and
               commanded
               obedience
               ,
               but
               where
               is
               the
               sanction
               of
               this
               Law
               ,
               will
               he
               damn
               those
               ,
               who
               do
               not
               obey
               ,
               for
               their
               disobedience
               ,
               and
               will
               he
               save
               and
               reward
               those
               who
               do
               obey
               for
               their
               obedience
               ,
               not
               a
               word
               of
               this
               ;
               for
               this
               destroys
               our
               justification
               by
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               only
               :
               And
               if
               after
               all
               these
               commands
               ,
               God
               hath
               left
               it
               indifferent
               ,
               whether
               we
               obey
               or
               not
               ,
               I
               hope
               such
               commands
               cannot
               make
               obedience
               necessary
               .
            
             
               The
               Father
               hath
               elected
               us
               to
               be
               holy
               ,
               and
               the
               Son
               redeemed
               us
               to
               be
               holy
               :
               but
               will
               the
               Father
               elect
               and
               the
               Son
               redeem
               none
               but
               those
               who
               are
               holy
               ,
               and
               reject
               and
               reprobate
               all
               
               others
               ?
               doth
               this
               Election
               and
               Redemption
               suppose
               Holiness
               in
               us
               ,
               or
               is
               it
               without
               any
               regard
               to
               it
               ?
               For
               if
               we
               be
               elected
               and
               redeemed
               without
               any
               regard
               to
               our
               own
               being
               holy
               ,
               our
               Election
               and
               Redemption
               is
               secure
               ,
               whether
               we
               be
               holy
               or
               not
               ,
               and
               so
               this
               cannot
               make
               holiness
               necessary
               on
               our
               parts
               ,
               though
               it
               may
               be
               necessary
               on
               Gods
               part
               to
               make
               us
               holy
               ,
               but
               that
               is
               not
               our
               care
               .
            
             
               Obedience
               and
               a
               holy
               life
               is
               for
               the
               glory
               of
               the
               Father
               ,
               the
               Son
               ,
               and
               holy
               Spirit
               :
               how
               so
               ?
               when
               the
               necessity
               of
               Holiness
               is
               so
               destructive
               to
               free
               Grace
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               only
               glory
               God
               designs
               to
               advance
               by
               Christ.
               If
               this
               will
               not
               do
               yet
               
                 Holiness
                 is
                 necessary
                 to
                 our
                 honour
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 makes
                 us
                 like
                 to
                 God.
              
               Prophane
               men
               that
               they
               are
               !
               as
               if
               the
               perfect
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               ,
               his
               beautiful
               Robes
               ,
               were
               not
               much
               more
               for
               our
               honour
               ,
               and
               did
               not
               make
               us
               more
               like
               to
               God
               than
               the
               rags
               and
               patches
               of
               our
               own
               Righteousness
               :
               however
               if
               men
               prefer
               their
               lusts
               and
               interests
               before
               their
               honour
               ,
               the
               necessity
               of
               holiness
               ceases
               .
            
             
               
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 Peace
              
               .
               What
               Peace
               I
               
               pray
               you
               ?
               Peace
               of
               Conscience
               ?
               Why
               then
               must
               we
               at
               last
               fetch
               our
               Peace
               and
               security
               from
               our
               own
               duties
               and
               graces
               ?
               Is
               not
               this
               to
               renounce
               Christ
               ?
               
                 Miserable
                 men
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 !
                 must
                 we
                 then
              
               
               
                 set
                 about
                 correcting
                 our
                 lives
                 ,
                 amending
                 our
                 ways
                 ,
                 performing
                 duties
                 required
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 follow
                 after
                 righteousness
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Prescript
                 of
                 the
                 law
                 ?
                 Why
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 course
                 ,
                 wherein
                 many
                 men
                 continue
                 long
                 with
                 much
                 perplexity
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 hoping
                 ,
                 oftner
                 fearing
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 ready
                 to
                 give
                 quite
                 over
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 vowing
                 to
                 continue
                 (
                 their
                 Consciences
                 being
                 no
                 ways
                 satisfied
                 ,
                 nor
                 righteousness
                 in
                 any
                 measure
                 obtained
                 )
                 all
                 their
                 days
                 ;
                 After
                 they
                 have
                 tired
                 themselves
                 perhaps
                 in
                 the
                 largeness
                 of
                 their
                 ways
                 ,
                 they
                 come
                 at
                 length
                 with
                 fear
                 and
                 trembling
                 and
                 disappointment
                 to
                 the
                 conclusion
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 no
                 man
                 is
                 justified
                 ,
                 and
                 with
              
               David
               
                 cry
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 God
                 marks
                 what
                 is
                 done
                 amiss
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 standing
                 before
                 him
                 .
              
               And
               is
               this
               the
               way
               ,
               in
               which
               we
               must
               seek
               for
               Peace
               ?
               
                 is
                 this
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 enjoy
                 Communion
                 with
                 God
              
               by
               our
               own
               righteousness
               ?
               
                 why
                 doth
                 not
                 all
                 our
                 Wisdom
                 of
              
               
               
                 walking
                 with
                 God
                 consist
                 in
                 our
                 Acquaintance
                 with
                 Christ
                 ?
                 God
                 is
                 light
                 and
                 in
              
               
               
                 him
                 is
                 no
                 darkness
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 darkness
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 us
                 no
                 light
                 at
                 all
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 life
                 ,
                 a
                 living
                 God
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 dead
                 ,
                 dead
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 dead
                 in
                 trespasses
                 and
                 sins
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 glorious
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 we
                 wholly
                 defiled
                 ,
                 an
                 abominable
                 thing
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 love
                 ,
                 we
                 full
                 of
                 hatred
                 ,
                 hating
                 and
                 being
                 hated
                 .
                 Surely
                 this
                 is
                 no
                 foundation
                 of
                 agreement
                 ,
                 or
                 upon
                 that
                 of
                 walking
                 (
                 that
                 is
                 of
                 Communion
                 )
                 together
                 :
                 nothing
                 can
                 be
                 more
                 remote
                 than
                 this
                 frame
                 from
                 such
                 a
                 condition
                 .
                 The
                 foundation
                 then
                 of
                 this
                 peace
                 (
                 that
                 is
                 of
                 agreement
                 and
                 Communion
                 with
                 God
                 )
                 is
                 laid
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 hid
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 he
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 is
                 our
                 peace
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 peace
                 for
                 us
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 new
                 and
                 living
                 way
                 into
                 the
                 holy
                 of
                 holies
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 way
                 (
                 saith
                 Christ
                 )
                 and
                 no
                 man
                 cometh
                 to
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 me
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 Medium
                 of
                 all
                 Communication
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 us
                 ,
                 in
                 him
                 we
                 meet
                 ,
                 in
                 him
                 we
                 walk
                 .
              
               So
               that
               if
               this
               Gentlemans
               memory
               had
               not
               failed
               him
               ,
               he
               would
               never
               have
               told
               us
               in
               the
               8.
               
               Chap.
               that
               holiness
               is
               necessary
               to
               our
               Peace
               and
               Communion
               with
               God
               :
               when
               a
               little
               before
               he
               had
               disclaimed
               this
               ,
               as
               wholly
               useless
               to
               that
               purpose
               .
            
             
               But
               however
               holiness
               is
               very
               useful
               
               
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 purposes
                 of
                 life
                 :
              
               that
               it
               may
               be
               ,
               and
               not
               necessary
               to
               Salvation
               :
               
                 It
                 serves
                 for
                 the
                 Conviction
                 of
                 the
                 Enemies
                 of
                 God.
              
               How
               so
               ?
               When
               it
               is
               not
               essentially
               necessary
               to
               his
               Friends
               ;
               And
               
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 the
                 Conversion
                 of
                 others
                 .
              
               Why
               so
               ?
               When
               men
               may
               be
               converted
               without
               it
               :
               
                 It
                 keeps
                 the
                 judgments
                 of
                 God
                 from
                 other
                 men
                 ,
                 as
                 Ten
                 good
                 men
                 would
                 have
                 preserved
              
               Sodom
               .
               But
               why
               cannot
               the
               righteousness
               of
               Christ
               do
               this
               more
               effectually
               ,
               than
               the
               holiness
               of
               men
               ?
               But
               ,
               
                 It
                 is
                 necessary
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 the
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 of
                 justified
                 Persons
                 :
                 for
                 they
                 are
                 accepted
                 ,
                 and
                 received
                 into
                 Friendship
                 with
                 an
                 holy
                 God
                 ,
                 a
                 God
                 of
                 purer
                 eyes
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 behold
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 &c.
              
               and
               therefore
               they
               must
               cleanse
               and
               purifie
               themselves
               .
               What
               need
               of
               this
               ?
               When
               they
               are
               Cloathed
               with
               the
               Robes
               of
               Christs
               Righteousness
               which
               is
               the
               only
               foundation
               of
               our
               Communion
               with
               God
               ,
               as
               you
               heard
               before
               .
            
             
               But
               however
               holiness
               is
               
                 necessary
                 with
                 respect
                 to
                 sanctification
                 .
                 We
                 have
                 in
                 us
                 a
                 new
                 Creature
                 ,
              
               2
               Cor.
               5.
               17.
               
                 this
                 new
                 Creature
                 is
                 fed
                 ,
                 cherisht
                 ,
                 nourisht
                 ,
                 kept
                 alive
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 fruits
                 of
                 holiness
                 ;
                 to
                 what
                 end
                 hath
                 God
                 given
                 us
                 new
                 hearts
                 ,
              
               
               
                 and
                 new
                 Natures
                 ?
                 is
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 kill
                 ▪
                 them
                 ,
                 stifle
                 the
                 Creature
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 found
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Womb
                 ?
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 give
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 old
                 man
                 to
                 be
                 devoured
                 ?
              
               The
               phrase
               of
               this
               is
               admirable
               ,
               and
               the
               reasoning
               unanswerable
               :
               for
               if
               men
               be
               new
               Creatures
               ,
               they
               will
               certainly
               live
               new
               lives
               ,
               and
               this
               makes
               holiness
               absolutely
               necessary
               by
               the
               same
               Reason
               ,
               that
               every
               thing
               necessarily
               is
               ,
               what
               it
               is
               ,
               when
               it
               is
               ;
               but
               still
               we
               enquire
               after
               a
               necessary
               obligation
               to
               the
               practice
               of
               holiness
               ,
               and
               that
               we
               cannot
               discover
               yet
               .
            
             
               Well!
               
                 But
                 Holiness
                 is
                 necessary
                 as
                 the
                 means
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 .
              
               This
               indeed
               is
               something
               to
               the
               purpose
               ,
               but
               let
               us
               hear
               how
               :
               
                 Though
                 it
                 be
                 neither
                 the
                 cause
                 ,
                 matter
                 ,
                 nor
                 condition
                 of
                 our
                 justification
              
               (
               mark
               the
               Hypothesis
               )
               
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 appointed
                 of
                 God
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 walk
                 in
                 for
                 the
                 obtaining
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 he
                 that
                 hath
                 hope
                 of
                 Eternal
                 Life
                 ,
                 purifies
                 himself
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 pure
                 ,
                 and
                 none
                 shall
                 ever
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 who
                 walketh
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 for
                 without
                 holiness
                 it
                 is
                 impossible
                 to
                 see
                 God.
              
               This
               I
               confess
               is
               all
               pertinent
               ,
               and
               home
               to
               the
               purpose
               ,
               but
               yet
               there
               are
               two
               little
               faults
               in
               it
               ;
               that
               it
               contradicts
               it self
               ,
               
               and
               overthrows
               their
               darling
               opinions
               ,
               which
               I
               can
               very
               well
               pardon
               ,
               if
               he
               can
               :
               What
               ?
               the
               necessary
               way
               to
               Eternal
               Life
               ,
               and
               yet
               neither
               the
               cause
               ,
               matter
               ,
               nor
               condition
               :
               at
               least
               you
               might
               allow
               the
               way
               to
               Eternal
               life
               to
               be
               the
               
                 causa
                 sine
                 qua
                 non
              
               ,
               without
               which
               we
               shall
               never
               get
               thither
               ;
               and
               that
               in
               spight
               of
               all
               your
               distinctions
               will
               entitle
               it
               to
               the
               nature
               of
               a
               condition
               .
               But
               not
               to
               dispute
               about
               words
               ,
               I
               am
               content
               it
               should
               only
               be
               a
               necessary
               way
               to
               Eternal
               Life
               :
               but
               what
               becomes
               of
               Christ
               then
               ?
               who
               is
               the
               only
               way
               ,
               the
               truth
               and
               the
               life
               :
               is
               not
               the
               righteousness
               of
               Christ
               able
               to
               save
               us
               without
               an
               additional
               righteousness
               of
               our
               own
               ?
               doth
               the
               Active
               and
               Passive
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               both
               free
               us
               from
               guilt
               and
               punishment
               ,
               and
               give
               us
               an
               actual
               right
               and
               title
               to
               glory
               ?
               and
               yet
               can
               we
               not
               be
               saved
               without
               walking
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               holiness
               ?
               what
               becomes
               of
               free
               Grace
               then
               ?
               is
               not
               this
               to
               
                 eke
                 out
                 the
                 righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
                 with
                 our
                 own
                 ?
                 to
                 make
                 Christ
                 our
                 justifier
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 works
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ?
              
            
             
               Thus
               you
               see
               ,
               how
               men
               wrest
               and
               pervert
               the
               Scripture
               to
               make
               it
               speak
               
               their
               sense
               ,
               and
               justifie
               their
               darling
               opinions
               and
               fancies
               ,
               though
               not
               always
               with
               the
               same
               success
               ;
               for
               some
               truths
               are
               so
               plain
               and
               stubborn
               ,
               that
               they
               will
               not
               bend
               ▪
               but
               must
               be
               broke
               into
               the
               most
               palpable
               absurdities
               and
               contradictions
               ,
               before
               they
               can
               be
               fitted
               to
               their
               opinions
               ,
               and
               then
               they
               agree
               like
               new
               Cloath
               in
               an
               old
               Garment
               ,
               which
               makes
               the
               rent
               the
               wider
               .
            
             
               It
               were
               easie
               to
               produce
               many
               more
               instances
               of
               this
               nature
               ,
               but
               this
               is
               enough
               to
               show
               you
               how
               dangerous
               it
               is
               to
               pre-possess
               our
               fancies
               with
               some
               arbitrary
               notions
               in
               Religion
               ,
               which
               naturally
               force
               men
               to
               pervert
               the
               Scriptures
               to
               make
               them
               speak
               the
               Orthodox
               language
               .
               To
               this
               we
               owe
               all
               those
               nice
               and
               subtle
               distinctions
               ,
               which
               constitute
               the
               body
               of
               Systematical
               Divinity
               ,
               which
               commonly
               have
               no
               other
               design
               ,
               than
               to
               evade
               the
               force
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               or
               to
               bribe
               it
               to
               speak
               on
               their
               side
               .
               The
               Authority
               of
               Scripture
               is
               sacred
               and
               inviolable
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               dangerous
               to
               call
               that
               into
               question
               ,
               whatever
               acquaintance
               men
               have
               with
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ;
               but
               as
               Mr.
               Chillingworth
               observes
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               
               
                 Rome
                 ,
                 that
                 to
                 establish
                 her
                 Tyranny
                 over
                 mens
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 she
                 need
                 not
                 either
                 abolish
                 or
                 corrupt
                 the
                 holy
                 Scripture
                 (
                 which
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 the
                 numerous
                 multitude
                 of
                 Copies
                 dispersed
                 through
                 all
                 places
                 ,
                 translated
                 into
                 almost
                 all
                 languages
                 ,
                 guarded
                 with
                 all
                 solicitous
                 care
                 and
                 industry
                 ,
                 had
                 been
                 an
                 impossible
                 attempt
                 )
                 but
                 the
                 more
                 expedite
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 the
                 more
                 likely
                 to
                 be
                 successful
                 ,
                 was
                 to
                 gain
                 the
                 opinion
                 and
                 esteem
                 of
                 the
                 publick
                 and
                 authorized
                 Interpreter
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Authority
                 of
                 adding
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 what
                 Doctrines
                 she
                 pleased
                 under
                 the
                 title
                 of
                 traditions
                 or
                 definitions
                 .
              
               Thus
               though
               their
               fancies
               and
               the
               Scripture
               agree
               no
               better
               ,
               than
               the
               Church
               of
               Rome
               and
               the
               Scripture
               do
               ,
               yet
               they
               may
               be
               both
               retained
               ,
               so
               their
               opinions
               may
               but
               expound
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               and
               add
               such
               limitations
               ,
               distinctions
               ,
               glosses
               ,
               &c.
               as
               are
               necessary
               to
               make
               them
               Orthodox
               .
            
             
               The
               sum
               of
               all
               is
               ,
               that
               to
               know
               Christ
               is
               not
               to
               be
               thus
               acquainted
               with
               his
               Person
               ,
               but
               to
               understand
               his
               Gospel
               in
               its
               full
               latitude
               and
               extent
               ;
               It
               is
               not
               the
               Person
               ,
               but
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               way
               ,
               the
               truth
               ,
               and
               the
               life
               ,
               
                 which
                 directs
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 true
              
               
               
                 way
                 to
                 life
                 and
                 happiness
              
               .
               Which
               instructs
               us
               in
               our
               duty
               ,
               and
               furnishes
               us
               with
               all
               the
               motives
               and
               arguments
               to
               a
               good
               life
               ,
               and
               gives
               us
               the
               greatest
               assurance
               of
               our
               reward
               .
               This
               Acquaintance
               with
               Christs
               Person
               ,
               which
               these
               men
               pretend
               to
               ,
               is
               only
               a
               work
               of
               fancy
               ,
               and
               teaches
               men
               the
               Arts
               of
               Hypocrisie
               ,
               it
               undermines
               the
               fundamental
               design
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               makes
               men
               incurably
               ignorant
               ,
               and
               yet
               conceited
               of
               their
               own
               knowledge
               ,
               impertinent
               and
               endless
               talkers
               ,
               and
               insolent
               Censurers
               of
               all
               Mankind
               :
               every
               Boy
               ,
               who
               is
               acquainted
               with
               these
               notions
               ,
               learns
               to
               despise
               the
               ignorance
               of
               his
               teachers
               ,
               as
               if
               they
               knew
               nothing
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               Mystery
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               and
               now
               the
               Laws
               of
               Christ
               will
               not
               down
               with
               them
               ,
               this
               is
               moral
               and
               legal
               Preaching
               ;
               nothing
               appears
               wholesom
               and
               savoury
               to
               their
               palates
               ,
               but
               some
               Romantick
               descriptions
               of
               the
               beauty
               ,
               loveliness
               ,
               fulness
               ,
               and
               preciousness
               of
               Christ.
               But
               I
               hope
               hereafter
               they
               will
               see
               reason
               to
               believe
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               not
               such
               Strangers
               to
               Christ
               ,
               as
               they
               imagine
               ,
               but
               have
               a
               greater
               Reverence
               for
               him
               ,
               than
               to
               be
               so
               rude
               and
               unmannerly
               ,
               
               than
               to
               make
               so
               bold
               with
               his
               Person
               ,
               and
               with
               his
               Laws
               ;
               and
               are
               too
               honest
               to
               abuse
               the
               people
               with
               such
               dreams
               and
               fruitless
               speculations
               .
            
             
               The
               wildness
               and
               distraction
               of
               these
               men
               makes
               me
               so
               much
               the
               more
               admire
               the
               Wisdom
               and
               the
               Honesty
               of
               our
               Church
               ,
               who
               in
               her
               publick
               Catechism
               hath
               been
               careful
               to
               prevent
               these
               cheats
               and
               delusions
               of
               fancy
               :
               feeds
               her
               Children
               with
               wholesom
               and
               substantial
               food
               ,
               hath
               taught
               them
               a
               Religion
               without
               Art
               or
               Subtilty
               ,
               hath
               instructed
               them
               in
               the
               nature
               of
               their
               Baptismal
               Vow
               ,
               and
               those
               obligations
               it
               lays
               on
               them
               to
               a
               vertuous
               life
               :
               hath
               taught
               them
               the
               Apostles
               Creed
               ,
               which
               contains
               those
               great
               and
               essential
               Articles
               of
               Religion
               ,
               which
               are
               the
               necessary
               Principles
               of
               Action
               ,
               hath
               given
               them
               a
               plain
               and
               easie
               explication
               of
               the
               Ten
               Commandments
               ,
               which
               are
               the
               rules
               of
               a
               good
               life
               ,
               hath
               taught
               them
               to
               pray
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               what
               the
               true
               design
               of
               our
               Saviours
               Institutions
               is
               ,
               without
               filling
               their
               heads
               with
               notions
               and
               Artificial
               Theories
               of
               Religion
               ,
               which
               serve
               only
               to
               make
               them
               giddy
               with
               a
               vain
               conceit
               of
               knowledge
               ,
               to
               talk
               ill
               ,
               and
               to
               live
               worse
               .
            
             
             
               And
               now
               it
               is
               time
               to
               dismiss
               these
               acquaintances
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               if
               nothing
               will
               make
               them
               wiser
               ,
               to
               leave
               them
               to
               their
               own
               dreams
               and
               dotage
               ;
               only
               advising
               them
               ,
               that
               however
               they
               may
               indulge
               themselves
               in
               these
               choice
               speculations
               ,
               they
               would
               have
               a
               care
               of
               pretending
               any
               acquaintance
               with
               Christs
               Person
               for
               the
               neglect
               or
               contempt
               of
               his
               Laws
               ,
               lest
               they
               fare
               as
               ill
               ,
               as
               another
               of
               his
               acquaintance
               did
               ,
               Luke
               19.
               21.
               who
               argued
               from
               the
               severity
               of
               his
               temper
               and
               disposition
               to
               apologize
               for
               his
               own
               sloath
               and
               idleness
               .
               
                 for
                 I
                 feared
                 Thee
                 ,
                 because
                 thou
                 art
                 an
                 austere
                 man
                 ,
                 who
                 takest
                 up
                 that
                 thou
                 layedst
                 not
                 down
                 ,
                 and
                 reapest
                 that
                 ,
                 thou
                 didst
                 not
                 sow
                 .
              
               But
               it
               seems
               ,
               as
               great
               an
               acquaintance
               as
               he
               was
               ,
               he
               drew
               a
               very
               false
               conclusion
               ,
               when
               he
               hid
               his
               Talent
               in
               a
               Napkin
               ,
               as
               his
               Lord
               convinct
               him
               to
               his
               cost
               :
               and
               it
               will
               be
               the
               same
               case
               ,
               though
               we
               argue
               from
               other
               Principles
               ,
               not
               from
               the
               severity
               ,
               but
               from
               the
               fondness
               and
               Indulgence
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               from
               the
               merits
               of
               his
               Death
               ,
               or
               the
               Imputation
               of
               his
               Righteousness
               :
               The
               safest
               way
               is
               to
               do
               what
               he
               bids
               us
               ,
               lest
               he
               be
               too
               hard
               for
               us
               at
               Reasoning
               ,
               and
               making
               Hypothesis
               .
            
             
             
               But
               yet
               there
               is
               one
               thing
               more
               ,
               which
               I
               must
               take
               notice
               of
               :
               that
               as
               when
               the
               Scripture
               speaks
               of
               the
               knowledge
               of
               Christ
               ,
               it
               includes
               not
               only
               the
               speculative
               part
               of
               knowledge
               ,
               which
               consists
               in
               true
               notions
               ,
               and
               opinions
               ,
               but
               the
               vertue
               and
               efficacy
               of
               this
               knowledge
               in
               the
               government
               of
               lives
               ,
               in
               transforming
               us
               into
               the
               likeness
               of
               our
               Lord
               and
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               and
               making
               us
               obedient
               to
               his
               Laws
               ;
               without
               which
               all
               our
               knowledge
               is
               but
               like
               a
               curious
               piece
               of
               painting
               ,
               an
               accurate
               Image
               and
               Picture
               ,
               without
               life
               or
               sence
               :
               so
               these
               men
               talk
               also
               of
               an
               experimental
               knowledge
               of
               Christ
               ;
               the
               meaning
               of
               which
               is
               ,
               that
               this
               acquaintance
               with
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               warms
               and
               heats
               their
               fancies
               ,
               and
               moves
               their
               passions
               ;
               sometimes
               they
               find
               great
               breakings
               of
               heart
               ,
               they
               melt
               and
               dissolve
               into
               tears
               for
               their
               sins
               ,
               when
               they
               remember
               ,
               what
               their
               Lord
               suffer'd
               for
               them
               ,
               they
               see
               him
               hang
               upon
               the
               Cross
               ,
               and
               have
               all
               his
               agonies
               ,
               and
               dying
               groans
               in
               their
               Ears
               ;
               and
               then
               they
               Curse
               their
               sins
               that
               nailed
               him
               there
               ,
               and
               tremble
               at
               the
               thoughts
               of
               the
               
                 Naturalness
                 of
                 Gods
                 vindictive
                 justice
                 to
                 him
                 :
              
               and
               feel
               all
               
               the
               horrours
               and
               agonies
               of
               damned
               Spirits
               :
               at
               other
               times
               they
               are
               mightily
               ravisht
               with
               his
               love
               ,
               and
               charm'd
               and
               captivated
               with
               his
               beauty
               :
               fancy
               they
               have
               him
               in
               their
               arms
               in
               the
               closest
               embraces
               ;
               
                 they
                 hear
                 Christ
                 call
                 them
                 by
                 name
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 to
                 that
                 Woman
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 thy
                 sins
                 are
                 forgiven
                 thee
                 .
              
               They
               are
               refresht
               and
               ravisht
               with
               his
               Comforts
               ,
               and
               the
               sweet
               Caresses
               of
               his
               love
               :
               they
               see
               Christ
               adorning
               them
               with
               the
               beautiful
               Robes
               of
               his
               Righteousness
               ,
               owning
               them
               for
               his
               dearest
               Spouse
               ,
               and
               expressing
               all
               Conjugal
               affections
               to
               them
               ;
               now
               they
               tast
               and
               relish
               the
               sweetness
               of
               Christ
               ,
               which
               other
               men
               only
               talk
               of
               ,
               and
               have
               an
               experimental
               sense
               of
               his
               fulness
               to
               supply
               their
               wants
               ,
               of
               his
               Love
               in
               chearing
               their
               Souls
               ,
               of
               his
               beauty
               in
               adorning
               them
               ,
               they
               are
               all
               life
               and
               spirit
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               plain
               argument
               ,
               that
               now
               Christ
               hath
               taken
               up
               his
               abode
               with
               them
               .
            
             
               This
               will
               fall
               under
               consideration
               in
               what
               follows
               ;
               at
               present
               I
               shall
               only
               say
               this
               ;
               that
               all
               this
               may
               be
               no
               more
               ,
               than
               the
               working
               of
               a
               warm
               and
               Enthusiastick
               fancy
               ,
               and
               no
               man
               ought
               to
               think
               himself
               ever
               the
               more
               experimentally
               
               acquainted
               with
               Christ
               ,
               unless
               he
               find
               the
               power
               of
               it
               in
               governing
               his
               life
               :
               It
               is
               very
               desireable
               to
               have
               always
               such
               a
               quick
               and
               vigorous
               sense
               of
               the
               love
               of
               our
               dying
               Lord
               ,
               as
               may
               constrain
               us
               to
               live
               to
               him
               ,
               who
               dyed
               for
               us
               ;
               but
               without
               this
               we
               are
               still
               ignorant
               of
               him
               ,
               however
               we
               may
               be
               transported
               with
               these
               frantick
               raptures
               and
               exstasies
               of
               love
               and
               joy
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             
               CHAP.
               IV.
            
             Of
             our
             Union
             to
             Christ
             ,
             and
             Communion
             with
             him
             .
          
           
             
               SECT
               .
               I.
               
            
             
               NExt
               to
               the
               knowledge
               of
               Christ
               there
               is
               not
               a
               greater
               Mystery
               ,
               than
               
                 our
                 Union
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 Communion
                 with
                 him
              
               ;
               on
               which
               ,
               as
               these
               men
               represent
               it
               ,
               are
               built
               all
               those
               wild
               and
               fanciful
               conclusions
               ,
               which
               so
               directly
               oppose
               both
               the
               Doctrines
               and
               practice
               of
               Christianity
               .
               And
               therefore
               it
               is
               of
               great
               concernment
               to
               state
               this
               matter
               ,
               and
               to
               examine
               ,
               what
               is
               meant
               in
               Scripture
               by
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               Communion
               with
               him
               ;
               for
               the
               Scripture
               does
               mention
               such
               a
               relation
               between
               Christ
               and
               Christians
               ,
               as
               may
               be
               exprest
               by
               an
               Union
               ,
               and
               those
               phrases
               of
               
                 being
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 abiding
                 in
                 him
                 ,
              
               can
               signifie
               no
               less
               .
            
             
               And
               first
               ,
               I
               observe
               ,
               that
               those
               metaphors
               ,
               
               which
               describe
               the
               Relation
               and
               Union
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               Christians
               ,
               do
               primarily
               refer
               to
               the
               Christian
               
               Church
               ,
               not
               to
               every
               individual
               Christian.
               Thus
               Christ
               is
               called
               
                 a
                 Head
              
               ,
               but
               he
               is
               the
               head
               of
               his
               Church
               ,
               which
               is
               his
               body
               ,
               as
               a
               Husband
               is
               the
               head
               of
               the
               Wife
               ,
               Eph.
               5.
               23
               ,
               24.
               
               No
               particular
               Christian
               is
               the
               body
               of
               Christ
               ,
               but
               only
               a
               member
               in
               this
               body
               .
               Christ
               is
               called
               a
               Husband
               ,
               but
               then
               the
               whole
               Church
               or
               Society
               of
               Christians
               ,
               not
               every
               particular
               Christian
               ,
               is
               his
               Spouse
               ,
               as
               St.
               Paul
               tells
               the
               Church
               of
               Corinth
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               11.
               2.
               
               
                 For
                 I
                 am
                 jealous
                 over
                 you
                 with
                 a
                 godly
                 jealousie
                 ;
                 for
                 I
                 have
                 espoused
                 you
                 to
                 one
                 Husband
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 present
                 you
                 as
                 a
                 chast
                 Virgin
                 to
                 Christ.
              
               Christ
               is
               a
               Shepherd
               ,
               and
               the
               Christian
               Church
               is
               his
               Flock
               ,
               Iohn
               10.
               
               For
               the
               relation
               between
               Shepherd
               and
               Sheep
               doth
               primarily
               concern
               the
               whole
               Flock
               :
               Christ
               is
               the
               Rock
               ,
               upon
               which
               his
               Church
               is
               built
               ,
               the
               chief
               Corner
               Stone
               ,
               and
               the
               Christian
               Church
               a
               Holy
               Temple
               :
               so
               that
               all
               these
               Metaphors
               in
               their
               first
               and
               most
               proper
               use
               refer
               to
               the
               whole
               Society
               of
               Christians
               ,
               and
               are
               designed
               to
               represent
               the
               Union
               between
               Christ
               and
               his
               Church
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               I
               observe
               further
               ,
               that
               
               the
               Union
               of
               particular
               Christians
               to
               
               Christ
               is
               by
               means
               of
               their
               Union
               to
               the
               Christian
               Church
               :
               the
               Church
               is
               
                 the
                 body
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               and
               every
               Christian
               by
               being
               united
               to
               this
               body
               becomes
               
                 a
                 member
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
               tells
               the
               Corinthians
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               12.
               27.
               
               
                 Now
                 you
                 are
                 the
                 body
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 members
                 in
                 particular
                 .
              
               The
               Church
               is
               the
               
                 Temple
                 of
                 God
                 built
                 upon
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 the
                 Apostles
                 and
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 being
                 the
                 chief
                 Corner
                 stone
                 ,
              
               and
               every
               Christian
               is
               a
               
                 lively
                 stone
                 in
                 this
                 spiritual
                 building
                 :
              
               The
               Church
               is
               
                 Christ's
                 Flock
              
               ,
               and
               every
               Christian
               ,
               who
               is
               of
               this
               fold
               ,
               is
               one
               of
               
                 Christ's
                 Sheep
              
               .
               The
               Church
               is
               
                 Christ's
                 Spouse
              
               ,
               and
               every
               Christian
               is
               a
               member
               of
               that
               Society
               ,
               which
               Christ
               ownes
               for
               his
               Spouse
               :
               but
               every
               Christian
               is
               not
               
                 Christ's
                 Spouse
              
               ;
               He
               is
               a
               great
               Enemy
               to
               Polygamy
               ,
               and
               hath
               but
               
                 one
                 Spouse
              
               ,
               as
               he
               hath
               but
               
                 one
                 body
                 ,
                 and
                 one
                 Church
              
               ;
               which
               quite
               spoils
               the
               prettiness
               and
               fantastical
               Wit
               of
               a
               late
               
                 Exhortation
                 to
                 young
                 Women
                 to
                 chuse
                 Christ
                 for
                 their
                 Husband
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 rich
                 ,
                 and
                 beautiful
                 ,
              
               
               
                 and
                 kind
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 all
                 the
                 properties
                 of
                 an
                 excellent
                 Husband
              
               ;
               which
               would
               have
               sounded
               much
               better
               in
               a
               
                 Popish
                 Nunnery
              
               ,
               than
               among
               such
               pretenders
               
               
                 to
                 reformation
              
               :
               for
               this
               is
               the
               great
               Art
               ,
               whereby
               those
               cunning
               Priests
               wheadle
               silly
               Girls
               into
               a
               profession
               of
               
                 perpetual
                 Virginity
              
               ,
               by
               perswading
               them
               that
               in
               so
               doing
               ,
               they
               are
               
                 marryed
                 to
                 Christ
              
               :
               And
               to
               give
               every
               one
               their
               due
               ,
               the
               Papists
               are
               the
               most
               generous
               sort
               of
               Suiters
               for
               Christ
               ,
               for
               they
               perswade
               them
               to
               forsake
               all
               other
               Husbands
               for
               Christ
               ,
               which
               is
               more
               honourable
               and
               meritorious
               .
            
             
               Thus
               to
               proceed
               ,
               Christ
               is
               called
               the
               Vine
               ,
               and
               Christians
               the
               branches
               in
               that
               Vine
               ,
               Iohn
               15.
               which
               must
               be
               expounded
               to
               the
               same
               sense
               with
               what
               goes
               before
               ,
               where
               Christ
               speaking
               of
               himself
               saith
               ,
               
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 true
                 Vine
              
               .
               The
               meaning
               is
               ,
               that
               Church
               ,
               which
               is
               founded
               on
               the
               belief
               of
               my
               Gospel
               ,
               is
               the
               true
               Vine
               :
               I
               ,
               signifies
               Christ
               together
               with
               
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 his
                 body
                 :
              
               upon
               which
               account
               the
               Church
               is
               elsewhere
               called
               Christ
               ,
               as
               I
               observed
               above
               .
               And
               my
               reasons
               for
               this
               exposition
               are
               these
               :
            
             
               First
               ,
               Because
               the
               Jewish
               Church
               is
               frequently
               in
               the
               Old
               Testament
               compared
               to
               a
               
                 Vine
                 ,
                 Isaiah
              
               5.
               
               Ier.
               2.
               21.
               
               Hosea
               10.
               1.
               
               Now
               a
               Vine
               being
               the
               metaphor
               ,
               whereby
               the
               Church
               useth
               to
               be
               
               described
               ,
               we
               cannot
               reasonably
               understand
               it
               otherwise
               here
               ;
               
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 true
                 Vine
              
               ,
               that
               is
               the
               Church
               ,
               which
               is
               founded
               on
               the
               belief
               of
               my
               Gospel
               ,
               is
               the
               only
               true
               Church
               ,
               which
               God
               now
               owns
               ;
               He
               having
               rejected
               the
               
                 Iewish
                 Synagogue
              
               ,
               as
               proving
               a
               
                 degenerate
                 Vine
              
               .
               Especially
               when
               we
               consider
               ,
               that
               Christ
               himself
               applies
               the
               Parable
               of
               the
               Vineyard
               to
               the
               State
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               Math.
               21.
               33.
               
               &c.
               and
               the
               Christian
               Church
               is
               called
               
                 an
                 Olive
                 Tree
              
               ,
               and
               the
               members
               of
               it
               expresly
               called
               
                 branches
                 ,
                 Rom.
              
               11.
               17
               ,
               18.
               which
               metaphor
               hath
               the
               very
               same
               nature
               and
               signification
               
                 with
                 the
                 Vine
                 and
                 branches
              
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Because
               God
               is
               called
               the
               Husband-man
               ,
               who
               takes
               care
               to
               dress
               this
               Vine
               ,
               which
               cannot
               be
               understood
               of
               Christ
               ,
               but
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               which
               is
               therefore
               called
               
                 God's
                 Husbandry
              
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               Christ
               speaks
               of
               such
               
                 branches
                 in
                 him
              
               ,
               as
               bear
               no
               fruit
               ;
               now
               there
               can
               be
               no
               such
               branches
               in
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ;
               for
               
                 our
                 very
                 Union
                 to
                 his
                 Person
              
               (
               as
               those
               men
               acknowledge
               ,
               who
               talk
               of
               such
               
                 an
                 Union
                 of
                 Persons
                 between
                 Christ
                 and
                 believers
              
               )
               will
               make
               us
               fruitful
               :
               and
               therefore
               being
               
                 in
                 him
              
               
               can
               signifie
               no
               more
               ,
               than
               being
               
                 members
                 of
                 his
                 visible
                 Church
              
               ,
               which
               is
               made
               up
               of
               Hypocrites
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               sincere
               Christians
               .
            
             
               But
               fourthly
               ,
               To
               confirm
               all
               this
               ,
               and
               to
               prevent
               objections
               ,
               it
               is
               evident
               from
               this
               very
               Chapter
               ,
               that
               when
               Christ
               speaks
               in
               the
               first
               Person
               ,
               I
               and
               
                 In
                 me
              
               ,
               he
               cannot
               mean
               this
               of
               his
               
                 own
                 Person
              
               ,
               but
               of
               his
               
                 Church
                 ,
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 and
                 Religion
                 ,
              
               according
               as
               the
               circumstances
               of
               the
               place
               require
               ,
               thus
               in
               the
               5.
               
               
                 Ver.
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 true
                 Vine
                 ,
                 ye
                 are
                 the
                 branches
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 abideth
                 in
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 bringeth
                 forth
                 much
                 fruit
                 ,
                 for
                 without
                 me
                 ye
                 can
                 do
                 nothing
                 .
              
               I
               would
               willingly
               learn
               what
               sense
               can
               be
               made
               of
               this
               ,
               if
               we
               understand
               it
               of
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               :
               for
               it
               is
               not
               very
               intelligible
               ,
               how
               we
               can
               be
               or
               
                 abide
                 in
              
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               more
               unintelligible
               still
               ,
               how
               we
               can
               be
               in
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               at
               the
               
                 same
                 time
                 be
                 in
                 Us
              
               ;
               which
               is
               a
               new
               piece
               of
               Philosophy
               called
               Penetration
               of
               dimensions
               ;
               and
               that
               our
               fruitfulness
               should
               depend
               upon
               such
               an
               
                 Union
                 to
                 the
                 Person
              
               of
               Christ
               ,
               is
               as
               hard
               to
               my
               understanding
               ,
               as
               all
               the
               rest
               .
            
             
             
               But
               if
               by
               He
               that
               abideth
               
                 in
                 me
              
               ,
               we
               understand
               the
               
                 Christian
                 Church
              
               ,
               he
               who
               makes
               a
               publick
               and
               visible
               profession
               of
               Faith
               in
               me
               ,
               and
               continues
               in
               Society
               with
               those
               ,
               who
               do
               so
               ;
               and
               by
               
                 I
                 in
              
               him
               ,
               the
               
                 Christian
                 Doctrine
              
               ,
               both
               the
               sense
               ,
               and
               Reason
               of
               it
               is
               very
               evident
               :
               the
               sense
               is
               this
               ;
               That
               Church
               ,
               which
               owns
               my
               Doctrine
               and
               Religion
               ,
               is
               the
               
                 true
                 Vine
              
               ,
               and
               all
               you
               ,
               who
               make
               a
               publick
               profession
               of
               Faith
               
                 in
                 me
              
               (
               of
               a
               belief
               of
               my
               Gospel
               )
               and
               live
               in
               Communion
               with
               one
               another
               ,
               are
               the
               branches
               in
               this
               Vine
               ;
               and
               whoever
               of
               you
               continue
               stedfast
               in
               this
               profession
               and
               Communion
               ,
               and
               do
               not
               only
               make
               a
               visible
               profession
               of
               Faith
               in
               me
               ,
               but
               suffer
               my
               Doctrine
               and
               Precepts
               to
               dwell
               and
               abide
               in
               you
               ,
               to
               govern
               your
               will
               and
               affections
               ,
               and
               to
               direct
               your
               Conversation
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               all
               such
               of
               you
               will
               be
               very
               fruitful
               in
               good
               works
               ,
               for
               without
               such
               a
               sincere
               and
               hearty
               belief
               of
               my
               Gospel
               ,
               it
               is
               impossible
               ,
               you
               should
               do
               any
               thing
               ,
               that
               is
               good
               .
            
             
               So
               that
               to
               
                 abide
                 in
                 Christ
              
               is
               to
               make
               a
               publick
               and
               visible
               profession
               of
               Faith
               in
               Christ
               ,
               to
               be
               the
               members
               of
               his
               visible
               Church
               ;
               but
               because
               many
               
               are
               so
               ,
               who
               do
               not
               much
               credit
               their
               profession
               ,
               (
               being
               branches
               in
               him
               that
               bear
               not
               fruit
               )
               hence
               to
               distinguish
               all
               true
               Christians
               from
               such
               Hypocritical
               Professors
               ,
               he
               adds
               ,
               
                 and
                 I
                 in
                 you
              
               ,
               that
               is
               my
               words
               abide
               in
               you
               .
               Ver.
               7.
               if
               my
               Doctrines
               and
               Precepts
               take
               fast
               hold
               of
               your
               wills
               and
               affections
               ,
               they
               will
               make
               you
               fruitful
               in
               good
               works
               .
            
             
               Thus
               you
               see
               ,
               that
               the
               Union
               of
               particular
               Christians
               to
               Christ
               consists
               in
               their
               Union
               to
               the
               Christian
               Church
               :
               And
               hence
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               the
               Ancient
               Fathers
               interpret
               all
               those
               Metaphors
               ,
               which
               decypher
               the
               
                 Union
                 between
                 Christ
                 and
                 Christians
              
               ,
               to
               signifie
               the
               
                 entire
                 love
                 and
                 Unity
                 of
                 Christians
                 among
                 themselves
                 .
              
               Thus
               St.
               Chrysost.
               expounds
               Eph.
               2.
               19
               ,
               20
               ,
               21.
               where
               the
               Apostle
               speaks
               of
               
                 that
                 spiritual
                 building
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 erected
                 on
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 the
                 Prophets
                 and
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 being
                 the
                 chief
                 Corner
                 Stone
                 ,
              
               to
               signifie
               the
               Unity
               of
               the
               Church
               in
               all
               Ages
               ;
               that
               both
               the
               Jewish
               and
               Christian
               Church
               are
               united
               in
               Christ
               ,
               as
               the
               several
               parts
               of
               the
               building
               are
               kept
               together
               by
               the
               Corner
               Stone
               ;
               and
               St.
               Ambrose
               to
               the
               same
               purpose
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 duos
                 populos
                 in
                 se
                 suscepit
                 salvator
                 ,
                 &
                 secit
                 unum
                 in
              
               
               
                 Domino
                 ,
                 sicut
                 &
                 lapis
                 angularis
                 duos
                 parietes
                 continet
                 in
                 unitate
                 domûs
                 sirmatos
                 .
              
               i.
               e.
               
                 That
                 Christ
                 united
                 two
                 people
                 in
                 himself
                 (
                 the
                 Iew
                 and
                 Gentile
                 )
                 and
                 made
                 them
                 one
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Corner
                 Stone
                 unites
                 two
                 Walls
                 in
                 a
                 building
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 it
                 but
                 one
                 House
                 .
              
               Which
               is
               the
               plain
               design
               of
               the
               place
               to
               prove
               ,
               that
               Christ
               hath
               taken
               away
               the
               enmity
               and
               distance
               ,
               which
               was
               between
               the
               Jew
               and
               Gentile
               ,
               and
               
                 hath
                 reconciled
                 them
                 both
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 one
                 body
                 by
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 Ver.
              
               16.
               
            
             
               Thus
               St.
               Chrysost.
               observes
               on
               1
               Cor.
               3.
               9.
               that
               the
               Apostle
               to
               disswade
               them
               from
               Schisms
               and
               Factions
               tells
               them
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 &c.
                 
                 That
                 they
                 were
                 Gods
                 building
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 Gods
                 building
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 not
                 be
                 torn
                 asunder
                 ,
                 for
                 then
                 they
                 are
                 no
                 longer
                 a
                 building
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 Gods
                 Husbandry
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 not
                 be
                 divided
                 from
                 each
                 other
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 must
                 be
                 one
                 enclosure
                 ,
                 hedged
                 and
                 walled
                 in
                 by
                 Unity
                 and
                 agreement
                 .
              
               And
               adds
               ,
               
                 let
                 us
                 therefore
                 be
                 built
                 on
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 cleave
                 to
                 him
                 as
                 to
                 a
                 foundation
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 a
                 branch
                 to
                 the
                 Vine
                 ;
                 that
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 no
                 distance
                 between
                 Christ
                 and
                 us
                 to
                 interrupt
                 this
                 Union
                 ,
                 for
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 ,
                 we
                 immediately
              
               
               
                 perish
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 branch
                 draws
                 nourishment
                 and
                 fatness
                 from
                 the
                 Vine
                 by
                 its
                 Union
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 building
                 stands
                 firm
                 by
                 the
                 strong
                 adhesion
                 of
                 its
                 parts
                 .
              
               Which
               plainly
               signifies
               ,
               that
               our
               
                 Union
                 to
                 Christ
              
               consists
               in
               our
               
                 Union
                 to
                 the
                 Christian
                 Church
              
               ,
               and
               when
               we
               divide
               and
               separate
               from
               the
               Church
               ,
               we
               are
               broken
               off
               from
               Christ
               ,
               as
               a
               branch
               is
               from
               the
               Vine
               ;
               we
               are
               then
               like
               a
               building
               ,
               whose
               stones
               fall
               asunder
               ,
               and
               destroy
               the
               whole
               fabrick
               .
            
             
               Thus
               the
               
                 same
                 Father
              
               argues
               on
               Iohn
               14.
               21.
               to
               perswade
               Christians
               to
               Peace
               and
               Unity
               :
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ;
               
                 &c.
                 for
                 he
                 (
                 Christ
                 )
                 unites
                 us
                 to
                 each
                 other
                 by
                 many
                 examples
                 and
                 patterns
                 of
                 the
                 closest
                 Union
                 ;
                 He
                 is
                 the
                 Head
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 the
                 body
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 whole
                 body
                 by
                 the
                 Union
                 of
                 its
                 several
                 parts
                 must
                 be
                 firmly
                 united
                 to
                 the
                 head
                 ;
                 He
                 is
                 the
                 foundation
                 ,
                 we
                 the
                 building
                 ,
                 He
                 the
                 Vine
                 ,
                 We
                 the
                 branches
                 ;
                 He
                 the
                 Husband
                 ,
                 We
                 his
                 Spouse
                 ;
                 He
                 the
                 Shepherd
                 ,
                 We
                 his
                 Sheep
                 ;
                 He
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 we
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 to
                 walk
                 in
                 that
                 way
                 ;
                 We
                 are
                 a
                 Spiritual
                 Temple
                 ,
                 and
                 He
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 who
                 dwells
                 in
                 us
                 ;
                 He
                 is
                 the
                 first
                 born
                 ,
                 we
                 his
                 Brethren
                 ;
                 He
                 the
                 Heir
                 ,
                 we
                 fellow
                 Heirs
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 He
                 the
                 life
                 ,
                 we
                 those
                 who
                 live
                 by
                 him
                 ;
                 He
              
               
               
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 we
                 those
                 who
                 rise
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 He
                 the
                 light
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 are
                 all
                 enlightned
                 by
                 him
                 ;
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 .
                 All
                 these
                 metaphors
                 describe
                 the
                 nearest
                 and
                 closest
                 Union
                 of
                 Christians
                 to
                 each
                 other
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 not
                 admit
                 of
                 the
                 least
                 distance
                 and
                 separation
                 :
              
               so
               that
               according
               to
               the
               sense
               of
               this
               
                 Holy
                 man
              
               ,
               particular
               Christians
               are
               united
               to
               Christ
               by
               means
               of
               their
               Union
               to
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               otherwise
               I
               cannot
               understand
               how
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               can
               be
               an
               argument
               to
               Unity
               and
               Concord
               among
               ourselves
               ,
               if
               we
               are
               immediately
               united
               to
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               without
               being
               first
               united
               to
               his
               Church
               .
               Which
               I
               wish
               those
               men
               would
               seriously
               consider
               ,
               who
               boast
               so
               much
               of
               their
               
                 Union
                 to
                 Christ
              
               ,
               and
               yet
               
                 rend
                 his
                 Church
              
               into
               a
               thousand
               little
               factions
               ,
               tear
               the
               members
               of
               his
               body
               from
               each
               other
               ,
               and
               yet
               pretend
               to
               be
               united
               to
               the
               head
               ,
               make
               new
               enclosures
               in
               the
               Husbandry
               ,
               and
               Vineyard
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               when
               Christ
               hath
               broken
               down
               the
               middle
               Wall
               of
               Partition
               ,
               and
               made
               Jews
               and
               Gentiles
               but
               one
               Church
               ,
               do
               now
               erect
               more
               Partition
               Walls
               in
               the
               Christian
               ,
               than
               
               ever
               were
               in
               the
               
                 Iewish
                 Temple
              
               .
            
             
               But
               we
               need
               not
               depend
               on
               Authority
               for
               the
               confirmation
               of
               this
               notion
               ,
               that
               the
               Union
               of
               particular
               Christians
               with
               Christ
               ,
               consists
               in
               their
               Union
               with
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ;
               for
               those
               Sacraments
               our
               Saviour
               hath
               Instituted
               ,
               as
               
                 Symbols
                 of
                 our
                 Union
                 with
                 him
                 ,
              
               are
               a
               plain
               demonstration
               of
               it
               :
               Our
               first
               undertaking
               of
               Christianity
               is
               represented
               in
               our
               Baptism
               ,
               wherein
               we
               make
               a
               publick
               profession
               of
               our
               Faith
               in
               Christ
               ;
               and
               it
               is
               sufficiently
               known
               ,
               that
               Baptism
               is
               the
               
                 Sacrament
                 of
                 our
                 admission
                 into
                 the
                 Christian
                 Church
              
               ;
               and
               if
               any
               one
               should
               deny
               this
               we
               have
               the
               Authority
               of
               St.
               Paul
               for
               the
               proof
               of
               it
               .
               1
               Cor.
               12
               ,
               13.
               
               
                 For
                 by
                 one
                 Spirit
                 we
                 are
                 all
                 baptized
                 into
                 one
                 body
              
               ;
               In
               which
               the
               Apostle
               seems
               to
               allude
               to
               Baptism
               ,
               which
               confers
               the
               same
               holy
               Spirit
               on
               us
               all
               ,
               and
               thereby
               makes
               us
               all
               members
               of
               that
               
                 one
                 body
              
               of
               Christ
               ,
               which
               is
               his
               Church
               ;
               but
               more
               expresly
               in
               Eph.
               4.
               4
               ,
               5.
               
               
                 There
                 is
                 one
                 Body
                 ,
                 and
                 one
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 are
                 called
                 in
                 one
                 hope
                 of
                 your
                 Calling
                 ,
                 one
                 Lord
                 ,
                 one
                 Faith
                 ,
                 one
                 Baptism
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               Christian
               Baptism
               is
               but
               one
               ,
               and
               is
               a
               Sacrament
               of
               Union
               ,
               making
               us
               all
               the
               
               members
               of
               that
               one
               body
               of
               Christ
               ;
               this
               is
               called
               being
               
                 Baptized
                 into
                 Christ
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
              
               admitted
               into
               the
               Christian
               Church
               by
               a
               publick
               profession
               of
               our
               Faith
               in
               Christ.
               
            
             
               Thus
               the
               
                 Lords
                 Supper
              
               is
               a
               Sacrament
               of
               Union
               ,
               and
               signifies
               that
               near
               Conjunction
               between
               Christ
               and
               the
               
                 Christian
                 Church
              
               ,
               and
               the
               mutual
               fellowship
               of
               one
               Christian
               with
               another
               :
               hence
               the
               Apostle
               calls
               the
               
                 Cup
                 of
                 Blessing
              
               the
               
                 Communion
                 of
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 the
                 Bread
              
               the
               
                 Communion
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 for
                 we
                 being
                 many
                 are
                 one
                 bread
                 and
                 one
                 body
              
               (
               one
               body
               represented
               by
               this
               one
               bread
               )
               
                 for
                 we
                 are
                 all
                 partakers
                 of
                 that
                 one
                 bread
                 .
              
               1
               Cor.
               10.
               16
               ,
               17.
               
            
             
               For
               the
               Intention
               of
               our
               Lord
               and
               Saviour
               in
               what
               he
               did
               and
               suffer'd
               for
               us
               was
               ,
               not
               meerly
               to
               reform
               and
               save
               some
               single
               Persons
               but
               ,
               to
               erect
               a
               Church
               and
               to
               combine
               all
               his
               Disciples
               into
               a
               publick
               Society
               ,
               to
               unite
               them
               by
               holy
               Mysteries
               ,
               and
               to
               engage
               them
               to
               a
               mutual
               discharge
               of
               all
               Christian
               offices
               ,
               whereby
               the
               
                 whole
                 body
                 may
                 edifie
                 it self
                 in
                 love
              
               ;
               and
               therefore
               our
               Saviour
               does
               not
               owne
               any
               relation
               to
               particular
               men
               ,
               as
               such
               ,
               but
               as
               they
               are
               members
               of
               his
               body
               ,
               
               for
               he
               is
               the
               
                 Saviour
                 of
                 the
                 body
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Redeemed
                 his
                 Church
                 with
                 his
                 own
                 blood
                 .
              
            
             
               Hence
               St.
               Iohn
               tells
               us
               in
               his
               first
               
                 Ep.
                 Ch.
              
               1.
               
               Ver.
               3.
               
               
                 That
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 seen
                 and
                 heard
              
               (
               the
               whole
               Doctrine
               and
               History
               of
               the
               Gospel
               )
               
                 declare
                 we
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 also
                 may
                 have
                 fellowship
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 truly
                 our
                 fellowship
                 is
                 with
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 his
                 Son
                 Iesus
                 Christ.
              
               First
               ,
               that
               ye
               may
               have
               
                 fellowship
                 with
                 us
              
               ,
               become
               
                 members
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               by
               which
               means
               you
               have
               fellowship
               and
               Communion
               with
               God
               and
               Christ.
               
            
             
               And
               therefore
               those
               publick
               censures
               ,
               whereby
               rotten
               or
               dead
               members
               are
               cut
               of
               from
               the
               body
               of
               Christ
               ,
               consist
               in
               casting
               such
               persons
               out
               of
               the
               Society
               of
               Christian
               people
               ,
               in
               debarring
               them
               from
               the
               Communion
               of
               Prayers
               and
               Sacraments
               ,
               and
               all
               Religious
               offices
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               plain
               demonstration
               ,
               that
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               is
               not
               an
               Union
               to
               his
               Person
               (
               of
               which
               more
               hereafter
               )
               but
               consists
               in
               a
               sincere
               and
               spiritual
               Communion
               with
               the
               
                 Christian
                 Church
              
               ;
               otherwise
               this
               external
               Communion
               with
               the
               Church
               could
               be
               no
               visible
               signification
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               nor
               could
               our
               excision
               from
               the
               visible
               Church
               signifie
               our
               separation
               from
               him
               .
            
             
             
               But
               thirdly
               ,
               It
               will
               be
               requisite
               now
               
               to
               explain
               more
               particularly
               the
               nature
               of
               this
               Union
               between
               Christ
               and
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               which
               is
               not
               a
               natural
               ,
               but
               a
               Political
               Union
               ,
               that
               is
               such
               an
               Union
               ,
               as
               is
               between
               
                 a
                 Prince
              
               and
               
                 his
                 Subjects
              
               :
               Christ
               is
               
                 a
                 spiritual
                 King
              
               ,
               and
               all
               Christians
               are
               his
               Subjects
               ,
               and
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               consists
               in
               our
               belief
               of
               his
               Revelations
               ,
               obedience
               to
               his
               Laws
               ,
               and
               subjection
               to
               his
               Authority
               :
               Hence
               our
               Saviour
               tells
               the
               Jews
               ,
               
                 if
                 you
                 continue
                 in
                 my
                 words
                 ,
                 then
                 are
                 ye
                 my
                 Disciples
                 indeed
                 ,
              
               John
               8.
               31.
               which
               is
               the
               same
               thing
               
                 with
                 being
                 in
                 him
              
               :
               and
               by
               
                 keeping
                 his
                 Commandments
                 we
                 abide
                 in
                 his
                 love
                 ,
                 Iohn
              
               15.
               10.
               
               &
               14.
               21.
               and
               
                 to
                 have
                 his
                 word
                 abide
                 in
                 us
              
               is
               a
               description
               of
               the
               closest
               and
               firmest
               Union
               to
               him
               Iohn
               15.
               7.
               
               As
               obedience
               to
               our
               Prince
               is
               the
               strongest
               bond
               of
               a
               Political
               Union
               ,
               which
               is
               dissolved
               and
               broken
               by
               disobedience
               and
               Rebellion
               .
               Thus
               our
               Saviour
               calls
               himself
               a
               Shepherd
               and
               Christians
               his
               
                 Sheep
                 .
                 Iohn
              
               10.
               to
               signifie
               that
               Authority
               he
               hath
               over
               his
               Church
               ,
               which
               bears
               some
               Analogy
               to
               the
               government
               of
               a
               Shepherd
               ,
               which
               is
               oft-times
               used
               as
               a
               name
               of
               power
               and
               Authority
               ;
               
               as
               God
               is
               styled
               the
               
                 Shepherd
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 Psalm
              
               80.
               1.
               and
               Kings
               are
               frequently
               called
               Shepherds
               both
               by
               prophane
               and
               sacred
               Writers
               .
               Though
               this
               name
               is
               most
               commonly
               given
               to
               Prophets
               ,
               who
               feed
               and
               instruct
               the
               Church
               ,
               which
               includes
               power
               and
               Authority
               ;
               and
               so
               does
               very
               properly
               belong
               to
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               who
               erected
               this
               spiritual
               Kingdom
               on
               the
               Foundation
               of
               his
               Doctrine
               and
               Laws
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               exercise
               of
               his
               prophetical
               office
               :
               for
               which
               Reason
               he
               is
               called
               the
               
                 Shepherd
                 and
                 Bishop
                 of
                 our
                 Souls
                 .
              
            
             
               Thus
               he
               is
               called
               a
               Head
               and
               the
               Church
               his
               Body
               ,
               a
               Husband
               and
               the
               Church
               his
               Spouse
               ,
               which
               two
               metaphors
               signifie
               the
               same
               thing
               ,
               and
               are
               both
               of
               them
               names
               of
               power
               and
               Authority
               ;
               as
               appears
               from
               Eph.
               5.
               23.
               
               
                 &c.
                 For
                 Husbands
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 head
                 of
                 their
                 Wives
                 ,
                 as
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 head
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 commanded
                 to
                 love
                 their
                 Wives
                 ,
                 as
                 their
                 own
                 bodies
                 ,
                 as
                 Christ
                 loves
                 his
                 Church
                 :
              
               so
               that
               a
               Husband
               ,
               as
               a
               Husband
               represents
               the
               head
               ,
               and
               the
               Wife
               the
               body
               ;
               and
               what
               the
               meaning
               of
               all
               this
               is
               ,
               the
               Apostle
               plainly
               tells
               us
               :
               that
               Christ
               is
               called
               the
               Head
               and
               Husband
               ,
               because
               he
               hath
               
               the
               Rule
               and
               Government
               of
               us
               ,
               and
               therefore
               exhorts
               
                 Wives
                 to
                 be
                 subject
                 to
                 their
                 Husbands
                 as
                 the
                 Church
                 is
                 subject
                 unto
                 Christ
                 the
                 Spiritual
                 Head
                 ,
                 v.
              
               24.
               
               For
               because
               the
               Head
               in
               the
               natural
               body
               hath
               the
               command
               and
               government
               of
               all
               the
               members
               ;
               hence
               Head
               is
               a
               common
               name
               for
               Princes
               and
               Governours
               ,
               Deutr.
               28.
               13.
               
               
                 The
                 Lord
                 shall
                 make
                 thee
                 the
                 Head
                 and
                 not
                 the
                 Tayl
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 above
                 only
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 not
                 be
                 beneath
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               thou
               shalt
               rule
               and
               govern
               ;
               Psalm
               .
               18.
               43.
               
               
                 Thou
                 hast
                 made
                 me
                 the
                 Head
                 of
                 the
                 Heathen
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 people
                 whom
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 known
                 shall
                 serve
                 me
                 .
              
               And
               therefore
               the
               Apostles
               always
               expound
               this
               metaphor
               of
               Christ's
               being
               a
               Head
               by
               
                 power
                 and
                 Authority
                 .
                 Eph.
              
               1.
               20
               ,
               21
               ,
               22.
               
               
                 Hath
                 set
                 him
                 at
                 his
                 own
                 right
                 hand
                 in
                 Heavenly
                 places
                 ,
                 far
                 above
                 all
                 Principalities
                 and
                 Powers
                 —
                 and
                 hath
                 put
                 all
                 things
                 under
                 his
                 feet
                 ,
                 and
                 gave
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 Head
                 over
                 all
                 things
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 his
                 body
                 .
              
               Col.
               1.
               18.
               
               
                 And
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 Head
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 ,
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 beginning
                 ,
                 the
                 first
                 born
                 from
                 the
                 dead
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 he
                 might
                 have
                 the
                 preheminence
                 :
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ;
               that
               is
               that
               he
               might
               not
               
               only
               excel
               other
               things
               ,
               but
               that
               he
               might
               rule
               and
               govern
               them
               ;
               for
               so
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               signifies
               him
               ,
               who
               hath
               the
               first
               place
               of
               Authority
               ;
               
                 because
                 government
                 is
                 naturally
                 entailed
                 on
                 the
                 greatest
                 excellency
                 and
                 perfection
                 .
              
               Thus
               Christ
               is
               the
               
                 Head
                 of
                 all
                 Principalities
                 and
                 powers
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               their
               Lord
               and
               Governour
               .
               Col.
               2.
               10.
               
               This
               is
               the
               true
               explication
               of
               this
               relation
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               his
               Church
               .
               He
               is
               the
               
                 Head
                 and
                 Husband
              
               ,
               because
               he
               is
               invested
               with
               Authority
               to
               govern
               ;
               and
               the
               Church
               is
               
                 his
                 body
                 and
                 Spouse
              
               ,
               because
               it
               must
               be
               obedient
               to
               his
               Laws
               ,
               and
               subject
               to
               his
               Government
               :
               as
               we
               know
               it
               is
               very
               familiar
               to
               call
               a
               Society
               of
               men
               ,
               who
               live
               under
               the
               same
               Laws
               and
               Civil
               Government
               ,
               a
               
                 body
                 Politic
              
               ,
               which
               signifies
               their
               subjection
               to
               the
               same
               Authority
               ,
               as
               a
               body
               hath
               but
               one
               Head
               ;
               and
               that
               regard
               they
               must
               have
               to
               the
               preservation
               of
               the
               whole
               ,
               and
               their
               mutual
               care
               of
               each
               other
               ,
               as
               members
               of
               the
               same
               body
               .
            
             
               Now
               the
               true
               Reason
               why
               this
               spiritual
               Kingdom
               of
               Christ
               is
               described
               by
               the
               Authority
               of
               a
               Shepherd
               over
               his
               Sheep
               ,
               and
               of
               a
               Head
               and
               Husband
               over
               his
               body
               and
               Spouse
               ,
               is
               to
               signifie
               
               the
               mildness
               and
               gentleness
               of
               his
               government
               ,
               and
               that
               great
               and
               near
               concern
               he
               hath
               for
               the
               welfare
               of
               his
               Church
               :
               that
               he
               governs
               his
               Church
               with
               the
               care
               and
               tenderness
               of
               a
               Shepherd
               :
               that
               he
               defends
               and
               ransoms
               his
               Church
               with
               his
               own
               blood
               ,
               as
               a
               
                 good
                 Shepherd
                 lays
                 down
                 his
                 life
                 in
                 defence
                 of
                 his
                 Sheep
                 .
                 Iohn
              
               10.
               
               That
               he
               loves
               his
               Church
               with
               the
               natural
               kindness
               of
               a
               
                 Head
                 or
                 Husband
              
               ;
               that
               his
               Government
               is
               only
               for
               the
               good
               of
               his
               Church
               ,
               not
               for
               his
               own
               private
               advantage
               ;
               as
               a
               kind
               Husband
               exerciseth
               no
               other
               Authority
               over
               his
               Wife
               ,
               but
               what
               is
               for
               her
               good
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               
                 his
                 own
              
               ;
               or
               as
               the
               Head
               hath
               no
               other
               concern
               ,
               but
               that
               all
               
                 his
                 members
              
               be
               preserved
               in
               their
               natural
               State
               and
               vigour
               ,
               and
               perform
               their
               proper
               and
               natural
               offices
               ;
               and
               therefore
               we
               may
               be
               secure
               ,
               that
               
                 his
                 yoak
                 is
                 easie
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 burden
                 light
              
               ;
               that
               he
               will
               be
               gentle
               in
               his
               Discipline
               ,
               and
               favourable
               in
               his
               censures
               ;
               especially
               when
               we
               consider
               how
               dearly
               he
               hath
               purchast
               this
               relation
               to
               his
               Church
               ,
               
                 that
                 he
                 gave
                 himself
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 sanctifie
                 and
                 cleanse
                 it
                 with
                 the
                 washing
                 of
                 water
                 by
                 the
                 word
                 .
                 Eph.
              
               5.
               25
               ,
               26.
               
               Upon
               which
               account
               
               
                 we
                 may
                 well
                 be
                 called
                 the
                 Members
                 of
                 his
                 Body
                 ,
                 of
                 his
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 Bones
                 ,
                 vers
                 .
              
               30.
               the
               Church
               being
               ,
               as
               it
               were
               ,
               taken
               out
               of
               his
               crucified
               Body
               ,
               as
               the
               Woman
               was
               taken
               out
               of
               the
               Man
               ;
               as
               
                 Christ
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 have
                 reconciled
                 the
                 Gentiles
              
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               taken
               them
               into
               his
               Church
               )
               
                 in
                 the
                 body
                 of
                 his
                 flesh
                 through
                 death
                 ,
                 Col.
              
               1.
               21
               ,
               22.
               because
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               Foundation
               of
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               and
               receives
               Gentiles
               as
               well
               as
               Jews
               ,
               was
               sealed
               with
               the
               blood
               of
               Christ
               ;
               so
               that
               the
               Church
               is
               taken
               out
               of
               the
               crucified
               body
               of
               Christ
               ,
               which
               in
               the
               mystical
               sense
               answers
               to
               the
               Womans
               being
               taken
               out
               of
               the
               Man
               ,
               which
               seems
               to
               be
               the
               Apostles
               meaning
               in
               that
               place
               .
               For
               the
               same
               reason
               Christ
               ownes
               himself
               our
               Friend
               ,
               Ioh.
               15.
               14.
               
               
                 Ye
                 are
                 my
                 friends
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 do
                 what
                 soever
                 I
                 command
                 you
                 :
              
               which
               does
               not
               signifie
               such
               an
               equality
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               us
               ,
               as
               there
               is
               betwixt
               friends
               ,
               nor
               encourage
               any
               rudeness
               and
               unbecoming
               familiarity
               in
               our
               addresses
               to
               him
               ;
               but
               acquaints
               us
               with
               the
               nature
               of
               his
               government
               ,
               that
               he
               will
               rule
               his
               Church
               with
               the
               same
               care
               and
               tenderness
               ,
               which
               one
               friend
               expresseth
               to
               another
               .
            
             
             
               So
               that
               all
               this
               is
               a
               description
               of
               the
               state
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               in
               which
               our
               Lord
               and
               Master
               is
               our
               Shepherd
               ,
               our
               Head
               and
               Husband
               ,
               our
               Friend
               and
               Saviour
               ,
               who
               hath
               redeemed
               and
               purchased
               us
               with
               his
               own
               blood
               ,
               who
               laid
               the
               Foundation
               of
               his
               spiritual
               Kingdom
               in
               the
               most
               surprising
               and
               astonishing
               goodness
               ,
               and
               exerciseth
               his
               authority
               in
               all
               the
               methods
               of
               love
               and
               compassion
               .
               Upon
               which
               account
               God
               also
               hath
               now
               laid
               aside
               in
               a
               great
               measure
               that
               severe
               name
               of
               a
               King
               ,
               and
               calls
               himself
               our
               Father
               ,
               to
               assure
               us
               of
               his
               fatherly
               care
               and
               government
               ,
               and
               to
               signifie
               that
               liberty
               of
               Sons
               we
               now
               enjoy
               under
               the
               Gospel
               in
               opposition
               to
               the
               bondage
               and
               servitude
               of
               the
               Law
               of
               Moses
               .
            
             
               But
               then
               we
               must
               observe
               farther
               ,
               that
               though
               Christ
               be
               our
               Lord
               and
               Governour
               ,
               he
               doth
               not
               govern
               us
               immediately
               by
               himself
               ,
               for
               He
               is
               ascended
               up
               into
               Heaven
               ,
               where
               he
               powerfully
               intercedes
               for
               his
               Church
               ,
               and
               by
               a
               vigilant
               Providence
               superintends
               all
               the
               affairs
               of
               it
               ,
               but
               hath
               left
               the
               visible
               and
               external
               conduct
               and
               government
               of
               his
               Church
               to
               Bishops
               and
               Pastors
               ,
               who
               preside
               in
               his
               name
               ,
               and
               by
               
               his
               authority
               :
               in
               the
               first
               Ages
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               Christ
               conferred
               such
               extraordinary
               gifts
               on
               men
               ,
               as
               qualified
               them
               for
               so
               great
               an
               office
               ,
               Eph.
               4.
               8.
               
               &c.
               But
               though
               these
               miraculous
               gifts
               ceased
               ,
               when
               the
               Gospel
               was
               fully
               published
               and
               sufficiently
               confirmed
               ,
               yet
               the
               offices
               still
               continue
               for
               the
               instruction
               and
               government
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               though
               managed
               in
               more
               ordinary
               and
               humane
               ways
               .
               Christ
               now
               governs
               his
               Church
               by
               men
               ,
               who
               are
               invested
               with
               his
               authority
               :
               which
               is
               a
               plain
               demonstration
               of
               what
               I
               discoursed
               above
               ,
               that
               the
               Union
               of
               particular
               Christians
               to
               Christ
               ,
               is
               by
               their
               Union
               with
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ;
               which
               consists
               in
               their
               regular
               subjection
               to
               their
               spiritual
               Guides
               and
               Rulers
               ,
               and
               in
               concord
               and
               unity
               among
               themselves
               .
               For
               if
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               consists
               in
               our
               subjection
               to
               him
               as
               our
               Lord
               and
               
                 Master
                 ,
                 our
                 Head
              
               and
               Husband
               ;
               and
               this
               authority
               is
               not
               immediately
               exercised
               by
               
                 Christ
                 himself
              
               ,
               but
               by
               the
               Bishops
               and
               Pastors
               of
               the
               Church
               ;
               it
               necessarily
               follows
               ,
               that
               we
               cannot
               be
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               cannot
               owne
               his
               authority
               and
               government
               ,
               till
               we
               unite
               our selves
               to
               the
               
               publick
               Societies
               of
               Christians
               ,
               and
               submit
               to
               the
               publick
               Instructions
               ,
               Authority
               ,
               and
               Discipline
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               as
               no
               man
               can
               be
               said
               to
               submit
               himself
               to
               his
               Prince
               ,
               who
               denies
               subjection
               to
               those
               subordinate
               Magistrates
               ,
               who
               act
               by
               his
               Princes
               Commission
               :
               for
               the
               Union
               of
               Bodies
               Politick
               (
               such
               as
               the
               Christian
               Church
               is
               )
               consists
               in
               Order
               and
               Government
               ,
               when
               all
               the
               Members
               keep
               their
               proper
               places
               ,
               and
               are
               knit
               to
               each
               other
               by
               a
               faithful
               discharge
               of
               their
               several
               offices
               and
               trusts
               :
               Schismaticks
               are
               in
               the
               Church
               ,
               just
               as
               Rebels
               are
               in
               the
               Kingdom
               ,
               not
               as
               part
               of
               it
               ,
               but
               as
               open
               and
               profest
               Enemies
               :
               but
               the
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               wherein
               the
               Unity
               of
               the
               Church
               consists
               in
               Eph.
               4.
               16.
               
               
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 Head
                 ,
                 from
                 whom
                 the
                 whole
                 body
                 fitly
                 joyned
                 together
                 and
                 compacted
                 by
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 every
                 joynt
                 supplieth
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 effectual
                 working
                 in
                 the
                 measure
                 of
                 every
                 part
                 ,
                 maketh
                 increase
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 to
                 the
                 edifying
                 of
                 it self
                 in
                 love
                 .
              
               That
               is
               ,
               the
               supreme
               power
               is
               invested
               in
               Christ
               as
               Head
               ,
               to
               whom
               the
               Church
               is
               obedient
               and
               subject
               ,
               but
               to
               make
               this
               Union
               firm
               and
               lasting
               ,
               there
               must
               be
               a
               regular
               subordination
               of
               the
               several
               
               Members
               ,
               and
               a
               mutual
               discharge
               of
               all
               Christian
               offices
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               most
               effectual
               way
               to
               advance
               their
               spiritual
               growth
               in
               all
               Christian
               graces
               ,
               and
               especially
               to
               increase
               that
               love
               and
               friendship
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               very
               life
               and
               soul
               of
               the
               Church
               :
               This
               indeed
               supposes
               a
               
                 visible
                 Society
                 of
                 Christians
              
               ,
               professing
               the
               Faith
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               living
               in
               communion
               with
               each
               other
               ;
               for
               if
               there
               be
               no
               such
               visible
               Society
               (
               as
               it
               may
               happen
               in
               times
               of
               persecution
               ,
               or
               some
               great
               degeneracy
               of
               the
               Church
               )
               it
               must
               of
               necessity
               alter
               the
               case
               :
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               then
               consists
               in
               an
               acknowledgment
               of
               his
               Authority
               and
               Subjection
               to
               his
               Laws
               ,
               which
               makes
               us
               Members
               of
               the
               
                 Universal
                 Church
              
               ,
               though
               there
               be
               no
               
                 particular
                 Church
              
               to
               communicate
               with
               :
               but
               when
               there
               is
               a
               visible
               Church
               ,
               we
               are
               under
               the
               necessary
               obligations
               of
               a
               
                 visible
                 Communion
              
               ,
               because
               herein
               
                 our
                 subjection
                 to
                 the
                 Authority
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               and
               consequently
               
                 our
                 Union
              
               to
               him
               ,
               consists
               .
            
             
               And
               this
               by
               the
               way
               gives
               a
               plain
               account
               of
               the
               only
               cause
               ,
               that
               can
               justifie
               our
               separation
               from
               any
               Society
               of
               Christians
               :
               for
               our
               Union
               with
               the
               Christian
               Church
               being
               the
               Medium
               
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               while
               the
               Church
               ,
               we
               live
               in
               ,
               acknowledges
               the
               Authority
               ,
               and
               submits
               to
               the
               Laws
               of
               Christ
               ,
               we
               are
               bound
               to
               live
               in
               Communion
               with
               it
               ,
               because
               this
               unites
               us
               to
               Christ.
               When
               nothing
               is
               made
               the
               condition
               of
               our
               Communion
               ,
               which
               is
               expresly
               forbid
               by
               the
               Laws
               of
               our
               supreme
               Lord
               ,
               we
               acknowledge
               his
               Authority
               in
               our
               subjection
               to
               our
               spiritual
               Guides
               ;
               and
               we
               disowne
               his
               Authority
               in
               disowning
               and
               affronting
               theirs
               ;
               as
               our
               Saviour
               tells
               his
               Apostles
               ,
               
                 He
                 that
                 heareth
                 you
                 ,
                 heareth
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 despiseth
                 you
                 ,
                 despiseth
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 despiseth
                 me
                 ,
                 despiseth
                 him
                 that
                 sent
                 me
                 ,
                 Luk.
              
               10.
               16.
               
               But
               when
               any
               Church
               prevaricates
               in
               the
               Laws
               of
               Christ
               ,
               corrupts
               his
               Religion
               ,
               and
               undermines
               the
               fundamental
               design
               of
               it
               ,
               which
               is
               to
               make
               men
               good
               and
               vertuous
               ,
               when
               we
               cannot
               obey
               our
               spiritual
               Rulers
               without
               disobeying
               the
               express
               Laws
               of
               Christ
               ,
               the
               reason
               of
               our
               Communion
               with
               such
               a
               Church
               ceases
               ,
               because
               it
               doth
               not
               answer
               (
               nay
               contradicts
               )
               the
               end
               of
               Christian
               Society
               ,
               which
               is
               to
               
                 have
                 fell●wship
                 with
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 his
                 Son
                 Iesus
                 Christ.
              
               For
               in
               this
               case
               we
               
               cannot
               owne
               their
               authority
               ,
               but
               we
               must
               renounce
               the
               authority
               of
               our
               Head
               and
               Husband
               :
               now
               as
               it
               is
               in
               an
               Army
               ,
               should
               any
               Captain
               revolt
               from
               his
               Prince
               ,
               the
               Souldiers
               under
               his
               Command
               are
               not
               bound
               to
               turn
               Rebels
               ,
               because
               their
               Leader
               is
               so
               ;
               or
               should
               a
               whole
               Troop
               or
               Regiment
               conspire
               in
               the
               Treason
               ,
               no
               particular
               Souldier
               is
               obliged
               to
               continue
               in
               the
               Company
               ,
               or
               submit
               to
               the
               Government
               of
               Rebels
               ,
               no
               more
               than
               he
               is
               obliged
               to
               be
               a
               Rebel
               ;
               the
               same
               reason
               holds
               good
               as
               to
               Christian
               Societies
               ;
               if
               any
               particular
               Church
               apostatize
               from
               the
               Faith
               of
               Christ
               ,
               we
               are
               then
               under
               the
               same
               necessity
               of
               deserting
               their
               Communion
               ,
               as
               we
               are
               of
               obeying
               the
               Laws
               ,
               and
               submitting
               to
               the
               Authority
               of
               our
               Lord
               and
               Master
               ;
               but
               nothing
               less
               than
               this
               can
               justifie
               a
               separation
               ;
               while
               the
               Church
               is
               subject
               to
               Christ
               ,
               we
               must
               be
               subject
               to
               the
               Church
               ;
               while
               the
               fundamental
               Laws
               of
               his
               spiritual
               Kingdom
               are
               observed
               ,
               and
               his
               Institutions
               reverenced
               ,
               and
               the
               great
               ends
               of
               his
               Religion
               advanced
               ,
               to
               separate
               from
               such
               a
               Church
               is
               to
               separate
               from
               the
               Body
               of
               Christ
               ;
               for
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               consists
               in
               a
               subjection
               
               to
               his
               Authority
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               plain
               ,
               that
               we
               disowne
               his
               Authority
               ,
               when
               we
               reject
               those
               ,
               who
               act
               by
               his
               Authority
               .
            
             
               Now
               this
               Political
               Union
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               his
               Church
               may
               be
               either
               only
               external
               and
               visible
               ,
               and
               so
               
                 hypocrital
                 Professors
              
               may
               be
               said
               to
               be
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               or
               true
               and
               real
               ,
               which
               imports
               the
               truth
               and
               sincerity
               of
               our
               obedience
               and
               subjection
               to
               our
               Lord
               and
               Master
               :
               For
               since
               Christianity
               is
               become
               the
               Religion
               of
               Nations
               ,
               and
               is
               entailed
               on
               us
               by
               our
               Ancestors
               as
               part
               of
               our
               inheritance
               ,
               is
               received
               into
               the
               Laws
               and
               Constitutions
               of
               Kingdoms
               ,
               and
               made
               a
               great
               Instrument
               of
               Civil
               Government
               ,
               it
               is
               too
               often
               seen
               ,
               that
               many
               men
               undertake
               this
               Profession
               only
               as
               the
               Mode
               and
               Fashion
               of
               their
               Country
               ,
               to
               avoid
               singularity
               ,
               and
               to
               serve
               a
               worldly
               interest
               ;
               And
               thus
               the
               Christian
               Church
               is
               filled
               with
               Hypocrites
               and
               
                 visible
                 Professors
              
               ,
               who
               are
               great
               Strangers
               to
               the
               life
               and
               spirit
               of
               the
               
                 Holy
                 Iesus
              
               ;
               while
               some
               under
               the
               name
               of
               Christians
               practise
               all
               the
               villanies
               of
               the
               Heathen
               World
               ,
               and
               live
               in
               a
               publick
               defiance
               to
               the
               Laws
               of
               that
               Religion
               they
               pretend
               
               to
               owne
               ;
               others
               make
               a
               fair
               show
               of
               external
               conformity
               to
               the
               Laws
               and
               Constitutions
               of
               this
               spiritual
               Kingdom
               ,
               and
               conceal
               their
               impurities
               under
               some
               glorious
               and
               pompous
               form
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               pass
               for
               very
               good
               Christians
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               no
               better
               than
               disguised
               Hypocrites
               ;
               and
               this
               makes
               it
               necessary
               to
               distinguish
               between
               a
               meer
               external
               and
               real
               Union
               ,
               between
               those
               ,
               who
               do
               no
               more
               than
               make
               a
               visible
               profession
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               and
               those
               who
               are
               true
               and
               sincere
               Christians
               .
            
             
               Earthly
               Princes
               can
               exact
               only
               an
               external
               conformity
               to
               their
               Laws
               ,
               because
               they
               can
               take
               no
               cognizance
               of
               the
               secret
               workings
               of
               mens
               minds
               ,
               and
               the
               end
               of
               their
               Government
               is
               attained
               in
               the
               preservation
               of
               publick
               peace
               and
               order
               ;
               But
               the
               spiritual
               Kingdom
               of
               our
               Lord
               is
               of
               another
               nature
               ,
               which
               requires
               not
               only
               an
               external
               and
               visible
               subjection
               to
               Christ
               our
               Head
               and
               Husband
               ,
               and
               a
               visible
               Union
               to
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               but
               the
               homage
               and
               obedience
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               the
               government
               of
               our
               thoughts
               and
               passions
               ,
               the
               renovation
               of
               our
               minds
               and
               spirits
               ,
               
                 We
                 must
                 be
                 born
                 again
              
               
               
                 of
                 Water
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 would
                 enter
                 into
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Ioh.
              
               3.
               5.
               
               That
               is
               ,
               before
               we
               can
               be
               the
               Disciples
               of
               Christ
               ,
               the
               Subjects
               of
               his
               spiritual
               Kingdom
               ,
               which
               is
               in
               Scripture
               called
               the
               
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               and
               
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 we
                 must
                 be
                 born
                 of
                 water
                 ,
              
               must
               make
               a
               publick
               profession
               of
               our
               Faith
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               obedience
               to
               Him
               in
               our
               Baptism
               :
               but
               this
               is
               not
               sufficient
               ,
               unless
               we
               be
               
                 born
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
              
               too
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               unless
               our
               minds
               and
               spirits
               become
               subject
               to
               Christ
               ,
               unless
               our
               Faith
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               subjection
               to
               Him
               ,
               be
               sincere
               and
               hearty
               ,
               do
               govern
               all
               the
               motions
               and
               desires
               of
               our
               Souls
               ,
               and
               make
               us
               really
               such
               ,
               as
               we
               pretend
               to
               be
               ;
               which
               is
               called
               
                 Being
                 born
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
              
               ,
               because
               all
               Christian
               Graces
               and
               Vertues
               are
               in
               Scripture
               attributed
               to
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               as
               the
               Author
               of
               them
               .
               Hence
               the
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               
                 In
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 nothing
                 availeth
                 but
                 a
                 new
                 Creature
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               none
               are
               true
               Subjects
               of
               Christ
               ,
               such
               as
               shall
               be
               rewarded
               by
               Him
               ,
               but
               those
               whose
               minds
               and
               spirits
               are
               transformed
               into
               the
               love
               of
               vertue
               and
               goodness
               .
            
             
               Now
               as
               a
               visible
               Profession
               of
               Christianity
               
               is
               the
               Foundation
               of
               this
               external-political
               Union
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               his
               Church
               ;
               so
               this
               new
               Nature
               is
               the
               Foundation
               of
               a
               real
               and
               spiritual
               Union
               ,
               and
               this
               the
               Scripture
               represents
               to
               us
               under
               several
               notions
               .
               First
               ,
               by
               the
               subjection
               of
               our
               minds
               and
               spirits
               to
               Christ
               ,
               as
               our
               spiritual
               King
               ,
               when
               we
               put
               our
               Souls
               as
               well
               as
               Bodies
               under
               his
               Government
               and
               Conduct
               :
               hence
               Christ
               is
               said
               
                 to
                 dwell
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 by
                 faith
                 ,
                 Eph.
              
               3.
               17.
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               have
               the
               sole
               Command
               and
               Empire
               of
               our
               wills
               and
               affections
               ,
               to
               govern
               our
               hearts
               ,
               as
               a
               man
               does
               the
               house
               ,
               in
               which
               he
               dwells
               .
               And
               thus
               all
               those
               Metaphors
               ,
               which
               signifie
               our
               subjection
               to
               Christ
               ,
               must
               be
               expounded
               of
               the
               subjection
               of
               our
               Souls
               and
               Spirits
               to
               Him
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               the
               outward
               conformity
               of
               our
               actions
               ;
               because
               Christ
               is
               a
               spiritual
               King
               ,
               who
               rules
               and
               governs
               hearts
               ,
               as
               earthly
               Princes
               govern
               the
               bodies
               of
               their
               Subjects
               :
               our
               subjection
               to
               him
               ought
               to
               begin
               in
               the
               Soul
               ,
               in
               a
               sincere
               acknowledgment
               of
               his
               Power
               and
               Authority
               ,
               in
               a
               stedfast
               belief
               of
               his
               Doctrines
               and
               Revelations
               ,
               and
               in
               a
               chearful
               and
               willing
               obedience
               to
               his
               Laws
               ;
               such
               a
               subjection
               
               as
               a
               Wife
               ought
               to
               yield
               to
               her
               Husband
               ,
               and
               Members
               to
               their
               Head
               ,
               the
               effect
               of
               a
               free
               choice
               ,
               not
               a
               feigned
               or
               forced
               compliance
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               By
               a
               participation
               of
               the
               same
               nature
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               necessary
               effect
               of
               the
               subjection
               of
               our
               minds
               to
               him
               :
               for
               the
               Gospel
               of
               our
               Saviour
               is
               the
               truest
               image
               of
               his
               mind
               ,
               he
               transcribed
               his
               own
               nature
               into
               his
               Laws
               ,
               and
               therefore
               a
               sincere
               obedience
               to
               his
               Laws
               is
               a
               conformity
               to
               his
               Nature
               .
               Hence
               is
               that
               exhortation
               ,
               
                 That
                 the
                 same
                 mind
                 be
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 in
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 ,
                 Phil.
              
               2.
               5.
               and
               to
               be
               his
               Disciples
               is
               
                 to
                 learn
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 meek
                 and
                 lowly
                 in
                 mind
                 ,
                 Matth.
              
               11.
               29.
               
               Hence
               also
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               is
               described
               by
               having
               the
               
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Christ.
              
               Rom.
               8.
               9.
               
               
                 If
                 any
                 man
                 have
                 not
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 none
                 of
                 his
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               unless
               he
               have
               the
               same
               temper
               and
               disposition
               of
               mind
               which
               Christ
               had
               ,
               which
               is
               called
               
                 having
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Christ
              
               by
               an
               ordinary
               figure
               of
               the
               cause
               for
               the
               effect
               ,
               for
               all
               those
               vertues
               and
               graces
               ,
               wherein
               our
               conformity
               to
               Christ
               consists
               ,
               are
               called
               the
               fruits
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 is
                 in
                 all
                 goodness
                 ,
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 and
              
               
               
                 truth
                 ,
                 Eph.
              
               5.
               9.
               and
               therefore
               what
               the
               Apostle
               in
               that
               place
               calls
               ,
               
                 having
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               in
               the
               next
               verse
               he
               expresses
               by
               
                 if
                 Christ
                 be
                 in
                 you
                 :
                 i.
                 e.
              
               if
               you
               be
               possest
               with
               the
               same
               love
               of
               vertue
               and
               goodness
               ,
               which
               appeared
               so
               eminently
               in
               him
               ;
               which
               is
               much
               to
               the
               same
               sense
               with
               that
               expression
               ,
               
                 of
                 Christs
                 being
                 formed
                 in
                 you
                 .
              
               Gal.
               4.
               19.
               
               
                 My
                 little
                 Children
                 of
                 whom
                 I
                 travel
                 in
                 birth
                 again
                 ,
                 till
                 Christ
                 be
                 formed
                 in
                 you
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               till
               you
               be
               thoroughly
               instructed
               in
               the
               Doctrine
               and
               Religion
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               are
               thereby
               moulded
               into
               his
               likeness
               and
               image
               .
               Hence
               in
               the
               1
               Cor.
               6.
               17.
               the
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 He
                 that
                 is
                 joyned
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 one
                 Spirit
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               herein
               consists
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               that
               we
               have
               the
               same
               temper
               of
               mind
               which
               he
               had
               :
               for
               there
               can
               be
               no
               Union
               betwixt
               Souls
               and
               Spirits
               without
               this
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               acted
               by
               the
               same
               Principles
               ,
               and
               love
               ,
               and
               chuse
               the
               same
               things
               :
               bodies
               are
               united
               by
               an
               external
               adhesion
               of
               parts
               ,
               but
               Souls
               by
               an
               harmony
               and
               consent
               of
               wills
               .
               This
               makes
               two
               
                 one
                 Spirit
              
               ,
               when
               there
               is
               a
               perfect
               likeness
               of
               disposition
               ,
               when
               they
               agree
               in
               the
               same
               designs
               as
               much
               ,
               as
               if
               the
               
               same
               Soul
               animated
               them
               both
               :
               when
               we
               love
               God
               and
               men
               ,
               as
               our
               Saviour
               did
               ,
               when
               we
               are
               meek
               and
               humble
               ,
               and
               patient
               and
               contented
               ,
               as
               he
               was
               ,
               we
               are
               as
               closely
               united
               to
               him
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               dwelt
               in
               us
               ,
               and
               we
               in
               him
               :
               as
               if
               we
               had
               but
               
                 one
                 Spirit
              
               in
               us
               both
               .
            
             
               But
               Thirdly
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               closer
               Union
               still
               ,
               which
               results
               from
               this
               ,
               which
               consists
               in
               a
               mutual
               and
               reciprocal
               love
               .
               When
               we
               are
               transformed
               into
               the
               image
               of
               Christ
               ,
               he
               loves
               us
               ,
               as
               being
               like
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               we
               love
               him
               too
               ,
               as
               partaking
               of
               his
               nature
               .
               He
               loves
               us
               as
               the
               price
               of
               his
               blood
               ,
               as
               his
               own
               workmanship
               created
               to
               good
               works
               ,
               and
               we
               love
               him
               as
               our
               Redeemer
               and
               Saviour
               .
               Now
               love
               is
               the
               great
               Cement
               of
               Union
               ,
               which
               unites
               interests
               ,
               and
               thereby
               does
               more
               firmly
               unite
               hearts
               :
               hence
               when
               our
               Saviour
               had
               told
               his
               Disciples
               ,
               
                 At
                 that
                 day
                 ye
                 shall
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 in
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 in
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 in
                 you
                 ,
              
               Joh.
               14.
               20.
               he
               explains
               the
               meaning
               of
               it
               in
               v.
               21.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 hath
                 my
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 and
                 keepeth
                 them
                 ,
                 he
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 loveth
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 loveth
                 me
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 loved
                 of
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 love
                 him
                 and
                 manifest
                 my self
                 unto
                 him
                 .
              
               That
               is
               ,
               God
               and
               
               Christ
               ,
               and
               Christians
               are
               all
               united
               by
               a
               mutual
               and
               reciprocal
               love
               ,
               founded
               on
               a
               likeness
               of
               dispositions
               and
               actions
               ,
               on
               obedience
               to
               those
               Laws
               ,
               which
               are
               but
               a
               Copy
               of
               the
               
                 Original
                 Holiness
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               
                 life
                 of
                 Christ.
              
               To
               the
               same
               purpose
               Christ
               prays
               for
               his
               Disciples
               ,
               Ioh.
               17.
               21.
               
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 one
                 ,
                 as
                 thou
                 Father
                 art
                 in
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 also
                 may
                 be
                 one
                 in
                 us
                 .
              
               Which
               refers
               to
               their
               agreement
               in
               doctrine
               and
               love
               .
               Thus
               according
               to
               the
               Scripture
               phrase
               love
               makes
               us
               one
               with
               God
               and
               Christ
               ,
               and
               with
               each
               other
               .
            
             
               Fourthly
               ,
               This
               Union
               is
               exprest
               in
               Scripture
               by
               resembling
               the
               Christian
               Church
               to
               
                 Gods
                 Temple
              
               ,
               wherein
               he
               dwells
               ,
               as
               formerly
               he
               did
               in
               the
               Temple
               at
               Ierusalem
               :
               while
               that
               typical
               and
               ceremonial
               Worship
               was
               in
               force
               ,
               God
               was
               pleased
               to
               dwell
               in
               a
               Temple
               made
               with
               hands
               ,
               there
               he
               placed
               the
               Symbols
               of
               his
               Presence
               ,
               from
               thence
               he
               gave
               forth
               his
               Oracles
               ,
               there
               he
               received
               their
               Sacrifices
               and
               Oblations
               ,
               and
               returned
               an
               answer
               to
               their
               prayers
               .
               But
               since
               Christ
               hath
               introduced
               a
               more
               manly
               and
               spiritual
               Worship
               ,
               God
               dwells
               no
               longer
               in
               a
               Temple
               of
               
               wood
               and
               stones
               ,
               by
               such
               visible
               signs
               of
               his
               presence
               ,
               as
               formerly
               he
               did
               ,
               but
               hath
               chosen
               the
               society
               of
               devout
               minds
               and
               pure
               souls
               for
               the
               place
               of
               his
               residence
               and
               abode
               .
               Thus
               in
               the
               1
               Cor.
               3.
               16.
               
               
                 Know
                 you
                 not
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 are
                 the
                 Temple
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 dwelleth
                 in
                 you
                 :
              
               and
               Chap.
               6.
               vers
               .
               19.
               
               
                 Know
                 you
                 not
                 ,
                 that
                 your
                 body
                 is
                 the
                 Temple
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 which
                 ye
                 have
                 of
                 God
                 :
              
               and
               2
               Cor.
               6.
               16.
               
               
                 Ye
                 are
                 the
                 Temple
                 of
                 the
                 living
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 hath
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 dwell
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 walk
                 in
                 (
                 or
                 among
                 )
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 be
                 their
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 my
                 people
                 .
              
               To
               the
               same
               purpose
               we
               find
               in
               Rev.
               21.
               3.
               that
               after
               the
               description
               of
               the
               
                 Holy
                 City
              
               ,
               the
               
                 New
                 Ierusalem
                 coming
                 down
                 from
                 God
                 out
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
              
               which
               signifies
               the
               state
               of
               the
               
                 Christian
                 Church
              
               ,
               there
               was
               heard
               a
               great
               voice
               out
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               saying
               ,
               
                 Behold
                 the
                 Tabernacle
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 with
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 dwell
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 his
                 people
                 ,
                 and
                 God
                 himself
                 shall
                 be
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 their
                 God.
              
               Now
               all
               this
               must
               be
               expounded
               in
               allusion
               to
               the
               Temple
               at
               Ierusalem
               :
               that
               as
               the
               Temple
               was
               the
               place
               of
               Gods
               peculiar
               presence
               with
               that
               people
               ,
               
               signifying
               that
               he
               was
               always
               ready
               at
               hand
               to
               assist
               them
               in
               their
               distress
               ,
               to
               supply
               their
               wants
               ,
               to
               defend
               them
               from
               their
               enemies
               ,
               to
               hear
               all
               the
               pious
               prayers
               they
               put
               up
               to
               him
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 their
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 should
                 be
                 his
                 people
              
               ;
               as
               the
               Apostle
               expounds
               it
               ;
               thus
               it
               is
               now
               with
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               they
               are
               the
               only
               society
               of
               men
               ,
               whom
               God
               hath
               a
               peculiar
               regard
               for
               ,
               with
               whom
               he
               is
               always
               present
               ,
               whom
               he
               protects
               and
               defends
               by
               a
               vigilant
               and
               more
               particular
               providence
               ,
               whom
               he
               hath
               chosen
               for
               his
               peculiar
               people
               to
               dwell
               among
               them
               .
            
             
               And
               as
               in
               the
               Temple
               God
               placed
               the
               Mercy-seat
               and
               the
               Cherubims
               as
               Emblems
               of
               his
               Majesty
               and
               Presence
               ,
               for
               which
               reason
               he
               is
               so
               often
               said
               
                 to
                 dwell
                 betwixt
                 the
                 Cherubims
              
               :
               so
               he
               hath
               now
               bestowed
               his
               
                 holy
                 Spirit
              
               on
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               surer
               pledge
               of
               his
               dwelling
               among
               them
               ,
               than
               those
               Types
               and
               Shadows
               were
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
               speaks
               ,
               
                 Know
                 ye
                 not
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 are
                 the
                 Temple
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 dwelleth
                 in
                 you
                 ,
              
               or
               among
               you
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               this
               is
               a
               sufficient
               evidence
               ,
               that
               ye
               are
               the
               
                 Temple
                 of
              
               
               God
               ,
               in
               that
               God
               hath
               given
               his
               Spirit
               to
               dwell
               with
               you
               :
               which
               primarily
               refers
               to
               those
               extraordinary
               gifts
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               which
               God
               in
               that
               Age
               bestowed
               on
               the
               Christian
               Church
               :
               this
               was
               the
               true
               Shecinah
               or
               
                 divine
                 glory
              
               resting
               on
               them
               :
               for
               which
               reason
               he
               is
               called
               the
               
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Glory
              
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               4.
               14
               
               
                 The
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Glory
                 and
                 of
                 God
                 resteth
                 on
                 you
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               Spirit
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               visible
               manifestation
               of
               his
               glory
               in
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               of
               which
               that
               visible
               glory
               ,
               which
               sometimes
               filled
               the
               Jewish
               Tabernacle
               ,
               was
               an
               Emblem
               .
               Hence
               S.
               Paul
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 new
                 Covevant
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 ministration
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
              
               (
               which
               was
               confirmed
               by
               such
               miraculous
               and
               plentiful
               effusions
               of
               the
               holy
               Spirit
               )
               
                 did
                 far
                 exceed
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 written
                 and
                 engraven
                 in
                 stones
                 ,
                 though
                 that
                 was
                 so
                 glorious
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 Israel
                 could
                 not
                 stedfastly
                 behold
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 Moses
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 his
                 countenance
                 ,
              
               2
               Cor.
               3.
               7
               ,
               8.
               for
               this
               was
               a
               glorious
               manifestation
               of
               a
               divine
               Presence
               with
               the
               Church
               ,
               that
               God
               did
               indeed
               dwell
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               walk
               among
               them
               :
               and
               though
               these
               extraordinary
               
               gifts
               are
               now
               ceased
               ,
               yet
               the
               vertue
               and
               glory
               of
               them
               still
               remains
               ,
               they
               are
               a
               lasting
               demonstration
               of
               Gods
               peculiar
               presence
               with
               his
               Church
               in
               all
               Ages
               ,
               as
               they
               are
               of
               the
               truth
               of
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               :
               for
               the
               Christian
               Church
               in
               all
               Ages
               since
               Christ
               and
               his
               Apostles
               is
               but
               one
               ,
               and
               therefore
               still
               inherits
               the
               glory
               as
               well
               as
               the
               Religion
               of
               former
               Ages
               .
               In
               allusion
               to
               this
               the
               
                 Christian
                 Church
              
               is
               called
               
                 Gods
                 Building
              
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               3.
               9.
               and
               Eph.
               2.
               20
               ,
               21
               ,
               22.
               
                 and
                 are
                 built
                 upon
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 the
                 Apostles
                 and
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 himself
                 being
                 the
                 chief
                 corner
                 stone
                 ,
                 in
                 whom
                 all
                 the
                 building
                 fitly
                 framed
                 together
                 ,
                 groweth
                 into
                 an
                 holy
                 Temple
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 in
                 whom
                 ye
                 are
                 also
                 built
                 together
                 for
                 an
                 habitation
                 of
                 God
                 through
                 the
                 Spirit
                 :
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               a
               
                 Spiritual
                 Temple
              
               in
               opposition
               to
               the
               
                 material
                 Temple
              
               at
               Ierusalem
               ,
               which
               S.
               Peter
               calls
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               a
               
                 spiritual
                 House
              
               or
               Temple
               ,
               1
               Pet.
               2.
               5.
               all
               which
               refers
               to
               this
               notion
               ,
               that
               the
               
                 Christian
                 Church
              
               is
               
                 Gods
                 Temple
              
               wherein
               he
               dwells
               .
            
             
               Now
               though
               all
               this
               do
               most
               properly
               belong
               to
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               as
               a
               spiritual
               Society
               ;
               that
               they
               are
               
               the
               Temple
               of
               the
               living
               God
               :
               yet
               it
               is
               accommodated
               in
               Scripture
               to
               particular
               Christians
               :
               and
               Philo
               also
               alludes
               to
               it
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 that
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 a
                 wise
                 and
                 good
                 man
                 is
                 in
                 truth
                 and
                 reality
                 the
                 Palace
                 and
                 Temple
                 of
                 God
                 :
              
               every
               devout
               Soul
               is
               Gods
               Temple
               wherein
               he
               dwells
               :
               an
               enlightned
               mind
               ,
               which
               is
               stored
               with
               all
               the
               treasures
               of
               divine
               wisdom
               and
               knowledge
               ,
               is
               his
               Debir
               or
               Oracle
               :
               a
               pure
               heart
               is
               his
               Altar
               ,
               and
               devout
               prayers
               are
               spiritual
               incense
               and
               sweet
               perfumes
               :
               the
               body
               it self
               is
               a
               consecrated
               place
               ,
               and
               is
               also
               called
               the
               Temple
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               must
               therefore
               be
               preserved
               pure
               and
               undefiled
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               6.
               19.
               nay
               our
               bodies
               are
               Sacrifices
               too
               ,
               which
               we
               must
               offer
               up
               to
               God
               by
               devoting
               them
               to
               his
               service
               ,
               Rom.
               12.
               1.
               for
               the
               Scripture
               loves
               to
               allude
               to
               the
               Temple
               ,
               and
               Aliar
               ,
               and
               Sacrifices
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               which
               in
               a
               moral
               sense
               may
               very
               well
               be
               accommodated
               to
               the
               Christian
               Worship
               and
               Service
               ,
               as
               in
               their
               Typical
               signification
               they
               prefigured
               Christ
               ,
               whose
               Body
               was
               the
               
                 true
                 Temple
              
               ,
               where
               the
               
                 Divine
                 Glory
              
               dwelt
               ,
               who
               was
               both
               Priest
               and
               Sacrifice
               ,
               and
               by
               his
               death
               
               put
               an
               end
               to
               that
               Typical
               Dispensation
               ;
               only
               we
               may
               observe
               ,
               that
               when
               the
               Scripture
               mentions
               Gods
               or
               Christs
               dwelling
               with
               particular
               Christians
               ,
               it
               uses
               a
               more
               familiar
               style
               ,
               and
               seems
               rather
               to
               allude
               to
               a
               
                 private
                 house
              
               ,
               than
               a
               
                 publick
                 Temple
              
               :
               Thus
               in
               Ioh
               14.
               23.
               
               
                 If
                 any
                 man
                 love
                 me
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 keep
                 my
                 words
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Father
                 will
                 love
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 will
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 our
                 abode
                 with
                 him
                 :
              
               and
               Rev.
               3.
               20.
               
               
                 Behold
                 I
                 stand
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 and
                 knock
                 ,
                 if
                 any
                 man
                 hear
                 my
                 voice
                 and
                 open
                 the
                 door
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 come
                 in
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 sup
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 with
                 me
                 .
              
            
             
               This
               is
               all
               I
               can
               find
               in
               Scripture
               concerning
               the
               Union
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               Christians
               ,
               and
               that
               this
               is
               the
               true
               account
               of
               it
               (
               besides
               what
               hath
               been
               already
               urged
               )
               will
               evidently
               appear
               from
               those
               Institutions
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               which
               are
               the
               Instruments
               and
               Symbols
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               him
               ,
               which
               we
               commonly
               call
               
                 Sacraments
                 ,
                 Baptism
                 and
                 the
                 Lords
                 Supper
                 :
              
               which
               represent
               and
               signifie
               both
               our
               external
               and
               real
               Union
               with
               him
               .
            
             
               First
               our
               external
               Union
               :
               Thus
               Baptism
               is
               a
               publick
               profession
               of
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               ,
               that
               we
               believe
               the
               
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               ,
               owne
               his
               Authority
               ,
               and
               submit
               to
               his
               Government
               :
               We
               are
               baptized
               
                 in
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               we
               publickly
               owne
               him
               for
               our
               Instructor
               and
               Governour
               ,
               to
               believe
               whatever
               he
               hath
               taught
               ,
               and
               to
               do
               whatever
               he
               hath
               commanded
               .
               And
               the
               Lords
               Supper
               is
               a
               foederal
               Rite
               which
               answers
               to
               the
               Feasts
               on
               Sacrifices
               under
               the
               Law
               ,
               whereby
               we
               renew
               our
               Covenant
               with
               our
               Lord
               ,
               and
               vow
               obedience
               and
               subjection
               to
               him
               :
               hence
               these
               Institutions
               were
               by
               the
               Ancients
               called
               Sacraments
               ,
               in
               allusion
               to
               that
               Oath
               which
               Souldiers
               took
               to
               be
               true
               and
               faithful
               to
               their
               Prince
               ,
               when
               they
               were
               listed
               into
               his
               Army
               ,
               which
               was
               called
               
                 Sacramentum
                 Militiae
              
               or
               the
               
                 Military
                 Oath
              
               ;
               of
               this
               nature
               are
               Baptism
               and
               the
               
                 Lords
                 Supper
              
               ,
               a
               Vow
               and
               Covenant
               to
               be
               subject
               to
               Christ
               as
               our
               Head
               and
               Husband
               ,
               wherein
               our
               external
               and
               visible
               Union
               consists
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               They
               signifie
               also
               our
               real
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               thus
               Baptism
               signifies
               our
               profession
               of
               becoming
               new
               men
               ,
               our
               profession
               of
               conformity
               to
               Christ
               in
               his
               Death
               and
               Resurrection
               ,
               
                 We
                 are
                 buried
                 with
                 Christ
                 by
              
               
               
                 Baptism
                 into
                 death
                 ,
                 that
                 like
                 as
                 Christ
                 was
                 raised
                 from
                 the
                 dead
                 by
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 even
                 so
                 we
                 also
                 should
                 walk
                 in
                 newness
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 Rom.
              
               6.
               4.
               that
               is
               Baptism
               ,
               or
               our
               immersion
               under
               water
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               ancient
               Rite
               of
               administring
               it
               ,
               is
               a
               figure
               of
               our
               burial
               with
               Christ
               ,
               and
               of
               our
               conformity
               to
               his
               death
               ,
               and
               so
               signifies
               our
               dying
               to
               sin
               ,
               and
               walking
               in
               newness
               of
               life
               :
               for
               the
               death
               of
               Christ
               must
               be
               considered
               ,
               not
               barely
               as
               a
               natural
               death
               ,
               a
               separation
               of
               soul
               and
               body
               ,
               but
               as
               a
               Sacrifice
               for
               sin
               to
               destroy
               the
               power
               and
               dominion
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               so
               our
               dying
               to
               sin
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               ceasing
               from
               the
               practice
               of
               it
               )
               is
               the
               truest
               conformity
               to
               the
               death
               of
               Christ
               ;
               and
               we
               must
               consider
               his
               Resurrection
               ,
               not
               only
               as
               his
               returning
               to
               life
               again
               ,
               but
               as
               his
               living
               to
               God
               ,
               his
               advancement
               into
               his
               spiritual
               Kingdom
               ,
               the
               design
               of
               which
               is
               to
               promote
               the
               interest
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               a
               divine
               life
               ,
               and
               so
               our
               walking
               in
               newness
               of
               life
               (
               a
               vertuous
               and
               religious
               life
               )
               is
               our
               conformity
               to
               his
               Resurrection
               ,
               makes
               us
               the
               true
               Subjects
               of
               his
               spiritual
               Kingdom
               ;
               which
               the
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               ,
               gives
               us
               an
               abundant
               assurance
               of
               a
               glorious
               resurrection
               ,
               
               that
               we
               shall
               in
               a
               proper
               sense
               rise
               with
               him
               ;
               because
               this
               new
               life
               ,
               wherein
               our
               spiritual
               Conformity
               to
               the
               resurrection
               of
               Christ
               consists
               ,
               is
               an
               immortal
               principle
               of
               life
               ,
               which
               can
               no
               more
               die
               ,
               than
               Christ
               can
               die
               again
               ,
               now
               he
               is
               risen
               from
               the
               dead
               .
               Thus
               Baptism
               is
               called
               
                 putting
                 on
                 Christ
                 ,
                 Gal.
              
               3.
               27.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 is
                 baptized
                 into
                 Christ
                 hath
                 put
                 on
                 Christ
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               hath
               engaged
               himself
               to
               be
               conformed
               to
               his
               image
               and
               likeness
               ,
               to
               adorn
               his
               mind
               with
               all
               those
               vertues
               and
               Graces
               ,
               which
               appeared
               in
               our
               Saviours
               life
               :
            
             
               Thus
               the
               Lords
               Supper
               is
               a
               spiritual
               feeding
               on
               Christ
               ,
               
                 eating
                 his
                 flesh
                 and
                 drinking
                 his
                 blood
                 ,
              
               which
               signifies
               the
               most
               intimate
               Union
               with
               him
               ,
               that
               
                 we
                 are
                 flesh
                 of
                 his
                 flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 bone
                 of
                 his
                 bone
                 :
                 Eph.
              
               5.
               30.
               
               That
               as
               we
               are
               redeemed
               by
               his
               Death
               and
               sufferings
               ,
               are
               the
               purchase
               of
               his
               blood
               ,
               and
               so
               as
               it
               were
               taken
               out
               of
               his
               Crucifyed
               body
               ,
               as
               the
               Woman
               was
               taken
               out
               of
               the
               Man
               ;
               so
               by
               this
               spiritual
               feeding
               on
               Christ
               we
               are
               transformed
               into
               the
               same
               nature
               with
               him
               as
               much
               as
               if
               we
               were
               of
               his
               flesh
               and
               bones
               .
               This
               is
               a
               Sacrament
               ,
               wherein
               we
               celebrate
               the
               love
               of
               our
               dying
               Lord
               ,
               and
               express
               
               our
               most
               passionate
               love
               and
               devotion
               to
               him
               ;
               The
               memory
               of
               what
               he
               hath
               done
               and
               suffer'd
               for
               us
               ,
               excites
               a
               just
               hatred
               of
               our
               sins
               ,
               sincere
               purposes
               and
               resolutions
               of
               a
               new
               life
               ,
               
                 to
                 live
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 died
                 for
                 us
              
               ;
               a
               great
               hope
               in
               God
               ,
               who
               hath
               provided
               such
               a
               Sacrifice
               and
               Atonement
               ,
               such
               a
               Mediator
               and
               Advocate
               for
               us
               ;
               and
               a
               stedfast
               expectation
               of
               a
               future
               reward
               .
               This
               is
               eating
               the
               flesh
               and
               drinking
               the
               blood
               of
               Christ
               ,
               when
               these
               visible
               figures
               of
               his
               Death
               and
               Sufferings
               affect
               our
               minds
               with
               such
               a
               strong
               and
               passionate
               sense
               of
               his
               love
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               excite
               in
               us
               such
               a
               firm
               hope
               in
               God
               ,
               as
               transforms
               us
               into
               a
               divine
               Nature
               :
               and
               this
               is
               our
               real
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               as
               you
               heard
               above
               .
            
             
               Now
               I
               take
               it
               for
               granted
               ,
               that
               there
               can
               be
               no
               better
               way
               to
               understand
               the
               nature
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               than
               to
               consider
               the
               nature
               of
               those
               Sacraments
               ,
               which
               were
               designed
               as
               the
               Instruments
               and
               signs
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               him
               ;
               and
               if
               we
               will
               take
               that
               account
               ,
               the
               Scripture
               gives
               of
               them
               ,
               all
               the
               Union
               they
               signifie
               ,
               is
               only
               a
               publick
               and
               visible
               profession
               of
               our
               Faith
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               subjection
               to
               him
               ,
               as
               our
               
               Lord
               and
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               a
               sincere
               conformity
               of
               our
               hearts
               and
               lives
               to
               the
               nature
               and
               life
               of
               Christ.
               
            
             
               Fourthly
               ,
               I
               observe
               further
               ,
               that
               
               fellowship
               and
               Communion
               with
               God
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               Scripture
               notion
               ,
               signifies
               what
               we
               call
               a
               Political
               Union
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               to
               be
               in
               fellowship
               with
               God
               and
               Christ
               signifies
               to
               be
               of
               that
               Society
               ,
               which
               puts
               us
               into
               a
               peculiar
               relation
               to
               God
               ;
               that
               God
               is
               our
               Father
               ,
               and
               we
               his
               Children
               ,
               that
               Christ
               is
               our
               head
               and
               Husband
               ,
               our
               Lord
               and
               Master
               ,
               we
               his
               Disciples
               and
               followers
               ,
               his
               Spouse
               ,
               and
               his
               body
               :
               thus
               in
               Iohn
               1.
               1.
               3.
               
               
                 That
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 seen
                 and
                 heard
                 ,
                 declare
                 we
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 also
                 may
                 have
                 fellowship
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 truly
                 our
                 fellowship
                 is
                 with
                 the
                 Father
                 and
                 with
                 his
                 Son
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 :
              
               where
               I
               observe
               ,
               that
               our
               fellowship
               with
               the
               Father
               and
               Son
               is
               first
               founded
               on
               our
               fellowship
               with
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               that
               is
               on
               our
               profession
               of
               the
               Faith
               of
               Christ
               ,
               obedience
               to
               his
               Laws
               ,
               subjection
               to
               his
               Government
               and
               Discipline
               ,
               which
               he
               now
               visibly
               exerciseth
               by
               the
               Bishops
               and
               Pastors
               of
               the
               Church
               ;
               this
               unites
               us
               into
               one
               Society
               ,
               and
               body
               politick
               :
               and
               now
               by
               
               vertue
               of
               our
               fellowship
               with
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               we
               have
               fellowship
               with
               Christ
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               supreme
               Head
               and
               Governour
               of
               his
               Church
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               plain
               argument
               ,
               that
               all
               the
               Apostle
               means
               by
               fellowship
               with
               God
               and
               Christ
               is
               such
               a
               Political
               Union
               ,
               as
               is
               between
               a
               Prince
               and
               his
               Subjects
               ,
               between
               Superiours
               and
               Inferiours
               in
               the
               same
               Society
               .
               Now
               (
               as
               you
               heard
               before
               )
               if
               this
               profession
               be
               only
               external
               and
               visible
               ,
               without
               the
               conformity
               of
               our
               hearts
               and
               lives
               to
               the
               laws
               of
               Christ
               ,
               it
               gives
               us
               only
               an
               external
               fellowship
               ,
               or
               relation
               to
               God
               and
               Christ
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               such
               men
               only
               appear
               to
               be
               in
               fellowship
               with
               Christ
               ,
               maintaining
               a
               visible
               fellowship
               with
               his
               Church
               ,
               when
               in
               truth
               they
               are
               perfect
               strangers
               to
               him
               ,
               such
               as
               Christ
               will
               not
               owne
               for
               his
               Disciples
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
               adds
               in
               Ver.
               6.
               7.
               
               
                 If
                 we
                 say
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 fellowship
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 walk
                 in
                 darkness
                 ,
                 we
                 lye
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 not
                 the
                 truth
                 ,
                 but
                 if
                 we
                 walk
                 in
                 the
                 light
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 light
                 ,
                 then
                 have
                 we
                 fellowship
                 one
                 with
                 another
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               That
               is
               ,
               we
               abuse
               our selves
               ,
               if
               we
               hope
               ,
               that
               God
               will
               owne
               himself
               our
               Father
               ,
               and
               bestow
               the
               inheritance
               of
               Children
               on
               us
               ,
               while
               we
               
               live
               in
               sin
               ;
               but
               when
               we
               join
               the
               practice
               of
               real
               righteousness
               with
               the
               visible
               profession
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               then
               God
               will
               owne
               us
               for
               his
               Children
               ,
               and
               Christ
               for
               the
               true
               members
               of
               his
               body
               .
               So
               that
               this
               fellowship
               with
               God
               and
               Christ
               is
               such
               a
               state
               and
               condition
               ,
               as
               we
               are
               put
               into
               by
               a
               visible
               profession
               and
               sincere
               practice
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               and
               that
               in
               short
               is
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               united
               to
               God
               as
               his
               Sons
               and
               Children
               ,
               and
               are
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               as
               his
               Disciples
               ,
               and
               members
               of
               his
               body
               ,
               which
               intitles
               us
               to
               the
               Inheritance
               of
               Children
               and
               all
               the
               blessings
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             
               Thus
               in
               the
               1
               Cor.
               1.
               9.
               
               
                 God
                 is
                 faithful
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 ye
                 are
                 called
                 into
                 the
                 fellowship
                 of
                 his
                 Son
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 our
                 Lord
                 :
              
               where
               the
               fellowship
               of
               Christ
               can
               signifie
               no
               more
               than
               the
               fellowship
               of
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               whereof
               Christ
               is
               Lord
               and
               Head
               ,
               and
               therefore
               the
               Apostle
               immediately
               adds
               in
               the
               next
               Verse
               ,
               
                 Now
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 Christ
              
               (
               for
               the
               honour
               and
               reputation
               of
               Christ
               and
               his
               Religion
               )
               
                 that
                 you
                 all
                 speak
                 the
                 same
                 thing
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 be
                 no
                 divisions
                 nor
                 Schisms
                 among
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 you
                 be
                 perfectly
              
               
               
                 joyned
                 together
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 judgment
                 .
              
               Where
               he
               argues
               from
               the
               nature
               of
               their
               Faith
               in
               Christ
               ,
               to
               the
               obligations
               of
               Peace
               and
               Unity
               ,
               which
               plainly
               evinces
               that
               this
               fellowship
               with
               Christ
               is
               that
               relation
               we
               stand
               in
               to
               him
               ,
               as
               Members
               of
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               whereof
               he
               is
               Head.
               
            
             
               And
               that
               the
               true
               notion
               of
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               which
               we
               render
               sometimes
               by
               Fellowship
               ,
               sometimes
               by
               Communion
               ,
               is
               as
               plain
               as
               we
               can
               wish
               ,
               in
               2
               Cor.
               6.
               14.
               where
               the
               Apostle
               disswades
               them
               from
               having
               any
               fellowship
               with
               Heathen
               Idolaters
               ,
               from
               eating
               of
               their
               Sacrifices
               ,
               &c.
               
               
                 Be
                 ye
                 not
                 unequally
                 yoked
                 with
                 unbelievers
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               have
               no
               society
               with
               those
               men
               ,
               whose
               Religion
               is
               so
               contrary
               to
               yours
               ,
               that
               you
               will
               be
               as
               uneasie
               to
               each
               other
               ,
               as
               two
               Heifers
               in
               the
               same
               yoke
               ,
               which
               draw
               different
               ways
               :
               
                 For
                 what
                 fellowship
                 hath
                 righteousness
                 with
                 unrighteousness
                 ?
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               what
               is
               there
               common
               between
               them
               ,
               which
               they
               both
               alike
               partake
               of
               ,
               as
               a
               foundation
               of
               union
               and
               concord
               ?
               
                 What
                 communion
                 hath
                 light
                 with
                 darkness
                 ?
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               which
               signifies
               the
               same
               thing
               ,
               what
               is
               there
               
               common
               to
               them
               both
               ?
               
                 What
                 concord
                 hath
                 Christ
                 with
                 Belial
                 ?
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               what
               consent
               and
               harmony
               of
               mind
               to
               unite
               them
               into
               one
               fellowship
               ?
               
                 What
                 part
                 hath
                 he
                 that
                 believeth
                 with
                 an
                 unbeliever
                 ?
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               which
               seems
               to
               refer
               to
               those
               portions
               of
               Sacrifices
               ,
               which
               were
               distributed
               among
               them
               ,
               as
               a
               Symbol
               of
               their
               Union
               to
               each
               other
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               same
               God.
               How
               can
               a
               Believer
               and
               Unbeliever
               ,
               a
               Christian
               and
               an
               Idolater
               have
               right
               to
               a
               part
               of
               the
               same
               Sacrifice
               ?
               
                 What
                 agreement
                 hath
                 the
                 Temple
                 of
                 God
                 with
                 Idols
                 ?
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               what
               is
               there
               to
               unite
               them
               together
               in
               the
               same
               place
               ;
               to
               reconcile
               the
               Temple
               of
               God
               with
               the
               Worship
               of
               Idols
               ?
               All
               these
               expressions
               decypher
               to
               us
               the
               nature
               and
               foundation
               of
               fellowship
               ;
               the
               nature
               of
               it
               consists
               in
               the
               union
               of
               things
               ,
               which
               in
               rational
               Beings
               consists
               in
               mutual
               relations
               and
               common
               interests
               ,
               and
               the
               foundation
               of
               it
               is
               a
               likeness
               of
               nature
               ,
               and
               consent
               and
               harmony
               of
               wills
               ;
               and
               therefore
               the
               Apostle
               explains
               our
               fellowship
               with
               God
               by
               our
               being
               the
               Temple
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               that
               God
               dwells
               in
               us
               ,
               and
               walks
               in
               us
               ,
               Vers.
               16.
               18.
               
            
             
             
               Now
               because
               the
               Lords
               Supper
               is
               the
               only
               Act
               which
               the
               Scripture
               mentions
               ,
               whereby
               our
               fellowship
               with
               God
               and
               Christ
               in
               this
               World
               is
               exprest
               ,
               hence
               it
               is
               called
               the
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 or
                 the
                 Communion
                 and
                 fellowship
              
               ;
               1
               Cor.
               10.
               16.
               
               
                 The
                 Cup
                 of
                 blessing
                 which
                 we
                 bless
                 ,
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 the
                 Communion
                 of
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ?
                 The
                 Bread
                 which
                 we
                 break
                 ,
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 the
                 Communion
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 of
                 Christ
                 ?
              
               And
               why
               he
               calls
               it
               the
               Communion
               ,
               appears
               from
               the
               following
               verses
               .
               First
               ,
               because
               it
               signifies
               the
               Communion
               and
               fellowship
               of
               Christians
               with
               each
               other
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               all
               Members
               of
               the
               Body
               of
               Christ
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               all
               the
               Children
               of
               the
               same
               Father
               ,
               as
               being
               entertained
               by
               him
               at
               the
               same
               Table
               ,
               vers
               .
               17.
               
            
             
               And
               Secondly
               ,
               It
               is
               a
               Communion
               also
               ,
               as
               it
               signifies
               our
               fellowship
               with
               God.
               Vers.
               18.
               
               
                 Behold
                 Israel
                 after
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 they
                 which
                 eat
                 of
                 the
                 Sacrifice
                 partakers
                 of
                 the
                 Altar
                 ?
              
               The
               meaning
               of
               which
               is
               ,
               that
               the
               Sacrifice
               which
               was
               offered
               upon
               the
               Altar
               ,
               was
               reckoned
               as
               Gods
               meat
               ,
               as
               the
               Temple
               was
               his
               house
               ,
               and
               therefore
               those
               that
               eat
               of
               the
               Sacrifice
               ,
               were
               entertained
               at
               Gods
               Table
               ,
               which
               was
               a
               signification
               
               of
               their
               fellowship
               with
               him
               ,
               that
               he
               was
               their
               God
               ,
               and
               they
               his
               people
               .
               Thus
               the
               Lords
               Supper
               is
               a
               Feast
               upon
               a
               Sacrifice
               ,
               even
               that
               great
               and
               stupendious
               Sacrifice
               of
               the
               Body
               of
               Christ
               ,
               which
               was
               offered
               upon
               the
               Cross
               ;
               and
               therefore
               to
               eat
               the
               consecrated
               Bread
               ,
               and
               drink
               the
               Wine
               ,
               which
               are
               the
               figures
               of
               his
               Body
               and
               Blood
               ,
               is
               to
               eat
               of
               that
               Sacrifice
               ,
               that
               spiritual
               food
               God
               hath
               provided
               for
               us
               .
               Thus
               God
               entertains
               us
               at
               his
               Table
               ,
               as
               his
               own
               Children
               ,
               who
               are
               of
               his
               houshold
               and
               family
               ,
               as
               the
               Members
               of
               Christ
               ,
               who
               have
               a
               right
               to
               all
               the
               blessings
               of
               the
               new
               Covenant
               ,
               which
               was
               sealed
               with
               his
               blood
               .
               This
               is
               the
               true
               Interpretation
               of
               all
               Feasts
               upon
               Sacrifice
               (
               such
               as
               the
               Lords
               Supper
               in
               an
               eminent
               manner
               is
               )
               that
               it
               is
               to
               eat
               of
               Gods
               food
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               entertained
               at
               his
               Table
               ,
               which
               is
               such
               an
               argument
               of
               our
               fellowship
               with
               God
               ,
               as
               eating
               and
               drinking
               together
               is
               among
               men
               ,
               always
               allowing
               for
               that
               infinite
               distance
               which
               is
               between
               God
               and
               us
               .
            
             
               This
               is
               the
               only
               Act
               of
               Religion
               ,
               which
               in
               Scripture
               signifies
               Communion
               and
               Fellowship
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               the
               
               most
               proper
               signification
               of
               our
               fellowship
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               with
               each
               other
               ;
               but
               prayer
               and
               meditation
               ,
               and
               such
               like
               Acts
               of
               Devotion
               ,
               are
               no
               where
               called
               Communion
               with
               God
               ,
               though
               a
               prevailing
               custom
               hath
               in
               our
               days
               almost
               wholly
               appropriated
               that
               name
               to
               them
               ;
               fellowship
               with
               God
               doth
               not
               consist
               in
               transient
               Acts
               ,
               but
               is
               a
               state
               of
               life
               ,
               that
               relation
               we
               stand
               in
               to
               God
               and
               Christ
               ,
               and
               there
               is
               no
               Act
               of
               Religion
               ,
               which
               doth
               properly
               signifie
               this
               fellowship
               with
               God
               but
               only
               eating
               at
               his
               Table
               :
               for
               you
               will
               not
               say
               ,
               that
               a
               poor
               man
               enjoys
               communion
               and
               fellowship
               with
               his
               Prince
               ,
               when
               he
               puts
               up
               a
               Petition
               to
               him
               to
               beg
               his
               charity
               ,
               or
               praiseth
               him
               for
               his
               clemency
               and
               bounty
               :
               to
               pray
               to
               God
               is
               an
               Act
               of
               Homage
               ,
               which
               we
               owe
               him
               ,
               as
               he
               is
               our
               Maker
               and
               Father
               ,
               it
               is
               a
               duty
               which
               results
               from
               our
               relation
               to
               ,
               and
               fellowship
               with
               God
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               not
               in
               its
               own
               nature
               an
               act
               of
               fellowship
               and
               communion
               :
               which
               expression
               I
               purposely
               avoid
               ,
               not
               only
               because
               it
               is
               improper
               ,
               and
               hath
               thrust
               out
               the
               true
               notion
               of
               our
               fellowship
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               not
               only
               the
               notion
               but
               the
               practice
               of
               it
               too
               (
               for
               
               certainly
               did
               men
               understand
               ,
               what
               our
               fellowship
               with
               God
               is
               ,
               they
               would
               not
               so
               much
               neglect
               the
               Lords
               Supper
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               only
               Act
               whereby
               our
               Communion
               is
               exprest
               )
               but
               also
               because
               men
               have
               abused
               it
               to
               great
               irreverence
               and
               familiarity
               with
               God
               in
               their
               addresses
               to
               him
               ,
               while
               they
               fancy
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               now
               acting
               the
               part
               of
               Gods
               Fellows
               ,
               and
               therefore
               may
               talk
               to
               him
               with
               such
               freedom
               ,
               as
               they
               use
               in
               common
               conversation
               .
            
             
               I
               have
               discoursed
               these
               things
               at
               large
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               too
               commonly
               mistaken
               :
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               hath
               been
               represented
               as
               a
               Riddle
               and
               Mystery
               ,
               which
               no
               body
               can
               understand
               ,
               the
               perfect
               knowledge
               of
               which
               must
               be
               reserved
               for
               the
               next
               World
               ,
               or
               the
               coming
               of
               Elias
               ;
               and
               the
               mistakes
               about
               it
               have
               had
               a
               bad
               influence
               upon
               all
               Religion
               ,
               not
               only
               to
               confound
               the
               notions
               ,
               but
               to
               debauch
               the
               practice
               of
               it
               .
               The
               sum
               of
               what
               I
               have
               already
               said
               is
               this
               ;
               that
               those
               Phrases
               and
               Metaphors
               ,
               which
               represent
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               signifie
               our
               visible
               Society
               with
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               and
               our
               sincere
               practice
               of
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               :
               when
               we
               joyn
               in
               Communion
               
               with
               the
               Church
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               live
               in
               a
               regular
               subjection
               to
               our
               spiritual
               Governours
               ,
               and
               a
               mutual
               discharge
               of
               all
               Christian
               offices
               ,
               when
               we
               profess
               to
               believe
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               to
               obey
               the
               Laws
               of
               our
               common
               Saviour
               ,
               then
               we
               are
               visibly
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               as
               Subjects
               to
               their
               Prince
               ,
               and
               Members
               to
               their
               Head
               ;
               and
               when
               this
               profession
               is
               sincere
               and
               hearty
               ,
               when
               we
               really
               are
               what
               we
               pretend
               to
               be
               ,
               then
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               is
               real
               and
               spiritual
               too
               .
               A
               visible
               and
               real
               Union
               to
               Christ
               differ
               as
               a
               visible
               Professor
               and
               sincere
               Christian
               ,
               the
               one
               is
               a
               Christian
               only
               in
               show
               ,
               the
               other
               is
               what
               he
               pretends
               to
               be
               :
               and
               this
               Union
               to
               Christ
               entitles
               us
               to
               his
               peculiar
               care
               and
               providence
               ,
               to
               the
               influences
               of
               his
               Grace
               ,
               to
               the
               power
               of
               his
               Intercession
               ,
               transforms
               us
               into
               his
               nature
               and
               likeness
               ,
               and
               makes
               us
               the
               Temple
               of
               God
               ,
               wherein
               he
               delights
               to
               dwell
               .
               All
               this
               may
               be
               understood
               on
               this
               side
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               without
               sending
               for
               Elias
               to
               unriddle
               it
               ;
               and
               this
               is
               all
               the
               Scripture
               tells
               us
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ.
               
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 II.
              
               Of
               our
               Union
               to
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ.
               
            
             
               I
               Know
               not
               whence
               it
               comes
               to
               pass
               ,
               that
               men
               love
               to
               make
               plain
               things
               obscure
               ,
               and
               like
               nothing
               in
               Religion
               but
               Riddles
               and
               Mysteries
               :
               God
               indeed
               was
               pleased
               to
               institute
               a
               great
               many
               Ceremonies
               (
               and
               many
               of
               them
               of
               very
               obscure
               signification
               )
               in
               the
               Jewish
               Worship
               ,
               to
               awe
               their
               childish
               minds
               into
               a
               greater
               veneration
               of
               his
               Divine
               Majesty
               .
               But
               in
               these
               last
               days
               God
               hath
               sent
               his
               own
               Son
               into
               the
               World
               to
               make
               a
               plain
               ,
               and
               easie
               ,
               and
               perfect
               Revelation
               of
               his
               Will
               ,
               to
               publish
               such
               a
               Religion
               ,
               as
               may
               approve
               it self
               to
               our
               reason
               ,
               and
               captivate
               our
               affections
               by
               its
               natural
               charms
               and
               beauties
               ;
               and
               there
               cannot
               be
               a
               greater
               injury
               to
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               than
               to
               render
               it
               obscure
               and
               unintelligible
               :
               and
               yet
               too
               many
               there
               are
               ,
               who
               despise
               every
               thing
               ,
               which
               they
               understand
               ,
               and
               think
               nothing
               a
               sufficient
               tryal
               of
               their
               Faith
               ,
               
               but
               what
               contradicts
               the
               sense
               and
               reason
               of
               mankind
               .
               I
               might
               give
               you
               too
               many
               instances
               of
               this
               ,
               but
               our
               present
               Argument
               may
               serve
               instead
               of
               many
               .
               There
               is
               nothing
               more
               easie
               to
               be
               understood
               than
               our
               Union
               and
               
                 Communion
                 with
                 Christ
              
               ,
               and
               it
               had
               certainly
               continued
               so
               ,
               had
               not
               some
               men
               undertook
               to
               explain
               it
               ,
               who
               have
               now
               made
               it
               
                 more
                 than
                 mystical
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               an
               
                 unintelligible
                 Union
              
               ;
               though
               indeed
               that
               is
               the
               least
               fault
               ,
               that
               it
               cannot
               be
               understood
               ;
               for
               as
               they
               have
               ordered
               the
               matter
               ,
               it
               is
               made
               to
               serve
               a
               great
               many
               evil
               purposes
               ,
               and
               to
               overthrow
               the
               main
               Designs
               of
               Christianity
               .
               And
               to
               make
               this
               appear
               ,
               I
               shall
               as
               briefly
               and
               plainly
               ,
               as
               the
               matter
               will
               bear
               ,
               represent
               to
               you
               those
               other
               opinions
               concerning
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               which
               are
               now
               in
               great
               vogue
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               do
               very
               unjustly
               challenge
               to
               themselves
               the
               name
               of
               Gospel-Mysteries
               .
            
             
               As
               first
               when
               we
               inquire
               what
               this
               Union
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               Believers
               
               is
               ,
               they
               answer
               
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 mystical
                 Union
                 through
                 the
                 Spirit
                 and
                 Faith.
              
               This
               Mystical
               is
               a
               hard
               word
               ,
               and
               therefore
               to
               explain
               it
               ,
               they
               tell
               
               us
               ,
               
                 that
                 this
                 mystical
                 Union
                 is
                 an
                 Union
                 of
                 Persons
                 ,
                 where
                 yet
                 Persons
                 and
                 Natures
              
               
               
                 are
                 distinct
                 .
                 As
                 there
                 is
                 an
                 Union
                 of
                 three
                 Persons
                 in
                 one
                 Nature
                 in
                 the
                 Trinity
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 two
                 Natures
                 in
                 one
                 Person
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               which
               is
               the
               Hypostatical
               Union
               ,
               so
               the
               
                 mystical
                 Union
                 is
                 an
                 Union
                 of
                 Persons
                 ,
                 where
                 both
                 Persons
                 and
                 Natures
                 are
                 distinct
                 :
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 an
                 Union
                 of
                 Persons
                 ,
                 but
                 no
                 Personal
                 Union
                 .
                 The
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 united
                 to
                 the
                 person
                 of
                 the
                 Believer
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 person
                 of
                 the
                 Believer
                 is
                 united
                 to
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               (
               as
               it
               must
               needs
               be
               where
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               is
               united
               to
               the
               person
               of
               the
               Believer
               )
               
                 which
                 Union
                 is
                 made
                 by
                 Faith
                 ,
                 which
                 receives
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 must
                 unite
                 to
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               (
               I
               doubt
               that
               consequence
               is
               not
               good
               ,
               for
               men
               are
               not
               united
               to
               every
               thing
               they
               receive
               ,
               but
               yet
               what
               follows
               may
               help
               it
               out
               )
               
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 Marriage-Union
                 ,
                 which
                 joyns
                 person
                 to
                 person
                 .
              
               This
               is
               not
               very
               clear
               yet
               ,
               and
               therefore
               as
               a
               fuller
               explication
               of
               it
               ,
               the
               same
               Author
               describes
               it
               thus
               ,
               
                 This
                 mystical
                 Union
              
               
               
                 is
                 that
                 supernatural
                 ,
                 spiritual
                 ,
                 intimous
                 Oneness
                 and
                 Conjunction
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 betwixt
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
                 and
                 the
                 person
              
               
               
                 of
                 Believers
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 bonds
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 and
                 Faith
                 ,
                 upon
                 which
                 there
                 follows
                 mutual
                 and
                 reciprocal
                 Communion
                 with
                 each
                 other
                 .
                 This
                 Oneness
                 and
                 Conjunction
              
               are
               hard
               words
               still
               ,
               and
               therefore
               to
               explain
               them
               ,
               you
               must
               observe
               ,
               
                 that
                 Christ
                 and
                 Saints
                 are
                 united
                 ,
                 how
                 ?
                 why
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 that
                 Oneness
                 and
                 Conjunction
                 that
                 is
                 between
                 them
                 .
              
               This
               now
               is
               as
               plain
               as
               one
               could
               wish
               ,
               
                 they
                 are
                 one
                 by
                 their
                 Oneness
                 .
              
               Union
               is
               Union
               ,
               and
               Christ
               is
               Christ
               ,
               and
               Believers
               are
               Believers
               ,
               and
               Oneness
               is
               Oneness
               ,
               and
               thus
               Christ
               and
               Believers
               are
               united
               by
               their
               Oneness
               .
            
             
               
                 But
                 what
                 are
                 the
                 bonds
                 of
                 this
                 Union
                 ?
              
               (
               though
               it
               had
               been
               convenient
               first
               to
               have
               understood
               the
               Union
               better
               )
               
                 why
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 Spirit
                 and
                 Faith
                 ,
                 the
                 Spirit
                 unites
                 Christ
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 Faith
                 unites
                 us
                 to
                 Christ
                 :
              
               and
               who
               can
               deny
               this
               to
               be
               a
               very
               mystical
               Union
               ?
               But
               besides
               this
               
                 mystical
                 Union
              
               ,
               there
               
               is
               
                 a
                 Legal
                 or
                 Law-Union
                 betwixt
                 Christ
                 and
                 Believers
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 their
                 surety
                 and
                 a
                 moral
                 Union
                 ,
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 which
                 is
                 Love
              
               (
               of
               which
               more
               in
               its
               proper
               place
               )
               
                 and
                 thus
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
                 and
                 the
                 person
                 of
                 Believers
                 are
                 united
                 mystically
                 ,
                 legally
                 ,
                 morally
                 .
              
               The
               design
               of
               
               all
               these
               distinctions
               is
               to
               prove
               the
               Union
               of
               Persons
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               Believers
               ,
               and
               because
               I
               find
               this
               Author
               hath
               bewildred
               himself
               ,
               I
               will
               endeavour
               to
               help
               him
               out
               ;
               for
               it
               is
               a
               very
               plain
               case
               :
               if
               Christ
               and
               believers
               are
               united
               ,
               their
               Persons
               must
               be
               united
               too
               ;
               for
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               is
               Christ
               himself
               ,
               and
               the
               Persons
               of
               believers
               are
               the
               believers
               themselves
               ,
               and
               I
               cannot
               understand
               ,
               how
               they
               can
               be
               united
               without
               their
               Persons
               ,
               that
               is
               without
               themselves
               :
               but
               then
               they
               are
               united
               by
               mutual
               relations
               ,
               as
               the
               Persons
               of
               a
               Prince
               and
               his
               Subjects
               ,
               of
               a
               Husband
               and
               his
               Wife
               are
               united
               ,
               or
               by
               mutual
               affections
               ,
               or
               common
               Interest
               ,
               not
               by
               a
               natural
               adhesion
               of
               Persons
               ;
               but
               because
               I
               find
               it
               doth
               not
               satisfie
               these
               men
               ,
               that
               Christ
               and
               believers
               are
               united
               ,
               unless
               their
               Persons
               be
               united
               too
               ,
               it
               makes
               me
               suspect
               that
               there
               is
               a
               greater
               Mystery
               in
               this
               
                 Union
                 of
                 Persons
              
               ,
               than
               every
               one
               apprehends
               ;
               and
               therefore
               ,
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Let
               us
               inquire
               ,
               what
               they
               mean
               by
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               to
               which
               believers
               must
               be
               united
               .
               And
               here
               they
               have
               out-done
               all
               the
               metaphysical
               subtilties
               of
               Suarez
               ,
               and
               have
               found
               
               out
               a
               Person
               for
               Christ
               distinct
               from
               his
               Godhead
               and
               Manhood
               :
               for
               there
               can
               be
               no
               other
               sense
               made
               of
               what
               Dr.
               
               Owen
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 That
                 by
                 the
                 Graces
                 of
                 his
                 Person
                 ,
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 mean
                 the
                 glorious
                 excellencies
                 of
                 his
                 Deity
                 considered
                 in
                 it self
                 ,
                 abstracting
                 from
                 the
                 office
                 ,
                 which
                 for
                 us
                 as
                 God
                 and
                 Man
                 he
                 undertook
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 outward
                 appearance
                 of
                 his
                 humane
                 nature
                 neither
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 converst
                 here
                 on
                 Earth
                 ,
                 nor
                 yet
                 as
                 now
                 exalted
                 in
                 glory
                 ;
                 But
                 the
                 graces
                 of
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 vested
                 with
                 the
                 office
                 of
                 Mediation
                 ;
                 His
                 spiritual
                 eminency
                 ,
                 comeliness
                 ,
                 beauty
                 ,
                 as
                 appointed
                 and
                 anointed
                 by
                 the
                 Father
                 unto
                 that
                 great
                 work
                 of
                 bringing
                 home
                 all
                 his
                 Elect
                 into
                 his
                 bosom
                 .
              
               Now
               unless
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
                 as
                 Mediator
              
               ,
               be
               distinct
               from
               his
               Person
               ,
               as
               
                 God
                 Man
              
               ,
               all
               this
               is
               idle
               talk
               ;
               for
               what
               
                 Personal
                 Graces
              
               are
               there
               in
               Christ
               as
               Mediator
               ,
               which
               do
               not
               belong
               to
               him
               either
               as
               God
               ,
               or
               Man
               ?
               there
               are
               some
               things
               indeed
               which
               our
               Saviour
               did
               and
               suffer'd
               ,
               which
               he
               was
               not
               obliged
               to
               either
               as
               ,
               God
               ,
               or
               Man
               ,
               but
               as
               Mediator
               ,
               but
               surely
               he
               will
               not
               call
               the
               peculiar
               duties
               and
               actions
               of
               an
               office
               ,
               
                 Personal
                 Graces
              
               .
               His
               
                 Personal
                 Graces
              
               fitted
               him
               for
               the
               discharge
               of
               his
               
                 Mediatory
                 office
              
               ,
               
               but
               whatever
               
                 Personal
                 Graces
              
               are
               in
               Christ
               ,
               belong
               to
               his
               Person
               still
               ,
               are
               seated
               either
               in
               his
               Divine
               or
               Humane
               Nature
               ,
               and
               he
               hath
               no
               
                 Personal
                 Graces
              
               as
               Mediator
               ,
               which
               he
               hath
               not
               either
               as
               God
               or
               Man.
               And
               the
               
                 Doctor
                 himself
              
               ,
               when
               he
               accommodates
               the
               Description
               ,
               the
               Spouse
               gives
               of
               her
               Beloved
               ,
               to
               Christ
               ,
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 That
                 he
                 is
              
               
               
                 white
                 in
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 his
                 Deity
                 ,
                 and
                 ruddy
                 in
                 the
                 preciousness
                 of
                 his
                 humanity
                 ,
                 because
                 white
                 is
                 the
                 complexion
                 of
                 glory
                 ,
                 and
                 ruddy
                 is
                 very
                 applicable
                 to
                 his
                 humanity
                 ,
                 because
                 man
                 was
                 called
              
               Adam
               
                 from
                 the
                 red
                 Earth
                 ,
                 whereof
                 he
                 was
                 made
              
               ;
               which
               are
               excellent
               proofs
               ,
               but
               however
               
                 white
                 and
                 ruddy
              
               belong
               to
               his
               divine
               and
               humane
               nature
               ,
               and
               that
               without
               any
               regard
               to
               his
               
                 Mediatory
                 office
              
               ,
               for
               
                 he
                 had
                 been
                 white
                 in
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 his
                 Deity
                 ,
                 and
                 ruddy
                 with
                 the
                 red
                 Earth
                 of
                 his
                 humanity
                 ,
              
               whether
               he
               had
               been
               consider'd
               as
               Mediator
               ,
               or
               not
               .
               And
               in
               his
               first
               digression
               concerning
               the
               
               
                 excellency
                 of
                 Christ
                 Iesus
              
               ,
               to
               invite
               us
               to
               Communion
               with
               him
               in
               a
               Conjugal
               relation
               ,
               he
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 that
                 Christ
                 is
                 exceeding
                 excellent
                 and
                 desireable
                 in
                 his
                 Deity
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 glory
                 thereof
                 ,
                 He
                 is
                 desireable
                 and
                 worthy
                 our
                 acceptation
                 ,
                 as
              
               
               
                 consider'd
                 in
                 his
                 Humanity
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 freedom
                 from
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 fulness
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               Now
               though
               this
               look
               very
               like
               a
               contradiction
               to
               what
               he
               said
               before
               ,
               that
               by
               the
               
                 graces
                 of
                 his
                 Person
              
               ,
               he
               meant
               neither
               the
               
                 excellencies
                 of
                 his
                 divine
                 ,
                 nor
                 humane
                 nature
                 ,
              
               yet
               he
               hath
               a
               salvo
               ,
               which
               will
               deliver
               him
               both
               from
               contradiction
               ,
               and
               from
               sense
               ;
               
                 that
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 consider
                 these
                 excellencies
                 of
                 his
                 Deity
                 or
                 Humanity
                 ,
                 as
                 abstracted
                 from
                 his
                 office
                 of
                 Mediator
                 :
              
               though
               he
               might
               ,
               if
               he
               pleased
               ,
               for
               he
               considers
               those
               excellencies
               ,
               which
               are
               not
               peculiar
               to
               the
               office
               of
               Mediation
               ,
               but
               which
               would
               have
               belong'd
               to
               him
               ,
               as
               God
               and
               Man
               whether
               he
               had
               been
               Mediator
               ,
               or
               not
               :
               but
               what
               becomes
               of
               his
               distinction
               of
               the
               
                 Graces
                 of
                 Christs
                 Person
                 as
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 Graces
                 of
                 his
                 Person
                 as
                 God
                 and
                 Man
                 :
              
               when
               there
               are
               no
               Personal
               Graces
               in
               Christ
               ,
               but
               what
               belong
               to
               his
               Deity
               or
               Humanity
               :
               and
               then
               you
               can
               find
               no
               other
               Person
               to
               be
               the
               subject
               of
               these
               
                 Personal
                 excellencies
              
               ,
               unless
               his
               
                 office
                 of
                 Mediation
              
               must
               go
               for
               a
               
                 distinct
                 Person
              
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               new
               kind
               of
               heresie
               .
               But
               whatever
               becomes
               of
               the
               sense
               of
               the
               distinction
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               very
               deep
               fetch
               in
               it
               ,
               the
               
               observing
               of
               which
               will
               discover
               the
               whole
               Mystery
               of
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               and
               
                 our
                 Union
                 to
                 him
              
               :
               for
               these
               men
               consider
               ,
               that
               Christ
               saves
               us
               ,
               as
               he
               is
               our
               Mediator
               ,
               and
               not
               meerly
               consider'd
               as
               God
               or
               Man
               ,
               and
               they
               imagine
               ,
               that
               we
               receive
               Grace
               and
               Salvation
               from
               Christs
               Person
               ,
               just
               as
               we
               do
               water
               out
               of
               a
               Conduit
               ,
               or
               a
               gift
               and
               largess
               from
               a
               Prince
               ;
               that
               it
               flows
               to
               us
               from
               our
               Union
               to
               his
               Person
               ;
               And
               therefore
               they
               dress
               up
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 the
                 Mediator
              
               with
               all
               those
               personal
               graces
               and
               excellencies
               ,
               which
               may
               make
               him
               a
               fit
               Saviour
               ,
               that
               those
               ,
               who
               are
               thus
               united
               to
               his
               Person
               ,
               (
               of
               which
               more
               in
               the
               next
               Section
               )
               need
               not
               fear
               missing
               of
               Salvation
               :
               Hence
               they
               ransack
               all
               the
               boundless
               perfections
               of
               the
               Deity
               ,
               and
               whatever
               they
               can
               find
               or
               fancy
               ,
               which
               speaks
               any
               comfort
               to
               Sinners
               ,
               this
               is
               presently
               a
               
                 Personal
                 Grace
              
               of
               the
               Mediator
               :
               they
               consider
               all
               the
               glorious
               effects
               of
               his
               Mediation
               ,
               and
               whatever
               great
               things
               are
               spoken
               of
               his
               Gospel
               or
               Religion
               ,
               or
               Intercession
               for
               us
               ,
               these
               serve
               as
               
                 Personal
                 Graces
              
               too
               ;
               that
               all
               our
               hopes
               may
               be
               built
               ,
               not
               on
               the
               
                 Gospel
                 Covenant
              
               ,
               but
               on
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               :
               so
               that
               the
               
               dispute
               now
               lies
               between
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               and
               his
               Gospel
               ;
               which
               must
               be
               the
               foundation
               of
               our
               hope
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               way
               to
               life
               and
               happiness
               .
            
             
               To
               make
               this
               appear
               ,
               I
               shall
               consider
               that
               account
               ,
               which
               Dr.
               Owen
               gives
               us
               ,
               of
               the
               
                 Personal
                 graces
                 and
                 excellencies
              
               
               
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               which
               in
               general
               consist
               in
               three
               things
               .
               
                 First
                 ,
                 His
                 fitness
                 to
                 save
                 from
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 Union
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 proper
                 and
                 necessary
                 effects
                 thereof
                 :
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 His
                 fulness
                 to
                 save
                 from
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 Communion
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 free
                 consequences
                 of
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 Union
                 :
                 and
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 His
                 excellency
                 to
                 endear
                 from
                 his
                 compleat
                 sutableness
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 wants
                 of
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 men
                 .
              
            
             
               First
               ,
               
                 That
                 he
                 is
                 fit
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Saviour
                 from
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 Union
                 ,
              
               and
               if
               you
               would
               understand
               what
               this
               strange
               
                 Grace
                 of
                 Union
              
               is
               ,
               
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 uniting
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 Man
                 in
                 one
                 Person
                 ,
                 which
                 makes
                 him
                 fit
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Saviour
                 to
                 the
                 uttermost
                 :
                 He
                 lays
                 his
                 hands
                 upon
                 God
                 by
                 partaking
                 of
                 his
                 nature
                 .
              
               Zachar.
               13.
               7.
               
                 and
                 he
                 lays
                 his
                 hands
                 on
                 us
                 by
                 partaking
                 of
                 our
                 nature
              
               ;
               Hebr.
               2.
               14.
               16.
               
                 and
                 so
                 becomes
                 a
                 days-man
                 or
                 Umpire
                 between
                 both
                 :
              
               now
               though
               this
               be
               a
               great
               truth
               ,
               that
               the
               Union
               of
               the
               
               Divine
               and
               Humane
               Nature
               in
               Christ
               did
               excellently
               qualifie
               him
               for
               the
               Office
               of
               a
               Mediator
               ,
               yet
               this
               is
               the
               unhappiest
               man
               in
               expressing
               and
               proving
               it
               ,
               that
               I
               have
               met
               with
               :
               for
               what
               an
               untoward
               representation
               is
               this
               of
               Christs
               Mediation
               ,
               that
               he
               came
               to
               make
               peace
               
                 by
                 laying
                 his
                 hands
                 on
                 God
                 and
                 men
                 ,
              
               as
               if
               he
               came
               to
               part
               a
               Fray
               or
               Scuffle
               :
               and
               he
               might
               as
               well
               have
               named
               Gen.
               1.
               1.
               or
               Matth.
               1.
               1.
               or
               any
               other
               place
               of
               Scripture
               for
               the
               proof
               it
               ,
               as
               those
               he
               mentions
               :
               but
               to
               let
               that
               pass
               ,
               in
               his
               Chap.
               3.
               he
               discourses
               this
               more
               at
               large
               ,
               and
               thither
               I
               shall
               follow
               him
               .
               Where
               he
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 how
                 glorious
                 Christ
                 is
                 in
                 his
                 Deity
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 desirable
                 in
                 his
                 Humanity
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 are
                 the
                 glorious
                 effects
                 of
                 the
                 Union
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 and
                 Humane
                 Nature
                 .
              
            
             
               As
               for
               the
               
                 first
                 ,
                 how
                 excellent
                 and
                 desirable
                 Christ
                 is
                 in
                 his
                 Deity
                 .
              
               From
               the
               Deity
               of
               Christ
               he
               observes
               ,
               
                 the
                 endless
                 ,
                 bottomless
                 ,
                 boundless
                 grace
                 and
                 compassion
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 a
                 Creature
                 ,
                 no
                 not
                 of
                 the
                 humane
                 Nature
                 it self
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 serve
                 our
                 turn
                 ;
                 if
                 it
                 could
                 be
                 conceived
                 as
                 separate
                 from
                 the
                 Deity
                 ,
                 surely
                 so
                 many
                 thirsty
                 guilty
                 Souls
                 ,
                 as
                 every
                 day
                 drink
                 deep
                 and
                 large
              
               
               
                 draughts
                 of
                 grace
                 and
                 mercy
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 would
                 (
                 if
                 I
                 may
                 so
                 speak
                 )
                 sink
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 very
                 bottom
                 ,
                 nay
                 it
                 could
                 afford
                 no
                 supply
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 in
                 a
                 moral
                 way
              
               (
               and
               that
               is
               a
               very
               pitiful
               way
               indeed
               )
               
                 But
                 when
                 the
                 Conduit
                 of
                 his
                 Humanity
                 is
                 inseparably
                 united
                 to
                 the
                 infinite
                 inexhaustible
                 Fountain
                 of
                 the
                 Deity
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 look
                 into
                 the
                 depths
                 thereof
                 :
                 If
                 now
                 there
                 be
                 grace
                 enough
                 for
                 sinners
                 in
                 an
                 alsufficient
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 Christ
              
               —
               On
               this
               ground
               it
               is
               ,
               
                 That
                 if
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 should
                 (
                 if
                 I
                 may
                 so
                 say
                 )
                 set
                 themselves
                 to
                 drink
                 free
                 grace
                 ,
                 and
                 mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 pardon
                 ,
                 drawing
                 waters
                 continually
                 from
                 the
                 Wells
                 of
                 Salvation
                 ;
                 if
                 they
                 should
                 set
                 themselves
                 to
                 draw
                 from
                 one
                 single
                 promise
                 ,
                 an
                 Angel
                 standing
                 by
                 ,
                 and
                 crying
                 ,
                 Drink
                 ,
                 O
                 my
                 Friends
                 ,
                 yea
                 drink
                 abundantly
                 ,
                 take
                 as
                 much
                 grace
                 and
                 pardon
                 ,
                 as
                 shall
                 be
                 abundantly
                 sufficient
                 for
                 the
                 World
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 sink
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 the
                 promise
              
               (
               of
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               you
               mean
               )
               
                 one
                 hairs
                 breadth
                 —
                 The
                 infiniteness
                 of
                 Grace
                 with
                 respect
                 to
                 its
                 Spring
                 or
                 Fountain
              
               (
               the
               Deity
               of
               Christ
               )
               
                 will
                 answer
                 all
                 objections
                 —
                 What
                 is
                 our
                 finite
                 guilt
                 before
                 it
              
               (
               a
               World
               of
               sin
               is
               something
               ,
               though
               it
               
               hear
               no
               proportion
               indeed
               to
               infinite
               Grace
               )
               
                 shew
                 me
                 the
                 Sinner
                 that
                 can
                 spread
                 his
                 iniquity
                 to
                 the
                 dimensions
                 (
                 if
                 I
                 may
                 so
                 say
                 )
              
               (
               no
               man
               ever
               had
               more
               need
               ,
               nor
               made
               better
               use
               of
               
                 so
                 says
                 )
                 of
                 this
                 grace
                 :
                 here
                 is
                 mercy
                 enough
                 for
                 the
                 greatest
                 ,
                 the
                 oldest
                 ,
                 the
                 stubbornest
                 transgressor
                 ,
                 &c.
              
               enough
               in
               all
               reason
               this
               ,
               what
               a
               comfort
               is
               it
               to
               sinners
               to
               have
               such
               a
               God
               for
               their
               Saviour
               ,
               whose
               Grace
               is
               boundless
               and
               bottomless
               ,
               and
               
                 exceeds
                 the
                 largest
                 dimensions
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
              
               though
               there
               be
               a
               World
               of
               sin
               in
               them
               ?
               But
               what
               now
               if
               the
               
                 Divine
                 Nature
              
               it self
               have
               not
               such
               an
               
                 endless
                 ,
                 boundless
                 ,
                 bottomless
                 grace
                 and
                 compassion
                 ,
              
               as
               the
               
                 Dr.
                 now
              
               talks
               of
               ?
               For
               at
               other
               times
               ,
               when
               it
               serves
               his
               turn
               better
               ,
               we
               can
               hear
               nothing
               from
               him
               but
               the
               
                 naturalness
                 of
                 Gods
                 vindictive
                 Iustice.
              
               Though
               God
               be
               rich
               in
               mercy
               ,
               he
               never
               told
               us
               yet
               ,
               that
               his
               mercy
               was
               so
               boundless
               and
               bottomless
               :
               he
               hath
               given
               a
               great
               many
               demonstrations
               of
               the
               severity
               of
               his
               anger
               against
               sinners
               ,
               who
               could
               not
               be
               much
               worse
               ,
               than
               the
               
                 greatest
                 ,
                 the
                 oldest
                 ,
                 and
                 stubbornest
                 transgressors
                 .
              
               But
               supposing
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               were
               such
               a
               
                 bottomless
                 Fountain
                 of
                 Grace
              
               ,
               how
               comes
               
               this
               to
               be
               a
               
                 Personal
                 Grace
              
               of
               the
               Mediator
               ;
               For
               a
               Mediator
               ,
               as
               Mediator
               ,
               ought
               not
               to
               be
               considered
               as
               the
               Fountain
               ,
               but
               as
               the
               
                 Minister
                 of
                 Grace
                 :
                 God
                 the
                 Father
              
               certainly
               ought
               to
               come
               in
               
                 for
                 a
                 share
                 at
                 least
              
               in
               being
               the
               
                 Fountain
                 of
                 Grace
              
               ,
               though
               the
               Dr.
               is
               pleased
               to
               take
               no
               notice
               of
               him
               .
               But
               how
               excellent
               is
               the
               Grace
               of
               Christs
               Person
               above
               the
               Grace
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ?
               For
               that
               is
               a
               bounded
               and
               limited
               thing
               ,
               
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 strait
                 gate
                 ,
                 and
                 narrow
                 way
                 that
                 leadeth
                 unto
                 life
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 such
                 boundless
                 mercy
                 ,
                 as
                 all
                 the
                 sins
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 cannot
                 equal
                 its
                 dimensions
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 save
                 the
                 greatest
                 ,
                 the
                 oldest
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 stubbornest
                 transgressors
                 .
              
            
             
               Thus
               
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 an
                 eternal
                 Love
                 ,
                 because
                 his
                 Divine
                 Nature
                 is
                 eternal
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 an
                 unchangeable
                 Love
                 ,
                 because
                 his
                 Divine
                 Nature
                 is
                 unchangeable
                 ;
                 and
                 his
                 love
                 is
                 fruitful
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 being
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 effectual
                 and
                 fruitful
                 in
                 producing
                 all
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 he
                 willeth
                 unto
                 his
                 Beloved
                 :
                 he
                 loves
                 Life
                 ,
                 Grace
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 into
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 loves
                 us
                 into
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 loves
                 us
                 into
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               This
               is
               an
               excellent
               Love
               indeed
               ,
               which
               doth
               all
               for
               us
               ,
               and
               leaves
               nothing
               for
               us
               to
               do
               :
               we
               owe
               this
               discovery
               
               see
               you
               to
               an
               
                 Acquaintance
                 with
                 Christs
                 Person
              
               (
               or
               rather
               with
               his
               
                 Divine
                 Nature
              
               )
               for
               the
               Gospel
               is
               very
               silent
               in
               this
               matter
               .
               All
               that
               the
               Gospel
               tells
               us
               ,
               is
               ,
               that
               Christ
               loved
               sinners
               so
               as
               to
               dye
               for
               them
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               loves
               good
               men
               ,
               who
               believe
               and
               obey
               his
               Gospel
               so
               as
               to
               save
               them
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               continues
               to
               love
               them
               ,
               while
               they
               continue
               to
               be
               good
               ;
               but
               hates
               them
               ,
               when
               they
               return
               to
               their
               old
               vices
               :
               and
               therefore
               I
               see
               ,
               there
               is
               great
               reason
               for
               sinners
               to
               fetch
               their
               comforts
               ,
               not
               from
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               but
               from
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               which
               as
               far
               excels
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               as
               the
               Gospel
               excels
               the
               Law.
               
            
             
               But
               methinks
               this
               is
               a
               very
               odd
               way
               of
               arguing
               from
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               ;
               for
               if
               the
               love
               of
               Christ
               as
               God
               ,
               be
               so
               infinite
               ,
               eternal
               ,
               unchangeable
               ,
               fruitful
               ,
               I
               would
               willingly
               understand
               ,
               how
               sin
               ,
               and
               death
               ,
               and
               misery
               came
               into
               the
               World
               :
               For
               if
               this
               Love
               be
               so
               eternal
               and
               unchangeable
               ,
               &c.
               because
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               is
               so
               ,
               then
               it
               was
               always
               so
               :
               for
               God
               always
               was
               what
               he
               is
               ,
               and
               that
               which
               is
               eternal
               ,
               could
               never
               be
               other
               than
               it
               is
               now
               ;
               and
               why
               could
               not
               this
               eternal
               ,
               and
               unchangeable
               ,
               
               and
               fruitful
               love
               as
               well
               preserve
               us
               from
               falling
               into
               sin
               ,
               and
               misery
               ,
               and
               death
               ,
               
                 as
                 Love
                 ,
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 Holiness
                 into
                 us
              
               ;
               for
               it
               is
               a
               little
               odd
               ,
               first
               
                 to
                 love
                 us
                 into
                 sin
                 and
                 death
                 ,
              
               that
               then
               he
               may
               
                 love
                 us
                 into
                 Life
                 and
                 Holiness
              
               ;
               which
               indeed
               could
               not
               be
               ,
               if
               this
               Love
               of
               God
               were
               always
               so
               unchangeable
               and
               fruitful
               ,
               as
               this
               Author
               perswades
               us
               ,
               it
               is
               now
               :
               for
               if
               this
               Love
               had
               always
               
                 loved
                 Life
                 and
                 Holiness
                 into
                 us
                 ,
              
               I
               cannot
               conceive
               ,
               how
               it
               should
               happen
               ,
               that
               we
               should
               sin
               and
               dye
               .
            
             
               Not
               that
               I
               deny
               ,
               that
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               is
               eternal
               ,
               unchangeable
               ,
               fruitful
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               God
               was
               always
               good
               ,
               and
               always
               continues
               good
               ,
               and
               manifesteth
               his
               love
               and
               goodness
               in
               such
               ways
               as
               are
               suitable
               to
               his
               Nature
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               fruitfulness
               of
               it
               :
               but
               then
               the
               unchangeableness
               of
               Gods
               love
               doth
               not
               consist
               in
               being
               always
               determined
               to
               the
               same
               object
               ,
               but
               in
               that
               he
               always
               loves
               for
               the
               same
               reason
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               he
               always
               loves
               true
               vertue
               and
               goodness
               ,
               where-ever
               he
               sees
               it
               ,
               and
               never
               ceases
               to
               love
               any
               person
               ,
               till
               he
               ceases
               to
               be
               good
               ,
               and
               then
               the
               immutability
               of
               his
               Love
               is
               the
               reason
               ,
               why
               he
               loves
               
               no
               longer
               ;
               for
               should
               he
               love
               a
               wicked
               man
               ,
               the
               reason
               and
               nature
               of
               his
               Love
               would
               change
               :
               And
               the
               fruitfulness
               of
               God's
               Love
               with
               respect
               to
               the
               Methods
               of
               his
               Grace
               and
               Providence
               doth
               not
               consist
               in
               producing
               what
               he
               loves
               by
               an
               omnipotent
               and
               irresistible
               power
               (
               for
               then
               sin
               and
               death
               could
               never
               have
               entred
               into
               the
               World
               )
               but
               he
               governs
               ,
               and
               doth
               good
               to
               his
               Creatures
               in
               such
               ways
               ,
               as
               are
               most
               suitable
               to
               their
               natures
               .
               He
               governs
               reasonable
               Creatures
               by
               Principles
               of
               Reason
               ,
               as
               he
               doth
               the
               material
               World
               by
               the
               necessary
               Laws
               of
               Matter
               ,
               and
               bruit
               Creatures
               by
               the
               Instincts
               and
               Propensities
               of
               Nature
               .
            
             
               From
               hence
               he
               proceeds
               to
               shew
               ,
               
                 how
                 desirable
                 Christ
                 is
                 in
                 his
                 Humanity
                 ,
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 his
                 freedom
                 from
                 all
                 sin
                 ,
                 both
                 Original
                 and
                 Actual
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 fulness
                 of
                 Grace
                 ;
                 that
                 all
                 Grace
                 was
                 in
                 him
                 for
                 the
                 kinds
                 thereof
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 degrees
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 for
                 its
                 perfection
                 .
              
               This
               indeed
               doth
               represent
               him
               as
               a
               very
               excellent
               Person
               ,
               a
               spotless
               Sacrifice
               ,
               and
               a
               great
               Example
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               but
               these
               
                 personal
                 perfections
              
               cannot
               pass
               out
               of
               his
               Person
               to
               become
               ours
               .
            
             
             
               But
               then
               Thirdly
               ,
               you
               must
               consider
               ,
               
                 That
                 all
                 these
                 perfections
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 and
                 Humane
                 Nature
                 are
                 united
                 in
                 one
                 Person
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 made
                 him
                 fit
                 to
                 suffer
                 ,
                 and
                 able
                 to
                 bear
                 whaetever
                 was
                 due
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 which
                 no
                 Creature
                 could
                 do
                 ;
                 for
                 if
                 the
                 weight
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 had
                 been
                 laid
                 upon
                 a
                 meer
                 innocent
                 Creature
                 ,
                 how
                 would
                 they
                 have
                 overwhelmed
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 buried
                 him
                 for
                 ever
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 God
                 ?
              
               No
               doubt
               the
               Sacrifice
               of
               Christ
               ,
               who
               was
               God-Man
               ,
               was
               of
               greater
               value
               ,
               than
               the
               Sacrifice
               of
               any
               meer
               Creature
               could
               be
               ,
               but
               I
               know
               not
               what
               this
               is
               to
               his
               purpose
               ,
               and
               do
               as
               little
               admire
               his
               Philosophy
               .
            
             
               
                 But
                 his
                 being
                 God
                 and
                 Man
                 ,
                 made
                 him
                 an
                 endless
                 ,
                 bottomless
                 Fountain
                 of
                 Grace
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 believe
                 :
              
               This
               he
               was
               as
               God
               ,
               as
               we
               were
               told
               before
               ,
               and
               his
               Grace
               was
               never
               the
               more
               bottomless
               for
               becoming
               Man.
               The
               design
               ,
               you
               see
               ,
               of
               all
               this
               is
               to
               make
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               the
               
                 Fountain
                 of
                 all
                 Grace
              
               ,
               from
               whence
               we
               must
               
                 drink
                 pardon
                 and
                 mercy
              
               as
               long
               as
               we
               need
               any
               ,
               and
               such
               mercy
               too
               ,
               as
               his
               Gospel
               is
               unacquainted
               with
               ;
               he
               hath
               a
               
                 fulness
                 of
                 all
                 Grace
              
               in
               himself
               ,
               and
               from
               thence
               we
               
               must
               receive
               the
               communications
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               And
               this
               brings
               me
               to
               the
               second
               sort
               of
               the
               
                 Personal
                 Graces
                 and
                 Excellencies
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 his
                 fulness
                 to
                 save
                 from
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 Communion
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 free
                 consequences
                 of
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 Union
                 .
              
               As
               for
               this
               
                 Grace
                 of
                 Communion
              
               (
               as
               he
               is
               pleased
               to
               call
               it
               ,
               though
               it
               sounds
               a
               little
               harsh
               to
               be
               a
               
                 Personal
                 Grace
              
               ,
               and
               yet
               communicated
               )
               
                 whereby
                 Christ
                 communicates
                 his
                 fulness
                 to
                 Believers
                 ,
              
               I
               shall
               reserve
               it
               for
               its
               proper
               place
               ,
               and
               shall
               at
               present
               only
               consider
               ,
               what
               this
               
                 Personal
                 fulness
                 in
                 Christ
                 is
              
               ,
               which
               he
               calls
               ,
               
                 all
                 the
                 furniture
                 he
                 received
              
               
               
                 from
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Unction
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 our
                 Salvation
                 :
              
               and
               near
               of
               kin
               to
               this
               is
               his
               third
               
                 Personal
                 Grace
                 ,
                 his
                 Excellency
                 to
                 endear
                 from
                 his
                 compleat
                 suitableness
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 wants
                 of
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 man
                 whatever
              
               (
               this
               sounds
               like
               universal
               Redemption
               )
               
                 that
                 hath
                 any
                 want
                 in
                 reference
                 to
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 Christ
                 will
                 be
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 wanteth
                 ;
                 is
                 he
                 dead
                 ?
                 Christ
                 is
                 life
                 ;
                 is
                 he
                 weak
                 ?
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 wisdom
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 hath
                 he
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 guilt
                 upon
                 him
                 ?
                 Christ
                 is
                 compleat
              
               
               
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 our
                 Righteousness
                 :
                 many
                 poor
                 Creatures
                 are
                 sensible
                 of
                 their
                 wants
                 ,
                 but
                 know
                 not
                 where
                 their
                 remedy
                 lies
                 .
                 Indeed
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 life
                 ,
                 or
                 light
                 ,
                 power
                 ,
                 or
                 joy
                 ,
                 all
                 is
                 wrapt
                 up
                 in
                 him
                 .
              
               Now
               it
               must
               be
               acknowledged
               ,
               that
               the
               Scripture
               doth
               attribute
               a
               Fulness
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               he
               is
               called
               Life
               and
               Righteousness
               ,
               the
               
                 Power
                 and
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 God
              
               :
               So
               that
               there
               is
               no
               dispute
               between
               us
               ,
               whether
               Christ
               have
               
                 all
                 fulness
                 in
                 him
              
               ,
               whether
               he
               be
               
                 our
                 Life
                 and
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               the
               
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Power
                 of
                 God
              
               ;
               but
               the
               dispute
               is
               ,
               in
               what
               sense
               the
               Scripture
               attributes
               all
               this
               to
               Christ.
               They
               say
               ,
               that
               these
               are
               the
               
                 Personal
                 Graces
              
               of
               Christ
               ,
               as
               Mediator
               ,
               which
               are
               
                 inherent
                 in
                 him
              
               ;
               and
               must
               be
               derived
               from
               his
               Person
               ;
               we
               say
               ,
               they
               signifie
               the
               
                 Perfection
                 and
                 Excellency
                 of
                 his
                 Religion
                 ,
                 as
                 being
                 the
                 most
                 compleat
                 and
                 perfect
                 declaration
                 of
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 most
                 powerful
                 Method
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 Wisdom
                 for
                 the
                 reforming
                 the
                 World
                 ;
                 as
                 it
                 prescribes
                 the
                 only
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 acceptable
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 directs
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 only
                 way
                 to
                 Life
                 and
                 Immortality
                 .
              
            
             
               Now
               to
               bring
               this
               controversie
               to
               an
               issue
               ,
               there
               cannot
               be
               a
               more
               effectual
               
               way
               ,
               than
               to
               examine
               those
               places
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               which
               speak
               of
               this
               matter
               ,
               and
               to
               learn
               their
               sense
               of
               it
               :
               for
               if
               men
               be
               allowed
               to
               take
               Scripture
               phrases
               ,
               and
               put
               what
               sense
               they
               please
               on
               them
               ,
               we
               may
               quickly
               have
               as
               many
               different
               Religions
               ,
               as
               there
               are
               different
               fancies
               among
               men
               .
            
             
               To
               begin
               then
               with
               the
               
                 fulness
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ;
               and
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               in
               which
               we
               meet
               with
               it
               ,
               is
               in
               Iohn
               1.
               16.
               
               
                 And
                 of
                 his
                 fulness
                 we
                 all
                 received
                 ,
                 and
                 Grace
                 for
                 Grace
                 .
              
               Now
               what
               is
               meant
               by
               this
               fulness
               ,
               we
               may
               learn
               from
               Verse
               14.
               
               
                 The
                 word
                 was
                 made
                 flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 dwelt
                 among
                 us
                 ,
                 (
                 and
                 we
                 beh●ld
                 his
                 glory
                 ,
                 the
                 glory
                 as
                 of
                 the
                 only
                 begotten
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 )
                 full
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 Truth
                 .
              
               So
               that
               this
               fulness
               ,
               which
               was
               in
               Christ
               ,
               is
               
                 a
                 fullness
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 truth
              
               ;
               and
               if
               we
               consult
               Ver.
               17.
               we
               shall
               find
               that
               this
               
                 Grace
                 and
                 Truth
              
               is
               opposed
               to
               the
               
                 law
                 of
                 Moses
                 :
                 The
                 Law
                 was
                 given
                 by
              
               Moses
               ,
               
                 but
                 Grace
                 and
                 Truth
                 came
                 by
                 Iesus
                 Christ.
              
               So
               that
               
                 Grace
                 and
                 Truth
              
               signifie
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               ,
               and
               is
               expresly
               called
               the
               
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Titus
              
               2.
               11.
               and
               contains
               the
               most
               clear
               and
               perspicuous
               revelation
               of
               the
               Divine
               will
               in
               opposition
               to
               the
               Types
               and
               Shadows
               
               of
               the
               Law
               ;
               is
               Truth
               in
               opposition
               to
               
                 Types
                 and
                 Figures
              
               :
               This
               is
               the
               fullness
               we
               receive
               from
               Christ
               ,
               a
               perfect
               revelation
               of
               the
               Divine
               Will
               concerning
               the
               Salvation
               of
               Mankind
               ,
               which
               contains
               so
               many
               excellent
               promises
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               well
               be
               called
               Grace
               ;
               and
               prescribes
               such
               a
               plain
               and
               simple
               Religion
               ,
               so
               agreeable
               to
               the
               natural
               notions
               of
               good
               and
               evil
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               well
               be
               called
               Truth
               .
            
             
               This
               fulness
               dwelt
               only
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               from
               him
               alone
               we
               receive
               it
               ;
               for
               none
               of
               the
               Prophets
               ,
               who
               were
               before
               him
               ,
               did
               so
               perfectly
               understand
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               as
               he
               did
               :
               
                 No
                 man
                 hath
                 seen
                 God
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 only
                 begotten
                 Son
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 bosom
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 declared
                 him
                 .
                 v.
              
               18.
               
               That
               is
               no
               man
               ever
               before
               had
               so
               perfect
               a
               knowledge
               of
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               (
               which
               is
               here
               called
               seeing
               God
               ,
               because
               sight
               gives
               us
               the
               clearest
               evidence
               ,
               and
               the
               most
               perfect
               and
               particular
               knowledg
               )
               but
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               who
               perfectly
               understood
               all
               his
               most
               secret
               Counsels
               ,
               hath
               perfectly
               declared
               the
               will
               of
               his
               Father
               to
               us
               .
               And
               hence
               that
               fulness
               ,
               which
               we
               receive
               from
               Christ
               ,
               is
               explained
               by
               
                 Grace
                 for
              
               
               
                 Grace
                 :
                 And
                 of
                 his
                 fulness
                 we
                 have
                 received
                 ,
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 viz.
                 Grace
                 for
                 Grace
              
               :
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               where
               the
               repetition
               of
               the
               word
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               with
               a
               preposition
               ,
               signifies
               only
               that
               
                 abundance
                 of
                 Grace
              
               which
               is
               now
               manifested
               by
               the
               
                 Gospel
                 of
                 Christ.
              
               There
               is
               indeed
               some
               difference
               about
               the
               sense
               of
               the
               preposition
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ;
               some
               of
               the
               ancient
               Fathers
               expound
               it
               by
               Vice
               ,
               as
               St.
               
                 Austin
                 ,
                 pro
                 Legis
                 gratiâ
                 ,
                 quae
                 praeteriit
                 ,
                 gratiam
                 Evangelii
                 accepimus
                 permanentem
                 ,
                 &
                 pro
                 umbris
                 &
                 imaginibus
                 veteris
                 Instrumenti
                 ,
                 gratia
                 &
                 veritas
                 ,
                 per
                 Christum
                 facta
                 est
                 ,
                 That
                 instead
                 of
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 the
                 law
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 now
                 past
                 ,
                 we
                 receive
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 constant
                 and
                 permanent
                 ,
                 and
                 instead
                 of
                 the
                 shadows
                 and
                 figures
                 of
                 the
                 Old
                 Testament
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 Grace
                 and
                 Truth
                 by
                 Iesus
                 Christ
              
               ;
               and
               thus
               Nonnas
               in
               his
               Paraphrase
               renders
               it
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               —
               though
               this
               seems
               to
               be
               a
               forc'd
               sense
               ;
               for
               the
               Law
               is
               no
               where
               called
               Grace
               ,
               but
               Grace
               is
               expresly
               opposed
               to
               the
               Law
               in
               the
               next
               Verse
               ,
               but
               however
               this
               you
               see
               ,
               they
               agree
               in
               ,
               that
               by
               the
               
                 fulness
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 truth
              
               ,
               they
               understand
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               that
               perfect
               Declaration
               ,
               which
               Christ
               hath
               made
               of
               Gods
               will
               to
               the
               World.
               
            
             
             
               Now
               though
               every
               man
               in
               his
               wits
               must
               confess
               ,
               that
               this
               fulness
               was
               first
               in
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               (
               as
               these
               men
               love
               to
               speak
               )
               before
               he
               could
               communicate
               it
               to
               us
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               he
               first
               perfectly
               understood
               the
               will
               of
               God
               himself
               ,
               before
               he
               could
               declare
               it
               to
               others
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               not
               this
               
                 Personal
                 fulness
              
               we
               are
               to
               attend
               to
               ,
               but
               the
               
                 fulness
                 and
                 perfection
                 of
                 his
                 Gospel
                 ,
              
               from
               whence
               we
               must
               fetch
               the
               knowledge
               of
               the
               Divine
               Will
               ;
               for
               whatever
               fulness
               be
               in
               him
               ,
               the
               Revelations
               of
               the
               Gospel
               only
               communicate
               this
               fulness
               to
               us
               .
            
             
               To
               the
               same
               purpose
               the
               Apostle
               discourses
               in
               the
               2.
               
               Col.
               9.
               10.
               
               
                 For
                 in
                 him
                 dwelleth
                 all
                 the
                 fulness
                 of
                 the
                 Godhead
                 bodily
                 ,
                 and
                 ye
                 are
                 compleat
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               filled
               )
               
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 Head
                 of
                 all
                 principalities
                 and
                 powers
                 .
              
               For
               the
               understanding
               of
               which
               we
               must
               consider
               ,
               what
               is
               meant
               by
               that
               Phrase
               ,
               
                 That
                 in
                 him
                 dwelt
                 all
                 the
                 fulness
                 of
                 the
                 Godhead
              
               (
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               of
               the
               Deity
               )
               bodily
               ;
               which
               must
               be
               acknowledg'd
               to
               be
               an
               allusive
               and
               Metaphorical
               expression
               ;
               for
               God
               ,
               
                 who
                 is
                 a
                 Spirit
              
               ,
               cannot
               in
               a
               proper
               sense
               dwell
               bodily
               in
               any
               thing
               .
               And
               therefore
               we
               must
               observe
               ,
               that
               
               the
               design
               of
               the
               Apostle
               in
               this
               Chapter
               is
               to
               perswade
               the
               Colosians
               to
               adhere
               to
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               ;
               not
               to
               be
               seduced
               either
               by
               Jews
               ,
               or
               Gnosticks
               ,
               (
               who
               talkt
               very
               much
               in
               their
               canting
               phrase
               of
               the
               pleromata
               )
               to
               corrupt
               the
               Religion
               of
               Christ
               with
               Jewish
               Ceremonies
               ,
               or
               Pagan
               Superstitions
               ,
               Ver.
               16
               ,
               17
               ,
               18
               ,
               19.
               and
               the
               principal
               argument
               he
               urges
               to
               this
               purpose
               ,
               is
               the
               perfection
               of
               the
               Gospel
               Revelation
               ,
               
                 that
                 in
                 Christ
              
               (
               that
               is
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               )
               
                 are
                 hid
                 all
                 the
                 Treasures
                 of
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Knowledge
                 ,
                 Ver.
              
               3.
               
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               That
               is
               ,
               not
               in
               whom
               are
               hid
               (
               as
               our
               translation
               renders
               it
               contrary
               to
               the
               sense
               of
               the
               place
               )
               but
               in
               whom
               are
               all
               the
               hidden
               treasures
               (
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               )
               of
               Wisdom
               and
               Knowledge
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               who
               hath
               now
               revealed
               to
               us
               all
               those
               treasures
               of
               Wisdom
               and
               Knowledge
               ,
               which
               in
               former
               Ages
               were
               hidden
               from
               the
               World
               ,
               upon
               this
               he
               exhorts
               them
               to
               be
               firm
               and
               stedfast
               in
               the
               belief
               of
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               obedience
               to
               it
               ,
               Ver.
               6
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 To
                 beware
                 lest
                 any
                 man
                 spoil
                 them
                 through
                 Philosophy
                 and
                 vain
                 deceit
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 traditions
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 Rudiments
                 of
                 the
              
               
               
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 after
                 Christ.
              
               That
               is
               ,
               lest
               their
               minds
               be
               corrupted
               through
               Philosophical
               Speculations
               ,
               or
               Traditionary
               superstitions
               ,
               (
               in
               worshiping
               Daemons
               and
               Angels
               ,
               &c.
               )
               which
               are
               inconsistent
               with
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               owe
               their
               original
               only
               to
               the
               folly
               and
               superstition
               of
               Mankind
               .
               And
               then
               he
               adds
               ,
               
                 for
                 in
                 him
              
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               in
               Christ
               )
               
                 dwelleth
                 all
                 the
                 fulness
                 of
                 the
                 Godhead
                 bodily
                 :
              
               so
               that
               this
               must
               refer
               to
               that
               compleat
               and
               perfect
               Revelation
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               needs
               not
               be
               supplyed
               by
               the
               Philosophy
               or
               Traditions
               of
               men
               .
               And
               to
               understand
               the
               Reason
               of
               this
               Phrase
               ,
               and
               the
               force
               of
               the
               Apostles
               argument
               ,
               we
               must
               consider
               ,
               that
               this
               is
               an
               allusion
               to
               
                 Gods
                 dwelling
                 in
                 the
                 Temple
              
               at
               Ierusalem
               by
               Types
               and
               figures
               ,
               which
               were
               the
               Symbols
               of
               his
               presence
               :
               for
               the
               Tabernacle
               or
               Temple
               was
               Gods
               House
               wherein
               he
               dwelt
               ,
               and
               the
               mercy
               seat
               ,
               and
               Cherubims
               ,
               &c.
               were
               the
               Emblems
               of
               Gods
               presence
               there
               ,
               and
               this
               Symbolical
               presence
               of
               God
               in
               the
               Temple
               was
               very
               agreeable
               to
               that
               Symbolical
               and
               Ceremonial
               worship
               ,
               which
               he
               then
               instituted
               and
               commanded
               :
               He
               dwelt
               among
               them
               by
               Types
               and
               figures
               ,
               and
               
               fore
               instituted
               a
               Typical
               and
               figurative
               Religion
               ;
               and
               this
               was
               an
               imperfect
               and
               obscure
               Declaration
               of
               himself
               to
               the
               World
               :
               But
               now
               God
               hath
               sent
               his
               Son
               to
               Tabernacle
               among
               us
               .
               Iohn
               1.
               14.
               the
               
                 Deity
                 it self
              
               now
               dwells
               in
               the
               
                 Temple
                 of
                 Christs
                 body
              
               ,
               not
               by
               Types
               and
               figures
               ,
               as
               formerly
               he
               dwelt
               in
               the
               Temple
               at
               Ierusalem
               ,
               but
               by
               a
               real
               and
               immediate
               presence
               ,
               and
               Union
               ;
               and
               therefore
               those
               Revelations
               ,
               which
               are
               made
               by
               Christ
               ,
               are
               answerable
               to
               the
               
                 Inhabitation
                 of
                 the
                 Godhead
                 in
                 him
                 ,
              
               contain
               a
               true
               and
               perfect
               Declaration
               of
               Gods
               will
               ,
               in
               opposition
               to
               the
               imperfect
               Rudiments
               and
               obscure
               Types
               and
               figures
               of
               the
               Law.
               So
               that
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               or
               bodily
               ,
               is
               opposed
               to
               
                 figurative
                 and
                 Typical
              
               :
               and
               this
               is
               a
               plain
               demonstration
               of
               the
               perfection
               of
               the
               Gospel
               Revelation
               ,
               that
               the
               fulness
               of
               the
               Deity
               dwelt
               substantially
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               we
               need
               not
               doubt
               ,
               but
               that
               so
               excellent
               a
               Prophet
               as
               he
               was
               ,
               in
               whom
               the
               Deity
               it self
               inhabited
               ,
               hath
               perfectly
               revealed
               Gods
               will
               to
               us
               .
               All
               the
               figures
               of
               the
               Temple
               were
               accomplisht
               in
               
                 Christ's
                 Person
              
               ,
               he
               was
               that
               in
               truth
               and
               reality
               ,
               which
               the
               Temple
               was
               a
               figure
               of
               ,
               God
               
               
                 dwelling
                 among
                 us
              
               ,
               and
               his
               Religion
               answers
               the
               greatness
               of
               his
               Person
               :
               
                 The
                 Godhead
                 dwelt
                 in
                 him
                 bodily
                 ,
              
               not
               by
               Types
               and
               figures
               ,
               and
               his
               Religion
               is
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               too
               ,
               all
               truth
               and
               substance
               ,
               
                 The
                 Law
                 was
                 but
                 a
                 shadow
                 of
                 things
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Body
                 is
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 Ver.
              
               17.
               his
               Religion
               is
               
                 Body
                 ,
                 truth
                 ,
                 and
                 substance
                 .
              
               So
               that
               this
               place
               is
               exactly
               parallel
               ,
               with
               Iohn
               1.
               14.
               
               
                 The
                 word
                 was
                 made
                 flesh
                 and
                 dwelt
                 among
                 us
                 ,
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               Tabernacled
               among
               us
               :
               herein
               the
               figure
               of
               the
               Tabernacle
               was
               fulfilled
               ,
               
                 that
                 God
                 dwelt
                 in
                 our
                 flesh
                 :
              
               and
               the
               Revelations
               he
               made
               of
               God's
               will
               did
               agree
               with
               the
               manner
               of
               his
               appearance
               ;
               were
               
                 full
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 truth
              
               ,
               not
               a
               Typical
               and
               figurative
               ,
               but
               a
               plain
               and
               perfect
               Declaration
               of
               Gods
               will.
               And
               as
               the
               Evangelist
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 That
                 of
                 his
                 fulness
                 we
                 have
                 all
                 received
              
               ;
               that
               we
               are
               perfectly
               instructed
               by
               him
               in
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               so
               our
               Apostle
               adds
               here
               ,
               
                 and
                 ye
                 are
                 compleat
                 in
                 him
                 ,
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               filled
               in
               him
               ;
               you
               need
               no
               other
               Instructor
               but
               Christ
               ,
               who
               hath
               revealed
               as
               much
               of
               Gods
               will
               ,
               as
               is
               necessary
               for
               us
               to
               know
               .
               So
               that
               
                 this
                 fulness
                 of
                 the
                 Godhead
                 dwelling
                 bodily
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               does
               ultimately
               resolve
               
               it self
               into
               the
               perfection
               of
               the
               Gospel-Revelation
               ;
               for
               since
               the
               
                 fulness
                 of
                 the
                 Deity
              
               did
               inhabit
               in
               
                 Christs
                 Person
              
               ,
               we
               need
               not
               question
               ,
               but
               he
               was
               able
               to
               acquaint
               us
               with
               the
               whole
               mind
               and
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               would
               do
               so
               .
               The
               force
               of
               which
               Reason
               our
               Saviour
               himself
               takes
               notice
               of
               Iohn
               3.
               34
               ,
               35.
               
               
                 For
                 he
                 whom
                 God
                 hath
                 sent
                 speaketh
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 God
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               declareth
               his
               whole
               will
               to
               us
               ,
               
                 for
                 God
                 giveth
                 not
                 the
                 Spirit
                 by
                 measure
                 to
                 him
                 :
              
               It
               is
               not
               with
               him
               ,
               as
               it
               was
               with
               meaner
               Prophets
               ,
               who
               had
               only
               some
               particular
               Revelations
               of
               the
               Divine
               will
               ;
               
                 but
                 the
                 fulness
                 of
                 the
                 Godhead
                 dwells
                 in
                 him
                 bodily
                 .
                 The
                 Father
                 loveth
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 given
                 all
                 things
                 into
                 his
                 hands
                 .
              
            
             
               Thus
               the
               
                 fulness
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               you
               see
               ,
               signifies
               the
               excellency
               and
               perfection
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               and
               in
               other
               places
               this
               fulness
               signifies
               the
               Church
               of
               Christ.
               Eph.
               1.
               22
               ,
               23.
               
               
                 And
                 hath
                 put
                 all
                 things
                 under
                 his
                 feet
                 ,
                 and
                 gave
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 head
                 over
                 all
                 things
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 his
                 body
                 ,
                 the
                 fulness
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 filleth
                 all
                 in
                 all
                 :
              
               Where
               the
               Church
               is
               called
               the
               
                 fulness
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               which
               makes
               him
               (
               as
               it
               were
               )
               compleat
               and
               perfect
               ;
               
               for
               he
               cannot
               be
               a
               
                 perfect
                 Head
              
               without
               a
               Body
               ;
               hence
               the
               Church
               is
               called
               Christ.
               1
               Cor.
               12.
               12.
               
               
                 For
                 as
                 the
                 body
                 is
                 one
                 and
                 hath
                 many
                 members
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 members
                 of
                 that
                 one
                 body
                 ,
                 being
                 many
                 are
                 one
                 body
                 ,
                 so
                 also
                 is
                 Christ
                 :
              
               that
               is
               the
               
                 Christian
                 Church
              
               ,
               as
               it
               immediately
               follows
               ;
               
                 for
                 by
                 one
                 spirit
                 are
                 we
                 all
                 baptized
                 into
                 one
                 body
                 ,
                 whether
                 we
                 be
                 Iews
                 ,
                 or
                 Gentiles
                 ,
                 whether
                 we
                 be
                 bond
                 ,
                 or
                 free
              
               ;
               and
               Beza
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               this
               is
               the
               the
               reason
               of
               that
               phrase
               ,
               which
               so
               frequently
               occurs
               in
               the
               New
               Testament
               ,
               of
               
                 being
                 in
                 Christ
              
               ,
               that
               is
               being
               members
               of
               the
               
                 Christian
                 Church
              
               .
            
             
               Now
               the
               Church
               is
               called
               the
               
                 Fulness
                 of
                 Christ
              
               with
               respect
               to
               its
               extent
               and
               universality
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               not
               confined
               to
               any
               particular
               Nation
               ,
               as
               the
               Jewish
               Church
               was
               ,
               but
               takes
               in
               
                 Iews
                 and
                 Gentiles
                 ,
                 Bond
                 and
                 Free
                 :
              
               for
               this
               I
               take
               to
               be
               the
               meaning
               of
               Col.
               1.
               19.
               
               
                 For
                 it
                 pleased
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 him
                 should
                 all
                 fulness
                 dwell
                 ,
              
               which
               words
               are
               commonly
               expounded
               to
               the
               same
               sense
               with
               Col.
               2.
               9.
               
               
                 For
                 in
                 him
                 dwelleth
                 all
                 the
                 fulness
                 of
                 the
                 Godhead
                 bodily
              
               ;
               but
               if
               we
               consult
               the
               Context
               ,
               we
               shall
               see
               reason
               for
               a
               different
               sense
               ,
               and
               Beza
               observes
               ,
               that
               some
               Expositors
               by
               
                 his
                 fulness
              
               in
               this
               place
               
               understand
               the
               Church
               :
               for
               Vers.
               18.
               the
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               
                 He
                 is
                 the
                 head
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 ,
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 beginning
                 ,
                 the
                 first-born
                 from
                 the
                 dead
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 he
                 might
                 have
                 the
                 preheminence
                 :
                 for
                 it
                 pleased
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 him
                 should
                 all
                 fulness
                 dwell
                 :
              
               where
               fulness
               must
               be
               expounded
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               that
               it
               pleased
               God
               to
               unite
               his
               Church
               into
               Christ
               ;
               for
               the
               Apostle
               assigns
               this
               as
               the
               reason
               of
               Christs
               being
               the
               
                 Head
                 of
                 the
                 Church
              
               .
               And
               if
               you
               would
               know
               ,
               why
               the
               Church
               is
               called
               Fulness
               ,
               and
               
                 all
                 fulness
                 said
                 to
                 dwell
                 in
                 Christ
                 :
              
               the
               reason
               follows
               in
               20
               ,
               21.
               
               
                 And
                 having
                 made
                 peace
                 through
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 his
                 Cross
                 to
                 reconcile
                 all
                 things
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 whether
                 they
                 be
                 things
                 in
                 Earth
                 ,
                 or
                 things
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
                 And
                 you
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 sometime
                 alienated
                 ,
                 and
                 enemies
                 in
                 your
                 minds
                 by
                 wicked
                 works
                 ,
                 yet
                 now
                 hath
                 he
                 reconciled
                 .
              
               This
               is
               that
               
                 fulness
                 that
                 dwells
                 in
                 Christ
              
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               made
               the
               Head
               of
               the
               Universal
               Church
               both
               in
               Heaven
               and
               Earth
               ,
               that
               Jews
               and
               Gentiles
               are
               now
               united
               in
               
                 one
                 Body
              
               ;
               that
               whereas
               in
               former
               Ages
               ,
               the
               
                 Church
                 of
                 God
              
               seemed
               to
               be
               confined
               to
               the
               
                 Iewish
                 Nation
              
               ,
               now
               it
               pleased
               the
               Father
               ,
               that
               Christ
               should
               
               be
               the
               
                 Universal
                 Shepherd
                 and
                 Bishop
                 of
                 Souls
                 ,
              
               by
               him
               to
               reconcile
               all
               things
               to
               himself
               :
               and
               this
               too
               is
               the
               meaning
               of
               that
               Phrase
               ,
               
                 The
                 fulness
                 of
              
               him
               ,
               
                 who
                 filleth
                 all
                 in
                 all
              
               :
               therefore
               the
               Church
               is
               called
               his
               Fulness
               ,
               because
               
                 he
                 filleth
                 all
                 in
                 all
              
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               doth
               not
               confine
               his
               care
               and
               providence
               ,
               and
               the
               influences
               of
               his
               Grace
               to
               
                 any
                 one
              
               Nation
               or
               People
               ,
               but
               extends
               it
               to
               the
               
                 whole
                 World.
              
               
            
             
               Thus
               the
               
                 fulness
                 of
                 Christ
              
               signifies
               in
               Eph.
               4.
               13.
               
               
                 Till
                 we
                 all
                 come
                 in
                 the
                 Unity
                 of
                 the
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 a
                 perfect
                 man
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 measure
                 of
                 the
                 stature
                 of
                 the
                 fulness
                 of
                 Christ
                 :
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               explication
               of
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 to
                 a
                 perfect
                 man.
              
               That
               is
               ,
               to
               that
               perfection
               of
               faith
               and
               knowledge
               ,
               which
               becomes
               the
               
                 Christian
                 Church
              
               .
               For
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               signifying
               the
               age
               ,
               and
               growth
               ,
               and
               stature
               of
               a
               man
               ,
               the
               fulness
               of
               Christ
               cannot
               so
               properly
               be
               understood
               of
               any
               thing
               as
               of
               the
               Christian
               Church
               .
            
             
               This
               is
               all
               that
               I
               can
               find
               in
               Scripture
               concerning
               the
               
                 fulness
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               which
               either
               signifies
               the
               perfection
               of
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               or
               the
               Universality
               of
               his
               
               Church
               :
               which
               is
               a
               plain
               demonstration
               of
               those
               mens
               skill
               in
               expounding
               Scripture
               ,
               who
               make
               this
               fulness
               a
               
                 Personal
                 Grace
              
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               apply
               it
               to
               every
               thing
               they
               can
               find
               ,
               or
               fancy
               ,
               in
               him
               :
               
                 All
                 the
                 furniture
                 that
                 he
                 received
                 from
                 the
                 Father
                 by
                 the
                 Unction
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 our
                 Salvation
                 :
                 The
                 fulness
                 of
                 his
                 Divine
                 and
                 Humane
                 Nature
                 ,
                 the
                 fulness
                 of
                 Love
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 fulness
                 of
                 habitual
                 Grace
                 ,
                 fulness
                 of
                 Satisfaction
                 ,
                 fulness
                 of
                 Merit
                 ,
                 fulness
                 of
                 Power
                 and
                 Vertue
                 ,
                 a
                 fulness
                 of
                 Iustification
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 fulness
                 of
                 Sanctification
                 :
              
               which
               fulness
               ,
               I
               am
               sure
               ,
               hath
               confounded
               mens
               notions
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               made
               them
               look
               upon
               Christ
               only
               as
               a
               Fountain
               ,
               from
               whence
               they
               must
               drink
               grace
               ,
               and
               mercy
               ,
               and
               pardon
               ,
               justification
               ,
               and
               eternal
               life
               .
            
             
               Let
               us
               now
               consider
               in
               what
               sense
               Christ
               is
               called
               
                 our
                 life
              
               :
               and
               he
               is
               so
               called
               with
               respect
               to
               his
               Doctrine
               ,
               his
               Sacrifice
               ,
               and
               that
               Power
               he
               is
               invested
               with
               to
               raise
               us
               from
               the
               dead
               .
               He
               is
               called
               Life
               with
               respect
               to
               his
               Doctrine
               ,
               because
               he
               preached
               the
               
                 Word
                 of
                 Life
              
               ,
               and
               
                 hath
                 brought
                 Life
                 and
                 Immortality
                 to
                 light
                 by
                 the
                 Gospel
                 :
              
               hence
               in
               Ioh.
               1.
               4.
               the
               Evangelist
               tells
               us
               ,
               
               
                 In
                 him
                 was
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 life
                 was
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 men
                 :
              
               That
               is
               ,
               he
               preached
               the
               Word
               of
               Life
               ,
               which
               enlightned
               the
               dark
               minds
               of
               men
               :
               for
               it
               is
               not
               imaginable
               how
               Life
               should
               be
               light
               in
               any
               other
               sense
               ,
               than
               as
               this
               Word
               of
               Life
               ,
               which
               Christ
               preached
               ,
               enlightned
               their
               minds
               ,
               and
               dispelled
               all
               the
               Mists
               of
               Errour
               and
               Ignorance
               :
               hence
               Christ
               tells
               his
               Disciples
               ,
               
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 the
                 truth
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 life
                 ,
                 no
                 man
                 cometh
                 to
                 the
                 Father
                 but
                 by
                 me
                 ,
                 Ioh.
              
               14.
               6.
               that
               is
               ,
               I
               declare
               the
               true
               and
               only
               way
               to
               life
               and
               happiness
               ,
               and
               no
               man
               can
               throughly
               understand
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               nor
               consequently
               be
               a
               true
               Worshipper
               of
               him
               ,
               without
               learning
               of
               me
               :
               thus
               he
               calls
               himself
               the
               
                 Bread
                 of
                 life
                 :
                 Ioh.
              
               6.
               with
               respect
               to
               the
               Doctrine
               he
               preached
               ,
               Vers.
               33.
               and
               with
               respect
               to
               that
               Sacrifice
               he
               offered
               for
               the
               life
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               Vers.
               51.
               
               
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 living
                 Bread
                 ,
                 which
                 came
                 down
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 if
                 any
                 man
                 eat
                 of
                 this
                 bread
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 live
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 bread
                 that
                 I
                 will
                 give
                 ,
                 is
                 my
                 flesh
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 will
                 give
                 for
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
            
             
               Thus
               Christ
               is
               called
               
                 our
                 Life
              
               ,
               because
               he
               hath
               power
               and
               authority
               to
               bestow
               
                 immortal
                 life
              
               upon
               all
               his
               sincere
               
               Followers
               ,
               Ioh.
               11.
               26
               ,
               27.
               
               
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 and
                 the
                 Life
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 believeth
                 in
                 me
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 were
                 dead
                 ,
                 yet
                 shall
                 he
                 live
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 liveth
                 and
                 believeth
                 in
                 me
                 shall
                 never
                 dye
                 :
              
               That
               is
               ,
               he
               hath
               power
               to
               raise
               the
               dead
               ,
               and
               will
               actually
               raise
               all
               those
               who
               believe
               in
               him
               ,
               and
               reward
               them
               with
               eternal
               life
               .
               To
               the
               same
               purpose
               our
               Saviour
               speaks
               in
               Ioh.
               5.
               25
               ,
               26.
               
               
                 The
                 hour
                 is
                 coming
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 is
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 dead
                 shall
                 hear
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 that
                 hear
                 shall
                 live
                 ;
                 for
                 as
                 the
                 Father
                 hath
                 life
                 in
                 himself
                 ,
                 so
                 hath
                 he
                 given
                 to
                 the
                 Son
                 to
                 have
                 life
                 in
                 himself
                 :
              
               That
               is
               ,
               he
               first
               raises
               those
               who
               are
               dead
               in
               sin
               ,
               to
               a
               new
               spiritual
               life
               by
               the
               power
               of
               his
               Doctrine
               ,
               &
               then
               hath
               Authority
               to
               raise
               them
               to
               an
               immortal
               life
               .
               This
               is
               the
               meaning
               too
               of
               that
               expression
               in
               Col.
               3.
               3
               ,
               4.
               
               
                 You
                 are
                 dead
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 life
                 is
                 hid
                 with
                 Christ
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 when
                 Christ
                 who
                 is
                 our
                 life
                 shall
                 appear
                 ,
                 then
                 shall
                 ye
                 also
                 appear
                 with
                 him
                 in
                 glory
                 :
              
               That
               is
               ,
               you
               profess
               your selves
               to
               be
               dead
               to
               this
               World
               in
               conformity
               to
               the
               death
               of
               Christ
               ;
               and
               though
               that
               immortal
               life
               ,
               which
               you
               expect
               to
               enjoy
               with
               Christ
               ,
               who
               is
               now
               risen
               again
               from
               the
               dead
               ,
               be
               
               at
               present
               concealed
               from
               your
               view
               ,
               yet
               when
               Christ
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               Author
               of
               eternal
               life
               ,
               and
               hath
               power
               to
               raise
               us
               from
               the
               dead
               ,
               shall
               appear
               the
               second
               time
               to
               judge
               the
               World
               ,
               then
               shall
               ye
               appear
               with
               him
               in
               glory
               .
            
             
               So
               that
               when
               Christ
               is
               called
               
                 our
                 Life
              
               ,
               the
               meaning
               is
               ,
               that
               he
               hath
               published
               the
               Word
               of
               Life
               to
               us
               ,
               which
               contains
               the
               most
               express
               promises
               of
               a
               blessed
               Immortality
               ,
               and
               the
               most
               plain
               and
               easie
               directions
               how
               to
               attain
               it
               :
               and
               that
               by
               his
               death
               he
               hath
               expiated
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               confirmed
               all
               these
               promises
               to
               us
               ;
               and
               being
               risen
               from
               the
               dead
               himself
               ,
               hath
               now
               power
               to
               raise
               us
               .
               We
               must
               not
               dream
               of
               fetching
               life
               from
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               as
               we
               draw
               water
               out
               of
               a
               Fountain
               ;
               but
               if
               we
               would
               live
               for
               ever
               with
               Christ
               ,
               we
               must
               stedfastly
               believe
               and
               obey
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               Principle
               of
               a
               Divine
               life
               in
               us
               ,
               and
               then
               we
               may
               joyfully
               expect
               ,
               that
               when
               our
               Lord
               and
               Saviour
               comes
               again
               to
               judge
               the
               World
               ,
               he
               will
               raise
               us
               from
               the
               dead
               ,
               and
               reward
               our
               Faith
               ,
               and
               Patience
               ,
               and
               Obedience
               with
               
                 Immortal
                 Life
              
               .
            
             
               Thus
               to
               proceed
               ,
               
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 Power
              
               
               
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
              
               which
               these
               men
               call
               
                 Personal
                 Graces
                 too
              
               .
               But
               I
               have
               already
               shewed
               you
               at
               large
               ,
               that
               Christ
               is
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               God
               ,
               with
               respect
               to
               those
               Revelations
               he
               made
               of
               Gods
               will.
               The
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               is
               the
               Wisdom
               and
               Power
               of
               God
               :
               1
               Cor.
               1.
               24.
               
               
                 Christ
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 God
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               a
               crucified
               Christ
               ,
               as
               will
               appear
               from
               the
               verses
               before
               :
               
                 The
                 Iews
                 require
                 a
                 sign
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Greeks
                 seek
                 after
                 wisdom
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 preach
                 Christ
                 crucified
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Iews
                 a
                 stumbling
                 block
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 Greeks
                 foolishness
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 them
                 who
                 are
                 called
                 both
                 Iews
                 and
                 Greeks
                 Christ
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 God.
              
               The
               Jews
               were
               all
               for
               Signs
               and
               Miracles
               ,
               the
               Greeks
               were
               for
               curious
               Philosophical
               Speculations
               ,
               which
               might
               gratifie
               their
               inquisitive
               minds
               ,
               and
               therefore
               neither
               of
               them
               could
               relish
               that
               plain
               simple
               Doctrine
               of
               a
               crucified
               Christ
               ,
               but
               whatever
               these
               men
               thought
               of
               it
               ,
               the
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               this
               Doctrine
               of
               a
               crucified
               Saviour
               is
               
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 God.
              
               That
               is
               the
               most
               powerful
               Method
               which
               was
               ever
               used
               by
               God
               for
               the
               reforming
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               contrivance
               
               and
               effect
               of
               excellent
               Wisdom
               ;
               and
               thus
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               is
               called
               the
               
                 Power
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 Salvation
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 believe
                 :
              
               Rom.
               1.
               16.
               and
               
                 by
                 this
                 foolishness
                 of
                 Preaching
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               by
               preaching
               this
               foolish
               Doctrine
               (
               as
               it
               was
               accounted
               by
               the
               Wise-men
               of
               the
               World
               )
               of
               a
               crucified
               Christ
               ,
               
                 it
                 pleased
                 God
                 to
                 save
                 them
                 that
                 believe
                 .
              
               Christ
               indeed
               being
               now
               exalted
               to
               the
               right
               hand
               of
               the
               Majesty
               on
               High
               ,
               may
               in
               a
               proper
               sense
               be
               called
               the
               Power
               of
               God
               ,
               because
               all
               power
               is
               given
               to
               him
               both
               in
               Heaven
               and
               Earth
               ,
               and
               he
               hath
               the
               supreme
               government
               of
               all
               the
               affairs
               of
               this
               spiritual
               Kingdom
               ;
               and
               this
               is
               a
               Personal
               Power
               inherent
               in
               him
               ,
               which
               all
               good
               men
               shall
               find
               the
               blessed
               effects
               of
               :
               but
               then
               the
               exercise
               of
               this
               Power
               is
               confined
               to
               the
               Rules
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               he
               hath
               power
               to
               save
               those
               who
               believe
               and
               obey
               him
               ,
               and
               he
               hath
               power
               to
               destroy
               his
               enemies
               ,
               to
               accomplish
               all
               the
               promises
               ,
               and
               to
               execute
               all
               the
               threatnings
               of
               his
               Gospel
               :
               So
               that
               this
               Personal
               Power
               in
               Christ
               can
               give
               us
               no
               greater
               encouragement
               than
               the
               Gospel
               doth
               ;
               It
               cannot
               save
               any
               man
               whom
               the
               Gospel
               condemns
               ,
               we
               have
               
               no
               reason
               to
               trust
               to
               his
               Personal
               Power
               ,
               unless
               we
               first
               obey
               his
               Gospel
               :
               for
               how
               omnipotent
               soever
               he
               be
               ,
               his
               Gospel
               is
               the
               measure
               of
               his
               Actings
               ,
               if
               that
               condemns
               us
               ,
               his
               omnipotent
               Power
               will
               not
               save
               us
               .
               But
               the
               chief
               
                 Personal
                 Grace
              
               ,
               which
               these
               men
               most
               vehemently
               contend
               for
               ,
               is
               still
               behind
               ,
               
                 viz.
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
              
               :
               Now
               no
               Christian
               will
               deny
               ,
               that
               Christ
               was
               very
               righteous
               ,
               a
               great
               Example
               of
               universal
               Holiness
               and
               Purity
               ;
               and
               it
               must
               be
               confessed
               ,
               that
               his
               Righteousness
               was
               not
               an
               
                 imaginary
                 imputed
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               but
               
                 Inherent
                 and
                 Personal
              
               ;
               but
               what
               comfort
               is
               this
               to
               us
               ,
               that
               Christ
               was
               Righteous
               ,
               if
               we
               continue
               wilful
               and
               incorrigible
               Sinners
               ?
               Yes
               ,
               says
               the
               Doctor
               ,
               
                 Hast
                 thou
              
               
               
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 guilt
                 upon
                 thee
                 ?
                 Christ
                 is
                 compleat
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 our
                 Righteousness
                 :
              
               This
               makes
               Christ
               suitable
               to
               the
               wants
               of
               a
               Sinner
               indeed
               ,
               that
               he
               hath
               a
               righteousness
               for
               him
               ,
               which
               God
               infinitely
               prefers
               before
               
                 any
                 home-spun
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 .
              
               This
               is
               a
               very
               comfortable
               notion
               for
               bad
               men
               ,
               and
               such
               as
               I
               would
               not
               part
               with
               for
               all
               the
               World
               ,
               did
               I
               resolve
               to
               live
               wickedly
               ,
               and
               yet
               intend
               to
               
               get
               to
               Heaven
               :
               But
               it
               is
               good
               to
               be
               sure
               in
               a
               matter
               of
               such
               importance
               ,
               and
               therefore
               let
               us
               consider
               ,
               in
               what
               sense
               Christ
               is
               called
               
                 our
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               and
               what
               the
               Scripture
               intends
               by
               these
               Phrases
               of
               
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               or
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 Faith.
                 
              
            
             
               To
               begin
               then
               with
               that
               famous
               place
               in
               the
               Old
               Testament
               ,
               Ierem.
               23.
               6.
               where
               Christ
               is
               expresly
               called
               the
               
                 Lord
                 our
                 Righteousness
                 :
                 In
                 his
                 days
              
               Judah
               
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
                 and
              
               Israel
               
                 shall
                 dwell
                 safely
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 is
                 his
                 name
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 called
                 ,
                 The
                 Lord
                 our
                 Righteousness
                 :
              
               a
               very
               express
               place
               to
               prove
               ,
               that
               
                 Christ
                 is
                 our
                 Righteousness
              
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               as
               these
               men
               expound
               it
               ,
               
                 that
                 the
                 only
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 we
                 must
                 appear
                 before
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
                 imputed
                 to
                 us
                 :
              
               but
               is
               there
               no
               other
               possible
               sense
               to
               be
               made
               of
               this
               Phrase
               ?
               Righteousness
               in
               Scripture
               is
               a
               word
               of
               a
               very
               large
               use
               ,
               and
               sometimes
               signifies
               no
               more
               ,
               than
               
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 kindness
              
               ,
               and
               beneficence
               ,
               and
               so
               the
               
                 Lord
                 our
                 righteousness
              
               is
               the
               Lord
               ,
               who
               does
               good
               to
               us
               ,
               who
               is
               our
               Saviour
               and
               deliverer
               :
               which
               is
               very
               agreeable
               to
               the
               Reason
               of
               this
               name
               ,
               
                 that
                 in
              
               
               
                 his
                 days
              
               Judah
               
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
                 and
              
               Israel
               
                 shall
                 dwell
                 safely
              
               :
               And
               righteousness
               signifies
               that
               part
               of
               Justice
               ,
               which
               consists
               in
               relieving
               the
               injured
               and
               opprest
               :
               thus
               David
               speaks
               in
               Psalm
               4.
               1.
               
               
                 Hear
                 me
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 call
                 ,
                 O
                 God
                 of
                 my
                 righteousness
                 :
              
               i.
               e.
               
                 Thou
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 maintainest
                 my
                 right
                 and
                 my
                 cause
                 .
                 Psalm
              
               9.
               4.
               
               Thus
               in
               Isaiah
               54.
               17.
               
               
                 No
                 weapon
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 formed
                 against
                 Thee
                 ,
                 shall
                 prosper
                 ;
                 and
                 every
                 tongue
                 that
                 shall
                 rise
                 up
                 against
                 thee
                 in
                 judgment
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 condemn
                 ;
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 heritage
                 of
                 the
                 Servants
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 righteousness
                 is
                 of
                 me
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               Which
               is
               a
               parallel
               expression
               to
               the
               
                 Lord
                 our
                 righteousness
              
               ,
               and
               signifies
               no
               more
               than
               that
               God
               will
               avenge
               their
               cause
               ,
               and
               deliver
               them
               from
               all
               their
               Enemies
               .
               The
               like
               we
               have
               in
               Isaiah
               45.
               24.
               
               
                 Surely
                 shall
                 one
                 say
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 have
                 I
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 strength
                 ;
                 even
                 to
                 him
                 shall
                 men
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 incensed
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 ashamed
                 ;
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 shall
                 all
                 the
                 Seed
                 of
              
               Israel
               
                 be
                 justified
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 glory
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               Lord
               is
               that
               just
               and
               righteous
               judg
               ;
               who
               will
               justifie
               good
               men
               ,
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               deliver
               them
               from
               the
               violence
               and
               injuries
               of
               their
               Enemies
               :
               He
               is
               
                 their
                 righteousness
              
               
               
                 and
                 strength
              
               ,
               their
               righteous
               ,
               strong
               ,
               and
               powerful
               deliverer
               :
               which
               agrees
               with
               that
               promise
               in
               Verse
               14.
               
               
                 In
                 Righteousness
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 established
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 far
                 from
                 oppression
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 not
                 fear
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 terrour
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 shall
                 not
                 come
                 near
                 thee
                 .
              
               And
               to
               name
               but
               one
               place
               more
               :
               Isaiah
               61.
               10
               ,
               11.
               
               
                 I
                 will
                 greatly
                 rejoice
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 my
                 Soul
                 shall
                 be
                 joyful
                 in
                 my
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 hath
                 cloathed
                 me
                 with
                 the
                 garments
                 of
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 cover'd
                 me
                 with
                 the
                 Robe
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Bridegroom
                 decketh
                 himself
                 with
                 Ornaments
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 a
                 Bride
                 adorneth
                 her self
                 with
                 Iewels
                 :
                 for
                 as
                 the
                 Earth
                 bringeth
                 forth
                 her
                 bud
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Garden
                 causeth
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 sown
                 in
                 it
                 to
                 spring
                 forth
                 ;
                 so
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 cause
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 Praise
                 to
                 spring
                 forth
                 before
                 all
                 Nations
                 .
              
               This
               sounds
               very
               like
               an
               
                 Imputed
                 Righteousness
              
               ;
               for
               what
               can
               be
               meant
               by
               the
               
                 Robe
                 of
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               but
               that
               pure
               and
               spotless
               Robe
               of
               Christs
               Righteousness
               ,
               which
               covers
               all
               our
               sins
               and
               deformities
               ,
               and
               makes
               us
               appear
               as
               beautiful
               and
               lovely
               in
               the
               eyes
               of
               God
               ,
               as
               a
               Bride
               does
               ,
               who
               adorns
               her self
               with
               Jewels
               ?
               This
               is
               the
               effect
               of
               our
               espousal
               with
               Christ
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               cover'd
               ,
               and
               adorn'd
               
               with
               his
               Righteousness
               :
               but
               if
               we
               will
               attend
               to
               the
               circumstances
               of
               the
               place
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               the
               bare
               sound
               of
               words
               ,
               we
               need
               seek
               no
               farther
               for
               the
               confutation
               of
               this
               fancy
               :
               for
               the
               
                 Garment
                 of
                 Salvation
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Robe
                 of
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               signifie
               those
               great
               deliverances
               God
               promised
               to
               Israel
               in
               the
               former
               Verses
               ,
               which
               should
               make
               them
               as
               glorious
               in
               the
               eyes
               of
               men
               ,
               as
               a
               splendid
               garment
               would
               :
               
                 that
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 praise
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 would
                 cause
                 to
                 spring
                 forth
                 before
                 all
                 Nations
                 :
                 even
                 as
                 the
                 Earth
                 bringeth
                 forth
                 her
                 bud
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 the
                 Garden
                 causeth
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 sown
                 in
                 it
                 to
                 spring
                 forth
                 :
              
               That
               is
               ,
               that
               God
               would
               work
               such
               great
               deliverances
               for
               them
               by
               such
               improbable
               means
               ,
               and
               in
               such
               plenty
               and
               abundance
               ,
               as
               if
               they
               sprang
               out
               of
               the
               Earth
               ,
               which
               should
               make
               it
               appear
               to
               all
               Nations
               ,
               
                 That
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 Seed
                 whom
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 blessed
                 :
              
               Vers.
               9.
               
               And
               what
               hath
               this
               to
               do
               with
               the
               
                 Imputation
                 of
                 Christs
                 Personal
                 Righteousness
                 to
                 us
                 ?
              
            
             
               But
               it
               is
               time
               now
               to
               proceed
               to
               the
               
                 New
                 Testament
              
               ;
               for
               indeed
               we
               cannot
               reasonably
               expect
               ,
               that
               so
               great
               a
               
                 Gospel
                 Mystery
              
               ,
               as
               this
               of
               the
               
                 Imputation
                 of
              
               
               
                 Christs
                 Righteousness
              
               is
               ,
               should
               be
               so
               clearly
               discovered
               in
               the
               
                 Old
                 Testament
              
               ,
               where
               the
               Gospel
               was
               wrapt
               up
               in
               
                 Types
                 and
                 Figures
              
               .
               Now
               it
               is
               very
               observable
               ,
               that
               in
               all
               the
               Histories
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               give
               us
               an
               account
               of
               our
               Saviours
               Sermons
               and
               Parables
               ,
               whereby
               he
               instructed
               the
               people
               in
               all
               necessary
               Truths
               ,
               he
               makes
               no
               mention
               at
               all
               of
               the
               
                 Imputation
                 of
                 his
                 Righteousness
              
               to
               them
               ,
               but
               exacts
               from
               them
               a
               Righteousness
               of
               
                 their
                 own
              
               ,
               if
               they
               would
               find
               mercy
               with
               God
               :
               now
               it
               is
               very
               strange
               (
               if
               the
               
                 Imputation
                 of
                 Christs
                 Righteousness
                 for
                 our
                 Iustification
              
               be
               the
               great
               Gospel
               Mystery
               ,
               and
               the
               only
               way
               to
               find
               favour
               with
               God
               )
               that
               our
               Saviour
               in
               all
               his
               Sermons
               should
               not
               once
               mention
               this
               ;
               that
               he
               should
               not
               once
               warn
               his
               Hearers
               (
               as
               the
               
                 Gospel
                 Preachers
              
               of
               our
               days
               do
               )
               to
               beware
               of
               trusting
               to
               their
               
                 own
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               or
               of
               expecting
               Salvation
               by
               their
               
                 own
                 Works
              
               ;
               but
               that
               instead
               of
               this
               ,
               he
               should
               so
               severely
               enjoyn
               them
               the
               practice
               of
               an
               
                 Universal
                 Righteousness
              
               as
               the
               only
               thing
               that
               pleases
               God
               ;
               and
               so
               severely
               threaten
               those
               who
               continue
               in
               any
               sin
               ,
               
                 who
                 break
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 his
                 Commandments
                 ,
              
               
               that
               they
               shall
               not
               enter
               into
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               but
               shall
               be
               banished
               from
               the
               presence
               of
               God
               into
               outer
               darkness
               .
               This
               ,
               I
               confess
               ,
               to
               me
               (
               who
               am
               apt
               in
               the
               first
               place
               to
               admire
               
                 our
                 Saviours
                 Sermons
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 the
                 first
                 Author
                 of
                 our
                 Religion
                 ,
              
               before
               the
               Writings
               of
               the
               Apostles
               themselves
               ,
               though
               inspired
               men
               )
               is
               a
               very
               great
               prejudice
               against
               such
               notions
               ,
               as
               are
               set
               up
               for
               the
               
                 Fundamentals
                 of
                 Christianity
              
               ,
               without
               the
               belief
               of
               which
               we
               cannot
               be
               saved
               ,
               when
               there
               is
               not
               the
               least
               footsteps
               of
               them
               to
               be
               seen
               in
               the
               Gospel
               of
               our
               Saviour
               :
               for
               did
               not
               our
               Saviour
               instruct
               his
               Hearers
               in
               all
               things
               necessary
               to
               Salvation
               ?
               Or
               have
               the
               Evangelists
               given
               us
               an
               imperfect
               account
               of
               our
               Saviours
               Doctrine
               ,
               and
               omitted
               so
               essential
               a
               part
               of
               it
               ,
               as
               the
               
                 Imputation
                 of
                 his
                 Righteousness
              
               ?
               Chuse
               which
               side
               you
               please
               ,
               and
               the
               consequence
               is
               very
               bad
               :
               if
               the
               first
               ,
               then
               Christ
               was
               not
               faithful
               in
               the
               discharge
               of
               his
               Prophetical
               Office
               ,
               did
               not
               instruct
               his
               Hearers
               in
               all
               things
               necessary
               to
               Salvation
               ;
               if
               the
               latter
               ,
               you
               overthrow
               the
               Credit
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               by
               both
               destroy
               the
               Foundation
               of
               our
               Faith.
               
            
             
             
               There
               were
               some
               things
               indeed
               ,
               which
               the
               
                 Apostles
                 themselves
              
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               their
               Jewish
               prejudices
               ,
               could
               not
               understand
               ,
               while
               Christ
               was
               with
               them
               ;
               and
               therefore
               he
               reserved
               the
               more
               perfect
               Revelation
               of
               those
               Truths
               till
               the
               
                 descent
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
              
               :
               as
               he
               tells
               his
               Disciples
               in
               Ioh.
               16.
               12
               ,
               13.
               
               Such
               was
               that
               Doctrine
               of
               the
               Nature
               of
               his
               
                 spiritual
                 Kingdom
              
               ,
               which
               should
               commence
               with
               sufferings
               and
               death
               ,
               whereas
               they
               expected
               a
               
                 Temporal
                 Messias
              
               ,
               as
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               Jews
               did
               ;
               and
               the
               receiving
               the
               
                 Gentiles
                 into
                 his
                 Church
              
               ,
               which
               
                 S.
                 Peter
                 himself
              
               did
               not
               understand
               ,
               till
               he
               was
               instructed
               by
               a
               Vision
               ,
               in
               Act.
               10.
               which
               is
               so
               frequently
               in
               the
               Epistles
               called
               that
               
                 Mystery
                 which
                 was
                 hid
                 from
                 Ages
                 :
              
               but
               now
               the
               knowledge
               of
               these
               things
               was
               not
               absolutely
               necessary
               to
               eternal
               life
               ,
               and
               therefore
               the
               perfect
               revelation
               of
               them
               might
               be
               deferr'd
               till
               the
               most
               convenient
               season
               :
               It
               was
               necessary
               indeed
               ,
               that
               the
               Apostles
               should
               understand
               the
               full
               extent
               of
               their
               Commission
               to
               preach
               the
               Gospel
               to
               all
               Nations
               ,
               Gentiles
               as
               well
               as
               Jews
               ;
               but
               it
               was
               not
               necessary
               to
               know
               this
               ,
               till
               they
               were
               sent
               to
               preach
               :
               but
               we
               
               cannot
               imagine
               ,
               that
               our
               Saviour
               would
               neglect
               to
               acquaint
               them
               with
               the
               necessary
               terms
               and
               conditions
               of
               Salvation
               :
               for
               
                 his
                 Sermons
              
               were
               to
               be
               the
               Rule
               of
               theirs
               ;
               and
               had
               the
               Apostles
               taught
               any
               thing
               as
               necessary
               to
               Salvation
               ,
               which
               our
               Saviour
               had
               not
               taught
               ,
               especially
               any
               thing
               that
               did
               so
               plainly
               contradict
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               as
               this
               
                 imputed
                 Righteousness
              
               doth
               ,
               it
               would
               very
               much
               have
               weakned
               their
               credit
               with
               me
               ;
               for
               this
               had
               been
               to
               preach
               another
               Gospel
               than
               our
               Saviour
               did
               ,
               and
               we
               have
               S.
               
               Paul's
               command
               to
               reject
               such
               Preachers
               ,
               though
               they
               were
               Apostles
               ,
               or
               
                 an
                 Angel
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 Gal
              
               1.
               8
               ,
               9.
               
               I
               do
               not
               speak
               this
               to
               evacuate
               the
               Authority
               of
               the
               Apostles
               ,
               or
               of
               their
               Writings
               ;
               for
               they
               do
               not
               make
               any
               thing
               necessary
               to
               Salvation
               ,
               but
               what
               Christ
               did
               ,
               nor
               contradict
               any
               thing
               ,
               which
               Christ
               hath
               taught
               :
               But
               to
               awaken
               those
               men
               ,
               who
               take
               little
               notice
               of
               the
               Gospel
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               while
               they
               fetch
               all
               their
               
                 Mysterious
                 Divinity
              
               out
               of
               some
               obscure
               passages
               of
               S.
               Pauls
               Epistles
               ;
               Though
               S.
               Peter
               long
               since
               told
               us
               ,
               
                 That
                 there
                 were
                 many
                 things
                 in
                 them
                 hard
                 to
                 be
                 understood
                 ,
                 which
                 they
              
               
               
                 that
                 are
                 unlearned
                 and
                 unstable
                 wrest
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 do
                 also
                 the
                 other
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 destruction
                 ,
              
               2
               Pet.
               3.
               16.
               and
               yet
               if
               they
               can
               meet
               with
               any
               obscure
               Phrases
               ,
               which
               will
               serve
               their
               turn
               ,
               without
               considering
               how
               their
               sense
               agrees
               with
               the
               Gospel
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               they
               make
               it
               the
               Foundation
               of
               their
               Faith
               ,
               and
               a
               
                 standing
                 Rule
              
               to
               expound
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               to
               measure
               the
               Orthodoxy
               of
               all
               Opinions
               :
               whereas
               on
               the
               contrary
               ,
               this
               ought
               to
               be
               a
               sufficient
               reason
               to
               reject
               such
               Interpretations
               ,
               that
               the
               Gospel
               of
               our
               Saviour
               is
               perfectly
               silent
               in
               a
               matter
               pretended
               to
               be
               of
               such
               absolute
               necessity
               to
               Salvation
               .
            
             
               Having
               premised
               this
               ,
               it
               is
               time
               now
               to
               consider
               those
               Texts
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               whereon
               they
               found
               this
               notion
               of
               the
               
                 Imputation
                 of
                 Christs
                 Righteousness
              
               :
               And
               it
               is
               worth
               observing
               ,
               that
               in
               all
               the
               
                 New
                 Testament
              
               there
               is
               no
               such
               expression
               as
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               or
               the
               
                 Imputation
                 of
                 Christs
                 Righteousness
              
               :
               we
               there
               only
               find
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Faith
              
               ,
               and
               
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 by
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Iesus
                 Christ
              
               ;
               which
               is
               very
               strange
               ,
               did
               the
               whole
               
               Mystery
               of
               the
               Gospel
               consist
               in
               the
               
                 Imputation
                 of
                 Christs
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               that
               neither
               Christ
               nor
               his
               Apostles
               should
               once
               tell
               us
               so
               in
               express
               words
               .
               But
               to
               consider
               particular
               places
               :
               I
               shall
               begin
               with
               that
               Phrase
               of
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               which
               sometimes
               signifies
               his
               
                 Iustice
                 ,
                 Veracity
                 ,
                 or
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Rom.
              
               3.
               5.
               but
               most
               commonly
               in
               the
               
                 New
                 Testament
              
               it
               signifies
               
                 that
                 Righteousness
                 which
                 God
                 approves
                 and
                 commands
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 he
                 will
                 accept
                 for
                 the
                 Iustification
                 of
                 a
                 Sinner
              
               ;
               which
               is
               contained
               in
               the
               Terms
               of
               the
               Gospel
               :
               Rom.
               1.
               17.
               
               
                 For
                 therein
                 is
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
                 revealed
                 from
                 Faith
                 to
                 Faith
                 :
              
               Thus
               it
               is
               called
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               Matth.
               6.
               33.
               
               
                 Seek
                 ye
                 first
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 Righteousness
                 ,
              
               which
               is
               the
               same
               with
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               his
               Kingdom
               :
               now
               the
               
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
              
               signifies
               the
               
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               or
               
                 of
                 his
                 Kingdom
              
               ,
               that
               Righteousness
               which
               the
               Gospel
               prescribes
               ,
               which
               is
               contained
               in
               the
               Sermons
               and
               Parables
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               consists
               in
               a
               sincere
               and
               universal
               obedience
               to
               the
               Commands
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               That
               we
               may
               the
               better
               understand
               
               this
               ,
               we
               must
               observe
               farther
               ,
               that
               
                 this
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
              
               (
               that
               which
               he
               commands
               and
               rewards
               )
               
                 is
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 or
                 Righteousness
                 by
                 the
                 Faith
              
               of
               Christ
               :
               Now
               Faith
               ,
               and
               
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
              
               is
               often
               used
               objectively
               ,
               for
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               object
               of
               our
               Faith
               ,
               or
               contains
               those
               matters
               which
               are
               to
               be
               believed
               ;
               and
               so
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 that
                 Righteousness
                 which
                 the
                 Gospel
                 commands
                 .
              
               Thus
               in
               Acts
               24.
               24.
               
               
                 Felix
                 sent
                 for
                 Paul
                 ,
                 and
                 heard
                 him
                 concerning
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Christ
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               
                 concerning
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 Temperance
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 judgment
                 to
                 come
                 :
                 Ver.
              
               25.
               which
               are
               the
               principal
               matters
               of
               the
               Gospel
               :
               thus
               
                 obedience
                 to
                 the
                 Faith
              
               is
               obedience
               to
               the
               
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 Rom.
              
               1.
               5.
               
               In
               this
               sense
               Faith
               and
               Works
               are
               opposed
               to
               each
               other
               in
               St.
               Pauls
               Epistles
               ,
               as
               hath
               been
               abundantly
               proved
               by
               others
               :
               the
               great
               dispute
               in
               the
               Epistle
               to
               the
               Romans
               is
               ,
               whether
               we
               must
               be
               justified
               by
               the
               
                 Law
                 of
                 Moses
              
               ,
               or
               by
               the
               
                 Faith
                 of
                 Christ
              
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               whether
               the
               observation
               of
               all
               the
               external
               Rites
               and
               Ceremonies
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               an
               external
               conformity
               of
               our
               Actions
               ,
               to
               the
               moral
               Precepts
               of
               it
               will
               justifie
               
               a
               man
               before
               God
               ;
               or
               that
               sincere
               and
               universal
               obedience
               ,
               which
               the
               
                 Gospel
                 of
                 Christ
              
               requires
               ,
               which
               transforms
               our
               minds
               into
               the
               likeness
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               makes
               us
               new
               Creatures
               :
               And
               that
               this
               Righteousness
               of
               Faith
               ,
               and
               this
               alone
               ,
               can
               recommend
               us
               to
               God
               ,
               the
               Apostle
               proves
               from
               the
               example
               of
               Abraham
               ,
               in
               the
               4.
               
               Chapter
               ;
               who
               was
               accounted
               Righteous
               for
               the
               sake
               of
               his
               sincere
               and
               stedfast
               belief
               of
               Gods
               promises
               :
               
                 Abraham
                 believed
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 was
                 counted
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 Ver.
              
               3.
               and
               this
               ,
               while
               he
               was
               uncricumcised
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               convincing
               argument
               against
               the
               Jews
               ,
               that
               Circumcision
               ,
               and
               the
               observance
               of
               the
               Law
               of
               Moses
               is
               not
               necessary
               to
               justification
               ,
               because
               Abraham
               ,
               who
               was
               the
               Father
               of
               the
               faithful
               ,
               and
               is
               set
               forth
               for
               the
               Pattern
               of
               our
               justification
               ,
               was
               justified
               without
               it
               .
            
             
               But
               that
               we
               may
               understand
               ,
               what
               this
               justification
               by
               Faith
               is
               ,
               and
               how
               the
               Apostle
               argues
               from
               Abrahams
               being
               justified
               by
               Faith
               to
               prove
               ,
               that
               we
               must
               now
               be
               justified
               by
               the
               Faith
               of
               Christ
               ,
               it
               is
               necessary
               to
               enquire
               ,
               what
               that
               Faith
               was
               ,
               whereby
               Abraham
               was
               justified
               ,
               and
               what
               agreement
               
               there
               is
               between
               the
               
                 Faith
                 of
                 Abraham
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ.
              
               
            
             
               For
               Abrahams
               Faith
               was
               not
               a
               
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
              
               ,
               but
               
                 Abraham
                 believed
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 was
                 counted
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 Righteousness
                 :
              
               Christ
               indeed
               was
               the
               
                 Material
                 object
              
               of
               Abrahams
               Faith
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               he
               believed
               that
               promise
               ,
               which
               God
               made
               of
               sending
               Christ
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               upon
               which
               account
               our
               Saviour
               tells
               the
               Jews
               ,
               
                 your
                 Father
              
               Abraham
               
                 rejoiced
                 to
                 see
                 my
                 day
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 saw
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 glad
                 :
                 Iohn
              
               8
               ▪
               5
               ,
               6.
               
               But
               no
               man
               could
               believe
               in
               Christ
               ,
               till
               he
               came
               ,
               that
               is
               could
               not
               believe
               any
               thing
               upon
               his
               Authority
               ;
               which
               is
               the
               true
               notion
               of
               believing
               in
               him
               ,
               as
               you
               shall
               hear
               more
               presently
               .
            
             
               There
               is
               not
               a
               plainer
               argument
               ,
               how
               apt
               men
               are
               to
               pervert
               the
               Scriptures
               to
               reconcile
               them
               to
               their
               own
               prejudices
               and
               preconceived
               opinions
               ,
               than
               to
               observe
               what
               work
               they
               make
               with
               
                 Abrahams
                 Faith
              
               ,
               as
               if
               that
               Faith
               ,
               which
               was
               imputed
               to
               him
               for
               Righteousness
               ,
               were
               a
               
                 fiducial
                 reliance
              
               and
               recumbency
               on
               Christ
               for
               Salvation
               ,
               upon
               which
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               apprehended
               by
               Faith
               was
               imputed
               to
               him
               :
               for
               suppose
               this
               
                 imputation
                 of
              
               
               
                 Christs
                 Righteousness
              
               were
               revealed
               in
               the
               most
               plain
               and
               express
               words
               in
               the
               
                 New
                 Testament
              
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               hard
               to
               conceive
               ,
               how
               Abraham
               should
               learn
               this
               great
               Mystery
               from
               that
               general
               and
               obscure
               promise
               ,
               
                 In
                 thy
                 seed
                 shall
                 all
                 the
                 Nations
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 be
                 blessed
                 ,
              
               which
               is
               all
               ,
               that
               was
               ever
               revealed
               to
               Abraham
               concerning
               Christ
               :
               This
               is
               such
               a
               train
               of
               thoughts
               from
               
                 in
                 thy
                 seed
                 shall
                 all
                 the
                 Nations
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 be
                 blessed
                 ,
              
               to
               the
               
                 imputation
                 of
                 Christs
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               as
               Mr.
               Hobs
               himself
               could
               never
               have
               hit
               on
               :
               for
               is
               there
               no
               possible
               way
               for
               God
               to
               bless
               the
               World
               ,
               but
               by
               the
               imputation
               of
               Christs
               Righteousness
               ?
               or
               is
               there
               such
               a
               natural
               and
               necessary
               connexion
               between
               this
               blessing
               ,
               and
               the
               imputation
               of
               Christs
               Righteousness
               ,
               that
               we
               cannot
               understand
               the
               one
               without
               the
               other
               .
            
             
               Pray
               let
               us
               consider
               ,
               how
               many
               things
               Abraham
               must
               distinctly
               know
               (
               according
               to
               these
               mens
               own
               principles
               )
               before
               he
               could
               come
               to
               the
               knowledge
               of
               the
               imputation
               of
               Christs
               Righteousness
               ;
               and
               he
               would
               be
               a
               wonderful
               man
               indeed
               ,
               who
               could
               learn
               all
               this
               from
               that
               general
               promise
               ,
               without
               some
               more
               particular
               revelation
               :
               
               As
               first
               ,
               he
               must
               be
               well
               assured
               ,
               that
               the
               Blessings
               here
               meant
               are
               
                 spiritual
                 blessings
                 ,
                 pardon
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 eternal
                 life
                 ,
              
               and
               that
               Christ
               should
               be
               a
               spiritual
               King
               and
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               though
               this
               be
               the
               least
               difficulty
               of
               all
               ,
               yet
               the
               promise
               is
               not
               so
               clear
               and
               express
               in
               this
               matter
               ,
               but
               that
               men
               might
               mistake
               it
               ,
               and
               so
               we
               know
               ,
               the
               
                 whole
                 Iewish
                 Nation
              
               for
               many
               Ages
               did
               ,
               who
               had
               more
               particular
               promises
               concerning
               Christ
               ,
               than
               this
               was
               ,
               and
               yet
               expected
               only
               a
               
                 Temporal
                 Prince
              
               ,
               who
               should
               sit
               on
               the
               
                 Throne
                 of
                 David
              
               ,
               and
               subdue
               their
               Enemies
               under
               their
               feet
               ;
               and
               this
               was
               the
               great
               prejudice
               ,
               which
               the
               Iews
               had
               against
               Christ
               and
               his
               Religion
               ,
               that
               he
               so
               much
               deceived
               their
               expectations
               by
               his
               
                 mean
                 appearance
              
               .
            
             
               And
               secondly
               Abraham
               must
               know
               too
               ,
               that
               Christ
               was
               to
               die
               for
               the
               sins
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               without
               which
               (
               according
               to
               the
               Doctor
               )
               it
               is
               impossible
               God
               should
               forgive
               sin
               ,
               considering
               the
               
                 naturalness
                 of
                 his
                 vindictive
                 Iustice
                 to
                 him
              
               ;
               and
               this
               was
               more
               than
               the
               Apostles
               of
               Christ
               themselves
               understood
               till
               after
               his
               Resurrection
               ,
               though
               Christ
               had
               expresly
               told
               them
               of
               it
               :
               And
               Thirdly
               ,
               He
               must
               understand
               
               also
               the
               perfect
               Holiness
               and
               Innocency
               of
               Christs
               life
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               fulfilled
               all
               righteousness
               ,
               not
               for
               himself
               ,
               but
               for
               us
               :
               Nay
               Fourthly
               ,
               He
               must
               understand
               that
               great
               Mystery
               of
               the
               
                 Incarnation
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
              
               ;
               for
               without
               this
               it
               is
               impossible
               to
               understand
               the
               vertue
               and
               efficacy
               of
               his
               expiation
               ,
               and
               Sacrifice
               ,
               and
               Righteousness
               ,
               since
               the
               sufferings
               of
               a
               meer
               man
               could
               never
               expiate
               sin
               ,
               nor
               his
               Righteousness
               serve
               any
               more
               than
               himself
               :
               And
               Fifthly
               ,
               He
               must
               understand
               also
               that
               
                 intimate
                 oneness
              
               and
               Conjunction
               ,
               which
               is
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               his
               Church
               ,
               by
               vertue
               of
               which
               Union
               believers
               may
               challenge
               a
               right
               to
               all
               ,
               that
               Christ
               did
               and
               suffer'd
               ,
               which
               is
               such
               a
               riddle
               ,
               as
               these
               men
               explain
               it
               ,
               as
               is
               not
               understood
               to
               this
               day
               :
               And
               Sixthly
               ,
               He
               must
               understand
               too
               the
               nature
               of
               Faith
               ,
               of
               rowling
               the
               Soul
               on
               Christ
               for
               Salvation
               ,
               and
               renouncing
               all
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 his
                 own
              
               ,
               and
               then
               possibly
               he
               might
               without
               any
               more
               ado
               understand
               this
               great
               Mystery
               of
               the
               
                 imputation
                 of
                 Christs
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               and
               he
               that
               can
               believe
               ,
               that
               Abraham
               could
               learn
               all
               this
               from
               that
               general
               promise
               ,
               In
               
               
                 thy
                 seed
                 shall
                 all
                 the
                 Nations
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 be
                 blessed
                 ,
              
               may
               believe
               ,
               what
               he
               will
               ,
               and
               I
               suppose
               no
               man
               will
               trouble
               himself
               to
               confute
               him
               .
            
             
               Now
               if
               you
               would
               know
               ,
               what
               the
               
                 Faith
                 of
                 Abraham
              
               ,
               and
               of
               all
               good
               men
               in
               ancient
               times
               was
               ,
               the
               Apostle
               to
               the
               Hebrews
               gives
               us
               a
               full
               account
               of
               it
               ,
               in
               Hebr.
               11.
               
               That
               he
               discourses
               there
               of
               a
               justifying
               Faith
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               such
               a
               Faith
               
                 as
                 renders
                 men
                 approved
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 &
                 which
                 he
                 will
                 count
                 for
                 Righteousness
                 ,
              
               appears
               from
               the
               whole
               tenour
               of
               this
               Chapter
               .
               In
               the
               2.
               
               Verse
               he
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 That
                 by
                 this
                 the
                 Elders
                 obtained
                 a
                 good
                 report
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
              
               the
               Fathers
               of
               the
               Old
               Testament
               were
               approved
               and
               rewarded
               by
               God
               for
               the
               sake
               of
               this
               Faith
               :
               as
               he
               shows
               particularly
               that
               
                 Abel
                 obtained
                 witness
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 v.
              
               4.
               that
               Enoch
               had
               the
               
                 testimony
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 pleased
                 God
                 ,
                 v.
              
               5.
               that
               Noah
               became
               
                 the
                 Heir
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 which
                 is
                 by
                 Faith
                 ,
                 v.
              
               7.
               &c.
               
               Now
               this
               justifying
               Faith
               is
               the
               
                 substance
                 of
                 things
                 hoped
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 evidence
                 of
                 things
                 not
                 seen
                 :
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               a
               firm
               and
               confident
               expectation
               of
               th●se
               things
               ,
               we
               hope
               for
               ,
               and
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               an
               argument
               of
               the
               being
               of
               those
               things
               ,
               which
               we
               do
               
               not
               see
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               Faith
               is
               such
               a
               firm
               and
               stedfast
               perswasion
               of
               the
               truth
               of
               those
               things
               ,
               which
               are
               not
               evident
               to
               sense
               ,
               as
               makes
               us
               confidently
               hope
               for
               them
               :
               The
               object
               of
               Faith
               must
               be
               unseen
               things
               ,
               as
               the
               Being
               ,
               or
               providence
               of
               God
               ,
               or
               a
               future
               state
               ,
               something
               past
               or
               to
               come
               ;
               the
               Creation
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               or
               the
               final
               dissolution
               of
               it
               ,
               or
               the
               accomplishment
               of
               any
               promises
               ,
               and
               predictions
               ;
               the
               nature
               of
               Faith
               consists
               in
               such
               a
               firm
               assent
               to
               these
               unseen
               things
               ,
               as
               produces
               some
               answerable
               effects
               in
               our
               lives
               ;
               This
               is
               the
               general
               notion
               of
               Faith
               ,
               
                 by
                 which
                 the
                 Elders
                 obtained
                 a
                 good
                 report
                 ,
              
               and
               the
               different
               sorts
               of
               Faith
               result
               from
               the
               different
               objects
               and
               motives
               of
               it
               :
               the
               Apostle
               takes
               notice
               of
               two
               kinds
               of
               Faith
               in
               this
               Chapter
               ,
               and
               
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
              
               makes
               a
               third
               ,
               which
               are
               all
               the
               kinds
               of
               Faith
               ,
               the
               Scripture
               is
               acquainted
               with
               .
            
             
               The
               first
               we
               may
               call
               a
               natural
               Faith
               ,
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               a
               belief
               of
               the
               Principles
               of
               natural
               Religion
               ,
               which
               is
               founded
               upon
               natural
               demonstrations
               ,
               or
               moral
               arguments
               ;
               
                 as
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 Rewarder
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 diligently
                 seek
                 him
                 ,
              
               which
               was
               the
               Faith
               of
               Abel
               
               and
               Enoch
               ,
               whereby
               they
               pleased
               God
               :
               for
               there
               being
               no
               mention
               made
               of
               the
               Faith
               of
               Abel
               and
               Enoch
               ,
               in
               the
               old
               Testament
               ,
               the
               Apostle
               proves
               ,
               that
               they
               were
               true
               believers
               ,
               because
               they
               had
               this
               Testimony
               ,
               
                 that
                 they
                 pleased
                 God
              
               ;
               now
               it
               is
               impossible
               to
               be
               sincerely
               Religious
               ,
               or
               to
               do
               any
               acceptable
               service
               to
               God
               without
               the
               belief
               of
               his
               Being
               ,
               and
               Providence
               ,
               and
               care
               of
               good
               men
               :
               These
               are
               the
               first
               Principles
               of
               all
               Religion
               ,
               and
               God
               required
               no
               more
               of
               those
               good
               men
               ,
               who
               had
               no
               other
               particular
               Revelations
               of
               his
               will.
               
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               There
               is
               a
               Faith
               in
               God
               ,
               or
               a
               belief
               of
               those
               particular
               Revelations
               ,
               which
               God
               made
               to
               the
               Fathers
               of
               the
               Old
               Testament
               :
               of
               this
               the
               Apostle
               gives
               us
               many
               examples
               in
               this
               Chapter
               :
               Thus
               Noah
               believed
               God
               ,
               when
               he
               fore-warned
               him
               of
               the
               Universal
               deluge
               ,
               and
               in
               obedience
               to
               him
               ,
               provided
               an
               Ark
               for
               the
               safety
               of
               himself
               ,
               and
               his
               Family
               ,
               and
               this
               was
               imputed
               to
               him
               for
               Righteousness
               :
               
                 He
                 became
                 the
                 Heir
                 of
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 by
                 Faith
                 :
              
               Thus
               Abraham
               in
               obedience
               to
               the
               Divine
               Revelation
               left
               his
               own
               Country
               and
               Fathers
               House
               ,
               
               and
               went
               into
               a
               strange
               Land
               :
               thus
               Sarah
               by
               believing
               the
               promise
               of
               God
               ,
               
                 received
                 strength
                 to
                 conceive
                 Seed
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 deliver'd
                 of
                 a
                 Child
                 ,
                 when
                 she
                 was
                 past
                 age
                 ;
                 because
                 she
                 judged
                 him
                 faithful
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 promised
                 .
              
               Thus
               Abraham
               in
               obedience
               to
               God
               offered
               his
               Son
               Isaac
               ,
               which
               was
               as
               Heroical
               an
               Act
               of
               Faith
               ,
               as
               was
               ever
               done
               by
               Man
               :
               for
               besides
               that
               great
               and
               passionate
               kindness
               he
               had
               for
               his
               
                 only
                 Son
              
               ,
               which
               made
               this
               a
               very
               difficult
               tryal
               ;
               this
               command
               of
               offering
               his
               Son
               seem'd
               to
               thwart
               that
               former
               promise
               ,
               
                 In
                 Isaac
                 shall
                 thy
                 Seed
                 be
                 called
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
              
               that
               from
               Isaac
               should
               proceed
               that
               numerous
               Ofspring
               ,
               which
               God
               had
               promised
               to
               Abraham
               ,
               which
               was
               not
               very
               likely
               ,
               when
               this
               very
               Isaac
               must
               be
               offer'd
               in
               Sacrifice
               ,
               and
               die
               without
               leaving
               any
               Child
               to
               succeed
               him
               ;
               but
               yet
               Abraham
               was
               so
               well
               assured
               both
               of
               the
               faithfulness
               and
               power
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               whatever
               impossibilities
               humane
               reason
               suggested
               ,
               he
               would
               neither
               disobey
               Gods
               command
               ,
               nor
               distrust
               his
               promise
               ,
               
                 but
                 did
                 believe
                 in
                 hope
                 against
                 hope
                 :
              
               the
               like
               examples
               we
               have
               of
               the
               Faith
               of
               Isaac
               ,
               and
               Iacob
               ,
               and
               Ioseph
               ,
               and
               
                 Moses
                 ,
                 &c.
              
               who
               firmly
               believed
               
               all
               those
               particular
               Revelations
               God
               made
               to
               them
               ,
               and
               confidently
               expected
               the
               performance
               of
               all
               his
               promises
               ,
               how
               unlikely
               soever
               they
               appear'd
               to
               be
               :
               This
               is
               that
               Faith
               ,
               whereby
               Abraham
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               good
               men
               in
               those
               days
               were
               justified
               ,
               
                 viz.
                 Such
                 a
                 firm
                 belief
                 of
                 the
                 Being
                 and
                 Providence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 those
                 particular
                 Revelations
                 God
                 made
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 made
                 them
                 careful
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 to
                 please
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 obey
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
               From
               hence
               we
               learn
               thirdly
               ,
               What
               
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
              
               is
               ,
               which
               is
               now
               imputed
               to
               us
               for
               Righteousness
               ,
               as
               Abrahams
               Faith
               was
               to
               him
               ;
               for
               to
               make
               our
               
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
              
               answer
               to
               the
               Faith
               of
               Abraham
               ,
               and
               all
               good
               men
               in
               former
               Ages
               ,
               (
               without
               which
               the
               Apostles
               argument
               from
               Abrahams
               being
               justified
               by
               Faith
               to
               our
               justification
               by
               Faith
               is
               of
               no
               force
               )
               our
               
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
              
               must
               signifie
               
                 such
                 a
                 stedfast
                 belief
                 of
                 all
                 those
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 which
                 Christ
                 hath
                 made
                 to
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 as
                 governs
                 our
                 lives
                 and
                 Actions
                 :
                 Abraham
              
               was
               justified
               by
               believing
               those
               Revelations
               ,
               which
               God
               made
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               we
               are
               justified
               by
               believing
               those
               Revelations
               ,
               which
               Christ
               hath
               made
               of
               Gods
               will
               to
               
               us
               ;
               for
               if
               by
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Faith
              
               ,
               you
               understand
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
                 apprehended
                 by
                 Faith
                 and
                 imputed
                 to
                 us
                 ,
              
               you
               utterly
               destroy
               the
               Apostles
               argument
               for
               our
               justification
               by
               Faith
               :
               for
               Abraham
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               good
               men
               of
               old
               were
               not
               justified
               by
               such
               a
               Faith
               as
               this
               ;
               they
               never
               hear'd
               of
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
                 imputed
                 to
                 us
                 :
              
               Noah
               
                 was
                 made
                 Heir
                 of
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               was
               accounted
               a
               Righteous
               Person
               ,
               because
               he
               believed
               that
               the
               
                 World
                 should
                 be
                 drown'd
              
               ,
               and
               prepared
               an
               Ark
               at
               Gods
               command
               for
               himself
               and
               his
               Family
               :
               Abrahams
               Faith
               was
               
                 imputed
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               because
               he
               left
               his
               own
               Country
               ,
               and
               followed
               God
               into
               a
               strange
               land
               ,
               and
               believed
               ,
               that
               God
               would
               give
               him
               a
               Son
               ,
               and
               make
               him
               the
               Father
               of
               many
               Nations
               ,
               when
               he
               and
               his
               Wife
               were
               so
               old
               ,
               that
               according
               to
               the
               course
               of
               nature
               ,
               they
               could
               not
               expect
               any
               Child
               :
               and
               when
               Sarah
               by
               Faith
               had
               conceived
               ,
               and
               brought
               forth
               this
               
                 Son
                 of
                 the
                 Promise
              
               ,
               he
               offers
               this
               Son
               at
               Gods
               command
               without
               distrusting
               the
               performance
               of
               the
               Promise
               :
               Now
               what
               hath
               all
               this
               to
               do
               with
               an
               
                 Imputation
                 of
                 Christs
                 Righteousness
              
               ?
               
               how
               does
               it
               follow
               ,
               that
               because
               Abraham
               was
               justified
               by
               such
               noble
               and
               generous
               Acts
               of
               Faith
               ,
               therefore
               we
               shall
               be
               justified
               by
               the
               imputation
               of
               Christs
               Righteousness
               ,
               by
               
                 rowling
                 our
                 Souls
              
               on
               Christ
               for
               Salvation
               :
               These
               two
               Faiths
               are
               of
               as
               different
               kinds
               ,
               as
               can
               well
               be
               imagined
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               cannot
               reason
               from
               one
               to
               the
               other
               ,
               and
               St.
               Paul
               certainly
               understood
               himself
               better
               ,
               than
               to
               argue
               at
               this
               weak
               rate
               .
            
             
               And
               therefore
               to
               bring
               this
               discourse
               to
               an
               Head
               ,
               the
               difference
               between
               the
               Faith
               of
               Abraham
               and
               the
               Faith
               of
               Christians
               is
               this
               ,
               
                 that
                 Abraham
                 believed
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 was
                 counted
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 Righteousness
                 ,
              
               and
               we
               believe
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               this
               is
               counted
               unto
               us
               for
               Righteousness
               ;
               Abraham
               believed
               those
               Revelations
               God
               made
               to
               him
               ,
               either
               immediately
               by
               himself
               ,
               or
               by
               the
               Ministry
               of
               Angels
               ,
               we
               believe
               all
               those
               Revelations
               God
               hath
               made
               to
               us
               by
               his
               
                 own
                 Son
                 :
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 at
                 sundry
                 times
                 and
                 in
                 divers
                 manners
                 spake
                 in
                 time
                 past
                 to
                 the
                 Fathers
                 by
                 the
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 hath
                 in
                 these
                 last
                 days
                 spoken
                 unto
                 us
                 by
                 his
                 Son
                 :
                 Hebr.
              
               1.
               1.
               
               So
               that
               the
               first
               notion
               of
               Faith
               in
               Christ
               is
               a
               firm
               belief
               of
               his
               Divine
               Authority
               ,
               
               which
               necessarily
               draws
               after
               it
               a
               belief
               of
               the
               whole
               Doctrine
               of
               the
               Gospel
               :
               thus
               in
               Iohn
               20.
               31.
               
               
                 The
                 Christian
                 Faith
                 is
                 described
                 by
                 believing
                 that
                 Iesus
                 is
                 the
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 :
              
               and
               1
               Iohn
               5.
               5.
               
               
                 Who
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 overcometh
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 that
                 believeth
                 ,
                 that
                 Iesus
                 is
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 :
              
               That
               is
               ,
               that
               he
               came
               from
               God
               with
               full
               power
               and
               Authority
               to
               declare
               his
               will
               ,
               and
               confirm
               and
               ratifie
               the
               new
               Covenant
               .
               So
               that
               the
               difference
               between
               the
               
                 Faith
                 of
                 Abraham
              
               and
               
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
                 is
              
               ,
               that
               Abrahams
               Faith
               was
               founded
               on
               the
               immediate
               inspirations
               of
               God
               ,
               or
               the
               Revelations
               of
               Angels
               ,
               but
               a
               Faith
               in
               Christ
               is
               founded
               on
               the
               Authority
               of
               Christ
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               first
               object
               of
               the
               Christian
               Faith
               ;
               and
               the
               reason
               and
               foundation
               of
               all
               other
               Acts
               of
               Faith
               :
               Abraham
               had
               only
               some
               particular
               Revelations
               ,
               as
               the
               object
               of
               his
               Faith
               ,
               but
               now
               Christ
               hath
               made
               a
               perfect
               Revelation
               of
               the
               whole
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               object
               of
               our
               Faith
               ;
               and
               thus
               the
               Christian
               Faith
               excells
               all
               other
               kinds
               of
               Faith
               ,
               as
               much
               as
               the
               Revelations
               of
               the
               Gospel
               excel
               all
               other
               Revelations
               made
               to
               Abraham
               and
               other
               good
               men
               :
               but
               still
               the
               end
               of
               all
               Faith
               is
               the
               same
               to
               govern
               our
               
               lives
               ,
               and
               make
               us
               obedient
               in
               all
               things
               to
               God
               ,
               as
               Abraham
               was
               ,
               without
               which
               no
               Faith
               can
               justifie
               .
            
             
               And
               the
               same
               difference
               there
               is
               between
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               Faith
               in
               a
               general
               notion
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               applyed
               to
               Noah
               ,
               and
               Abraham
               ,
               and
               those
               worthies
               of
               old
               ,
               and
               
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 :
                 Rom.
              
               3.
               22.
               and
               that
               
                 Righteousness
                 which
                 is
                 through
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 which
                 is
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 Faith
                 :
                 Phil.
              
               3.
               9.
               
               The
               first
               signifies
               that
               Righteousness
               which
               is
               owing
               to
               an
               hearty
               belief
               of
               the
               Being
               and
               Providence
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               those
               particular
               Revelations
               ,
               which
               they
               received
               from
               God
               ;
               the
               latter
               is
               the
               effect
               of
               a
               sincere
               belief
               and
               obedience
               to
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               most
               perfect
               Revelation
               ,
               which
               God
               ever
               made
               of
               his
               will
               to
               mankind
               .
               This
               is
               so
               plain
               and
               easie
               an
               account
               of
               the
               rise
               and
               use
               of
               these
               phrases
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               force
               of
               the
               Apostles
               reasoning
               from
               the
               
                 Faith
                 of
                 Abraham
              
               to
               the
               
                 Faith
                 of
                 Christ
              
               (
               which
               is
               unintelligible
               in
               any
               other
               way
               )
               that
               could
               men
               be
               reconciled
               to
               plain
               sense
               ,
               it
               would
               need
               no
               other
               confirmation
               but
               the
               natural
               evidence
               of
               naked
               and
               simple
               truth
               .
               But
               not
               to
               be
               wanting
               to
               a
               good
               cause
               ,
               let
               
               us
               now
               examine
               those
               Texts
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               which
               are
               abused
               by
               these
               men
               to
               set
               up
               the
               
                 Personal
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
                 as
                 the
                 only
                 formal
                 cause
                 of
                 our
                 justification
                 ,
              
               as
               that
               alone
               which
               can
               make
               us
               righteous
               before
               God.
               
            
             
               I
               shall
               begin
               and
               end
               with
               that
               famous
               place
               .
               Phil.
               3.
               8
               ,
               9.
               (
               for
               the
               explication
               of
               this
               will
               give
               us
               occasion
               to
               consider
               all
               the
               material
               passages
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               which
               are
               applyed
               to
               this
               purpose
               )
               
                 yea
                 doubtless
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 account
                 all
                 things
                 loss
                 for
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 my
                 Lord
                 ,
                 for
                 whom
                 I
                 have
                 suffer'd
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 do
                 account
                 them
                 but
                 dung
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 win
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 not
                 having
                 my
                 own
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 through
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 Faith
                 :
              
               by
               
                 my
                 own
                 righteousness
              
               these
               men
               understand
               
                 inherent
                 righteousness
              
               ,
               whatever
               good
               St.
               Paul
               had
               done
               ,
               either
               while
               he
               was
               a
               Jew
               ,
               or
               after
               his
               Conversion
               to
               Christianity
               :
               this
               he
               rejects
               ,
               and
               therefore
               the
               
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 through
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               must
               needs
               be
               an
               
                 imputed
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               the
               
                 Personal
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
                 apprehended
                 by
                 Faith
                 ,
              
               
               
                 and
                 imputed
                 to
                 us
              
               .
               This
               is
               fairly
               offer'd
               ,
               but
               what
               proof
               have
               they
               for
               it
               ?
               That
               ,
               I
               confess
               ,
               I
               cannot
               learn
               ,
               only
               it
               is
               taken
               for
               granted
               ,
               that
               
                 my
                 Righteousness
              
               signifies
               
                 inherent
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Faith
                 imputed
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               a
               sufficient
               answer
               to
               this
               to
               say
               ,
               they
               need
               not
               signifie
               so
               .
               
                 My
                 own
                 Righteousness
              
               can
               signifie
               no
               more
               than
               that
               ,
               in
               which
               he
               placed
               his
               Righteousness
               ,
               whatever
               it
               was
               ;
               and
               what
               necessity
               is
               there
               to
               understand
               this
               of
               
                 Inherent
                 Holiness
              
               ;
               an
               external
               Righteousness
               serves
               most
               mens
               turn
               very
               well
               ,
               and
               this
               is
               the
               righteousness
               by
               which
               the
               Pharisees
               (
               and
               amongst
               the
               rest
               St.
               Paul
               ,
               while
               he
               was
               a
               Pharisee
               )
               expected
               to
               be
               justified
               ;
               for
               what
               his
               Righteousness
               was
               he
               tells
               us
               in
               Ver.
               6
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 Circumcised
                 the
                 eight
                 day
                 ;
                 of
                 the
                 stock
                 of
              
               Israel
               ,
               
                 of
                 the
                 Tribe
                 of
              
               Benjamin
               ,
               
                 an
                 Hebrew
                 of
                 the
                 Hebrews
                 ,
                 as
                 touching
                 the
                 Law
                 a
                 Pharisee
              
               (
               who
               were
               mighty
               strict
               and
               punctual
               in
               observing
               all
               external
               Ceremonies
               )
               and
               he
               exprest
               his
               zeal
               for
               the
               law
               of
               
                 Moses
                 ,
                 by
                 persecuting
                 the
                 Christian
                 Church
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 touching
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 blameless
                 :
              
               which
               last
               phrase
               ,
               
                 touching
                 the
                 Righteousness
              
               
               
                 of
                 the
                 law
                 blameless
              
               ,
               signifies
               only
               
                 an
                 external
                 blamelessness
                 of
                 Conversation
              
               ,
               as
               Mr.
               Calvin
               himself
               acknowledges
               :
               for
               this
               was
               the
               Pharisees
               notion
               even
               of
               the
               
                 moral
                 law
              
               ,
               that
               the
               obligation
               of
               it
               did
               reach
               no
               farther
               than
               the
               outward
               man
               ,
               and
               
                 Trypho
                 the
                 Iew
                 in
                 Iustin
                 Martyr
              
               quarrels
               with
               the
               Gospel
               of
               our
               Saviour
               for
               this
               very
               reason
               ,
               that
               it
               requires
               the
               government
               of
               our
               thoughts
               and
               passions
               ,
               which
               ,
               he
               says
               ,
               is
               impossible
               for
               a
               man
               to
               do
               :
               and
               thus
               we
               must
               understand
               this
               blamelessness
               here
               ,
               unless
               we
               will
               say
               ,
               that
               St.
               Paul
               ,
               while
               he
               was
               a
               Pharisee
               ,
               did
               perfectly
               observe
               the
               
                 moral
                 law
              
               ,
               was
               blameless
               before
               God
               as
               well
               as
               before
               men
               ,
               which
               I
               suppose
               those
               who
               talk
               so
               much
               of
               the
               impossibility
               of
               keeping
               Gods
               laws
               ,
               will
               be
               loath
               to
               owne
               .
               So
               that
               
                 my
                 own
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 of
                 the
                 law
              
               is
               so
               far
               from
               signifying
               an
               
                 inherent
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               an
               inward
               and
               vital
               principle
               of
               holiness
               ,
               that
               it
               signifies
               only
               an
               
                 external
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               which
               consisted
               in
               some
               
                 external
                 Rites
              
               ,
               as
               
                 Circumcision
                 and
                 Sacrifices
                 ,
                 &c.
              
               or
               
                 external
                 priviledges
              
               ,
               as
               being
               
                 of
                 the
                 Seed
                 of
              
               Abraham
               ,
               and
               
                 stock
                 of
              
               Israel
               ,
               or
               an
               
                 external
                 Civility
                 and
              
               
               
                 blamelessness
                 of
                 Conversation
              
               ,
               and
               this
               Righteousness
               he
               had
               reason
               to
               reject
               ,
               because
               God
               will
               reject
               it
               .
            
             
               This
               was
               all
               the
               Righteousness
               he
               had
               ,
               while
               he
               was
               a
               Pharisee
               ,
               and
               
                 this
                 he
                 accounts
                 dung
                 and
                 loss
                 for
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 our
                 Lord
                 ;
                 i.
                 e.
              
               for
               the
               sake
               of
               the
               Gospel
               (
               which
               is
               the
               knowledge
               of
               Christ
               ,
               as
               you
               hear'd
               above
               )
               which
               contains
               a
               more
               excellent
               and
               perfect
               Righteousness
               ,
               than
               the
               Law
               did
               :
               and
               that
               
                 he
                 might
                 win
                 Christ
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
              
               that
               he
               might
               attain
               to
               an
               Evangelical
               Righteousness
               ,
               such
               as
               Christ
               was
               the
               Preacher
               ,
               and
               example
               of
               :
               and
               
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 not
                 having
                 his
                 own
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 of
                 the
                 law
                 :
              
               that
               at
               the
               last
               day
               he
               might
               appear
               to
               be
               a
               sound
               and
               sincere
               Christian
               ,
               whose
               righteousness
               does
               not
               consist
               only
               in
               some
               external
               observances
               ,
               or
               an
               external
               Conformity
               to
               Gods
               Law
               ,
               
                 but
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 through
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 Faith
                 :
                 i.
                 e.
              
               that
               inward
               and
               vital
               principle
               of
               holiness
               ,
               that
               new
               nature
               ,
               which
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               requires
               of
               us
               ,
               and
               which
               this
               Christian
               Faith
               will
               work
               in
               us
               ;
               which
               is
               a
               Righteousness
               of
               Gods
               own
               chusing
               ,
               
               which
               he
               commands
               ,
               and
               which
               he
               will
               reward
               .
            
             
               To
               confirm
               all
               this
               we
               must
               observe
               a
               double
               Antithesis
               in
               the
               words
               ,
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 law
              
               is
               opposed
               to
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 by
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 my
                 own
                 Righteousness
              
               opposed
               to
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
              
               ;
               now
               the
               surest
               way
               to
               understand
               the
               meaning
               of
               this
               is
               to
               consider
               ,
               how
               these
               phrases
               are
               used
               in
               Scripture
               .
            
             
               The
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 law
              
               (
               as
               you
               have
               already
               hear'd
               )
               is
               an
               
                 external
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               which
               consists
               in
               washings
               ,
               and
               purifications
               ,
               and
               Sacrifices
               ,
               or
               an
               external
               Conformity
               to
               the
               moral
               Law
               :
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 by
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               is
               an
               Internal
               Righteousness
               ,
               which
               consists
               in
               the
               renovation
               of
               our
               minds
               and
               Spirits
               ,
               in
               the
               government
               of
               our
               thoughts
               and
               passions
               ,
               which
               is
               therefore
               called
               
                 being
                 born
                 again
              
               ,
               and
               becoming
               
                 new
                 Creatures
              
               ,
               and
               
                 rising
                 again
                 with
                 Christ
              
               ,
               and
               
                 putting
                 off
                 the
                 old
                 man
              
               ,
               and
               being
               
                 renewed
                 in
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 our
                 minds
                 ,
                 and
                 putting
                 on
                 the
                 new
                 man
                 ,
                 which
                 after
                 God
                 is
                 created
                 in
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 true
                 Holiness
                 .
              
               The
               meaning
               of
               all
               which
               phrases
               is
               that
               that
               Righteousness
               
               which
               God
               requires
               of
               us
               under
               the
               Gospel
               must
               be
               an
               inward
               principle
               of
               love
               and
               obedience
               ,
               which
               changes
               our
               natures
               and
               transforms
               us
               into
               the
               image
               of
               God
               ,
               as
               much
               as
               if
               we
               were
               born
               again
               ,
               and
               made
               new
               Creatures
               .
            
             
               Hence
               St.
               Paul
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               the
               reason
               why
               God
               sent
               Christ
               into
               the
               World
               in
               our
               nature
               ,
               to
               die
               as
               a
               Sacrifice
               for
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               to
               confirm
               and
               seal
               the
               new
               Covenant
               with
               his
               blood
               was
               ,
               
                 that
                 the
                 righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 law
                 might
                 be
                 fulfilled
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 who
                 walk
                 not
                 after
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 but
                 after
                 the
                 spirit
                 ,
                 Rom.
              
               8.
               3
               ,
               4.
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 the
                 righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 law
              
               ,
               that
               is
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               as
               St.
               Chrysostom
               expounds
               it
               ,
               that
               which
               the
               law
               was
               designed
               to
               work
               in
               them
               ,
               but
               was
               found
               too
               weak
               to
               effect
               it
               by
               reason
               of
               the
               greater
               power
               and
               prevalency
               of
               sin
               ,
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               the
               inward
               holiness
               and
               purity
               of
               mind
               ,
               which
               was
               represented
               and
               signified
               by
               those
               external
               Ceremonies
               of
               Circumcision
               ,
               washing
               ,
               purifications
               ,
               and
               Sacrifices
               ;
               this
               was
               the
               design
               of
               the
               Gospel
               to
               work
               in
               us
               that
               internal
               holiness
               and
               purity
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               perfection
               and
               accomplishment
               of
               
               the
               
                 Typical
                 and
                 Figurative
              
               Righteousness
               of
               the
               Law.
               
            
             
               I
               know
               very
               well
               ,
               that
               this
               place
               is
               expounded
               of
               the
               imputation
               of
               Christs
               Righteousness
               ,
               that
               we
               fulfil
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               not
               personally
               ,
               but
               imputatively
               :
               but
               what
               reason
               can
               there
               be
               assigned
               for
               this
               ,
               besides
               that
               they
               will
               expound
               Scripture
               so
               ,
               which
               no
               man
               can
               help
               :
               for
               is
               there
               any
               mention
               here
               of
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               ?
               that
               he
               fulfilled
               all
               Righteousness
               for
               us
               ,
               and
               that
               his
               Righteousness
               is
               imputed
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               so
               we
               fulfil
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               the
               law
               in
               him
               ?
               And
               we
               ought
               to
               consider
               ,
               how
               consistent
               such
               an
               interpretation
               is
               with
               the
               Apostles
               design
               ,
               which
               is
               to
               show
               the
               great
               vertue
               and
               efficacy
               of
               the
               Gospel
               in
               delivering
               us
               from
               the
               power
               of
               sin
               ,
               which
               the
               law
               could
               not
               effect
               :
               
                 The
                 law
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 life
                 in
                 Christ
                 Iesus
              
               (
               that
               divine
               and
               spiritual
               law
               ,
               which
               Christ
               hath
               given
               us
               ,
               which
               governs
               our
               minds
               and
               spirits
               ,
               and
               is
               the
               principal
               of
               a
               new
               spiritual
               life
               )
               
                 makes
                 us
                 free
                 from
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 death
              
               (
               from
               the
               power
               and
               dominion
               of
               sin
               ,
               which
               is
               called
               
                 a
                 law
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 law
                 in
                 our
                 members
                 warring
                 against
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 our
              
               
               
                 minds
                 .
                 Rom.
              
               7.
               21
               ,
               23.
               
                 )
                 for
                 what
                 the
                 law
                 could
                 not
                 do
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 weak
                 through
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 (
                 what
                 the
                 law
                 could
                 not
                 do
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
              
               govern
               our
               minds
               and
               passions
               ,
               
                 deliver
                 us
                 from
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 death
                 ,
              
               from
               the
               Power
               and
               Dominion
               of
               our
               lusts
               )
               this
               God
               effected
               by
               sending
               Christ
               into
               the
               World
               to
               publish
               the
               Gospel
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               to
               confirm
               all
               those
               great
               promises
               and
               threatnings
               contained
               in
               it
               with
               his
               own
               blood
               ,
               
                 That
                 the
                 righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 law
                 might
                 be
                 fulfilled
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 who
                 walk
                 not
                 after
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 but
                 after
                 the
                 Spirit
                 :
              
               how
               can
               imputation
               come
               in
               here
               ?
               What
               pretty
               sense
               would
               this
               make
               of
               the
               Apostles
               Argument
               ?
               The
               Law
               was
               too
               weak
               to
               make
               men
               throughly
               good
               ,
               to
               conquer
               their
               love
               to
               sin
               ,
               and
               to
               reform
               their
               hearts
               and
               lives
               ;
               and
               therefore
               God
               sent
               his
               Son
               into
               the
               World
               ;
               What
               for
               ?
               To
               give
               them
               better
               laws
               ,
               and
               more
               excellent
               promises
               ,
               and
               more
               powerful
               assistances
               to
               do
               good
               ?
               No
               ,
               by
               no
               means
               ,
               but
               to
               fulfil
               all
               righteousness
               for
               them
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               fulfil
               the
               righteousness
               of
               the
               law
               ,
               not
               by
               doing
               any
               thing
               themselves
               ,
               but
               ,
               by
               having
               all
               done
               for
               them
               ,
               by
               having
               this
               perfect
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               imputed
               to
               them
               :
               there
               was
               no
               
               reason
               surely
               to
               abrogate
               the
               
                 law
                 of
                 Moses
              
               for
               this
               end
               ;
               it
               might
               have
               continued
               in
               full
               force
               still
               ,
               and
               have
               been
               as
               available
               to
               Salvation
               as
               the
               Gospel
               is
               ,
               
                 with
                 the
                 supplemental
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
                 :
              
               But
               the
               
                 weakness
                 of
                 the
                 law
              
               ,
               which
               the
               Apostle
               complains
               of
               ,
               was
               ,
               not
               the
               want
               of
               an
               
                 imputed
                 Righteousness
              
               (
               which
               might
               have
               been
               had
               as
               well
               under
               the
               Law
               ,
               as
               under
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               if
               God
               had
               pleased
               )
               but
               ,
               a
               want
               of
               strength
               and
               power
               to
               subdue
               the
               sinful
               appetites
               of
               men
               ,
               
                 it
                 was
                 weak
                 through
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
              
               by
               reason
               of
               the
               greater
               prevalency
               of
               sensual
               lusts
               ,
               which
               the
               law
               could
               not
               conquer
               ;
               and
               therefore
               the
               Gospel
               of
               our
               Saviour
               must
               supply
               this
               defect
               ,
               not
               by
               an
               
                 imputed
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               but
               ,
               by
               an
               addition
               of
               greater
               power
               to
               enable
               men
               to
               do
               that
               which
               is
               good
               ,
               to
               fulfil
               the
               external
               righteousness
               of
               the
               law
               by
               a
               sincere
               and
               spiritual
               obedience
               .
            
             
               Much
               to
               the
               same
               purpose
               the
               Apostle
               discourses
               in
               Rom.
               7.
               
               Ver.
               4
               ,
               5
               ,
               6.
               
               
                 Wherefore
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 you
                 also
                 are
                 become
                 dead
                 to
                 the
                 law
                 by
                 the
                 body
                 of
                 Christ
              
               (
               who
               put
               an
               end
               to
               that
               imperfect
               dispensation
               by
               his
               death
               )
               
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 be
                 marryed
                 to
                 another
                 ,
                 even
                 to
              
               
               
                 him
                 who
                 is
                 raised
                 from
                 the
                 dead
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 bring
                 forth
                 fruit
                 unto
                 God
                 :
                 for
                 when
                 we
                 were
                 in
                 the
                 flesh
              
               (
               under
               that
               carnal
               and
               fleshly
               dispensation
               of
               the
               Law
               of
               
                 Moses
                 )
                 the
                 motions
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 by
                 the
                 Law
              
               (
               which
               grew
               more
               boisterous
               and
               unruly
               by
               the
               prohibitions
               of
               the
               law
               ,
               v.
               8.
               )
               
                 did
                 work
                 in
                 our
                 members
                 to
                 bring
                 forth
                 fruit
                 unto
                 death
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
              
               did
               betray
               us
               to
               those
               wicked
               actions
               ,
               which
               end
               in
               Death
               ;
               
                 but
                 now
                 we
                 are
                 delivered
                 from
                 the
                 law
                 ,
                 that
                 being
                 dead
                 in
                 which
                 we
                 were
                 held
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 serve
                 in
                 newness
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 oldness
                 of
                 the
                 letter
                 .
              
               So
               that
               the
               reason
               why
               the
               Law
               of
               Moses
               was
               abrogated
               ,
               was
               because
               it
               could
               not
               make
               men
               good
               ;
               It
               nursed
               them
               up
               in
               a
               ritual
               and
               external
               Religion
               ,
               taught
               them
               to
               serve
               God
               in
               the
               letter
               ,
               by
               Circumcision
               and
               Sacrifices
               ,
               or
               an
               external
               Conformity
               to
               the
               letter
               of
               the
               law
               :
               But
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               alone
               teacheth
               us
               to
               worship
               God
               with
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               to
               offer
               a
               reasonable
               Sacrifice
               to
               him
               ,
               to
               fulfil
               the
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 all
                 that
                 internal
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 of
                 which
                 those
                 legal
                 Ceremonies
                 were
                 the
                 Signs
                 and
                 Sacraments
                 .
              
            
             
               This
               is
               the
               plain
               meaning
               of
               the
               
               Apostle
               ,
               which
               can
               never
               be
               reconciled
               with
               an
               
                 imputed
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               which
               would
               make
               his
               argument
               foolish
               and
               absurd
               :
               and
               therefore
               in
               other
               places
               ,
               he
               tells
               us
               ,
               what
               little
               reason
               we
               have
               to
               be
               so
               zealous
               for
               the
               law
               of
               Moses
               ,
               since
               we
               have
               the
               perfection
               of
               it
               in
               the
               Gospel
               :
               what
               need
               is
               there
               of
               the
               
                 Circumcision
                 of
                 the
                 flesh
              
               ,
               which
               the
               law
               required
               ?
               when
               in
               the
               Gospel
               
                 we
                 have
                 that
                 Circumcision
                 made
                 without
                 hands
                 ,
                 in
                 putting
                 off
                 the
                 body
                 of
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 the
                 flesh
                 by
                 the
                 Circumcision
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ;
               which
               is
               the
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               the
               perfection
               of
               that
               fleshly
               Circumcision
               .
               What
               need
               is
               there
               of
               
                 legal
                 washings
                 and
                 purifications
              
               ?
               when
               they
               are
               all
               eminently
               fulfilled
               in
               the
               
                 washing
                 of
                 Regeneration
              
               ,
               in
               the
               Gospel
               Baptism
               .
               Thus
               we
               
                 are
                 compleat
                 in
                 Christ
              
               ,
               who
               hath
               perfectly
               instructed
               us
               in
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               instituted
               such
               a
               Religion
               as
               is
               the
               perfection
               of
               all
               external
               Ceremonies
               ;
               Col.
               2.
               
               Ver.
               10
               ,
               11
               ,
               12.
               
               We
               must
               now
               offer
               a
               nobler
               Sacrifice
               than
               the
               law
               of
               Moses
               commanded
               ,
               not
               the
               Sacrifices
               of
               dead
               Beasts
               ,
               but
               of
               a
               living
               and
               active
               Soul.
               Rom.
               12.
               1.
               
            
             
               Hence
               Christ
               is
               called
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 law
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
              
               the
               perfection
               and
               
               accomplishment
               of
               the
               law
               (
               as
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               signifies
               )
               
                 for
                 righteousness
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 believe
                 ;
                 Rom.
              
               10.
               4.
               
               That
               is
               ,
               the
               
                 Gospel
                 of
                 Christ
              
               requires
               that
               righteousness
               of
               us
               ,
               which
               the
               law
               did
               only
               typifie
               and
               represent
               ,
               that
               holiness
               and
               purity
               of
               mind
               which
               is
               the
               perfection
               of
               all
               legal
               righteousness
               :
               for
               that
               Christ
               should
               be
               made
               
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 law
                 for
                 righteousness
              
               by
               the
               imputation
               of
               his
               righteousness
               to
               us
               ,
               hath
               no
               foundation
               in
               the
               Text.
               The
               Apostle
               explains
               what
               he
               means
               by
               this
               in
               the
               following
               Verses
               ,
               where
               he
               gives
               us
               a
               description
               of
               the
               
                 righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 law
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 righteousness
                 of
                 Faith
              
               :
               The
               righteousness
               of
               the
               law
               is
               an
               external
               Conformity
               to
               the
               letter
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               
                 The
                 man
                 that
                 doth
                 them
                 shall
                 live
                 in
                 them
                 :
                 i.
                 e.
              
               shall
               enjoy
               all
               those
               temporal
               blessings
               of
               the
               Land
               of
               Canaan
               ,
               which
               were
               promised
               to
               the
               observance
               of
               the
               Law
               :
               but
               the
               righteousness
               of
               Faith
               is
               a
               firm
               and
               stedfast
               belief
               of
               the
               Divine
               Authority
               of
               Christ
               ,
               
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 Lord
              
               ;
               and
               more
               particularly
               a
               belief
               of
               his
               
                 Resurrection
                 from
                 the
                 dead
              
               ,
               as
               the
               last
               and
               great
               confirmation
               ,
               which
               God
               gave
               to
               the
               Divinity
               of
               Christs
               Person
               and
               Doctrine
               :
               This
               is
               that
               Faith
               that
               
               overcomes
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               purifies
               the
               heart
               ,
               and
               transforms
               us
               into
               the
               likeness
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               perfection
               of
               all
               the
               ritual
               righteousness
               of
               the
               Law.
               
            
             
               Upon
               this
               account
               Christ
               is
               said
               to
               be
               
                 made
                 unto
                 us
                 righteousness
              
               .
               1
               Cor.
               1.
               20.
               
               
                 But
                 of
                 him
                 are
                 you
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 who
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 made
                 unto
                 us
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 Sanctification
                 ,
                 and
                 Redemption
                 :
                 i.
                 e.
              
               he
               is
               the
               Author
               of
               all
               this
               to
               us
               ;
               He
               is
               
                 our
                 Wisdom
              
               ,
               as
               he
               is
               our
               great
               Prophet
               and
               Teacher
               ,
               who
               instructs
               us
               in
               true
               Wisdom
               ;
               
                 Our
                 Righteousness
              
               ,
               as
               we
               are
               justified
               by
               Faith
               in
               him
               ,
               by
               a
               sincere
               belief
               of
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               only
               Righteousness
               acceptable
               to
               God
               ;
               
                 Our
                 Sanctification
              
               ,
               because
               the
               
                 law
                 of
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 life
                 in
                 Christ
                 Iesus
                 ,
                 makes
                 us
                 free
                 from
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 death
                 :
              
               that
               Divine
               and
               Spiritual
               
                 law
                 of
                 Faith
              
               conquers
               the
               Power
               and
               Dominion
               of
               sin
               ,
               which
               the
               
                 law
                 of
                 Moses
              
               could
               not
               do
               :
               and
               
                 our
                 Redemption
              
               ,
               as
               by
               these
               means
               he
               hath
               deliver'd
               us
               from
               the
               bondage
               and
               pedagogie
               of
               the
               Jewish
               Law
               ,
               from
               the
               Idolatrous
               Customs
               of
               the
               Heathens
               ,
               and
               the
               Tyranny
               of
               wicked
               Spirits
               ,
               and
               from
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               just
               merit
               and
               desert
               of
               sin
               .
            
             
             
               Thus
               you
               see
               how
               the
               Apostle
               opposes
               the
               
                 righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 law
              
               to
               the
               
                 righteousness
                 of
                 Faith
              
               ,
               not
               as
               an
               Inherent
               and
               Personal
               to
               an
               Imputed
               Righteousness
               ,
               but
               as
               an
               External
               and
               Ritual
               to
               an
               
                 Inherent
                 ,
                 real
              
               ,
               and
               substantial
               Righteousness
               ,
               this
               is
               the
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               the
               foundation
               of
               all
               other
               mistakes
               in
               this
               matter
               ,
               that
               by
               the
               
                 righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 law
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 righteousness
                 of
                 works
              
               ,
               most
               men
               understand
               an
               internal
               holiness
               ,
               the
               Conformity
               of
               our
               hearts
               and
               lives
               to
               all
               moral
               Precepts
               ,
               and
               Rules
               of
               a
               good
               life
               ,
               and
               then
               conclude
               ,
               that
               if
               this
               Righteousness
               will
               not
               please
               God
               ,
               nothing
               but
               an
               
                 Imputed
                 Righteousness
              
               can
               ,
               though
               I
               should
               rather
               have
               concluded
               ,
               that
               nothing
               can
               ;
               but
               the
               truth
               is
               ,
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               the
               Law
               and
               of
               Works
               in
               the
               New
               Testament
               ,
               signifies
               only
               an
               external
               Righteousness
               ,
               which
               cannot
               please
               God
               ,
               and
               that
               internal
               holiness
               ,
               which
               they
               call
               the
               righteousness
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               is
               that
               very
               Righteousness
               of
               Faith
               ,
               which
               the
               Gospel
               commands
               ,
               and
               which
               God
               approves
               and
               rewards
               ;
               and
               this
               
                 Imputed
                 Righteousness
              
               is
               no
               where
               to
               be
               found
               ,
               that
               I
               know
               of
               ,
               but
               in
               their
               own
               fancies
               .
            
             
             
               Let
               us
               now
               consider
               in
               what
               sense
               the
               Apostle
               opposes
               his
               own
               Righteousness
               to
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               God
               :
               
                 not
                 having
                 mine
                 own
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 which
                 is
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 Faith
              
               ;
               and
               there
               is
               no
               great
               difficulty
               in
               this
               ;
               for
               the
               Apostle
               himself
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               by
               his
               
                 own
                 righteousness
              
               ,
               he
               means
               the
               
                 righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 law
              
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Faith
                 :
                 And
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 not
                 having
                 mine
                 own
                 righteousness
                 which
                 is
                 of
                 the
                 law
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 through
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 which
                 is
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 Faith
                 :
              
               and
               what
               that
               is
               ,
               you
               have
               already
               heard
               :
               thus
               in
               Rom.
               10.
               3.
               
               
                 For
                 they
                 being
                 ignorant
                 of
                 Gods
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 going
                 about
                 to
                 establish
                 their
                 own
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 have
                 not
                 submitted
                 to
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
                 :
              
               where
               their
               
                 own
                 righteousness
              
               ,
               which
               the
               Jews
               so
               obstinately
               adhered
               to
               ,
               was
               the
               
                 righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 law
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               which
               they
               were
               ignorant
               of
               ,
               and
               would
               not
               submit
               to
               ,
               was
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Faith
              
               :
               for
               this
               was
               the
               great
               controversie
               between
               the
               Jews
               and
               Apostles
               (
               which
               is
               the
               subject
               of
               this
               Epistle
               )
               whether
               men
               were
               to
               be
               justified
               by
               the
               
                 law
                 of
              
               
               Moses
               ,
               or
               by
               the
               
                 Gospel
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               by
               a
               legal
               ,
               or
               Evangelical
               Righteousness
               ,
               as
               appears
               from
               Rom.
               9.
               30.
               
               
                 Israel
                 ,
                 which
                 followed
                 after
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 hath
                 not
                 attained
                 to
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 righteousness
                 ;
                 wherefore
                 ?
                 because
                 they
                 sought
                 it
                 not
                 by
                 Faith
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 by
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 the
                 law
                 :
              
               that
               is
               the
               Israelites
               ,
               who
               pursued
               so
               earnestly
               after
               Righteousness
               ,
               are
               excluded
               from
               righteousness
               ,
               or
               forgiveness
               of
               sins
               ,
               and
               are
               under
               a
               Curse
               ,
               because
               they
               did
               not
               look
               for
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               Justification
               in
               the
               way
               ,
               which
               God
               prescribed
               ,
               which
               is
               
                 by
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
              
               ,
               or
               
                 by
                 Christianity
              
               ,
               but
               by
               the
               observance
               of
               the
               
                 law
                 of
                 Moses
              
               .
            
             
               Now
               the
               most
               obvious
               Reason
               ,
               why
               this
               
                 righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 law
              
               is
               called
               their
               
                 own
                 righteousness
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 Gods
                 Righteousness
                 ,
              
               is
               ,
               because
               this
               
                 legal
                 righteousness
              
               was
               a
               way
               of
               justification
               ,
               not
               of
               Gods
               appointment
               but
               their
               own
               chusing
               ;
               God
               never
               designed
               ,
               that
               any
               man
               should
               be
               justified
               to
               eternal
               life
               by
               observing
               the
               law
               of
               Moses
               ,
               but
               yet
               they
               confidently
               expected
               justification
               by
               that
               Law
               ,
               and
               for
               that
               reason
               rejected
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               :
               But
               the
               
                 righteousness
                 of
                 Faith
              
               is
               a
               righteousness
               of
               Gods
               ,
               
               chusing
               ;
               this
               he
               approves
               and
               accepts
               of
               for
               the
               justification
               of
               a
               Sinner
               ;
               
                 by
                 this
                 the
                 Elders
                 obtained
                 a
                 good
                 report
                 ,
              
               by
               this
               Enoch
               ,
               and
               Noah
               ,
               and
               Abraham
               were
               justified
               before
               God
               :
               and
               therefore
               this
               may
               well
               be
               called
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               because
               this
               he
               appointed
               ,
               and
               this
               he
               will
               owne
               ,
               and
               reward
               .
               Thus
               ,
               you
               see
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               no
               foundation
               in
               Scripture
               for
               all
               this
               talk
               of
               a
               
                 Personal
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
                 inherent
                 in
                 him
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 imputed
                 to
                 us
              
               :
               but
               the
               righteousness
               of
               which
               the
               Scripture
               speaks
               ,
               is
               not
               the
               righteousness
               of
               Christs
               Person
               but
               of
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               way
               of
               Righteousness
               and
               Justification
               ,
               which
               Christ
               hath
               revealed
               in
               his
               Gospel
               .
            
             
               I
               have
               now
               considered
               all
               the
               
                 Personal
                 Graces
              
               of
               Christ
               ,
               (
               as
               these
               men
               call
               them
               )
               and
               upon
               inquiry
               it
               appears
               ,
               that
               what
               they
               appropriate
               to
               his
               Person
               ,
               belongs
               to
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               is
               intended
               to
               describe
               the
               perfection
               and
               excellency
               of
               his
               Religion
               ,
               as
               being
               the
               most
               perfect
               Revelation
               of
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               the
               most
               powerful
               method
               of
               his
               wisdom
               for
               the
               reforming
               the
               World
               ,
               the
               only
               way
               to
               life
               and
               immortality
               ,
               and
               which
               prescribes
               the
               
               only
               Righteousness
               ,
               which
               is
               acceptable
               to
               God.
               
            
             
               There
               is
               indeed
               one
               metaphorical
               expression
               still
               behind
               ,
               which
               exercises
               mens
               wits
               and
               fancies
               ,
               viz
               the
               
                 riches
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 Eph.
              
               3.
               8.
               
               Which
               must
               needs
               be
               a
               
                 personal
                 Grace
              
               too
               ,
               or
               Personal
               Estate
               ,
               or
               what
               you
               will
               call
               it
               :
               
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 who
                 am
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 all
                 Saints
                 ,
                 is
                 this
                 Grace
                 given
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 preach
                 among
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 the
                 unsearchable
                 riches
                 of
                 Christ.
              
               Where
               by
               the
               
                 unsearchable
                 riches
              
               of
               Christ
               is
               meant
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               St.
               Paul
               preached
               to
               the
               Gentiles
               ,
               as
               being
               ordained
               by
               Christ
               to
               be
               the
               Apostle
               of
               the
               Gentiles
               :
               and
               he
               calls
               it
               
                 unsearchable
                 riches
              
               ,
               because
               the
               Grace
               of
               the
               Gospel
               is
               not
               a
               narrow
               and
               stinted
               thing
               ,
               is
               not
               confined
               to
               a
               particular
               Nation
               ,
               as
               the
               law
               was
               ,
               but
               is
               offer'd
               to
               all
               Mankind
               ,
               whether
               Jews
               or
               Gentiles
               ,
               bond
               or
               free
               :
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               contains
               those
               glorious
               discoveries
               of
               Gods
               goodness
               to
               all
               Mankind
               ,
               as
               may
               well
               be
               called
               the
               riches
               of
               his
               Grace
               ,
               Eph.
               1.
               7.
               for
               riches
               signifie
               only
               an
               abundance
               .
            
             
               And
               is
               it
               not
               a
               great
               violation
               of
               the
               Majesty
               of
               Scripture
               to
               sport
               and
               toy
               with
               words
               and
               metaphors
               ,
               as
               some
               
               men
               do
               with
               this
               riches
               of
               Christ
               :
               
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 rich
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 hath
                 a
                 rich
              
               
               
                 dowry
                 ,
                 having
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 given
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 proper
                 Inheritance
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 keeps
                 open
                 House
                 ,
                 and
                 maintains
                 all
                 the
                 Creation
                 at
                 his
                 own
                 charge
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 this
                 above
              
               6000
               
                 years
                 ,
                 which
                 would
                 have
                 broke
                 him
                 long
                 since
                 ,
                 had
                 he
                 not
                 been
                 very
                 rich
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 only
                 inrich
                 all
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 but
                 all
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 their
                 understandings
                 with
                 glorious
                 light
                 ,
                 their
                 Consciences
                 with
                 quickness
                 ,
                 pureness
                 ,
                 &c.
                 and
                 that
                 after
                 all
                 this
                 vast
                 expence
                 he
                 is
                 never
                 the
                 poorer
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 penny
                 the
                 poorer
                 for
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 laid
                 out
                 for
                 the
                 relief
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 have
                 their
                 dependance
                 on
                 him
                 ;
                 And
                 that
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 is
                 generally
                 rich
                 ,
                 rich
                 in
                 Houses
                 and
                 Lands
              
               (
               though
               he
               had
               not
               a
               place
               whereon
               to
               lay
               his
               head
               )
               
                 in
                 gold
                 ,
                 in
                 silver
                 ,
                 in
                 Cattel
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 temporals
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 spirituals
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 a
                 great
                 Tribute
                 and
                 Rent
                 due
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 Landlord
                 and
                 Owner
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 Angels
                 and
                 men
                 possess
                 above
                 and
                 below
              
               ;
               These
               are
               fine
               things
               to
               perswade
               young
               Women
               to
               accept
               of
               Christ
               for
               their
               Husband
               ,
               since
               they
               can
               never
               expect
               so
               rich
               and
               advantageous
               a
               match
               any
               where
               else
               :
               
               but
               I
               have
               something
               else
               to
               do
               ,
               than
               to
               pursue
               such
               follies
               and
               extravagancies
               ,
               as
               are
               so
               palpable
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               no
               need
               to
               expose
               them
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 III.
              
               Concerning
               the
               nature
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               whereby
               we
               are
               intitled
               to
               all
               his
               fulness
               ,
               Righteousness
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               HAving
               showed
               you
               what
               kind
               of
               Person
               these
               men
               make
               of
               Christ
               ,
               how
               they
               have
               fitted
               him
               to
               all
               the
               wants
               and
               necessities
               of
               a
               Sinner
               ,
               let
               us
               now
               consider
               ,
               wherein
               this
               Union
               they
               talk
               of
               ,
               between
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               and
               the
               Persons
               of
               Believers
               does
               consist
               .
            
             
               Now
               the
               Union
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               Christians
               is
               represented
               in
               Scripture
               by
               various
               metaphors
               ,
               which
               I
               have
               explained
               at
               large
               :
               but
               these
               men
               instead
               of
               explaining
               these
               metaphors
               ,
               turn
               all
               Religion
               into
               an
               Allegory
               :
               As
               for
               example
               ,
               Christ
               is
               called
               an
               Husband
               ,
               and
               
               the
               Church
               his
               Spouse
               ;
               and
               now
               all
               the
               invitations
               of
               the
               Gospel
               are
               Christs
               wooing
               and
               
                 making
                 love
              
               to
               his
               Spouse
               ,
               and
               what
               other
               men
               call
               
                 believing
                 the
                 Gospel
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               whereby
               we
               devote
               our selves
               to
               his
               service
               ,
               these
               men
               call
               that
               
                 consent
                 and
                 contract
                 ,
                 which
                 makes
                 up
                 the
                 marriage
                 betwixt
                 Christ
                 and
                 Believers
                 :
              
               Christ
               takes
               us
               for
               his
               Spouse
               ,
               and
               we
               take
               Christ
               for
               our
               Husband
               ,
               and
               that
               with
               all
               the
               solemnities
               of
               marriage
               (
               except
               the
               Ring
               which
               is
               left
               out
               as
               an
               Antichristian
               Ceremony
               )
               Christ
               saying
               thus
               ,
               
                 This
                 is
              
               
               
                 that
                 we
                 will
                 consent
                 unto
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 will
                 be
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 for
                 me
                 ;
                 and
                 not
                 for
                 another
                 .
                 Christ
                 gives
                 himself
                 to
                 the
                 Soul
                 with
                 all
                 his
                 excellencies
                 ,
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 preciousness
                 ,
                 graces
                 ,
                 and
                 eminencies
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 its
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 Head
                 ,
                 and
                 Husband
                 ,
                 to
                 dwell
                 with
                 it
                 in
                 this
                 holy
                 Relation
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Soul
                 likes
                 Christ
                 for
                 his
                 excellencies
                 ,
                 Graces
                 ,
                 suitableness
                 far
                 above
                 all
                 other
                 Beloveds
                 whatever
                 ,
                 and
                 accepts
                 of
                 Christ
                 by
                 the
                 will
                 for
                 its
                 Husband
                 ,
                 Lord
                 and
                 Saviour
                 ,
              
               and
               thus
               the
               Marriage
               is
               compleated
               ,
               and
               
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Christs
                 Espousals
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 gladness
                 of
                 his
                 heart
              
               ;
               and
               now
               follow
               all
               
                 mutual
                 conjugal
                 affections
              
               ,
               which
               on
               Christs
               
               part
               consist
               
                 in
                 delight
                 ,
                 valuation
                 ,
                 pity
                 ,
                 or
                 compassion
                 ,
                 and
                 bounty
                 :
              
               on
               the
               Saints
               part
               in
               
                 delight
                 ,
                 valuation
                 ,
                 Chastity
                 ,
                 duty
              
               ;
               which
               is
               much
               like
               Mr.
               Hobs
               his
               Description
               of
               his
               
                 Artificial
                 Man
              
               the
               Common-wealth
               :
               But
               I
               have
               already
               corrected
               this
               fooling
               with
               Scripture-Metaphors
               ,
               and
               Phrases
               ,
               and
               my
               business
               at
               present
               is
               to
               consider
               ,
               wherein
               they
               place
               the
               nature
               of
               this
               
                 Union
                 betwixt
                 Christ
                 and
                 Believers
              
               ;
               namely
               in
               this
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               such
               an
               Union
               ,
               
                 as
                 makes
                 all
                 Christ
                 ours
                 ,
                 and
                 us
                 Christs
                 :
              
               when
               a
               man
               is
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               he
               hath
               a
               propriety
               and
               interest
               in
               all
               his
               Personal
               Graces
               and
               Eminencies
               :
               
                 He
                 is
                 lovely
                 with
                 Christs
                 loveliness
                 ,
                 Righteous
                 with
                 Christs
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 and
                 Power
                 ,
                 and
                 fulness
              
               of
               Christ
               are
               his
               ;
               whatever
               Christ
               hath
               done
               ,
               or
               suffer'd
               ,
               is
               all
               his
               as
               much
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               had
               done
               and
               suffer'd
               the
               same
               things
               himself
               .
            
             
               Now
               this
               
                 Union
                 of
                 Persons
              
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               Believers
               ,
               which
               gives
               them
               such
               a
               propriety
               in
               all
               the
               
                 Personal
                 Graces
              
               of
               Christ
               ,
               is
               commonly
               explained
               by
               a
               
                 conjugal
                 relation
              
               ,
               and
               
                 legal
                 Union
              
               ,
               that
               mutual
               Relation
               ,
               which
               is
               betwixt
               Husband
               and
               Wife
               ,
               and
               that
               Union
               ,
               which
               is
               betwixt
               the
               Surety
               and
               Debtor
               .
            
             
             
               First
               ,
               They
               explain
               this
               Union
               by
               a
               
               
                 conjugal
                 Relation
              
               ,
               Christ
               is
               a
               
                 Spiritual
                 Husband
              
               ,
               and
               every
               Believer
               is
               his
               Spouse
               ,
               now
               this
               
                 marriage
                 Union
              
               consists
               in
               a
               
                 mutual
                 resignation
                 or
                 making
                 over
                 their
                 Persons
                 one
                 to
                 another
                 ;
                 Christ
              
               
               
                 gives
                 himself
                 to
                 the
                 Soul
                 with
                 all
                 his
                 Excellencies
                 ,
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 Graces
                 and
                 Eminencies
                 to
                 be
                 its
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 Head
                 and
                 Husband
                 ,
                 for
                 ever
                 to
                 dwell
                 with
                 it
                 in
                 this
                 holy
                 Relation
                 :
              
               now
               as
               you
               know
               ,
               
                 the
                 Wife
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 her
                 Marriage-Union
                 is
                 entitled
                 to
                 her
                 Husbands
                 Estate
                 ,
                 thus
                 are
                 Saints
                 by
                 their
                 marriage
                 to
                 Christ
                 entitled
                 to
                 all
                 his
                 Personal
                 fulness
                 ,
                 beauty
                 ,
                 righteousness
                 :
                 and
                 as
                 a
                 Wife
                 under
                 covert
              
               
               
                 is
                 not
                 lyable
                 to
                 an
                 arrest
                 ,
                 or
                 action
                 at
                 law
                 ,
                 but
                 all
                 must
                 fall
                 upon
                 her
                 Husband
                 ,
                 so
                 you
                 being
                 married
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 this
                 Supersedes
                 the
                 Process
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 against
                 you
                 ;
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 not
                 fully
                 satisfied
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 seek
                 its
                 reparation
                 at
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 your
                 Spiritual
                 Husband
                 Christ
                 himself
                 ;
                 as
                 for
                 any
                 condemnatory
                 charge
                 ,
                 it
                 cannot
                 fall
                 upon
                 you
                 .
              
               This
               is
               the
               sum
               of
               all
               the
               Reason
               ,
               they
               alledge
               to
               prove
               that
               we
               have
               a
               right
               and
               title
               to
               whatever
               Christ
               hath
               done
               or
               suffer'd
               ,
               by
               vertue
               of
               our
               marriage
               to
               him
               ,
               because
               a
               Wife
               hath
               an
               Interest
               in
               her
               
               Husbands
               Estate
               ,
               and
               is
               secur'd
               from
               all
               Arrests
               at
               Law
               ,
               and
               if
               these
               be
               not
               weighty
               reasons
               ,
               let
               any
               man
               ,
               that
               can
               ,
               give
               better
               .
            
             
               To
               consider
               this
               briefly
               ,
               they
               say
               ,
               
                 that
                 a
                 Wife
                 hath
                 an
                 Interest
                 in
                 her
                 Husbands
                 Estate
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 secured
                 from
                 all
                 Arrests
                 at
                 Law
                 ▪
              
               and
               therefore
               ,
               
                 Christ
                 being
                 our
                 Husband
                 all
                 his
                 Personal
                 excellencies
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 &c.
                 are
                 ours
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 Law
                 cannot
                 take
                 hold
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 but
                 our
                 Husband
                 must
                 be
                 responsible
                 for
                 our
                 faults
                 :
              
               a
               very
               hard
               Law
               truly
               ,
               and
               I
               think
               a
               Husband
               is
               in
               a
               very
               ill
               Case
               ,
               when
               he
               has
               a
               bad
               Wife
               :
               Now
               suppose
               this
               were
               the
               Case
               in
               some
               earthly
               marriages
               ,
               it
               were
               worth
               while
               to
               consider
               ,
               whether
               this
               be
               
                 essential
                 to
                 marriage
              
               ,
               or
               whether
               it
               depends
               upon
               
                 private
                 contracts
              
               ,
               or
               
                 publick
                 Laws
                 and
                 Customs
              
               ,
               which
               are
               arbitrary
               and
               mutable
               ;
               for
               if
               this
               be
               not
               essential
               to
               marriage
               ,
               how
               can
               we
               be
               secure
               ,
               that
               this
               is
               the
               law
               of
               our
               
                 spiritual
                 marriage
              
               ,
               unless
               our
               
                 spiritual
                 Husband
              
               had
               told
               us
               so
               :
               especially
               considering
               ,
               that
               this
               
                 spiritual
                 marriage
              
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               his
               Church
               is
               of
               a
               different
               nature
               from
               
                 earthly
                 marriages
              
               ,
               and
               if
               they
               differ
               in
               any
               thing
               we
               cannot
               be
               sure
               ,
               but
               that
               
               they
               differ
               in
               this
               ,
               unless
               we
               have
               some
               better
               proof
               of
               it
               ,
               than
               this
               Analogy
               and
               resemblance
               between
               earthly
               and
               spiritual
               marriages
               ;
               nay
               and
               better
               proof
               too
               ,
               than
               Dr.
               Owen
               gives
               us
               of
               it
               .
               Cant.
               1.
               15.
               
               
                 Behold
                 thou
                 art
                 fair
                 my
                 Companion
                 ,
                 behold
                 thou
                 art
                 fair
                 ,
                 thou
                 hast
                 Doves
                 Eyes
                 ,
              
               and
               Cant.
               3.
               14
               
               ▪
               
                 O
                 my
                 Dove
                 ,
                 that
                 art
                 in
                 the
                 clefts
                 of
                 the
                 Rocks
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 secret
                 places
                 of
                 the
                 stairs
                 ,
                 let
                 me
                 hear
                 thy
                 voice
                 ,
                 let
                 me
                 see
                 thy
                 countenance
                 ,
                 for
                 sweet
                 is
                 thy
                 voice
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 countenance
                 is
                 comely
                 ,
              
               or
               Cant.
               4.
               8.
               
               
                 Come
                 with
                 me
                 from
              
               Lebanon
               
                 my
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 look
                 from
                 the
                 top
                 of
              
               Amana
               ,
               
                 from
                 the
                 top
                 of
              
               Shenir
               and
               Hermon
               ,
               
                 from
                 the
                 Lions
                 Dens
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Mountain
                 of
                 the
                 Leopards
                 ,
              
               or
               Isai.
               4.
               2.
               
               
                 The
                 branch
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 beautiful
                 and
                 glorious
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 is
                 excellent
                 and
                 comely
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 escaped
                 of
              
               Israel
               :
               which
               are
               all
               the
               proofs
               he
               can
               find
               (
               for
               if
               he
               had
               any
               better
               ,
               he
               did
               ill
               to
               conceal
               them
               )
               for
               
                 Christs
                 giving
                 himself
                 to
                 the
                 Soul
                 with
                 all
                 his
                 Excellencies
                 ,
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 Preciousness
                 ,
                 Graces
                 ,
                 Eminencies
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               Now
               how
               any
               such
               consequence
               as
               this
               can
               be
               drawn
               ,
               either
               from
               
                 Doves
                 Eyes
              
               ,
               or
               from
               the
               
                 Clefts
                 of
                 the
                 Rocks
              
               ,
               or
               
                 from
                 Lebanon
              
               ,
               or
               
               
                 from
                 the
                 top
                 of
                 Amana
                 ,
                 Shenir
                 ,
              
               or
               Hermon
               ,
               or
               from
               the
               
                 Lions
                 Dens
              
               ,
               or
               
                 Mountain
                 of
                 Leopards
              
               ,
               is
               past
               my
               understanding
               to
               make
               out
               .
               But
               let
               the
               Laws
               of
               Kingdoms
               and
               Nations
               be
               as
               they
               will
               ,
               there
               can
               be
               no
               Law
               made
               to
               alter
               the
               nature
               of
               things
               ;
               there
               never
               was
               any
               Law
               ,
               that
               the
               
                 Personal
                 vertues
                 and
                 qualities
                 and
                 perfections
                 of
                 the
                 Husband
                 should
                 be
                 setled
                 upon
                 his
                 Wife
                 for
                 a
                 jointure
                 :
              
               though
               the
               Husband
               be
               never
               so
               fair
               and
               comely
               ,
               wise
               and
               vertuous
               ,
               his
               Wife
               may
               be
               ugly
               and
               deformed
               ,
               a
               Fool
               or
               a
               Harlot
               ;
               for
               Personal
               and
               Inherent
               perfections
               cannot
               pass
               out
               of
               the
               Person
               ,
               nor
               be
               made
               over
               to
               any
               other
               ,
               as
               money
               and
               lands
               are
               :
               and
               therefore
               whatever
               other
               priviledges
               we
               may
               enjoy
               by
               our
               marriage
               to
               Christ
               ,
               his
               
                 Personal
                 excellencies
              
               cannot
               be
               ours
               ,
               though
               his
               Person
               were
               .
            
             
               And
               we
               know
               ,
               that
               in
               marriage
               ,
               there
               are
               private
               contracts
               too
               ,
               and
               the
               Wives
               interest
               in
               her
               Husbands
               Estate
               may
               be
               limited
               to
               such
               conditions
               ,
               as
               they
               agree
               upon
               :
               and
               the
               truth
               is
               Christ
               hath
               not
               made
               such
               an
               absolute
               settlement
               of
               himself
               upon
               us
               ,
               as
               these
               men
               dream
               he
               has
               ;
               for
               the
               
               Gospel
               contains
               the
               Articles
               of
               this
               Marriage
               (
               to
               speak
               in
               these
               mens
               dialect
               )
               and
               there
               we
               must
               learn
               to
               what
               purposes
               ,
               and
               upon
               what
               conditions
               ,
               Christ
               gives
               himself
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               must
               challenge
               no
               more
               from
               Christ
               by
               vertue
               of
               our
               marriage
               to
               him
               ,
               than
               what
               the
               Gospel
               (
               the
               marriage
               Covenant
               )
               promises
               ,
               and
               we
               find
               nothing
               there
               of
               his
               
                 Personal
                 Righteousness
              
               to
               be
               made
               ours
               .
               As
               for
               what
               they
               tell
               us
               ,
               that
               
                 a
                 Woman
                 under
                 covert
                 is
                 not
                 liable
                 to
                 an
                 Arrest
                 or
                 action
                 at
                 the
                 law
                 ,
                 but
                 all
                 must
                 fall
                 upon
                 her
                 Husband
                 ,
              
               it
               is
               true
               as
               to
               matter
               of
               Debt
               ,
               but
               does
               not
               extend
               to
               Crimes
               :
               if
               a
               Woman
               kill
               her
               Child
               ,
               or
               rob
               upon
               the
               High-way
               ,
               I
               doubt
               her
               being
               under
               covert
               will
               not
               secure
               her
               from
               the
               Gallows
               :
               was
               it
               never
               known
               that
               a
               Woman
               was
               hang'd
               either
               with
               or
               without
               her
               Husband
               ?
               The
               Keeper
               of
               Newgate
               could
               have
               better
               informed
               them
               in
               this
               nice
               point
               of
               Divinity
               :
               and
               how
               secure
               soever
               any
               man
               may
               fancy
               himself
               of
               his
               marriage
               to
               Christ
               ,
               I
               would
               not
               advise
               him
               to
               venture
               too
               much
               upon
               it
               ,
               for
               if
               he
               be
               guilty
               of
               any
               gross
               wilful
               sin
               ,
               there
               is
               some
               danger
               ,
               that
               the
               law
               or
               Gospel
               may
               condemn
               him
               ,
               unless
               he
               
               timely
               repent
               ,
               and
               reform
               his
               Vices
               .
            
             
               So
               that
               this
               
                 conjugal
                 Relation
              
               to
               Christ
               does
               not
               make
               him
               so
               absolutely
               ours
               ,
               as
               these
               men
               pretend
               ,
               who
               by
               their
               loose
               discourses
               and
               inconsequent
               reasonings
               seem
               neither
               to
               understand
               Divine
               nor
               
                 Humane
                 Laws
              
               :
               when
               the
               Scripture
               calls
               Christ
               our
               Husband
               ,
               and
               the
               Church
               his
               Spouse
               ,
               it
               means
               no
               more
               ,
               but
               that
               Christ
               is
               our
               
                 Head
                 and
                 Governour
              
               ,
               who
               rules
               his
               Church
               with
               as
               great
               kindness
               ,
               tenderness
               and
               compassion
               ,
               as
               a
               Husband
               exerciseth
               towards
               his
               Wife
               ,
               and
               that
               we
               are
               to
               pay
               the
               same
               love
               ,
               duty
               ,
               and
               obedience
               to
               Christ
               ,
               that
               Wives
               owe
               to
               their
               Husbands
               ;
               and
               here
               we
               must
               have
               done
               with
               the
               Metaphor
               ,
               unless
               we
               will
               turn
               Religion
               into
               a
               Romance
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Christ
               and
               Believers
               are
               
               legally
               united
               :
               now
               there
               are
               two
               different
               ways
               of
               explaining
               this
               ,
               some
               iusist
               most
               upon
               the
               notion
               of
               a
               Surety
               ,
               others
               of
               a
               Mediatour
               ,
               which
               come
               much
               to
               one
               ,
               but
               yet
               have
               some
               peculiar
               absurdities
               belonging
               to
               each
               of
               them
               :
               as
               for
               the
               notion
               of
               a
               Surety
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               first
               way
               ,
               Dr.
               Iacomb
               gives
               us
               this
               account
               of
               it
               ,
               that
               Christ
               ,
               
               
                 as
                 the
                 Saints
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               or
               
                 Surety
                 ,
                 struck
              
               
               
                 hands
                 with
                 God
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 word
                 imports
                 )
                 put
                 himself
                 into
                 their
                 stead
                 ,
                 took
                 their
                 Debt
                 upon
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 bound
                 himself
                 upon
                 their
                 account
                 to
                 make
                 satisfaction
                 to
                 God
                 :
                 now
                 in
                 law
                 the
                 Debtor
                 and
                 the
                 Surety
                 are
                 but
                 one
                 Person
                 ,
                 the
                 law
                 looks
                 upon
                 them
                 as
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 no
                 difference
                 between
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 both
                 are
                 equally
                 liable
                 to
                 the
                 Debt
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 the
                 one
                 pay
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 as
                 much
                 in
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 the
                 law
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 the
                 other
                 had
                 paid
                 it
                 :
                 Thus
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 Christ
                 and
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 our
                 Surety
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 took
                 our
                 Debt
                 upon
                 himself
                 ,
                 engaged
                 to
                 pay
                 whatever
                 we
                 owed
                 ,
                 for
                 us
                 ;
                 upon
                 this
                 ,
                 Christ
                 and
                 we
                 are
                 but
                 one
                 Person
                 before
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 accordingly
                 he
                 deals
                 with
                 us
                 ;
                 for
                 he
                 makes
                 over
                 our
                 sins
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 also
                 Christs
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 satisfaction
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 now
                 in
                 a
                 legal
                 notion
                 looking
                 upon
                 both
                 but
                 as
                 one
                 Person
                 .
              
            
             
               This
               is
               the
               account
               of
               Christ's
               being
               our
               Surety
               ,
               now
               I
               have
               two
               things
               to
               say
               to
               this
               .
               First
               ,
               I
               wonder
               why
               this
               should
               be
               called
               the
               
                 Union
                 of
                 Saints
                 to
                 Christ
              
               ?
               or
               why
               Christ
               should
               be
               called
               only
               the
               
                 Saints
                 Surety
              
               ?
               The
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               Hebr.
               7.
               22.
               
               
                 The
                 Surety
                 of
                 a
                 Testament
                 or
                 Covenant
                 :
              
               now
               as
               I
               take
               it
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               
               vast
               difference
               between
               
                 Christ's
                 being
                 the
                 Saints
                 Surety
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Surety
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
              
               ,
               for
               the
               Covenant
               respects
               both
               Saints
               and
               Sinners
               ,
               and
               therefore
               is
               antecedent
               to
               our
               
                 Union
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 Saints
                 :
              
               and
               to
               be
               a
               
                 Surety
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
              
               signifies
               no
               more
               than
               to
               confirm
               and
               ratifie
               this
               Covenant
               ,
               and
               to
               undertake
               for
               the
               performance
               of
               it
               ,
               that
               all
               the
               promises
               of
               the
               Covenant
               shall
               be
               made
               good
               upon
               such
               terms
               and
               conditions
               ,
               as
               are
               annexed
               to
               them
               ;
               but
               to
               be
               
                 a
                 Surety
                 for
                 Saints
              
               ,
               (
               as
               the
               Dr.
               explains
               it
               )
               
                 is
                 to
                 strike
                 hands
                 with
                 God
                 ,
              
               (
               as
               men
               do
               at
               making
               a
               bargain
               )
               
                 and
                 to
                 put
                 himself
                 into
                 their
                 stead
                 to
                 do
                 and
                 to
                 suffer
                 ,
                 what
                 they
                 ought
                 to
                 have
                 done
                 and
                 suffer'd
                 ,
                 upon
                 which
                 God
                 makes
                 over
                 our
                 sins
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 Christs
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 satisfaction
                 to
                 us
              
               ;
               Now
               this
               notion
               is
               so
               different
               from
               the
               notion
               of
               a
               Surety
               of
               a
               Covenant
               ,
               that
               methinks
               it
               wants
               some
               better
               proof
               ,
               than
               barely
               Christ's
               being
               called
               a
               Surety
               ,
               or
               the
               
                 Surety
                 of
                 a
                 Covenant
              
               .
            
             
               But
               Secondly
               ,
               Suppose
               Christ
               had
               been
               called
               the
               
                 Saints
                 Surety
              
               ,
               I
               doubt
               they
               are
               as
               much
               out
               in
               the
               
                 law
                 of
                 Suretiship
              
               ,
               as
               they
               were
               before
               in
               the
               
                 laws
                 of
                 marriage
              
               ;
               though
               the
               Dr.
               tells
               
               us
               ,
               
                 that
                 this
                 doth
                 so
                 exactly
                 fall
                 in
                 with
                 the
                 common
                 notion
                 and
                 case
                 of
                 Suretiship
                 among
                 men
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 needs
                 not
                 any
                 further
                 insist
                 on
                 the
                 illustration
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               I
               confess
               ,
               I
               am
               of
               another
               mind
               ,
               and
               think
               it
               wants
               a
               great
               deal
               more
               illustration
               ,
               than
               he
               hath
               bestowed
               on
               it
               .
               For
               first
               the
               prime
               end
               and
               design
               of
               Suretiship
               among
               men
               ,
               is
               not
               that
               the
               Surety
               shall
               without
               more
               ado
               pay
               the
               Debt
               ,
               but
               to
               give
               security
               to
               the
               Creditor
               that
               the
               Debt
               shall
               be
               paid
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               Surety
               doth
               not
               make
               himself
               the
               immediate
               Debtor
               ;
               but
               the
               Debtor
               is
               Debtor
               still
               ,
               and
               bound
               to
               pay
               the
               Debt
               ,
               and
               the
               Surety
               is
               liable
               only
               in
               case
               of
               his
               default
               .
               It
               is
               the
               strangest
               definition
               of
               Suretiship
               ,
               that
               was
               ever
               heard
               of
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               
                 an
                 absolute
                 taking
                 the
                 Debt
                 upon
                 our selves
                 ,
              
               and
               an
               actual
               discharge
               of
               the
               Debtor
               .
               For
               I
               dare
               say
               ,
               never
               any
               man
               was
               surety
               upon
               these
               terms
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               no
               man
               in
               his
               wits
               ever
               became
               Surety
               for
               another
               ,
               when
               he
               knew
               before
               hand
               ,
               that
               if
               he
               did
               ,
               he
               must
               pay
               the
               Debt
               ;
               but
               men
               become
               Sureties
               upon
               some
               reasonable
               assurance
               ,
               that
               they
               shall
               suffer
               no
               injury
               by
               it
               ;
               and
               therefore
               when
               Christ
               died
               for
               us
               ,
               he
               did
               not
               die
               as
               our
               Surety
               ,
               
               but
               as
               
                 our
                 Sacrifice
              
               substituted
               in
               our
               room
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               Scripture
               notion
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               differs
               as
               much
               from
               the
               notion
               of
               a
               surety
               ,
               as
               paying
               the
               debt
               doth
               from
               being
               bound
               with
               another
               ,
               that
               it
               shall
               be
               paid
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Suppose
               that
               
                 Christ
                 dyed
                 for
                 us
                 as
                 our
                 surety
                 ,
              
               (
               though
               I
               think
               ,
               however
               the
               Doctor
               triumphs
               in
               this
               ,
               the
               Socinians
               have
               no
               reason
               to
               be
               afraid
               of
               such
               Adversaries
               ,
               who
               have
               no
               better
               way
               to
               defend
               the
               Satisfaction
               of
               Christ
               ,
               than
               by
               the
               notion
               of
               suretiship
               )
               yet
               did
               
                 Christ
                 fulfil
                 all
                 Righteousness
                 for
                 us
                 as
                 our
                 surety
                 too
                 ?
              
               Doth
               this
               also
               
                 so
                 exactly
                 answer
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 suretiship
                 among
                 men
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 need
                 to
                 insist
                 upon
                 the
                 Illustration
                 of
                 it
                 ?
              
               The
               Doctor
               indeed
               was
               so
               wise
               ,
               that
               he
               would
               not
               assert
               this
               in
               the
               premises
               ,
               but
               very
               craftily
               thrusts
               it
               into
               the
               Conclusion
               ,
               that
               
                 therefore
                 God
                 makes
                 over
                 our
                 sins
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 Christs
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 Satisfaction
                 to
                 us
                 :
              
               But
               was
               there
               ever
               such
               a
               suretiship
               heard
               of
               among
               men
               ,
               that
               one
               man
               should
               discharge
               all
               the
               offices
               of
               Piety
               and
               Vertue
               ,
               Justice
               and
               Temperance
               instead
               of
               another
               ?
               If
               such
               a
               thing
               had
               ever
               been
               ,
               such
               a
               man
               ought
               not
               to
               
               have
               been
               called
               a
               Surety
               ,
               but
               a
               Proxie
               ;
               but
               humane
               Laws
               ,
               as
               many
               defects
               as
               there
               are
               in
               them
               ,
               never
               admitted
               of
               such
               Proxies
               ,
               for
               these
               are
               personal
               duties
               ,
               which
               no
               other
               can
               perform
               for
               us
               ;
               and
               you
               may
               as
               well
               say
               ,
               that
               a
               man
               may
               live
               and
               be
               a
               man
               by
               Proxy
               ,
               as
               discharge
               those
               Duties
               ,
               which
               are
               necessarily
               entailed
               on
               his
               Person
               by
               a
               Proxy
               :
               Proxies
               are
               allowable
               only
               in
               such
               cases
               ,
               where
               the
               consideration
               of
               the
               person
               that
               doth
               it
               ,
               is
               not
               essential
               to
               the
               Action
               ,
               where
               the
               material
               Inquiry
               is
               ,
               whether
               the
               thing
               be
               done
               ,
               not
               who
               doth
               it
               ;
               but
               where
               the
               consideration
               of
               the
               person
               that
               doth
               it
               ,
               is
               essential
               to
               the
               Action
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               place
               for
               a
               Surety
               or
               Proxy
               (
               call
               him
               what
               you
               will
               )
               because
               in
               this
               case
               it
               doth
               not
               satisfie
               the
               Law
               ,
               that
               the
               thing
               is
               done
               ,
               unless
               it
               be
               done
               by
               such
               a
               person
               :
               Thus
               it
               is
               in
               all
               the
               Duties
               of
               Piety
               and
               Religion
               ,
               every
               individual
               person
               is
               bound
               to
               do
               them
               ,
               and
               though
               there
               were
               never
               so
               many
               righteous
               men
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               their
               righteousness
               can
               avail
               none
               but
               themselves
               ;
               nay
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               which
               is
               more
               than
               the
               righteousness
               of
               all
               the
               men
               in
               the
               world
               ;
               cannot
               make
               an
               unrighteous
               
               man
               righteous
               ;
               no
               
                 external
                 Relation
              
               can
               make
               the
               righteousness
               of
               another
               our
               righteousness
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               a
               personal
               righteousness
               that
               is
               required
               of
               us
               ,
               and
               the
               righteousness
               of
               another
               can
               never
               be
               our
               
                 personal
                 righteousness
              
               ,
               unless
               we
               become
               
                 one
                 person
              
               with
               him
               :
               and
               therefore
               though
               the
               Doctor
               be
               so
               careful
               to
               tell
               us
               ,
               that
               
                 our
                 Union
                 to
                 Christ
                 is
                 an
                 Union
                 of
                 Persons
                 ,
                 but
                 no
                 Personal
                 Union
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 transformed
                 into
                 the
                 Essence
                 and
                 Being
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 Christed
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               yet
               indeed
               there
               is
               no
               other
               way
               to
               make
               the
               
                 Personal
                 Righteousness
              
               of
               Christ
               our
               personal
               righteousness
               (
               which
               is
               the
               righteousness
               required
               of
               us
               )
               but
               by
               a
               
                 Personal
                 Union
              
               to
               Christ
               ,
               
                 by
                 being
                 Christed
                 with
                 Christ
              
               ,
               as
               some
               speak
               how
               boldly
               soever
               ,
               yet
               very
               agreeably
               to
               these
               Principles
               .
            
             
               But
               Thirdly
               ,
               Let
               us
               consider
               what
               truth
               there
               is
               in
               what
               he
               asserts
               ,
               
                 That
                 in
                 the
                 Law
                 the
                 debtor
                 and
                 the
                 surety
                 are
                 but
                 one
                 person
                 ,
                 the
                 Law
                 looks
                 upon
                 them
                 but
                 as
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 both
                 are
                 equally
                 liable
                 to
                 the
                 debt
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 the
                 one
                 pay
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 as
                 much
                 in
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 the
                 other
                 had
                 paid
                 it
                 ,
              
               which
               he
               makes
               the
               Foundation
               of
               the
               
                 Imputation
                 of
              
               
               
                 Christs
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 Satisfaction
                 to
                 us
                 ,
              
               because
               
                 he
                 being
                 our
                 surety
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 but
                 one
                 person
                 with
                 him
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               
                 legally
                 ,
                 not
                 personally
                 one
                 person
              
               as
               he
               warily
               distinguishes
               .
            
             
               Now
               there
               needs
               no
               great
               skill
               in
               the
               Law
               to
               discover
               the
               weakness
               and
               Sophistry
               of
               this
               Discourse
               :
               for
               no
               considering
               man
               can
               think
               it
               indifferent
               ,
               who
               pays
               the
               debt
               ,
               the
               surety
               or
               the
               debtor
               ,
               or
               that
               they
               are
               both
               equally
               obliged
               to
               it
               ;
               the
               debtor
               is
               the
               immediate
               debtor
               still
               ,
               and
               the
               surety
               only
               is
               obliged
               in
               case
               the
               other
               refuse
               ,
               or
               be
               unable
               to
               pay
               the
               debt
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               some
               little
               difference
               :
               but
               then
               though
               the
               creditor
               be
               satisfied
               ,
               whether
               the
               debt
               be
               paid
               by
               the
               debtor
               ,
               or
               his
               surety
               ,
               and
               the
               Law
               will
               allow
               him
               no
               farther
               Action
               against
               either
               of
               them
               ,
               yet
               the
               Law
               doth
               not
               account
               it
               indifferent
               ,
               which
               of
               them
               pay
               it
               ;
               for
               though
               it
               permit
               the
               payment
               to
               be
               exacted
               from
               the
               surety
               ,
               in
               case
               the
               debtor
               refuse
               ,
               yet
               it
               will
               look
               back
               again
               ,
               and
               allow
               the
               surety
               an
               Action
               against
               the
               debtor
               for
               such
               a
               refusal
               ,
               which
               is
               an
               Argument
               ,
               that
               the
               Law
               doth
               not
               judge
               them
               
                 one
                 Person
              
               ,
               nor
               think
               it
               indifferent
               which
               of
               them
               pays
               the
               debt
               .
            
             
             
               Thus
               it
               is
               in
               other
               cases
               ,
               if
               a
               man
               be
               surety
               for
               the
               appearance
               of
               another
               ,
               which
               is
               called
               giving
               Bail
               ,
               and
               is
               sometimes
               admitted
               in
               Criminal
               Causes
               ;
               the
               Law
               doth
               not
               judge
               them
               
                 one
                 Person
              
               ;
               for
               if
               the
               Prisoner
               escape
               ,
               the
               Bail
               or
               Surety
               shall
               be
               punisht
               according
               to
               the
               nature
               of
               the
               Fact
               ,
               and
               yet
               the
               Prisoner
               is
               not
               quitted
               by
               this
               means
               ,
               but
               liable
               either
               to
               the
               Arrest
               of
               the
               Surety
               ,
               or
               in
               Criminal
               Causes
               to
               the
               Sentence
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               if
               ever
               he
               be
               re-taken
               .
            
             
               Thus
               in
               Sureties
               for
               good
               Behaviour
               (
               which
               sounds
               as
               if
               it
               were
               nearest
               of
               kin
               to
               the
               Imputation
               of
               Christs
               Righteousness
               as
               our
               surety
               )
               though
               the
               surety
               be
               never
               so
               innocent
               and
               vertuous
               a
               person
               himself
               ,
               this
               will
               not
               serve
               him
               ,
               for
               whom
               he
               is
               surety
               ;
               but
               if
               he
               prove
               a
               Villain
               ,
               they
               shall
               be
               both
               punisht
               :
               So
               that
               humane
               Laws
               are
               strangers
               to
               this
               Mystery
               of
               imputing
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               a
               Surety
               to
               a
               bad
               man.
               Suretiship
               doth
               not
               so
               unite
               their
               persons
               ,
               that
               whatever
               one
               doth
               ,
               is
               always
               and
               to
               all
               purposes
               imputed
               to
               the
               other
               ;
               and
               if
               this
               will
               not
               hold
               good
               among
               m●n
               ,
               it
               is
               a
               very
               sorry
               foundation
               for
               this
               bargain
               and
               exchange
               
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               Believers
               ,
               
                 That
                 he
                 should
                 take
                 their
                 sins
                 upon
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 impute
                 his
                 Righteousness
                 to
                 them
                 .
              
            
             
               Let
               us
               now
               try
               ,
               whether
               the
               notion
               of
               a
               Mediator
               can
               do
               any
               better
               service
               ,
               than
               the
               notion
               of
               a
               Surety
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               
                 second
                 way
              
               of
               explaining
               this
               
                 legal
                 Union
              
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               Believers
               ,
               which
               entitles
               them
               to
               all
               that
               Christ
               hath
               done
               or
               suffered
               :
               and
               what
               this
               means
               ,
               we
               may
               learn
               from
               Dr.
               
               Owen
               ,
               who
               gives
               us
               this
               account
               of
               it
               :
               
                 That
                 Christ
                 fulfilled
                 all
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 whatever
                 he
                 did
                 as
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 he
                 did
                 it
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 whose
                 Mediator
                 he
                 was
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 whose
                 stead
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 whose
                 good
                 he
                 executed
                 the
                 office
                 of
                 a
                 Mediator
                 before
                 God
              
               ;
               and
               hence
               it
               is
               ,
               
                 that
                 his
                 compleat
                 and
                 perfect
                 obedience
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 is
                 reckoned
                 to
                 us
                 .
              
               This
               is
               well
               said
               ,
               if
               it
               were
               as
               well
               proved
               ,
               and
               because
               this
               is
               a
               matter
               of
               great
               consequence
               ,
               I
               shall
               first
               examine
               those
               reasons
               the
               Dr.
               alledges
               to
               prove
               ,
               
                 That
                 Christ
                 fulfilled
                 all
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 Mediator
                 in
                 their
                 stead
                 ,
                 whose
                 Mediator
                 he
                 was
                 :
              
               Secondly
               ,
               to
               avoid
               calumnies
               and
               objections
               ,
               I
               shall
               shew
               you
               briefly
               
                 what
                 influence
                 the
                 Righteoeusness
                 of
              
               
               
                 Christs
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Sacrifice
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 have
                 upon
                 our
                 acceptance
                 with
                 God.
                 
              
            
             
               As
               for
               the
               first
               ,
               we
               have
               some
               reason
               to
               require
               good
               proof
               of
               this
               ,
               since
               the
               notion
               of
               a
               Mediator
               includes
               no
               such
               thing
               :
               A
               Mediator
               is
               one
               ,
               who
               interposes
               between
               two
               differing
               parties
               ,
               to
               accommodate
               the
               difference
               :
               but
               it
               was
               never
               heard
               of
               yet
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               the
               office
               of
               a
               Mediator
               to
               perform
               the
               terms
               and
               conditions
               himself
               .
               Moses
               was
               the
               Mediator
               of
               the
               first
               Covenant
               ,
               Gal.
               3.
               9.
               and
               his
               office
               was
               to
               receive
               the
               Law
               from
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               deliver
               it
               to
               the
               people
               ,
               and
               to
               command
               them
               to
               observe
               those
               Rites
               ,
               and
               Sacrifices
               ,
               and
               Expiations
               ,
               which
               God
               had
               ordained
               ;
               but
               he
               was
               not
               to
               fulfil
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 Law
              
               for
               the
               
                 whole
                 Congregation
              
               :
               thus
               Christ
               is
               now
               the
               
                 Mediator
                 of
                 a
                 better
                 Covenant
              
               ,
               and
               his
               Office
               required
               ,
               that
               he
               should
               preach
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               contains
               the
               terms
               of
               peace
               and
               reconciliation
               between
               God
               and
               men
               ,
               and
               since
               God
               would
               not
               enter
               into
               Covenant
               with
               sinners
               without
               the
               intervention
               of
               a
               Sacrifice
               ,
               he
               dyes
               too
               as
               a
               Sacrifice
               and
               Propitiation
               for
               the
               sins
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               and
               confirms
               and
               seals
               this
               new
               Covenant
               
               with
               his
               own
               blood
               ,
               and
               being
               risen
               again
               from
               the
               dead
               ,
               he
               executes
               this
               Office
               of
               Mediator
               with
               power
               and
               glory
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               he
               intercedes
               for
               us
               according
               to
               the
               terms
               and
               conditions
               of
               this
               new
               Covenant
               ,
               to
               obtain
               the
               pardon
               of
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               the
               assistance
               of
               the
               divine
               Grace
               to
               do
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ;
               and
               all
               those
               other
               blessings
               which
               are
               promised
               :
               but
               the
               Office
               of
               Mediator
               doth
               not
               oblige
               him
               to
               fulfil
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
              
               for
               us
               ;
               this
               I
               am
               sure
               doth
               not
               
                 so
                 exactly
                 fall
                 in
                 with
                 the
                 case
                 and
                 notion
                 of
                 Mediatorship
                 among
                 men
                 .
              
            
             
               But
               before
               we
               examine
               their
               proofs
               ,
               it
               is
               necessary
               to
               consider
               ,
               what
               it
               is
               they
               would
               prove
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               
                 what
                 that
                 Righteousness
                 is
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 they
                 say
                 ,
                 Christ
                 as
                 our
                 Mediator
              
               fulfilled
               for
               us
               :
               and
               Dr.
               Owen
               is
               very
               exact
               and
               curious
               in
               
               stating
               this
               matter
               ,
               and
               distinguishes
               between
               the
               several
               sorts
               of
               Righteousness
               in
               Christ
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               know
               ,
               what
               belongs
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               what
               is
               peculiar
               to
               himself
               .
            
             
               First
               he
               tells
               us
               of
               
                 an
                 habitual
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
                 as
                 Mediator
                 in
                 his
                 humane
                 Nature
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 the
                 absolute
                 ,
                 compleat
                 ,
                 exact
                 conformity
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 of
              
               
               
                 Christ
                 to
                 the
                 mind
                 ,
                 will
                 ,
                 or
                 law
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 perfect
                 ,
                 habitual
                 ,
                 Inherent
                 Righteousness
                 :
              
               now
               he
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               this
               Righteousness
               
                 was
                 the
                 necessary
                 effect
                 of
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 Union
              
               (
               that
               is
               of
               the
               Union
               of
               the
               Divine
               and
               Humane
               nature
               in
               Christ
               )
               and
               that
               
                 the
                 Relation
                 which
                 this
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
                 hath
                 to
                 the
                 Grace
                 we
                 receive
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 is
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 thereby
                 he
                 was
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 fit
                 to
                 do
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 to
                 do
                 for
                 us
                 ;
                 for
                 without
                 this
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 have
                 actually
                 fulfilled
                 that
                 Righteousness
                 which
                 was
                 required
                 at
                 his
                 hand
                 ,
                 nor
                 have
                 been
                 a
                 compleat
                 and
                 perfect
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               So
               that
               this
               
                 habitual
                 ,
                 inherent
                 Righteousness
              
               of
               Christ
               ,
               is
               not
               imputed
               to
               us
               ,
               but
               was
               his
               
                 own
                 proper
                 Righteousness
              
               .
            
             
               But
               secondly
               ,
               
                 There
                 is
                 the
                 actual
                 obedience
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 his
                 willing
                 ,
                 chearful
                 ,
                 obediential
                 performance
                 ,
                 of
                 every
                 thing
                 ,
                 duty
                 ,
                 and
                 command
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 any
                 Law
                 ,
                 whereto
                 we
                 were
                 subject
                 and
                 obnoxious
                 ,
                 did
                 require
                 ,
                 and
                 moreover
                 to
                 the
                 peculiar
                 Law
                 of
                 the
                 Mediator
                 :
              
               Let
               us
               then
               first
               consider
               the
               
                 peculiar
                 Law
                 of
                 the
                 Mediator
              
               ,
               which
               he
               tells
               us
               
                 respected
                 himself
                 meerly
              
               (
               so
               that
               we
               have
               nothing
               to
               do
               with
               this
               neither
               )
               and
               
               
                 contains
                 all
                 those
                 acts
                 and
                 duties
                 of
                 his
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 not
                 for
                 our
                 imitation
                 ,
              
               he
               instances
               
                 in
                 his
                 obedience
                 which
                 he
                 showed
                 in
                 dying
              
               (
               though
               St.
               Iohn
               the
               Divine
               ,
               (
               and
               I
               think
               the
               greater
               of
               the
               two
               )
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               we
               must
               imitate
               him
               in
               this
               also
               ,
               
                 must
                 lay
                 down
                 our
                 lives
                 for
                 the
                 Brethren
                 ,
              
               as
               Christ
               died
               for
               us
               .
               Iohn
               1.
               3.
               16.
               and
               S.
               Paul
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               we
               
                 must
                 be
                 conformed
                 to
                 the
                 Death
                 and
                 Resurrection
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 Rom.
              
               6.
               which
               sounds
               very
               like
               an
               imitation
               )
               though
               in
               the
               next
               page
               he
               excepts
               the
               Case
               of
               dying
               ,
               of
               his
               
                 passive
                 obedience
              
               ,
               and
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 that
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 his
                 obedience
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 mediation
                 is
                 not
                 imputed
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 though
                 we
                 had
                 done
                 it
                 .
              
               So
               that
               by
               the
               
                 Law
                 of
                 Mediation
              
               he
               understands
               whatever
               Christ
               was
               bound
               to
               do
               ,
               as
               our
               Mediator
               ,
               whatever
               was
               proper
               to
               his
               Mediatory
               Office
               ,
               all
               this
               (
               though
               sometimes
               ,
               when
               he
               better
               thinks
               of
               it
               ,
               he
               excepts
               dying
               )
               is
               not
               imputed
               to
               us
               ,
               as
               though
               we
               had
               done
               it
               :
               I
               hope
               we
               shall
               find
               something
               at
               last
               to
               be
               imputed
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               yet
               there
               is
               nothing
               left
               now
               .
               But
               thirdly
               ,
               That
               which
               concerns
               him
               in
               a
               private
               capacity
               ,
               
                 as
                 a
                 man
                 subject
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
              
               and
               now
               
                 whatever
                 was
                 required
                 of
                 us
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
              
               
               
                 any
                 Law
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 did
                 and
                 fulfilled
              
               ;
               and
               this
               is
               
                 that
                 actual
                 obedience
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 performed
                 for
                 us
                 .
              
            
             
               This
               methinks
               is
               very
               strange
               ,
               that
               what
               he
               did
               as
               Mediator
               ,
               is
               not
               imputed
               to
               us
               ,
               but
               what
               he
               did
               not
               as
               our
               Mediator
               ,
               but
               
                 as
                 a
                 man
                 subject
                 to
                 the
                 law
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               imputed
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               reckoned
               ,
               as
               if
               we
               had
               done
               it
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               his
               being
               our
               Mediator
               :
               and
               it
               is
               as
               strange
               to
               the
               full
               ,
               that
               Christ
               should
               do
               ,
               
                 whatever
                 was
                 required
                 of
                 us
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 any
                 law
                 ,
              
               when
               he
               was
               neither
               Husband
               nor
               Wife
               ,
               nor
               Father
               ,
               Merchant
               or
               Tradesman
               ,
               Seaman
               or
               Souldier
               ,
               Captain
               or
               Lieutenant
               ,
               much
               less
               a
               temporal
               Prince
               or
               Monarch
               ;
               and
               how
               he
               should
               discharge
               the
               duties
               of
               these
               several
               relations
               for
               us
               ,
               which
               are
               required
               of
               us
               by
               certain
               Laws
               ,
               when
               he
               never
               was
               in
               any
               of
               these
               relations
               ,
               and
               could
               not
               possibly
               be
               in
               all
               ,
               is
               an
               argument
               ,
               which
               may
               exercise
               the
               subtilty
               of
               Schoolmen
               ,
               and
               to
               them
               I
               leave
               it
               .
            
             
               Having
               now
               discovered
               
                 what
                 that
                 Righteousness
                 is
                 ,
                 which
                 Christ
                 was
                 to
                 fulfil
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 Mediator
                 ,
              
               viz.
               
                 whatever
                 was
                 required
                 of
                 us
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 any
                 law
                 ,
              
               whether
               it
               concerned
               us
               in
               general
               
               as
               men
               ,
               or
               had
               respect
               to
               the
               various
               relations
               ,
               conditions
               and
               circumstances
               of
               our
               lives
               (
               for
               each
               of
               these
               have
               their
               proper
               duties
               belonging
               to
               them
               )
               setting
               aside
               that
               difficulty
               of
               proving
               that
               Christ
               did
               ,
               what
               he
               never
               did
               ,
               let
               us
               consider
               how
               the
               Dr.
               proves
               ,
               that
               what
               Christ
               did
               ,
               he
               did
               for
               us
               ,
               and
               in
               our
               stead
               ,
               and
               here
               he
               makes
               use
               of
               a
               little
               reason
               ,
               and
               a
               great
               deal
               of
               Scripture
               to
               as
               little
               purpose
               .
               And
               to
               prepare
               the
               way
               for
               his
               reasons
               ,
               I
               find
               the
               Dr.
               much
               puzled
               (
               and
               I
               do
               not
               wonder
               at
               it
               )
               to
               prove
               ,
               that
               
                 Christ
                 acted
                 as
                 Mediator
                 in
                 those
                 things
                 ,
                 which
                 did
                 not
                 concern
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 his
                 Mediation
                 ,
              
               which
               he
               did
               
                 as
                 a
                 private
              
               
               
                 man
                 subject
                 to
                 the
                 law
              
               :
               for
               he
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               of
               this
               expression
               ,
               
                 as
                 Mediator
              
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               double
               sense
               .
               
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 taken
                 strictly
                 ,
                 as
                 relating
                 solely
                 to
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 the
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 Christ
                 may
                 be
                 said
                 to
                 do
                 as
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 only
                 what
                 he
                 did
                 in
                 obedience
                 to
                 that
                 law
                 ,
              
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               only
               what
               he
               did
               
                 as
                 Mediator
              
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               pretty
               observation
               )
               
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 sense
                 now
                 insisted
                 on
              
               (
               that
               is
               
                 not
                 strictly
                 as
                 Mediator
              
               ,
               but
               as
               
                 not
                 Mediator
              
               )
               
                 whatever
                 Christ
                 did
                 as
                 a
                 man
                 subject
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 he
                 did
                 as
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 did
              
               
               
                 it
                 as
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 duty
                 incumbent
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 undertook
                 so
                 to
                 be
                 :
              
               the
               meaning
               of
               which
               is
               ,
               that
               he
               ,
               who
               was
               Mediator
               ,
               being
               bound
               to
               do
               such
               things
               ,
               though
               not
               
                 as
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 a
                 man
                 subject
                 to
                 the
                 law
                 ,
              
               yet
               he
               did
               them
               
                 as
                 Mediator
              
               ,
               because
               he
               was
               
                 a
                 Mediator
              
               ,
               who
               did
               them
               :
               which
               is
               just
               as
               good
               an
               argument
               ,
               as
               it
               would
               be
               to
               prove
               ,
               that
               every
               
                 Embassadour
                 eats
                 ,
                 and
                 drinks
                 ,
                 and
                 sleeps
                 ,
                 as
                 an
                 Embassadour
                 ,
              
               because
               though
               this
               be
               no
               part
               of
               his
               Embassy
               ,
               yet
               he
               is
               an
               Embassadour
               ,
               who
               does
               it
               ,
               which
               is
               such
               an
               exposition
               of
               Quâ
               ,
               as
               the
               subtilest
               Schoolman
               of
               them
               all
               never
               yet
               thought
               of
               .
            
             
               But
               there
               is
               another
               objection
               which
               
               troubles
               the
               Doctors
               Head
               ;
               for
               since
               it
               is
               the
               
                 actual
                 obedience
              
               of
               Christ
               ,
               which
               is
               imputed
               to
               us
               ,
               he
               finds
               it
               difficult
               to
               distinguish
               the
               Active
               and
               Passive
               obedience
               of
               Christ
               :
               
                 for
                 every
                 Act
                 almost
                 of
                 Christs
                 obedience
                 from
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 his
                 Circumcision
                 to
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 his
                 Cross
                 ,
                 was
                 attended
                 with
                 sufferings
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 his
                 whole
                 life
                 in
                 that
                 regard
                 might
                 be
                 called
                 a
                 death
                 :
              
               this
               is
               a
               very
               subtil
               objection
               ,
               but
               observe
               the
               answer
               ,
               that
               
                 looking
                 upon
                 his
                 willingness
                 and
                 obedience
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 distinguished
                 from
              
               
               
                 his
                 sufferings
                 peculiarly
                 so
                 called
                 ,
                 and
                 termed
                 his
                 active
                 obedience
                 :
              
               this
               is
               a
               strange
               solution
               of
               it
               ,
               for
               now
               it
               will
               be
               as
               hard
               to
               find
               out
               what
               the
               
                 passive
                 obedience
              
               of
               Christ
               was
               ,
               for
               as
               I
               remember
               the
               Scripture
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               he
               was
               as
               willing
               and
               chearful
               in
               submitting
               to
               Death
               ,
               as
               in
               any
               other
               Act
               of
               obedience
               ,
               and
               I
               am
               sure
               our
               
                 Saviour
                 himself
              
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 that
                 he
                 laid
                 down
                 his
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 man
                 took
                 it
                 from
                 him
                 ,
              
               which
               argues
               some
               good
               degree
               of
               willingness
               :
               
               what
               he
               said
               in
               the
               page
               before
               is
               a
               much
               better
               answer
               ,
               
                 that
                 doing
                 is
                 one
                 thing
                 ,
                 and
                 suffering
                 another
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 divers
                 Predicaments
                 ,
                 and
                 cannot
                 be
                 coincident
                 .
              
            
             
               As
               for
               this
               last
               scruple
               ,
               the
               Dr.
               might
               very
               well
               have
               spared
               it
               ,
               but
               that
               a
               man
               so
               well
               furnished
               with
               the
               knowledge
               of
               Predicaments
               ,
               may
               venture
               upon
               any
               thing
               ;
               but
               the
               former
               difficulty
               
                 of
                 Christs
                 doing
                 those
                 things
                 as
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 which
                 did
                 not
                 belong
                 to
                 the
                 Laws
                 of
                 his
                 Mediation
                 ,
              
               is
               a
               very
               material
               one
               ,
               and
               requires
               great
               skill
               in
               Logick
               to
               get
               rid
               of
               it
               ;
               but
               however
               it
               is
               wisely
               done
               to
               make
               a
               show
               of
               saying
               something
               to
               that
               ,
               which
               cannot
               be
               answer'd
               :
               for
               he
               was
               sensible
               ,
               that
               
               what
               Christ
               did
               
                 purely
                 as
                 Mediator
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 imputed
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 though
                 we
              
               
               
                 had
                 done
                 it
                 ,
                 though
                 the
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 or
                 fruits
                 of
                 it
                 are
                 ,
              
               because
               we
               were
               never
               designed
               to
               be
               Mediators
               ,
               and
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               a
               Mediator
               is
               as
               improper
               to
               be
               imputed
               to
               those
               who
               are
               not
               Mediators
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               to
               impute
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               a
               Prince
               to
               a
               Beggar
               .
               The
               righteousness
               of
               every
               man
               consists
               in
               the
               discharge
               of
               those
               duties
               and
               offices
               ,
               which
               belong
               to
               his
               state
               ,
               condition
               ,
               and
               relatious
               of
               life
               ,
               not
               in
               doing
               those
               things
               ,
               which
               he
               is
               not
               concerned
               to
               do
               ;
               and
               therefore
               that
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               might
               be
               fit
               to
               be
               imputed
               to
               us
               as
               our
               Righteousness
               ,
               he
               was
               forced
               to
               consider
               him
               ,
               not
               as
               Mediator
               ,
               but
               as
               a
               
                 private
                 person
                 made
                 subject
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 who
                 did
                 whatever
                 was
                 required
                 of
                 us
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 any
                 Law
                 ,
              
               though
               this
               too
               was
               impossible
               ,
               for
               he
               could
               not
               at
               the
               same
               time
               act
               so
               many
               different
               and
               opposite
               parts
               ,
               as
               there
               are
               relations
               and
               conditions
               of
               men
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               and
               yet
               when
               he
               thought
               on
               't
               again
               ,
               he
               found
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               not
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               a
               
                 private
                 person
              
               ,
               that
               would
               avail
               us
               ,
               though
               it
               were
               never
               so
               perfect
               (
               because
               we
               have
               no
               way
               to
               come
               at
               it
               ,
               to
               make
               it
               ours
               )
               but
               only
               the
               
               Righteousness
               of
               a
               Mediator
               ,
               who
               did
               whatever
               he
               did
               ,
               for
               us
               and
               in
               our
               stead
               ,
               and
               so
               he
               wheels
               about
               again
               ,
               and
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               though
               what
               Christ
               did
               as
               a
               man
               subject
               to
               the
               Law
               ,
               did
               not
               belong
               to
               the
               Law
               of
               his
               Mediation
               ,
               yet
               he
               did
               it
               as
               Mediator
               ,
               because
               he
               was
               a
               Mediator
               who
               did
               it
               :
               and
               thus
               he
               is
               caught
               in
               the
               Net
               and
               Labyrinth
               of
               his
               own
               making
               ,
               and
               the
               more
               he
               turns
               and
               windes
               himself
               ,
               the
               faster
               it
               holds
               him
               ,
               
                 A
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 who
                 acts
                 as
                 a
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 private
                 capacity
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 man
                 subject
                 to
                 the
                 Law.
              
               I
               shall
               certainly
               believe
               ,
               as
               they
               say
               some
               Country-people
               do
               ,
               that
               
                 Logick
                 is
                 Conjuring
              
               ,
               if
               it
               can
               reconcile
               such
               palpable
               contradictions
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               very
               ominous
               thus
               to
               stumble
               at
               the
               threshold
               ,
               but
               though
               Mediator
               and
               not
               a
               Mediator
               be
               contradictory
               terms
               ,
               which
               Learned
               men
               say
               cannot
               be
               reconciled
               ,
               yet
               let
               us
               forgive
               him
               that
               slip
               ,
               and
               see
               how
               he
               proves
               ,
               that
               
                 whatever
                 Christ
                 did
                 is
                 reckoned
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 done
                 in
                 our
                 stead
              
               ;
               and
               all
               the
               reason
               I
               
               can
               find
               in
               his
               Discourse
               may
               be
               reduced
               to
               three
               Heads
               ;
               first
               ,
               
                 that
                 Christ
                 was
                 under
                 no
                 obligation
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 himself
              
               ;
               secondly
               ,
               
                 that
                 there
              
               r
               
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 other
                 reason
              
               
               
                 assigned
                 ,
                 why
                 he
                 did
                 it
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 he
                 did
                 it
                 for
                 us
                 ,
              
               and
               thirdly
               ,
               
                 that
                 this
                 was
                 absolutely
                 necessary
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 .
              
            
             
               First
               ,
               
                 That
                 Christ
                 was
                 under
                 no
                 obligation
                 to
                 obey
                 these
                 Laws
                 himself
                 ,
              
               and
               to
               make
               this
               appear
               ,
               he
               discourses
               particularly
               both
               of
               the
               
                 Law
                 of
                 our
                 Creation
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Ceremonial
                 Law
                 given
                 to
                 the
                 Iews
                 .
              
            
             
               As
               for
               the
               first
               ,
               
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Creation
              
               ,
               that
               comprehends
               those
               eternal
               Laws
               ,
               which
               result
               from
               the
               essential
               differences
               of
               good
               and
               evil
               ,
               which
               all
               Mankind
               are
               bound
               to
               observe
               by
               the
               very
               frame
               and
               constitution
               of
               their
               natures
               :
               now
               he
               dares
               not
               deny
               ,
               that
               Christ
               was
               bound
               to
               obey
               this
               Law
               
                 for
                 himself
              
               ,
               but
               then
               
                 his
                 obedience
              
               (
               he
               says
               )
               
                 was
                 voluntary
              
               ;
               and
               what
               of
               that
               ?
               for
               so
               the
               obedience
               of
               every
               good
               man
               is
               :
               for
               by
               voluntary
               ,
               he
               tells
               us
               ,
               he
               doth
               not
               mean
               ,
               that
               it
               
                 was
                 meerly
                 arbitrary
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 his
                 choice
                 ,
                 whether
                 he
                 would
                 yield
                 obedience
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 not
                 ;
                 but
                 on
                 supposition
                 of
                 his
                 undertaking
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 necessary
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 voluntarily
                 and
                 willingly
                 submitted
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 became
                 really
                 subject
                 to
                 the
                 commands
                 of
                 it
                 ,
              
               and
               is
               it
               not
               very
               plain
               now
               ,
               that
               Christ
               was
               not
               obliged
               to
               obey
               these
               Laws
               ,
               because
               he
               
               
                 willingly
                 submitted
                 to
                 them
              
               ?
               But
               certainly
               he
               means
               something
               more
               by
               this
               voluntary
               ,
               than
               he
               could
               tell
               how
               to
               express
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               I
               can
               guess
               is
               ,
               that
               whereas
               we
               are
               bound
               to
               obey
               these
               Laws
               
                 antecedentally
                 to
                 our
                 own
                 choice
              
               ,
               it
               was
               not
               so
               with
               him
               ,
               for
               his
               obligation
               was
               only
               consequential
               upon
               his
               being
               born
               ,
               and
               becoming
               Man
               ,
               which
               was
               his
               own
               choice
               ;
               and
               yet
               even
               then
               ,
               as
               he
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 God
                 and
                 Man
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 by
                 the
                 Institution
                 of
                 that
                 Law
                 obliged
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 being
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 exempted
                 ,
                 and
                 lifted
                 above
                 that
                 Law
                 by
                 the
                 Hypostatical
                 Union
                 .
              
               Now
               this
               is
               very
               profound
               reasoning
               ;
               for
               the
               meaning
               of
               it
               is
               this
               ,
               that
               Christ
               had
               not
               been
               bound
               to
               live
               like
               a
               man
               ,
               unless
               he
               had
               become
               man
               ,
               and
               yet
               I
               can
               grant
               something
               more
               ;
               that
               it
               was
               impossible
               he
               should
               have
               lived
               
                 like
                 a
                 man
              
               ,
               discharged
               all
               the
               duties
               of
               a
               man
               without
               
                 being
                 man
              
               ;
               but
               when
               he
               chose
               to
               be
               a
               man
               ,
               there
               was
               no
               need
               to
               chuse
               any
               more
               ;
               for
               then
               he
               was
               bound
               by
               the
               Laws
               of
               his
               Nature
               to
               discharge
               all
               the
               duties
               of
               a
               man
               for
               himself
               :
               But
               how
               could
               he
               be
               
                 exempted
                 from
                 this
                 Law
              
               (
               though
               it
               be
               but
               
                 as
                 it
                 were
              
               )
               and
               raised
               above
               it
               by
               
                 being
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 God
              
               
               
                 and
                 Man
              
               ,
               when
               the
               Doctor
               himself
               acknowledges
               two
               lines
               after
               ,
               that
               
                 upon
                 supposition
                 of
                 his
                 being
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 necessary
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               he
               should
               yield
               obedience
               to
               the
               Law
               ;
               now
               
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 obliged
                 by
                 the
                 Institution
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 as
                 Mediator
                 ,
              
               and
               that
               it
               should
               
                 be
                 necessary
                 for
                 him
                 to
                 obey
                 the
                 Law
                 as
                 Mediator
                 ,
              
               are
               at
               so
               great
               a
               distance
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               serve
               for
               another
               tryal
               of
               skill
               to
               reconcile
               them
               .
            
             
               But
               Secondly
               ,
               Though
               we
               suppose
               ,
               that
               Christ
               as
               Man
               was
               bound
               to
               yield
               obedience
               
                 to
                 the
                 Laws
                 of
                 the
                 Creation
                 ,
              
               yet
               the
               Doctor
               observes
               ,
               
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 Law
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 be
                 liable
                 to
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Man
                 :
                 for
                 an
                 innocent
                 man
                 in
                 a
                 Covenant
                 of
                 works
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 ,
                 needed
                 no
                 other
                 Law
                 ,
                 nor
                 did
                 God
                 ever
                 give
                 any
                 other
                 Law
                 to
                 such
                 persons
                 :
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Creation
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 Law
                 ,
                 that
                 an
                 innocent
                 Creature
                 is
                 liable
                 to
                 ,
                 with
                 what
                 Symbols
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 God
                 is
                 pleased
                 to
                 add
                 :
              
               —
               But
               now
               
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 yielded
                 perfect
                 obedience
                 to
                 all
                 those
                 Laws
                 ,
                 which
                 came
                 upon
                 us
                 by
                 the
                 occasion
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Ceremonial
                 Law
                 ,
                 yea
                 those
                 very
                 Institutions
                 that
                 signified
                 the
                 washing
                 away
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 repentance
                 from
                 sin
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Baptism
                 of
              
               John
               ,
               
                 which
                 he
                 had
                 no
                 need
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
              
               
               
                 this
                 therefore
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 for
                 us
                 .
              
               This
               now
               looks
               something
               like
               ,
               though
               I
               fear
               ,
               it
               will
               prove
               like
               all
               the
               rest
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               no
               purpose
               :
               for
               though
               the
               Doctor
               takes
               it
               for
               granted
               ,
               yet
               I
               would
               willingly
               have
               had
               some
               proof
               of
               it
               ,
               that
               an
               
                 innocent
                 man
                 can
                 be
                 bound
                 by
                 no
                 other
                 Law
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Creation
              
               ;
               especially
               since
               he
               acknowledges
               (
               which
               is
               a
               great
               favour
               )
               that
               God
               might
               add
               what
               Symbols
               he
               pleased
               to
               that
               Law
               ;
               (
               for
               ,
               I
               suppose
               ,
               he
               remembred
               the
               
                 Tree
                 of
                 Life
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Tree
                 of
                 knowledge
                 of
                 good
                 and
                 evil
              
               )
               now
               I
               know
               not
               what
               these
               Symbols
               are
               but
               
                 positive
                 Laws
              
               ,
               and
               such
               the
               
                 Ceremonial
                 Laws
              
               were
               ;
               and
               if
               God
               may
               require
               the
               obedience
               of
               an
               
                 innocent
                 man
              
               to
               one
               positive
               Law
               ,
               I
               see
               no
               reason
               ,
               why
               he
               may
               not
               ,
               if
               he
               please
               ,
               enjoyn
               
                 twenty
                 such
                 Laws
              
               by
               the
               same
               Authority
               .
               But
               
                 they
                 are
                 such
                 Laws
                 as
                 came
                 upon
                 us
                 by
                 occasion
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
              
               and
               therefore
               an
               
                 innocent
                 man
              
               cannot
               be
               obliged
               by
               them
               :
               but
               why
               not
               ?
               Though
               they
               were
               at
               first
               commanded
               upon
               
                 occasion
                 of
                 sin
              
               ,
               an
               
                 innocent
                 man
              
               may
               observe
               them
               to
               good
               and
               wise
               purposes
               ,
               as
               publick
               and
               solemn
               Acts
               of
               Worship
               ,
               as
               external
               and
               visible
               expressions
               of
               devotion
               ,
               as
               
               a
               publick
               profession
               of
               Righteousness
               and
               a
               vertuous
               life
               ,
               to
               which
               purposes
               among
               others
               the
               Sacrifices
               and
               Ceremonies
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               the
               Baptism
               of
               Iohn
               served
               :
               And
               if
               there
               were
               no
               other
               reason
               ,
               this
               were
               sufficient
               ,
               that
               it
               becomes
               an
               
                 innocent
                 man
              
               to
               set
               an
               example
               of
               reverence
               to
               all
               
                 Divine
                 Institutions
              
               ,
               that
               every
               conceited
               Religionist
               ,
               (
               who
               may
               be
               far
               enough
               from
               being
               innocent
               )
               may
               not
               presently
               conceit
               himself
               above
               all
               
                 Forms
                 and
                 external
                 Worship
              
               ,
               as
               the
               Doctor
               knows
               ,
               who
               are
               too
               apt
               to
               do
               .
            
             
               But
               this
               is
               not
               worth
               contending
               about
               ;
               for
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 Ceremonial
                 Law
              
               could
               never
               justifie
               any
               man
               ,
               and
               therefore
               if
               Christ
               had
               fulfilled
               this
               Law
               for
               us
               ,
               it
               could
               have
               availed
               us
               nothing
               .
               Nor
               can
               I
               understand
               ,
               why
               the
               Doctor
               should
               suppose
               ,
               that
               Christ
               fulfilled
               the
               Ceremonial
               Law
               for
               all
               Believers
               ,
               when
               the
               greatest
               part
               of
               them
               (
               the
               Gentiles
               )
               were
               never
               under
               the
               obligation
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               His
               second
               Argument
               to
               prove
               ,
               that
               what
               Christ
               did
               as
               Mediator
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               actual
               obedience
               of
               his
               life
               )
               he
               did
               for
               us
               and
               in
               our
               stead
               ,
               is
               this
               ,
               that
               there
               
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 other
                 reason
                 assigned
                 of
              
               
               
                 Christs
                 obedience
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 did
                 it
                 in
                 our
                 stead
                 .
              
               Now
               this
               Argument
               would
               be
               good
               ,
               were
               it
               true
               ,
               and
               were
               there
               not
               a
               great
               many
               things
               done
               ,
               which
               we
               cannot
               assign
               the
               reason
               of
               ,
               and
               yet
               done
               for
               great
               and
               weighty
               reasons
               ;
               but
               it
               appears
               from
               what
               I
               have
               already
               discoursed
               ,
               that
               there
               was
               sufficient
               reason
               ,
               why
               Christ
               should
               obey
               the
               Laws
               of
               God
               ,
               viz.
               because
               he
               was
               as
               much
               bound
               to
               it
               ,
               as
               any
               other
               man
               is
               :
               But
               to
               wave
               this
               ,
               let
               us
               consider
               how
               he
               manages
               this
               Argument
               :
               he
               takes
               it
               for
               granted
               
               (
               as
               he
               is
               very
               apt
               to
               do
               things
               ,
               which
               he
               cannot
               prove
               )
               that
               if
               Christ
               were
               not
               bound
               to
               obey
               these
               Laws
               upon
               his
               own
               account
               ,
               
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 either
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 fit
                 him
                 for
                 his
                 death
                 and
                 oblation
                 ,
              
               but
               it
               was
               not
               to
               fit
               him
               for
               his
               death
               and
               oblation
               ,
               therefore
               it
               was
               for
               us
               :
               for
               he
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 That
                 he
                 answered
                 all
                 Types
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 every
                 way
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 fit
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 an
                 Offering
                 for
                 sin
                 by
                 his
                 Union
                 and
                 habitual
                 Grace
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 if
                 the
                 obedience
                 Christ
                 performed
                 be
                 not
                 reckoned
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 done
                 upon
                 our
                 account
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 just
                 cause
                 to
                 be
                 assigned
                 ,
                 why
                 he
                 should
                 live
                 here
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 ,
                 in
                 perfect
                 obedience
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 Laws
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 had
                 he
                 dyed
                 before
                 ,
              
               
               
                 there
                 had
                 been
                 perfect
                 innocence
                 and
                 perfect
                 holiness
                 by
                 his
                 habitual
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 infinite
                 vertue
                 and
                 worth
                 from
                 the
                 dignity
                 of
                 his
                 Person
                 ,
                 and
                 surely
                 he
                 yielded
                 not
                 that
                 long
                 course
                 of
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 obedience
                 but
                 for
                 some
                 great
                 and
                 special
                 purposes
                 in
                 reference
                 to
                 our
                 Salvation
                 :
              
               yes
               truly
               ,
               it
               was
               
                 for
                 some
                 great
                 and
                 special
                 purpose
                 in
                 reference
                 to
                 our
                 Salvation
                 ,
              
               that
               Christ
               lived
               so
               long
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               consequently
               
                 yielded
                 such
                 a
                 long
                 course
                 of
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 obedience
                 to
                 God
              
               ;
               but
               must
               this
               needs
               be
               
                 his
                 actual
                 fulfilling
                 all
                 Righteousness
                 for
                 us
                 ?
              
               What
               do
               you
               think
               of
               his
               preaching
               the
               Gospel
               throughout
               all
               Iudaea
               ,
               which
               required
               ,
               that
               he
               should
               be
               a
               man
               before
               he
               did
               it
               ,
               and
               would
               take
               up
               some
               time
               in
               doing
               it
               ?
               What
               do
               you
               think
               of
               those
               many
               Miracles
               ,
               which
               he
               wrought
               for
               the
               confirmation
               of
               his
               Doctrine
               ?
               What
               do
               you
               think
               of
               training
               up
               his
               Apostles
               to
               succeed
               him
               in
               his
               Ministry
               as
               eye
               and
               ear
               witnesses
               of
               his
               Miracles
               and
               Doctrine
               ?
               Nay
               what
               do
               you
               think
               of
               the
               holy
               example
               of
               his
               life
               ,
               which
               was
               no
               less
               necessary
               than
               his
               Laws
               ?
               These
               were
               all
               
                 great
                 and
                 special
                 purposes
                 in
                 reference
                 to
                 our
                 Salvation
                 ,
              
               though
               we
               should
               suppose
               him
               fit
               to
               have
               been
               a
               Sacrifice
               (
               as
               Herod
               
               designed
               he
               should
               have
               been
               )
               as
               soon
               ,
               as
               he
               was
               born
               :
               though
               by
               the
               way
               I
               think
               he
               could
               not
               have
               answered
               the
               Types
               and
               Predictions
               of
               him
               ,
               had
               he
               died
               so
               soon
               ,
               notwithstanding
               his
               
                 perfect
                 innocence
                 and
                 perfect
                 holiness
              
               .
            
             
               His
               third
               reason
               to
               prove
               that
               Christ
               
               performed
               all
               Righteousness
               for
               us
               ,
               is
               from
               the
               
                 absolute
                 necessity
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 for
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 term
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 do
                 this
                 and
                 live
                 ;
                 life
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 obtained
                 ,
                 unless
                 all
                 be
                 done
                 that
                 the
                 Law
                 requires
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 still
                 true
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 wilt
                 enter
                 into
                 life
                 keep
                 the
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 be
                 kept
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 our
                 Surety
                 :
                 so
                 that
                 we
                 being
                 unable
                 to
                 yield
                 that
                 compleat
                 and
                 perfect
                 obedience
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Law
                 requires
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 life
                 and
                 happiness
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 necessary
                 ,
                 that
                 Christ
                 our
                 Mediator
                 and
                 Surety
                 should
                 fulfil
                 the
                 Law
                 for
                 us
                 .
              
               Now
               the
               best
               that
               can
               be
               made
               of
               this
               argument
               is
               ,
               that
               it
               proves
               it
               ought
               to
               be
               so
               ,
               but
               it
               does
               not
               prove
               that
               it
               is
               so
               ;
               just
               like
               the
               Papists
               alledging
               the
               necessity
               of
               an
               infallible
               judge
               to
               prove
               ,
               that
               the
               Pope
               or
               Church
               of
               Rome
               is
               infallible
               ;
               but
               such
               arguments
               prove
               nothing
               but
               the
               arrogance
               and
               presumption
               of
               the
               disputant
               ,
               who
               will
               undertake
               to
               prescribe
               methods
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               prove
               ,
               that
               he
               ought
               to
               have
               
               done
               so
               ,
               when
               it
               does
               not
               appear
               ,
               that
               he
               has
               done
               so
               :
               the
               sum
               of
               this
               argument
               is
               ,
               that
               there
               never
               was
               ,
               nor
               ever
               can
               be
               a
               
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
              
               ,
               that
               God
               still
               exacts
               the
               rigorous
               perfection
               of
               the
               Law
               from
               us
               ,
               and
               that
               we
               must
               not
               appear
               before
               him
               without
               a
               
                 compleat
                 and
                 perfect
                 righteousness
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 another
                 :
              
               now
               this
               is
               the
               thing
               in
               Question
               ,
               whether
               we
               must
               be
               made
               Righteous
               with
               the
               perfect
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               imputed
               to
               us
               ,
               or
               whether
               God
               will
               for
               the
               sake
               of
               Christ
               dispense
               with
               the
               rigour
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               accept
               of
               a
               sincere
               and
               Evangelical
               obedience
               ,
               instead
               of
               a
               perfect
               and
               unsinning
               Righteousness
               ;
               so
               that
               he
               only
               confidently
               affirms
               what
               was
               in
               dispute
               ,
               and
               this
               goes
               for
               an
               argument
               .
            
             
               Thus
               you
               see
               how
               weak
               their
               reason
               is
               ,
               let
               us
               now
               examine
               their
               Scripture
               evidence
               ;
               and
               the
               Dr.
               makes
               a
               great
               flourish
               with
               some
               Scripture
               phrases
               ,
               
               
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 almost
                 nothing
                 that
                 Christ
                 hath
                 done
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 with
                 him
                 :
                 we
                 are
                 Crucified
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 dead
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 buried
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 quickned
                 together
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 acting
                 ▪
                 s
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 the
                 compact
                 between
                 him
                 as
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 such
                 an
              
               
               
                 assured
                 foundation
                 laid
                 of
                 the
                 Communication
                 of
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 these
                 actings
                 unto
                 those
                 in
                 whose
                 stead
                 he
                 performed
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 said
                 in
                 the
                 participation
                 of
                 these
                 fruits
                 to
                 have
                 done
                 the
                 same
                 things
                 with
                 him
                 :
              
               But
               he
               is
               quite
               out
               in
               the
               reason
               of
               these
               expressions
               ,
               which
               is
               ,
               not
               that
               we
               are
               accounted
               to
               do
               the
               same
               things
               ,
               which
               Christ
               did
               (
               for
               the
               things
               here
               mentioned
               belong
               to
               the
               peculiar
               Office
               of
               his
               Mediation
               ,
               which
               he
               told
               us
               before
               were
               not
               reckon'd
               as
               done
               by
               us
               )
               but
               because
               we
               do
               some
               things
               like
               them
               :
               our
               dying
               to
               sin
               is
               a
               Conformity
               to
               the
               Death
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               our
               walking
               in
               newness
               of
               life
               is
               our
               Conformity
               to
               his
               Resurrection
               ,
               and
               the
               consideration
               of
               the
               Death
               and
               Resurrection
               of
               Christ
               ,
               is
               very
               powerful
               to
               engage
               us
               to
               die
               to
               sin
               ,
               and
               to
               rise
               into
               a
               new
               life
               ;
               and
               this
               is
               the
               true
               reason
               of
               these
               phrases
               ,
               not
               that
               Christ
               did
               all
               in
               our
               stead
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               are
               said
               to
               do
               it
               too
               ,
               but
               for
               a
               quite
               different
               reason
               because
               we
               must
               do
               something
               like
               it
               ,
               express
               the
               power
               and
               image
               of
               his
               Death
               and
               Resurrection
               in
               our
               lives
               .
            
             
               To
               this
               purpose
               also
               he
               cites
               that
               
               Text
               in
               Gal.
               4.
               4
               ,
               5.
               
               
                 God
                 sent
                 forth
                 his
              
               
               
                 Son
                 made
                 of
                 a
                 Woman
                 ,
                 made
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 to
                 redeem
                 them
                 that
                 were
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
              
               and
               here
               he
               stops
               ,
               but
               I
               shall
               take
               confidence
               to
               add
               ,
               
                 that
                 we
                 might
                 receive
                 the
                 adoption
                 of
                 Sons
                 :
              
               now
               by
               
                 being
                 made
                 under
                 the
                 Law
              
               ,
               he
               tells
               us
               ,
               is
               meant
               
                 being
                 disposed
                 of
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 condition
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 must
                 yield
                 subjection
                 and
                 obedience
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
              
               well
               ,
               suppose
               this
               :
               
                 and
                 this
                 was
                 all
                 to
                 redeem
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 our
                 Redemption
                 is
                 by
                 the
                 obedience
                 of
                 Christ
                 imputed
                 to
                 us
                 :
              
               fairly
               argued
               ;
               but
               can
               his
               obedience
               to
               the
               Law
               contribute
               no
               otherways
               to
               our
               redemption
               ,
               but
               by
               being
               reckon'd
               as
               done
               by
               us
               ?
               but
               the
               truth
               is
               ,
               this
               us
               is
               not
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               
                 to
                 redeem
                 us
              
               ,
               but
               
                 to
                 redeem
                 them
                 that
                 were
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               
                 the
                 Iews
              
               ,
               who
               were
               in
               bondage
               under
               the
               
                 Mosaical
                 Law
              
               ,
               from
               which
               Christ
               redeemed
               them
               by
               abrogating
               that
               Law
               ,
               and
               introducing
               a
               better
               Covenant
               ,
               
                 the
                 adoption
                 of
                 Sons
              
               :
               for
               in
               this
               Epistle
               ,
               nay
               in
               this
               Chapter
               ,
               the
               Law
               is
               called
               a
               state
               of
               Servants
               ,
               and
               of
               an
               
                 Heir
                 under
                 Age
              
               ,
               but
               the
               Gospel
               is
               the
               
                 adoption
                 of
                 Sons
              
               ,
               puts
               us
               into
               such
               a
               free
               and
               manly
               state
               ,
               as
               that
               of
               an
               Heir
               at
               Age
               ,
               and
               therefore
               is
               called
               the
               
                 Spirit
                 of
                 adoption
                 .
                 Rom.
              
               8.
               15.
               
               So
               that
               
               the
               meaning
               of
               this
               Text
               is
               this
               ,
               that
               God
               hath
               now
               put
               an
               end
               to
               the
               dispensation
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               which
               is
               called
               
                 redeeming
                 them
                 that
                 were
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
              
               in
               a
               state
               of
               servitude
               and
               bondage
               ,
               and
               hath
               established
               a
               better
               Covenant
               in
               the
               room
               of
               it
               ,
               which
               as
               much
               excells
               the
               Law
               ,
               as
               the
               
                 adoption
                 of
                 Sons
              
               does
               the
               state
               of
               Servants
               ,
               and
               this
               God
               brought
               to
               pass
               
                 by
                 sending
                 his
                 Son
                 into
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 made
                 of
                 a
                 Woman
                 ,
                 made
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 :
              
               for
               the
               understanding
               of
               which
               words
               we
               must
               consider
               ,
               what
               influence
               Christs
               appearing
               in
               the
               world
               had
               on
               the
               abrogation
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               that
               was
               ,
               that
               he
               accomplished
               all
               the
               Types
               and
               Figures
               of
               the
               Law
               in
               his
               own
               Person
               ,
               and
               when
               all
               these
               Types
               were
               fulfilled
               ,
               they
               grew
               out
               of
               date
               :
               so
               that
               his
               
                 being
                 made
                 under
                 the
                 Law
              
               most
               probably
               signifies
               ,
               his
               being
               made
               such
               a
               Person
               ,
               as
               should
               exactly
               answer
               all
               the
               Types
               and
               Figures
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               so
               put
               an
               end
               to
               it
               ,
               as
               of
               no
               further
               use
               :
               Thus
               the
               Temple
               was
               Gods
               House
               ,
               wherein
               he
               dwelt
               ,
               but
               now
               the
               Shecinah
               or
               Divine
               Glory
               rested
               on
               Christ
               ,
               and
               the
               fulness
               of
               the
               Godhead
               dwelt
               in
               him
               bodily
               ,
               so
               that
               now
               there
               was
               no
               longer
               any
               need
               of
               a
               
               material
               Temple
               ,
               as
               a
               pledge
               of
               Gods
               peculiar
               presence
               among
               them
               ;
               the
               Priests
               and
               Sacrifices
               of
               the
               Law
               were
               Types
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               when
               that
               great
               high
               Priest
               came
               ,
               and
               offered
               that
               perfect
               Sacrifice
               of
               himself
               ,
               all
               legal
               Priests
               and
               Sacrifices
               were
               of
               no
               use
               :
               Thus
               by
               his
               being
               made
               under
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               accomplishing
               all
               the
               Types
               and
               Figures
               of
               it
               ,
               he
               put
               an
               end
               to
               all
               those
               beggarly
               Rudiments
               ,
               and
               delivered
               the
               Jews
               from
               the
               bondage
               of
               the
               Law
               ;
               for
               though
               the
               Gentiles
               too
               are
               redeemed
               by
               Christ
               ,
               yet
               they
               were
               not
               redeemed
               from
               the
               Law
               of
               Moses
               ,
               under
               which
               they
               never
               were
               .
            
             
               Several
               other
               places
               he
               alledges
               to
               the
               same
               purpose
               ,
               but
               I
               have
               either
               already
               considered
               them
               ,
               or
               shall
               do
               in
               what
               follows
               ;
               but
               what
               I
               have
               now
               discoursed
               ,
               is
               enough
               to
               satisfie
               any
               impartial
               Inquirer
               ,
               how
               vain
               and
               precarious
               this
               Principle
               is
               ,
               which
               too
               many
               make
               the
               very
               Foundation
               of
               their
               Faith
               ,
               that
               
                 Christ
                 as
                 Mediator
                 fulfilled
                 all
                 Righteousness
                 in
                 their
                 stead
                 ,
                 whose
                 Mediator
                 he
                 was
                 .
              
            
             
               And
               now
               had
               I
               no
               other
               design
               than
               to
               expose
               the
               mistakes
               of
               other
               men
               ,
               I
               should
               need
               add
               no
               more
               ,
               till
               I
               saw
               
               this
               answered
               ;
               but
               I
               have
               a
               greater
               and
               better
               design
               ,
               viz.
               to
               explain
               and
               confirm
               the
               true
               notions
               of
               Religion
               in
               opposition
               to
               such
               mistakes
               ,
               and
               therefore
               having
               shewed
               you
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               no
               foundation
               in
               Reason
               or
               Scripture
               to
               fancy
               such
               an
               Union
               between
               Christ
               and
               Believers
               (
               whether
               we
               consider
               it
               as
               a
               
                 Conjugal
                 Relation
              
               ,
               or
               
                 Legal
                 Union
              
               ,
               as
               he
               is
               our
               Surety
               or
               Mediator
               )
               as
               should
               entitle
               Believers
               to
               the
               
                 Personal
                 Righteousness
              
               of
               Christ
               ,
               lest
               any
               man
               should
               suspect
               ,
               that
               the
               design
               of
               all
               this
               is
               to
               
                 lessen
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               or
               
                 to
                 disparage
                 the
                 Merits
              
               and
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               (
               which
               God
               forbid
               any
               Christian
               should
               be
               guilty
               of
               )
               I
               shall
               secondly
               examine
               what
               influence
               the
               
                 Sacrifice
                 of
                 Christs
                 death
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 his
                 life
              
               have
               upon
               our
               acceptance
               with
               God
               :
               and
               all
               that
               I
               can
               find
               in
               Scripture
               about
               this
               ,
               is
               ,
               that
               to
               this
               we
               owe
               the
               
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
              
               :
               that
               God
               being
               well
               pleased
               with
               the
               
                 obedience
                 of
                 Christs
                 life
              
               ,
               and
               
                 the
                 Sacrifice
                 of
                 his
                 death
              
               ,
               for
               his
               sake
               entred
               into
               a
               
                 new
                 Covenant
              
               with
               Mankind
               ,
               wherein
               he
               promises
               pardon
               of
               sin
               and
               eternal
               life
               to
               those
               who
               belief
               and
               obey
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             
               This
               is
               very
               plain
               with
               reference
               to
               
               the
               
                 death
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ;
               hence
               the
               
                 Blood
                 of
                 Christ
              
               is
               called
               the
               
                 Blood
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 Heb.
              
               10
               29.
               and
               Christ
               is
               called
               
                 the
                 great
                 Shepherd
                 and
                 Bishop
                 of
                 Souls
                 through
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 the
                 everlasting
                 Covenant
                 ,
              
               Heb.
               13.
               20.
               and
               the
               
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
              
               is
               called
               
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Sprinkling
                 ,
                 which
                 speaks
                 better
                 things
                 than
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Abel
                 ,
                 Heb.
              
               12.
               24.
               which
               is
               an
               allusion
               to
               Moses
               his
               sprinkling
               the
               blood
               of
               the
               Sacrifice
               ,
               whereby
               he
               confirmed
               and
               ratified
               the
               Covenant
               between
               God
               and
               the
               Children
               of
               
                 Israel
                 ,
                 Heb.
              
               9.
               19
               ,
               20
               ,
               21.
               
               
                 For
                 when
                 Moses
                 had
                 spoken
                 every
                 precept
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 people
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
              
               (
               when
               he
               had
               declared
               the
               terms
               of
               this
               Covenant
               to
               them
               )
               
                 he
                 took
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Calves
                 and
                 Goats
                 with
                 water
                 ,
                 and
                 Scarlet
                 wooll
                 ,
                 and
                 hysop
                 ,
                 and
                 sprinkled
                 both
                 the
                 book
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 the
                 Testament
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 ordained
                 to
                 you
                 .
              
               Thus
               the
               blood
               of
               Christ
               is
               called
               
                 the
                 Blood
                 of
                 Sprinkling
              
               ,
               because
               by
               his
               blood
               God
               did
               seal
               and
               confirm
               the
               
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
              
               ,
               as
               the
               
                 sprinkling
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 beasts
              
               did
               confirm
               the
               
                 Mosaical
                 Covenant
              
               .
               Hence
               we
               are
               said
               to
               be
               
                 justified
                 by
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               5.
               9.
               that
               is
               ,
               by
               the
               
                 Gospel
                 Covenant
              
               ,
               
               which
               was
               confirmed
               and
               ratified
               with
               his
               blood
               ;
               and
               Christ
               is
               called
               a
               
                 Propitiation
                 through
                 faith
                 in
                 his
                 blood
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               by
               a
               belief
               of
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               Rom.
               3.
               25.
               
               Hence
               it
               is
               also
               ,
               that
               the
               Scripture
               uses
               these
               phrases
               promiscuously
               ,
               to
               be
               
                 justified
                 by
                 faith
              
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               
                 justified
                 by
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 to
                 be
                 justified
                 by
                 Christ
              
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               justified
               
                 through
                 Faith
                 in
                 his
                 Blood
              
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               justified
               and
               
                 saved
                 by
                 Grace
              
               ,
               nay
               by
               
                 believing
                 that
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Ioh.
              
               20.
               31.
               and
               
                 that
                 God
                 raised
                 him
                 from
                 the
                 dead
                 ,
                 Rom.
              
               10.
               3.
               
               All
               which
               signifie
               the
               same
               thing
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               justified
               by
               believing
               and
               obeying
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               :
               for
               Faith
               or
               Faith
               in
               Christ
               ,
               signifies
               such
               a
               firm
               and
               stedfast
               belief
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               as
               brings
               forth
               all
               the
               fruits
               of
               obedience
               ;
               and
               the
               
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
              
               is
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               ,
               expresly
               so
               called
               in
               Tit.
               2.
               11.
               as
               being
               the
               effect
               of
               the
               free
               grace
               and
               goodness
               of
               God
               to
               Mankind
               ;
               and
               Faith
               in
               the
               Blood
               of
               Christ
               is
               a
               belief
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               was
               confirmed
               by
               his
               death
               ;
               and
               believing
               that
               
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               Messias
               and
               Prophet
               ,
               whom
               God
               sent
               into
               the
               World
               to
               reveal
               his
               will
               to
               us
               ,
               includes
               
               a
               general
               belief
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               he
               preached
               ;
               and
               
                 believing
                 that
                 God
                 raised
                 him
                 from
                 the
                 dead
              
               doth
               the
               same
               ,
               because
               his
               Resurrection
               from
               the
               dead
               was
               the
               last
               and
               great
               confirmation
               ,
               which
               God
               gave
               to
               the
               truth
               of
               his
               Gospel
               and
               Religion
               .
               And
               hence
               it
               is
               also
               ,
               that
               the
               Apostles
               attribute
               such
               things
               to
               the
               Blood
               of
               Christ
               as
               are
               the
               proper
               and
               immediate
               effects
               of
               the
               Gospel-Covenant
               ,
               because
               they
               consider
               the
               Blood
               of
               Christ
               as
               the
               
                 Blood
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
              
               ,
               and
               therefore
               all
               the
               blessings
               of
               the
               Gospel
               are
               owing
               to
               the
               Blood
               of
               Christ
               ,
               because
               the
               
                 Gospel
                 Covenant
              
               it self
               was
               procured
               and
               confirmed
               by
               the
               Blood
               of
               Christ.
               Thus
               the
               
                 Gentiles
                 who
                 were
                 sometime
                 afar
                 off
                 ,
              
               are
               said
               
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 nigh
                 by
                 the
                 Blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               and
               the
               Gentiles
               and
               Jews
               were
               
                 reconciled
                 unto
                 God
                 in
                 one
                 body
                 by
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 Eph.
              
               2.
               14
               ,
               15
               ,
               16.
               
               That
               is
               ,
               the
               Gentiles
               were
               received
               into
               the
               fellowship
               of
               Gods
               Church
               ,
               and
               the
               Jews
               and
               Gentiles
               united
               in
               
                 one
                 Body
              
               ,
               or
               Society
               ;
               now
               this
               Union
               of
               Iews
               and
               Gentiles
               is
               owing
               to
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               takes
               away
               all
               marks
               of
               distinction
               and
               separation
               ,
               and
               gives
               them
               both
               an
               equal
               right
               to
               the
               blessings
               of
               the
               new
               
               Covenant
               .
               The
               Mosaical
               Covenant
               did
               belong
               only
               to
               the
               Children
               of
               Israel
               ;
               but
               this
               new
               Covenant
               belongs
               to
               all
               Mankind
               ,
               to
               Gentiles
               as
               well
               as
               Jews
               ,
               there
               is
               now
               no
               distinction
               of
               persons
               ,
               
                 neither
                 Iew
                 nor
                 Greek
                 ,
                 Barbarian
                 ,
                 Scythian
                 ,
                 Bond
                 nor
                 Free
                 ,
                 but
                 Christ
                 is
                 all
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 :
              
               That
               is
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               respect
               of
               persons
               or
               Nations
               under
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               no
               man
               is
               ever
               the
               more
               or
               less
               acceptable
               to
               God
               ,
               because
               he
               is
               a
               Jew
               or
               a
               Greek
               ,
               but
               the
               only
               thing
               of
               any
               value
               now
               is
               Faith
               in
               Christ
               ,
               or
               a
               belief
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               is
               indifferently
               offered
               to
               all
               .
               Now
               this
               is
               attributed
               to
               the
               
                 Blood
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               and
               to
               his
               death
               upon
               the
               Cross
               ,
               because
               thereby
               Christ
               put
               an
               end
               to
               the
               Mosaical
               Covenant
               ,
               and
               sealed
               this
               new
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               with
               Mankind
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
               explains
               himself
               in
               the
               following
               Verses
               ,
               17
               ,
               18
               ,
               &c.
               that
               Christ
               
                 having
                 abolished
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Commandments
              
               by
               his
               death
               ,
               
                 he
                 came
                 and
                 preached
                 peace
              
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Peace
               )
               
                 to
                 them
                 who
                 were
                 afar
                 off
              
               (
               to
               the
               Gentile
               World
               )
               
                 and
                 to
                 them
                 who
                 were
                 nigh
              
               (
               to
               the
               Jews
               ,
               who
               were
               Gods
               peculiar
               people
               )
               that
               is
               ,
               he
               abrogated
               the
               
                 Mosaical
                 Law
                 ,
                 that
                 Law
                 of
                 Commandments
              
               
               
                 contained
                 in
                 Ordinances
              
               ,
               which
               was
               peculiar
               to
               the
               Jews
               ,
               and
               separated
               them
               from
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               World
               ;
               and
               he
               broke
               down
               the
               
                 middle
                 Wall
                 of
                 Partition
              
               ,
               which
               kept
               the
               
                 uncircumcised
                 Gentiles
                 ,
                 though
                 Proselytes
              
               ,
               at
               a
               distance
               from
               God
               ,
               as
               confining
               their
               worship
               to
               the
               outward
               Court
               of
               the
               Temple
               ,
               which
               the
               Apostle
               seems
               to
               refer
               to
               in
               that
               phrase
               ,
               
                 them
                 that
                 were
                 afar
                 off
              
               ;
               and
               now
               by
               the
               Gospel
               he
               admits
               the
               Gentiles
               to
               as
               near
               an
               approach
               to
               God
               ,
               as
               the
               Jews
               ;
               as
               he
               adds
               ,
               
                 for
                 through
                 him
                 ,
                 we
                 both
                 have
                 an
                 access
                 by
                 one
                 spirit
                 to
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 Ver.
              
               18.
               
            
             
               Thus
               the
               Jews
               are
               said
               
                 to
                 be
                 redeemed
                 from
                 the
                 Curse
                 of
                 the
                 Law
              
               by
               the
               accursed
               Death
               of
               Christ
               upon
               the
               Cross
               ,
               Gal.
               3.
               13.
               
               Because
               the
               Death
               of
               Christ
               put
               an
               end
               to
               that
               legal
               dispensation
               ,
               and
               sealed
               a
               new
               and
               better
               Covenant
               between
               God
               and
               Man
               :
               and
               the
               Gentiles
               
                 were
                 redeemed
                 from
                 their
                 vain
                 Conversation
                 received
                 by
                 tradition
                 from
                 their
                 Fathers
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               from
               those
               idolatrous
               and
               impure
               practices
               they
               were
               guilty
               of
               ,
               
                 not
                 with
                 corruptible
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 silver
                 and
                 gold
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 the
                 precious
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 a
                 Lamb
                 without
                 blemish
                 and
                 without
                 spot
                 .
              
               1.
               
               Pet.
               
               1.
               18
               ,
               19.
               
               Now
               the
               Gentiles
               were
               delivered
               from
               Idolatry
               by
               the
               preaching
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               is
               called
               their
               being
               redeemed
               by
               the
               blood
               of
               Christ
               ,
               because
               we
               owe
               this
               unspeakable
               blessing
               to
               his
               Death
               ,
               
                 who
                 having
                 abolished
                 in
                 his
                 flesh
              
               (
               by
               his
               Death
               )
               
                 the
                 enmity
                 ,
                 even
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 &c.
                 came
                 and
                 preached
                 peace
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 afar
                 off
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 were
                 nigh
                 .
              
            
             
               Now
               as
               the
               Death
               of
               Christ
               upon
               the
               Cross
               ,
               and
               his
               Ascension
               into
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               presenting
               his
               blood
               to
               God
               in
               that
               
                 true
                 holy
                 place
              
               ,
               did
               answer
               to
               the
               first
               sprinkling
               of
               the
               blood
               under
               the
               Law
               ,
               which
               confirmed
               the
               Mosaical
               Covenant
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
               discourses
               in
               Hebr.
               9.
               
               So
               his
               continual
               Intercession
               for
               us
               in
               vertue
               of
               his
               blood
               once
               shed
               ,
               and
               once
               offered
               to
               God
               ,
               answers
               to
               those
               frequent
               expiations
               by
               Sacrifice
               under
               the
               Law
               ,
               especially
               to
               that
               general
               Sacrifice
               on
               the
               great
               day
               of
               expiation
               ,
               when
               the
               High
               Priest
               entred
               into
               the
               holy
               of
               holies
               with
               the
               the
               blood
               of
               Beasts
               .
            
             
               The
               reason
               ,
               why
               the
               legal
               Sacrifices
               were
               so
               often
               repeated
               ,
               was
               ,
               because
               they
               were
               imperfect
               and
               typical
               ,
               
               
                 but
                 a
                 shadow
                 of
                 good
                 things
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 could
                 not
                 take
                 away
                 sin
              
               ;
               but
               Christ
               
                 by
                 one
                 offering
                 hath
                 perfected
                 for
                 ever
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 sanctified
                 .
                 Hebr.
              
               10.
               14.
               
               He
               hath
               made
               a
               perfect
               expiation
               for
               our
               sins
               by
               dying
               once
               ,
               and
               hath
               sealed
               the
               promises
               of
               pardon
               and
               forgiveness
               to
               them
               who
               are
               sanctified
               ,
               and
               
                 where
                 remission
                 is
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 more
                 offering
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 Ver.
              
               18
               Such
               a
               Sacrifice
               as
               once
               for
               all
               Seals
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Pardon
               and
               Forgiveness
               ,
               makes
               all
               other
               Offerings
               and
               Sacrifices
               needless
               ;
               and
               then
               the
               High
               Priest
               ,
               who
               entred
               into
               the
               Holy
               of
               Holies
               with
               the
               blood
               of
               the
               Sacrifice
               ,
               did
               continue
               there
               to
               intercede
               for
               the
               people
               ,
               but
               came
               out
               of
               that
               holy
               place
               ,
               and
               could
               not
               return
               thither
               again
               without
               a
               new
               Sacrifice
               ;
               
                 but
                 this
                 man
                 after
                 he
                 had
                 offered
                 one
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 for
                 ever
                 sat
                 down
                 at
                 the
                 right
                 hand
                 of
                 God.
                 Hebr.
              
               10.
               12.
               and
               because
               
                 he
                 continueth
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 an
                 unchangeable
                 Priesthood
                 ,
                 wherefore
                 he
                 is
                 able
                 also
                 to
                 save
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 uttermost
                 ,
                 that
                 come
                 unto
                 God
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 seeing
                 he
                 ever
                 liveth
                 to
                 make
                 Intercession
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 Hebr.
              
               7.
               24
               ,
               25.
               
               So
               that
               Christ
               by
               his
               Death
               expiated
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               confirmed
               an
               everlasting
               Covenant
               ,
               
               and
               being
               ascended
               up
               into
               Heaven
               he
               there
               appears
               in
               the
               presence
               of
               God
               for
               us
               ,
               and
               perpetually
               intercedes
               in
               vertue
               of
               his
               blood
               once
               offered
               ,
               which
               is
               of
               infinite
               more
               value
               than
               the
               repeated
               Sacrifices
               of
               the
               Law
               :
               he
               procures
               the
               pardon
               of
               our
               sins
               by
               his
               Death
               ,
               and
               dispenses
               this
               pardon
               to
               us
               by
               his
               Intercession
               ;
               he
               sealed
               that
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               by
               his
               blood
               ,
               and
               intercedes
               for
               us
               in
               vertue
               of
               his
               blood
               ,
               but
               still
               according
               to
               the
               terms
               and
               conditions
               of
               that
               Covenant
               ,
               and
               this
               is
               all
               we
               must
               expect
               from
               him
               as
               our
               Mediator
               .
            
             
               From
               what
               I
               have
               now
               discourst
               ,
               it
               appears
               ,
               how
               injurious
               those
               men
               are
               to
               the
               
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
              
               (
               how
               much
               soever
               they
               pretend
               to
               magnifie
               it
               )
               who
               attribute
               no
               more
               to
               it
               than
               a
               
                 non-imputation
                 of
                 sin
              
               ,
               *
               that
               
                 by
                 his
                 Death
                 Christ
                 bearing
                 and
                 undergoing
                 the
                 punishment
                 that
                 was
                 due
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 paying
                 the
                 ransom
                 that
                 was
                 due
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 delivered
                 us
                 from
                 this
                 condition
                 ,
                 (
                 the
                 wrath
                 and
                 Curse
                 and
                 whole
                 displeasure
                 of
                 God
                 )
                 and
                 thus
                 by
                 the
                 Death
                 of
                 Christ
                 all
                 cause
                 of
                 quarrel
                 and
                 rejection
                 is
                 taken
                 away
                 ,
                 but
                 then
                 this
                 will
                 not
                 compleat
                 our
                 acceptation
                 ,
                 the
                 old
                 quarrel
                 may
                 be
                 laid
                 aside
                 ,
              
               
               
                 and
                 yet
                 no
                 new
                 friendship
                 begun
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 not
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 not
                 so
                 far
                 righteous
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 right
                 to
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 :
              
               So
               that
               the
               blood
               of
               Christ
               only
               makes
               us
               innocent
               ,
               delivers
               us
               from
               guilt
               and
               punishment
               ,
               but
               (
               if
               we
               will
               take
               the
               Doctors
               word
               for
               it
               )
               it
               can
               give
               us
               no
               title
               to
               glory
               ,
               this
               is
               owing
               to
               the
               
                 imputation
                 of
                 Christs
                 Righteousness
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 obedience
                 of
                 his
                 life
                 :
              
               but
               you
               see
               ,
               the
               Scripture
               gives
               a
               quite
               different
               account
               of
               it
               ,
               we
               are
               said
               to
               be
               
                 justified
                 and
                 redeemed
                 by
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               nay
               
                 we
                 have
                 boldness
                 to
                 enter
                 into
                 the
                 holiest
                 by
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Iesus
                 .
                 Hebr.
              
               10.
               19.
               which
               is
               an
               allusion
               to
               the
               High
               Priests
               entring
               into
               the
               Holy
               of
               Holies
               (
               which
               was
               a
               Type
               of
               Heaven
               )
               with
               the
               blood
               of
               the
               Sacrifice
               ;
               thus
               by
               the
               blood
               of
               Christ
               we
               have
               admission
               into
               Heaven
               it self
               ,
               though
               the
               Dr.
               says
               ,
               that
               the
               blood
               of
               Christ
               makes
               us
               Innocent
               ,
               but
               cannot
               give
               us
               a
               right
               to
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               .
            
             
               The
               Scripture
               takes
               no
               notice
               of
               their
               artificial
               method
               ,
               that
               the
               guilt
               of
               sin
               is
               taken
               away
               by
               the
               Death
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               that
               we
               are
               made
               righteous
               by
               his
               Righteousness
               ;
               but
               the
               blood
               of
               Christ
               is
               said
               to
               justifie
               us
               ,
               and
               to
               
               give
               us
               admission
               into
               the
               holiest
               of
               all
               ,
               into
               Heaven
               it self
               ,
               nay
               we
               are
               made
               righteous
               by
               the
               Death
               of
               Christ
               too
               .
               2
               Cor.
               5.
               21.
               
               
                 For
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 sin
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 who
                 knew
                 no
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 might
                 be
                 made
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 him
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               though
               Christ
               was
               a
               very
               holy
               Person
               ,
               yet
               he
               died
               as
               a
               Sacrifice
               for
               our
               sins
               ,
               
                 the
                 just
                 for
                 the
                 unjust
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 might
                 be
                 reconciled
                 to
                 God
                 :
              
               So
               that
               our
               Righteousness
               as
               well
               as
               innocence
               is
               owing
               to
               the
               Death
               of
               Christ
               ,
               to
               that
               Sacrifice
               he
               offered
               for
               our
               sins
               :
               his
               blood
               had
               a
               great
               vertue
               and
               efficacy
               in
               it
               to
               make
               us
               righteous
               ,
               
                 to
                 purge
                 our
                 Consciences
                 from
                 dead
                 works
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 might
                 serve
                 the
                 living
                 God
                 ,
              
               and
               our
               Righteousness
               and
               acceptance
               with
               God
               is
               wholly
               owing
               to
               that
               Covenant
               ,
               which
               he
               purchast
               and
               sealed
               with
               his
               blood
               .
            
             
               But
               though
               the
               pardon
               of
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               our
               justification
               be
               attributed
               to
               the
               blood
               of
               Christ
               ,
               yet
               I
               could
               never
               perswade
               my self
               ,
               that
               this
               wholly
               excludes
               the
               perfect
               obedience
               and
               Righteousness
               of
               his
               life
               :
               for
               the
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               
                 accepted
                 in
                 the
                 beloved
                 .
                 Eph.
              
               1.
               6.
               
               So
               that
               whatever
               rendred
               Christ
               
                 beloved
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               did
               contribute
               
               something
               to
               our
               acceptance
               ;
               for
               because
               he
               was
               beloved
               we
               are
               accepted
               for
               his
               sake
               ,
               and
               I
               think
               no
               man
               will
               deny
               ,
               that
               God
               was
               very
               highly
               pleased
               with
               the
               perfect
               obedience
               of
               our
               Saviours
               life
               .
            
             
               We
               know
               how
               many
               blessings
               God
               bestowed
               upon
               the
               Children
               of
               Israel
               for
               the
               sake
               of
               their
               Fathers
               ,
               
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 Isaac
              
               ,
               and
               Iacob
               ,
               who
               were
               great
               Examples
               of
               Faith
               and
               Obedience
               ,
               which
               made
               them
               very
               dear
               to
               God
               ;
               and
               there
               is
               no
               doubt
               ,
               but
               God
               was
               more
               pleased
               with
               the
               obedience
               of
               Christ
               ,
               than
               with
               the
               Faith
               of
               Abraham
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               ought
               not
               to
               think
               that
               we
               receive
               no
               benefit
               by
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               ,
               when
               Abrahams
               posterity
               was
               so
               blessed
               for
               his
               sake
               :
               but
               then
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               Christs
               life
               and
               the
               Sacrifice
               of
               his
               death
               do
               not
               serve
               two
               such
               different
               ends
               ,
               as
               these
               men
               fancy
               ,
               (
               that
               the
               death
               of
               Christ
               removes
               the
               guilt
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               his
               Righteousness
               is
               imputed
               to
               us
               to
               make
               us
               righteous
               )
               but
               they
               both
               serve
               the
               same
               end
               to
               establish
               and
               confirm
               the
               Gospel-Covenant
               :
               God
               was
               so
               well
               pleased
               with
               what
               Christ
               did
               and
               suffered
               ,
               with
               the
               obedience
               of
               his
               life
               
               and
               death
               ,
               that
               for
               his
               sake
               he
               entred
               into
               a
               
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
              
               with
               Mankind
               ;
               as
               Abrahams
               Faith
               was
               not
               imputed
               to
               his
               posterity
               ,
               as
               their
               act
               ,
               but
               
                 for
                 Abrahams
                 sake
                 God
                 entred
                 into
                 Covenant
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 chose
                 them
                 for
                 his
                 peculiar
                 people
                 .
              
               The
               Obedience
               and
               Righteousness
               of
               Christs
               life
               was
               one
               thing
               ,
               which
               made
               his
               Sacrifice
               so
               meritorious
               ,
               which
               was
               
                 the
                 precious
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 a
                 Lamb
                 without
                 blemish
                 and
                 without
                 spot
                 .
              
            
             
               And
               this
               is
               the
               most
               that
               can
               be
               made
               of
               Rom.
               5.
               18
               ,
               19.
               
               
                 Therefore
                 as
                 by
                 the
                 offence
                 of
                 one
                 judgment
                 came
                 upon
                 all
                 men
                 to
                 Condemnation
                 ,
                 even
                 so
                 by
                 the
                 righteousness
                 of
                 one
                 the
                 free
                 gift
                 came
                 upon
                 all
                 men
                 to
                 justification
                 of
                 life
                 :
                 for
                 as
                 by
                 one
                 mans
                 disobedience
                 many
                 were
                 made
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 so
                 by
                 the
                 obedience
                 of
                 one
                 shall
                 many
                 be
                 made
                 righteous
                 :
              
               there
               is
               no
               necessity
               indeed
               of
               expounding
               this
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               obedience
               ,
               of
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christs
                 life
              
               ,
               or
               his
               
                 active
                 obedience
              
               ,
               for
               it
               may
               very
               well
               signifie
               no
               more
               than
               
                 the
                 obedience
                 of
                 his
                 Death
              
               ,
               notwithstanding
               the
               Doctors
               distinction
               ,
               
                 that
                 doing
                 is
                 one
                 thing
                 ,
                 and
                 suffering
                 is
                 another
                 ,
              
               for
               the
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               
                 he
                 became
                 obedient
                 unto
                 death
              
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               Phil.
               
               2.
               8.
               and
               his
               offering
               himself
               in
               Sacrifice
               is
               called
               
                 doing
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Hebr.
              
               10.
               9
               ,
               10.
               and
               whether
               this
               be
               properly
               said
               or
               not
               ,
               I
               will
               leave
               the
               Doctor
               to
               dispute
               it
               with
               the
               Apostle
               ;
               it
               is
               plain
               ,
               that
               in
               this
               Chapter
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               express
               mention
               made
               of
               any
               other
               act
               of
               Obedience
               and
               Righteousness
               ,
               whereby
               we
               are
               reconciled
               to
               God
               ,
               but
               only
               his
               dying
               for
               us
               ,
               in
               Ver.
               8.
               
               The
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 that
                 Christ
                 died
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 while
                 we
                 were
                 Sinners
                 ,
              
               in
               Ver.
               9.
               
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 justified
                 by
                 his
                 blood
                 ,
              
               in
               the
               10.
               
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 reconciled
                 to
                 God
                 by
                 the
                 Death
                 of
                 his
                 Son
                 ,
              
               which
               makes
               it
               more
               than
               probable
               ,
               that
               by
               his
               Righteousness
               and
               obedience
               here
               ,
               the
               Apostle
               understands
               his
               Death
               and
               Sufferings
               ,
               because
               this
               was
               the
               subject
               of
               his
               discourse
               :
               but
               yet
               these
               expressions
               
                 his
                 Righteousness
              
               and
               Obedience
               seem
               to
               take
               in
               the
               whole
               compass
               of
               his
               obedience
               in
               doing
               and
               suffering
               the
               will
               of
               God
               :
               and
               the
               meaning
               of
               the
               words
               is
               this
               ,
               that
               as
               God
               was
               so
               highly
               displeased
               with
               Adams
               Sin
               ,
               that
               he
               entailed
               a
               great
               many
               evils
               and
               miseries
               ,
               and
               death
               it self
               upon
               his
               Posterity
               for
               his
               sake
               ,
               so
               God
               was
               so
               well
               pleased
               with
               the
               Righteousness
               and
               Obedience
               of
               Christs
               
               Life
               and
               Death
               ,
               that
               he
               bestows
               the
               rewards
               of
               Righteousness
               on
               those
               who
               according
               to
               the
               strictness
               and
               rigour
               of
               the
               Law
               are
               not
               Righteous
               ,
               that
               for
               Christ's
               sake
               he
               hath
               made
               a
               new
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               ,
               which
               pardons
               our
               past
               sins
               and
               follies
               ,
               and
               rewards
               a
               sincere
               though
               imperfect
               obedience
               ;
               for
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 shall
                 be
                 made
                 righteous
              
               ,
               is
               the
               same
               with
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               shall
               be
               justified
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               treated
               like
               righteous
               persons
               :
               so
               that
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               is
               not
               the
               
                 formal
                 cause
              
               of
               our
               justification
               ,
               that
               very
               Righteousness
               whereby
               we
               are
               righteous
               ,
               but
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               his
               Life
               and
               Death
               is
               the
               meritorious
               cause
               of
               that
               Covenant
               ,
               whereby
               we
               are
               declared
               righteous
               ,
               and
               rewarded
               as
               righteous
               persons
               ;
               for
               the
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               in
               Ver.
               17.
               who
               those
               are
               who
               are
               thus
               justified
               by
               Christ
               ,
               and
               shall
               Reign
               with
               him
               in
               Life
               ,
               not
               those
               who
               are
               righteous
               by
               the
               imputation
               of
               Christs
               Righteousness
               to
               them
               ,
               but
               those
               
                 who
                 have
                 received
                 the
                 abundance
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 gift
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               who
               by
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               Grace
               and
               the
               
                 abundant
                 Grace
              
               of
               God
               ,
               are
               made
               Holy
               and
               Righteous
               ,
               
               as
               God
               is
               ;
               which
               Righteousness
               is
               called
               a
               gift
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               not
               owing
               solely
               to
               humane
               endeavours
               ,
               but
               is
               wrought
               in
               us
               by
               supernatural
               means
               ,
               by
               those
               powerful
               arguments
               and
               motives
               ,
               and
               divine
               assistances
               ,
               which
               God
               in
               infinite
               love
               and
               goodness
               has
               afforded
               the
               World
               by
               Jesus
               Christ.
               
            
             
               This
               gives
               a
               fair
               account
               how
               we
               may
               be
               said
               
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 righteous
                 by
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               not
               that
               his
               actual
               obedience
               is
               reckoned
               as
               done
               by
               us
               (
               which
               is
               impossible
               )
               but
               because
               we
               are
               made
               righteous
               both
               in
               a
               proper
               and
               forensick
               sense
               by
               the
               Gospel-Covenant
               ,
               which
               is
               wholly
               owing
               to
               the
               Grace
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               merits
               and
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               :
               the
               great
               arguments
               and
               motives
               ,
               and
               powerful
               assistances
               of
               the
               Gospel
               form
               our
               minds
               to
               the
               love
               and
               practice
               of
               Holiness
               ,
               and
               so
               make
               us
               inherently
               righteous
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 Grace
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
              
               accepts
               and
               rewards
               that
               sincere
               and
               Evangelical
               obedience
               ,
               which
               according
               to
               the
               rigour
               and
               severity
               of
               the
               Law
               could
               deserve
               no
               reward
               :
               so
               that
               
                 our
                 Righteousness
              
               is
               wholly
               owing
               to
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               which
               may
               in
               this
               sense
               be
               said
               to
               be
               
                 imputed
                 to
                 us
              
               
               (
               though
               that
               phrase
               never
               occurs
               in
               Scripture
               )
               because
               without
               this
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               ,
               which
               is
               founded
               on
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               the
               best
               man
               living
               could
               lay
               no
               claim
               to
               Righteousness
               or
               future
               glory
               .
            
             
               So
               that
               the
               
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
              
               is
               our
               Righteousness
               ,
               when
               we
               speak
               of
               the
               foundation
               of
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               by
               which
               we
               are
               accepted
               ,
               but
               if
               we
               speak
               of
               the
               terms
               of
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               then
               we
               must
               have
               a
               righteousness
               of
               our
               own
               ,
               for
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               will
               not
               serve
               the
               turn
               :
               Christs
               Righteousness
               and
               our
               own
               are
               both
               necessary
               to
               our
               Salvation
               ,
               the
               first
               as
               the
               foundation
               of
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               the
               other
               as
               the
               condition
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               The
               sum
               of
               this
               Section
               is
               this
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               no
               foundation
               in
               reason
               or
               Scripture
               ,
               to
               imagine
               any
               such
               Union
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               Believers
               ,
               as
               should
               intitle
               them
               
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 personal
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               as
               much
               as
               if
               it
               had
               been
               performed
               by
               themselves
               ;
               but
               the
               vertue
               of
               Christs
               Obedience
               and
               Sufferings
               ,
               so
               far
               as
               it
               concerns
               our
               justification
               ,
               is
               contained
               in
               the
               Gospel-Covenant
               :
               he
               is
               the
               Mediator
               of
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               and
               his
               blood
               is
               the
               blood
               
               of
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               and
               we
               must
               expect
               no
               other
               advantage
               from
               what
               Christ
               hath
               done
               and
               suffer'd
               ,
               but
               to
               be
               saved
               according
               to
               the
               gracious
               terms
               and
               conditions
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 IV.
              
               That
               these
               men
               place
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               before
               holiness
               of
               life
               .
            
             
               I
               Have
               now
               explained
               to
               you
               the
               nature
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               the
               
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               as
               these
               men
               represent
               it
               ,
               whereby
               (
               they
               say
               )
               we
               are
               entitled
               to
               all
               his
               
                 Excellencies
                 ,
                 Graces
                 ,
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 Preciousness
                 ,
                 &c.
              
               and
               made
               it
               appear
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               no
               foundation
               for
               such
               a
               notion
               ,
               either
               in
               Scripture
               or
               reason
               ;
               but
               before
               I
               dismiss
               this
               ,
               it
               will
               be
               convenient
               to
               take
               notice
               of
               the
               great
               evil
               and
               mischief
               of
               this
               opinion
               ,
               which
               may
               satisfie
               any
               considering
               man
               (
               though
               there
               were
               no
               other
               evidence
               of
               it
               )
               how
               false
               it
               is
               ;
               and
               I
               shall
               observe
               two
               things
               to
               this
               purpose
               :
               First
               ,
               That
               according
               to
               this
               
               notion
               
                 men
                 may
                 ,
                 nay
                 must
                 be
                 united
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 while
                 they
                 continue
                 in
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
              
               which
               according
               to
               my
               understanding
               overthrows
               all
               Religion
               ,
               and
               destroys
               the
               necessary
               obligations
               to
               an
               holy
               life
               .
               Secondly
               ,
               That
               according
               to
               these
               mens
               discourses
               no
               man
               can
               certainly
               tell
               how
               to
               
                 get
                 into
                 Christ
              
               ,
               or
               know
               whether
               he
               
                 be
                 in
                 Christ
                 or
                 not
              
               .
            
             
               As
               for
               the
               first
               ,
               that
               men
               may
               ,
               nay
               must
               be
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               while
               they
               continue
               in
               their
               sins
               ,
               it
               is
               easie
               to
               produce
               abundant
               evidence
               for
               the
               proof
               of
               it
               .
               *
               Mr.
               Shephard
               tells
               us
               expresly
               ,
               
                 that
                 obedience
                 does
                 not
                 make
                 us
                 Gods
                 people
                 ,
                 or
                 God
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 is
                 first
                 our
                 God
                 (
                 which
                 is
                 only
                 by
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 )
                 and
                 hence
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 being
                 ours
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 his
                 ,
                 we
                 of
                 all
                 others
                 are
                 most
                 bound
                 to
                 obey
                 :
              
               as
               for
               the
               obligation
               to
               obedience
               ,
               we
               will
               consider
               that
               anon
               ,
               at
               present
               it
               suffices
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               Gods
               people
               ,
               and
               that
               by
               vertue
               of
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               ,
               before
               we
               obey
               him
               :
               the
               same
               Author
               *
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 united
                 to
                 Christ
                 our
                 life
                 by
                 obedience
                 ,
                 as
              
               Adam
               
                 was
                 to
                 God
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 Faith
              
               (
               that
               is
               by
               such
               a
               Faith
               of
               which
               Obedience
               is
               no
               part
               ,
               
               otherwise
               he
               opposes
               a
               part
               to
               the
               whole
               ,
               and
               so
               the
               same
               thing
               to
               it self
               )
               
                 and
                 therefore
                 as
                 all
                 actions
                 in
                 living
                 things
                 comes
                 from
                 Union
                 ,
                 so
                 all
                 our
                 acts
                 of
                 obedience
                 are
                 to
                 come
                 by
                 Faith
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 Spirit
                 on
                 Christs
                 part
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 Faith
                 on
                 our
                 part
                 ,
                 which
                 make
                 the
                 Union
                 :
              
               the
               meaning
               of
               which
               is
               this
               ,
               that
               we
               must
               first
               be
               united
               to
               Christ
               by
               this
               Faith
               (
               of
               which
               more
               anon
               )
               before
               we
               can
               do
               any
               thing
               ,
               that
               is
               good
               ;
               before
               this
               Union
               
                 the
                 best
                 actions
                 we
                 can
                 do
                 ,
                 are
                 sins
                 ,
              
               which
               is
               a
               plain
               demonstration
               of
               the
               truth
               of
               this
               charge
               ;
               because
               according
               to
               this
               principle
               we
               can
               do
               nothing
               but
               sin
               ,
               before
               we
               are
               united
               to
               Christ
               :
               hence
               these
               men
               constantly
               place
               
                 our
                 justification
                 before
                 our
                 sanctification
              
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               first
               accounted
               holy
               by
               God
               before
               we
               are
               made
               holy
               ,
               now
               our
               justification
               follows
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               our
               fanctification
               follows
               our
               justification
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               must
               first
               be
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               have
               a
               title
               to
               all
               the
               Promises
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               to
               Justification
               and
               Eternal
               Life
               ,
               before
               we
               are
               sanctified
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               before
               we
               are
               made
               Holy
               :
               hence
               we
               are
               told
               ,
               that
               *
               
                 Holiness
                 is
                 a
                 remote
                 end
                 of
                 vocation
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 next
                 end
                 is
                 to
              
               
               
                 come
                 to
                 Christ
              
               :
               and
               the
               same
               Author
               makes
               a
               speech
               for
               Christ
               to
               a
               Sinner
               (
               so
               gracious
               a
               speech
               ,
               that
               among
               all
               the
               invitations
               of
               Christ
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               we
               find
               nothing
               like
               it
               )
               
                 though
                 thou
                 hast
                 resisted
                 my
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 refused
                 my
                 Grace
                 ,
                 wearied
                 me
                 with
                 thy
                 iniquities
                 ,
                 yet
                 come
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 will
                 make
                 me
                 amends
                 ,
                 I
                 require
                 nothing
                 of
                 thee
                 else
                 but
                 to
                 come
                 ;
                 for
                 Gods
                 call
                 is
                 out
                 of
                 free
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 he
                 calls
                 for
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 than
                 only
                 to
                 come
                 up
                 and
                 possess
                 the
                 Lords
                 fulness
                 .
              
            
             
               But
               not
               to
               insist
               upon
               some
               particular
               sayings
               ,
               let
               us
               consider
               the
               whole
               progress
               of
               the
               Soul
               (
               as
               they
               represent
               it
               )
               to
               a
               closure
               with
               Christ
               ,
               the
               several
               steps
               and
               degrees
               whereby
               men
               are
               brought
               at
               last
               to
               
                 an
                 Union
                 with
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 ,
              
               and
               they
               are
               
                 Conviction
                 ,
                 Compunction
                 ,
                 Humiliation
              
               ,
               and
               Faith
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               
                 uniting
                 Grace
              
               ;
               now
               if
               there
               be
               nothing
               of
               forsaking
               sin
               included
               in
               all
               this
               ,
               then
               men
               must
               be
               united
               to
               Christ
               before
               they
               forsake
               their
               sins
               :
               it
               were
               easie
               to
               produce
               the
               concurrent
               judgments
               of
               many
               Authors
               ,
               for
               what
               I
               shall
               now
               say
               ,
               but
               that
               would
               be
               too
               tedious
               ,
               and
               therefore
               I
               shall
               confine
               my self
               to
               Mr.
               
                 Shephards
                 Sound
              
               
               Believer
               ,
               as
               Orthodox
               a
               Book
               as
               ever
               was
               writ
               ,
               and
               which
               to
               this
               day
               is
               in
               too
               many
               peoples
               hands
               .
            
             
               Now
               *
               
                 Conviction
                 of
                 sin
              
               (
               according
               to
               this
               Author
               )
               
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 evil
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 evil
                 after
                 sin
                 ,
                 of
                 its
                 abominable
                 and
                 accursed
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 just
                 judgments
                 which
                 follow
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Sinner
                 must
                 die
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 eternally
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 remain
                 in
                 this
                 state
                 it
                 is
                 now
                 in
                 :
              
               and
               no
               man
               can
               deny
               ,
               but
               that
               this
               is
               ,
               as
               it
               ought
               to
               be
               ;
               men
               must
               be
               awakened
               into
               a
               serious
               consideration
               of
               the
               evil
               which
               they
               have
               done
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               punishment
               which
               they
               have
               deserved
               ,
               before
               they
               will
               reform
               their
               lives
               ;
               reform
               ?
               nay
               now
               you
               are
               out
               ,
               this
               is
               not
               the
               
                 end
                 of
                 Conviction
                 to
                 reform
                 sin
                 ,
                 (
                 that
                 is
                 a
                 legal
                 way
                 )
              
               but
               
                 compunction
                 is
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 Conviction
                 :
              
               well
               then
               ,
               
                 what
                 is
                 this
                 Compunction
              
               ?
               why
               compunction
               is
               first
               a
               great
               fear
               of
               being
               damned
               ,
               
                 when
                 a
                 man
                 is
                 thus
                 convinced
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 he
                 sees
                 Death
                 ,
                 wrath
                 ,
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 near
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 hence
                 hath
                 no
                 hope
                 to
                 escape
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 now
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 does
                 fear
              
               ;
               next
               to
               this
               succeeds
               
                 a
                 great
                 sorrow
                 and
                 mourning
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 having
                 smitten
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 or
                 shot
                 the
                 arrows
                 of
                 fear
                 into
              
               
               
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 it
                 therefore
                 grows
                 exceeding
                 sad
                 and
                 heavy
              
               ;
               and
               that
               ,
               which
               perfects
               this
               compunction
               ,
               is
               a
               
                 separation
                 from
                 sin
              
               ;
               this
               is
               something
               like
               ,
               if
               they
               mean
               as
               they
               speak
               ;
               but
               if
               you
               would
               not
               mistake
               them
               ,
               
                 by
                 a
                 separation
                 from
                 sin
              
               ,
               you
               must
               not
               understand
               a
               leaving
               and
               forsaking
               sin
               ,
               but
               such
               a
               
                 separation
                 from
                 sin
              
               as
               is
               consistent
               with
               living
               in
               it
               :
               for
               it
               is
               nothing
               else
               ,
               but
               *
               
                 a
                 being
                 willing
                 or
                 rather
                 not
                 unwilling
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 should
                 take
                 it
                 away
                 :
                 the
                 Lord
                 doth
                 not
                 wound
                 the
                 heart
                 to
                 this
                 end
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Soul
                 should
                 first
                 heal
                 it self
                 ,
                 before
                 it
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 Physician
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 it
                 might
                 seek
                 out
                 ,
                 or
                 feeling
                 its
                 need
                 be
                 willing
                 and
                 desirous
                 of
                 a
                 Physician
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 ,
                 to
                 come
                 and
                 heal
                 it
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 fault
                 of
                 many
                 Christians
                 ,
                 that
                 either
                 their
                 wounds
                 and
                 sorrows
                 are
                 so
                 little
                 they
                 desire
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 healed
                 ,
                 or
                 if
                 they
                 do
                 ,
                 they
                 labour
                 to
                 heal
                 themselves
                 first
                 ,
                 before
                 they
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 Physician
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 first
                 make
                 themselves
                 holy
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 on
                 their
                 Iewells
                 and
                 then
                 believe
                 in
                 Christ
                 :
              
               
               so
               that
               all
               he
               means
               by
               
                 a
                 separation
                 from
                 sin
              
               ,
               is
               to
               be
               content
               ,
               that
               Christ
               by
               an
               irresistible
               power
               should
               take
               away
               our
               sins
               ;
               by
               this
               separation
               the
               Soul
               is
               
                 cut
                 off
              
               
               
                 from
                 the
                 will
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 not
                 from
                 all
              
               (
               no
               nor
               
               from
               any
               )
               
                 sin
                 in
                 the
                 will
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 must
                 be
                 mortified
                 by
                 a
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 Soul
                 is
                 implanted
                 into
                 Christ.
              
               Now
               this
               is
               down-right
               non-sense
               ,
               for
               he
               must
               be
               a
               very
               subtil
               man
               ,
               who
               can
               distinguish
               between
               
                 a
                 will
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 sin
                 in
                 the
                 will
                 ,
              
               and
               all
               that
               can
               be
               made
               of
               it
               is
               this
               ,
               that
               this
               
                 separation
                 from
                 sin
                 is
                 a
                 willingness
                 ,
                 or
                 rather
                 a
                 not
                 unwillingness
                 ,
              
               that
               Christ
               should
               take
               away
               our
               sins
               against
               our
               wills
               ;
               and
               therefore
               he
               does
               well
               to
               tell
               us
               ,
               that
               this
               
                 separation
                 from
                 sin
                 is
                 no
                 part
                 of
                 our
                 sanctification
                 ,
              
               as
               any
               man
               would
               easily
               have
               guest
               by
               his
               description
               of
               it
               ;
               the
               whole
               design
               of
               
                 this
                 compunction
              
               ,
               of
               this
               fear
               ,
               and
               sorrow
               ,
               and
               
                 separation
                 from
                 sin
              
               ,
               is
               not
               that
               we
               might
               forsake
               sin
               ,
               but
               to
               work
               humiliation
               in
               us
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               third
               step
               towards
               an
               Union
               with
               Christ
               :
               Now
               this
               *
               
                 humiliation
                 is
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 spirit
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 Soul
                 being
                 broken
                 off
                 from
                 self
                 conceit
                 ,
                 and
                 self-confidence
                 in
                 any
                 good
                 it
                 hath
                 ,
                 or
                 doth
                 ,
                 submitteth
                 unto
                 ,
                 and
                 lieth
                 under
                 God
                 to
                 be
                 disposed
                 of
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 pleases
              
               ;
               this
               
                 self
                 confidence
                 ,
                 from
                 which
                 the
                 Soul
                 must
                 be
                 broke
                 off
                 ,
              
               is
               any
               hope
               of
               pleasing
               God
               by
               repentance
               or
               reformation
               ,
               or
               any
               thing
               he
               can
               do
               ;
               for
               when
               men
               
               feel
               this
               
                 compunction
                 of
                 spirit
                 for
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
              
               the
               great
               danger
               is
               ,
               lest
               they
               should
               seek
               ease
               by
               repenting
               of
               their
               sins
               ,
               and
               reforming
               their
               lives
               ;
               
                 that
                 as
                 their
                 sins
                 have
                 provoked
                 God
                 to
                 anger
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 so
                 now
                 if
                 they
                 can
                 reform
                 and
                 leave
                 those
                 sins
                 ,
                 or
                 if
                 they
                 repent
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 sorry
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 if
                 now
                 they
                 pray
                 ,
                 and
                 hear
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 as
                 others
                 do
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 some
                 hopes
              
               (
               as
               well
               they
               may
               ,
               if
               they
               do
               all
               this
               )
               
                 that
                 this
                 will
                 heal
                 their
                 wounds
                 ,
                 and
                 pacifie
                 the
                 Lord
                 towards
                 them
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 see
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 peace
                 in
                 a
                 sinful
                 course
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 try
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 a
                 good
                 course
              
               ;
               this
               indeed
               every
               man
               naturally
               would
               have
               thought
               to
               have
               been
               a
               very
               good
               way
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               a
               dangerous
               mistake
               ,
               for
               
                 while
                 it
                 is
                 thus
                 with
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 uncapable
              
               
               
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 that
                 trusts
                 to
                 other
                 things
                 to
                 save
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 makes
                 himself
                 his
                 own
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 or
                 rests
                 in
                 his
                 duties
                 without
                 a
                 Saviour
              
               (
               that
               is
               according
               to
               this
               Author
               ,
               all
               those
               who
               repent
               and
               reform
               upon
               the
               Convictions
               of
               their
               Consciences
               )
               
                 he
                 can
                 never
                 have
                 Christ
                 to
                 save
                 him
                 :
              
               So
               that
               true
               
                 humiliation
                 is
                 this
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 Christ
                 hath
                 made
                 the
                 Soul
                 feel
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 its
                 inability
                 to
                 help
                 it self
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 it
                 s
                 own
                 unworthiness
                 ,
              
               
               
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 should
                 help
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 it
                 may
                 lye
                 down
                 under
                 God
                 to
                 be
                 disposed
                 of
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 pleases
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               to
               be
               contented
               to
               be
               saved
               or
               damned
               ,
               as
               shall
               best
               please
               God
               ;
               and
               when
               the
               Soul
               is
               brought
               to
               this
               pass
               ,
               then
               
                 it
                 is
                 vas
                 Capax
                 ,
                 a
                 Vessel
                 capable
                 (
                 though
                 unworthy
                 )
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 they
                 are
                 made
                 thus
                 hollow
                 and
                 empty
                 by
                 compunction
                 and
                 humiliation
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 capable
                 of
                 receiving
                 and
                 holding
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 hollow
              
               
               
                 and
                 empty
                 Vessel
                 is
                 of
                 receiving
                 and
                 holding
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 put
                 into
                 it
                 :
              
               this
               is
               a
               new
               notion
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               a
               receiving
               Christ
               into
               us
               ,
               as
               a
               hollow
               Vessel
               receives
               any
               liquor
               ,
               that
               is
               poured
               into
               it
               ;
               however
               this
               is
               a
               very
               Philosophical
               account
               of
               the
               nature
               of
               humiliation
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               to
               bring
               a
               man
               to
               such
               a
               thorough
               sense
               of
               his
               inability
               to
               please
               God
               ,
               that
               he
               shall
               never
               dare
               to
               be
               so
               prophane
               as
               to
               attempt
               it
               ,
               but
               must
               leave
               repentance
               and
               reformation
               of
               life
               
                 to
                 carnal
                 and
                 Christless
                 men
              
               ;
               and
               then
               to
               make
               him
               so
               sensible
               of
               his
               own
               unworthiness
               ,
               and
               how
               just
               it
               is
               with
               God
               to
               damn
               him
               ,
               that
               he
               shall
               contentedly
               submit
               himself
               to
               God
               to
               be
               damned
               or
               saved
               ,
               as
               he
               pleases
               ;
               and
               
               now
               the
               Soul
               being
               thus
               
                 empty
                 and
                 hollow
              
               is
               fit
               to
               receive
               Christ
               into
               it
               ,
               and
               being
               grown
               careless
               of
               its
               Salvation
               ,
               and
               indifferent
               whether
               it
               be
               saved
               or
               damned
               (
               for
               it
               is
               impossible
               thus
               to
               submit
               to
               God
               ,
               without
               being
               indifferent
               in
               some
               measure
               which
               God
               shall
               chuse
               )
               it
               is
               a
               fit
               object
               for
               mercy
               :
               certainly
               it
               is
               a
               very
               hard
               thing
               to
               bring
               any
               man
               in
               his
               wits
               to
               this
               ,
               and
               I
               find
               by
               this
               Author
               ,
               that
               God
               is
               very
               hard
               put
               to
               it
               thus
               to
               humble
               the
               Soul
               ;
               *
               for
               he
               is
               forc'd
               
                 to
                 irritate
                 and
                 stir
                 up
                 original
                 corruption
                 ,
                 to
                 stir
                 the
                 dunghill
                 ,
              
               (
               a
               very
               unfit
               office
               for
               a
               holy
               Being
               )
               that
               so
               men
               finding
               themselves
               sensibly
               grow
               worse
               and
               worse
               every
               day
               ,
               may
               despair
               of
               growing
               better
               ,
               and
               leave
               off
               such
               vain
               attempts
               ,
               
                 and
                 set
                 down
                 humble
                 under
                 God
                 :
                 nay
                 the
                 Lord
                 loads
                 and
                 tires
                 ,
                 and
                 wearies
                 the
                 Soul
                 by
                 its
                 own
                 endeavours
                 ,
                 till
                 it
                 can
                 stir
                 no
                 more
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               when
               the
               Soul
               labours
               with
               all
               its
               might
               to
               repent
               and
               reform
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               should
               encourage
               and
               assist
               all
               such
               pious
               endeavours
               ,
               withdraws
               it self
               ,
               
                 because
                 it
                 knows
                 the
                 Soul
                 would
                 rest
                 therein
                 without
                 Christ
                 :
              
               
               now
               I
               confess
               ,
               I
               know
               not
               who
               suffers
               most
               by
               this
               ,
               the
               Sinner
               ,
               who
               is
               thus
               
               humbled
               and
               broken
               ,
               or
               God
               who
               thus
               humbles
               him
               ;
               for
               it
               must
               needs
               be
               as
               contrary
               to
               the
               holy
               and
               merciful
               Nature
               of
               God
               to
               use
               such
               methods
               of
               humiliation
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               to
               the
               
                 proud
                 heart
              
               of
               man
               to
               be
               thus
               humbled
               :
               Thus
               you
               see
               ,
               that
               Humiliation
               hath
               nothing
               to
               do
               with
               repentance
               and
               reformation
               of
               our
               lives
               ;
               for
               one
               great
               end
               of
               humiliation
               is
               to
               cure
               men
               of
               such
               carnal
               conceits
               ,
               as
               to
               think
               to
               please
               God
               by
               repenting
               and
               reforming
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               this
               is
               the
               next
               immediate
               disposition
               towards
               our
               receiving
               Christ
               and
               closing
               with
               him
               .
            
             
               For
               now
               when
               the
               Soul
               is
               thus
               humbled
               ,
               it
               is
               time
               it
               should
               go
               to
               Christ
               ,
               though
               the
               truth
               is
               ,
               such
               Souls
               are
               
                 so
                 wounded
                 and
                 humbled
                 now
                 ,
                 that
                 they
              
               
               
                 lye
                 dead
                 at
                 Gods
                 feet
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 as
                 unable
                 to
                 believe
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 were
                 to
                 humble
                 themselves
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 now
                 the
                 Lord
                 takes
                 them
                 up
                 in
                 his
                 Arms
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 lean
                 and
                 rest
                 upon
                 the
                 bosom
                 of
                 their
                 beloved
                 by
                 Faith
                 :
              
               Now
               the
               form
               and
               essence
               
               of
               Faith
               ,
               this
               
                 uniting
                 Grace
              
               ,
               consists
               in
               this
               ,
               
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 coming
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 Soul
                 out
                 of
                 it self
                 to
                 Christ
                 :
                 Faith
                 does
                 nothing
                 for
                 life
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Works
                 ,
                 it
                 only
                 receives
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
              
               
               
                 done
                 all
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 comes
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 it
                 hath
                 or
                 doth
                 unto
                 Christ
                 for
                 life
                 .
                 The
                 Soul
                 by
                 sin
                 is
                 averted
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 turns
                 his
                 back
                 upon
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 turning
                 and
                 coming
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 (
                 not
                 unto
                 duties
                 of
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 is
                 obedience
                 properly
                 ,
                 but
                 )
                 unto
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 again
                 is
                 properly
                 and
                 formally
                 Faith
                 :
                 So
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 drink
                 in
                 of
                 Christs
                 fulness
                 ,
                 is
                 believing
                 in
                 Christ.
                 
              
            
             
               But
               then
               Faith
               is
               the
               coming
               of
               the
               
                 whole
                 Soul
                 to
                 Christ
              
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               ,
               
                 when
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 so
                 sees
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 the
              
               
               
                 heart
                 so
                 embraceth
                 ,
                 and
                 relyeth
                 upon
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 it
                 resteth
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 its
                 portion
                 and
                 all-sufficient
                 good
                 .
              
               This
               is
               the
               Faith
               which
               unites
               us
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               this
               Faith
               you
               see
               hath
               nothing
               at
               all
               to
               do
               with
               obedience
               
                 in
                 uniting
                 us
                 to
                 Christ
              
               ;
               but
               it
               perfects
               this
               Union
               between
               Christ
               and
               Believers
               ,
               while
               they
               are
               as
               ugly
               ,
               and
               deformed
               ,
               and
               vicious
               as
               may
               be
               ;
               very
               unfit
               persons
               methinks
               to
               become
               the
               Members
               of
               so
               holy
               an
               Head.
               
            
             
               This
               is
               enough
               to
               convince
               any
               considering
               man
               ,
               how
               false
               this
               notion
               is
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               according
               to
               which
               wicked
               men
               who
               live
               in
               sin
               ,
               may
               be
               united
               to
               Christ
               :
               for
               the
               Scripture
               
               places
               the
               
                 formal
                 nature
                 of
                 our
                 Union
                 to
                 Christ
              
               in
               a
               
                 subjection
                 to
                 his
                 Authority
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Obedience
                 to
                 his
                 Laws
              
               ,
               as
               I
               have
               already
               made
               it
               appear
               ;
               and
               therefore
               an
               holy
               life
               must
               not
               only
               follow
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               as
               an
               effect
               of
               it
               ,
               but
               must
               at
               least
               in
               order
               of
               Nature
               go
               before
               it
               ,
               because
               by
               this
               we
               are
               united
               to
               Christ.
               A
               visible
               profession
               of
               an
               holy
               life
               is
               necessary
               to
               our
               admission
               into
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               Body
               of
               Christ
               ;
               but
               though
               this
               makes
               us
               visible
               Members
               of
               Christs
               Body
               ,
               and
               give
               us
               a
               right
               to
               an
               external
               Communion
               ,
               yet
               we
               are
               not
               real
               and
               living
               Members
               of
               Christ
               ,
               till
               we
               sincerely
               obey
               him
               ,
               till
               our
               minds
               are
               transformed
               into
               his
               Image
               :
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               is
               more
               or
               less
               perfect
               according
               to
               our
               attainments
               in
               true
               piety
               and
               vertue
               .
               The
               first
               and
               lowest
               degree
               of
               our
               Union
               with
               Christ
               is
               a
               belief
               of
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               in
               order
               of
               Nature
               must
               go
               before
               obedience
               to
               it
               ;
               but
               yet
               it
               includes
               a
               purpose
               and
               resolution
               of
               obeying
               it
               ;
               and
               in
               this
               sense
               we
               must
               be
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               before
               we
               can
               be
               holy
               ;
               because
               this
               belief
               of
               his
               Gospel
               is
               the
               great
               Principle
               of
               Obedience
               ;
               as
               our
               Saviour
               
               tells
               his
               Disciples
               ,
               
                 Abide
                 in
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 branch
                 cannot
                 bring
                 forth
                 fruit
                 of
                 it self
                 ,
                 except
                 it
                 abide
                 in
                 the
                 Vine
                 ,
                 no
                 more
                 can
                 ye
                 ,
                 except
                 you
                 abide
                 in
                 me
                 ,
                 Ioh.
              
               15.
               4.
               
               But
               then
               our
               Union
               is
               not
               perfected
               without
               actual
               obedience
               ;
               this
               makes
               us
               the
               true
               Disciples
               of
               Christ
               ,
               when
               we
               are
               fruitful
               in
               good
               works
               ,
               as
               he
               adds
               in
               Vers.
               8.
               
               
                 Herein
                 is
                 my
                 Father
                 glorified
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 bring
                 forth
                 much
                 fruit
                 ,
                 so
                 shall
                 you
                 be
                 my
                 Disciples
                 .
              
               A
               belief
               of
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               a
               purpose
               to
               live
               in
               obedience
               to
               it
               ,
               is
               all
               that
               can
               be
               expected
               from
               beginners
               ,
               but
               this
               doth
               not
               give
               us
               an
               actual
               title
               to
               all
               the
               promises
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               unless
               we
               actually
               obey
               it
               :
               but
               when
               in
               the
               strength
               of
               this
               Faith
               we
               conquer
               all
               the
               temptations
               of
               the
               World
               and
               the
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               improve
               all
               the
               opportunities
               of
               doing
               good
               ,
               this
               makes
               us
               the
               Disciples
               of
               Christ
               indeed
               ,
               and
               Heirs
               of
               Glory
               :
               Christ
               receives
               bad
               men
               as
               soon
               as
               they
               believe
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               resolve
               to
               be
               good
               ,
               but
               their
               reward
               is
               suspended
               upon
               the
               performance
               of
               these
               vows
               ,
               and
               this
               is
               no
               reproach
               to
               his
               Holiness
               ;
               but
               nothing
               can
               be
               a
               greater
               dishonour
               to
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               nor
               a
               greater
               contradiction
               
               to
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               than
               to
               affirm
               ,
               that
               wicked
               men
               ,
               while
               they
               continue
               such
               ,
               are
               actually
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               thereby
               have
               an
               actual
               right
               to
               pardon
               ,
               and
               righteousness
               ,
               and
               eternal
               life
               .
               St.
               Iohn
               I
               am
               sure
               ,
               understood
               not
               this
               Doctrine
               ,
               when
               he
               told
               us
               ,
               
                 That
                 God
                 is
                 light
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 him
                 is
                 no
                 darkness
                 at
                 all
                 :
                 if
                 we
                 say
                 we
                 have
                 fellowship
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 walk
                 in
                 darkness
                 ,
              
               (
               live
               in
               any
               sin
               )
               
                 we
                 lye
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 not
                 the
                 truth
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 we
                 walk
                 in
                 the
                 light
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 light
                 ,
                 then
                 have
                 we
                 fellowship
                 one
                 with
                 another
                 ,
              
               1
               Joh.
               1.
               5
               ,
               6
               ,
               7.
               
            
             
               This
               Doctrine
               doth
               not
               only
               take
               away
               the
               necessity
               of
               holiness
               in
               order
               to
               our
               Union
               with
               Christ
               ,
               but
               destroys
               the
               necessary
               obligations
               to
               holiness
               and
               obedience
               for
               the
               future
               ,
               and
               so
               thrusts
               holiness
               quite
               out
               of
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               .
               Our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               is
               perfected
               while
               we
               are
               unholy
               ,
               and
               when
               we
               are
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               there
               is
               less
               need
               of
               holiness
               than
               before
               ;
               for
               now
               the
               Merits
               and
               satisfaction
               of
               Christs
               death
               is
               imputed
               to
               us
               to
               remove
               the
               guilt
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               to
               deliver
               us
               from
               the
               punishment
               of
               it
               ;
               and
               his
               actual
               obedience
               is
               imputed
               to
               us
               to
               make
               us
               righteous
               ,
               and
               to
               give
               us
               an
               
               actual
               right
               to
               Glory
               :
               so
               that
               if
               men
               will
               obey
               Christ
               out
               of
               a
               principle
               of
               good
               nature
               ,
               and
               thankfulness
               to
               him
               ,
               they
               may
               ;
               but
               according
               to
               this
               notion
               there
               can
               be
               no
               necessity
               of
               it
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               delivered
               from
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               have
               a
               right
               to
               eternal
               life
               without
               it
               :
               And
               this
               is
               a
               plain
               demonstration
               ,
               that
               these
               notions
               are
               so
               far
               from
               being
               an
               essential
               part
               of
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               ,
               that
               they
               overthrow
               all
               Religion
               ,
               by
               leaving
               it
               at
               every
               mans
               liberty
               ,
               whether
               he
               will
               worship
               and
               obey
               God
               or
               not
               :
               but
               I
               have
               *
               discoursed
               this
               at
               large
               already
               in
               the
               examination
               of
               Dr.
               Owens
               reasons
               for
               the
               necessity
               of
               Holiness
               and
               Obedience
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 V.
              
               That
               according
               to
               these
               Principles
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               certain
               way
               of
               getting
               into
               Christ
               ,
               or
               of
               knowing
               whether
               we
               are
               in
               Christ
               or
               not
               .
            
             
               THus
               I
               have
               made
               good
               the
               first
               charge
               ,
               that
               according
               to
               this
               
               notion
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               men
               may
               ,
               nay
               must
               be
               united
               to
               Christ
               (
               if
               ever
               they
               be
               united
               )
               while
               they
               continue
               in
               sin
               ,
               and
               this
               is
               a
               great
               reproach
               to
               the
               Person
               and
               Gospel
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ;
               the
               other
               thing
               which
               I
               charged
               upon
               this
               notion
               ,
               is
               a
               more
               immediate
               ●injury
               to
               men
               ,
               as
               exposing
               them
               to
               perpetual
               doubts
               and
               jealousies
               about
               their
               Salvation
               ,
               viz.
               that
               according
               to
               these
               principles
               no
               man
               can
               certainly
               tell
               how
               
                 to
                 get
                 into
                 Christ
                 ,
                 or
                 know
                 whether
                 he
                 be
                 in
                 Christ
                 or
                 not
                 :
              
               And
               if
               I
               can
               make
               this
               appear
               ,
               it
               will
               be
               a
               sufficient
               reason
               for
               every
               man
               to
               reject
               it
               ,
               who
               hath
               any
               care
               of
               his
               Salvation
               ,
               or
               any
               regard
               to
               the
               peace
               and
               quiet
               of
               his
               own
               mind
               .
            
             
               First
               then
               according
               to
               these
               Principles
               there
               is
               no
               certain
               way
               
                 to
                 get
                 into
                 Christ
              
               :
               Suppose
               a
               sinner
               ,
               who
               hears
               of
               those
               great
               Priviledges
               ,
               which
               are
               consequent
               upon
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               should
               inquire
               what
               course
               he
               should
               take
               to
               be
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               to
               have
               a
               Right
               and
               Interest
               in
               all
               the
               
                 Excellencies
                 ,
                 Preciousness
                 ,
                 Graces
              
               ,
               and
               Righteousness
               of
               the
               
                 Lord
                 Iesus
              
               ;
               the
               method
               prescribed
               in
               order
               to
               this
               is
               
                 Conviction
                 ,
                 Compunction
                 ,
                 Humiliation
              
               ,
               and
               Faith
               ,
               
               which
               is
               the
               
                 uniting
                 Grace
              
               ;
               now
               I
               observe
               first
               ,
               that
               a
               man
               is
               passive
               in
               all
               this
               ,
               and
               can
               contribute
               nothing
               to
               it
               himself
               any
               otherwise
               ,
               than
               as
               he
               is
               acted
               by
               an
               irresistible
               power
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               a
               vain
               thing
               to
               give
               such
               rules
               and
               directions
               as
               no
               man
               can
               follow
               ;
               this
               only
               tells
               us
               by
               what
               methods
               God
               unites
               us
               to
               Christ
               ;
               not
               what
               we
               
                 must
                 do
              
               ,
               but
               what
               we
               must
               suffer
               in
               order
               to
               this
               Union
               .
               
                 A
                 Sinner
                 may
                 stir
                 up
                 in
                 himself
                 some
                 natural
                 conviction
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 some
                 natural
                 fear
                 and
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 &c.
              
               and
               in
               a
               sense
               of
               this
               may
               
                 set
                 upon
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 reformation
                 ,
                 of
                 leaving
                 his
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 performing
                 duties
                 ,
              
               but
               all
               this
               they
               tell
               us
               is
               to
               no
               purpose
               ;
               for
               unless
               this
               conviction
               ,
               and
               compunction
               ,
               and
               humiliation
               be
               wrought
               in
               us
               by
               the
               irresistible
               power
               of
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               (
               which
               no
               man
               can
               possibly
               tell
               ,
               whether
               it
               be
               or
               not
               )
               it
               is
               not
               of
               the
               right
               stamp
               ,
               and
               will
               avail
               us
               nothing
               :
               So
               that
               the
               sinner
               hath
               nothing
               to
               do
               but
               to
               sit
               still
               ,
               and
               patiently
               expect
               till
               God
               will
               do
               all
               for
               him
               .
            
             
               But
               secondly
               ,
               Suppose
               a
               man
               have
               this
               
                 conviction
                 ,
                 compunction
              
               ,
               and
               humiliation
               ,
               is
               this
               a
               sufficient
               reason
               to
               lay
               hold
               on
               Christ
               by
               the
               hand
               of
               Faith
               ?
               
               by
               no
               means
               ;
               the
               end
               of
               conviction
               is
               compunction
               ,
               and
               the
               end
               of
               compunction
               is
               humiliation
               ,
               and
               all
               this
               carries
               us
               no
               nearer
               to
               Christ
               ,
               than
               *
               
                 quietly
                 to
                 lye
                 down
                 before
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 do
                 what
                 he
                 will
                 with
                 us
                 ,
              
               *
               
                 turning
                 the
                 other
                 cheek
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 even
                 smiting
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 acknowledging
                 that
                 if
                 the
                 Lord
                 show
                 mercy
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 wonderful
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 yet
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 we
                 have
                 no
                 reason
                 to
                 quarrel
                 against
                 him
                 for
                 denying
                 special
                 mercy
                 to
                 those
                 to
                 whom
                 he
                 does
                 not
                 owe
                 a
                 bit
                 of
                 bread
                 :
                 and
                 now
                 the
                 Soul
                 is
                 indeed
                 humbled
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 submits
                 to
                 be
                 disposed
                 of
                 as
                 God
                 pleases
              
               ;
               that
               is
               to
               be
               saved
               or
               damned
               :
               so
               that
               this
               
                 conviction
                 ,
                 compunction
              
               ,
               and
               humiliation
               ,
               contribute
               nothing
               to
               our
               Union
               with
               Christ
               ,
               but
               their
               whole
               vertue
               consists
               in
               bringing
               us
               to
               such
               a
               temper
               of
               mind
               ,
               as
               to
               be
               content
               either
               to
               
                 have
                 Christ
              
               ,
               or
               
                 to
                 go
                 without
                 him
              
               ,
               as
               God
               shall
               please
               :
               *
               
                 humiliation
                 makes
                 the
                 Soul
                 in
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 its
                 own
                 infinite
                 vileness
                 and
                 unworthiness
                 not
                 to
                 quarrel
                 at
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 Devil-like
                 grow
                 fierce
                 and
                 impatient
                 before
                 and
                 against
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 in
                 case
                 he
                 should
                 never
                 help
                 it
                 ,
                 never
                 pity
                 it
                 ,
                 never
                 succour
                 it
                 .
              
               *
               
                 And
                 now
                 you
                 shall
                 see
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Lord
                 intend
                 good
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 by
              
               
               
                 this
                 do
                 thee
                 good
              
               ,
               and
               this
               is
               all
               men
               get
               by
               
                 humiliation
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 the
                 Lord
                 intend
                 to
                 do
                 them
                 good
                 ,
              
               this
               is
               the
               way
               ,
               in
               which
               he
               will
               do
               it
               ,
               but
               though
               they
               be
               humbled
               ,
               they
               cannot
               be
               sure
               ,
               whether
               God
               intend
               to
               do
               them
               good
               or
               not
               :
               and
               therefore
               we
               are
               told
               ,
               that
               *
               we
               are
               as
               much
               bound
               to
               submit
               to
               God
               ,
               whether
               he
               will
               save
               or
               damn
               us
               ,
               as
               we
               are
               to
               submit
               to
               the
               disposal
               of
               God
               ,
               as
               to
               any
               
                 common
                 mercy
              
               :
               though
               you
               must
               
                 pray
                 for
                 mercy
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 with
                 submission
                 to
                 the
                 good
                 will
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 saying
                 the
                 Lords
                 will
                 is
                 good
              
               (
               whether
               it
               be
               to
               save
               or
               damn
               )
               
                 but
                 mine
                 is
                 evil
              
               ,
               though
               it
               be
               to
               be
               saved
               ,
               and
               to
               have
               Jesus
               Christ
               :
               nay
               we
               are
               much
               more
               bound
               to
               submit
               our selves
               to
               God
               ,
               whether
               he
               will
               save
               or
               damn
               us
               ,
               than
               we
               are
               to
               submit
               to
               him
               in
               the
               lesser
               concernments
               of
               this
               life
               :
               *
               
                 For
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 pride
                 to
                 murmur
                 in
                 case
                 the
                 Lord
                 deny
                 you
                 smaller
                 matters
                 ,
                 the
                 offals
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 doest
                 thou
                 not
                 see
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 far
                 greater
                 pride
                 for
                 thee
                 to
                 sink
                 ,
                 and
                 quarrel
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 denies
                 thee
                 greater
                 ,
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 another
                 life
                 ?
                 is
                 he
                 bound
                 to
                 give
                 thee
                 greater
                 ,
                 who
                 doth
                 not
                 owe
                 thee
                 the
                 least
                 ?
                 the
                 Lord
                 gives
                 you
                 life
                 ,
                 blessed
                 be
                 his
                 name
                 ,
                 but
                 you
                 ask
              
               
               
                 for
                 treasures
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 mercy
              
               (
               now
               God
               hath
               given
               you
               life
               ,
               you
               would
               feign
               live
               for
               ever
               ,
               an
               unpardonable
               fault
               this
               !
               )
               
                 thousands
                 of
                 pounds
                 ,
                 Christ
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 worth
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Lord
                 seems
                 to
                 deny
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 you
                 sink
                 ,
                 and
                 grow
                 sullen
                 ,
                 may
                 not
                 the
                 Lord
                 now
                 say
                 ,
                 was
                 there
                 ever
                 such
                 pride
                 and
                 insolence
                 ?
              
               as
               to
               be
               unwilling
               to
               be
               damned
               for
               ever
               ;
               though
               I
               dare
               say
               this
               is
               not
               the
               pride
               which
               cast
               the
               Apostate
               Angels
               out
               of
               Heaven
               .
               So
               that
               though
               conviction
               ,
               and
               compunction
               ,
               and
               humiliation
               ,
               be
               the
               only
               way
               to
               come
               to
               Christ
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               such
               a
               way
               ,
               as
               brings
               us
               never
               the
               nearer
               him
               ;
               when
               all
               this
               is
               done
               we
               are
               where
               we
               were
               :
               before
               we
               were
               humbled
               it
               was
               at
               the
               Lords
               good
               pleasure
               ,
               whether
               we
               should
               have
               Christ
               or
               not
               ,
               and
               so
               it
               is
               still
               .
            
             
               What
               then
               is
               to
               be
               done
               further
               in
               order
               to
               our
               
                 closing
                 with
                 Christ
                 by
                 Faith
              
               ?
               for
               hitherto
               there
               is
               no
               foundation
               for
               our
               Faith
               :
               why
               
                 you
                 must
                 not
                 catch
                 at
                 Christ
                 ,
                 but
                 stay
                 till
                 God
                 give
                 Christ
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 till
                 God
                 take
                 you
                 up
                 in
                 his
                 arms
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 lean
                 and
                 rest
                 upon
                 the
                 bosom
                 of
                 your
                 beloved
                 through
                 Faith
                 ;
                 you
                 must
                 stay
                 till
                 God
                 give
                 you
                 a
                 particular
              
               
               
                 call
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 Christ
              
               ,
               and
               whether
               that
               will
               be
               ever
               or
               never
               ,
               no
               man
               can
               tell
               :
               
                 many
                 a
                 wounded
                 Sinner
              
               
               
                 will
                 be
                 scrambling
                 after
                 Christ
                 from
                 some
                 general
                 reports
                 of
                 him
              
               (
               such
               as
               his
               Gospel
               makes
               )
               
                 before
                 the
                 day
                 and
                 hour
                 of
                 Gods
                 glorious
                 and
                 gracious
                 call
                 ,
                 now
                 for
                 any
                 man
                 to
                 receive
                 Christ
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 Christ
                 before
                 he
                 is
                 called
                 ,
                 is
                 presumption
              
               (
               I
               unpardonable
               presumption
               too
               to
               attempt
               impossibilities
               ,
               for
               no
               body
               can
               come
               till
               he
               is
               called
               )
               
                 no
                 man
                 should
                 come
                 unless
                 first
                 called
              
               (
               and
               therefore
               no
               crime
               to
               stay
               away
               )
               
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 calling
                 to
                 an
                 ordinary
                 office
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 our
                 calling
                 much
                 more
                 to
                 special
                 Grace
                 ,
                 no
                 man
                 takes
                 this
                 honour
                 to
                 himself
                 but
                 he
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 called
                 of
                 God.
                 Hebr.
              
               5.
               4.
               
               (
               it
               is
               great
               presumption
               to
               usurp
               the
               office
               of
               a
               Priest
               ,
               or
               Prophet
               ,
               or
               King
               ,
               without
               a
               lawful
               designation
               to
               such
               an
               office
               ,
               and
               therefore
               it
               is
               much
               greater
               presumption
               to
               attempt
               to
               be
               a
               good
               man
               and
               a
               good
               Christian
               without
               such
               a
               particular
               call
               )
               
                 for
                 what
                 hath
                 any
                 man
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 himself
                 a
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 Heir
                 of
                 Glory
              
               (
               to
               take
               care
               to
               please
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               make
               himself
               happy
               )
               
                 but
                 he
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 called
                 of
                 God
                 ?
              
               Well
               Sinner
               ,
               wait
               with
               patience
               till
               thou
               art
               
               called
               ,
               and
               so
               thy
               work
               is
               at
               an
               end
               for
               this
               time
               .
            
             
               But
               how
               shall
               a
               poor
               humbled
               Sinner
               know
               when
               he
               is
               called
               ,
               that
               then
               he
               may
               come
               to
               Christ
               ?
               why
               you
               must
               have
               a
               care
               ,
               that
               you
               do
               not
               mistake
               the
               general
               offers
               of
               the
               Gospel
               for
               this
               special
               call
               ,
               for
               they
               are
               not
               a
               sufficient
               foundation
               for
               our
               Faith
               in
               comeing
               to
               Christ
               ,
               though
               they
               are
               made
               to
               the
               weary
               and
               the
               heavy
               laden
               too
               :
               men
               cannot
               ,
               men
               will
               not
               come
               at
               such
               a
               call
               ,
               and
               indeed
               they
               have
               no
               reason
               to
               do
               it
               .
               
                 For
                 Christ
                 is
                 not
                 intended
                 for
                 all
                 ,
              
               and
               therefore
               though
               he
               be
               offered
               to
               all
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               yet
               it
               would
               be
               great
               presumption
               for
               every
               one
               to
               lay
               hold
               on
               him
               :
               
                 for
                 Christ
                 doth
              
               
               
                 not
                 immediately
                 offer
                 himself
                 to
                 all
                 men
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 encouraged
                 to
                 serve
                 him
                 as
                 a
                 King
              
               (
               that
               is
               he
               does
               not
               promise
               Salvation
               and
               Eternal
               Life
               in
               the
               Gospel
               with
               a
               design
               ,
               that
               every
               one
               that
               will
               ,
               should
               take
               encouragement
               from
               these
               promises
               to
               obey
               and
               serve
               him
               )
               
                 but
                 first
                 as
                 a
                 King
                 ,
                 commanding
                 them
                 to
                 cast
                 away
                 their
                 Weapons
                 ,
                 and
                 stoop
                 under
                 his
                 Scepter
                 ,
                 acknowledging
                 that
                 if
                 ever
                 he
                 save
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 bless
                 him
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 damn
                 me
              
               
               
                 his
                 name
                 is
                 righteous
                 in
                 so
                 dealing
                 with
                 me
                 :
              
               the
               meaning
               of
               which
               is
               ,
               that
               every
               man
               is
               invited
               in
               the
               Gospel
               to
               submit
               himself
               to
               the
               mercy
               of
               Christ
               ,
               but
               then
               Christ
               reserves
               a
               liberty
               to
               himself
               to
               save
               or
               damn
               ,
               as
               he
               pleases
               ;
               and
               this
               is
               all
               the
               encouragement
               the
               Gospel
               gives
               us
               .
               These
               are
               hard
               terms
               ,
               and
               such
               as
               sound
               more
               like
               the
               arbitrary
               will
               of
               an
               haughty
               and
               imperious
               Lord
               ,
               than
               the
               conditions
               of
               a
               gracious
               and
               merciful
               Saviour
               .
            
             
               What
               then
               must
               we
               do
               now
               ?
               why
               the
               only
               remedy
               is
               to
               
                 venture
                 and
                 try
              
               ,
               
               
                 God
                 hath
                 elected
                 but
                 few
                 ,
                 and
                 Christ
                 hath
                 shed
                 his
                 blood
                 for
                 few
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 we
                 must
                 venture
                 ,
              
               (
               and
               a
               hard
               venture
               it
               is
               ,
               where
               there
               is
               such
               great
               odds
               against
               us
               ,
               and
               yet
               our
               eternal
               happiness
               depends
               upon
               the
               success
               ,
               too
               great
               a
               stake
               for
               such
               a
               venture
               !
               )
               
                 as
                 many
                 men
                 among
                 us
                 do
                 now
                 ,
                 who
                 hearing
                 of
                 one
                 good
                 living
                 fallen
                 ,
                 twenty
                 of
                 them
                 will
                 go
                 and
                 seek
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 although
                 they
                 know
                 only
                 one
                 shall
                 have
                 it
              
               (
               though
               did
               they
               know
               ,
               it
               were
               irrevocably
               determined
               ,
               who
               should
               have
               it
               ,
               none
               of
               them
               would
               stir
               ,
               but
               wait
               till
               the
               news
               were
               brought
               them
               ;
               good
               God
               what
               Merchant-Adventurers
               are
               poor
               Sinners
               ,
               
               who
               after
               all
               their
               seeking
               for
               Christ
               are
               in
               such
               danger
               of
               missing
               him
               !
               )
               
                 or
                 as
                 the
                 Lepers
                 in
              
               Samaria
               ,
               
                 if
                 we
                 stay
                 here
                 we
                 must
                 die
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 go
                 out
                 to
                 the
                 Camp
                 of
                 the
              
               Assyrians
               
                 we
                 may
                 live
              
               :
               which
               is
               the
               resolution
               of
               desperate
               men
               ,
               as
               it
               seems
               the
               Gospel
               condemns
               us
               all
               to
               be
               .
            
             
               No
               previous
               disposition
               can
               give
               us
               any
               encouragement
               to
               come
               to
               Christ
               ;
               humiliation
               cannot
               do
               it
               ,
               after
               this
               we
               must
               expect
               a
               call
               still
               ,
               we
               are
               but
               probationers
               for
               Christ
               still
               ,
               and
               are
               in
               as
               great
               danger
               of
               missing
               him
               ,
               as
               any
               one
               of
               the
               twenty
               Competitors
               are
               of
               missing
               that
               living
               ,
               which
               only
               one
               can
               have
               ;
               and
               which
               is
               more
               wonderful
               ,
               
                 assurance
                 it self
              
               cannot
               do
               it
               ,
               *
               
                 For
                 if
                 you
                 come
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 because
                 you
                 have
                 assurance
              
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               if
               you
               come
               to
               Christ
               ,
               because
               you
               are
               sure
               you
               are
               already
               come
               )
               
                 or
                 because
                 you
                 feel
                 such
                 and
                 such
                 graces
                 ,
                 and
                 Heavenly
                 impressions
                 of
                 Gods
                 Spirit
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 then
                 you
                 may
                 many
                 a
                 day
                 and
                 year
                 keep
                 at
                 a
                 distance
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 live
                 without
                 Christ
                 :
              
               this
               is
               a
               hard
               saying
               ,
               that
               though
               we
               come
               to
               Christ
               ,
               we
               may
               keep
               
                 at
                 a
                 distance
              
               from
               him
               ,
               nay
               though
               we
               come
               ,
               because
               we
               are
               sure
               ,
               we
               are
               come
               already
               :
               it
               is
               time
               
               now
               to
               give
               over
               ,
               and
               despair
               of
               ever
               being
               sure
               ,
               when
               
                 assurance
                 it self
              
               is
               no
               security
               .
            
             
               Nothing
               then
               but
               a
               
                 particular
                 call
              
               is
               a
               good
               reason
               to
               come
               to
               Christ
               :
               
                 when
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 makes
                 the
                 general
                 call
              
               (
               which
               signifies
               nothing
               )
               particular
               ,
               
               
                 when
                 the
                 Soul
                 sees
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 in
                 special
                 means
                 me
                 ,
                 singles
                 out
                 me
                 in
                 special
                 to
                 believe
                 :
                 for
                 otherwise
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 the
                 elect
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 much
                 moved
                 with
                 the
                 call
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 they
                 think
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 offers
                 no
                 more
                 mercy
                 to
                 me
                 than
                 to
                 any
                 reprobate
              
               (
               that
               is
               no
               more
               mercy
               than
               what
               will
               damn
               them
               )
               
                 and
                 therefore
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 Christ
                 makes
                 the
                 call
                 particular
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 called
                 thee
                 by
                 name
                 ,
                 Isaiah
              
               43.
               1.
               
               
                 He
                 calleth
                 all
                 his
                 Sheep
                 by
                 name
                 ,
                 Iohn
              
               10.
               5.
               
                 not
                 by
                 their
                 Christian
                 name
              
               (
               as
               he
               well
               observes
               ,
               for
               they
               cannot
               be
               Christians
               before
               they
               come
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               that
               must
               be
               after
               this
               call
               )
               
                 but
                 as
                 the
                 Lord
                 from
                 before
                 all
                 Worlds
                 wrote
                 down
                 their
                 names
                 in
                 the
                 Book
                 of
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 loves
                 them
                 in
                 special
                 ,
                 so
                 in
                 vocation
                 (
                 the
                 first
                 opening
                 of
                 Election
                 )
                 the
                 Lord
                 makes
                 this
                 call
                 special
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 special
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 by
                 name
                 :
                 look
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 ,
                 how
                 I
                 have
                 left
                 thousand
                 thousands
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
              
               
               
                 have
                 had
                 greater
                 cause
                 so
                 to
                 have
                 left
                 thee
              
               (
               this
               is
               free
               Grace
               indeed
               )
               
                 but
                 behold
                 I
                 am
                 come
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 oh
                 come
                 thou
                 unto
                 me
                 .
              
               So
               that
               it
               is
               impossible
               for
               a
               Sinner
               to
               do
               any
               thing
               in
               order
               to
               his
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ;
               there
               is
               no
               foundation
               for
               our
               Faith
               in
               Christ
               ,
               but
               this
               
                 particular
                 call
              
               ,
               and
               we
               must
               wait
               patiently
               for
               it
               ,
               and
               be
               contented
               too
               ,
               if
               it
               never
               come
               .
            
             
               And
               when
               the
               Soul
               hath
               this
               
                 particular
                 call
              
               ,
               suppose
               it
               should
               suspect
               this
               call
               for
               a
               delusion
               ,
               what
               course
               can
               it
               take
               to
               satisfie
               it self
               ,
               that
               this
               is
               the
               call
               of
               the
               spirit
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               not
               the
               cheat
               and
               imposture
               of
               an
               enthusiastick
               fancy
               ?
               truly
               none
               that
               I
               know
               of
               ;
               if
               this
               calling
               by
               name
               will
               not
               satisfie
               it
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               other
               way
               but
               to
               call
               for
               the
               Book
               of
               Election
               ,
               and
               see
               whether
               its
               name
               be
               enrolled
               there
               :
               the
               best
               of
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               all
               that
               are
               called
               must
               come
               ,
               and
               therefore
               they
               need
               inquire
               no
               further
               .
            
             
               But
               secondly
               ,
               Though
               we
               know
               not
               how
               
                 to
                 get
                 into
                 Christ
              
               ,
               it
               would
               be
               some
               comfort
               to
               know
               that
               
                 we
                 are
                 in
                 him
              
               ,
               but
               this
               is
               as
               impossible
               as
               the
               other
               :
               as
               the
               only
               foundation
               of
               our
               Faith
               
                 in
                 coming
                 to
                 Christ
              
               (
               according
               to
               these
               
               mens
               notions
               )
               
                 is
                 this
                 special
                 and
                 particular
                 call
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
              
               so
               the
               only
               
                 infallible
                 assurance
              
               any
               one
               can
               have
               ,
               that
               
                 he
                 is
                 in
                 Christ
              
               ,
               is
               
                 the
                 testimony
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 that
                 Spirit
                 of
                 adoption
                 which
                 teaches
                 us
                 to
                 cry
                 Abba
                 Father
              
               ;
               and
               yet
               God
               does
               not
               afford
               this
               testimony
               of
               the
               Spirit
               to
               all
               ,
               but
               suffers
               many
               good
               Christians
               
                 to
                 walk
                 in
                 darkness
              
               ,
               and
               
                 hides
                 his
                 face
              
               from
               them
               ,
               and
               conceals
               the
               evidences
               of
               his
               eternal
               love
               ,
               for
               no
               other
               reason
               but
               
                 because
                 they
                 are
              
               *
               
                 desirous
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 be
                 quiet
                 if
                 they
                 should
                 know
                 it
                 :
              
               this
               is
               somewhat
               hard
               measure
               ;
               but
               suppose
               you
               have
               ,
               or
               think
               you
               have
               this
               
                 testimony
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
              
               ,
               how
               can
               you
               be
               sure
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               not
               a
               cheat
               and
               delusion
               ,
               the
               imposture
               of
               the
               Devil
               ,
               or
               of
               your
               own
               self-flattering
               imaginations
               ?
            
             
               To
               satisfie
               this
               scruple
               we
               are
               directed
               to
               marks
               and
               evidences
               ,
               and
               thus
               this
               
                 infallible
                 assurance
              
               from
               the
               testimony
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               must
               in
               its
               last
               resolve
               be
               founded
               upon
               some
               
                 moral
                 evidence
              
               ;
               as
               it
               is
               with
               the
               
                 Church
                 of
                 Rome
              
               ,
               who
               after
               a
               great
               noise
               and
               cry
               of
               infallibility
               are
               at
               last
               forc't
               to
               resolve
               their
               Faith
               into
               some
               motives
               of
               credibility
               ,
               or
               to
               dance
               round
               in
               an
               endless
               circle
               .
            
             
             
               Well
               ,
               but
               let
               us
               consider
               what
               are
               the
               marks
               and
               evidences
               of
               our
               
                 being
                 in
                 Christ
              
               :
               and
               now
               you
               must
               inquire
               ,
               whether
               
                 you
                 have
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               and
               it
               is
               just
               as
               easie
               to
               know
               this
               ,
               as
               whether
               
                 you
                 be
                 in
                 Christ
              
               :
               But
               are
               you
               
                 true
                 Believers
                 ?
                 is
                 your
                 Faith
                 of
                 the
                 right
                 stamp
                 ?
                 is
                 it
                 wrought
                 by
                 the
                 Almighty
                 Power
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 or
                 is
                 it
                 such
                 an
                 easie
                 ,
                 common
                 ,
                 presumptuous
                 ,
                 false
                 Faith
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 generality
                 of
                 men
                 ?
              
               and
               this
               is
               as
               easie
               to
               know
               ,
               as
               either
               of
               the
               former
               ;
               for
               if
               there
               be
               such
               
                 a
                 false
                 ,
                 presumptuous
                 Faith
              
               ,
               as
               takes
               Christ
               when
               he
               does
               not
               belong
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               rests
               and
               relies
               on
               Christ
               only
               for
               pardon
               ,
               life
               ,
               and
               Salvation
               ,
               and
               yet
               shall
               never
               have
               Christ
               ,
               how
               shall
               we
               know
               ,
               whether
               our
               Faith
               be
               true
               and
               genuine
               ?
               such
               as
               will
               make
               Christ
               ours
               ?
               and
               the
               answer
               to
               this
               brings
               us
               to
               that
               great
               mark
               of
               sanctification
               ;
               you
               must
               consider
               the
               effects
               of
               Faith
               ,
               
                 doth
                 it
                 purifie
              
               
               
                 your
                 heart
                 ?
                 doth
                 it
                 overcome
                 the
                 World
                 ?
                 doth
                 it
                 work
                 by
                 love
                 ?
                 if
                 any
                 man
                 be
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 new
                 Creature
                 ,
                 are
                 you
                 then
                 new
                 Creatures
                 ?
                 is
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 your
                 person
                 changed
                 from
                 a
                 Child
                 of
                 wrath
                 to
                 an
                 Heir
                 of
                 Grace
                 ?
              
               (
               which
               is
               the
               thing
               to
               be
               proved
               )
               
                 or
                 is
                 your
                 nature
                 changed
              
               ?
               
               
                 do
                 you
                 not
                 think
                 ,
                 speak
                 ,
                 act
                 as
                 you
                 did
                 before
                 ?
                 do
                 ye
                 walk
                 in
                 newness
                 of
                 life
                 ?
                 &c.
                 have
                 you
                 crucified
                 the
                 flesh
                 with
                 its
                 affections
                 and
                 lusts
                 ?
                 do
                 you
                 bring
                 forth
                 fruit
                 ,
                 as
                 every
                 branch
                 in
                 Christ
                 (
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 rejected
                 by
                 him
                 )
                 doth
                 ?
              
               that
               is
               ,
               you
               must
               prove
               your
               justification
               by
               your
               sanctification
               ,
               your
               Faith
               by
               your
               Works
               :
               It
               must
               be
               acknowledged
               ,
               that
               these
               are
               some
               of
               those
               marks
               and
               Characters
               ,
               which
               the
               Scripture
               gives
               of
               good
               Christians
               ,
               by
               which
               we
               may
               as
               certainly
               know
               what
               our
               state
               is
               ,
               as
               the
               Tree
               is
               known
               by
               its
               Fruit
               ;
               and
               since
               it
               is
               no
               better
               ,
               I
               am
               heartily
               glad
               it
               is
               no
               worse
               ,
               that
               good
               works
               and
               a
               holy
               life
               may
               at
               least
               put
               in
               for
               marks
               and
               evidences
               of
               a
               justified
               state
               :
               though
               the
               truth
               is
               ,
               this
               is
               a
               meer
               complement
               to
               holiness
               ,
               and
               as
               they
               order
               the
               matter
               ,
               a
               holy
               life
               can
               no
               more
               be
               the
               sign
               of
               a
               justified
               state
               ,
               than
               it
               can
               justifie
               us
               .
            
             
               For
               first
               ,
               since
               holiness
               is
               not
               necessary
               to
               our
               Union
               with
               Christ
               ,
               it
               can
               be
               no
               necessary
               sign
               of
               it
               ;
               we
               are
               united
               to
               Christ
               before
               we
               are
               holy
               ,
               as
               appears
               from
               what
               I
               have
               already
               discoursed
               ,
               and
               therefore
               an
               unholy
               man
               may
               be
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               how
               then
               
               can
               holiness
               be
               the
               only
               sure
               mark
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ?
               indeed
               they
               tell
               us
               ,
               that
               holiness
               does
               necessarily
               follow
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               but
               no
               man
               knows
               how
               long
               it
               may
               be
               before
               it
               follows
               ,
               and
               yet
               all
               this
               while
               such
               a
               Person
               is
               united
               to
               Christ
               ;
               at
               best
               this
               gives
               evidence
               but
               to
               one
               part
               of
               the
               question
               ,
               a
               holy
               life
               may
               be
               a
               good
               evidence
               that
               such
               a
               man
               is
               in
               Christ
               ,
               but
               the
               want
               of
               it
               is
               no
               certain
               evidence
               ,
               that
               a
               man
               is
               not
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               therefore
               this
               mark
               may
               be
               rejected
               by
               any
               one
               ,
               who
               hath
               no
               mind
               to
               it
               .
            
             
               Nay
               secondly
               ,
               According
               to
               these
               mens
               principles
               ,
               we
               cannot
               tell
               whether
               we
               are
               holy
               or
               not
               ,
               till
               we
               know
               whether
               we
               are
               in
               Christ
               or
               not
               ;
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               must
               be
               an
               evidence
               of
               our
               holiness
               ,
               not
               our
               holiness
               an
               evidence
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               :
               till
               we
               are
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               we
               can
               do
               nothing
               to
               please
               God
               ,
               the
               best
               actions
               of
               Christless
               and
               unregenerate
               men
               are
               but
               
                 splendida
                 peccata
                 ,
                 glittering
                 impieties
              
               ,
               which
               may
               appear
               so
               fair
               and
               lovely
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               deceive
               both
               other
               men
               and
               themselves
               for
               the
               true
               fruits
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               but
               yet
               are
               odious
               and
               abominable
               to
               God
               ,
               because
               
                 the
                 person
              
               who
               
               does
               them
               ,
               is
               
                 out
                 of
                 Christ
              
               :
               our
               persons
               must
               be
               first
               accepted
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               then
               our
               services
               :
               we
               cannot
               judge
               of
               holiness
               by
               the
               external
               performance
               of
               any
               duty
               ,
               nor
               by
               the
               inward
               sense
               of
               our
               own
               minds
               ,
               but
               must
               first
               know
               whether
               we
               are
               in
               Christ
               ,
               whether
               our
               persons
               be
               accepted
               in
               him
               ,
               before
               we
               can
               tell
               whether
               any
               thing
               we
               do
               be
               good
               and
               acceptable
               to
               God
               :
               and
               this
               is
               a
               plain
               demonstration
               ,
               that
               holiness
               cannot
               be
               an
               evidence
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               because
               we
               must
               first
               know
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               before
               we
               can
               know
               that
               we
               are
               holy
               .
            
             
               And
               thirdly
               ,
               At
               other
               times
               these
               men
               make
               
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 sanctification
                 in
                 this
                 life
              
               so
               imperfect
               ,
               and
               so
               like
               an
               
                 unsanctified
                 state
              
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               impossible
               to
               distinguish
               a
               sanctified
               and
               unsanctified
               man
               ;
               and
               upon
               this
               account
               holiness
               and
               sanctification
               must
               needs
               be
               a
               very
               sorry
               evidence
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               when
               it
               is
               so
               imperfect
               ,
               that
               it
               cannot
               be
               known
               ,
               for
               that
               which
               is
               an
               evidence
               of
               another
               thing
               ,
               ought
               to
               be
               very
               evident
               it self
               .
            
             
               An
               unregenerate
               man
               is
               under
               the
               
                 Law
                 of
                 Sin
              
               ,
               under
               the
               reigning
               power
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               a
               
                 regenerate
                 man
              
               (
               as
               they
               describe
               
               him
               )
               is
               in
               a
               state
               as
               like
               this
               ,
               
                 as
                 one
                 Egg
                 is
                 like
                 another
                 :
              
               for
               
                 a
                 regenerate
              
               man
               may
               be
               
                 carnal
                 ,
                 sold
                 under
                 sin
              
               ,
               that
               is
               a
               Slave
               and
               Captive
               to
               it
               ;
               
                 he
                 may
                 do
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 he
                 allows
                 not
                 ,
                 nay
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 he
                 hates
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               he
               may
               sin
               against
               the
               clearest
               convictions
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               sense
               of
               duty
               ;
               he
               may
               neglect
               to
               do
               those
               things
               which
               he
               knows
               he
               ought
               to
               do
               ,
               and
               do
               those
               things
               which
               he
               knows
               he
               ought
               not
               to
               do
               ;
               he
               may
               
                 find
                 a
                 Law
                 in
                 his
                 members
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 he
                 would
                 do
                 good
                 evil
                 is
                 present
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 a
                 Law
                 in
                 his
                 members
                 warring
                 against
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 his
                 mind
                 ,
                 which
                 brings
                 him
                 into
                 Captivity
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 his
                 members
                 :
              
               for
               so
               they
               tell
               us
               ,
               that
               Saint
               Paul
               complains
               of
               all
               this
               
                 in
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 a
                 regenerate
                 man
                 ,
              
               in
               Rom.
               7.
               
               Now
               an
               unregenerate
               man
               does
               the
               very
               same
               ,
               and
               indeed
               cannot
               do
               much
               worse
               ;
               
                 he
                 sins
                 against
                 his
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 is
                 brought
                 into
                 Captivity
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 over-power'd
                 by
                 indwelling
                 sin
                 ;
                 he
                 finds
                 a
                 great
                 many
                 natural
                 fears
                 and
                 terrours
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 tempted
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 which
                 give
                 some
                 check
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 him
                 sin
                 against
                 his
                 own
                 will
                 with
                 some
                 unwillingness
                 and
                 reluctancy
                 ;
                 he
                 approves
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 as
                 just
                 and
                 equal
                 ,
                 his
                 Conscience
                 assents
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 strong
                 byass
                 upon
                 his
              
               
               
                 will
                 ,
                 which
                 runs
                 counter
                 to
                 all
                 these
                 holy
                 commands
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 him
                 a
                 Slave
                 and
                 Captive
                 to
                 his
                 lusts
              
               ;
               Now
               not
               to
               dispute
               at
               present
               which
               of
               these
               two
               the
               Apostle
               means
               in
               Rom.
               7.
               
               I
               think
               it
               is
               hard
               to
               assign
               any
               difference
               between
               them
               ,
               the
               
                 regenerate
                 man
              
               according
               to
               this
               description
               is
               full
               as
               bad
               as
               the
               
                 unregenerate
                 man
              
               ,
               or
               if
               there
               be
               any
               difference
               ,
               the
               
                 regenerate
                 man
              
               is
               the
               worse
               of
               the
               two
               ,
               
                 because
                 in
                 the
                 regenerate
                 man
                 the
                 Spirit
                 is
                 led
                 into
                 Captivity
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 unregenerate
                 man
                 only
                 natural
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 a
                 much
                 weaker
                 principle
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 is
                 capable
                 of
                 a
                 better
                 excuse
                 ,
                 is
                 led
                 into
                 Captivity
              
               ;
               but
               which
               of
               these
               two
               it
               is
               no
               man
               can
               tell
               ,
               and
               therefore
               a
               regenerate
               man
               hath
               great
               reason
               to
               fear
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               be
               unregenerate
               ,
               and
               an
               unregenerate
               man
               hath
               as
               much
               reason
               to
               hope
               that
               he
               may
               be
               regenerate
               :
               and
               what
               becomes
               then
               of
               this
               evidence
               of
               sanctification
               to
               prove
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               when
               sanctification
               it self
               cannot
               be
               distinguisht
               from
               an
               unsanctified
               State
               :
               *
               Dr.
               Iacomb
               in
               his
               Discourse
               of
               the
               Law
               of
               Sin
               ,
               attempts
               to
               assign
               the
               difference
               
                 between
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 sin
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 regenerate
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 unregenerate
              
               ;
               and
               hath
               given
               
               us
               such
               a
               Description
               of
               an
               unregenerate
               State
               ,
               that
               I
               think
               there
               is
               scarce
               such
               an
               unregenerate
               man
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               and
               yet
               if
               we
               must
               judge
               what
               a
               regenerate
               man
               is
               by
               inverting
               the
               Character
               of
               the
               unregenerate
               ,
               he
               is
               by
               odds
               much
               the
               worse
               man.
               
            
             
               As
               first
               ,
               
                 When
                 the
                 whole
                 bent
                 and
                 tendency
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 is
                 towards
                 sin
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 propensities
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 thereto
                 are
                 entire
                 and
                 unmixt
                 ,
                 there
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 proper
                 to
                 the
                 unregenerate
                 :
              
               but
               is
               every
               one
               a
               regenerate
               man
               then
               ,
               who
               hath
               some
               good
               inclinations
               and
               propensities
               in
               him
               ?
               who
               hath
               some
               wouldings
               and
               velleities
               to
               that
               which
               is
               good
               ?
               it
               is
               to
               be
               hoped
               then
               as
               many
               bad
               men
               as
               there
               are
               ,
               there
               are
               few
               unregenerate
               men
               in
               the
               World.
               
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Which
               he
               tells
               us
               is
               the
               explication
               of
               the
               former
               ,
               (
               as
               indeed
               I
               think
               it
               needs
               some
               explicati●●
               )
               
                 when
                 all
                 the
                 several
                 faculties
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 are
                 altogether
                 on
                 sins
                 side
                 ,
                 and
                 wholly
                 take
                 its
                 part
                 ,
                 then
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 proper
                 to
                 the
                 unregenerate
                 :
                 where
                 the
                 understanding
                 gives
                 in
                 its
                 final
                 and
                 positive
                 dictate
                 ,
                 that
                 sin
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 represents
                 it
                 as
                 eligible
                 to
                 the
                 will
                 ,
              
               
               
                 upon
                 this
                 closes
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 embraces
                 it
                 ,
                 cleaves
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 the
                 affections
                 (
                 desire
                 ,
                 joy
                 ,
                 delight
                 )
                 run
                 out
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 where
                 it
                 is
                 thus
                 the
                 case
                 is
                 determined
                 :
              
               Yea
               without
               controversie
               ;
               but
               where
               shall
               we
               find
               such
               a
               man
               ?
               it
               is
               so
               far
               from
               being
               true
               ,
               that
               there
               are
               such
               unregenerate
               men
               ,
               that
               I
               believe
               there
               never
               was
               such
               a
               man
               born
               :
               there
               are
               too
               many
               ,
               who
               chuse
               evil
               though
               they
               know
               it
               to
               be
               evil
               ,
               for
               the
               seeming
               advantages
               of
               profit
               or
               pleasure
               it
               brings
               with
               it
               ;
               but
               to
               chuse
               evil
               as
               believing
               it
               to
               be
               good
               ,
               and
               to
               rejoice
               and
               delight
               in
               it
               as
               good
               and
               eligible
               for
               it self
               ,
               is
               such
               an
               unregenerate
               State
               ,
               as
               the
               Devil
               himself
               never
               yet
               arrived
               at
               ;
               for
               though
               he
               be
               a
               very
               wicked
               Spirit
               ,
               yet
               he
               is
               no
               Fool
               ,
               or
               Sot
               ,
               as
               those
               must
               be
               ,
               who
               mistake
               evil
               for
               good
               in
               such
               plain
               and
               palpable
               instances
               ;
               the
               Heathens
               themselves
               at
               this
               rate
               were
               all
               regenerate
               men
               ,
               for
               their
               Consciences
               accused
               them
               for
               doing
               evil
               .
               Rom.
               2.
               they
               knew
               good
               to
               be
               good
               ,
               and
               evil
               to
               be
               evil
               ,
               though
               they
               did
               not
               act
               agreeably
               to
               this
               knowledge
               :
               there
               never
               was
               such
               a
               man
               as
               he
               describes
               ,
               when
               he
               tells
               us
               ,
               *
               
                 That
                 sin
                 comes
                 to
                 the
                 Sinner
                 ,
                 and
                 says
                 ,
                 art
                 thou
                 willing
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 rule
                 ?
                 Yes
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
              
               
               
                 with
                 all
                 my
                 heart
                 ,
                 I
                 like
                 thy
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 and
                 Government
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 thine
                 ,
                 and
                 submit
                 to
                 thee
                 to
                 be
                 at
                 thy
                 dispose
                 ,
                 I
                 here
                 swear
                 fealty
                 and
                 allegiance
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               This
               
                 Oath
                 ,
                 &c.
              
               might
               very
               well
               have
               been
               spared
               ,
               for
               there
               is
               enough
               in
               all
               Conscience
               without
               it
               :
               and
               yet
               if
               this
               be
               the
               principal
               difference
               between
               a
               regenerate
               and
               unregenerate
               man
               ,
               that
               the
               unregenerate
               man
               chuses
               sin
               as
               believing
               it
               to
               be
               good
               ,
               and
               the
               regenerate
               man
               chuses
               sin
               ,
               though
               he
               knows
               it
               to
               be
               evil
               ,
               it
               is
               plain
               ,
               that
               the
               regenerate
               man
               is
               much
               the
               worse
               ,
               because
               his
               sins
               have
               the
               greatest
               aggravation
               that
               any
               sins
               are
               capable
               of
               ,
               which
               the
               sins
               of
               an
               unregenerate
               man
               have
               not
               ,
               viz.
               that
               they
               are
               sins
               against
               knowledge
               ,
               and
               so
               according
               to
               our
               Saviours
               reasoning
               ,
               this
               regenerate
               man
               will
               be
               beaten
               with
               more
               stripes
               ;
               I
               doubt
               not
               but
               in
               this
               description
               he
               wrongs
               the
               unregenerate
               man
               very
               much
               ,
               but
               yet
               he
               makes
               the
               regenerate
               man
               ten
               times
               more
               the
               Child
               of
               wrath
               than
               the
               other
               .
            
             
               But
               then
               Thirdly
               ,
               
                 The
                 Law
                 of
                 sin
                 hath
                 different
                 workings
                 in
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 God
                 than
                 in
                 others
              
               ;
               this
               working
               of
               the
               Law
               of
               sin
               in
               the
               people
               of
               God
               ,
               
               let
               it
               be
               what
               working
               he
               will
               ,
               methinks
               is
               an
               ill
               thing
               ,
               and
               makes
               sanctification
               a
               very
               sorry
               evidence
               ,
               but
               let
               us
               hear
               how
               it
               is
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               
                 Where
                 sin
                 is
                 committed
                 industriously
                 and
                 designedly
                 ,
                 there
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 is
                 peculiar
                 to
                 the
                 Graceless
                 :
              
               so
               that
               unless
               men
               be
               very
               cunning
               at
               the
               trade
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               lay
               projects
               and
               designs
               of
               sinning
               ,
               they
               are
               not
               under
               the
               Law
               of
               sin
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               peculiar
               to
               the
               Graceless
               ;
               Grace
               is
               very
               consistent
               with
               taking
               all
               fair
               opportunities
               of
               sinning
               ,
               so
               we
               do
               not
               design
               it
               before
               hand
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               
                 When
                 the
                 temptation
                 easily
                 prevails
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 little
                 or
                 no
                 opposition
                 made
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 then
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
              
               as
               it
               works
               in
               the
               unregenerate
               :
               this
               is
               an
               argument
               indeed
               that
               a
               man
               is
               a
               willing
               slave
               ,
               but
               when
               a
               man
               is
               conquered
               by
               a
               temptation
               ,
               though
               he
               make
               some
               resistance
               ,
               it
               is
               an
               argument
               that
               sin
               is
               his
               Master
               ,
               which
               rules
               and
               governs
               ,
               especially
               if
               this
               be
               often
               ;
               and
               such
               a
               man
               surely
               is
               none
               of
               Christs
               Freemen
               .
            
             
               And
               therefore
               not
               to
               fail
               ,
               Thirdly
               ,
               
                 When
                 sin
                 carries
                 it
                 in
                 spight
                 of
                 all
                 opposition
                 ,
                 then
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
              
               
               
                 power
                 of
                 sin
                 :
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 against
                 all
                 external
                 discouragements
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 threatnings
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 Scepter
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 the
                 love
                 and
                 mercy
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 wrath
                 and
                 justice
                 ,
                 the
                 Death
                 ,
                 Sufferings
                 ,
                 Agonies
                 ,
                 Wounds
                 ,
                 Blood
                 of
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 reproof
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 Christians
                 ;
                 his
                 own
                 resolutions
                 ,
                 vows
                 ,
                 promises
                 ,
                 purposes
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               So
               that
               it
               seems
               when
               sin
               carries
               it
               in
               despight
               of
               all
               external
               oppositions
               only
               ,
               it
               is
               the
               mark
               of
               an
               unregenerate
               man
               ,
               but
               when
               it
               carries
               it
               both
               against
               external
               and
               internal
               oppositions
               ,
               that
               is
               a
               sign
               of
               a
               regenerate
               man
               :
               for
               a
               regenerate
               man
               has
               the
               same
               external
               oppositions
               to
               preserve
               him
               from
               sin
               ,
               that
               an
               unregenerate
               man
               hath
               ;
               and
               besides
               these
               he
               hath
               the
               internal
               oppositions
               ,
               the
               checks
               of
               his
               own
               Conscience
               ,
               &c.
               which
               he
               says
               the
               unregenerate
               man
               has
               not
               .
            
             
               And
               fourthly
               ,
               
                 When
                 it
                 is
                 sinning
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 no
                 after
                 repentance
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 then
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 sin
                 :
              
               now
               what
               bad
               man
               is
               there
               ,
               who
               does
               not
               at
               one
               time
               or
               other
               repent
               of
               his
               sins
               ,
               and
               complain
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               how
               many
               are
               there
               ,
               that
               repent
               of
               their
               sins
               ,
               and
               make
               large
               Confessions
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               yet
               return
               to
               them
               again
               :
               so
               that
               there
               
               are
               no
               men
               ,
               but
               do
               at
               one
               time
               or
               other
               express
               some
               sorrow
               for
               their
               sins
               (
               which
               he
               calls
               Repentance
               )
               and
               there
               are
               a
               great
               many
               ,
               who
               pretend
               thus
               to
               be
               sorry
               for
               their
               sins
               ;
               who
               ,
               it
               is
               to
               be
               feared
               ,
               are
               never
               the
               better
               men
               for
               it
               :
               and
               yet
               were
               there
               any
               such
               ,
               who
               sin
               without
               any
               sense
               of
               it
               ,
               they
               would
               be
               much
               better
               than
               these
               regenerate
               men
               ,
               who
               feel
               the
               gripings
               of
               their
               Consciences
               for
               sin
               ,
               and
               yet
               return
               to
               it
               .
            
             
               The
               result
               is
               this
               ,
               That
               there
               is
               no
               great
               matter
               to
               chuse
               between
               the
               regenerate
               and
               the
               unregenerate
               man
               ,
               only
               (
               as
               they
               order
               the
               matter
               )
               the
               regenerate
               man
               hath
               the
               better
               name
               ,
               but
               is
               the
               worse
               man
               :
               that
               if
               we
               come
               to
               external
               evidences
               ,
               the
               regenerate
               man
               hath
               all
               the
               reason
               in
               the
               World
               to
               fear
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               unregenerate
               ,
               and
               the
               unregenerate
               man
               hath
               some
               little
               reason
               to
               hope
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               regenerate
               ;
               and
               is
               not
               Sanctification
               an
               excellent
               mark
               now
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               when
               a
               regenerate
               man
               may
               be
               full
               as
               bad
               or
               worse
               than
               the
               unregenerate
               ?
               Indeed
               it
               is
               wonderful
               to
               consider
               ,
               how
               little
               a
               matter
               will
               serve
               for
               an
               evidence
               of
               Grace
               (
               after
               all
               their
               talk
               of
               Sanctification
               )
               
               when
               they
               come
               to
               administer
               comfort
               to
               distressed
               Consciences
               :
               
               
                 Oh!
                 saith
                 the
                 Soul
                 ,
                 I
                 find
                 sin
                 prevail
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 can
                 I
                 be
                 comforted
                 !
              
               (
               not
               by
               the
               mark
               of
               Sanctification
               sure
               !
               )
               Answ.
               
                 I
                 will
                 subdue
                 your
                 iniquities
                 ,
                 and
                 cast
                 your
                 sins
                 into
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 the
                 Sea.
              
               Obj.
               
                 But
                 the
                 Devil
                 will
                 be
                 busie
                 with
                 me
                 where-ever
                 I
                 go
                 .
              
               Answ.
               
                 God
                 hath
                 said
                 it
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 tread
                 down
                 Satan
                 under
                 your
                 feet
                 .
              
               Obj.
               
                 But
                 I
                 cannot
                 go
                 to
                 God
                 by
                 prayer
                 to
                 fetch
                 comfort
                 :
              
               (
               Comfort
               ?
               what
               hast
               thou
               to
               do
               with
               comfort
               ?
               get
               quit
               of
               thy
               sins
               first
               ,
               and
               then
               it
               is
               time
               enough
               for
               comfort
               )
               Answ.
               
                 Though
                 it
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 yet
                 believe
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 have
                 thy
                 desire
                 :
              
               (
               but
               I
               doubt
               the
               Soul
               that
               cannot
               pray
               ,
               cannot
               believe
               neither
               )
               Obj.
               
                 But
                 I
                 am
                 afraid
                 I
                 shall
                 fall
                 away
                 from
                 God
              
               (
               afraid
               of
               it
               ?
               thou
               art
               fallen
               away
               from
               God
               already
               ,
               if
               sin
               prevail
               so
               much
               ,
               for
               sin
               is
               the
               great
               Apostacy
               from
               God
               )
               Answ.
               
                 None
                 can
                 pluck
                 thee
                 out
                 of
                 Christs
                 hands
                 ,
                 neither
                 sin
                 nor
                 the
                 Devil
              
               (
               but
               how
               if
               they
               be
               not
               in
               Christs
               hands
               yet
               ,
               sin
               I
               doubt
               may
               keep
               them
               out
               ,
               and
               if
               God
               cut
               off
               barren
               branches
               from
               this
               spiritual
               Vine
               ,
               there
               is
               some
               danger
               that
               putrid
               and
               rotten
               branches
               will
               not
               escape
               )
               
                 And
                 God
              
               
               
                 hath
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 made
                 an
                 everlasting
                 Covenant
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 turn
                 away
                 from
                 thee
                 to
                 do
                 thee
                 good
                 .
              
               Obj.
               
                 This
                 is
                 good
                 news
                 ,
                 had
                 I
                 a
                 right
                 to
                 the
                 promise
                 ,
                 but
                 alas
                 !
                 I
                 cannot
                 believe
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 a
                 naked
                 promise
                 .
              
               Answ.
               
                 Dost
                 thou
                 desire
                 to
                 believe
                 and
                 to
                 have
                 Christ
                 ?
                 and
                 say
                 thus
                 ,
                 If
                 it
                 were
                 possible
                 Christ
                 and
                 Heaven
                 should
                 be
                 separated
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 rather
                 desire
                 Christ
                 without
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 than
                 Heaven
                 without
                 Christ.
              
               Obj.
               
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 hard
                 matter
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 cannot
                 say
                 I
                 truly
                 desire
                 Christ
                 on
                 such
                 terms
                 as
                 I
                 should
              
               (
               this
               saying
               is
               the
               best
               sign
               of
               Grace
               I
               have
               met
               with
               yet
               ;
               for
               it
               is
               an
               Argument
               he
               is
               an
               honest
               man
               ,
               who
               will
               not
               contradict
               the
               natural
               sense
               of
               his
               mind
               ,
               and
               say
               he
               can
               do
               that
               ,
               which
               is
               impossible
               to
               be
               done
               :
               for
               it
               is
               a
               very
               odd
               proposal
               in
               order
               to
               comfort
               a
               poor
               Soul
               ,
               that
               he
               must
               be
               willing
               to
               be
               damned
               with
               Christ
               ,
               before
               he
               must
               take
               comfort
               in
               hopes
               of
               being
               saved
               by
               him
               )
               Answ.
               
                 But
                 is
                 it
                 the
                 grief
                 of
                 thy
                 heart
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 canst
                 not
                 deny
                 thy self
                 ?
                 and
                 desirest
                 thou
                 rather
                 than
                 be
                 separated
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 to
                 close
                 with
                 Christ
                 upon
                 any
                 terms
                 ?
              
               Obj.
               
                 Alas
                 !
                 I
                 am
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 being
                 grieved
                 as
                 I
                 ought
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 rather
                 find
                 a
                 heart
                 that
                 will
                 not
                 grieve
              
               
               
                 and
                 mourn
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 &c.
              
               (
               certainly
               they
               are
               at
               cross
               purposes
               ,
               their
               Objections
               and
               Answers
               do
               so
               ill
               agree
               ;
               what
               is
               matter
               for
               mourning
               for
               sin
               ,
               man
               ?
               Canst
               thou
               desire
               to
               have
               Christ
               upon
               any
               terms
               ,
               though
               it
               be
               to
               be
               damned
               with
               him
               ?
               )
               Answ.
               
                 Hast
                 thou
                 any
                 will
                 to
                 it
                 ?
                 mark
                 the
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 whosoever
                 will
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 take
                 of
                 the
                 waters
                 of
                 life
                 freely
                 :
                 not
                 that
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 will
                 have
                 Christ
                 ,
                 shall
                 have
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 art
                 thou
                 willing
                 to
                 part
                 with
                 thy
                 sins
                 ?
                 But
                 the
                 poor
                 Soul
                 saith
                 again
                 ,
                 I
                 fear
                 I
                 shall
                 never
                 do
                 this
                 :
                 But
                 art
                 thou
                 willing
                 that
                 Christ
                 should
                 make
                 thee
                 willing
              
               (
               against
               thy
               will
               )
               
                 and
                 pitch
                 thee
                 upon
                 a
                 promise
                 ,
                 and
                 hold
                 thee
                 there
                 :
              
               (
               for
               shame
               ,
               poor
               Soul
               ,
               refuse
               not
               this
               )
               
                 then
                 comfort
                 thy self
                 ,
                 thou
                 hast
                 a
                 right
                 to
                 Gods
                 promises
                 .
              
               Thus
               this
               evidence
               of
               Sanctification
               is
               dwindled
               away
               into
               
                 a
                 desire
                 to
                 be
                 willing
              
               ,
               nay
               
                 into
                 a
                 desire
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 willing
              
               ;
               and
               he
               is
               a
               strange
               man
               ,
               who
               cannot
               go
               so
               far
               .
            
             
               But
               then
               fourthly
               I
               observe
               further
               ,
               That
               when
               they
               have
               a
               mind
               to
               take
               down
               the
               confidence
               of
               men
               ,
               who
               are
               apt
               to
               presume
               too
               soon
               ,
               that
               their
               condition
               is
               good
               ,
               they
               do
               so
               magnifie
               the
               attainments
               of
               Hypocrites
               ,
               who
               shall
               
               never
               go
               to
               Heaven
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               impossible
               for
               any
               sanctified
               man
               to
               do
               more
               than
               an
               Hypocrite
               may
               do
               ;
               so
               that
               notwithstanding
               any
               evidences
               of
               Sanctification
               ,
               which
               he
               can
               discover
               in
               himself
               ,
               for
               ought
               he
               or
               any
               body
               else
               can
               tell
               he
               may
               be
               a
               Hypocrite
               still
               ;
               which
               quite
               spoils
               the
               evidence
               of
               Sanctification
               ,
               because
               we
               cannot
               distinguish
               a
               sanctified
               man
               from
               a
               Hypocrite
               .
            
             
               Thus
               for
               Example
               ,
               
                 One
                 may
                 plead
                 ,
                 I
              
               
               
                 have
                 left
                 my
                 sins
                 I
                 once
                 lived
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 am
                 now
                 no
                 Drunkard
                 ,
                 no
                 Swearer
                 ,
                 no
                 Lyar
                 :
                 I
                 answer
                 ,
                 Thou
                 mayst
                 be
                 washed
                 from
                 the
                 mire
                 (
                 the
                 pollution
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 )
                 and
                 yet
                 be
                 a
                 Swine
                 in
                 Gods
                 account
              
               (
               which
               he
               proves
               from
               2
               Pet.
               2.
               20.
               where
               the
               Apostle
               tells
               them
               ,
               
                 That
                 if
                 they
                 have
                 escaped
                 the
                 pollutions
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 through
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 again
                 intangled
                 therein
                 ,
                 and
                 overcome
              
               (
               if
               they
               return
               to
               their
               old
               vices
               )
               
                 then
                 their
                 latter
                 end
                 is
                 worse
                 than
                 the
                 beginning
                 ,
              
               which
               is
               point
               blank
               contrary
               to
               what
               he
               affirms
               ,
               That
               those
               who
               have
               escaped
               these
               pollutions
               ,
               and
               are
               not
               yet
               intangled
               again
               in
               them
               ,
               may
               notwithstanding
               that
               be
               Swine
               in
               Gods
               account
               ,
               for
               so
               he
               adds
               ,
               
                 Thou
                 mayst
                 live
              
               
               
                 a
                 blameless
                 ,
                 innocent
                 ,
                 honest
                 ,
                 smooth
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 be
                 a
                 miserable
                 Creature
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 pray
              
               (
               says
               such
               a
               man
               )
               
                 and
                 that
                 often
                 ,
                 so
                 thou
                 mayst
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 never
                 be
                 saved
                 :
              
               Isa.
               1.
               11.
               
               
                 To
                 what
                 purpose
                 is
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 your
                 Sacrifices
                 ?
              
               To
               great
               purpose
               sure
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               offered
               by
               men
               of
               
                 blameless
                 ,
                 innocent
                 ,
                 honest
                 ,
                 smooth
                 lives
                 ,
              
               the
               want
               of
               which
               made
               those
               Sacrifices
               abominable
               to
               God.
               
            
             
               
                 But
                 I
                 fast
                 sometimes
                 ;
                 so
                 did
                 the
                 Scribes
                 und
                 Pharisees
                 twice
                 a
                 week
                 ,
              
               but
               it
               was
               to
               devour
               Widows
               houses
               ,
               which
               was
               not
               the
               fast
               of
               an
               
                 honest
                 innocent
                 man
                 :
                 but
                 I
                 hear
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 like
                 the
                 best
                 Preachers
                 ;
                 So
                 did
                 the
                 stony
                 ground
                 ,
                 who
                 heared
                 the
                 Word
                 with
                 joy
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 a
                 season
                 believed
              
               ;
               and
               this
               had
               been
               well
               ,
               and
               a
               good
               sign
               of
               Grace
               ,
               if
               it
               had
               continued
               .
               
                 I
                 read
                 the
                 Scripture
                 often
                 ;
                 so
                 did
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 so
                 perfect
                 in
                 the
                 Bible
                 ,
                 that
                 Christ
                 needed
                 but
                 say
                 ,
                 It
                 hath
                 been
                 said
                 of
                 old
                 times
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 knew
                 the
                 Text
                 without
                 intimation
                 :
              
               Men
               of
               prodigious
               memories
               certainly
               ,
               better
               than
               any
               Concordance
               ;
               but
               though
               Knaves
               may
               read
               the
               Scripture
               ,
               and
               be
               never
               the
               better
               for
               it
               ,
               yet
               good
               men
               may
               read
               it
               to
               good
               purpose
               ,
               and
               therefore
               I
               
               hope
               reading
               the
               Scripture
               is
               no
               argument
               ,
               that
               a
               man
               is
               a
               Hypocrite
               ,
               because
               the
               Pharisees
               were
               .
            
             
               
                 But
                 I
                 am
                 grieved
                 and
                 am
                 sorrowful
                 ,
                 and
                 repent
                 of
                 my
                 sins
                 ;
                 so
                 did
              
               Judas
               ;
               but
               he
               hanged
               himself
               ,
               and
               that
               indeed
               is
               no
               repentance
               to
               life
               :
               
                 But
                 I
                 love
                 good
                 men
                 and
                 their
                 company
                 ;
                 so
                 did
                 the
                 foolish
                 Virgins
              
               ;
               but
               they
               slept
               ,
               and
               suffered
               their
               lamps
               to
               go
               out
               ,
               which
               I
               hope
               all
               that
               love
               good
               men
               do
               not
               :
               
                 But
                 God
                 hath
                 given
                 me
                 much
                 knowledge
                 ;
                 That
                 thou
                 mayst
                 have
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 be
                 saved
                 :
              
               yes
               ,
               and
               twenty
               good
               things
               more
               ,
               but
               if
               a
               blameless
               honest
               man
               have
               the
               keeping
               of
               this
               knowledge
               ,
               it
               is
               never
               the
               worse
               for
               him
               .
               
                 But
                 I
                 keep
                 the
                 Lords
                 day
                 strictly
                 ;
                 so
                 did
                 the
                 Iews
                 ,
                 whom
                 yet
                 Christ
                 condemned
                 :
              
               Had
               he
               been
               as
               well
               acquainted
               with
               the
               Scriptures
               as
               the
               Pharisees
               were
               ,
               he
               would
               not
               have
               said
               ,
               that
               the
               Jews
               kept
               the
               
                 Lords
                 day
              
               ;
               however
               this
               is
               one
               good
               thing
               ,
               which
               doth
               well
               in
               the
               company
               of
               more
               ,
               though
               it
               will
               not
               justifie
               a
               man
               ,
               when
               it
               is
               alone
               .
               
                 But
                 I
                 have
                 many
                 good
                 desires
                 and
                 endeavours
                 to
                 get
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 these
                 thou
                 and
                 thousands
                 may
                 have
                 ,
                 and
                 miss
                 of
                 Heaven
                 :
              
               and
               yet
               when
               he
               was
               in
               a
               more
               gentle
               humour
               ,
               he
               told
               the
               
               poor
               doubting
               Soul
               ,
               that
               desire
               ,
               nay
               that
               a
               desire
               only
               to
               desire
               at
               two
               or
               three
               removes
               ,
               was
               enough
               .
            
             
               
                 But
                 many
                 do
                 duties
                 without
                 life
                 or
                 zeal
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 zealous
                 ;
                 so
                 was
                 Iehu
              
               (
               to
               destroy
               the
               Worship
               of
               Baal
               ,
               and
               to
               retain
               Ieroboams
               Calves
               )
               
                 and
                 so
                 was
              
               Paul
               
                 while
                 a
                 Pharisee
              
               (
               in
               persecuting
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               and
               therefore
               an
               universal
               ,
               and
               religious
               ,
               and
               well-governed
               zeal
               ;
               for
               God
               can
               be
               no
               sign
               of
               Grace
               .
               )
               
                 But
                 I
                 am
                 constant
                 and
                 persevere
                 in
                 godly
                 courses
                 ;
                 so
                 did
                 the
                 young
                 man
                 ,
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 have
                 I
                 kept
                 from
                 my
                 youth
              
               (
               only
               he
               left
               Christ
               for
               the
               sake
               of
               his
               riches
               ,
               and
               so
               did
               not
               persevere
               .
               )
               
                 But
                 some
                 men
                 are
                 conscious
                 to
                 themselves
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 hypocrisie
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 do
                 all
                 with
                 a
                 good
                 heart
                 for
                 God
                 :
                 So
                 thou
                 mayst
                 think
                 of
                 thy self
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 deceived
              
               ;
               (
               and
               if
               this
               be
               an
               objection
               ,
               let
               a
               man
               have
               what
               marks
               he
               will
               ,
               the
               objection
               will
               still
               be
               good
               ,
               and
               so
               all
               evidences
               signifie
               nothing
               ;
               for
               after
               all
               it
               may
               be
               objected
               ,
               That
               a
               man
               may
               be
               deceived
               in
               it
               ,
               and
               think
               he
               hath
               these
               marks
               ,
               when
               he
               hath
               them
               not
               .
               )
               
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 way
                 that
                 seemeth
                 right
                 to
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 end
                 thereof
                 is
                 death
                 ,
                 thou
                 mayst
                 live
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 deceive
              
               
               
                 thy self
                 and
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 prove
                 an
                 Hypocrite
                 :
              
               as
               if
               because
               some
               men
               may
               think
               themselves
               good
               ,
               who
               are
               in
               a
               bad
               way
               ,
               no
               man
               could
               ever
               be
               sure
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               in
               the
               right
               ;
               and
               thus
               farewel
               all
               evidences
               .
            
             
               But
               after
               all
               this
               ,
               it
               would
               be
               worth
               the
               while
               to
               know
               how
               to
               distinguish
               a
               regenerate
               from
               an
               unregenerate
               man
               ;
               and
               that
               he
               tells
               us
               may
               be
               done
               thus
               ,
               
                 An
                 unregenerate
                 man
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 go
                 never
                 so
                 far
                 ,
                 do
                 never
                 so
                 much
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 lives
                 in
                 some
                 one
                 sin
                 or
                 other
              
               ;
               this
               now
               is
               very
               strange
               ,
               
                 What
                 go
                 never
                 so
                 far
                 ?
                 and
                 do
                 never
                 so
                 much
                 ?
                 and
                 yet
                 live
                 in
                 some
                 one
                 sin
                 or
                 other
                 ?
              
               What
               live
               a
               
                 blameless
                 ,
                 innocent
                 ,
                 honest
                 ,
                 smooth
                 life
                 ,
              
               and
               yet
               live
               in
               some
               one
               sin
               or
               other
               ?
               and
               yet
               suppose
               he
               did
               ,
               a
               
                 regenerate
                 man
              
               may
               be
               in
               
                 captivity
                 to
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
              
               and
               pray
               what
               's
               the
               difference
               ?
               but
               then
               
                 an
                 unregenerate
                 man
                 cannot
                 be
                 poor
                 in
                 spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 carried
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 duties
                 to
                 Christ
                 :
              
               That
               is
               ,
               if
               an
               unregenerate
               man
               do
               good
               ,
               he
               is
               conscious
               to
               himself
               that
               he
               doth
               it
               ,
               if
               he
               have
               a
               good
               heart
               ,
               he
               feels
               a
               good
               heart
               in
               himself
               ,
               and
               in
               all
               he
               doth
               ,
               and
               therefore
               
                 feels
                 not
                 a
                 want
                 of
                 all
                 good
                 ,
              
               which
               is
               true
               poverty
               of
               spirit
               :
               So
               that
               according
               
               to
               this
               discourse
               ,
               the
               surest
               mark
               of
               a
               regenerate
               man
               is
               either
               to
               have
               no
               good
               in
               himself
               ,
               or
               if
               he
               have
               any
               ,
               to
               be
               mistaken
               and
               think
               he
               hath
               none
               ,
               either
               of
               which
               I
               think
               is
               a
               very
               odd
               sign
               of
               Grace
               .
            
             
               But
               then
               
                 an
                 unregenerate
                 man
                 comes
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 never
                 gets
                 into
                 Christ
                 ,
                 never
                 takes
                 up
                 his
                 eternal
                 rest
                 and
                 lodging
                 in
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 only
                 :
              
               I
               thought
               coming
               had
               been
               believing
               ,
               and
               that
               believing
               would
               have
               done
               the
               business
               ,
               and
               if
               so
               ,
               God
               forbid
               that
               any
               man
               should
               be
               damned
               for
               want
               of
               that
               other
               Metaphor
               
                 of
                 taking
                 up
                 his
                 eternal
                 rest
                 and
                 lodging
                 in
                 Christ
                 :
                 men
                 in
                 distress
                 of
                 Conscience
              
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               all
               unregenerate
               men
               under
               such
               distress
               )
               
                 if
                 they
                 have
                 comfort
                 from
                 Christ
                 they
                 are
                 contented
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 have
                 Salvation
                 from
                 Hell
                 by
                 Christ
                 they
                 are
                 contented
              
               (
               and
               I
               think
               they
               have
               some
               reason
               then
               to
               be
               contented
               )
               
                 but
                 Christ
                 himself
              
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               without
               comfort
               and
               without
               Salvation
               )
               
                 contents
                 them
                 not
              
               .
               Now
               to
               be
               contented
               with
               Christ
               without
               comfort
               and
               without
               Salvation
               ,
               is
               so
               far
               from
               being
               the
               mark
               of
               an
               unregenerate
               man
               ,
               that
               I
               am
               not
               yet
               satisfied
               ,
               
               that
               it
               is
               the
               mark
               of
               an
               unreasonable
               man.
               
            
             
               Now
               are
               not
               these
               men
               do
               you
               think
               great
               friends
               to
               sanctification
               ,
               who
               make
               all
               the
               parts
               of
               sanctification
               ,
               
                 the
                 reformation
                 of
                 our
                 lives
                 ,
                 an
                 innocent
                 &
                 blameless
                 Conversation
                 ,
                 Fasting
                 ,
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 hearing
                 ,
                 reading
                 ,
                 conversing
                 with
                 good
                 men
                 ,
                 zeal
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 perseverance
                 in
                 well
                 doing
                 ,
                 honest
                 and
                 sincere
                 intentions
                 in
                 all
                 we
                 do
                 ,
              
               no
               more
               than
               the
               marks
               of
               Hypocrites
               ;
               and
               give
               no
               better
               marks
               of
               a
               regenerate
               man
               than
               to
               be
               sensible
               of
               no
               good
               in
               himself
               ,
               (
               and
               then
               he
               must
               either
               have
               none
               ,
               or
               be
               a
               Fool
               ,
               though
               having
               none
               is
               the
               surest
               way
               not
               to
               be
               sensible
               of
               it
               )
               and
               to
               take
               up
               his
               eternal
               rest
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               contented
               with
               Christ
               without
               Comfort
               and
               without
               Salvation
               .
            
             
               And
               now
               I
               shall
               conclude
               this
               Section
               with
               a
               remarkable
               passage
               in
               the
               
                 Sincere
                 Convert
              
               ,
               whereby
               it
               will
               evidently
               
               appear
               ,
               what
               these
               men
               think
               of
               sanctification
               :
               there
               we
               have
               an
               account
               what
               course
               some
               men
               take
               to
               secure
               their
               eternal
               happiness
               :
               
                 that
                 when
                 they
                 find
                 themselves
                 tired
                 and
                 weary
                 of
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 hearing
                 that
                 only
              
               
               
                 Christ
                 can
                 save
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 go
                 to
                 Christ
                 to
                 remove
                 those
                 sins
                 ,
                 which
                 tired
                 and
                 loaded
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 enable
                 them
                 to
                 do
                 better
                 than
                 formerly
                 :
                 if
                 they
                 get
                 these
                 sins
                 subdued
                 and
                 removed
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 they
                 find
                 power
                 to
                 do
                 better
                 ,
                 then
                 they
                 hope
                 to
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
              
               (
               here
               is
               the
               evidence
               of
               sanctification
               )
               whereas
               (
               as
               he
               adds
               )
               
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 damned
                 ,
                 and
                 go
                 to
                 the
                 Devil
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 though
                 thou
                 dost
                 escape
                 all
                 the
                 pollutions
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 not
                 from
                 thy self
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 own
                 own
                 strength
                 ;
                 but
                 from
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 wo
                 to
                 you
                 for
                 ever
                 if
                 you
                 die
                 in
                 this
                 state
              
               (
               with
               your
               sins
               mortified
               and
               subdued
               by
               Christ
               )
               and
               the
               reason
               is
               ,
               
                 because
                 this
                 is
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 Christ
                 to
                 suck
                 juice
                 from
                 him
                 to
                 maintain
                 his
                 own
                 Berries
              
               (
               
                 his
                 own
                 stock
                 of
                 Graces
              
               )
               
                 alas
                 !
                 he
                 is
                 but
                 the
                 Ivy
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 no
                 member
                 nor
                 branch
                 in
                 this
                 Tree
                 ,
                 and
                 hence
                 he
                 never
                 grows
                 to
                 be
                 one
                 with
                 Christ.
              
               So
               that
               holiness
               and
               obedience
               is
               no
               evidence
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               though
               we
               fetch
               strength
               from
               Christ
               to
               do
               his
               will
               ;
               we
               may
               only
               grasp
               about
               Christ
               all
               this
               while
               ,
               as
               the
               Ivy
               doth
               about
               the
               Oak
               ,
               but
               never
               be
               united
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               become
               one
               with
               him
               :
               so
               that
               now
               we
               must
               return
               where
               we
               began
               ,
               and
               stick
               to
               the
               
                 testimony
                 of
                 the
              
               
               Spirit
               ,
               without
               any
               external
               evidence
               ,
               that
               ,
               is
               to
               private
               Enthusiasms
               ,
               for
               sanctification
               can
               be
               no
               evidence
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ.
               
            
             
               Good
               God!
               Into
               what
               mazes
               and
               Labyrinths
               do
               these
               men
               lead
               poor
               distressed
               Souls
               ,
               they
               can
               direct
               them
               to
               no
               certain
               way
               of
               getting
               into
               Christ
               ,
               nor
               how
               to
               know
               whether
               they
               are
               in
               Christ
               or
               not
               :
               and
               now
               we
               may
               plainly
               see
               what
               friends
               these
               men
               are
               to
               a
               holy
               life
               :
               they
               all
               agree
               that
               holiness
               is
               not
               antecedently
               necessary
               to
               our
               Union
               with
               Christ
               ,
               but
               they
               only
               pretend
               to
               make
               it
               a
               necessary
               mark
               and
               evidence
               of
               our
               Union
               ,
               and
               yet
               they
               will
               not
               allow
               it
               this
               priviledge
               neither
               to
               be
               a
               certain
               evidence
               of
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ;
               it
               may
               prove
               us
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               as
               the
               Ivy
               is
               to
               the
               Oak
               ,
               not
               as
               a
               branch
               is
               united
               to
               the
               Vine
               ;
               and
               I
               hope
               this
               will
               justifie
               any
               mans
               zeal
               against
               such
               opinions
               ,
               as
               undermine
               the
               very
               foundations
               of
               Christianity
               .
            
             
               The
               Gospel
               method
               of
               Salvation
               is
               very
               plain
               and
               easie
               :
               those
               great
               Miracles
               our
               Saviour
               wrought
               ,
               and
               his
               Resurrection
               from
               the
               Dead
               ,
               are
               the
               foundation
               of
               our
               Faith
               ,
               a
               sufficient
               reason
               to
               believe
               that
               he
               came
               from
               
               God
               ,
               and
               declared
               his
               will
               to
               the
               World
               :
               a
               publick
               profession
               of
               this
               Faith
               in
               our
               Baptism
               makes
               us
               the
               visible
               members
               of
               his
               body
               ,
               which
               is
               his
               Church
               ;
               and
               a
               sincere
               obedience
               to
               his
               Gospel
               makes
               a
               real
               Union
               between
               Christ
               and
               us
               ,
               and
               entitles
               us
               to
               all
               the
               promises
               of
               the
               Gospel
               :
               and
               every
               man
               may
               as
               certainly
               know
               ,
               whether
               he
               be
               thus
               united
               to
               Christ
               ,
               as
               he
               can
               feel
               the
               motions
               of
               his
               own
               mind
               ,
               as
               he
               can
               know
               what
               he
               loves
               ,
               and
               hates
               ,
               and
               chuses
               ,
               and
               what
               the
               course
               of
               his
               life
               and
               actions
               are
               ,
               and
               there
               is
               no
               need
               of
               any
               revelation
               ,
               of
               any
               private
               testimony
               of
               the
               spirit
               to
               assure
               men
               of
               this
               ,
               no
               more
               than
               there
               is
               to
               assure
               them
               of
               any
               thing
               ,
               which
               is
               evident
               to
               their
               outward
               or
               inward
               senses
               .
            
             
               The
               
                 testimony
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
              
               concerns
               the
               
                 general
                 adoption
              
               of
               Christians
               for
               the
               Sons
               of
               God
               ,
               not
               to
               testifie
               to
               any
               particular
               man
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               a
               good
               Christian
               ,
               or
               in
               a
               state
               of
               Grace
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               a
               private
               ,
               but
               a
               
                 publick
                 testimony
              
               given
               to
               the
               whole
               Christian
               Church
               :
               that
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               which
               God
               bestowed
               upon
               the
               Apostles
               and
               Primitive
               Christians
               ,
               which
               enabled
               them
               to
               
               work
               miracles
               ,
               and
               to
               speak
               Languages
               which
               they
               had
               never
               learnt
               ,
               and
               to
               Prophesie
               ,
               was
               a
               plain
               argument
               to
               all
               the
               World
               ,
               that
               God
               now
               owned
               the
               Christians
               ,
               not
               the
               Jews
               ,
               for
               his
               chosen
               and
               elect
               people
               ,
               for
               his
               Sons
               and
               Children
               :
               for
               this
               was
               the
               great
               dispute
               of
               those
               days
               ,
               whether
               Jews
               or
               Christians
               were
               the
               Sons
               of
               God
               ,
               whether
               God
               now
               owned
               the
               Jewish
               or
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               ,
               and
               the
               Apostles
               decide
               this
               controversie
               by
               the
               testimony
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ;
               for
               God
               could
               not
               give
               a
               greater
               testimony
               to
               the
               Christian
               Church
               than
               the
               gift
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               ;
               for
               it
               was
               a
               plain
               argument
               ,
               that
               he
               owned
               them
               for
               his
               Sons
               ,
               when
               he
               bestowed
               the
               Spirit
               of
               his
               Son
               on
               them
               :
               as
               the
               Apostle
               argues
               .
               Gal.
               3.
               2.
               
               
                 Received
                 ye
                 the
                 Spirit
                 by
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 the
                 hearing
                 of
                 Faith
                 ?
              
               That
               is
               ,
               did
               God
               bestow
               his
               Spirit
               on
               you
               ,
               while
               ye
               were
               Jews
               ?
               or
               upon
               your
               Conversion
               to
               Christianity
               ?
               for
               if
               God
               bestowed
               his
               Spirit
               only
               on
               Christians
               ,
               this
               is
               a
               sufficient
               seal
               to
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               .
            
             
               This
               is
               very
               plain
               and
               intelligible
               ;
               the
               testimony
               of
               the
               Spirit
               assures
               us
               ,
               that
               all
               Christians
               are
               the
               Sons
               of
               God
               ,
               
               and
               Heirs
               of
               his
               Promises
               ,
               and
               every
               mans
               own
               Conscience
               will
               tell
               him
               ,
               whether
               he
               be
               a
               Christian
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               whether
               he
               heartily
               believe
               ,
               and
               obey
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               herein
               consists
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               fellowship
               with
               him
               :
               let
               us
               then
               leave
               those
               other
               dim
               notions
               to
               men
               ,
               who
               can
               believe
               ,
               what
               no
               man
               can
               understand
               ,
               who
               despise
               every
               thing
               ,
               that
               can
               be
               understood
               ,
               as
               if
               it
               were
               no
               better
               than
               
                 carnal
                 reason
              
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             
               CHAP.
               V.
            
             Concerning
             the
             Love
             of
             Christ
             to
             Believers
             .
          
           
             
               SECT
               .
               1.
               
            
             
               I
               Have
               now
               finisht
               the
               greatest
               part
               of
               my
               design
               ,
               and
               shall
               discourse
               more
               briefly
               of
               what
               remains
               .
               Next
               to
               our
               Union
               with
               Christ
               ,
               follows
               
                 our
                 Communion
              
               with
               him
               ;
               for
               though
               Communion
               and
               fellowship
               in
               the
               Scripture
               notion
               of
               those
               words
               signifie
               no
               more
               ,
               than
               what
               we
               call
               Union
               ,
               as
               *
               I
               have
               already
               proved
               ,
               yet
               in
               these
               mens
               Divinity
               they
               are
               very
               different
               :
               our
               Union
               to
               Christ
               is
               represented
               by
               
                 our
                 marriage
              
               to
               him
               ,
               our
               Communion
               with
               him
               by
               
                 consequential
                 ,
                 conjugal
                 affections
              
               :
               the
               only
               thing
               I
               shall
               at
               present
               take
               notice
               of
               for
               a
               Conclusion
               of
               all
               ,
               is
               that
               mutual
               and
               reciprocal
               love
               ,
               which
               is
               betwixt
               Christ
               and
               Believers
               ,
               
                 Christs
                 love
                 to
                 Believers
              
               ,
               and
               
                 the
                 Believers
                 love
                 to
                 Christ.
              
               
            
             
               First
               ,
               
                 Christs
                 love
                 to
                 Believers
              
               :
               the
               Scripture
               doth
               very
               justly
               magnifie
               the
               
               
                 love
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               as
               the
               greatest
               example
               of
               goodness
               ,
               that
               was
               ever
               known
               in
               the
               World
               ;
               and
               the
               greatest
               expression
               of
               the
               love
               of
               Christ
               was
               his
               
                 dying
                 for
                 us
                 :
                 he
                 is
                 that
                 good
                 Shepherd
                 who
                 giveth
                 his
                 life
                 for
                 his
                 Sheep
                 .
                 Iohn
              
               10.
               11.
               and
               our
               Saviour
               himself
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 greater
                 love
                 hath
                 no
                 man
                 than
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 man
                 lay
                 down
                 his
                 life
                 for
                 his
                 friend
                 :
              
               and
               therefore
               when
               the
               Apostle
               designed
               to
               mention
               the
               greatest
               expression
               of
               Christs
               Love
               ,
               he
               instances
               in
               this
               .
               Eph.
               5.
               25.
               
               
                 Husbands
                 love
                 your
                 Wives
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 Christ
                 also
                 loved
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 gave
                 himself
                 for
                 it
                 :
              
               and
               when
               the
               same
               Apostle
               represents
               the
               constraining
               power
               of
               Christs
               love
               to
               captivate
               our
               affections
               ,
               and
               to
               engage
               us
               to
               live
               to
               him
               ,
               he
               argues
               from
               his
               love
               
                 in
                 dying
                 for
                 us
              
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               5.
               14
               ,
               15.
               
               
                 For
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 Christ
                 constraineth
                 us
                 ,
                 because
                 we
                 thus
                 judge
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 one
                 died
                 for
                 all
                 ,
                 then
                 were
                 all
                 dead
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 died
                 for
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 which
                 live
                 should
                 not
                 henceforth
                 live
                 unto
                 themselves
                 ,
                 but
                 unto
                 him
                 which
                 died
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 rose
                 again
                 :
              
               and
               the
               most
               surprizing
               circumstance
               of
               all
               ,
               which
               gives
               a
               new
               luster
               to
               the
               love
               of
               Christ
               ,
               is
               
                 that
                 he
                 died
                 for
                 us
                 while
                 we
                 were
                 Enemies
                 .
                 Rom.
              
               5.
               6
               ,
               7
               ,
               8.
               
               
                 For
                 when
                 we
                 were
              
               
               
                 yet
                 without
                 strength
                 in
                 due
                 time
                 Christ
                 died
                 for
                 the
                 ungodly
                 ,
                 for
                 scarcely
                 for
                 a
                 righteous
                 man
                 will
                 one
                 die
                 ,
                 yet
                 peradventure
                 for
                 a
                 good
                 man
                 some
                 would
                 even
                 dare
                 to
                 die
                 ,
                 but
                 God
                 commendeth
                 his
                 love
                 towards
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 while
                 we
                 were
                 yet
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 Christ
                 died
                 for
                 us
                 .
              
            
             
               But
               though
               this
               be
               the
               greatest
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               the
               only
               expression
               of
               Christs
               love
               ;
               herein
               indeed
               was
               the
               love
               of
               Christ
               perfected
               that
               he
               died
               for
               us
               ,
               but
               he
               expresses
               the
               same
               good
               will
               in
               all
               the
               methods
               of
               his
               Grace
               and
               Providence
               :
               for
               Christ
               being
               our
               
                 Lord
                 and
                 Master
              
               ,
               the
               most
               proper
               expression
               of
               his
               love
               to
               us
               is
               in
               an
               easie
               and
               gentle
               Government
               ,
               and
               a
               kind
               and
               watchful
               Providence
               ,
               not
               in
               such
               a
               fondness
               of
               passion
               ,
               as
               is
               sometimes
               seen
               among
               equals
               ,
               this
               *
               I
               told
               you
               was
               exprest
               by
               those
               metaphors
               of
               his
               being
               a
               Shepherd
               ,
               a
               Husband
               ,
               a
               Head
               ,
               a
               Friend
               :
               and
               our
               Saviour
               assures
               us
               ,
               
                 that
                 his
                 yoke
                 is
                 easie
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 burden
                 light
                 ,
              
               that
               he
               is
               a
               mild
               and
               gentle
               Governour
               ,
               
                 meek
                 and
                 lowly
                 in
                 mind
              
               :
               that
               he
               hath
               declared
               to
               us
               the
               secrets
               of
               Gods
               Counsel
               concerning
               our
               Salvation
               with
               the
               same
               freedom
               and
               plainness
               ,
               that
               a
               man
               useth
               to
               his
               friend
               ;
               
                 henceforth
                 I
                 call
                 you
                 not
                 Servants
                 ,
              
               
               
                 for
                 the
                 Servant
                 knoweth
                 not
                 what
                 his
                 Lord
                 doth
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 have
                 called
                 you
                 Friends
                 ;
                 for
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 heard
                 of
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 made
                 known
                 unto
                 you
                 :
                 Iohn
              
               15.
               15.
               
               He
               pities
               our
               weakness
               and
               infirmities
               ,
               and
               is
               ready
               to
               help
               and
               succour
               us
               ;
               he
               is
               now
               ascended
               up
               into
               Heaven
               ,
               where
               he
               personally
               intercedes
               for
               us
               ,
               and
               with
               his
               own
               hand
               dispenses
               all
               those
               blessings
               to
               us
               ,
               which
               we
               want
               and
               pray
               for
               in
               his
               name
               ;
               
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 gracious
                 and
                 merciful
                 High
                 Priest
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 touched
                 with
                 a
                 feeling
                 of
                 our
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 being
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 tempted
                 like
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 ,
                 yet
                 without
                 sin
                 .
                 Hebr.
              
               4.
               15.
               
            
             
               And
               now
               it
               is
               no
               wonder
               ,
               if
               he
               ,
               who
               died
               ,
               and
               who
               intercedes
               for
               us
               ,
               take
               pleasure
               in
               good
               men
               ,
               and
               dwell
               with
               them
               ,
               as
               one
               friend
               dwells
               with
               another
               .
               Iohn
               14.
               21.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 hath
                 my
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 and
                 keepeth
                 them
                 ,
                 he
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 loveth
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 loveth
                 me
                 shall
                 be
                 loved
                 of
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 love
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 manifest
                 my self
                 unto
                 him
                 :
              
               and
               in
               Ver.
               23.
               
               
                 If
                 a
                 man
                 love
                 me
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 keep
                 my
                 words
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Father
                 will
                 love
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 will
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 our
                 abode
                 with
                 him
                 :
              
               That
               is
               ,
               Christ
               will
               in
               a
               more
               peculiar
               manner
               be
               present
               with
               such
               good
               men
               ,
               
               who
               are
               careful
               in
               all
               things
               to
               obey
               him
               ,
               and
               will
               give
               very
               sensible
               demonstrations
               of
               his
               presence
               with
               them
               :
               not
               that
               he
               will
               make
               any
               new
               revelations
               to
               them
               ,
               for
               he
               hath
               already
               revealed
               the
               whole
               mind
               and
               will
               of
               God
               in
               such
               a
               plain
               and
               familiar
               manner
               ,
               that
               every
               one
               may
               understand
               it
               ,
               who
               will
               but
               exercise
               the
               same
               reason
               in
               it
               ,
               that
               he
               does
               to
               understand
               the
               Laws
               of
               his
               Prince
               ;
               but
               yet
               when
               a
               Soul
               is
               transformed
               into
               the
               likeness
               and
               image
               of
               Christ
               ,
               it
               many
               times
               feels
               such
               strong
               and
               vigorous
               motions
               to
               that
               which
               is
               good
               ,
               and
               such
               great
               and
               ravishing
               delights
               in
               all
               the
               acts
               of
               Religion
               ,
               as
               infinitely
               excel
               all
               the
               pleasures
               of
               sense
               ,
               and
               are
               a
               plain
               demonstration
               of
               a
               more
               peculiar
               presence
               of
               God
               in
               such
               a
               Soul
               ;
               these
               divine
               joys
               are
               by
               the
               Psalmist
               compared
               to
               the
               Feasts
               upon
               Sacrifices
               ,
               Psalm
               36.
               8
               
               ▪
               
                 They
                 shall
                 be
                 abundantly
                 satisfied
                 with
                 the
                 fatness
                 of
                 thy
                 House
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 shall
                 make
                 them
                 drink
                 of
                 the
                 Rivers
                 of
                 th●
                 pleasures
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               they
               shall
               relish
               a●
               great
               pleasure
               and
               satisfaction
               in
               th●
               sense
               of
               thy
               goodness
               ,
               and
               in
               paying
               their
               just
               praises
               and
               acknowledgment
               to
               thee
               ,
               as
               those
               do
               ,
               who
               Feast
               upon
               th●
               
               Sacrifices
               ,
               which
               are
               offered
               in
               the
               Temple
               :
               for
               it
               is
               very
               reasonable
               to
               think
               ,
               that
               a
               Soul
               ,
               which
               is
               made
               one
               with
               God
               by
               a
               participation
               of
               his
               nature
               ,
               should
               feel
               such
               divine
               impressions
               from
               God
               ,
               as
               may
               both
               quicken
               its
               motions
               ,
               and
               sweeten
               its
               work
               :
               there
               is
               a
               secret
               sympathy
               between
               things
               ,
               which
               are
               alike
               ,
               two
               unisons
               will
               move
               ,
               when
               either
               of
               them
               is
               toucht
               ,
               and
               two
               Souls
               which
               are
               of
               the
               same
               make
               ,
               and
               united
               by
               a
               strong
               and
               intimate
               friendship
               ,
               do
               many
               times
               feel
               each
               others
               passions
               at
               a
               distance
               ,
               by
               a
               secret
               and
               unaccountable
               power
               of
               nature
               ;
               and
               can
               we
               think
               then
               ,
               but
               that
               a
               Soul
               ,
               which
               heartily
               loves
               God
               ,
               and
               passionately
               breaths
               after
               a
               greater
               likeness
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               fuller
               enjoyment
               of
               him
               ,
               must
               needs
               sometimes
               feel
               such
               divine
               touches
               and
               impressions
               as
               are
               the
               effects
               (
               if
               I
               may
               so
               speak
               )
               of
               a
               mutual
               love
               and
               sympathy
               of
               natures
               :
               some
               such
               thing
               our
               Saviour
               hath
               promised
               ,
               and
               good
               men
               experience
               ,
               not
               in
               equal
               degrees
               indeed
               ,
               nor
               equally
               at
               all
               times
               ,
               but
               in
               proportion
               to
               their
               attainments
               in
               true
               Piety
               and
               vertue
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               present
               frame
               and
               disposition
               of
               their
               own
               minds
               .
            
             
             
               This
               is
               a
               short
               and
               true
               account
               of
               the
               
                 love
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               which
               deserves
               forever
               to
               be
               admired
               and
               adored
               ;
               and
               it
               must
               needs
               be
               a
               very
               hearty
               trouble
               to
               all
               good
               men
               to
               see
               so
               great
               and
               so
               generous
               a
               love
               so
               miserably
               abused
               and
               misrepresented
               by
               childish
               and
               romantick
               descriptions
               :
               too
               many
               there
               are
               ,
               who
               cloath
               our
               Saviour
               with
               all
               the
               passions
               and
               follies
               of
               mortal
               men
               ,
               and
               think
               they
               honour
               him
               very
               much
               ,
               the
               more
               extravagant
               they
               make
               him
               in
               his
               love
               :
               It
               were
               easie
               to
               expatiate
               in
               this
               argument
               ,
               and
               to
               give
               such
               a
               character
               of
               the
               love
               of
               Christ
               ,
               as
               I
               believe
               ,
               these
               very
               men
               will
               think
               prophane
               ,
               when
               they
               find
               it
               in
               any
               Books
               ,
               but
               their
               own
               ;
               and
               possibly
               it
               might
               do
               good
               service
               to
               Religion
               ,
               and
               tend
               much
               to
               the
               honour
               of
               our
               Lord
               and
               Master
               to
               put
               them
               out
               of
               conceit
               with
               it
               ;
               but
               I
               fear
               the
               Reader
               would
               think
               me
               prophane
               in
               doing
               it
               ,
               though
               in
               their
               own
               words
               ,
               and
               therefore
               I
               shall
               chuse
               rather
               only
               to
               take
               notice
               of
               two
               things
               ,
               which
               these
               men
               much
               insist
               on
               in
               their
               discourses
               of
               the
               love
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               so
               dismiss
               them
               .
            
             
               First
               then
               ,
               the
               love
               of
               Christ
               is
               a
               love
               to
               the
               Person
               of
               a
               Believer
               ,
               without
               
               considering
               any
               other
               qualifications
               ,
               than
               that
               he
               is
               
                 such
                 an
                 individual
                 Person
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               excellency
               of
               Christs
               love
               consists
               in
               this
               ,
               that
               he
               loves
               for
               no
               reason
               ;
               now
               I
               confess
               this
               is
               a
               
                 wonderful
                 love
              
               ,
               but
               wherein
               the
               excellency
               of
               it
               consists
               ,
               I
               cannot
               see
               ;
               I
               am
               sure
               we
               account
               that
               man
               a
               Fool
               ,
               who
               loves
               at
               this
               rate
               ;
               we
               who
               are
               reasonable
               Creatures
               ,
               think
               that
               we
               are
               bound
               to
               govern
               all
               our
               actions
               and
               the
               passions
               of
               our
               mind
               too
               by
               reason
               ,
               and
               we
               account
               it
               a
               reproach
               to
               a
               man
               to
               act
               either
               against
               reason
               or
               without
               it
               ,
               to
               do
               any
               thing
               of
               which
               he
               cannot
               give
               a
               reasonable
               account
               ;
               and
               how
               that
               should
               come
               to
               be
               the
               perfection
               of
               the
               love
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               reproach
               to
               men
               ,
               is
               above
               my
               apprehension
               .
               Indeed
               were
               this
               true
               ,
               it
               would
               undermine
               the
               very
               foundations
               of
               Religion
               ;
               for
               the
               great
               end
               of
               Religion
               is
               to
               please
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               procure
               his
               love
               and
               favour
               ,
               but
               if
               God
               and
               Christ
               love
               for
               no
               reason
               ,
               then
               it
               is
               a
               vain
               thing
               for
               us
               to
               think
               of
               pleasing
               God
               ,
               or
               procuring
               his
               love
               by
               any
               thing
               ,
               we
               can
               do
               :
               whether
               we
               obey
               him
               ,
               or
               disobey
               him
               ,
               it
               is
               all
               one
               as
               to
               this
               Case
               ;
               for
               if
               he
               please
               to
               love
               us
               without
               any
               
               reason
               ,
               our
               sins
               cannot
               hinder
               it
               ,
               and
               if
               it
               does
               not
               please
               him
               to
               love
               us
               ,
               our
               Holiness
               and
               Obedience
               cannot
               alter
               him
               :
               when
               our
               acceptation
               with
               God
               depends
               wholly
               upon
               a
               Soveraign
               and
               unaccountable
               will
               ,
               nothing
               we
               can
               do
               can
               either
               hinder
               or
               promote
               it
               ,
               and
               therefore
               all
               Religion
               is
               in
               vain
               .
            
             
               The
               foundation
               of
               this
               mistake
               is
               a
               Philosophical
               nicety
               ,
               that
               God
               must
               act
               wholly
               from
               himself
               ,
               and
               therefore
               must
               not
               be
               moved
               by
               any
               external
               cause
               ,
               whereas
               should
               he
               love
               us
               because
               we
               are
               holy
               and
               obedient
               to
               him
               ,
               or
               hate
               us
               ,
               because
               we
               are
               wicked
               ,
               his
               love
               and
               hatred
               would
               depend
               upon
               an
               external
               cause
               ,
               viz.
               the
               holiness
               or
               wickedness
               of
               Creatures
               ,
               which
               unbecomes
               an
               
                 Independant
                 being
              
               to
               depend
               upon
               any
               thing
               else
               :
               the
               sum
               of
               which
               reasoning
               is
               this
               ,
               that
               because
               God
               is
               the
               first
               cause
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               on
               whom
               all
               other
               things
               depend
               ,
               and
               he
               on
               nothing
               ,
               therefore
               he
               must
               love
               and
               hate
               his
               Creatures
               without
               any
               reason
               but
               his
               own
               unaccountable
               will
               :
               for
               this
               is
               all
               the
               inconvenience
               they
               can
               object
               ,
               that
               when
               God
               loves
               or
               hates
               ,
               rewards
               or
               punishes
               his
               Creatures
               ,
               the
               reason
               of
               this
               difference
               ,
               he
               makes
               between
               
               his
               Creatures
               must
               be
               fetcht
               from
               the
               persons
               themselves
               ,
               whom
               he
               thus
               loves
               or
               hates
               ;
               and
               so
               it
               must
               of
               necessity
               be
               ,
               if
               he
               have
               any
               reason
               at
               all
               ;
               for
               the
               reason
               of
               love
               or
               hatred
               ought
               to
               be
               in
               the
               object
               ,
               not
               in
               the
               person
               ,
               who
               loves
               or
               hates
               :
               and
               yet
               in
               propriety
               of
               speech
               God
               cannot
               be
               said
               to
               depend
               on
               his
               Creatures
               or
               any
               thing
               without
               himself
               for
               the
               reason
               of
               his
               love
               or
               hatred
               ,
               but
               his
               own
               nature
               is
               the
               reason
               of
               it
               :
               he
               is
               infinitely
               holy
               ,
               and
               therefore
               loves
               holiness
               and
               hates
               sin
               ,
               and
               his
               natural
               love
               to
               holiness
               is
               the
               reason
               why
               he
               loves
               holy
               men
               ,
               and
               his
               natural
               hatred
               to
               sin
               is
               the
               reason
               why
               he
               hates
               wicked
               men
               ;
               his
               own
               holiness
               is
               the
               reason
               why
               he
               loves
               holy
               men
               ,
               but
               the
               holiness
               of
               a
               Creature
               is
               the
               reason
               why
               he
               determines
               his
               love
               to
               any
               particular
               person
               ,
               and
               if
               they
               will
               call
               this
               a
               depending
               on
               Creatures
               ,
               we
               must
               acknowledge
               that
               God
               does
               thus
               depend
               on
               his
               Creatures
               in
               the
               administration
               of
               his
               Providence
               ,
               in
               the
               distributions
               of
               rewards
               and
               punishments
               ,
               and
               he
               should
               not
               be
               wise
               ,
               and
               holy
               ,
               and
               just
               ,
               and
               good
               ,
               if
               he
               did
               not
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               if
               he
               did
               not
               put
               such
               a
               difference
               between
               things
               and
               persons
               ,
               as
               
               their
               natures
               require
               .
               It
               is
               a
               strange
               notion
               of
               an
               
                 Independant
                 Being
              
               ,
               that
               he
               must
               have
               no
               other
               reason
               for
               what
               he
               does
               but
               his
               own
               arbitrary
               will
               ,
               which
               is
               so
               far
               from
               being
               a
               perfection
               ,
               that
               it
               destroys
               all
               the
               other
               perfections
               of
               the
               divine
               nature
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               These
               men
               tell
               us
               too
               ,
               that
               
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 immutable
                 ,
              
               that
               having
               once
               fixt
               his
               love
               upon
               us
               though
               without
               any
               reason
               ,
               he
               can
               never
               alter
               :
               that
               
                 sin
                 it self
                 cannot
                 separate
                 us
                 from
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 as
                 there
                 was
                 nothing
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 the
                 ground
                 of
                 his
                 planting
                 his
                 love
                 on
                 us
                 ,
                 so
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 overturn
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 his
                 love
                 ,
                 when
                 once
                 they
                 are
                 fixt
                 on
                 us
                 :
              
               (
               though
               this
               is
               no
               certain
               demonstration
               ,
               for
               he
               who
               loves
               for
               no
               reason
               may
               give
               over
               loving
               for
               none
               )
               
                 if
                 sin
                 fore-seen
                 were
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 hinder
                 him
                 from
                 planting
                 his
                 heart
                 on
                 us
                 ,
                 how
                 then
                 shall
                 it
              
               (
               that
               is
               sin
               committed
               )
               
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 overturn
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 when
                 once
                 they
                 are
                 fixed
                 on
                 us
                 ?
              
               this
               is
               a
               strong
               and
               fixed
               love
               indeed
               ,
               which
               sin
               it self
               cannot
               alter
               ,
               but
               how
               wise
               and
               holy
               a
               love
               it
               is
               ,
               let
               any
               man
               judg
               :
               herein
               *
               Dr.
               Owen
               tells
               us
               
                 the
                 depth
                 of
                 Christs
                 love
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 contemplated
                 ,
              
               
               
                 that
                 whereas
                 his
                 holy
                 Soul
                 hates
                 every
                 sin
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 burden
                 ,
                 an
                 abomination
                 ,
                 a
                 new
                 wound
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 poor
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 sinful
                 Believers
                 are
                 full
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 failings
                 ,
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 he
                 hides
                 all
                 ,
                 covers
                 all
                 ,
                 bears
                 with
                 all
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 he
                 will
                 loose
                 them
                 .
              
               He
               adds
               indeed
               ,
               
                 by
                 his
                 power
                 preserving
                 them
                 from
                 such
                 sins
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 remedy
                 is
                 not
                 provided
                 for
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 grace
                 :
              
               I
               suppose
               he
               means
               the
               sin
               against
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               for
               there
               is
               a
               remedy
               provided
               for
               all
               other
               sins
               in
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               :
               and
               all
               other
               sins
               a
               Believer
               it
               seems
               may
               be
               guilty
               of
               ,
               
                 and
                 Christ
                 will
                 hide
                 all
                 ,
                 cover
                 all
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 lose
                 him
                 :
              
               now
               this
               is
               as
               down
               right
               Antinomianism
               ,
               as
               ever
               Dr.
               Crisp
               ,
               or
               Saltmarsh
               vented
               :
               There
               have
               been
               and
               are
               to
               this
               day
               a
               great
               many
               wise
               and
               learned
               men
               ,
               who
               contend
               earnestly
               for
               the
               
                 perseverance
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
              
               ,
               that
               those
               who
               are
               once
               in
               a
               
                 state
                 of
                 Grace
              
               ,
               shall
               always
               continue
               so
               ,
               but
               then
               they
               found
               this
               not
               on
               such
               an
               immutable
               love
               ,
               as
               sin
               it self
               cannot
               alter
               ,
               for
               this
               is
               not
               reconcileable
               with
               the
               holiness
               of
               the
               divine
               nature
               ,
               nor
               with
               those
               threatnings
               in
               the
               Scripture
               against
               such
               back-sliders
               ;
               
                 when
                 the
                 righteous
                 man
                 turneth
                 away
              
               
               
                 from
                 his
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 committeth
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 and
                 doth
                 according
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 abominations
                 that
                 a
                 wicked
                 man
                 doth
                 ,
                 shall
                 he
                 live
                 ?
                 all
                 the
                 righteousness
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 mentioned
                 ;
                 in
                 his
                 trespass
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 trespassed
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 sin
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 sinned
                 ,
                 in
                 them
                 shall
                 he
                 die
                 .
                 Ezek.
              
               18.
               24.
               
               
                 And
                 if
                 any
                 man
                 turn
                 back
                 my
                 Soul
                 shall
                 have
                 no
                 pleasure
                 in
                 him
                 :
              
               which
               is
               a
               plain
               demonstration
               ,
               the
               truth
               of
               which
               is
               acknowledged
               by
               all
               sober
               Writers
               ,
               that
               if
               such
               men
               can
               be
               supposed
               to
               relapse
               into
               a
               sinful
               state
               ,
               God
               also
               will
               cease
               to
               love
               them
               ;
               and
               therefore
               they
               found
               the
               immutability
               of
               Gods
               love
               to
               them
               ,
               on
               
                 their
                 perseverance
                 in
                 doing
                 good
              
               :
               God
               loves
               all
               good
               men
               ,
               but
               if
               they
               cease
               to
               be
               good
               ,
               he
               also
               must
               cease
               to
               love
               :
               and
               herein
               the
               immutability
               and
               unchangeableness
               of
               Gods
               love
               consists
               ,
               not
               that
               he
               always
               loves
               the
               
                 same
                 Person
              
               ,
               but
               that
               he
               always
               loves
               for
               the
               
                 same
                 Reason
              
               :
               for
               it
               is
               no
               perfection
               to
               be
               so
               fixt
               in
               our
               kindness
               ,
               that
               where
               we
               love
               once
               ,
               we
               will
               always
               love
               ,
               whatever
               reason
               there
               may
               be
               to
               alter
               our
               affection
               ;
               for
               by
               this
               means
               we
               may
               love
               undeserving
               objects
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               greatest
               degeneracy
               of
               love
               :
               but
               
               the
               perfection
               of
               love
               consists
               in
               loving
               deserving
               objects
               ,
               and
               in
               loving
               upon
               honourable
               reasons
               ,
               and
               the
               immutability
               of
               love
               consists
               in
               loving
               always
               for
               the
               same
               reason
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               only
               foundation
               of
               a
               
                 vertuous
                 immutability
              
               .
            
             
               The
               reason
               of
               Christs
               love
               to
               any
               Person
               is
               his
               Holiness
               and
               Obedience
               :
               
                 if
                 any
                 man
                 love
                 me
                 he
                 will
                 keep
                 my
                 words
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Father
                 will
                 love
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 will
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 our
                 abode
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 Iohn
              
               14.
               23.
               and
               the
               unchangeableness
               of
               his
               love
               is
               seen
               in
               this
               ,
               that
               he
               will
               continue
               to
               love
               ,
               while
               we
               continue
               to
               obey
               him
               :
               
                 if
                 ye
                 shall
                 keep
                 my
                 Commandments
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               continue
               to
               do
               so
               ,
               
                 ye
                 shall
                 abide
                 in
                 my
                 love
                 ,
              
               I
               will
               continue
               to
               love
               you
               ,
               
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 kept
                 my
                 Fathers
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 and
                 abide
                 in
                 his
                 love
                 .
                 Iohn
              
               15.
               10.
               
            
             
               This
               is
               the
               immutability
               of
               the
               divine
               nature
               ,
               that
               God
               always
               acts
               upon
               steddy
               and
               constant
               principles
               ,
               that
               whatever
               changes
               there
               are
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               which
               may
               occasion
               very
               different
               administrations
               in
               his
               providence
               ,
               yet
               he
               is
               the
               same
               still
               ,
               and
               never
               changes
               ;
               whereas
               should
               God
               always
               love
               the
               
                 same
                 Person
              
               ,
               however
               he
               changed
               and
               alter'd
               ,
               God
               must
               
               change
               and
               alter
               too
               ,
               because
               though
               he
               still
               loves
               the
               same
               Person
               ,
               yet
               he
               must
               love
               for
               different
               or
               contrary
               reasons
               ,
               or
               for
               none
               at
               all
               ;
               and
               that
               is
               the
               much
               greater
               change
               of
               the
               two
               ,
               to
               alter
               the
               reason
               ,
               than
               the
               object
               of
               love
               :
               if
               God
               love
               a
               good
               man
               ,
               because
               he
               is
               good
               ,
               and
               continue
               to
               love
               him
               ,
               when
               he
               is
               wicked
               ,
               his
               love
               is
               a
               mutable
               thing
               ,
               which
               can
               love
               goodness
               or
               wickedness
               ,
               which
               can
               love
               for
               none
               ,
               or
               for
               contrary
               reasons
               ;
               but
               if
               God
               always
               love
               true
               goodness
               ,
               and
               good
               men
               ,
               and
               never
               loves
               any
               other
               ,
               whatever
               change
               there
               be
               in
               Creatures
               ,
               God
               is
               the
               same
               still
               ,
               and
               unchangeable
               in
               his
               love
               .
            
             
               Thus
               you
               see
               ,
               while
               these
               men
               pretend
               to
               admire
               and
               magnifie
               the
               love
               of
               God
               and
               Christ
               ,
               they
               make
               it
               a
               despicable
               and
               worthless
               thing
               ,
               such
               as
               a
               wise
               man
               would
               be
               ashamed
               of
               ,
               and
               such
               as
               a
               good
               man
               cannot
               be
               guilty
               of
               ,
               to
               love
               for
               no
               reason
               ,
               and
               to
               continue
               to
               love
               contrary
               to
               reason
               :
               And
               as
               this
               is
               a
               great
               reproach
               to
               God
               and
               to
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               so
               is
               it
               a
               great
               injury
               to
               men
               too
               ;
               for
               it
               must
               of
               necessity
               make
               them
               careless
               of
               pleasing
               God
               ,
               and
               secure
               in
               their
               sins
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               
               perswaded
               that
               sin
               cannot
               hinder
               God
               from
               loving
               them
               ,
               nor
               alter
               his
               love
               towards
               them
               :
               that
               if
               ever
               he
               love
               them
               ,
               it
               is
               for
               no
               reason
               but
               because
               he
               will
               ,
               and
               when
               once
               he
               is
               resolved
               upon
               it
               ,
               the
               immutability
               of
               his
               nature
               makes
               it
               necessary
               for
               him
               to
               continue
               to
               love
               :
               that
               now
               sin
               it self
               cannot
               separate
               us
               from
               the
               love
               of
               God
               :
               if
               this
               were
               true
               ,
               the
               worst
               man
               living
               would
               have
               as
               much
               reason
               to
               be
               secure
               of
               Gods
               love
               ,
               as
               the
               best
               men
               have
               ;
               nay
               ,
               if
               the
               depth
               ,
               and
               mystery
               ,
               and
               glory
               of
               the
               love
               of
               Christ
               consists
               in
               loving
               for
               no
               reason
               ,
               or
               contrary
               to
               reason
               ,
               the
               worse
               men
               are
               ,
               the
               fitter
               objects
               are
               they
               of
               the
               love
               of
               Christ.
               
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 II.
              
               Concerning
               the
               Believers
               love
               to
               Christ.
               
            
             
               HAving
               showed
               you
               wherein
               the
               
                 Love
                 of
                 Christ
              
               consists
               ,
               I
               shall
               now
               consider
               ,
               what
               are
               those
               returns
               of
               love
               which
               we
               owe
               to
               our
               Lord
               and
               Saviour
               :
               I
               take
               it
               for
               granted
               ,
               that
               all
               men
               who
               believe
               that
               Christ
               came
               into
               the
               World
               to
               save
               Sinners
               ,
               are
               of
               the
               Apostles
               mind
               ,
               
                 if
                 any
                 man
                 love
                 not
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 be
                 Anathema
                 Maranatha
              
               ;
               the
               only
               dispute
               is
               ,
               how
               we
               are
               to
               express
               our
               love
               to
               Christ
               :
               now
               love
               primarily
               signifies
               the
               inward
               affection
               of
               the
               mind
               ,
               but
               is
               made
               visible
               by
               outward
               actions
               :
               as
               for
               the
               affection
               of
               the
               mind
               ,
               we
               must
               consider
               ,
               that
               Christ
               is
               our
               Superiour
               ,
               our
               Lord
               and
               Master
               ,
               and
               therefore
               our
               love
               to
               Christ
               ought
               not
               to
               express
               it self
               in
               a
               fond
               and
               familiar
               passion
               ,
               such
               as
               we
               have
               for
               our
               friends
               and
               equals
               ,
               but
               in
               a
               great
               reverence
               and
               devotion
               :
               Superiours
               must
               be
               treated
               with
               honour
               and
               respect
               ,
               
               which
               requires
               that
               we
               keep
               our
               distance
               ;
               and
               therefore
               our
               love
               to
               our
               Parents
               and
               Superiours
               is
               called
               honour
               in
               the
               fifth
               Commandment
               ,
               
                 Honour
                 thy
                 Father
                 and
                 thy
                 Mother
                 ,
              
               and
               the
               same
               religious
               affection
               to
               God
               which
               is
               sometimes
               called
               love
               ,
               is
               at
               other
               times
               called
               fear
               ,
               which
               signifies
               a
               
                 reverential
                 love
              
               ,
               or
               a
               love
               of
               honour
               ,
               and
               reverence
               ,
               and
               devotion
               :
               which
               includes
               a
               great
               delight
               in
               the
               thoughts
               of
               God
               ,
               a
               devout
               sense
               of
               his
               greatness
               and
               Majesty
               ,
               a
               great
               admiration
               of
               his
               Excellencies
               and
               perfections
               ,
               a
               religious
               awe
               and
               reverence
               for
               him
               ,
               and
               all
               those
               affections
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               which
               are
               expressive
               of
               love
               and
               honour
               .
            
             
               As
               for
               the
               external
               expressions
               of
               our
               love
               ,
               they
               are
               as
               various
               as
               the
               expressions
               of
               honour
               are
               :
               and
               herein
               we
               must
               have
               a
               peculiar
               regard
               to
               the
               nature
               and
               condition
               of
               the
               Person
               ,
               and
               that
               relation
               we
               stand
               in
               to
               him
               :
               thus
               Christ
               being
               
                 the
                 only
                 begotten
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
              
               we
               must
               have
               regard
               to
               the
               greatness
               and
               excellency
               of
               his
               Person
               ,
               that
               our
               returns
               may
               bear
               some
               proportion
               to
               it
               :
               Christ
               having
               condescended
               to
               come
               into
               the
               World
               in
               our
               nature
               ,
               to
               
               suffer
               and
               die
               for
               us
               ,
               it
               becomes
               us
               to
               admire
               his
               love
               and
               goodness
               ,
               to
               extol
               and
               praise
               him
               ;
               to
               celebrate
               the
               memorials
               of
               his
               Death
               and
               Passion
               in
               that
               holy
               Feast
               ,
               which
               he
               hath
               on
               purpose
               instituted
               to
               be
               a
               thankful
               remembrance
               of
               our
               Crucified
               Lord
               :
               since
               he
               is
               our
               Mediator
               and
               Advocate
               ,
               the
               truest
               expression
               of
               our
               love
               and
               honour
               is
               to
               confide
               and
               trust
               in
               him
               ,
               to
               depend
               on
               his
               intercession
               for
               us
               ,
               to
               offer
               up
               all
               our
               Prayers
               to
               God
               in
               his
               name
               ,
               and
               to
               expect
               an
               answer
               to
               our
               Prayers
               for
               his
               sake
               :
               and
               when
               we
               consider
               him
               as
               our
               Prophet
               and
               Law-giver
               ,
               we
               must
               express
               our
               love
               to
               him
               in
               a
               stedfast
               belief
               of
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               in
               a
               sincere
               and
               hearty
               obedience
               to
               all
               his
               Laws
               :
               love
               to
               equals
               ,
               who
               have
               no
               authority
               over
               each
               other
               ,
               but
               what
               love
               gives
               them
               ,
               makes
               them
               very
               flexible
               and
               obsequious
               to
               each
               others
               desires
               and
               requests
               ;
               but
               our
               love
               to
               Superiours
               to
               our
               Prince
               or
               Parents
               includes
               obedience
               in
               its
               own
               nature
               ;
               and
               therefore
               this
               our
               Saviour
               makes
               the
               principal
               tryal
               of
               our
               love
               to
               him
               ;
               
                 if
                 you
                 love
                 me
                 ,
                 keep
                 my
                 Commandments
                 :
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 hath
                 my
                 Commandments
                 and
                 keepeth
              
               
               
                 them
                 ,
                 he
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 loveth
                 me
                 :
                 but
                 he
                 that
                 loveth
                 me
                 not
                 ,
                 keepeth
                 not
                 my
                 sayings
                 ;
                 you
                 are
                 my
                 friends
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 do
                 whatsoever
                 I
                 command
                 you
                 ,
              
               Joh.
               14.
               15.
               23
               ,
               24.
               and
               in
               Chap.
               15.
               vers
               14.
               for
               there
               cannot
               be
               a
               more
               proper
               expression
               of
               our
               love
               and
               honour
               to
               a
               Law-giver
               ,
               than
               to
               obey
               his
               Laws
               .
               And
               when
               we
               consider
               our
               Saviour
               as
               
                 our
                 Guide
                 and
                 Example
              
               ,
               the
               truest
               expression
               of
               our
               love
               and
               honour
               is
               
                 to
                 imitate
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 live
                 as
                 he
                 lived
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 :
              
               For
               there
               is
               nothing
               more
               natural
               than
               to
               imitate
               what
               we
               love
               and
               reverence
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               plainest
               demonstration
               of
               the
               greatest
               honour
               ,
               in
               that
               we
               think
               it
               our
               perfection
               and
               happiness
               to
               be
               like
               our
               Saviour
               .
            
             
               And
               that
               which
               perfects
               our
               love
               ,
               is
               an
               undaunted
               courage
               and
               resolution
               in
               professing
               the
               Faith
               of
               Christ
               ,
               whatever
               dangers
               and
               miseries
               it
               may
               expose
               us
               to
               in
               this
               World
               ;
               as
               St.
               Iohn
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 fear
                 in
                 love
                 ,
                 but
                 perfect
                 love
                 casteth
                 out
                 fear
                 ,
              
               1
               Joh.
               5.
               18.
               when
               we
               can
               
                 hate
                 Father
                 and
                 Mother
                 ,
                 Wife
                 and
                 Children
                 ,
                 Brethren
                 and
                 Sisters
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 sacrifice
                 our
                 lives
                 also
                 for
                 him
                 rather
                 than
                 abjure
                 his
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 or
                 violate
                 his
                 Laws
                 .
              
               These
               are
               
               the
               proper
               expressions
               of
               our
               love
               to
               Christ
               ,
               which
               are
               summarily
               comprehended
               in
               believing
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               obeying
               it
               ;
               for
               to
               be
               a
               true
               Lover
               of
               Christ
               signifies
               neither
               more
               nor
               less
               than
               to
               be
               a
               good
               Christian
               ,
               one
               who
               diligently
               obeys
               all
               the
               Laws
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             
               This
               is
               a
               short
               account
               of
               the
               Nature
               of
               our
               Love
               to
               Christ
               ,
               which
               deserves
               a
               larger
               Discourse
               ;
               but
               I
               am
               now
               hastening
               to
               a
               conclusion
               ,
               and
               what
               I
               have
               already
               said
               ,
               is
               so
               plain
               and
               easie
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               be
               understood
               without
               a
               larger
               explication
               .
               Our
               love
               to
               Christ
               is
               not
               such
               a
               subtil
               ,
               airy
               ,
               and
               metaphysical
               notion
               ,
               as
               some
               men
               represent
               it
               to
               be
               ,
               but
               is
               a
               vital
               Principle
               of
               Action
               ,
               which
               governs
               our
               lives
               ,
               and
               makes
               us
               fruitful
               in
               good
               works
               :
               And
               indeed
               of
               all
               mistakes
               there
               is
               none
               more
               fatal
               and
               dangerous
               than
               to
               mistake
               the
               nature
               of
               our
               love
               to
               Christ
               ,
               because
               this
               is
               a
               practical
               Errour
               ,
               which
               hath
               an
               immediate
               influence
               upon
               our
               lives
               ,
               and
               one
               mistake
               in
               the
               Principles
               or
               Rules
               of
               Action
               is
               of
               greater
               consequence
               than
               a
               great
               many
               false
               Opinions
               ,
               which
               end
               in
               speculation
               :
               And
               therefore
               for
               a
               conclusion
               
               of
               all
               ,
               I
               shall
               briefly
               take
               notice
               of
               those
               mistakes
               some
               men
               have
               been
               guilty
               of
               concerning
               the
               nature
               and
               expressions
               of
               our
               love
               to
               Christ.
               
            
             
               And
               first
               ,
               as
               they
               tell
               us
               that
               Christ
               falls
               in
               love
               with
               
                 our
                 Persons
              
               ,
               without
               considering
               any
               qualifications
               in
               us
               ,
               which
               may
               make
               us
               fit
               objects
               of
               his
               love
               ,
               so
               in
               requital
               to
               him
               ,
               we
               must
               love
               
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ.
              
               This
               I
               confess
               is
               as
               certain
               and
               evident
               as
               any
               demonstration
               in
               Euclide
               ,
               that
               if
               we
               love
               Christ
               ,
               we
               must
               love
               his
               Person
               ,
               for
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               is
               Christ
               himself
               ,
               and
               if
               we
               love
               Christ
               ,
               we
               must
               love
               him
               ,
               and
               if
               they
               would
               be
               satisfied
               with
               this
               ,
               the
               dispute
               would
               be
               at
               an
               end
               ;
               but
               this
               will
               not
               serve
               their
               turn
               ,
               and
               therefore
               we
               must
               examine
               what
               they
               mean
               by
               loving
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               :
               Now
               they
               oppose
               our
               love
               to
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               to
               our
               love
               to
               him
               
                 upon
                 account
                 of
                 his
                 benefits
                 ,
                 to
                 our
                 love
                 to
                 our selves
                 ,
              
               and
               
                 to
                 our
                 duties
              
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               we
               must
               love
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               in
               opposition
               to
               his
               benefits
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               we
               must
               not
               consider
               what
               advantages
               we
               do
               ,
               or
               may
               receive
               from
               Christ
               ,
               what
               he
               ha●h
               done
               or
               suffered
               for
               us
               ,
               but
               we
               must
               love
               his
               person
               
               purely
               for
               himself
               without
               any
               other
               considerations
               to
               endear
               him
               to
               us
               :
               This
               matter
               is
               very
               gravely
               stated
               and
               determined
               by
               *
               
                 W.
                 B.
              
               who
               tells
               us
               ,
               
               1.
               
               
                 That
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 good
                 and
                 lawful
                 thing
                 to
                 love
                 Christ
                 in
                 reference
                 to
                 his
                 benefits
                 .
              
               This
               is
               a
               very
               liberal
               grant
               ,
               that
               gratitude
               which
               hath
               hitherto
               been
               accounted
               a
               great
               and
               excellent
               vertue
               ,
               is
               now
               owned
               to
               be
               a
               lawful
               thing
               .
               2.
               
               
                 It
                 is
                 our
                 duty
                 to
                 love
                 Christs
                 Person
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 our
                 hearts
                 drawn
                 out
                 with
                 love
                 to
                 the
                 very
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ.
              
               This
               is
               so
               certainly
               true
               ,
               that
               even
               those
               men
               ,
               who
               love
               Christ
               for
               his
               benefits
               ,
               love
               his
               Person
               .
               But
               3.
               
               
                 The
                 excellency
                 of
                 Christs
                 Person
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 object
                 of
                 my
                 Faith
                 ,
                 but
                 Christ
                 crucified
                 .
              
               4.
               
               
                 Though
                 Christ
                 crucified
                 be
                 the
                 object
                 of
                 my
                 Faith
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 personal
                 excellencies
                 of
                 Christ
                 are
                 the
                 object
                 of
                 my
                 Love
                 :
                 yea
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 more
                 excellent
                 thing
                 yet
                 to
                 love
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 benefits
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 a
                 more
                 excellent
                 thing
                 to
                 have
                 my
                 heart
                 drawn
                 out
                 in
                 love
                 to
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 have
                 my
                 heart
                 drawn
                 out
                 in
                 love
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 his
                 benefits
                 .
              
               Now
               what
               can
               be
               the
               meaning
               of
               all
               this
               ,
               but
               that
               the
               excellency
               and
               perfection
               of
               our
               love
               to
               Christ
               consists
               in
               loving
               him
               for
               no
               reason
               ;
               the
               
               proper
               object
               and
               reason
               of
               love
               is
               Goodness
               ;
               to
               love
               that
               which
               is
               good
               for
               nothing
               is
               the
               folly
               and
               degeneracy
               of
               love
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               as
               foolish
               and
               impossible
               a
               task
               to
               love
               a
               Person
               ,
               who
               hath
               been
               good
               to
               us
               ,
               not
               because
               he
               hath
               been
               good
               ,
               but
               for
               no
               reason
               :
               Now
               this
               is
               the
               case
               here
               ,
               for
               if
               you
               separate
               the
               Person
               and
               Personal
               Excellencies
               of
               Christ
               from
               the
               consideration
               of
               his
               benefits
               ,
               his
               personal
               goodness
               from
               the
               expressions
               of
               his
               love
               and
               goodness
               to
               our selves
               and
               others
               ,
               it
               can
               be
               no
               object
               nor
               reason
               of
               our
               love
               ;
               for
               a
               goodness
               which
               doth
               no
               good
               ,
               or
               never
               did
               any
               ,
               or
               which
               is
               all
               one
               ,
               is
               considered
               as
               doing
               none
               ,
               is
               so
               far
               from
               being
               the
               object
               of
               our
               love
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               not
               the
               object
               of
               our
               understanding
               ;
               for
               we
               cannot
               understand
               what
               that
               goodness
               means
               ,
               which
               never
               did
               any
               good
               .
               God
               challenges
               our
               love
               not
               upon
               account
               of
               an
               imaginary
               goodness
               of
               Nature
               ,
               which
               never
               did
               any
               good
               ,
               but
               for
               the
               real
               and
               sensible
               effects
               of
               his
               goodness
               in
               the
               works
               of
               Creation
               and
               Providence
               ,
               and
               the
               Redemption
               of
               Mankind
               by
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ;
               and
               Christ
               himself
               challenges
               our
               love
               for
               the
               like
               reasons
               ,
               because
               he
               hath
               
               loved
               us
               ,
               and
               dyed
               for
               us
               ,
               and
               now
               intercedes
               for
               us
               ,
               and
               will
               at
               the
               last
               day
               bestow
               a
               Crown
               of
               Glory
               and
               Immortality
               on
               us
               ,
               but
               never
               ,
               as
               I
               can
               observe
               ,
               requires
               such
               an
               abstracted
               and
               metaphysical
               love
               to
               his
               Person
               ,
               without
               any
               respect
               to
               his
               benefits
               .
            
             
               Indeed
               these
               men
               seem
               not
               to
               understand
               themselves
               ,
               when
               they
               oppose
               our
               love
               to
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               to
               our
               love
               to
               him
               upon
               account
               of
               his
               benefits
               ;
               for
               when
               you
               inquire
               what
               this
               Person
               of
               Christ
               is
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               object
               of
               our
               love
               ,
               then
               they
               describe
               his
               beauty
               and
               perfections
               ,
               
                 the
                 comeliness
                 of
                 his
                 Person
                 ,
                 the
                 sweetness
                 of
                 his
                 disposition
                 ,
                 his
                 great
                 riches
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 good
                 suitable
                 to
                 all
                 our
                 wants
                 ,
              
               that
               in
               him
               we
               shall
               find
               whatever
               we
               need
               ;
               
                 if
                 you
                 be
                 poor
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 rich
                 ;
                 if
                 you
                 be
                 foolish
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 wise
                 ;
                 if
                 you
                 be
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ;
                 if
                 you
                 want
                 a
                 Director
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 Truth
                 ;
                 if
                 you
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 dark
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 light
                 ;
                 if
                 you
                 be
                 wicked
                 and
                 sinful
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 our
                 Righteousness
                 .
              
               Now
               either
               all
               this
               signifies
               the
               benefits
               we
               receive
               by
               Christ
               ,
               or
               it
               signifies
               nothing
               ,
               and
               how
               then
               do
               these
               personal
               Excellencies
               of
               Christ
               differ
               from
               his
               benefits
               ?
               nay
               ,
               
               when
               they
               direct
               us
               how
               to
               attain
               to
               this
               love
               to
               the
               Person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               they
               
               bid
               us
               
                 behold
                 how
                 Christ
                 hath
                 loved
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 persons
                 ,
                 how
                 many
                 impediments
                 his
                 love
                 hath
                 broken
                 thorough
                 ,
                 how
                 free
                 it
                 is
                 ,
              
               so
               free
               that
               there
               was
               no
               reason
               for
               his
               love
               to
               us
               ,
               
                 neither
                 likeness
                 ,
                 benefit
                 ,
                 nor
                 love
                 ,
              
               &c.
               and
               they
               teach
               us
               
                 to
                 use
                 Christ
                 much
              
               ,
               if
               we
               would
               love
               his
               person
               :
               
                 in
                 any
                 good
                 thing
                 you
                 have
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 you
                 use
                 it
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 you
                 prize
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 more
                 you
                 prize
                 it
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 you
                 love
                 it
                 ;
                 if
                 you
                 have
                 a
                 good
                 friend
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 you
                 use
                 him
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 you
                 prize
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 more
                 you
                 prize
                 him
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 you
                 love
                 him
                 ;
                 if
                 you
                 have
                 a
                 good
                 Horse
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 you
                 use
                 him
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 you
                 prize
                 him
                 ,
                 &c.
                 if
                 you
                 have
                 a
                 good
                 Knife
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 you
                 use
                 it
                 ,
                 &c.
                 if
                 you
                 would
                 love
                 Christ
                 ,
                 use
                 him
                 much
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 the
                 more
                 you
                 will
                 prize
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 more
                 you
                 will
                 love
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
               Now
               to
               let
               pass
               the
               rudeness
               of
               the
               Comparisons
               ,
               this
               using
               Christ
               must
               signifie
               his
               benefits
               ,
               and
               to
               prize
               and
               love
               Christ
               much
               ,
               because
               we
               use
               him
               much
               ,
               is
               to
               love
               him
               ,
               because
               we
               make
               great
               advantage
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               receive
               many
               benefits
               from
               him
               ▪
               which
               is
               neither
               better
               nor
               worse
               than
               to
               love
               him
               for
               his
               benefits
               .
            
             
             
               The
               occasion
               of
               all
               this
               contradiction
               and
               confusion
               in
               these
               mens
               discourses
               is
               ,
               that
               they
               do
               not
               distinguish
               between
               loving
               the
               benefit
               ,
               and
               loving
               the
               person
               upon
               account
               of
               his
               benefits
               :
               It
               must
               indeed
               be
               acknowledged
               to
               be
               very
               bruitish
               and
               barbarous
               to
               delight
               in
               the
               gift
               ,
               and
               to
               take
               no
               notice
               of
               the
               giver
               ,
               to
               solace
               our selves
               in
               the
               effects
               of
               the
               divine
               bounty
               and
               goodness
               ,
               and
               to
               make
               no
               returns
               of
               love
               and
               thankfulness
               and
               duty
               to
               God
               :
               this
               is
               to
               love
               the
               benefit
               ,
               but
               not
               the
               person
               ,
               who
               bestows
               this
               benefit
               :
               but
               those
               blessings
               and
               benefits
               we
               receive
               from
               God
               and
               Christ
               are
               the
               true
               reasons
               ,
               why
               we
               are
               bound
               to
               love
               them
               ,
               and
               could
               we
               be
               supposed
               to
               love
               God
               and
               Christ
               for
               no
               reason
               ,
               or
               ,
               as
               these
               men
               phrase
               it
               ,
               purely
               for
               themselves
               ,
               without
               respect
               to
               those
               many
               blessings
               we
               have
               received
               from
               them
               ,
               it
               would
               not
               be
               accepted
               ,
               because
               this
               is
               not
               a
               reasonable
               love
               ,
               but
               an
               unaccountable
               and
               foolish
               passion
               .
            
             
               The
               love
               we
               owe
               to
               God
               and
               Christ
               is
               no
               other
               than
               gratitude
               ,
               because
               God
               loved
               us
               first
               ,
               and
               our
               love
               is
               only
               a
               return
               of
               his
               ;
               now
               thankfulness
               and
               gratitude
               includes
               a
               necessary
               respect
               
               to
               those
               blessings
               and
               benefits
               we
               have
               received
               :
               it
               is
               peculiar
               to
               God
               ,
               who
               wants
               nothing
               ,
               and
               can
               receive
               nothing
               from
               his
               Creatures
               ,
               to
               love
               without
               any
               respect
               to
               benefits
               ,
               but
               the
               love
               of
               indigent
               and
               dependent
               Creatures
               is
               a
               love
               of
               thankfulness
               ,
               is
               a
               grateful
               acknowledgment
               of
               those
               many
               blessings
               we
               receive
               from
               God.
               
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               These
               men
               oppose
               our
               love
               to
               
                 the
                 person
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ,
               to
               our
               love
               to
               our selves
               :
               the
               first
               destroys
               the
               reason
               and
               the
               object
               of
               our
               love
               ,
               and
               this
               destroys
               the
               principle
               of
               it
               ;
               it
               is
               made
               the
               Character
               of
               a
               wicked
               man
               ,
               
               who
               wants
               
                 an
                 inward
                 principle
                 of
                 love
                 to
                 God
                 and
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               that
               
                 though
                 he
                 seeks
                 to
                 honour
                 God
                 never
                 so
                 much
                 ,
                 yet
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 doth
                 ,
                 is
                 done
                 out
                 of
                 love
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 God
                 abhors
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 performs
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 good
                 things
                 such
                 a
                 wicked
                 man
                 doth
                 are
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 either
                 for
                 self
                 credit
                 ,
                 or
                 self-ease
                 ,
                 or
                 self
                 content
                 ,
                 or
                 self-safety
                 ;
                 he
                 sleeps
                 ,
                 prays
                 ,
                 hears
                 ,
                 speaks
                 ,
                 professeth
                 for
                 himself
                 alone
                 :
                 hence
                 acting
                 always
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 he
                 committeth
                 the
                 highest
                 degree
                 of
                 Idolatry
                 —
                 makes
                 himself
                 a
                 God
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               Hence
               the
               same
               Author
               thus
               exhorts
               Sinners
               ;
               
                 away
                 then
                 out
                 of
                 your selves
                 to
              
               
               
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 —
                 go
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 take
              
               
               
                 hold
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 not
                 with
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 presumption
                 and
                 love
                 to
                 thy self
                 ,
                 to
                 save
                 thy self
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 Faith
                 and
                 love
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 honour
                 him
                 :
              
               and
               a
               little
               after
               describing
               the
               
                 easie
                 ways
                 to
                 Heaven
              
               ,
               
               
                 all
                 which
                 lead
                 to
                 Hell
              
               ,
               he
               reckons
               among
               the
               rest
               ,
               
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 self-love
                 ,
                 whereby
                 a
                 man
                 fearing
                 terribly
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 damned
                 ,
                 useth
                 diligently
                 all
                 means
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 .
                 Here
                 is
                 the
                 strongest
                 difficulty
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 to
                 row
                 against
                 the
                 stream
                 ,
                 to
                 hate
                 a
                 mans
                 self
              
               (
               our
               own
               Souls
               and
               eternal
               Salvation
               )
               
                 and
                 then
                 to
                 follow
                 Christ
                 fully
                 :
              
               now
               is
               not
               this
               a
               hard
               case
               ,
               that
               before
               we
               can
               love
               God
               and
               Christ
               as
               we
               ought
               ,
               we
               must
               root
               out
               the
               very
               principle
               of
               all
               love
               ;
               that
               we
               must
               learn
               to
               hate
               Salvation
               and
               eternal
               happiness
               ,
               before
               we
               can
               close
               with
               Christ
               for
               Salvation
               !
               he
               might
               well
               say
               ,
               that
               this
               is
               the
               strongest
               difficulty
               of
               all
               ,
               for
               indeed
               it
               is
               impossible
               :
               love
               to
               our selves
               is
               the
               foundation
               of
               our
               love
               to
               all
               other
               things
               ,
               even
               to
               God
               himself
               ;
               he
               that
               does
               not
               love
               himself
               ,
               will
               love
               nothing
               else
               ;
               he
               that
               hates
               himself
               and
               his
               own
               Soul
               ,
               and
               despises
               eternal
               Salvation
               ,
               will
               not
               care
               for
               Christ
               ,
               nor
               Salvation
               by
               him
               :
               all
               the
               motives
               and
               arguments
               of
               the
               Gospel
               
               to
               perswade
               us
               to
               love
               ,
               and
               fear
               ,
               and
               obey
               God
               ,
               are
               founded
               on
               self-love
               ;
               for
               how
               is
               it
               possible
               ,
               that
               we
               should
               be
               affected
               with
               a
               due
               sense
               of
               Gods
               goodness
               to
               us
               ?
               that
               we
               should
               be
               excited
               and
               quickned
               by
               the
               hopes
               of
               such
               great
               rewards
               ?
               that
               we
               should
               be
               restrain'd
               and
               govern'd
               by
               the
               fears
               of
               punishment
               ?
               if
               we
               did
               not
               love
               our selves
               ,
               if
               we
               did
               not
               care
               what
               became
               of
               us
               ,
               whether
               we
               were
               happy
               or
               miserable
               for
               ever
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               a
               vain
               thing
               to
               perswade
               a
               man
               not
               to
               love
               himself
               ,
               for
               this
               is
               as
               natural
               and
               necessary
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               for
               the
               fire
               to
               burn
               ,
               or
               Sun
               to
               shine
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               matter
               of
               our
               choice
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               in
               our
               power
               to
               do
               otherwise
               ;
               and
               all
               that
               such
               discourses
               as
               these
               can
               do
               ,
               is
               either
               to
               make
               men
               Hypocrites
               ,
               to
               pretend
               to
               do
               that
               which
               they
               cannot
               do
               ;
               or
               to
               make
               honest
               men
               ,
               who
               cannot
               thus
               cheat
               and
               delude
               themselves
               ,
               despair
               of
               their
               Salvation
               ,
               because
               they
               cannot
               find
               themselves
               contented
               without
               Salvation
               ,
               that
               Christ
               without
               Comfort
               and
               without
               Salvation
               cannot
               satisfie
               them
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               true
               ,
               when
               men
               set
               up
               self
               in
               opposition
               to
               God
               ,
               when
               self-love
               tempts
               them
               to
               disobey
               God
               ,
               to
               despise
               his
               Counsels
               ,
               to
               renounce
               their
               Faith
               
               and
               Religion
               ,
               this
               is
               a
               very
               vicious
               and
               mistaken
               self-love
               ,
               such
               men
               neither
               love
               themselves
               nor
               God
               in
               a
               proper
               sense
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               our
               interest
               as
               well
               as
               duty
               to
               obey
               God
               :
               such
               men
               are
               Idolaters
               ,
               as
               our
               Author
               speaks
               ,
               because
               they
               set
               up
               self
               above
               God
               ,
               and
               in
               opposition
               to
               him
               ;
               but
               when
               our
               love
               to
               our selves
               teaches
               us
               to
               love
               God
               ,
               and
               in
               all
               things
               to
               submit
               our selves
               to
               his
               will
               and
               pleasure
               ,
               we
               do
               ,
               as
               we
               ought
               to
               do
               ;
               and
               they
               who
               separate
               our
               love
               to
               God
               from
               our
               love
               to
               our selves
               ,
               from
               the
               care
               of
               our
               own
               happiness
               and
               Salvation
               ,
               do
               plainly
               declare
               ,
               that
               they
               neither
               understand
               the
               nature
               of
               man
               ,
               nor
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ.
               
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               They
               oppose
               our
               love
               to
               Christ
               to
               our
               own
               duties
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               they
               oppose
               our
               love
               to
               Christ
               to
               the
               most
               proper
               and
               natural
               expression
               of
               our
               love
               to
               him
               :
               herein
               Dr.
               Owen
               places
               the
               
                 chastity
                 of
                 our
                 affections
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
              
               
               (
               which
               you
               know
               is
               a
               great
               marriage
               duty
               )
               
                 in
                 not
                 taking
                 any
                 thing
                 (
                 as
                 our
                 own
                 righteousness
                 )
                 into
                 our
                 affections
                 and
                 esteem
                 for
                 those
                 ends
                 and
                 purposes
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 received
                 Christ
                 :
              
               and
               God
               forbid
               ,
               that
               any
               Christian
               should
               ;
               for
               our
               own
               righteousness
               and
               duties
               cannot
               be
               our
               Mediators
               and
               Advocates
               ,
               
               cannot
               expiate
               for
               our
               past
               sins
               ,
               nor
               merit
               Heaven
               for
               us
               ,
               which
               Christ
               hath
               done
               :
               what
               then
               is
               the
               difference
               ?
               why
               it
               is
               only
               this
               ,
               that
               the
               Dr.
               places
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               Christ
               in
               the
               room
               of
               our
               righteousness
               ,
               to
               be
               not
               only
               the
               foundation
               ,
               but
               the
               condition
               of
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               ,
               and
               then
               makes
               it
               an
               expression
               of
               our
               chast
               affections
               to
               Christ
               ,
               quite
               to
               thrust
               out
               our
               own
               righteousness
               ,
               and
               to
               allow
               it
               no
               place
               in
               our
               Religion
               :
               he
               first
               makes
               Christ
               all
               to
               us
               ,
               (
               more
               than
               ever
               Christ
               intended
               to
               make
               himself
               )
               and
               leaves
               no
               room
               for
               any
               thing
               else
               ,
               and
               then
               warns
               us
               upon
               our
               vow
               of
               Chastity
               not
               to
               take
               any
               thing
               into
               Christs
               place
               ;
               whereas
               ,
               as
               he
               has
               ordered
               the
               matter
               ,
               we
               must
               take
               our
               own
               righteousness
               into
               Christs
               place
               ,
               or
               else
               cast
               it
               quite
               away
               ,
               for
               there
               is
               no
               other
               place
               left
               for
               it
               :
               what
               he
               alledges
               for
               this
               ,
               I
               have
               sufficiently
               considered
               already
               ,
               and
               shall
               not
               now
               repeat
               it
               ;
               but
               is
               it
               not
               very
               strange
               ,
               that
               when
               our
               Saviour
               hath
               made
               our
               obedience
               the
               great
               and
               principal
               expression
               of
               our
               love
               to
               him
               ,
               these
               men
               should
               make
               such
               a
               competition
               between
               our
               love
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               our
               obedience
               ?
               should
               put
               such
               jealousies
               
               into
               peoples
               heads
               ,
               what
               great
               danger
               there
               is
               of
               their
               own
               duties
               and
               righteousness
               ,
               lest
               they
               should
               prove
               like
               
                 foolish
                 lovers
                 ,
                 who
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 to
              
               
               
                 wooe
                 for
                 the
                 Lady
                 ,
                 fall
                 in
                 love
                 with
                 the
                 Handmaid
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 only
                 to
                 lead
                 them
                 to
                 her
                 :
                 So
                 men
                 fall
                 in
                 love
                 with
                 ,
                 and
                 dote
                 upon
                 their
                 own
                 duties
                 ,
                 and
                 rest
                 contented
                 with
                 the
                 naked
                 performance
                 of
                 them
              
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               with
               doing
               good
               )
               
                 which
                 are
                 only
                 Hand-maids
                 to
                 lead
                 the
                 Soul
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 :
              
               is
               not
               this
               the
               ready
               way
               to
               perswade
               people
               ,
               that
               our
               love
               to
               Christ
               consists
               in
               something
               more
               refined
               and
               spiritual
               than
               obedience
               ?
               which
               will
               quickly
               teach
               them
               to
               love
               Christ
               without
               obeying
               him
               ,
               and
               not
               run
               the
               hazard
               of
               doting
               and
               resting
               on
               duties
               .
               No
               man
               that
               understands
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               ,
               can
               think
               that
               his
               own
               righteousness
               and
               obedience
               can
               merit
               Heaven
               ;
               when
               we
               have
               done
               the
               best
               we
               can
               ,
               we
               must
               acknowledge
               our selves
               to
               be
               unprofitable
               Servants
               ,
               who
               have
               done
               but
               our
               duty
               ;
               and
               must
               ascribe
               the
               praise
               and
               glory
               of
               all
               to
               the
               Grace
               of
               God
               in
               and
               through
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               who
               pardons
               our
               past
               sins
               ,
               and
               our
               present
               infirmities
               ,
               and
               bestows
               such
               great
               rewards
               
               on
               us
               ,
               as
               we
               could
               never
               deserve
               ;
               and
               if
               this
               will
               not
               preserve
               us
               from
               doting
               and
               resting
               on
               duties
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               other
               remedy
               ,
               but
               to
               let
               them
               quite
               alone
               ,
               since
               it
               is
               so
               dangerous
               to
               meddle
               with
               them
               :
               and
               yet
               if
               we
               believe
               Mr.
               Shephard
               ,
               this
               will
               not
               secure
               us
               ;
               for
               
                 it
                 is
                 one
                 thing
                 to
                 trust
                 to
                 be
                 saved
                 by
                 duties
                 ,
                 another
                 thing
                 to
                 rest
                 in
                 duties
              
               ;
               
               
                 a
                 man
                 trusts
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 of
                 this
                 opinion
                 ,
                 that
                 only
                 good
                 duties
                 can
                 save
                 him
                 ;
                 a
                 man
                 rests
                 in
                 duties
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 of
                 this
                 opinion
                 ,
                 that
                 only
                 Christ
                 can
                 save
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 his
                 practice
                 he
                 goes
                 about
                 to
                 save
                 himself
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               does
               all
               the
               good
               he
               can
               ,
               with
               as
               much
               vigour
               and
               earnestness
               as
               if
               we
               were
               to
               merit
               Heaven
               by
               it
               ,
               and
               then
               thinks
               to
               make
               amends
               for
               this
               ungodly
               resting
               in
               duties
               by
               acknowledging
               ,
               
                 when
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 an
                 unprofitable
                 servant
                 .
              
               But
               the
               mystery
               of
               this
               will
               appear
               more
               in
               what
               follows
               .
            
             
               Thus
               you
               see
               what
               the
               object
               of
               the
               Saints
               love
               is
               ,
               
                 the
                 very
                 person
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 in
                 opposition
                 to
                 his
                 benefits
                 ,
                 in
                 opposition
                 to
                 self-love
                 ,
                 in
                 opposition
                 to
                 duties
                 :
              
               let
               us
               now
               inquire
               ,
               Secondly
               ,
               How
               they
               express
               their
               love
               to
               the
               person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               that
               consists
               in
               preferring
               
               Christ
               above
               all
               ,
               in
               admiring
               his
               beauty
               and
               excellencies
               and
               perfections
               ;
               the
               
               
                 Soul
                 takes
                 a
                 view
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 the
                 lusts
                 of
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 &c.
                 and
                 sees
                 it
                 all
                 to
                 be
                 vanity
                 .
                 —
                 It
                 views
                 also
                 legal
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 blamelessness
                 before
                 men
                 ,
                 uprightness
                 of
                 conversation
                 ,
                 duties
                 upon
                 conviction
                 ,
                 and
                 counts
                 them
                 all
                 to
                 be
                 loss
                 for
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Christ.
                 —
                 Beloved
                 peace
                 ,
                 beloved
                 natural
                 relations
                 ,
                 beloved
                 wisdom
                 and
                 learning
                 ,
                 beloved
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 duties
                 ,
                 all
                 loss
                 compared
                 with
                 Christ.
                 *
                 They
                 value
                 him
              
               
               
                 above
                 all
                 other
                 things
                 and
                 persons
                 ;
                 they
                 value
                 him
                 above
                 their
                 lives
                 ;
                 they
                 value
                 him
                 above
                 all
                 spiritual
                 excellencies
                 ,
                 and
              
               
               
                 all
                 other
                 righteousness
                 whatever
                 .
                 *
                 He
                 is
                 their
                 joy
                 ,
                 their
                 Crown
                 ,
                 their
                 rejoicing
                 ,
                 their
                 life
                 ,
                 food
                 ,
                 health
                 ,
                 strength
                 ,
                 desire
                 ,
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 salvation
                 ,
                 blessedness
                 :
              
               now
               who
               can
               desire
               more
               than
               this
               ?
               and
               yet
               if
               we
               examine
               the
               meaning
               of
               it
               ,
               it
               will
               appear
               to
               be
               a
               mistaken
               and
               useless
               passion
               ,
               such
               as
               our
               Saviour
               will
               not
               approve
               ,
               nor
               accept
               :
               I
               have
               *
               already
               
               showed
               you
               ,
               what
               these
               men
               mean
               by
               the
               person
               and
               personal
               excellencies
               of
               Christ
               ,
               that
               whatever
               is
               spoken
               of
               Christ
               ,
               whether
               in
               respect
               of
               his
               Gospel
               and
               Revelations
               ,
               or
               his
               propitiation
               
               and
               Sacrifice
               ,
               or
               his
               mediation
               and
               intercession
               for
               us
               ,
               these
               men
               convert
               into
               personal
               Graces
               ,
               his
               personal
               fulness
               ,
               and
               righteousness
               ,
               and
               wisdom
               ,
               &c.
               which
               we
               must
               immediately
               derive
               from
               the
               person
               of
               Christ
               ;
               and
               this
               is
               the
               person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               which
               these
               men
               so
               much
               admire
               ,
               and
               prize
               ,
               and
               value
               ,
               above
               all
               other
               things
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               a
               Person
               in
               whom
               there
               is
               all
               fulness
               ,
               righteousness
               ,
               life
               ,
               power
               ,
               beauty
               ,
               and
               every
               thing
               that
               a
               Sinner
               wants
               ;
               this
               is
               the
               person
               ,
               whom
               they
               prefer
               before
               all
               legal
               righteousness
               ,
               spiritual
               excellencies
               ,
               duties
               ,
               obedience
               ,
               before
               the
               love
               of
               God
               himself
               ,
               which
               is
               by
               these
               men
               accounted
               no
               better
               than
               a
               legal
               righteousness
               ;
               the
               meaning
               of
               all
               which
               is
               ,
               that
               they
               prefer
               the
               person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               which
               hath
               such
               a
               perfect
               righteousness
               for
               them
               ,
               and
               will
               save
               them
               without
               requiring
               any
               legal
               conditions
               of
               them
               ,
               infinitely
               before
               the
               Religion
               and
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               ,
               before
               obedience
               to
               his
               commands
               ,
               before
               the
               love
               and
               fear
               of
               God
               :
               so
               that
               the
               foundation
               of
               their
               love
               to
               Christ
               is
               a
               fond
               imagination
               ,
               that
               he
               will
               save
               them
               by
               his
               righteousness
               without
               any
               righteousness
               and
               holiness
               of
               their
               own
               ;
               
               this
               makes
               them
               so
               fond
               of
               the
               person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               to
               call
               him
               their
               
                 joy
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 Crown
                 ,
                 their
                 life
                 ,
                 food
                 ,
                 health
                 ,
                 strength
                 ,
                 righteousness
                 ,
              
               because
               they
               look
               upon
               him
               as
               a
               refuge
               and
               Sanctuary
               for
               the
               wicked
               and
               ungodly
               ,
               where
               the
               
                 greatest
                 ,
                 the
                 oldest
                 ,
                 the
                 stubbornest
                 transgressor
              
               may
               shelter
               himself
               from
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               ;
               and
               I
               have
               some
               reason
               to
               think
               ,
               that
               Christ
               will
               not
               much
               prize
               and
               value
               such
               devoto's
               as
               these
               ,
               nor
               their
               obsequious
               flatteries
               or
               praise
               .
            
             
               And
               yet
               herein
               the
               devotion
               of
               these
               men
               consists
               ,
               in
               admiring
               ,
               prizing
               ,
               valuing
               ,
               the
               person
               of
               Christ
               :
               this
               is
               that
               *
               
                 Evangelical
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 we
                 must
              
               
               
                 gain
                 by
                 duties
                 ,
                 more
                 prizing
                 of
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 ,
                 desire
                 after
                 ,
                 loving
                 and
                 delighting
                 in
                 Union
                 with
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 :
                 a
                 moral
                 man
                 ,
                 who
                 rests
                 in
                 duties
              
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               who
               does
               what
               God
               commands
               him
               ,
               and
               expects
               to
               be
               saved
               by
               Christ
               )
               
                 may
                 grow
                 in
                 legal
                 righteousness
              
               ,
               that
               is
               in
               true
               holiness
               and
               piety
               ,
               but
               this
               will
               not
               avail
               ,
               unless
               we
               grow
               in
               this
               
                 Evangelical
                 Righteousness
                 :
                 this
                 is
              
               
               
                 the
                 great
                 end
                 of
                 duties
                 to
                 carry
                 us
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 the
                 only
                 Saviour
                 :
                 hear
                 a
                 Sermon
                 to
                 carry
                 thee
                 to
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 :
                 fast
                 and
                 pray
                 ,
                 and
                 get
                 a
                 full
                 tide
                 of
                 affections
              
               
               
                 in
                 them
                 to
                 carry
                 thee
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 get
                 more
                 love
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 more
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 more
                 Union
                 with
                 him
                 :
                 so
                 sorrow
                 for
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 more
                 fitted
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 prize
                 Christ
                 the
                 more
                 :
                 use
                 thy
                 duties
                 as
              
               Noahs
               
                 Dove
                 did
                 her
                 Wings
                 ,
                 to
                 carry
                 thee
                 to
                 the
                 Ark
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 :
                 —
                 Or
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 a
                 poor
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 go
                 over
                 a
                 great
                 water
                 for
                 a
                 treasure
                 on
                 the
                 other
                 side
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 cannot
                 fetch
                 the
                 Boat
                 ,
                 he
                 calls
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 though
                 there
                 be
                 no
                 treasure
                 in
                 the
                 Boat
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 useth
                 the
                 Boat
                 to
                 carry
                 him
                 over
                 to
                 the
                 treasure
                 :
                 so
                 Christ
                 is
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 on
                 Earth
                 ,
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 come
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 canst
                 not
                 go
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 now
                 call
                 for
                 a
                 Boat
                 :
                 though
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 grace
                 ,
                 no
                 good
                 ,
                 no
                 salvation
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 pithless
                 duty
                 ,
                 yet
                 use
                 it
                 to
                 carry
                 thee
                 over
                 to
                 the
                 treasure
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 Iesus
                 Christ.
                 When
                 thou
                 comest
                 to
                 hear
                 ,
                 say
                 ,
                 Have
                 over
                 Lord
                 by
                 this
                 Sermon
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 comest
                 to
                 pray
                 ,
                 say
                 ,
                 Have
                 over
                 Lord
                 by
                 this
                 Prayer
                 to
                 a
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               So
               that
               it
               seems
               ,
               the
               whole
               business
               of
               our
               love
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               Evangelical
               Righteousness
               ,
               consists
               in
               some
               flights
               of
               fancy
               and
               imagination
               ,
               in
               admiring
               and
               valuing
               the
               person
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               in
               getting
               an
               
               acquaintance
               with
               him
               ,
               and
               Union
               to
               him
               ;
               and
               the
               business
               of
               all
               Religion
               is
               
                 to
                 have
                 over
                 to
                 Christ
              
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               love
               and
               prize
               his
               person
               and
               personal
               Righteousness
               above
               all
               things
               in
               the
               World
               :
               It
               is
               not
               so
               much
               the
               business
               of
               Sermons
               to
               acquaint
               us
               with
               the
               nature
               and
               attributes
               ,
               works
               and
               providences
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               instruct
               us
               in
               our
               duty
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               to
               encourage
               us
               to
               the
               practice
               of
               it
               by
               all
               the
               motives
               and
               arguments
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               as
               
                 to
                 have
                 over
                 to
                 Christ
              
               ,
               to
               acquaint
               us
               with
               his
               fulness
               ,
               and
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               alsufficiency
               to
               save
               us
               without
               such
               a
               legal
               Righteousness
               of
               our
               own
               :
               the
               design
               of
               Prayer
               is
               not
               so
               much
               to
               affect
               our
               Souls
               with
               a
               sense
               of
               the
               divine
               Majesty
               and
               greatness
               ,
               to
               worship
               and
               adore
               the
               great
               Creator
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               to
               express
               our
               trust
               and
               affiance
               in
               him
               ;
               as
               
                 to
                 have
                 over
                 to
                 Christ
              
               ,
               to
               fetch
               pardon
               ,
               and
               life
               ,
               and
               health
               ,
               and
               Righteousness
               from
               him
               :
               that
               sorrow
               for
               sin
               is
               not
               so
               much
               to
               imbitter
               sin
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               to
               confirm
               and
               strengthen
               our
               resolutions
               against
               it
               ,
               as
               to
               teach
               us
               to
               prize
               and
               value
               the
               person
               of
               Christ
               more
               who
               is
               our
               Righteousness
               :
               in
               a
               word
               ,
               the
               nature
               and
               design
               of
               Religion
               is
               
               now
               changed
               from
               being
               the
               homage
               and
               worship
               of
               God
               ,
               the
               certain
               means
               of
               pleasing
               him
               ,
               and
               transforming
               us
               into
               his
               nature
               and
               likeness
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               natural
               end
               of
               Religion
               ,
               into
               a
               Cock-Boat
               ,
               or
               Skuller
               ,
               to
               
                 wast
                 us
                 over
              
               to
               Christ.
               
            
             
               Here
               we
               see
               the
               true
               reason
               ,
               why
               these
               men
               do
               so
               much
               despise
               morality
               in
               comparison
               with
               those
               Gospel
               duties
               of
               hearing
               Sermons
               ,
               and
               Prayer
               ,
               and
               Confession
               ,
               and
               Humiliation
               ,
               and
               Fasting
               ,
               &c.
               
               Because
               as
               they
               handle
               the
               matter
               ,
               the
               practice
               of
               moral
               vertues
               cannot
               
                 have
                 us
                 over
                 to
                 Christ
              
               ,
               cannot
               apply
               the
               Righteousness
               and
               fulness
               of
               Christ
               to
               us
               ,
               nor
               ravish
               our
               fancies
               with
               glorious
               images
               and
               Idaeas
               of
               his
               person
               ;
               and
               since
               all
               the
               duties
               of
               Religion
               ,
               are
               such
               pithless
               things
               ,
               
                 which
                 have
                 no
                 grace
                 ,
                 no
                 good
                 ,
                 no
                 salvation
              
               in
               them
               ,
               but
               as
               they
               
                 have
                 us
                 over
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 poor
                 morality
              
               must
               needs
               be
               a
               worthless
               thing
               .
            
             
               Thus
               I
               have
               finisht
               my
               designed
               task
               ,
               and
               upon
               a
               review
               of
               it
               ,
               it
               makes
               me
               amazed
               to
               think
               ,
               how
               strangely
               these
               men
               have
               transformed
               the
               Religion
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               disfigur'd
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Christ
               ;
               how
               they
               have
               undermined
               
               the
               fundamental
               design
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               is
               to
               make
               men
               good
               and
               vertuous
               and
               like
               to
               God
               :
               how
               they
               have
               misrepresented
               the
               ends
               of
               Christ
               comeing
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               abused
               his
               expiation
               and
               Sacrifice
               ,
               and
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               Intercession
               to
               the
               Patronage
               of
               Vice
               and
               Wickedness
               ;
               how
               they
               have
               laid
               snares
               to
               betray
               some
               men
               to
               a
               licentious
               life
               ,
               and
               to
               entangle
               others
               in
               endless
               troubles
               and
               perplexities
               of
               mind
               :
               how
               under
               a
               pretence
               of
               advancing
               the
               person
               of
               Christ
               ,
               they
               have
               in
               effect
               through
               ignorance
               ,
               and
               mistake
               ,
               and
               want
               of
               consideration
               (
               for
               I
               am
               not
               willing
               to
               suspect
               any
               worse
               cause
               )
               banisht
               his
               Religion
               out
               of
               the
               World
               :
               I
               have
               faithfully
               and
               impartially
               stated
               the
               case
               ,
               examined
               their
               proofs
               from
               Scripture
               and
               reason
               ,
               and
               the
               result
               of
               all
               is
               no
               more
               but
               this
               ,
               that
               the
               only
               way
               to
               please
               God
               and
               to
               save
               our
               Souls
               ,
               is
               to
               obey
               the
               Precepts
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               trusting
               in
               the
               mediation
               of
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               who
               having
               perfected
               the
               work
               of
               our
               redemption
               ,
               
                 is
                 become
                 the
                 Author
                 of
                 Eternal
                 Salvation
                 to
                 all
                 them
                 that
                 obey
                 him
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A59816-e1600
           
             See
             Ch.
             1.
             concerning
             the
             significa
             .
             of
             the
             name
             Christ.
             
          
           
             Digr
             .
             2
             ▪
             Of
             the
             Excellency
             of
             Christ
             Iesus
             .
             p.
             89
             
          
           
             〈…〉
             
          
           
             Digr
             .
             2.
             p.
             93.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             p.
             95.
             
          
           
             Ib.
             p.
             97.
             
          
           
             P.
             110.
             
          
           
             P.
             112.
             
          
           
             P.
             117.
             
          
           
             Digr
             .
             2.
             p.
             119.
             
          
           
             Shepards
             sound
             Believer
             p.
             80.
             
          
           
             *
             Watson's
             Christs
             Loveliness
             .
             pag.
             462.
             
          
           
             Watson's
             Christs
             Loveliness
             .
             p.
             467.
             
          
           
             Watson's
             Christian
             Character
             ,
             p.
             60.
             
          
           
             The
             Spiritual
             Vine
             .
             p.
             167.
             
          
           
             Shepards
             sincere
             Convert
             .
             p.
             77.
             
          
           
             Watson's
             Christs
             Loveliness
             .
             p.
             462.
             
          
           
             I.
             O.
             Communion
             .
             p.
             63.
             
          
           
             *
             Of
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             Christ
             ,
             p.
             19.
             
          
           
             Watson's
             Christs
             Loveliness
             .
          
           
             Idem
             .
          
           
             Watson
             Ibidem
             .
          
           
             〈◊〉
             
          
           
             1
             
          
           
             Watsons
             Christs
             Loveliness
             .
          
           
             Idem
             .
             Christs
             Loveliness
             .
          
           
             Watson
             .
             ibidem
             .
          
           
             Watson's
             true
             brazen
             Serpent
             .
          
           
             Watson's
             Spiritual
             Vine
             .
          
           
             Watsons
             Christs
             Loveliness
             .
          
           
             Watson
             Mystery
             the
             Lora
             Supper
             ,
             p.
             64.
             
          
           
             Idem
             .
             p.
             65.
             
          
           
             Ibidem
             .
          
           
             Dr.
             Owen's
             Communion
             with
             Christ
             ,
             Ch.
             8.
             
          
           
             I.
             O.
             Excellency
             of
             Iesus
             Christ.
             Digr
             .
             2.
             p.
             113.
             
          
           
             Ibidem
             p.
             119.
             
          
           
             I.
             
          
           
             II.
             
          
           
             Thomas
             Vincent
             .
          
           
             III.
             
          
           
             IV.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             Jacomb
             .
             on
             
               Rom.
               8.
            
             pag.
             42.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             45.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             48.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             49.
             
          
           
             Commun
             .
             with
             Christ
             pag.
             51.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             p.
             52.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             64.
             
          
           
             Communion
             with
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
             pag.
             53.
             
          
           
             Communion
             p.
             54.
             
          
           
             Communion
             with
             Iesus
             Christ.
             p.
             55.
             
          
           
             Brooks
             Riches
             of
             Christ.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             Owen
             Com.
             
          
           
             1.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             Owen
             Com.
             p.
             60.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             Iacomb
             Rom.
             8.
             p.
             85.
             
          
           
             2.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Communion
             with
             the
             Son
             ,
             Chap.
             6.
             p.
             182.
             
          
           
             Communion
             with
             the
             Son
             ,
             p.
             178.
             
          
           
             Commun
             .
             pag.
             182.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             184.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             183.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             181.
             
          
           
             Communion
             ,
             p.
             183.
             
          
           
             Communion
             ,
             p.
             182.
             
          
           
             Communion
             ,
             p.
             185.
             
          
           
             Communion
             ,
             p.
             167.
             
          
           
             Communion
             ,
             p.
             184.
             
          
           
             *
             Dr.
             Owen's
             Communion
             ,
             p.
             193.
             
          
           
             *
             Sound
             Believer
             .
             p.
             321.
             
          
           
             *
             P.
             318.
             
          
           
             *
             P.
             212.
             
          
           
             *
             Sound
             Believer
             ,
             p.
             68.
             
          
           
             *
             P.
             86.
             
          
           
             P.
             85.
             
          
           
             P.
             82.
             
          
           
             *
             P.
             12●
             
          
           
             P.
             125.
             
          
           
             P.
             141.
             
          
           
             *
             P.
             128.
             
          
           
             P.
             130.
             
          
           
             P.
             152.
             
          
           
             P.
             173
             ▪
             
          
           
             P.
             185.
             
          
           
             *
             Chap.
             3.
             
          
           
             *
             Sound
             Believer
             ,
             p.
             126.
             
          
           
             *
             P.
             133.
             
          
           
             *
             P.
             137.
             
          
           
             *
             P.
             138.
             
          
           
             *
             P.
             144.
             
          
           
             *
             P.
             145.
             
          
           
             P.
             153.
             
          
           
             Sincere
             Convert
             .
             p.
             75.
             
          
           
             Ibidem
             .
             P.
             85.
             
          
           
             *
             Sound
             Believer
             .
             p.
             246.
             
          
           
             Ibidem
             .
             p.
             215.
             
          
           
             *
             Sound
             Believer
             ,
             p.
             130.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             Iacomb
             Rom.
             8.
             p.
             65.
             
          
           
             *
             Rom.
             8.
             p.
             182.
             
          
           
             *
             Ibidem
             .
          
           
             Shephards
             Saints
             Iewel
             ,
             pag.
             192.
             
          
           
             Shephards
             sincere
             Convert
             ,
             p.
             94
             ▪
             &c.
             
          
           
             P.
             167.
             
          
           
             *
             Ch.
             4.
             
             Sect.
             1.
             
             P.
             186.
             
          
           
             *
             Ch.
             4.
             
             Sect.
             1.
             
          
           
             *
             Com.
             p.
             158.
             
          
           
             W.
             B.
             Christs
             Personal
             excellency
             the
             object
             of
             our
             love
             ,
             p.
             15.
             
          
           
             W.
             B.
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Shephards
             sincere
             Convert
             ,
             p.
             4.
             ed.
             
             1672.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             84
             
          
           
             Pag.
             109.
             
          
           
             Communion
             ,
             p.
             165.
             
          
           
             Shephards
             sincere
             Convert
             ,
             pag.
             197.
             
          
           
             Sincere
             Convert
             ▪
             pag.
             170.
             
          
           
             I.
             O.
             Com.
             p.
             63.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             pag.
             154.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             140.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             4.
             
             Sect.
             2.
             
          
           
             Shephards
             sincere
             Convert
             ,
             pag.
             173
             ▪
             
          
           
             Pag.
             178.