must_v understand_v all_o the_o difficulty_n of_o quantity_n and_o whether_o it_o consist_v of_o divisibles_n or_o indivisibles_n and_o must_v understand_v the_o difference_n of_o matter_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o can_v bite_v one_o sort_n of_o matter_n with_o his_o tooth_n but_o can_v make_v no_o impression_n upon_o another_o and_o how_o the_o part_n of_o matter_n hang_v together_o and_o the_o like_a there_o be_v a_o more_o general_a indistinct_a apprehension_n of_o thing_n which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o govern_v our_o action_n though_o we_o do_v not_o understand_v all_o the_o nicety_n and_o philosophy_n of_o they_o but_o if_o our_o author_n can_v find_v such_o subtlety_n in_o those_o plain_a matter_n which_o be_v teach_v child_n in_o the_o church-catechism_n which_o be_v objection_n that_o will_v indifferent_o lie_v against_o the_o plain_a instruction_n what_o do_v he_o think_v of_o those_o sublime_a matter_n of_o the_o eternal_a decree_n and_o counsel_n of_o god_n election_n and_o reprobation_n and_o suchlike_a mystery_n which_o be_v so_o familiar_o thrust_v into_o catechism_n what_o subtlety_n be_v require_v in_o child_n to_o understand_v these_o deep_a point_n and_o to_o comprehend_v the_o subtle_a and_o artificial_a scheme_n of_o orthodoxy_n this_o be_v much_o like_o another_o cavil_v against_o the_o intelligibleness_n of_o our_o union_n with_o 36._o christ_n i_o be_o sure_a say_v our_o author_n that_o our_o union_n with_o christ_n be_v a_o union_n no_o doubt_v sir_n and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o it_o can_v be_v very_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v because_o the_o metaphysical_a notion_n of_o union_n be_v as_o difficult_a as_o any_o other_o transcendental_a term_n why_o then_o let_v the_o metaphysician_n dispute_v it_o out_o but_o for_o all_o that_o i_o can_v easy_o understand_v and_o i_o believe_v any_o one_o else_o can_v what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v relate_v to_o christ_n as_o subject_n be_v to_o their_o prince_n and_o disciple_n to_o their_o master_n and_o wife_n to_o their_o husband_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v enough_o to_o give_v the_o reader_n a_o taste_n of_o our_o author_n skill_n and_o shall_v i_o add_v any_o more_o it_o may_v bring_v my_o own_o discretion_n into_o question_n for_o next_o to_o make_v foolish_a and_o cavil_v objection_n it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o a_o very_a little_a wit_n to_o answer_v they_o and_o therefore_o to_o proceed_v dr._n owen_n observe_v that_o i_o have_v write_v against_o his_o book_n 1._o which_o be_v write_v and_o publish_v near_o twenty_o year_n since_o i_o confess_v i_o do_v not_o well_o understand_v the_o force_n of_o this_o objection_n unless_o he_o imagine_v that_o his_o book_n be_v now_o grow_v venerable_a for_o its_o antiquity_n but_o wherever_o the_o force_n of_o it_o lie_v i_o be_o sure_a it_o answer_v another_o grand_a objection_n against_o i_o which_o be_v so_o often_o repeat_v that_o i_o be_o a_o young_a man_n a_o defect_n which_o time_n will_v mend_v and_o which_o industry_n will_v supply_v however_o i_o suppose_v the_o doctor_n be_v not_o very_o old_a twenty_o year_n ago_o and_o it_o argue_v some_o modesty_n in_o the_o young_a man_n rather_o to_o attack_v a_o book_n write_v by_o the_o doctor_n when_o he_o be_v a_o young_a man_n too_o than_o rude_o to_o assault_v his_o write_n of_o a_o late_a date_n which_o may_v be_v presume_v to_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o more_o mature_a judgement_n and_o ripe_a year_n and_o i_o hope_v this_o consideration_n will_v plead_v my_o excuse_n with_o he_o for_o not_o undertake_v that_o task_n which_o he_o have_v so_o kind_o allot_v i_o right_a or_o wrong_n to_o answer_v all_o his_o late_a voluminous_a treatise_n which_o i_o think_v i_o may_v as_o soon_o be_v persuade_v to_o do_v as_o to_o read_v they_o that_o magnificent_a title_n of_o exercitation_n which_o use_v to_o be_v prefix_v before_o some_o learned_a discourse_n invite_v i_o to_o take_v a_o little_a taste_n of_o they_o till_o i_o find_v myself_o mistake_v and_o deceive_v with_o some_o jejune_n or_o trite_a observation_n which_o have_v so_o put_v i_o out_o of_o conceit_n with_o flatter_a title_n that_o i_o shall_v never_o again_o believe_v the_o title_n of_o book_n or_o chapter_n for_o his_o sake_n but_o this_o book_n have_v have_v the_o approbation_n of_o as_o learned_a and_o holy_a person_n it_o may_v be_v as_o any_o the_o doctor_n know_v live_v in_o england_n or_o out_o of_o it_o who_o own_v the_o truth_n contain_v in_o it_o have_v high_o avow_v its_o usefulness_n and_o be_v ready_a yet_o so_o to_o do_v i_o fear_v that_o either_o the_o doctor_n be_v acquaintance_n with_o learned_a and_o holy_a man_n be_v not_o very_o great_a or_o that_o this_o be_v not_o true_a for_o i_o can_v conceive_v how_o very_o holy_a man_n shall_v so_o approve_v a_o book_n which_o be_v so_o little_a a_o friend_n to_o holiness_n or_o that_o learned_a man_n shall_v be_v please_v with_o such_o loose_a and_o inconsequent_a reason_n but_o let_v that_o be_v as_o it_o will_v i_o be_o sure_a there_o be_v as_o learned_a and_o as_o holy_a man_n who_o do_v as_o little_o approve_v it_o unless_o the_o doctor_n think_v that_o learning_n and_o holiness_n be_v confine_v to_o his_o own_o party_n or_o that_o the_o approbation_n of_o his_o write_n be_v the_o only_a sure_a test_n of_o man_n learning_n and_o holiness_n but_o the_o great_a charge_n of_o all_o which_o run_v through_o his_o whole_a book_n be_v that_o i_o have_v misrepresent_v his_o word_n and_o pervert_v his_o sense_n which_o sometime_o he_o attribute_n to_o ignorance_n sometime_o to_o malice_n sometime_o he_o call_v it_o a_o impudent_a falsehood_n sometime_o flagitious_o false_a and_o show_v very_o great_a skill_n at_o vary_a phrase_n which_o he_o be_v much_o better_a at_o than_o at_o write_v controversy_n whether_o this_o charge_n be_v true_a or_o not_o shall_v be_v examine_v particular_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v reduce_v the_o several_a particular_n of_o this_o charge_n into_o any_o order_n but_o to_o abate_v the_o wonder_n a_o little_a i_o must_v inform_v my_o reader_n that_o this_o be_v dr._n owen_n way_n of_o answer_v book_n to_o deny_v those_o doctrine_n which_o he_o dare_v not_o own_o or_o can_v vindicate_v i_o be_o not_o the_o first_o who_o have_v be_v charge_v with_o such_o falsification_n mr._n baxter_n be_v tax_v with_o it_o long_o since_o in_o a_o whole_a book_n write_v for_o that_o very_a purpose_n entitle_v of_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o justification_n the_o doctrine_n concern_v they_o former_o deliver_v vindicate_v from_o the_o animadversion_n of_o mr._n r._n b._n where_o this_o grave_a man_n be_v correct_v as_o magisterial_o as_o if_o he_o have_v be_v such_o another_o stripling_n as_o myself_o towards_o the_o conclusion_n of_o that_o discourse_n i_o meet_v with_o a_o very_a excellent_a prayer_n if_o i_o must_v engage_v again_o in_o the_o like_a kind_n i_o shall_v pray_v that_o he_o from_o who_o be_v all_o my_o supply_n will_v give_v i_o a_o real_a humble_a frame_n of_o heart_n that_o i_o may_v have_v no_o need_n with_o many_o pretence_n and_o a_o multitude_n of_o good_a word_n to_o make_v a_o cloak_n for_o a_o spirit_n break_v frequent_o through_o all_o with_o sad_a discovery_n of_o pride_n and_o passion_n and_o to_o keep_v i_o from_o all_o magisterial_a insolence_n pharisaical_a supercilious_a self-conceitedness_n contempt_n of_o other_o and_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o rule_n whereby_o i_o ought_v to_o walk_v it_o be_v great_a pity_n that_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v not_o lawful_a for_o this_o be_v too_o good_a a_o prayer_n to_o be_v use_v but_o once_o in_o a_o man_n life_n which_o i_o doubt_v be_v one_o reason_n why_o we_o see_v no_o better_a effect_n of_o it_o in_o the_o doctor_n write_n but_o there_o be_v a_o heavy_a charge_n than_o all_o this_o behind_o which_o be_v frequent_o hint_v by_o doctor_n owen_n and_o more_o express_o manage_v by_o mr._n ferguson_n who_o in_o his_o preface_n tell_v his_o reader_n that_o i_o treat_v the_o sacred_a writer_n with_o as_o much_o contempt_n as_o i_o do_v t._n w._n and_o burlesque_fw-la the_o scripture_n no_o less_o than_o other_o have_v do_v virgil_n poem_n this_o will_v be_v a_o terrible_a adversary_n be_v he_o as_o good_a at_o his_o proof_n as_o he_o be_v bold_a and_o dare_a in_o his_o charge_n this_o be_v a_o crime_n of_o a_o very_a high_a nature_n to_o burlesque_fw-la scripture_n and_o the_o foulness_n of_o the_o imputation_n may_v just_o have_v provoke_v a_o tame_a man_n than_o myself_o do_v not_o his_o weak_a and_o ridiculous_a proof_n more_o deserve_v contempt_n than_o any_o serious_a resentment_n he_o wave_v the_o proof_n of_o this_o in_o his_o preface_n but_o in_o his_o second_o chapter_n where_o he_o entertain_v his_o reader_n with_o a_o tedious_a impertinent_a discourse_n about_o metaphor_n and_o
the_o law_n of_o earthly_a marriage_n and_o suretyship_n etc._n etc._n the_o only_a answer_n i_o can_v get_v from_o dr._n owen_n and_o his_o friend_n be_v that_o christ_n be_v not_o such_o a_o husband_n and_o surety_n and_o mediator_n as_o man_n be_v but_o be_v all_o this_o in_o a_o eminent_a manner_n that_o there_o be_v something_o peculiar_a in_o he_o which_o can_v be_v affirm_v of_o any_o other_o now_o this_o be_v the_o answer_n i_o desire_v but_o can_v not_o hope_v that_o they_o have_v so_o little_a wit_n as_o to_o give_v it_o for_o this_o be_v plain_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o all_o their_o argument_n be_v fallacious_a for_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o vast_a difference_n between_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o husband_n and_o surety_n and_o mediator_n and_o the_o several_a duty_n and_o office_n of_o these_o relation_n as_o apply_v to_o man_n and_o as_o apply_v to_o christ_n than_o we_o can_v argue_v from_o one_o to_o the_o other_o this_o be_v plain_o to_o give_v away_o the_o best_a argument_n they_o have_v for_o the_o imputation_n of_o christ_n personal_a righteousness_n in_o their_o sense_n and_o with_o they_o to_o yield_v up_o the_o cause_n for_o now_o before_o they_o argue_v from_o christ_n being_n our_o husband_n that_o therefore_o we_o have_v a_o title_n to_o his_o personal_a righteousness_n as_o a_o wife_n have_v to_o her_o husband_n estate_n they_o must_v prove_v from_o express_a text_n of_o scripture_n that_o this_o be_v the_o law_n of_o our_o spiritual_a marriage_n before_o they_o argue_v from_o christ_n being_n our_o surety_n that_o therefore_o we_o be_v but_o one_o person_n with_o he_o and_o that_o whatever_o he_o do_v as_o our_o surety_n be_v account_v as_o much_o we_o as_o if_o we_o have_v do_v it_o our_o self_n they_o must_v prove_v that_o this_o be_v the_o scripture-notion_n of_o christ_n suretyship_n and_o have_v they_o take_v this_o course_n i_o dare_v say_v i_o may_v have_v look_v long_o enough_o for_o a_o answer_n before_o it_o have_v come_v and_o here_o as_o not_o find_v a_o fit_a place_n for_o it_o i_o shall_v brief_o take_v notice_n of_o that_o defence_n which_o dr._n owen_n have_v make_v for_o his_o way_n of_o reason_v from_o christ_n being_n our_o mediator_n to_o prove_v the_o imputation_n of_o his_o personal_a righteousness_n to_o we_o though_o i_o must_v recall_v that_o word_n defence_n for_o indeed_o he_o have_v make_v none_o but_o appeal_v to_o the_o ingenuity_n of_o his_o reader_n and_o leave_v his_o book_n to_o defend_v itself_o which_o it_o may_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v very_o well_o able_a to_o do_v at_o the_o age_n of_o twenty_o year_n especial_o against_o a_o young_a adversary_n and_o first_o he_o will_v willing_o insinuate_v that_o i_o have_v not_o true_o or_o fair_o relate_v his_o word_n but_o then_o on_o a_o sudden_a he_o take_v courage_n and_o roundly_o assert_n whatever_o i_o have_v charge_v he_o with_o that_o the_o lord_n christ_n fulfil_v all_o righteousness_n as_o mediator_n and_o that_o 208._o what_o he_o do_v as_o mediator_n he_o do_v it_o for_o they_o who_o mediator_n he_o be_v or_o in_o who_o stead_n and_o for_o who_o good_a he_o execute_v the_o office_n of_o a_o mediator_n before_o god_n and_o here_o he_o first_o very_o nice_o distinguish_v between_o these_o two_o proposition_n christ_n as_o mediator_n fulfil_v all_o righteousness_n 209._o in_o our_o stead_n and_o christ_n be_v mediator_n in_o our_o stead_n fulfil_v all_o righteousness_n for_o we_o and_o very_o true_o observe_v that_o i_o do_v not_o understand_v the_o difference_n between_o they_o and_o it_o will_v have_v be_v charitable_o do_v of_o he_o to_o have_v show_v the_o difference_n for_o i_o be_o still_o so_o dull_a as_o not_o to_o perceive_v it_o if_o christ_n as_o mediator_n in_o our_o stead_n fulfil_v all_o righteousness_n for_o we_o than_o he_o must_v fulfil_v it_o in_o our_o stead_n for_o he_o be_v therefore_o suppose_a to_o fulfil_v righteousness_n for_o we_o because_o he_o act_v in_o our_o stead_n which_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n unless_o he_o act_v in_o our_o stead_n in_o fulfil_a righteousness_n which_o i_o think_v be_v much_o the_o same_o with_o fulfil_a righteousness_n in_o our_o stead_n and_o indeed_o the_o doctor_n himself_o do_v express_o assert_v this_o in_o so_o many_o word_n that_o this_o obedience_n be_v perform_v by_o christ_n 184._o not_o for_o himself_o but_o for_o we_o and_o in_o our_o stead_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v he_o himself_o do_v not_o understand_v the_o difference_n of_o these_o expression_n then_o and_o i_o be_o sure_a can_v show_v no_o difference_n now_o though_o i_o can_v blame_v the_o doctor_n for_o be_v willing_a to_o shift_v off_o this_o expression_n that_o christ_n fulfil_v all_o righteousness_n in_o our_o stead_n as_o foreseeing_a the_o consequence_n of_o it_o that_o this_o must_v needs_o discharge_v we_o from_o the_o obligation_n of_o a_o personal_a righteousness_n for_o if_o christ_n have_v fulfil_v the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o law_n in_o our_o stead_n the_o law_n can_v no_o more_o exact_a obedience_n from_o we_o than_o it_o can_v inflict_v punishment_n on_o we_o a_o perfect_a righteousness_n be_v all_o the_o law_n can_v require_v of_o we_o and_o since_o we_o have_v perfect_o obey_v the_o law_n in_o christ_n our_o mediator_n it_o can_v make_v no_o far_o demand_n of_o we_o which_o be_v to_o set_v up_o the_o personal_a righteousness_n of_o christ_n in_o opposition_n to_o his_o law_n and_o religion_n now_o as_o bad_a a_o consequence_n as_o this_o be_v if_o dr._n owen_n will_v speak_v consistent_o with_o his_o own_o principle_n he_o can_v never_o avoid_v it_o for_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o his_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o christ_n righteousness_n be_v make_v we_o in_o a_o law-sense_n be_v that_o christ_n as_o our_o surety_n and_o mediator_n fulfil_v all_o righteousness_n in_o our_o stead_n for_o take_v away_o this_o and_o there_o be_v no_o more_o reason_n why_o the_o righteousness_n of_o christ_n shall_v in_o his_o sense_n be_v reckon_v we_o than_o why_o the_o righteousness_n of_o abraham_n or_o moses_n or_o st._n paul_n shall_v be_v impute_v to_o we_o and_o yet_o suppose_v this_o true_a that_o christ_n fulfil_v all_o righteousness_n in_o our_o stead_n it_o necessary_o overthrow_v their_o fundamental_a notion_n of_o our_o justification_n by_o the_o imputation_n of_o christ_n righteousness_n to_o we_o for_o if_o he_o do_v it_o in_o our_o stead_n it_o become_v we_o without_o a_o imputation_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a indeed_o that_o god_n shall_v accept_v of_o christ_n as_o our_o surety_n and_o mediator_n to_o act_v in_o our_o stead_n which_o may_v be_v reckon_v a_o act_n of_o favour_n and_o according_o that_o christ_n shall_v fulfil_v all_o righteousness_n in_o our_o stead_n but_o when_o this_o be_v do_v there_o need_v no_o imputation_n to_o make_v it_o we_o whatever_o be_v do_v in_o our_o stead_n by_o a_o proxy_n or_o substitute_n appoint_v and_o allow_v to_o act_v for_o we_o become_v we_o according_o to_o strict_a law_n and_o justice_n and_o need_v not_o the_o acceptation_n of_o grace_n and_o mercy_n which_o be_v the_o scripture-notion_n of_o imputation_n to_o make_v it_o so_o christ_n righteousness_n will_v become_v we_o by_o his_o act_n in_o our_o stead_n without_o any_o consequent_a imputation_n and_o yet_o to_o see_v how_o absurdity_n multiply_v suppose_v we_o take_v it_o in_o dr._n owen_n sense_n that_o christ_n be_v only_o a_o mediator_n in_o our_o stead_n this_o be_v a_o manifest_a contradiction_n for_o it_o suppose_v that_o the_o middle_a may_v stand_v in_o the_o place_n of_o either_o of_o the_o extreme_n for_o a_o mediator_n be_v a_o middle_a person_n between_o two_o contend_a party_n and_o therefore_o his_o office_n be_v to_o act_v between_o they_o both_o and_o not_o in_o the_o stead_n of_o either_o and_o to_o say_v that_o christ_n be_v a_o mediator_n in_o our_o stead_n suppose_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v mediator_n that_o be_v middle_a person_n between_o god_n and_o ourselves_o nay_o indeed_o that_o we_o be_v so_o in_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n for_o otherwise_o though_o he_o may_v be_v a_o mediator_n on_o our_o behalf_n and_o for_o our_o good_a yet_o he_o can_v mediate_v in_o our_o stead_n in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o we_o can_v argue_v from_o the_o general_a notion_n of_o a_o mediator_n that_o his_o personal_a righteousness_n shall_v be_v impute_v to_o those_o for_o who_o he_o be_v mediator_n for_o a_o mediator_n be_v one_o who_o 207._o interpose_v between_o two_o differ_a party_n to_o accommodate_v the_o difference_n but_o it_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o yet_o that_o it_o be_v the_o office_n of_o a_o mediator_n to_o perform_v the_o term_n and_o condition_n himself_o which_o i_o show_v particular_o in_o the_o example_n of_o moses_n and_o here_o the_o
no_o where_o teach_v to_o draw_v from_o such_o premise_n which_o make_v a_o acquaintance_n with_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n a_o new_a way_n of_o discover_v divine_a truth_n distinct_a from_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o if_o this_o be_v once_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v a_o good_a way_n of_o reason_v man_n may_v as_o well_o draw_v such_o conclusion_n as_o be_v no_o where_o to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n as_o those_o which_o be_v by_o the_o same_o argument_n the_o doctor_n prove_v what_o the_o desert_n of_o sin_n be_v the_o demerit_n of_o sin_n be_v such_o that_o it_o be_v altogether_o impossible_a that_o god_n shall_v pass_v by_o any_o the_o least_o unpunished_a how_o do_v this_o appear_v why_o from_o the_o person_n who_o suffer_v for_o it_o who_o be_v the_o only_a son_n of_o god_n and_o if_o god_n will_v have_v do_v it_o for_o any_o pass_v by_o sin_n unpunished_a he_o will_v have_v do_v it_o in_o reference_n to_o his_o only_a son_n but_o he_o spare_v he_o not_o 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their_o life_n power_n and_o order_n consist_v in_o their_o relation_n to_o christ_n separate_v from_o he_o they_o be_v dead_a and_o useless_a this_o be_v very_o profound_a and_o mysterious_a we_o must_v search_v the_o scripture_n to_o know_v christ_n and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n must_v direct_v we_o in_o expound_v the_o scripture_n as_o the_o polestar_n do_v the_o mariner_n to_o steer_v a_o safe_a and_o direct_a course_n we_o must_v consider_v all_o truth_n in_o their_o relation_n to_o christ_n which_o give_v life_n and_o power_n and_o order_n to_o they_o i_o wish_v the_o doctor_n have_v give_v we_o some_o example_n of_o this_o for_o i_o confess_v i_o can_v understand_v it_o in_o p._n 23._o he_o tell_v we_o but_o here_o lie_v the_o root_n of_o man_n fail_n in_o this_o matter_n they_o seek_v for_o truth_n of_o themselves_o and_o of_o other_o man_n but_o not_o of_o christ_n what_o they_o can_v find_v out_o by_o their_o own_o endeavour_n what_o other_o man_n instruct_v they_o in_o or_o impose_v upon_o they_o that_o they_o receive_v few_o have_v that_o faith_n love_n and_o humility_n be_v give_v up_o to_o that_o diligent_a contemplation_n of_o the_o lord_n christ_n and_o his_o excellency_n which_o be_v require_v in_o those_o who_o diligent_o wait_v for_o his_o law_n so_o as_o to_o learn_v the_o truth_n of_o he_o so_o that_o it_o seem_v by_o eye_v jesus_n christ_n in_o search_v the_o scripture_n he_o mean_v a_o diligent_a contemplation_n of_o the_o lord_n christ_n and_o his_o excellency_n which_o will_v be_v a_o safe_a guide_n to_o all_o true_a save_a knowledge_n than_o all_o other_o inquiry_n whatsoever_o so_o that_o still_o we_o must_v learn_v all_o sacred_a truth_n from_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n person_n and_o excellency_n and_o indeed_o this_o he_o express_o tell_v we_o in_o the_o same_o page_n all_z the_o treasure_n of_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n be_v hide_v in_o christ_n and_o therefore_o from_o he_o alone_o to_o be_v receive_v and_o in_o he_o alone_o to_o be_v learn_v in_o the_o due_a consideration_n of_o the_o lord_n christ_n be_v these_o treasure_n open_v unto_o we_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o line_n of_o truth_n how_o far_o soever_o it_o may_v be_v extend_v and_o how_o small_a soever_o it_o may_v at_o length_n appear_v but_o the_o spring_n of_o it_o lie_v in_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n and_o then_o we_o learn_v it_o aright_o when_o we_o learn_v it_o in_o the_o spring_n or_o as_o it_o be_v in_o he_o eph._n 4._o 21._o which_o when_o we_o have_v do_v we_o may_v safe_o trace_v it_o down_o and_o follow_v it_o to_o its_o utmost_a extent_n if_o there_o be_v any_o sense_n to_o be_v make_v of_o this_o discourse_n it_o must_v be_v this_o that_o we_o must_v learn_v all_o divine_a truth_n from_o a_o consideration_n of_o the_o lord_n christ_n his_o person_n and_o excellency_n etc._n etc._n because_o the_o spring_n of_o all_o truth_n lie_v in_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n and_o without_o such_o a_o serious_a consideration_n of_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n to_o direct_v and_o steer_v our_o course_n the_o study_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v avail_v we_o nothing_o that_o it_o be_v to_o no_o great_a purpose_n to_o understand_v gospel_n truth_n unless_o we_o can_v find_v out_o the_o spring_n and_o the_o centre_n of_o they_o in_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n he_o that_o look_v upon_o gospel_n truth_n as_o sporades_n as_o scatter_v up_o and_o down_o independent_o one_o of_o another_o who_o see_v not_o the_o root_n centre_n and_o knot_n of_o they_o in_o jesus_n christ_n it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o when_o he_o go_v about_o to_o gather_v they_o for_o his_o use_n he_o will_v also_o take_v up_o thing_n quite_o of_o another_o nature_n but_o it_o may_v be_v we_o may_v understand_v the_o doctor_n better_o if_o
persuade_v the_o world_n that_o it_o have_v be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o late_a day_n to_o cavil_v at_o his_o 5._o write_n and_o to_o load_v his_o person_n with_o reproach_n and_o according_o that_o i_o principal_o intend_v my_o book_n against_o himself_o and_o his_o book_n because_o he_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o which_o as_o he_o say_v will_v at_o last_o prove_v to_o be_v its_o only_a guilt_n and_o crime_n 7._o what_o a_o mighty_a conceit_n have_v the_o doctor_n of_o himself_o to_o think_v that_o he_o be_v so_o considerable_a that_o so_o many_o man_n shall_v make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o oppose_v he_o he_o may_v have_v be_v quiet_a for_o aught_o i_o know_v have_v he_o not_o be_v troublesome_a to_o other_o and_o set_v up_o for_o the_o great_a champion_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o his_o former_a miscarriage_n may_v have_v be_v bury_v in_o silence_n have_v he_o not_o force_v man_n to_o publish_v they_o but_o i_o assure_v he_o as_o for_o my_o own_o part_n that_o i_o do_v 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principle_n of_o the_o author_n it_o appear_v to_o be_v intend_v otherwise_o but_o when_o the_o phrase_n be_v doubtful_a and_o ambiguous_a and_o on_o purpose_n contrive_v so_o to_o conceal_v those_o doctrine_n which_o can_v endure_v the_o clear_a and_o open_a light_n or_o when_o those_o expression_n which_o may_v be_v capable_a of_o a_o good_a sense_n be_v by_o a_o traditionary_a exposition_n general_o understand_v in_o a_o bad_a sense_n especial_o if_o the_o bad_a sense_n be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o profess_a principle_n of_o the_o writer_n and_o such_o phrase_n be_v deliver_v without_o a_o express_a caution_n against_o the_o bad_a sense_n in_o these_o case_n it_o be_v no_o fault_n to_o expound_v such_o expression_n to_o the_o worst_a sense_n but_o a_o great_a charity_n to_o man_n soul_n to_o warn_v they_o against_o such_o easy_a and_o obvious_a mistake_n but_o this_o be_v a_o great_a charge_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o hear_v how_o he_o prove_v it_o he_o give_v too_o instance_n of_o it_o one_o with_o respect_n to_o doctor_n owen_n doctrine_n concern_v a_o acquaintance_n with_o christ_n person_n this_o i_o shall_v let_v pass_v at_o present_a because_o i_o shall_v meet_v with_o it_o again_o in_o the_o doctor_n but_o his_o other_o instance_n on_o which_o he_o insist_o be_v with_o reference_n to_o mr._n shephard_n i_o show_v how_o impossible_a it_o be_v according_a to_o some_o man_n principle_n to_o discover_v our_o union_n to_o christ_n and_o justification_n by_o he_o by_o the_o mark_n of_o sanctification_n and_o among_o other_o thing_n i_o observe_v that_o when_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o take_v down_o the_o confidence_n of_o man_n who_o be_v apt_a to_o presume_v too_o soon_o that_o their_o condition_n be_v good_a they_o do_v so_o magnify_v the_o attainment_n of_o hypocrite_n who_o shall_v never_o go_v to_o heaven_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o sanctify_a man_n to_o do_v more_o than_o a_o hypocrite_n may_v do_v this_o i_o make_v good_a by_o a_o large_a citation_n out_o of_o mr._n shephard_n sincere_a convert_n and_o here_o he_o first_o quarrel_n that_o i_o say_v some_o man_n do_v so_o and_o prove_v it_o only_o from_o mr._n shephard_n these_o man_n i_o see_v will_v never_o be_v please_v sometime_o they_o quarrel_v that_o i_o name_v any_o body_n and_o sometime_o that_o i_o name_v no_o more_o but_o i_o can_v assure_v this_o gentleman_n that_o this_o be_v not_o mr._n shephard_n private_a opinion_n and_o shall_v make_v it_o good_a when_o i_o find_v more_o of_o his_o mind_n to_o require_v a_o proof_n of_o it_o the_o wrong_n which_o he_o suppose_v i_o have_v do_v mr._n shephard_n be_v this_o that_o i_o bring_v he_o in_o answer_v the_o plea_n of_o several_a hypocrite_n for_o themselves_o and_o then_o suppose_v the_o same_o man_n to_o make_v all_o these_o plea_n for_o himself_o which_o be_v not_o fair_a or_o just_a as_o for_o instance_n the_o man_n accuse_v of_o hypocrisy_n or_o at_o least_o suspect_v plead_v for_o himself_o that_o he_o have_v reform_v those_o vice_n he_o once_o live_v in_o that_o he_o pray_v often_o that_o he_o fast_v sometime_o as_o well_o as_o pray_v that_o he_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o like_v the_o best_a preacher_n that_o he_o read_v the_o scripture_n often_o that_o he_o be_v grieve_v and_o sorrowful_a for_o his_o past_a sin_n that_o he_o love_v good_a man_n and_o their_o company_n that_o he_o have_v more_o knowledge_n than_o other_o and_o keep_v the_o lord_n day_n strict_o and_o have_v many_o very_a good_a desire_n and_o endeavour_n to_o get_v to_o heaven_n and_o perform_v all_o these_o duty_n with_o life_n and_o zeal_n and_o be_v constant_a and_o persevere_fw-la in_o godly_a course_n and_o be_v conscious_a to_o himself_o of_o his_o own_o sincerity_n in_o all_o this_o that_o he_o do_v all_o this_o with_o a_o good_a heart_n for_o god_n that_o mr._n shephard_n object_n all_o this_o in_o the_o person_n of_o one_o man_n who_o he_o design_n after_o all_o to_o prove_v a_o hypocrite_n be_v so_o evident_a that_o nothing_o can_v excuse_v our_o author_n for_o suppose_v that_o he_o speak_v this_o in_o the_o person_n of_o several_a man_n that_o one_o plead_v one_o thing_n for_o himself_o and_o another_o another_o but_o only_o his_o confession_n that_o he_o have_v not_o read_v the_o book_n and_o how_o far_o that_o will_v excuse_v he_o let_v other_o consider_v mr._n shephard_n begin_v thus_o in_o what_o have_v thou_o go_v beyond_o they_o that_o think_v they_o be_v rich_a and_o want_v nothing_o who_o yet_o be_v poor_a and_o miserable_a and_o naked_a thou_o will_v say_v haply_o first_o i_o have_v leave_v my_o sin_n i_o once_o live_v in_o etc._n etc._n so_o that_o this_o be_v but_o the_o first_o thing_n such_o a_o man_n object_n or_o