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because_o she_o can_v comprehend_v the_o whole_a manner_n and_o existence_n of_o they_o thus_o far_o reason_n may_v be_v concern_v and_o yet_o reveal_v truth_n may_v be_v just_o say_v to_o be_v above_o reason_n and_o mysterious_a and_o consequent_o his_o position_n do_v by_o no_o mean_n answer_v his_o design_n which_o be_v to_o prove_v that_o nothing_o be_v mysterious_a or_o above_o reason_n but_o if_o he_o intend_v that_o matter_n of_o revelation_n both_o with_o respect_n to_o their_o manner_n and_o existence_n may_v be_v scan_v and_o comprehend_v by_o reason_n as_o easy_o as_o the_o phoenomena_fw-la of_o nature_n this_o we_o utter_o deny_v and_o with_o very_o good_a reason_n too_o one_a because_o there_o be_v no_o connexion_n in_o the_o consequence_n the_o phoenomena_fw-la of_o nature_n be_v often_o object_n of_o sense_n and_o of_o a_o finite_a nature_n but_o there_o be_v reveal_v matter_n that_o be_v in_o their_o very_a frame_n
they_o which_o we_o can_v comprehend_v and_o consequent_o be_v mysterious_a and_o above_o reason_n whether_o scripture_n deliver_v they_o under_o these_o denomination_n or_o no._n this_o may_v be_v true_a though_o the_o word_n mystery_n be_v no_o where_o to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n or_o though_o scripture_n have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o hint_v that_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n mysterious_a or_o incomprehensible_a if_o this_o can_v be_v prove_v our_o adversary_n must_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v mystery_n in_o christianity_n still_o the_o instance_n of_o our_o saviour_n incarnation_n already_o produce_v move_v upon_o this_o supposition_n and_o i_o shall_v be_v ready_a to_o prove_v it_o whenever_o he_o shall_v think_v fit_a to_o impugn_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o beside_o this_o i_o shall_v in_o some_o measure_n condescend_v to_o his_o own_o method_n and_o though_o i_o shall_v not_o examine_v every_o passage_n of_o scripture_n to_o see_v whether_o he_o have_v right_o state_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o question_v but_o we_o may_v offer_v as_o strong_a argument_n to_o apply_v it_o sometime_o to_o the_o sense_n we_o contend_v for_o as_o he_o have_v do_v for_o another_o and_o beside_o this_o i_o hope_v to_o produce_v some_o passage_n of_o scripture_n that_o assure_v we_o there_o be_v still_o those_o thing_n in_o christianity_n we_o proper_o call_v mystery_n and_o if_o this_o be_v perform_v i_o hope_v it_o may_v without_o affectation_n be_v say_v that_o his_o appeal_n to_o the_o tribunal_n of_o scripture_n be_v defeat_v and_o one_a because_o i_o do_v not_o design_n opposition_n or_o dispute_n for_o opposition's_n sake_n i_o shall_v own_o that_o the_o word_n mystery_n be_v use_v in_o the_o several_a sense_n he_o have_v put_v upon_o it_o i._o for_o the_o gospel_n in_o general_n ii_o for_o some_o unfold_v secret_n and_o iii_o for_o thing_n veil_v by_o parable_n but_o this_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n a_o argument_n that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o signification_n to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n for_o i_o be_o persuade_v i_o can_v prove_v the_o contrary_a with_o as_o much_o authority_n and_o force_n of_o reason_n as_o he_o can_v produce_v against_o it_o i_o mean_v that_o it_o be_v sometime_o use_v to_o express_v the_o incomprehensibleness_n of_o certain_a truth_n though_o reveal_v and_o 1._o that_o mystery_n must_v imply_v something_o that_o be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o to_o we_o incomprehensible_a st._n paul_n seem_v to_o have_v assure_v we_o but_o we_o speak_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o a_o mystery_n even_o the_o hide_a wisdom_n of_o god_n 1_o cor._n 2._o 7._o all_o side_n agree_v that_o the_o apostle_n point_v at_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o particular_o the_o redemption_n of_o the_o world_n by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o more_o primary_o the_o most_o abstruse_a part_n of_o it_o his_o incarnation_n 2._o it_o be_v visible_a the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o a_o mystery_n even_o when_o he_o reveal_v it_o for_o he_o reveal_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o a_o mystery_n he_o now_o speak_v to_o the_o perfect_a that_o have_v own_a the_o gospel_n and_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o his_o preach_v as_o appear_v from_o the_o precede_a verse_n and_o it_o be_v their_o peculiar_a to_o have_v the_o meat_n of_o the_o word_n or_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n communicate_v to_o they_o and_o therefore_o though_o this_o wisdom_n of_o god_n be_v a_o mystery_n and_o consequent_o he_o deliver_v it_o as_o such_o yet_o the_o perfect_a believe_v when_o they_o can_v comprehend_v because_o it_o be_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n i_o be_o sure_a this_o notion_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n for_o he_o use_v the_o very_a word_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nay_o he_o make_v this_o a_o argument_n why_o the_o fundamental_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v only_o be_v communicate_v to_o the_o pure_a and_o perfect_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n ut_fw-la supra_fw-la strom._n lib._n 1._o and_o therefore_o since_o the_o apostle_n reveal_v it_o in_o a_o mystery_n it_o must_v be_v so_o because_o it_o contain_v something_o in_o it_o that_o be_v incomprehensible_a hence_o we_o may_v just_o vindicate_v our_o english_a translation_n which_o do_v not_o join_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o our_o adversary_n will_v have_v it_o but_o make_v it_o a_o repetition_n or_o enlargement_n upon_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n viz._n even_o the_o hide_a wisdom_n it_o be_v true_a our_o adversary_n endeavour_v to_o evade_v this_o exposition_n because_o we_o be_v tell_v in_o the_o 10_o verse_n but_o god_n have_v reveal_v they_o to_o we_o by_o his_o spirit_n but_o the_o word_n manifest_o refer_v to_o those_o thing_n which_o in_o the_o precede_a verse_n god_n be_v say_v to_o have_v prepare_v for_o they_o that_o love_v he_o which_o be_v chief_o the_o benefit_n of_o our_o redemption_n and_o the_o consequent_a of_o this_o fundamental_a revelation_n or_o at_o least_o if_o it_o must_v be_v this_o fundamental_a instance_n of_o divine_a wisdom_n it_o be_v only_o reveal_v so_o as_o to_o let_v we_o know_v what_o god_n intend_v by_o it_o and_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o not_o to_o comprehend_v the_o whole_a nature_n of_o it_o or_o in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v so_o reveal_v as_o any_o other_o thing_n be_v reveal_v in_o a_o mystery_n that_o be_v when_o something_o remain_v in_o it_o that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v comprehend_v so_o that_o in_o truth_n here_o be_v mystery_n in_o two_o sense_n one_a with_o respect_n to_o the_o incomprehensibleness_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o two_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o thing_n before_o it_o be_v communicate_v to_o we_o and_o thus_o far_o not_o only_o the_o natural_a construction_n of_o the_o word_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o learned_a expositor_n carry_v we_o vid._n theophilact_fw-mi in_o locum_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o second_o i_o shall_v insist_v on_o that_o noble_a passage_n of_o st._n paul_n to_o timothy_n ep._n 1._o cap._n 3._o ver._n 10._o and_o without_o controversy_n great_a be_v the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n god_n be_v manifest_v in_o the_o flesh_n justify_v in_o the_o spirit_n see_v of_o angel_n preach_v unto_o the_o gentile_n believe_v on_o in_o the_o world_n receive_v up_o into_o glory_n it_o be_v observable_a our_o adversary_n expound_v as_o accurate_o as_o he_o reason_n for_o he_o produce_v this_o for_o his_o eight_o passage_n where_o mystery_n be_v put_v for_o the_o gospel_n in_o general_n whereas_o it_o be_v manifest_a the_o word_n can_v without_o the_o great_a violence_n be_v apply_v to_o any_o thing_n but_o a_o divine_a person_n represent_v under_o certain_a divine_a character_n and_o indeed_o to_o none_o but_o our_o saviour_n the_o cornerstone_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o not_o the_o gospel_n for_o true_o the_o apostle_n seem_v in_o this_o place_n to_o have_v give_v a_o description_n of_o his_o whole_a mediation_n i_o be_o sure_a the_o current_n of_o the_o father_n as_o well_o as_o of_o after_o commentator_n apply_v it_o to_o none_o but_o our_o saviour_n but_o now_o since_o our_o saviour_n incarnation_n be_v this_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n it_o be_v evident_a the_o apostle_n do_v not_o speak_v of_o what_o it_o be_v before_o it_o be_v reveal_v but_o what_o it_o be_v after_o it_o be_v preach_v and_o believe_v on_o in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o he_o call_v it_o a_o mystery_n not_o because_o it_o be_v so_o before_o it_o be_v reveal_v but_o because_o it_o still_o remain_v so_o and_o thereupon_o he_o endeavour_v to_o represent_v it_o as_o such_o by_o enlarge_n upon_o the_o nature_n and_o incomprehensibleness_n of_o it_o god_n be_v manifest_a in_o flesh_n the_o foundation_n of_o this_o mystery_n the_o follow_a character_n be_v only_o their_o appendage_n that_o take_v their_o rise_n and_o concentre_v in_o it_o this_o be_v a_o exposition_n that_o discover_v itself_o so_o clear_o that_o we_o find_v our_o adversary_n industrious_o huddle_v up_o this_o passage_n as_o it_o be_v in_o a_o mystery_n without_o give_v any_o tolerable_a account_n of_o it_o and_o at_o last_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v that_o the_o gracious_a manifestation_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o gospel_n be_v to_o we_o wonderful_o stupendous_a and_o surprise_v n._n 30._o so_o that_o we_o plain_o read_v mystery_n in_o the_o very_a sense_n we_o contend_v for_o i_o be_o sure_a we_o have_v the_o opinion_n of_o some_o ancient_a church-writer_n to_o ratify_v it_o of_o this_o opinion_n we_o find_v athanasius_n in_o his_o tract_n against_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la de_fw-la incarnatione_fw-la verbi_fw-la where_o he_o give_v his_o judgement_n è_fw-la cathedra_fw-la as_o archbishop_n of_o alexandria_n for_o first_o he_o lay_v open_v the_o
above_o reason_n and_o therefore_o if_o this_o reverend_a father_n be_v not_o mistake_v in_o the_o purport_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o we_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o conclude_v he_o be_v not_o the_o new_a testament_n do_v contain_v the_o thing_n if_o not_o the_o word_n we_o contend_v for_o i_o mean_v propose_v to_o our_o belief_n thing_n that_o be_v incomprehensible_a or_o above_o the_o comprehension_n of_o human_a reason_n the_o last_o argument_n i_o shall_v produce_v be_v two_o or_o three_o passage_n of_o scripture_n which_o because_o they_o bear_v a_o affinity_n to_o one_o another_o i_o shall_v examine_v and_o conclude_v they_o under_o one_o argument_n i_o begin_v with_o st._n paul_n account_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n even_o under_o this_o last_o state_n of_o revelation_n for_o he_o include_v himself_o and_o the_o whole_a college_n of_o apostle_n who_o undoubted_o enjoy_v the_o special_a assistance_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n nay_o st._n paul_n have_v be_v catch_v up_o into_o the_o three_o heaven_n where_o he_o be_v almost_o overwhelm_v with_o abundance_n of_o revelation_n 2_o cor._n 12._o and_o yet_o he_o tell_v we_o we_o know_v but_o in_o part_n and_o we_o prophesy_v in_o part_n 1_o cor._n cap._n 13._o ver_fw-la 9_o and_o the_o reason_n assign_v be_v we_o see_v through_o a_o glass_n dark_o ver_fw-la 12._o so_o that_o the_o impediment_n seem_v to_o lie_v upon_o the_o mind_n or_o the_o immenseness_n of_o the_o object_n not_o in_o god_n that_o deny_v we_o a_o competent_a revelation_n for_o this_o be_v the_o last_o revelation_n of_o himself_o and_o therefore_o this_o glass_n argue_v a_o imperfection_n or_o inability_n in_o comprehend_v some_o of_o those_o truth_n that_o be_v reveal_v but_o if_o this_o glass_n be_v a_o veil_n which_o god_n cast_v before_o our_o eye_n like_o that_o upon_o the_o jew_n in_o as_o much_o as_o he_o do_v not_o impart_v in_o this_o life_n a_o clear_a discovery_n of_o certain_a gospel-truths_n then_o according_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o our_o author_n there_o be_v still_o mystery_n in_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o high_a sense_n but_o true_o st._n clemens_n fix_v it_o upon_o the_o imperfection_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n since_o he_o represent_v the_o mind_n in_o this_o earthly_a tabernacle_n as_o view_v thing_n through_o sense_n after_o a_o gross_a corporeal_a manner_n whereas_o in_o another_o world_n our_o knowledge_n will_v be_v high_o enlarge_v for_o than_o it_o will_v be_v face_n to_o face_n or_o as_o he_o express_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v by_o a_o pure_a and_o naked_a application_n of_o the_o mind_n or_o intuition_n again_o it_o be_v manifest_a the_o object_n of_o this_o imperfect_a knowledge_n be_v the_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n or_o in_o plain_a term_n the_o fundamental_a revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o apostle_n must_v at_o least_o comprehend_v if_o not_o principal_o intend_v they_o when_o he_o tell_v we_o and_o we_o prophesy_v but_o in_o part_n that_o be_v those_o truth_n we_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n be_v only_o reveal_v in_o part_n since_o we_o can_v only_o pretend_v to_o know_v or_o comprehend_v they_o in_o part_n and_o true_o st._n clement_n assert_n as_o much_o of_o st._n paul_n himself_o notwithstanding_o his_o abundance_n of_o revelation_n for_o thus_o on_o his_o word_n 2_o cor._n twelve_o 4._o where_o no_o doubt_n he_o receive_v the_o chief_a instruction_n of_o his_o apostolic_a office_n he_o be_v catch_v up_o into_o paradise_n and_o hear_v unspeakable_a word_n which_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o man_n to_o utter_v he_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o law_n nor_o precept_n give_v that_o oblige_v he_o to_o stifle_v any_o of_o those_o christian_a truth_n god_n have_v commit_v to_o he_o so_o that_o in_o say_v it_o be_v not_o lawful_a he_o intend_v to_o represent_v the_o ineffability_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n or_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o to_o confirm_v this_o notion_n he_o cite_v three_o passage_n that_o represent_v the_o incomprehensibleness_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n rom._n xi_o 33._o oh_o the_o depth_n of_o the_o riches_n both_o of_o the_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o again_o but_o we_o speak_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o a_o mystery_n that_o be_v even_o when_o we_o speak_v it_o else_o it_o prove_v nothing_o in_o this_o place_n 1_o cor._n two_o 7._o and_o last_o colos._n two_o ver._n 23._o to_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n as_o you_o have_v it_o in_o the_o ancient_n readins_n in_o who_o be_v hide_v all_o the_o treasure_n of_o wisdom_n or_o knowledge_n this_o be_v a_o very_a remarkable_a passage_n and_o therefore_o i_o must_v beg_v leave_n to_o enlarge_v upon_o it_o as_o for_o the_o sense_n of_o st._n clement_n it_o be_v visible_a he_o look_v upon_o it_o to_o be_v a_o mystery_n though_o reveal_v and_o acknowledge_v and_o to_o be_v a_o mystery_n because_o it_o contain_v something_o in_o it_o which_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o otherwise_o it_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n to_o prove_v what_o he_o have_v just_a before_o assert_v indeed_o our_o adversary_n think_v he_o have_v evade_v the_o force_n of_o this_o exposition_n by_o tell_v we_o without_o any_o tolerable_a proof_n that_o the_o word_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n but_o if_o it_o be_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n it_o may_v be_v style_v a_o mystery_n in_o respect_n of_o its_o fundamental_a truth_n inasmuch_o as_o they_o contain_v in_o they_o something_o that_o be_v hide_v or_o mysterious_a for_o thus_o much_o the_o follow_a verse_n apparent_o hint_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n in_o which_o if_o this_o exposition_n obtain_v be_v hide_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v manifest_a the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o reveal_v nay_o as_o it_o be_v when_o acknowledge_v and_o embrace_v and_o yet_o there_o be_v something_o hide_a or_o mysterious_a thus_o we_o may_v conclude_v against_o our_o reasoner_n that_o mystery_n may_v be_v put_v for_o the_o gospel_n and_o yet_o call_v so_o because_o it_o contain_v certain_a truth_n who_o nature_n can_v be_v full_o comprehend_v or_o certain_a truth_n that_o contain_v something_o in_o they_o that_o to_o we_o be_v incomprehensible_a but_o yet_o for_o all_o his_o majesterial_a decisive_a way_n of_o expound_v scripture_n i_o think_v the_o word_n more_o natural_o point_n at_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o redemption_n in_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n especial_o if_o we_o add_v hereto_o the_o ancient_a read_v use_v by_o these_o father_n st._n austin_n and_o st._n ambrose_n to_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o mystery_n not_o knowledge_n of_o mystery_n as_o this_o vain_a disputer_n of_o this_o world_n will_v have_v it_o of_o god_n in_o christ_n for_o one_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o immediate_o follow_v must_v more_o natural_o be_v apply_v to_o christ_n not_o to_o mystery_n agreeable_a to_o our_o translation_n in_o who_o all_o the_o treasure_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o sentiment_n of_o origen_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o hierom._n hom._n 8._o pag._n 99_o 2_o if_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o not_o christ_n himself_o be_v intend_v it_o will_v be_v improper_a to_o say_v that_o the_o treasure_n of_o wisdom_n be_v hide_v in_o it_o be_v a_o reveal_v institution_n therefore_o we_o may_v just_o conclude_v pursuant_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o st._n clement_n that_o the_o incarnation_n of_o our_o redeemer_n the_o foundation_n of_o our_o redemption_n and_o fountain_n whence_o all_o the_o treasure_n of_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n derive_v be_v the_o mystery_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n which_o be_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v not_o unravel_v or_o full_o comprehend_v for_o since_o it_o be_v express_o propose_v as_o a_o mystery_n and_o remain_v one_o when_o embrace_v or_o acknowledge_v it_o must_v be_v so_o because_o it_o carry_v in_o it_o something_o that_o be_v hide_v or_o incomprehensible_a indeed_o origen_n manifest_o join_v in_o this_o notion_n for_o in_o his_o comment_n on_o matt._n xiii_o 44._o he_o make_v the_o field_n to_o be_v the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o set_v forth_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n with_o the_o great_a clearness_n but_o the_o treasure_n to_o be_v christ_n because_o in_o he_o all_o the_o depth_n of_o wisdom_n be_v hide_v in_o he_o in_o a_o mystery_n cite_v this_o very_a passage_n of_o st._n paul_n by_o way_n of_o proof_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dissertis_fw-la verbis_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o now_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o make_v a_o appeal_n as_o he_o do_v to_o all_o equitable_a person_n n._n 35._o whether_o by_o as_o good_a reason_n and_o authority_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o