and_o now_o follow_v all_o mutual_a conjugal_a affection_n which_o on_o christ_n part_n consist_v in_o delight_n valuation_n pity_n compassion_n bounty_n on_o the_o saint_n part_n in_o delight_n valuation_n chastity_n duty_n but_o i_o have_v already_o correct_v this_o fool_n with_o scripture_n metaphor_n and_o phrase_n it_o may_v perhaps_o not_o unbecome_v this_o author_n to_o be_v a_o little_a more_o spare_v of_o his_o correction_n unless_o his_o authority_n be_v more_o than_o it_o be_v and_o his_o skill_n also_o in_o the_o mannagement_n of_o it_o for_o at_o present_a those_o who_o he_o attempt_v upon_o be_v altogether_o insensible_a of_o any_o effect_n of_o his_o severity_n but_o whereas_o he_o seem_v much_o at_o a_o loss_n how_o to_o evidence_n his_o own_o wisdom_n any_o other_o way_n than_o by_o call_v they_o fool_n with_o who_o he_o have_v to_o do_v it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o plead_v his_o excuse_n but_o what_o be_v it_o that_o he_o be_v here_o so_o displease_v at_o as_o unfit_a for_o a_o man_n of_o his_o wisdom_n to_o bear_v withal_o and_o therefore_o call_v it_o fool_n be_v it_o that_o there_o be_v a_o conjugal_a relation_n between_o christ_n and_o the_o church_n that_o he_o be_v the_o bridegroom_n and_o husband_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o the_o church_n be_v his_o bride_n and_o spouse_n that_o he_o become_v so_o unto_o it_o by_o a_o voluntary_o gracious_a act_n of_o his_o love_n and_o that_o the_o church_n enter_v into_o that_o relation_n with_o he_o by_o their_o acceptance_n of_o he_o in_o that_o relation_n &_o voluntary_o give_v up_o themselves_o unto_o he_o in_o faith_n love_n and_o obedience_n suit_v thereunto_o be_v it_o that_o he_o love_v his_o church_n and_o cherish_v it_o as_o a_o husband_n or_o that_o the_o church_n give_v up_o itself_o in_o chaste_a and_o holy_a obedience_n unto_o he_o as_o her_o spouse_n or_o be_v it_o my_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o express_v these_o thing_n wherewith_o he_o be_v so_o provoke_v if_o it_o be_v the_o latter_a i_o desire_v he_o will_v for_o his_o own_o satisfaction_n take_v notice_n that_o i_o contemn_v his_o censure_n and_o appeal_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o those_o who_o have_v more_o understanding_n and_o experience_n in_o these_o thing_n than_o for_o aught_o i_o can_v discern_v by_o his_o write_n he_o have_v yet_o attain_v unto_o if_o it_o be_v the_o former_a they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o so_o prove_v and_o confirm_v from_o the_o scripture_n in_o that_o very_a discourse_n which_o he_o except_v against_o as_o that_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o answer_v or_o reply_v one_o serious_a word_n thereunto_o indeed_o to_o deny_v it_o be_v to_o renounce_v the_o gospel_n and_o the_o catholic_n faith_n it_o be_v therefore_o to_o no_o purpose_n for_o i_o here_o to_o go_v over_o again_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o relation_n between_o christ_n and_o the_o church_n wherein_o real_o and_o true_o it_o do_v consist_v what_o it_o be_v the_o scripture_n instruct_v we_o in_o thereby_o what_o be_v that_o love_n care_n &_o tenderness_n of_o christ_n which_o it_o will_v have_v we_o thence_o to_o learn_v and_o what_o be_v our_o own_o duty_n with_o respect_v thereunto_o together_o with_o the_o consolation_n thence_o arise_v the_o whole_a of_o this_o work_n be_v already_o discharge_v in_o that_o discourse_n which_o these_o impertinent_a cavil_n be_v raise_v against_o and_o that_o suitable_o to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o of_o all_o sound_a expositor_n of_o those_o very_o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o i_o have_v urge_v and_o insist_v on_o to_o that_o purpose_n let_v he_o if_o he_o please_v a_o little_a lie_v aside_o the_o severity_n of_o his_o correction_n and_o befool_v of_o man_n and_o answer_v any_o material_a passage_n in_o the_o whole_a discourse_n if_o he_o be_v able_a or_o discover_v any_o thing_n in_o it_o not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n if_o he_o can_v and_o though_o he_o seem_v both_o here_o and_o in_o some_o of_o his_o ensue_a page_n to_o have_v a_o particular_a 〈◊〉_d of_o what_o be_v cite_v or_o improve_v ouâ—_n of_o the_o book_n of_o canticle_n to_o this_o purpose_n yet_o if_o he_o either_o deny_v that_o that_o whole_a book_n do_v mystical_o express_v the_o conjugal_a relation_n that_o be_v between_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n with_o their_o mutual_a affection_n and_o delight_n in_o each_o other_o or_o that_o the_o place_n particular_o insist_v on_o by_o i_o be_v not_o due_o apply_v unto_o their_o proper_a intention_n i_o can_v at_o least_o confirm_v they_o both_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o such_o person_n as_o who_o antiquity_n and_o learning_n will_v exercise_v the_o utmost_a of_o his_o confidence_n in_o call_v they_o fool_n for_o their_o pain_n from_o hence_o for_o sundry_a page_n he_o be_v please_v to_o give_v i_o a_o little_a respite_n while_o he_o divert_v his_o severity_n unto_o another_o unto_o who_o will_n and_o choice_n what_o to_o do_v in_o it_o i_o shall_v leave_v his_o peculiar_a concern_v as_o know_v full_a well_o how_o easy_a it_o be_v for_o he_o to_o vindicate_v what_o he_o have_v write_v on_o this_o subject_a from_o his_o impertinent_a exception_n if_o he_o please_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n if_o this_o author_n suppose_v to_o add_v unto_o the_o reputation_n of_o his_o ingenuity_n and_o modesty_n by_o assault_v with_o a_o few_o pitiful_a cavil_n a_o book_n write_v with_o so_o much_o learning_n judgement_n and_o moderation_n as_o that_o be_v which_o he_o except_v against_o not_o dare_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n to_o contend_v with_o it_o in_o any_o thing_n of_o the_o expository_n or_o the_o argumentative_a part_n of_o it_o but_o only_o to_o discover_v a_o malevolent_a desire_n to_o obstruct_v the_o use_n which_o it_o have_v be_v of_o and_o may_v yet_o further_o be_v to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n i_o hope_v he_o will_v not_o find_v many_o rival_n in_o such_o a_o design_n for_o my_o part_n i_o do_v suppose_v it_o more_o become_a christian_a modesty_n and_o sobriety_n where_o man_n have_v labour_v according_a to_o their_o ability_n in_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o christian_a religion_n and_o that_o with_o a_o avow_a intention_n to_o promote_v holiness_n and_o gospel_n obedience_n to_o accept_v of_o what_o they_o have_v attain_v wherein_o we_o can_v come_v unto_o a_o compliance_n with_o they_o then_o pass_v by_o whatever_o we_o can_v but_o approve_v of_o or_o be_v not_o able_a to_o disprove_v to_o make_v it_o our_o business_n to_o cavil_v at_o such_o expression_n as_o either_o we_o do_v not_o like_a or_o hope_v to_o pervert_v and_o abuse_v to_o their_o disadvantage_n pag._n 296._o he_o return_v again_o to_o my_o discourse_n and_o fierce_o pursue_v it_o for_o sundry_a leaf_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o become_v he_o and_o be_v usual_a with_o he_o that_o part_n of_o my_o book_n which_o he_o deal_v withal_o be_v from_o pag._n 176._o unto_o pag._n 187._o and_o if_o any_o person_n of_o ingenuity_n and_o judgement_n will_v be_v please_v but_o to_o peruse_v it_o and_o to_o compare_v it_o with_o this_o man_n exception_n i_o be_o secure_a it_o will_v need_v no_o far_o vindication_n but_o as_o it_o be_v represent_v in_o his_o cavil_v way_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n either_o to_o conceive_v what_o be_v the_o true_a design_n of_o my_o discourse_n or_o what_o the_o argument_n wherewith_o what_o i_o assert_v be_v confirm_v which_o he_o do_v most_o undue_o pretend_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o for_o he_o so_o chap_n and_o change_n and_o alter_v at_o his_o pleasure_n go_v backward_o and_o forward_o and_o that_o from_o one_o thing_n to_o another_o without_o any_o regard_n unto_o a_o scholastic_a or_o ingenuous_a debate_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v call_v a_o controversy_n mere_o to_o seek_v out_o a_o appearance_n of_o advantage_n to_o vent_v his_o cavil_v exception_n as_o no_o judgement_n can_v rational_o be_v make_v of_o his_o whole_a discourse_n but_o only_o that_o he_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o have_v cast_v aspersion_n on_o i_o if_o he_o have_v know_v how_o but_o such_o stuff_n as_o it_o be_v we_o must_v now_o take_v the_o measure_n of_o it_o and_o consider_v of_o what_o use_v it_o may_v be_v and_o first_o he_o quote_v those_o word_n from_o my_o book_n that_o christ_n fulfil_v all_o righteousness_n as_o he_o be_v mediator_n and_o that_o whatever_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 hence_o it_o be_v that_o his_o complete_a and_o perfect_a obedience_n to_o the_o law_n be_v reckon_v to_o we_o he_o add_v this_o be_v well_o say_v if_o it_o be_v
the_o person_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o frontless_a and_o impudent_a falsehood_n i_o own_v no_o other_o never_o teach_v other_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n or_o acquaintance_n with_o his_o person_n but_o what_o be_v reveal_v and_o declare_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o no_o mystery_n of_o religion_n can_v be_v thence_o know_v and_o receive_v before_o we_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o gospel_n itself_o yet_o i_o will_v mind_v this_o author_n of_o that_o whereof_o if_o he_o be_v ignorant_a he_o be_v unfit_a to_o be_v a_o teacher_n of_o other_o and_o which_o if_o he_o deny_v he_o be_v unworthy_a the_o name_n of_o a_o christian_a namely_o that_o by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n the_o great_a mystery_n of_o god_n manifest_a in_o the_o flesh_n as_o reveal_v and_o declare_v in_o the_o gospel_n we_o be_v lead_v into_o a_o clear_a and_o full_a understanding_n of_o many_o other_o mystery_n of_o grace_n and_o truth_n which_o be_v all_o centre_v in_o his_o person_n and_o without_o which_o we_o can_v have_v no_o true_a nor_o sound_a understanding_n of_o they_o i_o shall_v speak_v it_o yet_o again_o that_o this_o author_n if_o it_o be_v possible_a may_v understand_v it_o or_o however_o that_o he_o and_o his_o copartner_n in_o design_n may_v know_v that_o i_o neither_o be_o nor_o ever_o will_v be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o that_o without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v our_o acquaintance_n with_o he_o as_o we_o be_v command_v to_o acquaint_v ourselves_o with_o god_n as_o he_o be_v the_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n incarnate_a the_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o man_n with_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o love_n grace_n and_o truth_n of_o god_n therein_o as_o reveal_v and_o declare_v in_o the_o scripture_n there_o be_v no_o true_a useful_a save_v knowledge_n of_o any_o other_o mystery_n or_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o be_v attain_v this_o be_v the_o substance_n of_o what_o be_v assert_v in_o my_o discourse_n i_o challenge_v this_o man_n or_o any_o to_o who_o pleasure_n and_o favour_v his_o endeavour_n in_o this_o kind_n be_v sacrifice_v to_o assert_v and_o maintain_v the_o contrary_a if_o so_o be_v they_o be_v indeed_o arm_v with_o such_o a_o confidence_n as_o to_o impugn_v the_o foundation_n of_o christianity_n but_o to_o evince_v his_o intention_n he_o transcribe_v the_o ensue_a passage_n out_o of_o my_o discourse_n pag._n 41._o the_o sum_n of_o all_o true_a wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o three_o head_n 1_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n his_o nature_n and_o property_n 2_o the_o knowledge_n of_o ourselves_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n concern_v we_o 3_o skill_n to_o walk_v in_o communion_n with_o god_n in_o these_o three_o be_v sum_v up_o all_o true_a wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n and_o not_o any_o of_o they_o be_v to_o any_o purpose_n to_o be_v obtain_v or_o be_v manifest_v but_o only_o in_o and_o by_o the_o lord_n christ._n this_o whole_a passage_n i_o be_o far_o from_o dislike_a upon_o this_o representation_n of_o it_o or_o any_o expression_n in_o it_o those_o who_o be_v not_o please_v with_o this_o distribution_n of_o spiritual_a wisdom_n may_v make_v use_n of_o any_o such_o of_o their_o own_o wherewith_o they_o be_v better_o satisfy_v this_o of_o i_o be_v sufficient_a unto_o my_o purpose_n hereon_o this_o censure_n be_v pass_v by_o he_o where_o by_o be_v fallacious_o add_v to_o include_v the_o revelation_n christ_n have_v make_v whereas_o his_o first_o undertake_n be_v to_o show_v how_o impossible_a it_o be_v to_o understand_v these_o thing_n saving_o and_o clear_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o revelation_n god_n have_v make_v of_o himself_o and_o his_o will_n by_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o by_o christ_n himself_o without_o a_o acquaintance_n with_o his_o person_n the_o fallacy_n pretend_v be_v mere_o of_o his_o own_o coyningâ—_n my_o word_n be_v plain_a and_o sâ—ited_v unto_o my_o own_o purpose_n and_o to_o declare_v my_o mind_n in_o what_o i_o intend_v which_o he_o open_o corrupt_v or_o not_o at_o all_o understanding_n frame_v a_o end_n never_o think_v of_o by_o i_o and_o then_o feign_v fallacious_a mean_n of_o attain_v it_o the_o knowledge_n i_o mean_v be_v to_o be_v learn_v by_o christ_n neither_o be_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v learn_v in_o he_o but_o what_o be_v learn_v by_o he_o i_o do_v say_v indeed_o now_o whatever_o i_o have_v say_v before_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o understand_v any_o sacred_a truth_n save_o and_o clear_o without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n and_o shall_v say_v so_o still_o let_v this_o man_n and_o his_o companion_n say_v what_o they_o will_v to_o the_o contrary_a but_o that_o in_o my_o so_o say_v i_o exclude_v the_o consideration_n of_o the_o revelation_n which_o christ_n have_v make_v or_o that_o god_n have_v make_v of_o himself_o by_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o christ_n himself_o the_o principal_a whereof_o concern_v his_o person_n and_o whence_o alone_o we_o come_v to_o know_v he_o be_v a_o assertion_n become_v the_o modesty_n and_o ingenuity_n of_o this_o author_n but_o hereon_o he_o proceed_v and_o say_v that_o as_o to_o the_o first_o head_n he_o will_v take_v notice_n of_o those_o peculiar_a discovery_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n of_o which_o the_o world_n be_v ignorant_a before_o and_o of_o which_o revelation_n be_v whole_o silent_a but_o be_v now_o clear_o and_o save_o learned_a from_o a_o acquaintance_n with_o christ_n person_n but_o what_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n be_v become_v of_o modesty_n truth_n and_o honesty_n do_v man_n reckon_v that_o there_o be_v no_o account_n to_o be_v give_v of_o such_o falsification_n be_v there_o any_o one_o word_n or_o tittle_n in_o my_o discourse_n of_o any_o such_o knowledge_n of_o the_o nature_n or_o property_n of_o god_n as_o whereof_o revelation_n be_v whole_o silent_a what_o do_v this_o man_n intend_v do_v he_o either_o not_o at_o all_o understand_v what_o i_o say_v or_o do_v he_o not_o care_v what_o he_o say_v himself_o what_o have_v i_o do_v to_o he_o wherein_o have_v i_o injure_v he_o how_o have_v i_o provoke_v he_o that_o he_o shall_v sacrifice_v his_o conscience_n and_o reputation_n unto_o such_o a_o revenge_n must_v he_o yet_o hear_v it_o again_o i_o never_o think_v i_o never_o own_v i_o never_o write_v that_o there_o be_v any_o acquaintance_n to_o be_v obtain_v with_o any_o property_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n but_o what_o be_v teach_v and_o reveal_v in_o the_o gospel_n from_o whence_o alone_o all_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n his_o person_n and_o his_o doctrine_n be_v to_o be_v learned_a and_o yet_o i_o will_v say_v again_o if_o we_o learn_v not_o thence_o to_o know_v the_o lord_n christ_n that_o be_v his_o person_n we_o shall_v never_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o god_n ourselves_o or_o our_o duty_n clear_o and_o saving_o i_o use_v the_o word_n again_o notwithstanding_o the_o reflection_n on_o they_o as_o more_o proper_a in_o this_o matter_n than_o any_o use_v by_o our_o author_n in_o his_o eloquent_a discourse_n and_o as_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v from_o hence_o he_o proceed_v unto_o weak_a and_o confuse_a discourse_n about_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o his_o property_n without_o any_o knowledge_n of_o christ._n for_o he_o not_o only_o tell_v we_o what_o reason_n we_o have_v to_o believe_v such_o and_o such_o thing_n of_o god_n if_o christ_n have_v never_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n take_v care_n i_o pray_v that_o we_o be_v think_v as_o little_o behold_v to_o he_o as_o may_v be_v but_o that_o god_n readiness_n to_o pardon_n and_o the_o like_a be_v plain_o reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n without_o any_o far_a acquaintance_n with_o the_o person_n of_o christ._n pag._n 43._o what_o this_o far_a acquaintance_n with_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n shall_v mean_v i_o do_v not_o well_o understand_v it_o may_v be_v any_o more_o acquaintance_n with_o respect_n unto_o some_o that_o be_v necessary_a it_o may_v be_v without_o any_o more_o ado_n as_o to_o a_o acquaintance_n with_o he_o and_o if_o this_o be_v his_o intention_n as_o it_o must_v be_v if_o there_o be_v sense_n in_o his_o word_n that_o god_n readiness_n to_o pardon_v sinner_n be_v reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n without_o respect_n unto_o the_o person_n of_o jesus_n christ_n it_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o dull_a socinianism_n which_o because_o i_o have_v sufficient_o confute_v else_o where_o i_o shall_v not_o here_o far_o discover_v the_o folly_n of_o for_o a_o knowledge_n of_o god_n essential_a property_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n it_o be_v never_o deny_v by_o i_o yea_o i_o have_v write_v and_o contend_v for_o it_o in_o another_o way_n than_o can_v be_v impeach_v by_o such_o
this_o section_n upon_o a_o contrary_a supposition_n false_o impute_v unto_o i_o and_o as_o for_o his_o draw_a scheme_n of_o religion_n i_o must_v tell_v he_o and_o let_v he_o disprove_v it_o if_o he_o be_v able_a i_o own_v no_o religion_n no_o article_n of_o faith_n but_o what_o be_v teach_v express_o in_o the_o scripture_n most_o confirm_v by_o the_o ancient_a general_n council_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o most_o learned_a father_n against_o all_o sort_n of_o heretic_n especial_o the_o gnostic_n photinian_o and_o pelagian_n consonant_n to_o the_o article_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n of_o europe_n and_o if_o in_o the_o exposition_n of_o any_o place_n of_o scripture_n i_o dissent_v from_o any_o that_o for_o the_o substance_n of_o it_o own_o the_o religion_n i_o do_v i_o do_v it_o not_o without_o cogent_n reason_n from_o the_o scripture_n itself_o and_o where_o in_o any_o opinion_n which_o learned_a man_n have_v and_o it_o may_v be_v always_o have_v different_a apprehension_n about_o which_o have_v not_o be_v think_v to_o prejudice_v the_o unity_n of_o faith_n among_o they_o i_o hope_v i_o do_v endeavour_n to_o manage_v that_o dissent_n with_o that_o modesty_n and_o sobriety_n which_o become_v i_o and_o as_o for_o the_o scheme_n plot_n or_o design_n of_o religion_n or_o christianity_n give_v we_o by_o this_o author_n and_o own_a by_o he_o it_o be_v take_v pretend_o from_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n when_o it_o be_v hope_v that_o he_o may_v have_v a_o better_a to_o give_v we_o from_o the_o gospel_n see_v he_o have_v tell_v we_o we_o must_v learn_v our_o religion_n from_o his_o doctrine_n and_o not_o from_o his_o person_n beside_o that_o it_o be_v liable_a unto_o innumerable_a exception_n in_o particular_a which_o may_v easy_o be_v give_v in_o against_o it_o by_o such_o as_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v whereas_o it_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o effectual_a grace_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o conversion_n and_o sanctification_n of_o sinner_n and_o the_o necessity_n thereof_o unto_o all_o act_n of_o holy_a obedience_n it_o be_v mere_o pelagian_a and_o stand_v anathematise_v by_o sundry_a council_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n i_o shall_v not_o therefore_o concern_v myself_o far_a in_o any_o passage_n of_o this_o section_n most_o of_o they_o wherein_o it_o reflect_v on_o other_o stand_v in_o competition_n for_o truth_n and_o ingenuity_n with_o the_o foundation_n and_o design_n of_o the_o whole_a only_o i_o shall_v say_v that_o the_o passage_n of_o 88_o 89._o this_o make_v the_o divine_a goodness_n so_o restles_o zealous_a and_o concern_v for_o the_o recovery_n of_o mankind_n various_a way_n be_v attempt_v in_o former_a age_n but_o with_o little_a success_n as_o i_o observe_v before_o but_o at_o last_o god_n send_v his_o own_o son_n our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n into_o the_o world_n without_o a_o very_a cautious_a explanation_n and_o charitable_a construction_n be_v false_a scandalous_a and_o blasphemous_a for_o allow_v this_o author_n who_o contend_v so_o severe_o for_o propriety_n of_o expression_n against_o allusion_n and_o metaphor_n to_o say_v that_o the_o divine_a goodness_n be_v restles_o zealous_a and_o concern_v for_o indeed_o such_o be_v our_o weakness_n that_o whether_o we_o will_v or_o no_o we_o must_v sometime_o learn_v and_o teach_v divine_a thing_n in_o such_o word_n as_o be_v suit_v to_o convey_v a_o apprehension_n of_o they_o unto_o our_o mind_n though_o in_o their_o application_n unto_o the_o divine_a nature_n they_o be_v incapable_a of_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o propriety_n of_o their_o signification_n though_o this_o be_v as_o untoward_o express_v as_o any_o thing_n i_o have_v of_o late_o meet_v withal_o yet_o what_o colour_n can_v be_v put_v upon_o what_o excuse_n can_v be_v make_v for_o this_o doctrine_n that_o god_n in_o former_a age_n by_o various_a way_n attempt_v the_o recovery_n of_o mankind_n but_o with_o little_a success_n i_o know_v not_o various_a attempt_n in_o god_n for_o any_o end_n without_o success_n do_v not_o lead_v the_o mind_n into_o right_a notion_n of_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o omnipotency_n and_o that_o god_n by_o any_o way_n at_o any_o time_n attempt_v the_o recovery_n of_o mankind_n distinct_o and_o separately_z from_o the_o send_n of_o his_o son_n be_v lewd_o false_a in_o the_o great_a part_n of_o his_o four_o section_n entitle_v how_o man_n pervert_v the_o scripture_n to_o make_v it_o comply_v with_o their_o fancy_n i_o be_o not_o much_o concern_v save_v that_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o that_o which_o animate_v his_o discourse_n from_o first_o to_o last_o be_v lay_v in_o a_o impudent_a calumny_n namely_o that_o i_o declare_v that_o our_o religion_n be_v whole_o owe_v to_o a_o acquaintance_n with_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n &_o can_v never_o have_v be_v clear_o &_o save_o learned_a from_o his_o gospel_n have_v we_o not_o first_o grow_v acquaint_v with_o his_o person_n this_o shameless_a falsehood_n be_v that_o alone_a whence_o he_o take_v occasion_n and_o confidence_n to_o reproach_n myself_o and_o other_o to_o condemn_v the_o doctrine_n of_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o open_o to_o traduce_v and_o vilify_v the_o scripture_n itself_o i_o shall_v only_o brief_o touch_v on_o some_o of_o the_o impotent_a dictate_v of_o this_o great_a corrector_n of_o divinity_n and_o religion_n his_o discourse_n of_o accommodate_v scripture-expression_n to_o man_n own_o dreamn_v pag._n 99_o 100.101_o be_v such_o as_o any_o man_n may_v use_v concern_v any_o other_o man_n on_o the_o like_a occasion_n if_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n unto_o it_o and_o intend_v to_o have_v no_o more_o regard_n to_o their_o conscience_n than_o some_o other_o seem_v to_o have_v may_v be_v pass_v by_o pag._n 102._o he_o fall_v upon_o the_o way_n of_o expound_v scripture_n among_o those_o who_o he_o set_v himself_o against_o and_o positive_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v two_o way_n of_o it_o in_o great_a vogue_n among_o they_o first_o by_o the_o sound_n and_o clink_n of_o the_o word_n and_o phrase_n which_o as_o he_o say_v be_v all_o some_o man_n understand_v by_o keep_v a_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n 2_o when_o this_o will_v not_o do_v they_o reason_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o they_o from_o their_o own_o preconceive_a notion_n and_o opinion_n and_o prove_v that_o this_o must_v be_v the_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n because_o otherwise_o it_o be_v not_o reconcileable_a to_o their_o dream_n which_o be_v call_v expound_v scripture_n by_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n thus_o far_o he_o and_o yet_o we_o shall_v have_v the_o same_o man_n not_o long_o hence_o plead_v for_o the_o necessity_n of_o holiness_n but_o i_o wish_v for_o my_o part_n he_o will_v take_v notice_n that_o i_o despise_v that_o holiness_n and_o the_o principle_n of_o it_o which_o will_v allow_v man_n to_o coin_n invent_v and_o publish_v such_o notorious_a untruth_n against_o any_o sort_n of_o man_n whatever_o and_o whereas_o by_o what_o immediate_o follow_v i_o seem_v to_o be_v principal_o intend_v in_o this_o charge_n as_o i_o know_v the_o untruth_n of_o it_o so_o i_o have_v publish_v some_o exposition_n on_o some_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n to_o which_o i_o appeal_v from_o the_o censure_n of_o this_o man_n and_o his_o companion_n as_o also_o for_o those_o which_o if_o i_o live_v and_o god_n will_v i_o shall_v yet_o publish_v and_o do_v declare_v that_o for_o reason_n very_o satisfactory_a to_o my_o mind_n i_o will_v not_o come_v to_o he_o nor_o they_o to_o learn_v how_o to_o expound_v the_o scripture_n but_o he_o will_v justify_v his_o charge_n by_o particular_a instance_n tell_v we_o pag._n 102._o thus_o when_o man_n be_v possess_v with_o a_o fancy_n of_o a_o acquaintance_n with_o christ_n person_n then_o to_o know_v christ_n can_v signify_v nothing_o else_o but_o to_o know_v his_o person_n and_o all_o his_o personal_a excellency_n and_o beauty_n fullness_n and_o pretiousness_n etc._n etc._n and_o when_o christ_n be_v say_v to_o be_v make_v wisdom_n to_o we_o this_o be_v a_o plain_a proof_n that_o we_o must_v learn_v all_o our_o spiritual_a wisdom_n from_o a_o acquaintance_n with_o his_o person_n though_o some_o dull_a man_n can_v understand_v no_o more_o by_o it_o than_o the_o wisdom_n of_o those_o revelation_n christ_n have_v make_v of_o god_n will_n to_o the_o world_n i_o will_v beg_v of_o this_o man_n that_o if_o he_o have_v any_o regard_n unto_o the_o honour_n of_o christian_a religion_n or_o care_n of_o his_o own_o soul_n he_o will_v be_v tender_a in_o this_o matter_n and_o not_o reflect_v with_o his_o usual_a disdain_n upon_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o person_n of_o christ._n i_o must_v tell_v he_o again_o what_o