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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
and_o the_o free_a choice_n of_o the_o divine_a will_n and_o therefore_o though_o we_o may_v conclude_v from_o the_o divine_a nature_n that_o god_n will_v be_v gracious_a and_o compassionate_a to_o sinner_n yet_o we_o can_v certain_o know_v in_o what_o measure_n and_o proportion_v god_n will_v exercise_v this_o grace_n and_o mercy_n without_o a_o express_a declaration_n of_o his_o will_n and_o when_o god_n have_v declare_v his_o will_n as_o he_o have_v now_o do_v in_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v then_o at_o best_a to_o no_o purpose_n to_o argue_v from_o his_o nature_n unless_o we_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o encourage_v sinner_n to_o expect_v more_o grace_n from_o the_o divine_a nature_n than_o god_n have_v promise_v in_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n so_o that_o though_o we_o shall_v suppose_v that_o he_o do_v not_o consider_v this_o boundless_a grace_n in_o christ_n 272._o as_o mediator_n but_o consider_v it_o as_o in_o he_o who_o be_v mediator_n which_o by_o the_o way_n spoil_v all_o the_o comfort_n sinner_n may_v take_v from_o the_o boundless_a mercy_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n in_o christ_n if_o this_o be_v not_o in_o he_o as_o our_o mediator_n unless_o we_o may_v expect_v more_o grace_n from_o christ_n upon_o his_o personal_a account_n than_o from_o his_o mediation_n that_o be_v more_o from_o the_o person_n than_o from_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n which_o contain_v the_o term_n of_o his_o mediation_n which_o he_o so_o vehement_o disown_n yet_o i_o say_v this_o argument_n be_v weak_a and_o fallacious_a because_o we_o can_v reason_v thus_o from_o the_o divine_a nature_n itself_o for_o though_o the_o divine_a nature_n be_v the_o fountain_n of_o grace_n and_o mercy_n yet_o the_o divine_a will_n regulate_v the_o exercise_n of_o it_o and_o assign_v its_o measure_n much_o less_o can_v we_o reason_v thus_o from_o the_o divine_a nature_n consider_v in_o christ_n as_o our_o mediator_n for_o a_o mediator_n as_o mediator_n though_o he_o be_v god-man_n be_v not_o the_o fountain_n but_o minister_n of_o grace_n as_o christ_n witness_n that_o he_o come_v not_o to_o do_v his_o own_o will_n but_o the_o will_n of_o he_o that_o send_v he_o and_o thus_o he_o be_v consider_v in_o scripture_n even_o where_o he_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o only_o beget_v of_o the_o father_n full_a of_o grace_n and_o truth_n which_o seem_v not_o primary_o to_o refer_v to_o the_o inherent_a glory_n and_o perfection_n of_o his_o nature_n though_o that_o may_v be_v prove_v from_o it_o but_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o ministry_n which_o be_v the_o only_a glory_n the_o apostle_n can_v then_o discover_v when_o his_o essential_a majesty_n be_v hide_v under_o a_o vail_n of_o flesh_n and_o therefore_o i_o think_v still_o the_o doctor_n will_v do_v well_o to_o make_v god_n the_o father_n the_o fountain_n of_o grace_n for_o though_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o three_o person_n in_o the_o sacred_a trinity_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a essence_n what_o be_v attribute_v to_o one_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v attribute_v to_o the_o other_o yet_o when_o we_o consider_v they_o under_o different_a capacity_n and_o relation_n it_o be_v not_o so_o christ_n as_o god_n essential_o one_o with_o the_o father_n and_o holy_a spirit_n be_v the_o fountain_n of_o grace_n as_o mediator_n he_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o it_o the_o father_n send_v and_o christ_n be_v send_v the_o father_n prescribe_v his_o work_n and_o he_o finish_v it_o and_o therefore_o to_o make_v christ_n as_o mediator_n the_o fountain_n of_o grace_n be_v a_o derogation_n from_o god_n the_o father_n who_o the_o scripture_n make_v the_o first_o mover_n and_o supreme_a agent_n in_o the_o work_n of_o our_o redemption_n i_o observe_v in_o the_o same_o place_n another_o 209._o instance_n of_o this_o way_n of_o reason_v from_o the_o divine_a nature_n in_o christ_n to_o prove_v that_o eternity_n unchangeableness_n and_o fruitfulness_n of_o his_o love_n now_o this_o i_o say_v be_v a_o way_n of_o prove_v the_o eternity_n unchangeableness_n and_o fruitfulness_n of_o christ_n love_n which_o the_o scripture_n no_o where_o teach_v but_o be_v whole_o owe_v to_o a_o acquaintance_n with_o christ_n and_o i_o wonder_v that_o the_o doctor_n shall_v be_v at_o a_o loss_n to_o know_v what_o it_o be_v i_o except_v against_o whether_o it_o be_v that_o the_o love_n of_o christ_n as_o he_o be_v god_n be_v eternal_a or_o that_o it_o be_v unchangeable_a or_o that_o 177._o it_o be_v fruitful_a or_o effective_a of_o good_a thing_n unto_o the_o person_n belove_v it_o be_v neither_o of_o these_o in_o themselves_o consider_v for_o i_o own_o all_o as_o he_o very_o well_o know_v but_o i_o except_o partly_o against_o his_o way_n of_o state_v these_o thing_n and_o partly_o against_o his_o way_n of_o prove_v they_o or_o rather_o against_o both_o together_o what_o he_o mean_v by_o this_o eternal_a unchangeable_a and_o fruitful_a love_n he_o tell_v we_o himself_o the_o love_n which_o i_o intend_v and_o whereunto_o i_o ascribe_v those_o property_n be_v the_o especial_a love_n 183._o of_o god_n in_o christ_n unto_o the_o elect._n this_o be_v such_o a_o love_n as_o be_v eternal_a without_o beginning_n and_o without_o end_n as_o do_v not_o change_v with_o the_o change_n of_o the_o object_n as_o the_o love_n of_o man_n do_v and_o be_v so_o fruitful_a and_o effectual_a as_o to_o love_v life_n grace_n holiness_n into_o we_o to_o love_v we_o into_o covenant_n to_o love_v we_o into_o heaven_n now_o my_o business_n be_v not_o to_o dispute_v the_o case_n whether_o god_n have_v elect_v some_o particular_a person_n who_o he_o will_v infallible_o bring_v to_o glory_n which_o i_o never_o deny_v yet_o and_o i_o think_v never_o shall_v but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o the_o eternity_n and_o unchangeableness_n and_o fruitfulness_n of_o this_o elect_v love_n can_v be_v prove_v from_o the_o eternity_n and_o immutability_n etc._n etc._n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n the_o inconvenience_n i_o then_o urge_v it_o with_o be_v this_o if_o this_o love_n be_v so_o eternal_a and_o unchangeable_a etc._n etc._n because_o the_o 210._o divine_a nature_n be_v so_o than_o it_o be_v always_o so_o for_o god_n always_o be_v what_o he_o be_v and_o that_o which_o be_v eternal_a can_v never_o be_v other_o than_o it_o be_v now_o and_o why_o can_v not_o this_o eternal_a and_o unchangeable_a and_o fruitful_a love_n as_o well_o preserve_v we_o from_o fall_v into_o sin_n and_o misery_n and_o death_n as_o love_v life_n and_o holiness_n into_o we_o all_o to_o this_o the_o doctor_n answer_v that_o god_n love_n be_v in_o scripture_n represent_v unchangeable_a because_o he_o himself_o be_v so_o but_o it_o do_v not_o hence_o follow_v that_o god_n love_v any_o one_o natural_o or_o necessary_o his_o love_n be_v a_o free_a act_n of_o his_o will_n and_o therefore_o though_o it_o be_v like_o himself_o such_o as_o become_v his_o nature_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_o determine_v on_o any_o object_n nor_o limit_v as_o to_o the_o nature_n degree_n effect_n of_o it_o which_o he_o prove_v from_o the_o different_a dispensation_n of_o the_o grace_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n under_o the_o law_n and_o gospel_n and_o add_v god_n be_v always_o the_o same_o that_o he_o be_v love_v in_o god_n be_v always_o the_o same_o that_o it_o be_v but_o the_o object_n act_n and_o effect_n of_o this_o love_n with_o the_o measure_n and_o degree_n of_o they_o be_v the_o issue_n of_o the_o counsel_n or_o free_a purpose_n of_o his_o will._n now_o this_o answer_n be_v what_o i_o will_v have_v and_o plain_o discover_v the_o sophistry_n of_o this_o way_n of_o reason_v for_o if_o this_o elect_a love_n be_v not_o the_o immediate_a and_o necessary_a effect_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n but_o the_o free_a choice_n and_o purpose_n of_o his_o will_n than_o we_o can_v learn_v either_o that_o it_o be_v or_o what_o it_o be_v from_o the_o bare_a contemplation_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n but_o from_o the_o declaration_n of_o the_o divine_a will_n for_o we_o can_v prove_v nothing_o from_o the_o divine_a nature_n but_o what_o have_v a_o necessary_a and_o inseparable_a connexion_n with_o some_o attribute_n and_o perfection_n in_o god_n but_o where_o a_o free_a choice_n and_o counsel_n intervene_v we_o must_v be_v content_v to_o be_v ignorant_a or_o to_o learn_v from_o revelation_n we_o may_v certain_o conclude_v from_o the_o holiness_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n that_o god_n will_v love_v good_a man_n and_o hate_v the_o wicked_a because_o holiness_n include_v in_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o it_o a_o necessary_a love_n to_o goodness_n and_o hatred_n of_o evil_n and_o from_o the_o immutability_n of_o god_n we_o may_v conclude_v his_o unchangeable_a love_n to_o goodness_n and_o hatred_n of_o evil_n as_o the_o psalmist_n express_v it_o psal._n 103._o 17_o 18._o but_o the_o mercy_n
the_o very_a same_o that_o the_o socinian_o impose_v upon_o those_o place_n be_v admit_v we_o have_v some_o of_o the_o main_a proof_n of_o it_o wrest_v out_o of_o our_o hand_n i_o always_o suspect_v our_o author_n of_o some_o ill_a design_n when_o he_o speak_v fair_o he_o will_v not_o impeach_v i_o of_o oppose_v the_o godhead_n of_o christ_n but_o he_o will_v strong_o insinuate_v that_o i_o secret_o undermine_v the_o foundation_n of_o that_o belief_n and_o that_o i_o expound_v those_o scripture_n which_o be_v produce_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o just_a as_o the_o socinian_o do_v who_o deny_v it_o i_o presume_v our_o author_n be_v secure_a that_o his_o proselyte_n will_v take_v his_o word_n for_o this_o and_o never_o concern_v themselves_o to_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o the_o imposture_n be_v so_o very_o obvious_a that_o no_o man_n can_v miss_v the_o discovery_n of_o it_o who_o take_v never_o so_o little_a pain_n in_o the_o inquiry_n most_o of_o these_o place_n concern_v that_o account_n i_o give_v of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n and_o 151._o in_o what_o sense_n the_o fullness_n of_o the_o godhead_n be_v say_v to_o dwell_v bodily_a in_o he_o col._n 1._o 19_o joh._n 1._o 14._o col._n 2._o 8._o and_o the_o account_n i_o give_v of_o it_o in_o short_a be_v this_o that_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n in_o these_o expression_n have_v a_o peculiar_a respect_n to_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o gospel-revelation_n that_o christ_n have_v now_o make_v a_o full_a and_o perfect_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_v to_o the_o world_n and_o much_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n i_o confess_v slitchtingius_fw-la and_o other_o socinian_o expound_v those_o text_n but_o then_o mr._n ferguson_n may_v have_v observe_v that_o i_o give_v a_o large_a account_n of_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o phrase_n why_o the_o apostle_n express_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o gospel-revelation_n by_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o godhead_n dwell_v bodily_a in_o christ_n viz._n that_o this_o be_v a_o allusion_n to_o god_n dwell_v in_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n by_o type_n and_o figure_n which_o be_v the_o symbol_n of_o his_o presence_n and_o this_o symbolical_a presence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o temple_n be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o that_o symbolical_a and_o ceremonial_a worship_n which_o he_o then_o institute_v and_o command_v but_o now_o he_o have_v send_v his_o son_n to_o tabernacle_n among_o we_o joh._n 1._o 14._o the_o deity_n itself_o now_o dwell_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o christ_n body_n not_o by_o type_n and_o figure_n as_o he_o former_o dwell_v in_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n but_o by_o a_o real_a and_o immediate_a presence_n and_o union_n and_o therefore_o those_o revelation_n which_o be_v make_v by_o christ_n be_v answerable_a to_o the_o inhabitation_n of_o the_o godhead_n in_o he_o contain_v a_o true_a and_o perfect_a declaration_n of_o god_n will_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o imperfect_a rudiment_n and_o obscure_a type_n and_o figure_n of_o the_o law_n so_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bodily_a be_v oppose_v to_o figurative_a and_o typical_a and_o this_o be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n of_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o gospel_n revelation_n that_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o deity_n dwell_v substantial_o in_o christ_n and_o we_o need_v not_o doubt_n but_o that_o so_o excellent_a a_o prophet_n as_o he_o be_v in_o who_o the_o deity_n itself_o inhabit_v have_v perfect_o reveal_v god_n will_v to_o we_o and_o now_o our_o author_n have_v need_n rub_v his_o forehead_n hard_o to_o maintain_v this_o to_o be_v the_o very_a same_o account_n which_o the_o socinian_o give_v of_o these_o text_n or_o that_o this_o do_v evacuate_v the_o testimony_n of_o these_o scripture_n for_o the_o godhead_n of_o our_o saviour_n when_o indeed_o this_o be_v the_o only_a way_n to_o wrest_v these_o scripture_n out_o of_o the_o socinian_o hand_n whoever_o deny_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v by_o that_o expression_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o godhead_n dwell_v bodily_a in_o christ_n intend_v to_o signify_v the_o perfection_n of_o that_o revelation_n which_o christ_n have_v make_v to_o the_o world_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v baffle_v by_o the_o socinian_o there_o be_v so_o many_o evident_a proof_n of_o this_o from_o the_o whole_a design_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o place_n that_o it_o can_v be_v avoid_v and_o therefore_o the_o only_a way_n to_o vindicate_v these_o testimony_n for_o the_o deity_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o to_o argue_v from_o the_o primary_n intention_n and_o design_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o place_n but_o from_o the_o nature_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o expression_n why_o the_o apostle_n shall_v describe_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o gospel_n revelation_n by_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o godhead_n dwell_v bodily_a in_o christ_n which_o no_o man_n can_v give_v any_o tolerable_a account_n of_o who_o deny_v the_o deity_n of_o christ._n but_o what_o will_v mr._n ferguson_n say_v if_o mr._n calvin_n give_v the_o very_a same_o account_n of_o the_o word_n which_o i_o do_v and_o yet_o if_o he_o will_v but_o consult_v he_o upon_o the_o place_n he_o will_v find_v that_o my_o gloss_n be_v much_o more_o like_o mr._n calvin_n than_o slitchtingius_n or_o any_o other_o socinian_n his_o word_n be_v these_o cum_fw-la dicit_fw-la plenitudinem_fw-la deitatis_fw-la habitare_fw-la in_o christo_fw-la 〈◊〉_d nihil_fw-la aliud_fw-la sibi_fw-la vult_fw-la quam_fw-la totum_fw-la deum_fw-la in_o ipso_fw-la inveniri_fw-la ut_fw-la aliquid_fw-la deo_fw-la melius_fw-la ac_fw-la praestantius_fw-la appetat_fw-la qui_fw-la solo_fw-la christo_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la contentus_fw-la i._n e._n when_o the_o apostle_n say_v that_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o godhead_n dwell_v in_o christ_n he_o mean_v no_o more_o than_o that_o all_o god_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o he_o and_o therefore_o he_o must_v desire_v something_o better_o and_o more_o excellent_a than_o god_n who_o be_v not_o content_v with_o christ_n alone_o and_o what_o he_o mean_v by_o this_o he_o further_o explain_v summa_fw-la est_fw-la quòd_fw-la deus_fw-la in_o christo_fw-la se_fw-la nobis_fw-la plenè_fw-la ac_fw-la in_o solidum_fw-la exhibuerit_fw-la the_o sum_n be_v this_o that_o god_n have_v full_o and_o perfect_o declare_v himself_o to_o we_o in_o christ._n here_o be_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o gospel_n revelation_n which_o mr._n calvin_n say_v be_v the_o sum_n of_o what_o the_o apostle_n intend_v in_o that_o expression_n and_o therefore_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o apostle_n by_o corporaliter_fw-la bodily_a understand_v substantialiter_fw-la substantial_o for_o the_o apostle_n oppose_v that_o manifestation_n which_o christ_n have_v make_v of_o god_n to_o all_o other_o that_o ever_o be_v before_o deus_fw-la enim_fw-la saepius_fw-la se_fw-la exhibuit_fw-la hominibus_fw-la sed_fw-la in_o part_n in_fw-la christo_fw-la autem_fw-la totum_fw-la se_fw-la nobis_fw-la communicate_v alias_o etiam_fw-la se_fw-la manifestavit_fw-la sed_fw-la in_o figuris_fw-la in_fw-la christo_fw-la autem_fw-la essentialiter_fw-la nobis_fw-la apparuit_fw-la for_o god_n do_v often_o manifest_v himself_o before_o but_o those_o be_v partial_a and_o imperfect_a revelation_n but_o now_o he_o have_v communicate_v his_o whole_a self_n to_o we_o in_o christ_n i._n e._n the_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o his_o will_n he_o manifest_v himself_o also_o in_o other_o way_n but_o it_o be_v in_o type_n and_o figure_n but_o now_o he_o have_v appear_v essential_o to_o we_o in_o christ_n that_o be_v as_o he_o be_v in_o himself_o thus_o on_o joh._n 1._o 14._o the_o word_n be_v make_v flesh_n and_o dwell_v among_o we_o and_o we_o behold_v his_o glory_n the_o glory_n as_o of_o the_o only_o beget_v of_o the_o father_n full_a of_o grace_n and_o truth_n mr._n calvin_n have_v this_o note_n simpliciter_fw-la interpreter_n christum_fw-la apostolis_n indè_fw-la agnitum_fw-la fuisse_fw-la pro_fw-la filio_fw-la dei_fw-la quòd_fw-la complementum_fw-la omnium_fw-la quae_fw-la ad_fw-la spiritual_fw-la dei_fw-la regnum_fw-la pertinent_a in_o se_fw-la haberet_fw-la denique_fw-la quòd_fw-la in_o omnibus_fw-la verè_fw-la &_o praestiterit_fw-la redemptorem_fw-la &_o messiam_fw-la i_o expound_v this_o say_v he_o in_o the_o most_o plain_a and_o simple_a manner_n that_o hence_o the_o apostle_n know_v christ_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n because_o in_o he_o be_v find_v the_o completion_n and_o perfection_n of_o whatever_o appertain_v to_o the_o spiritual_a kingdom_n of_o god_n a_o fullness_n of_o truth_n and_o grace_n and_o that_o in_o all_o thing_n he_o acquit_v himself_o as_o a_o true_a redeemer_n and_o messiah_n on_o joh._n 14._o 20._o at_o that_o day_n shall_v you_o know_v that_o i_o be_o in_o my_o father_n and_o you_o in_o i_o and_o i_o in_o you_o mr._n calvin_n express_o assert_n that_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o speak_v de_fw-fr aeternâ_fw-la suâ_fw-la essentia_fw-la simplicitèr_fw-la sed_fw-la divinam_fw-la illam_fw-la virtutem_fw-la quae_fw-la in_o eo_fw-la fuit_fw-la patefacta_fw-la commenáat_fw-la simple_o of_o his_o eternal_a essence_n