tion, the attempt to shun the Cross, when standing in the Path of Truth. Respecting the matter and scope of the following Treatise, I am above uncertainty therein: Nor can the piddling Pedant who feeds on garbage, the detection of Errors in Grammar, the obsoleteness and impropriety of Words; exclaiming at want of Literature in Authors: Neither the Orthodox Precise, who sits in the infallible Chair, and condemns as Heresy, whatsoever squares not with his Dogma; supported by Creeds, Confessions of Faith, and the positive determinations of the most sound and pious expositors: I say, neither the one nor the other, will be able to shake my confidence, respecting the Truth, I aim at illustrating: which is, that Jesus Christ our Lord, is ascended far above all Heavens, that He might fill all things, and that in the new Man there is neither Greek, nor Jew, circumcision, nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond, nor free, but Christ is all, and in all. As to my De fects as an Author, I hope, I have by confessing my insufficiency, and renouncing all pretensions to any such Abilities, Anticipated my Examiners in their censures: but, if Time should shew the contrary, I have an infallible remedy in Silence, as there is nothing appears to me, worth contending about, besides the Faith once delivered to the Saints which contention is spiritual, and manifest through the whole of the Christian life; against all without and within that would pervert, and draw the mind from Christ: And consists not in vain Jangling, perverse Disputings, and Contentions with each other, to the subverting of the mind; as many have vainly imagined: Feeding, and pleasing themselves, with the fond conceit of eminence in faith, and knowledge; because they were better versed in argument than their opponents, or could run them down by the mere dint of positiveness, and much speaking. The latter I would always shun, as contrary to Christ: but in the former I would be found, hurting no man, but earnestly contending for the Faith: unto the edification of all whose Servant I am, for Christ's Sake. UNION: OR A TREATISE, &c. THE doctrine of Union between Christ and his Church renders the System of man's redemption by his Blood, beautifully consistent, and worthy its glorious Author. It explains the harmony of the divine perfections, and reveals God, acting according to the principles of his nature, in the salvation of mankind by Jesus Christ our Lord. Hence, it appears greatly worthy of our consideration; and in treating thereof, I would observe the following method I. Attempt the proof of Union as necessary to the equity of Salvation by Jesus. II. Explain, as far as I may, thereof. the nature III. Hint its Antiquity, and unchange able Duration. IV. Point out a few of the never-failing Springs of Consolation, arising therefrom. The Union of Christ, and his Church, appears to me, a Truth of such importance, that I can see no consistency in the Doctrine of Salvation by Jesus, withoutit.* * The method of grace and salvation, according to Union; is not at all contradictory to the sovereignty of God: That being sufficiently manifest, where he hath decreed the honour, and glory of his Son, as the principal, and leading maxim in all his divine appointments. He was before all things, and by him all things consist. The creation of Man, and his being appointed to obtain salvation, by Jesus Christ, is a farther proof of divine sovereignty; nothing moving the Almighty thereunto, but his own will: Yet this hinders not the Method and Execution of this Grace, its being according to equi. ty, and that such, as We by reason and Revelation may properly conceive of. But when sovereignty is introduced from first, to last; to the utter exclusion of equity, which is often done: (as a palliative for man's ignorance in divine things) the consequences attending are dangerous. First, as it depreciates the sacrifice of Christ, and makes his Death unnecessary since Absoluteness might have remitted the offence without shedding of blood.Or if it is hinted, that this Condition took place and was accepted from mere sovereign pleasure only : Then, of consequence it was not proportionable, as an atonement unto the offence and its Dignity as the Blood of God denied: Nor (upon such a supposition) was it necessary that our Saviour should be more than man. But, if the scriptures dignify the Blood of Jesus, in saying, that God purchased the Church with his own Blood if he was made a curse for us: if his sufferings as the punishment of : |