of_o time_n as_o in_o order_n of_o nature_n before_o we_o be_v holy_a and_o then_o we_o may_v if_o christ_n please_v as_o well_o continue_v unite_v as_o at_o first_o be_v unite_v to_o he_o without_o holiness_n for_o if_o neither_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o gospel-covenant_n nor_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n hinder_v such_o a_o union_n between_o christ_n and_o bad_a man_n while_o they_o may_v be_v consider_v as_o bad_a than_o nothing_o can_v hinder_v their_o continue_a bad_a after_o they_o be_v unite_v to_o christ_n but_o a_o arbitrary_a decree_n or_o a_o irresistible_a power_n christ_n may_v make_v they_o good_a if_o he_o please_v by_o a_o almighty_a power_n but_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n can_v be_v assign_v why_o he_o may_v not_o as_o well_o own_o they_o while_o they_o continue_v wicked_a as_o receive_v they_o into_o union_n with_o himself_o while_o they_o be_v consider_v as_o such_o christ_n may_v undertake_v the_o cure_n of_o bad_a man_n as_o physician_n do_v the_o cure_n of_o the_o sick_a this_o be_v the_o great_a end_n of_o his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n not_o to_o call_v the_o righteous_a but_o sinner_n to_o repentance_n but_o to_o unite_v they_o to_o himself_o to_o receive_v they_o into_o a_o state_n of_o favour_n and_o reconciliation_n to_o interest_n they_o in_o his_o righteousness_n to_o make_v they_o heir_n of_o glory_n while_o they_o be_v consider_v as_o bad_a in_o order_n of_o nature_n before_o they_o be_v renew_v and_o sanctify_a be_v contrary_a to_o the_o holiness_n of_o his_o nature_n to_o the_o express_a declaration_n of_o his_o gospel_n and_o perfect_o alter_v the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n this_o give_v we_o a_o little_a taste_n what_o candour_n and_o honesty_n we_o may_v expect_v from_o our_o author_n in_o his_o ensue_a discourse_n in_o the_o examination_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v not_o confine_v myself_o to_o his_o method_n but_o shall_v content_v myself_o to_o vindicate_v my_o own_o discourse_n of_o 1_o our_o union_n to_o christ_n in_o that_o order_n and_o method_n wherein_o it_o lie_v which_o will_v give_v i_o occasion_n to_o consider_v whatever_o i_o be_o concern_v to_o answer_v in_o mr._n ferguson_n chapter_n of_o union_n and_o then_o his_o scurrilous_a reflection_n and_o childish_a impertinency_n will_v need_v no_o answer_n the_o two_o first_o proposition_n which_o i_o lay_v down_o in_o order_n to_o explain_v our_o union_n to_o christ_n be_v these_o first_o that_o those_o metaphor_n which_o describe_v the_o relation_n and_o union_n between_o christ_n and_o christian_n do_v primary_o refer_v to_o the_o christian_a church_n not_o to_o every_o individual_a christian._n and_o second_o that_o the_o union_n of_o particular_a christian_n to_o christ_n be_v by_o mean_n of_o their_o union_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o mr._n ferguson_n tell_v we_o be_v 597._o in_o his_o opinion_n thing_n coincident_a if_o by_o coincident_a he_o mean_v that_o one_o follow_v from_o the_o other_o i_o ready_o grant_v it_o but_o if_o he_o mean_v that_o the_o proposition_n be_v the_o same_o which_o have_v neither_o the_o same_o subject_n nor_o predicate_v he_o may_v have_v spare_v his_o reflection_n either_o upon_o my_o logic_n or_o accuracy_n of_o write_v as_o be_v a_o very_a incompetent_a judge_n of_o either_o but_o the_o proposition_n be_v distinct_a and_o prove_v by_o different_a medium_n that_o which_o prove_v the_o first_o proposition_n do_v not_o immediate_o prove_v the_o second_o though_o mr._n ferguson_n will_v persuade_v the_o world_n that_o i_o have_v argue_v at_o 611._o that_o inconsequent_a rate_n and_o charge_v my_o logic_n with_o the_o miscarriage_n and_o failure_n of_o his_o own_o which_o be_v the_o most_o effectual_a way_n he_o can_v take_v to_o make_v it_o ridiculous_a and_o yet_o after_o he_o have_v charge_v they_o with_o be_v coincident_a proposition_n which_o signify_v the_o same_o thing_n at_o the_o very_a next_o turn_n he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o own_v they_o coincident_a that_o he_o will_v not_o allow_v one_o to_o be_v so_o much_o as_o a_o just_a consequent_a from_o the_o other_o for_o have_v recite_v that_o paragraph_n whereby_o i_o prove_v that_o the_o metaphor_n which_o describe_v the_o relation_n and_o union_n between_o christ_n and_o christian_n do_v primary_o refer_v to_o the_o christian_a church_n not_o to_o every_o individual_a christian_a he_o add_v to_o this_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o be_v this_o discourse_n of_o our_o author_n frame_v into_o a_o syllogism_n the_o incongruity_n between_o the_o conclusion_n and_o premise_n will_v easy_o appear_v for_o example_n christ_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n ergo_fw-la no_o particular_a believer_n be_v unite_v to_o he_o but_o by_o mean_n of_o their_o union_n with_o the_o church_n let_v we_o learn_v then_o how_o he_o disprove_v it_o i_o deny_v say_v he_o the_o consequent_a i_o suppose_v he_o will_v have_v say_v consequence_n have_v he_o understand_v the_o difference_n of_o those_o logical_a term_n his_o reason_n be_v this_o sure_o though_o the_o king_n be_v immediate_a head_n to_o the_o whole_a kingdom_n yet_o he_o be_v immediate_a head_n to_o every_o individual_a person_n in_o it_o as_o for_o that_o word_n immediate_n i_o shall_v let_v it_o alone_o till_o anon_o but_o our_o author_n say_v very_o right_a the_o king_n be_v the_o head_n of_o every_o subject_a as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o whole_a kingdom_n and_o so_o be_v christ_n the_o head_n of_o every_o particular_a christian_a as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o whole_a church_n but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o thing_n in_o controversy_n the_o question_n be_v whether_o a_o king_n who_o be_v head_n only_o of_o his_o own_o kingdom_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o head_n of_o any_o single_a person_n who_o be_v not_o of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o therefore_o whether_o such_o a_o person_n must_v not_o first_o be_v incorporate_v into_o his_o kingdom_n before_o he_o can_v be_v relate_v to_o the_o king_n as_o his_o head_n thus_o christ_n be_v primary_o style_v a_o head_n with_o reference_n to_o his_o whole_a church_n which_o be_v his_o body_n and_o therefore_o those_o who_o be_v not_o of_o this_o church_n and_o body_n can_v be_v relate_v to_o he_o as_o to_o their_o head_n the_o only_a way_n to_o be_v relate_v to_o christ_n as_o our_o head_n be_v to_o be_v incorporate_v into_o his_o church_n which_o be_v his_o body_n for_o no_o head_n have_v relation_n to_o any_o member_n which_o be_v not_o unite_v to_o its_o own_o body_n but_o our_o author_n proceed_v 2._o the_o church_n and_o its_o individual_a member_n be_v of_o a_o homogenous_a nature_n what_o soever_o be_v praedicat_v essential_o of_o the_o whole_a be_v equal_o praedicat_v of_o every_o part_n if_o by_o this_o he_o only_a mean_n that_o christ_n may_v as_o well_o be_v call_v the_o head_n of_o particular_a christian_n as_o of_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n i_o ready_o grant_v it_o though_o it_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n but_o the_o proposition_n be_v the_o most_o absurd_a and_o senseless_a that_o ever_o be_v frame_v a_o river_n be_v a_o homogeneous_a body_n and_o yet_o every_o drop_n of_o water_n can_v be_v call_v a_o river_n the_o union_n of_o several_a thing_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n give_v they_o a_o new_a denomination_n which_o can_v belong_v to_o every_o particular_a a_o kingdom_n consist_v of_o a_o great_a many_o man_n who_o be_v as_o much_o of_o the_o same_o homogeneous_a nature_n as_o man_n as_o christian_n be_v as_o they_o be_v christian_n and_o yet_o every_o particular_a man_n can_v be_v call_v a_o kingdom_n the_o body_n of_o christ_n consist_v of_o a_o great_a many_o particular_a christian_n and_o yet_o every_o christian_a be_v not_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o beside_o this_o it_o be_v fulsom_o absurd_a to_o say_v that_o the_o church_n and_o its_o individual_a member_n be_v of_o a_o homogeneous_a nature_n for_o the_o church_n be_v a_o organise_v body_n which_o consist_v of_o several_a christian_n who_o consider_v as_o member_n be_v of_o as_o different_a a_o nature_n as_o the_o hand_n and_o eye_n and_o foot_n which_o be_v of_o different_a use_n necessity_n and_o honour_n so_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o 1_o cor._n 12._o 12_o 13_o 14_o etc._n etc._n for_o as_o the_o body_n be_v one_o and_o have_v many_o member_n and_o all_o the_o member_n of_o that_o one_o body_n be_v many_o be_v one_o body_n so_o also_o be_v christ._n and_o he_o particular_o mention_n the_o foot_n and_o the_o ear_n and_o the_o eye_n which_o no_o man_n yet_o think_v to_o be_v of_o a_o homogeneous_a nature_n till_o mr._n ferguson_n bless_v the_o world_n with_o this_o discovery_n his_o three_o and_o four_o argument_n proceed_v upon_o the_o same_o mistake_n and_o indeed_o be_v the_o very_a same_o in_o terminis_fw-la that_o every_o member_n of_o the_o body_n as_o well_o as_o the_o
the_o church_n his_o spouse_n a_o shepherd_n and_o the_o church_n his_o flock_n a_o rock_n whereon_o his_o church_n be_v build_v the_o chief_a corner_n stone_n and_o the_o church_n a_o holy_a temple_n but_o as_o for_o particular_a christian_n their_o union_n to_o christ_n be_v by_o mean_n of_o their_o union_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o be_v no_o man_n can_v be_v unite_v to_o christ_n till_o he_o be_v a_o christian_n and_o no_o man_n be_v in_o the_o scripture_n account_v a_o christian_n till_o he_o make_v a_o public_a profession_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o be_v solemn_o admit_v into_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n for_o which_o he_o die_v and_o to_o which_o all_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v make_v a_o secret_a and_o private_a faith_n in_o christ_n be_v not_o ordinary_o enough_o to_o make_v any_o man_n a_o christian_a but_o faith_n in_o the_o heart_n and_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o mouth_n be_v both_o necessary_a rom._n x._o 9_o 10._o christ_n himself_o have_v appoint_v the_o public_a sacrament_n of_o our_o initiation_n and_o our_o church_n teach_v her_o child_n that_o in_o their_o baptism_n which_o be_v their_o solemn_a admission_n into_o the_o christian_a church_n they_o be_v make_v member_n of_o christ_n the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o inheritor_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o i_o have_v abundant_o confirm_v this_o notion_n in_o my_o former_a discourse_n and_o those_o who_o will_v be_v more_o full_o satisfy_v in_o it_o may_v have_v recourse_n thither_o the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v what_o be_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o this_o union_n betwixt_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n and_o the_o most_o general_a and_o comprehensive_a notion_n be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o political_a not_o a_o natural_a union_n the_o union_n between_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n consist_v in_o their_o mutual_a relation_n to_o each_o other_o now_o those_o relation_n whereby_o the_o scripture_n represent_v this_o union_n signify_v power_n and_o authority_n on_o christ_n part_n and_o inferiority_n and_o subjection_n in_o the_o church_n christ_n be_v the_o head_n and_o husband_n which_o signify_v rule_n and_o government_n and_o the_o church_n be_v his_o spouse_n and_o body_n and_o therefore_o as_o the_o wife_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o husband_n and_o the_o body_n to_o the_o head_n so_o the_o church_n must_v be_v subject_a to_o christ_n and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o all_o those_o other_o relation_n whereby_o this_o union_n be_v describe_v only_o when_o i_o call_v it_o a_o political_a union_n you_o must_v not_o imagine_v that_o it_o be_v only_o such_o a_o external_a relation_n as_o be_v between_o a_o prince_n and_o his_o subject_n because_o christ_n be_v a_o spiritual_a king_n and_o his_o authority_n reach_v to_o the_o heart_n and_o spirit_n which_o no_o humane_a power_n can_v no_o man_n be_v in_o a_o proper_a sense_n a_o subject_a of_o christ_n kingdom_n but_o he_o who_o govern_v his_o heart_n and_o spirit_n as_o well_o as_o his_o external_a action_n by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o though_o a_o external_a and_o visible_a profession_n of_o the_o gospel_n entitle_v man_n to_o a_o external_a communion_n with_o the_o christian_a church_n because_o the_o external_a government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v commit_v to_o man_n who_o can_v discern_v heart_n and_o thought_n yet_o whoever_o do_v not_o hearty_o obey_v christ_n be_v not_o real_o unite_v to_o he_o for_o the_o subjection_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o spirit_n be_v the_o principal_a thing_n which_o denominate_v we_o the_o subject_n of_o a_o spiritual_a king_n and_o therefore_o this_o may_v be_v call_v a_o spiritual-political_n union_n which_o principal_o respect_v the_o subjection_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o spirit_n to_o christ_n and_o do_v necessary_o include_v a_o participation_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o he_o and_o a_o mutual_a &_o reciprocal_a love_n it_o be_v a_o political_a union_n because_o it_o consist_v in_o the_o authority_n and_o government_n of_o christ_n as_o a_o head_n and_o husband_n and_o in_o the_o subjection_n and_o obedience_n of_o the_o church_n as_o his_o body_n and_o spouse_n and_o it_o be_v spiritual_a because_o the_o authority_n of_o christ_n do_v not_o only_o reach_v our_o outward_a action_n as_o the_o government_n of_o earthly_a prince_n do_v but_o extend_v itself_o to_o our_o mind_n and_o spirit_n and_o if_o you_o will_v put_v it_o into_o other_o word_n our_o union_n to_o christ_n consist_v in_o a_o hearty_a belief_n of_o his_o revelation_n in_o obedience_n to_o his_o law_n and_o subjection_n to_o his_o authority_n this_o make_v we_o the_o church_n the_o temple_n of_o god_n wherein_o he_o dwell_v as_o he_o former_o do_v in_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n this_o be_v that_o which_o the_o scripture_n call_v have_v fellowship_n and_o communion_n with_o god_n and_o christ_n which_o signify_v be_v of_o that_o society_n which_o put_v we_o into_o a_o peculiar_a relation_n to_o god_n that_o god_n be_v our_o father_n and_o we_o his_o child_n that_o christ_n be_v our_o head_n and_o husband_n our_o lord_n and_o master_n we_o his_o disciple_n and_o follower_n his_o spouse_n and_o his_o body_n this_o entitle_v we_o to_o his_o merit_n and_o righteousness_n to_o his_o peculiar_a care_n and_o providence_n to_o the_o influence_n of_o his_o grace_n to_o the_o power_n of_o his_o intercession_n to_o all_o those_o blessing_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v for_o and_o promise_v to_o his_o church_n now_o beside_o that_o this_o notion_n be_v plain_a and_o intelligible_a and_o very_o apt_o agree_v with_o all_o those_o metaphor_n and_o form_n of_o speech_n whereby_o the_o scripture_n represent_v our_o union_n to_o christ_n there_o be_v these_o two_o great_a advantage_n we_o gain_v by_o it_o first_o that_o this_o be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n of_o the_o evil_a and_o danger_n of_o schism_n a_o sin_n which_o very_o few_o man_n have_v any_o sense_n of_o in_o these_o day_n for_o if_o our_o union_n to_o christ_n as_o our_o head_n necessary_o require_v our_o union_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v his_o body_n then_o to_o divide_v from_o the_o christian_a church_n or_o any_o true_a and_o sound_a part_n of_o it_o do_v not_o only_o make_v a_o rent_n in_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v a_o very_a great_a evil_n but_o divide_v we_o from_o christ_n as_o a_o member_n which_o be_v separate_v from_o the_o body_n be_v separate_v from_o the_o head_n too_o this_o make_v the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n so_o dreadful_a because_o it_o cut_v we_o off_o from_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o this_o sentence_n every_o schismatic_a execute_v upon_o himself_o and_o that_o more_o infallible_o too_o than_o church-governor_n can_v for_o they_o may_v be_v mistake_v in_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o may_v separate_v those_o from_o the_o external_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v spiritual_o unite_v to_o christ_n and_o then_o their_o sentence_n be_v reverse_v by_o a_o superior_a tribunal_n but_o whoever_o causeless_o separate_v from_o the_o christian_a church_n or_o any_o part_n of_o it_o do_v infallible_o divide_v himself_o from_o christ_n unless_o it_o be_v through_o such_o invincible_a mistake_n as_o may_v mitigate_v the_o crime_n and_o plead_v his_o excuse_n for_o schism_n be_v a_o work_n of_o the_o flesh_n the_o effect_n of_o pride_n and_o passion_n or_o interest_n or_o some_o other_o carnal_a lust_n and_o it_o concern_v those_o man_n who_o make_v so_o light_a of_o schism_n to_o consider_v how_o they_o expect_v to_o be_v save_v by_o christ_n who_o be_v only_o the_o saviour_n of_o the_o body_n when_o they_o have_v divide_v themselves_o from_o his_o body_n and_o be_v no_o long_o any_o part_n or_o member_n of_o it_o a_o second_o advantage_n which_o we_o gain_v by_o this_o notion_n be_v this_o that_o it_o give_v a_o plain_a account_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o holiness_n and_o obedience_n to_o entitle_v we_o to_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n and_o justification_n by_o he_o and_o to_o all_o those_o promise_n which_o christ_n have_v make_v to_o his_o body_n and_o member_n whoever_o be_v in_o christ_n and_o unite_v to_o he_o shall_v certain_o be_v save_v by_o he_o for_o he_o be_v the_o saviour_n of_o the_o body_n and_o our_o justification_n be_v not_o owe_v to_o our_o own_o merit_n and_o desert_n but_o to_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n for_o who_o sake_n alone_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o justify_v and_o reward_v those_o who_o be_v unite_v to_o he_o but_o since_o our_o union_n to_o christ_n consist_v in_o the_o subjection_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o body_n to_o he_o holiness_n and_o obedience_n be_v as_o necessary_a a_o condition_n of_o our_o justification_n by_o christ_n as_o it_o be_v essential_a to_o our_o union_n to_o he_o we_o can_v be_v justify_v
the_o merit_n of_o christ_n be_v impute_v to_o we_o we_o understand_v the_o same_o thing_n of_o his_o holiness_n and_o active_a righteousness_n for_o since_o his_o purity_n and_o holiness_n give_v worth_a and_o dignity_n to_o his_o merit_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n wherein_o his_o merit_n be_v say_v to_o be_v impute_v to_o we_o his_o active_a righteousness_n and_o obedience_n be_v impute_v also_o so_o that_o the_o bishop_n never_o think_v that_o the_o obedience_n and_o righteousness_n of_o christ_n be_v so_o make_v we_o that_o we_o be_v account_v by_o god_n to_o have_v do_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o have_v perform_v all_o that_o righteousness_n which_o christ_n perform_v which_o be_v the_o modern_a notion_n of_o imputation_n but_o it_o be_v so_o impute_v to_o we_o that_o upon_o account_n of_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n life_n and_o death_n god_n forgive_v the_o sin_n and_o accept_v the_o person_n of_o those_o who_o hearty_o believe_v in_o he_o as_o the_o same_o learned_a and_o reverend_a person_n excellent_o explain_v it_o soon_o after_o where_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o we_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o law_n by_o faith_n in_o christ_n whosoever_o believe_v in_o he_o shall_v not_o perish_v and_o shall_v not_o come_v into_o condemnation_n or_o into_o judgement_n as_o he_o read_v it_o john_n v._n 24._o and_o add_v what_o judgement_n be_v this_o from_o which_o believer_n be_v deliver_v by_o christ_n proculdubio_fw-la strictum_fw-la illud_fw-la ubi_fw-la juxta_fw-la normam_fw-la legis_fw-la aliquis_fw-la examinatur_fw-la &_o prout_fw-la deprehenditur_fw-la huic_fw-la norm_a respondere_fw-la iustùs_fw-la aut_fw-la injustus_fw-la pronunciatur_fw-la etc._n etc._n no_o doubt_n that_o strict_a judgement_n where_o man_n be_v examine_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o law_n and_o be_v pronounce_v just_a or_o unjust_a as_o they_o be_v find_v to_o agree_v with_o that_o rule_n justificatio_fw-la igitur_fw-la &_o salus_fw-la credentium_fw-la non_fw-la ex_fw-la eo_fw-la dependet_fw-la quod_fw-la habent_fw-la in_o se_fw-la qualitatem_fw-la nova_fw-la justitiae_fw-la quam_fw-la audent_fw-la legali_fw-la examini_fw-la &_o stricto_fw-la dei_fw-la judicio_fw-la subjicere_fw-la sed_fw-la quod_fw-la per_fw-la &_o propter_fw-la merita_fw-la redemptoris_fw-la non_fw-la subituri_fw-la sunt_fw-la tale_n judicium_fw-la sed_fw-la perinde_n cum_fw-la illis_fw-la agetur_fw-la ac_fw-la si_fw-la haberent_fw-la in_o seipsis_fw-la exactam_fw-la justitiam_fw-la legalem_fw-la therefore_o the_o justification_n and_o salvation_n of_o believer_n do_v not_o depend_v on_o this_o that_o they_o have_v such_o a_o internal_a righteousness_n as_o they_o dare_v submit_v to_o a_o legal_a trial_n and_o to_o the_o strict_a and_o rigorous_a judgement_n of_o god_n but_o that_o by_o and_o for_o the_o merit_n of_o their_o redeemer_n hey_o shall_v never_o undergo_v such_o a_o judgement_n but_o shall_v be_v deal_v with_o as_o if_o they_o have_v a_o exact_a legal_a righteousness_n of_o their_o own_o and_o this_o he_o tell_v we_o hemean_n by_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o formal_a cause_n of_o our_o justification_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n i_o hearty_o own_v it_o though_o the_o abuse_n of_o that_o phrase_n be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o alter_v it_o let_v we_o now_o consider_v in_o the_o three_o place_n what_o be_v require_v on_o our_o part_n in_o order_n to_o our_o justification_n by_o god_n mercy_n and_o by_o christ_n merit_n and_o that_o be_v plain_o express_v in_o the_o homily_n and_o upon_o our_o part_n true_a and_o lively_a faith_n in_o the_o merit_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o we_o but_o by_o god_n work_v in_o we_o that_o we_o may_v the_o better_o understand_v this_o we_o must_v inquire_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o this_o faith_n in_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n and_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o a_o true_a and_o lively_a faith_n in_o christ_n merit_n and_o what_o our_o church_n attribute_n to_o this_o faith_n in_o the_o work_n of_o justification_n first_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o faith_n in_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n now_o the_o general_a notion_n of_o faith_n be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o persuasion_n and_o belief_n in_o man_n heart_n 1_o whereby_o he_o know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o agree_v unto_o all_o truth_n of_o god_n most_o holy_a word_n contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n this_o be_v such_o a_o faith_n as_o devil_n and_o wicked_a man_n may_v have_v but_o then_o a_o faith_n in_o christ_n merit_n or_o a_o true_a justify_v faith_n such_o as_o no_o wicked_a man_n can_v have_v be_v not_o only_o the_o common_a belief_n of_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n but_o it_o be_v also_o a_o true_a trust_n and_o confidence_n of_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n through_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o a_o stead_n fast_o hope_v of_o all_o good_a thing_n to_o be_v receive_v at_o god_n hand_n and_o that_o although_o we_o through_o infirmity_n or_o temptation_n of_o our_o ghostly_a enemy_n do_v fall_n from_o he_o by_o sin_n yet_o if_o we_o return_v again_o to_o he_o by_o true_a repentance_n that_o he_o will_v forgive_v and_o forget_v our_o offence_n for_o his_o son_n sake_n our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n and_o will_v make_v we_o inheritor_n with_o he_o of_o his_o everlasting_a kingdom_n and_o that_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n till_o that_o kingdom_n come_v he_o will_v be_v our_o protector_n and_o defender_n in_o all_o peril_n and_o danger_n whatsoever_o do_v chance_v and_o that_o though_o sometime_o he_o do_v send_v we_o sharp_a adversity_n yet_o that_o evermore_o he_o will_v be_v a_o love_a father_n unto_o we_o if_o we_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o commit_v ourselves_o whole_o unto_o he_o hang_v only_o upon_o he_o and_o call_v upon_o he_o ready_a to_o obey_v and_o serve_v he_o that_o be_v a_o faith_n in_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o sure_a hope_n and_o confidence_n in_o god_n a_o certain_a expectation_n of_o all_o temporal_a and_o spiritual_a good_a thing_n from_o god_n for_o the_o merit_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n upon_o the_o condition_n of_o repentance_n and_o a_o new_a life_n or_o as_o it_o be_v excellent_o express_v a_o little_a after_o in_o the_o same_o homily_n for_o the_o very_a sure_a and_o lively_a christian_a faith_n be_v not_o only_o to_o believe_v all_o thing_n of_o god_n contain_v in_o holy_a scripture_n but_o also_o be_v a_o earnest_a trust_n and_o confidence_n in_o god_n that_o he_o do_v regard_v we_o and_o that_o he_o be_v careful_a over_o we_o as_o the_o father_n be_v over_o the_o child_n who_o he_o do_v love_n and_o that_o he_o will_v be_v merciful_a to_o we_o for_o his_o only_a son_n sake_n and_o that_o we_o have_v our_o saviour_n christ_n our_o perpetual_a advocate_n and_o priest_n in_o who_o only_a merit_n oblation_n and_o suffer_v we_o do_v trust_v that_o our_o offence_n be_v continual_o wash_v and_o purge_v whensoever_o we_o repent_v true_o do_v return_n to_o he_o with_o our_o whole_a heart_n stead_n fast_o determine_v with_o ourselves_o through_o his_o grace_n to_o obey_v and_o serve_v he_o in_o keep_v his_o commandment_n and_o never_o to_o turn_v back_o again_o to_o sin_n so_o that_o justify_v faith_n according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o our_o church_n be_v not_o a_o persuasion_n that_o our_o sin_n be_v actual_o pardon_v or_o that_o god_n for_o christ_n sake_n will_v forgive_v our_o sin_n without_o require_v any_o more_o of_o we_o than_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o will_v forgive_v they_o but_o it_o be_v a_o firm_a persuasion_n that_o god_n will_v forgive_v our_o sin_n for_o christ_n sake_n if_o we_o repent_v of_o our_o sin_n and_o forsake_v they_o and_o determine_v through_o his_o gracious_a assistance_n never_o to_o return_v to_o they_o again_o but_o we_o shall_v understand_v this_o the_o better_a if_o we_o consider_v second_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o a_o true_a lively_a faith_n in_o christ_n merit_n for_o our_o church_n distinguish_v between_o a_o dead_a and_o a_o lively_a faith_n a_o dead_a faith_n be_v by_o the_o holy_a apostle_n st._n james_n compare_v to_o the_o faith_n of_o 1_o devil_n which_o believe_v god_n to_o be_v true_a and_o just_a and_o tremble_v for_o fear_n yet_o they_o do_v nothing_o well_o but_o all_o evil_a and_o such_o a_o manner_n of_o faith_n have_v the_o wicked_a and_o naughty_a christian_a people_n which_o confess_v god_n as_o st._n paul_n say_v in_o their_o mouth_n but_o deny_v he_o in_o their_o deed_n be_v abominable_a and_o without_o the_o right_a faith_n and_o to_o all_o good_a work_v reprovable_a and_o forasmuch_o as_o faith_n without_o work_n be_v dead_a it_o be_v not_o now_o faith_n as_o a_o dead_a man_n be_v not_o a_o man_n this_o dead_a faith_n therefore_o be_v not_o the_o sure_a and_o substantial_a faith_n which_o save_v sinner_n let_v we_o now_o consider_v what_o a_o lively_a faith_n be_v and_o the_o description_n of_o that_o follow_v in_o these_o word_n another_o faith_n there_o be_v in_o