A defence of the principles of love, which are necessary to the unity and…

I might number these with your Untruths, but that I will choose out the grosser sort; such as is the next (15th. Untruth)¹ that I speak slightly of Christ. Is it slighting Christ to speak the words and undenied truth of Scripture? Two things I say of Christ; 1. That he increased in wisdom in ⟨p. 51⟩his youth? Do you not believe that to be true? Surely Mr Jeans in all his writings² against Dr. Hammond of that point, did never deny it. 2. That he would not enter upon his public Ministry till he was about 30 years of age? Do you not believe that also? What³ then is here that is a slighting of Christ? The reason of this later which I humbly conjecture at (and elsewhere express) is, that he might be an example to young men, not to venture and enter too early upon the Ministry. The reason you allege from Num. 4. 2, 3. I gainsay not, though I think it far fetched (that Christ must not enter sooner upon his public Ministry in his extraordinary office, because the sons of Co•ah were numbered from 30 years to 50.) But you insinuate another untruth, yea express it while you flatly say, I insinuate, that Christ staid till 30 years old, that he might be more perfect in wisdom: I had no such word or thought. My following words [It had been easier for Christ to have got all knowledge by two or three earnest prayers than for any of us] refer only to the first clause, (of his growth in wisdom) and not at all to the later (of the time of his Ministry.)

I might number these with your Untruths, but that I will choose out the grosser sort; such as is the next (15th. Untruth)¹ that I speak slightly of Christ. Is it slighting Christ to speak the words and undenied truth of Scripture? Two things I say of Christ; 1. That he increased in wisdom in ⟨p. 51⟩