CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

In the third place, Though our Saviour prayeth the Disciples may be One, as he and the Father are; yet their Argument will not hold, unless they can show, that [Greek or Hebrew] (as) is always used as a note of equality, and not similitude only; but we can show the contrary in Scripture, that [Greek or Hebrew] is used for similitude, not equality, Luke 6.36. Be ye merciful, as your heavenly Father is merciful: There it's a note of similitude only, for how can a drop be equal to the Ocean? So 1 John 3.2. He that hath this hope purifieth himself as God is pure; Here it must be a note of similitude, for none can be equal to God in purity; and thus here in the Text, endeavour to be One, as the Father and the Son, not that you can equalize it, but propound that absolute and perfect Rule to follow: Insomuch that if this place be well considered, it makes against all Arians, and so is pro testimonio fidei, which they perverted in argumentum perfidiae; and Austin's observation is not to be neglected; Christ saith, he prayeth, that they may be One as we are; he doth not say, that they may be One with us, or that they and we may be One, as we are One, but that they may be One, as we are One. What more may be said upon this, is to be spoken unto vers. 21.¹ Observe,

In the third place, Though our Saviour prayeth the Disciples may be One, as he and the Father are; yet their Argument will not hold, unlesse they can shew, that 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 (as) is alwayes used as a note of equality, and not similitude onely; but we can shew the contrary in Scripture, that 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 is used for similitude, not equality, Luke 6.36. Be ye mercifull, as your heavenly Father is mercifull: There it's a note of similitude onely, for how can a drop be equal to the Ocean? So 1 John 3.2. He that hath this hope purifieth himself as God is pure; Here it must be a note of similitude, for none can be equal to God in purity; and thus here in the Text, endeavour to be One, as the Father and the Sonne, not that you can equalize it, but propound that absolute and perfect Rule to follow: Insomuch that if this place be well considered, it makes against all Arians, and so is pro testimonio fidei, which they perverted in argumentum perfidiae; and Austin's observation is not to be neglected; Christ saith, he prayeth, that they may be One as we are; he doth not say, that they may be One with us, or that they and we may be One, as we are One, but that they may be One, as we are One. What more may be said upon this, is to be spoken unto vers. 21.