A55299:119
An answer to the discourse of Mr. William Sherlock, touching the knowledge of Christ,…
An answer to the discourse of Mr. William Sherlock, touching the knowledge of Christ, and our union and communion with him by Edward Polhill ..., Esquire.
London: printed for Ben. Foster, 1675
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Soul (saith Dr. Owen) consents to take Christ on his own terms,1 to save him in his own way, and saith, Lord, I would have had thee and salvation in my way, that it might have been partly of mine endeavours, and as it were by the works of the Law; but I am now willing to receive thee, and to be saved in thy way, merely by Grace, that is, Without doing any thing, without obeying of thee, as the Author doth interpret him.
The Soul (saith Dr. Owen) consents to take Christ on his own terms,1 to save him in his own way, and saith, Lord, I would have had thee and salvation in my way, that it might have been partly of mine endeavours, and as it were by the works of the Law; but I am now willing to receive thee, and to be saved in thy way, meerly by Grace, that is, Without doing any thing, without obeying of thee, as the Author doth interpret him.
- 1Mr. Sherlock.
Without doing any thing, 1without obeying of thee: Is this the Doctors meaning? Do his words import so? Nothing more remote from him; he shows how the Soul closes with Christ, and takes him on his own terms; it will not now be justified by its own works, or legal righteousness, but by Christ and his righteousness; it will not now endeavour in its own strength, but under the duct of Grace; this is his plain meaning: For before the words quoted, he speaks of accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour, and after them, of giving up our selves to be ruled by the Spirit, which cannot be without Obedience: ⟨p. 99⟩Its true, the Author calls this a pretty complement, but the Doctor speaks it as his serious judgment: In the eighth Chapter of the book quoted, he tells us, Obedience is indispensably necessary, if Gods Sovereignty is to be owned, if his Love to be regarded, if the whole work of the ever blessed Trinity for us, in us, be of any moment, our Obedience is necessary: Thus fully the Doctor, who yet is here construed by the Author to exclude Obedience; what measure this is let others judge.