Ch,4 r of the ite of .t3eleevers. 3 5 5 propofition of Chrifts , Of fich is the Kingdome ofHeaven : We have. I. The fubjec&, of fuch. 2. The predicate or attribute, is the Kingdome of Heaven. The particle loch cannot here have reference to their qualification t that thofe that were qualified as thefe ( in humility and meekneffe) had their intereil; fo are Shetp and Doves as well as Infants , not proud, nor revengeful!. That which the Difciples took to be an impediment of force to hinder Infants, and a juif ground of rebuke of thofe that brought them , is that which Chrifl underilands in this reproof of the Difciples, and admiflion of their Infants ; But it was their want of growth, their littleneffe, which the Difciples took to be a jufl impediment, and which occafioned their reproof : So that the particle finch bath direst reference to the quantity (as I may fay) not to the quality of thefe Infants to their Infant- ftature , not to their meekneffe or humility. And fo it is referred eife -where expreffely by our Saviour himfelf; who fo (hall receive one Poch littlechilde, Match. 18. S. the word is the fame here, and there it refpeels littleneffe therefore, and not meekneffe. The whole Text may be thus fitly paraphrafed ; Trouble not our Matter with fuck as thefe, fay the Difciples, there is no ufe of their corn- ing, they need not his cure, and they are not capable of his in- itrucion, they have no infirmity to be healed., no capacity to be taught; It is fit for men of abler parts, not for Infants to make their addreffe to him Let them come, faith, our Saviour , and let not their Infant -age exclude them, how littlefoever, they are capable of the Kingdome ofHeaven. For the predicate or attribute, the Kingdome of Heaven: This Matter Tombes faith, is meant of the Kingdome of Glory, and on this hinge he fayes the anfwer to the whole Argument turnes. He had fix exceptions againfl the Orthodox- interpretation of this Scripture in his Examen; being hunted out of all the reff, he thinks to finde force Ihelter here and puts all upon this point where he thinks he bath moil advantage; and having affirmed that it is meant of the Kingdome of Glory, he re- affumes his af- firmation, and faith I determine the Kingdome of Heaven to be meant of the Kingdome of glory, and gives his reafons. To en- counter with Mailer Tombes in this confident aiiault of his I than undertake thefe three particulars. i. To make it appeare that the hinge of the whole hangs not here. Z z z ?,That Mr. Tombes his grand eYCe- }ition Lexnin. ed.
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