C H A P. 24. Rom. IV: Proved) not the imputation of faith. 315 this whole difcourfe ) to prove , that Faith properly taken is imputed for Righteoufnefs& that the tropical fenfe , commonly received by the ortho- dox ( which we have all() chofen to follow , notwithftanding that there is another fenfe given of the words by forne , ro evite in part this tropical fen- fe , and by which the Adverfaries againft whom we here deal, can receive no advantage ) is to be utterly laid afide &rejeted; &inanfwering him , we have anfwered others alfo who do but -urge the fame things. Yet if any should enquire. if the Apoftle Both not meane, that faith properly taken, is our Righteonfnefs , & is imputed to us & accounted our Righteoufnefs , why would he fay fo plainly , that Faith is imputed , or coun- sed for fthteoufnefr. I`.Anfwere. The expreffions , which the Holy Ghoft hath ufed , should fatisfie us, though we should know no reafon betide his good pleafure,' why he did exprefs the matter fo : It is our part, to fearch in- to his meaning , according unto the furett rules of finding out the fenfe of the Scriptures , among which this is to be reckoned as a faite one , not to be re- jeóted, vii. to attend the (cope , with the connexion & cohefion of the words as they lye, & contribute unto that fcope, together with thecf- nion plaint & frequently reiterated expreffions & affeittons of the Spirit of God , in other places , where the fame matter is treated of : for to the end, that we may be exercifed, in the Itudy of the Scriptures , & in comparing Scripture with Scripture for , finding out the mind of the Lord, hath he thought good to exprefs the fame matter in diverfe places , & in various wayes , & in force places more plainly , what in other places appeareth mo- re obfcure. And it cannot be judged a faife way of interpreting Scripture, to Pix upon one expreffion & give it a fenfe, or take it in fuch a fenfe , as ten- deth manifefily to darken the whole doctrine of the Spirit of the Lord, con- cerning that truth , and to crofae the fcope , to mar the connexion , and to coutradit multitudes of other pafagesof Scripture. It is not unufial for the Apoftle to ufe feveral exprcffions, in a figurative fenfe. How oft is the word Lary taken forobedii-,ace td the Law ? What fenfe could be made of Gal.3 5. if the word Faith should be there taken properly , & not for its ob- jed? as alfo verf. z, & ÿ. of that fame Chapter. And what fenfe shall we put upon there expreflions. They which are of faith Gal: 3 : î, 9. & Qr many as are of the wort,srf the Law verf. to. &upon many fuch like, if all thefe words mutt be taken properly ? Nay , ;how little of this whole matter of Juftifica- tionisexpreflèdtous, without Trop`s & figures ? which yet do not dar- ken , but give a more fpecial & divine lustre unto the Truthes , fo exprefTed. How oft is the word Dope put for its objeEt, foi the thing hoped for ? And though this might fatisfie us herein ; yet further, if I might adventure to give a reafon of this manner of expreffion here , of rather to Pointe forth what this expreffion should lignifie & hold forth to us, 1 would. fay , That Pau/is not handling this Controverfieabour Juilification, in a meer fpecu- lative manner; & therefore doth not ufe inch philofophical & Metaphyfical Notions & expreffions there about, as fome now think fo neceffary , that wit- hout the fame they judge themfelves not in cafe to explaine the matter to the capacity of the -meapeft , which would rather have darkened, then explained R. r z the
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