im iutation, and the Nature of it.. 23 r tually to revile one another, publifhing all to the World, as fome great atchievem.ent or vi &ory. This is not the way to teach the truths of the Gofpel, nor to promote the. Edifica- tion of the Church. But in general, the Importance of the caufe to be pleaded,. the Greatnefs of the oppofition that made unto the Truth, and the high concernment of the Souls of Believers, to be rightly inftrueced in it, do call for a re- newed. Declaration and Vindication of it. And what I (hall: attempt unto this purpofe, I do it under this perfwafion, that the life and continuance of any Church on the one hand, and its Apòftafie or Ruine on the other, do-depend in an eminent manner on the Prefervation or Rejection of the Truth in this Article of Religion ; (and I fhali add ) as it bath been profeffed, received,.. and believed in the Church of England in former days.. The ßrfl thing we are to confider is the meaning of there: words to Impute and Imputation. For from a Meer plain De- claration hereof, it will appear that fiindry things charged . on a fuppofition of the Imputation we plead for, are. vain and groundlefs, or the Charge it felf is fo. zwn The word firft ufed to this purpofe, fagnifies<tolhink,, to efteem, to judge, or to refer a thing or matter unto any ;.; to impute, or to be imputed for. Good or Evil. See Levit. 7... 12. chap. r-7.4. And Pfal. io6. 31. 77íx *mvrtrn audit was,- ,counted,reckoned,imputed unto him for Righteoufnefs. To judge- or efteen this,or that Good or Evil, to belong unto him, to be his. The I.,xx. exprefs it by Pyi w and royiCo B:; as do. te Writers of the New Tefiament alfo. And thefe are rene fed by reputar; imputare, acceptum ferre, tribuere, of ignare,.., 4f ribere. But there is a different fignification \among there- words ; In particular, to be reputed. Righteoatr,. and to have. .Righteoufnef3'impiìted,., differ., as caufe and effeer For that. any may bé reputed RZighteous,. that is ,. be judged or 'erteem- £d, fc. to be, there: mutt _be a, rear£ouiadatioii of that Rip-44, tiaa.<
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=