:2`S6 Conferences on Chrif s being one Righteoufnefs fhould be made ours for ever. All things are otherwife in the Imputation of his Righteoufnefs unto us, which refpeets us abfolutely, and not under a temporary capa- city, abides with us for ever, changeth our ftate and relation unto God, and is an effeet of fuper - abounding Grate. But it will be faid, that if our fins as to the guilt o f them were imputed tinto Chrift,then God muff hate Chrig. For he hateth the guilty. I know not well how I come to mention thefe things, which indeed I look upon as cavils, fucbas men may multiply if they pleafe, againft any part of the myfteries of the Gofpe!. But Peeing it is mentioned, it may be fpoken unto. And 1. It is certain that the Lord Chrifi's taking on him the guilt of our fins, was an high a& of Obedience unto God, Heb. io. 5, 6. And for which the Father loved hint- , Joh. io. 17, 18. There was therefore no reafon why God fhould hate Chrifl, for his taking on him our Debt and the payment of it, in an Act of the higheft Obedience unto his will. (2 ) God in this matter is confidered as a Reelor, Ruler and Judge. Now it is not required of the feverefi Judge, that as a Judge he {'could hate the guilty perfon, no although he be guilty Origi- nally by Inbéon and not by Imputation. As fuch, he hath no more to do, but confider the guilt, and pronounce the fentence of punifhment. But (3 ) fuppofe a perfon out of an Heroic, generofity of mind fhould become an Apri4,vx,e- for another, for his friend, fora good man, fo as to anfwer for him with his life, as Judah undertook to be for Benjamin as to his liberty, which when a man hath loft, he is civilly dead, and capite diminutus,would the moft cruel Tyrant under Hea- ven that fhould take away his life, in that cafe hate him; would he not rather admire his worth and vertue. As fuch an one it was that Chrift fuffered, and no otherwife. (4 ) All the force of this exception depends on the ambiguity of the word hate. For it may fignó ne either an averfation or de e.. tefta-
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