CHAP. VIII.
A digression containing the substance of an occasionall conference concer∣ning the satisfaction of Christ.
MUch about the time that I was composing that part of the [§ I] last Argument, which is taken from the satisfaction of Christ, there came one (whose name and all things else concern∣ing him, for the respect I beare to his parts and modesty shall bee concealed) to the place where I live, and in a private excercise, a∣bout the sufferings of Christ, seemed to those that heard him to enervate, yea overthrow the satisfaction of Christ: which I ap∣prehending to be of dangerous consequence; to prevent a further inconvenience, set my selfe briefely and plainly to oppose; and also a little after willingly entertained a Conference and Debate (desired by the Gentleman) about the point in question: which being carried along with that quietnesse and sobriety of spirit, which beseemed lovers of and searchers after truth: I easily per∣ceived not onely what was his perswasion, in the thing in hand, but also what was the ground and sole cause of his misapprehensi∣on: and it was briefely this, That the eternall unchangeable love of God to his elect, did actually enstate them in such a condition, as wherein they were in an incapacity of having any satisfaction made for them▪ the end of that, being to remove the wrath due unto them, and to make an attonement for their sinnes; which, by reason of the former love of God, they stood in no need of, but onely wanted a cleare manifestation of that love unto their soules, whereby they might be delivered from all that dread, dark∣nesse, guilt, and feare, which was in and upon their Consciences, by reason of a not-understanding of this love, which came upon them through the fall of Adam. Now to remove this, Jesus Christ was sent to manifest this love, and declare this eternall good will of God towards them, so bearing, and taking away their sinnes, by removing from their consciences that misapprehension of God and their owne condition, which by reason of sinne they had be∣fore; and not to make any satisfaction to the justice of God for their sins, he being eternally well pleased with them. The summe