Mr. Great-heart, I suppose you know; wherefore, if you please, let us hear you discourse thereof.
Great. Pardon by the deed done, pardon obtained by some one for another that hath need thereof: not by the person pardoned, but in the way, saith another, in which I have obtained it. So then, to speak to the question more at large, the pardon that win, and Mercy, and these boys have attained. was obtained hy anotherg to wit, by him that let you in at that gate. And he hath obtained it in this double way: he has performed righteousness to cover you,and spilt his blood to wash you in.
Chr. But if he parts with his righteousness to us, what will he have for himself?
Great. He has more righteousness than you have need of, or than he needeth himself.
Chr. Pray make that appear.
Great. With all my heart; but first I must premise that he of whom we are now about to speak is one that has not his fellow. He has two natures in one person, plain to be distinguished, impossible to be divided. Unto each of these natures a righteousness belongeth, and each righteousness is essential to that nature. So that one may as easily cause the nature to be extinct, as to separate its justice or righteousness from it. Of these righteousnesses, therefore, we are not made partakers, so as that they, or any of them, should he put upon us, that we might be made just, and live thereby. Besides these, there is a righteousness which this person has, as these two natures are joined in one. And this is not the righteousness of the Godhead, as distinguished from the manhood; nor the righteousness of the manhood, as distinguished from the Godhead; but a righteousness which standeth in the union of both natures, and may properly be called the righteousness that is essential to his being; prepared of God to the capacity of the mediatory office which he was to be entrusted with. If he parts with his first righteousness, he
