the_o arrogancy_n of_o reason_n against_o divine_a revelation_n repress_v or_o proud_a ignorance_n the_o cause_n of_o infidelity_n and_o of_o man_n quarrel_v with_o the_o word_n of_o god_n london_n print_v by_o t._n n._n for_o tho._n underhil_n 1655._o rom._n 11._o 33_o 34._o o_o the_o depth_n of_o the_o riches_n both_o of_o the_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n of_o god_n how_o unsearchable_a be_v his_o judgement_n and_o his_o way_n past_o find_v out_o for_o who_o have_v know_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o lord_n or_o who_o have_v be_v his_o counsellor_n rom._n 9_o 20._o nay_o but_o o_o man_n who_o be_v thou_o that_o reply_v against_o god_n shall_v the_o thing_n form_v say_v to_o he_o that_o form_v it_o why_o have_v thou_o make_v i_o thus_o job_n 37_o 23._o touch_v the_o almighty_a we_o can_v find_v he_o out_o he_o be_v excellent_a in_o power_n and_o in_o judgement_n and_o in_o plenty_n of_o justice_n job_n 40._o 8_o will_v thou_o also_o disannul_v my_o judgement_n will_v thou_o condemn_v i_o that_o thou_o may_v be_v righteous_a psal._n 73._o 16_o 17._o when_o i_o think_v to_o know_v this_o it_o be_v too_o painful_a for_o i_o until_o i_o go_v into_o the_o sanctuary_n of_o god_n than_o i_o understand_v their_o end_n job_n 42._o 2_o 3._o i_o know_v that_o thou_o can_v do_v everything_o and_o that_o no_o thought_n can_v be_v withhold_v from_o thou_o who_o be_v he_o that_o hide_v counsel_n without_o knowledge_n therefore_o have_v i_o utter_v that_o i_o understand_v not_o thing_n too_o wonderful_a for_o i_o which_o i_o know_v not_o 1_o cor._n 3._o 18_o 19_o let_v no_o man_n deceive_v himself_o if_o any_o man_n among_o you_o seem_v to_o be_v wise_a in_o this_o world_n let_v he_o become_v a_o fool_n that_o he_o may_v be_v wise_a for_o the_o wisdom_n of_o this_o world_n be_v foolishness_n with_o god_n 1_o cor._n 1._o 25_o the_o foolishness_n of_o god_n be_v wise_a than_o man_n and_o the_o weakness_n of_o god_n be_v strong_a than_o man_n read_v isai._n 40._o 12_o 13_o 14_o 15_o 16_o 17._o the_o arrogancy_n of_o reason_n against_o divine_a relation_n repress_v john_n 3._o 9_o nicodemus_n answer_v and_o say_v unto_o he_o how_o can_v these_o thing_n be_v in_o the_o beginning_n of_o this_o chapter_n you_o have_v a_o lecture_n read_v by_o the_o great_a teacher_n of_o the_o church_n to_o a_o scholar_n that_o be_v new_o enter_v into_o his_o school_n he_o be_v yet_o but_o a_o catechumenus_fw-la in_o preparation_n to_o be_v a_o christian_a rather_o than_o one_o indeed_o have_v good_a thought_n of_o christ_n but_o not_o believe_v in_o he_o as_o the_o messiah_n nor_o engage_v by_o baptism_n to_o be_v one_o of_o his_o disciple_n and_o according_o do_v christ_n suit_v his_o doctrine_n to_o his_o condition_n and_o teach_v he_o first_o the_o great_a principle_n of_o christianity_n what_o success_n it_o have_v at_o first_o we_o find_v in_o the_o text_n but_o not_o what_o be_v the_o issue_n at_o last_o though_o by_o other_o text_n we_o may_v probable_o conjecture_v first_o the_o scholar_n be_v by_o name_n nicodemus_n by_o sect_n a_o pharisee_n by_o place_n a_o ruler_n of_o the_o jew_n or_o one_o of_o their_o great_a council_n for_o the_o frame_n of_o his_o mind_n the_o degree_n of_o his_o preparatory_a knowledge_n or_o belief_n you_o may_v discern_v it_o 1._o by_o the_o season_n of_o his_o come_n 2._o by_o the_o motive_n that_o prevail_v with_o he_o to_o come_v and_o 3._o by_o the_o confession_n that_o he_o make_v of_o his_o belief_n from_o all_o which_o you_o may_v see_v first_o that_o he_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o it_o belong_v to_o god_n to_o teach_v mankind_n and_o that_o it_o be_v his_o way_n to_o teach_v by_o man_n and_o that_o it_o be_v man_n duty_n to_o seek_v after_o god_n teach_v from_o his_o messenger_n and_o come_v to_o they_o and_o request_v it_o and_o that_o who_o ever_o can_v give_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o his_o mission_n from_o god_n shall_v be_v hear_v by_o man_n and_o that_o jesus_n christ_n do_v true_o and_o undoubted_o work_v miracle_n and_o that_o such_o miracle_n as_o christ_n wrought_v be_v a_o undoubted_a proof_n that_o god_n be_v with_o he_o all_o these_o thing_n it_o be_v apparent_a he_o do_v believe_v by_o these_o word_n vers._n 2._o rabbi_n we_o know_v that_o thou_o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n for_o no_o man_n can_v do_v thâ—se_o miracle_n that_o thou_o do_v except_o god_n be_v with_o he_o second_o from_o hence_o also_o you_o see_v that_o it_o be_v the_o evidence_n of_o christ_n miracle_n that_o have_v thus_o far_o convince_v he_o and_o drive_v he_o to_o christ_n as_o a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n and_o consequent_o one_o that_o be_v to_o be_v credit_v but_o that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n here_o be_v yet_o no_o confession_n three_o and_o as_o his_o belief_n be_v but_o preparatory_a so_o this_o change_n upon_o his_o heart_n do_v appear_v to_o be_v no_o better_o for_o he_o have_v â—â—t_v yet_o learned_a the_o lesson_n of_o self-denial_n and_o prefer_v the_o know_a truth_n and_o duty_n of_o seek_v after_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n from_o his_o messenger_n before_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o world_n or_o his_o life_n and_o therefore_o he_o come_v to_o jesus_n but_o by_o night_n as_o be_v afraid_a to_o own_o he_o in_o the_o face_n of_o his_o enemy_n yet_o do_v not_o christ_n cast_v this_o cowardice_n in_o his_o tooth_n to_o his_o discouragement_n but_o fit_v his_o medicine_n to_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o patient_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o disease_n for_o there_o be_v more_o malice_n and_o rage_a zeal_n against_o the_o truth_n among_o the_o jew_n then_o among_o the_o gentile_n and_o so_o more_o danger_n and_o suffering_n which_o a_o novice_n may_v not_o be_v so_o fit_a to_o encounter_v with_o and_o therefore_o paul_n when_o he_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n do_v preach_v the_o gospel_n private_o to_o they_o of_o worldly_a reputation_n which_o among_o the_o gentile_n and_o inferior_a jew_n he_o preach_v public_o lest_o through_o the_o prevalency_n of_o man_n pride_n or_o cowardice_n his_o physic_n shall_v not_o do_v its_o work_n but_o he_o shall_v run_v or_o labour_n in_o vain_a gal._n 2._o 2._o the_o first_o and_o great_a thing_n that_o christ_n present_o fall_v upon_o be_v to_o let_v this_o man_n know_v that_o this_o much_o will_v not_o serve_v his_o turn_n to_o confess_v the_o miracle_n and_o so_o the_o divine_a mission_n of_o christ_n but_o that_o he_o must_v also_o true_o believe_v the_o office_n that_o he_o be_v send_v upon_o even_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n the_o mediator_n and_o the_o redeemer_n of_o the_o world_n and_o must_v open_o be_v engage_v to_o he_o as_o such_o a_o one_o by_o baptism_n and_o so_o own_o he_o and_o confess_v he_o before_o the_o world_n and_o receive_v his_o renew_n spirit_n for_o the_o illumination_n of_o his_o understanding_n the_o purify_n and_o quicken_n of_o his_o heart_n and_o thâ—reforming_v and_o afterguidance_n of_o his_o life_n this_o work_n christ_n call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o new-birth_n or_o regeneration_n and_o tell_v nicodemus_n that_o except_o he_o be_v bear_v again_o of_o water_n and_o of_o the_o spirit_n he_o can_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n not_o that_o there_o be_v the_o same_o necessity_n of_o the_o wash_n by_o water_n and_o the_o purify_n by_o the_o spirit_n for_o by_o water_n be_v principal_o mean_v that_o covenant_n which_o baptism_n do_v sign_n even_o the_o confession_n of_o christ_n and_o dedication_n to_o he_o in_o the_o relation_n of_o redeem_a one_o child_n disciple_n and_o subject_n on_o our_o part_n and_o his_o re-engagement_n and_o relation_n to_o we_o yet_o water_n itself_o be_v the_o thing_n near_o signify_v in_o the_o word_n and_o the_o use_n of_o it_o be_v of_o divine_a appointment_n and_o not_o to_o be_v neglect_v where_o it_o may_v be_v use_v but_o the_o necessity_n to_o salvation_n be_v place_v in_o the_o relation_n or_o thing_n signify_v as_o its_o common_a to_o say_v to_o a_o soldier_n of_o the_o enemy_n if_o thou_o will_v change_v thy_o general_n and_o take_v the_o prince_n colour_n and_o fight_n for_o he_o thâ—â—_z may_v have_v pardon_n for_o thy_o rebellion_n where_o take_v colour_n be_v a_o duty_n but_o the_o necessity_n be_v place_v in_o the_o change_n of_o his_o relation_n and_o practice_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o colour_n at_o hand_n to_o give_v he_o yet_o if_o he_o be_v list_v as_o a_o soldier_n or_o if_o not_o list_v yet_o if_o by_o open_a profession_n and_o action_n join_v to_o they_o it_o will_v be_v accept_v or_o else_o as_o grâ—tius_n expound_v it_o by_o water_n and_o the_o spirit_n be_v mean_v a_o wash_n cleanse_v spirit_n of_o which_o see_v he_o in_o loâ—_n this_o
change_n that_o be_v here_o call_v the_o new_a birth_n be_v not_o the_o new_a creation_n of_o a_o substance_n or_o destruction_n of_o our_o former_a substance_n or_o faculty_n for_o we_o have_v still_o the_o same_o natural_a power_n of_o understanding_n and_o willing_a but_o it_o be_v the_o change_n of_o the_o disposition_n habit_n and_o act_n of_o those_o faculty_n and_o with_o submission_n to_o the_o contrary_a mind_a i_o conceive_v that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o our_o real_a qualitative_a change_n that_o be_v here_o call_v the_o new-birth_n but_o that_o the_o word_n be_v more_o comprehensive_a as_o i_o before_o express_v include_v our_o new_a relation_n to_o god_n in_o christ_n as_o son_n and_o disciple_n to_o christ_n and_o servant_n subject_n or_o soldier_n under_o he_o with_o a_o removal_n from_o our_o former_a relation_n which_o we_o be_v in_o by_o corruption_n and_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o these_o so_o that_o it_o comprehend_v both_o our_o new_a relation_n to_o god_n to_o the_o redeemer_n and_o to_o his_o church_n where_o we_o have_v a_o new_a father_n husband_n lord_n and_o fellow-servant_n new_a brother_n and_o sister_n and_o inheritance_n though_o yet_o we_o renounce_v not_o our_o natural_a brethren_n parent_n and_o inheritance_n as_o the_o popish_a monastical_a votary_n conceive_v any_o further_a than_o as_o they_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n the_o reason_n that_o persuade_v i_o to_o take_v regeneration_n in_o this_o extent_n be_v first_o because_o it_o be_v the_o entrance_n into_o our_o whole_a new_a state_n that_o be_v here_o so_o call_v without_o any_o limit_v expression_n second_o because_o we_o be_v say_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o water_n as_o well_o as_o the_o spirit_n and_o certain_o baptism_n do_v as_o near_o and_o true_o signify_v our_o justification_n and_o relative_n change_n and_o new_a covenant_n engagement_n and_o adoption_n and_o church_n membership_n as_o it_o do_v our_o qualitative_a renovation_n nor_o do_v i_o see_v how_o any_o fair_a exposition_n can_v be_v give_v of_o that_o say_v except_o a_o man_n be_v bear_v of_o water_n which_o shall_v not_o include_v the_o change_n of_o our_o relation_n as_o well_o as_o of_o our_o disposition_n and_o the_o like_a i_o may_v say_v of_o other_o text_n which_o mention_n regeneration_n which_o i_o will_v not_o now_o so_o far_o digress_v as_o to_o recite_v have_v see_v what_o christ_n teach_v nicodemus_n first_o let_v we_o next_o see_v the_o success_n of_o his_o doctrine_n nicodemus_n fasten_v too_o much_o upon_o the_o metaphorical_a term_n of_o be_v bear_v again_o and_o withal_o not_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o it_o nor_o the_o scope_n of_o christ_n he_o present_o express_v his_o ignorance_n and_o unbelief_n by_o this_o question_n how_o can_v a_o man_n be_v bear_v when_o he_o be_v old_a can_v he_o enter_v the_o second_o time_n into_o his_o mother_n womb_n and_o be_v bear_v hereupon_o christ_n return_v a_o explicatory_a answer_n tell_v he_o not_o only_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o new_a birth_n but_o also_o the_o mysteriousness_n of_o its_o cause_n in_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o and_o show_v a_o plain_a reason_n from_o natural_a agent_n why_o the_o mysteriousness_n of_o this_o shall_v not_o make_v it_o seem_v incredible_a yet_o do_v nicodemus_n return_v a_o second_o answer_n like_o the_o first_o how_o can_v these_o thing_n be_v which_o word_n do_v import_v not_o a_o absolute_a unbelief_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o christ_n have_v say_v but_o a_o great_a ignorance_n of_o his_o meaning_n and_o a_o not_o discern_v of_o that_o evidence_n full_o which_o shall_v have_v cause_v full_a belief_n but_o a_o strong_a apprehension_n of_o the_o improbability_n of_o the_o thing_n affirm_v and_o thereupon_o a_o great_a doubt_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o affirmation_n and_o note_v here_o the_o aggravation_n of_o nicodemus_n his_o fault_n first_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o one_o that_o he_o himself_o confess_v to_o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n and_o that_o seal_v his_o doctrine_n by_o such_o miracle_n as_o none_o can_v do_v except_o god_n be_v with_o he_o and_o do_v god_n send_v any_o messenger_n with_o a_o lie_n or_o any_o teacher_n that_o know_v not_o what_o he_o teach_v or_o will_v he_o seal_v untruth_n or_o senseless_a absurdity_n with_o such_o unquestionable_a miracle_n sure_o a_o man_n that_o be_v once_o convince_v that_o god_n send_v the_o messenger_n and_o seal_v the_o message_n shall_v be_v confident_a that_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o be_v divine_a and_o shall_v never_o once_o suspect_v it_o of_o untruth_n second_o though_o christ_n do_v with_o frequent_a asseveration_n aver_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o doctrine_n yet_o do_v nicodemus_n stagger_v through_o unbelief_n three_o it_o be_v the_o very_a catechism_n and_o rudiment_n of_o piety_n and_o christianity_n which_o be_v so_o strange_a to_o he_o four_o the_o term_n by_o which_o christ_n express_v spiritual_a thing_n he_o understand_v all_o in_o a_o carnal_a sense_n yea_o and_o after_o that_o christ_n have_v tell_v he_o plain_o what_o birth_n he_o mean_v not_o carnal_a produce_v a_o fleshly_a creature_n but_o of_o water_n and_o the_o spirit_n produce_v a_o spiritual_a creature_n yet_o do_v not_o nicodemus_n understand_v he_o for_o all_o this_o five_o yet_o be_v this_o man_n a_o ruler_n of_o the_o jew_n even_o one_o of_o the_o great_a sanedrim_n and_o one_o repute_v skilful_a in_o the_o law_n one_o that_o profess_v himself_o a_o guide_n of_o the_o blind_a a_o light_n of_o they_o which_o be_v in_o darkness_n a_o instructor_n of_o the_o foolish_a a_o teacher_n of_o babe_n which_o have_v the_o form_n of_o knowledge_n and_o of_o the_o truth_n in_o the_o law_n one_o of_o those_o that_o boast_v of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o law_n rom._n 2._o 17_o 18_o 19_o 20._o yet_o he_o that_o shall_v teach_v other_o have_v not_o learn_v these_o rudiment_n himself_o six_o and_o when_o christ_n use_v a_o familiar_a instance_n to_o show_v he_o that_o thing_n be_v not_o therefore_o incredible_a because_o invisible_a or_o because_o we_o know_v not_o the_o nature_n cause_n and_o end_n of_o they_o we_o may_v know_v that_o it_o be_v when_o we_o can_v know_v what_o be_v it_o or_o whence_o or_o why_o it_o be_v or_o whether_o it_o tend_v as_o in_o the_o blow_n of_o the_o wind_n be_v evident_a yet_o do_v not_o nicodemus_n cease_v his_o doubt_n on_o this_o account_n but_o ask_v how_o can_v these_o thing_n be_v the_o spirituality_n and_o mysteriousness_n of_o the_o thing_n make_v it_o seem_v improbable_a to_o his_o uninformed_a intellect_n and_o the_o seem_a improbability_n make_v he_o doubt_v of_o the_o verity_n because_o it_o be_v past_o his_o apprehension_n to_o conceive_v how_o it_o shall_v be_v therefore_o he_o doubt_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o not_o he_o have_v not_o so_o much_o rational_a consciousness_n of_o his_o own_o ignorance_n or_o so_o much_o confidence_n in_o a_o teacher_n send_v from_o god_n and_o seal_v his_o doctrine_n by_o miracle_n as_o to_o acquiesce_v as_o a_o learner_n in_o his_o teacher_n credit_n concerning_o the_o verity_n of_o the_o thing_n while_o he_o be_v seek_v to_o get_v a_o clear_a discovery_n of_o its_o nature_n rise_v and_o end_n so_o that_o here_o be_v all_o these_o sin_n together_o manifest_v in_o this_o answer_n great_a ignorance_n even_o in_o a_o ruler_n unbelief_n doubt_v of_o the_o conclusion_n when_o he_o have_v acknowledge_v the_o premise_n a_o unteachableness_n in_o part_n when_o he_o profess_v himself_o to_o come_v to_o learn_v a_o arrogant_a conceit_n of_o the_o capaciousness_n of_o his_o understanding_n as_o if_o christ_n word_n or_o the_o plain_a truth_n shall_v be_v soon_o suspect_v than_o his_o shallow_a capacity_n from_o this_o picture_n we_o may_v well_o conclude_v what_o be_v the_o ordinary_a shape_n of_o man_n corrupt_a disposition_n and_o we_o may_v all_o know_v ourselves_o by_o know_v nicodemus_n and_o from_o hence_o i_o may_v raise_v this_o observation_n of_o we_o all_o doct._n the_o corrupt_a nature_n of_o man_n be_v more_o pronâ—_n to_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n word_n then_o to_o seâ—_n and_o confess_v their_o own_o ignorance_n and_o incapacity_n and_o ready_a to_o doubt_v whether_o the_o thing_n that_o christ_n reveal_v be_v true_a when_o they_o themselves_o do_v not_o know_v the_o nature_n cause_n and_o reason_n of_o they_o they_o will_v make_v every_o thing_n which_o they_o understand_v not_o to_o seem_v improbable_a and_o all_o such_o improbability_n will_v make_v it_o seem_v incredible_a and_o the_o incredibility_n of_o a_o part_n make_v the_o whole_a seem_v incredible_a and_o thus_o man_n will_v be_v infidel_n or_o seed_v their_o infidelity_n by_o every_o thing_n that_o themselves_o be_v ignorant_a of_o and_o make_v it_o the_o chief_a reason_n why_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v or_o learn_v because_o they_o do_v not_o already_o know_v
your_o mouth_n in_o unbelief_n how_o plain_a be_v that_o to_o a_o man_n of_o knowledge_n which_o to_o the_o ignorant_a seem_v impossible_a if_o the_o certain_a event_n do_v not_o convince_v they_o you_o shall_v never_o persuade_v the_o ignorant_a vulgar_a that_o learned_a man_n know_v so_o much_o of_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o planet_n and_o can_v so_o long_o before_o tell_v the_o eclipse_n of_o sun_n or_o moon_n to_o a_o minute_n but_o when_o they_o see_v it_o come_v to_o pass_v they_o be_v convince_v thus_o can_v god_n convince_v thou_o of_o the_o verity_n of_o his_o word_n either_o by_o a_o merciful_a illumination_n or_o by_o a_o terrible_a execution_n for_o there_o be_v not_o a_o soul_n in_o hell_n but_o do_v believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o threaten_n of_o god_n and_o the_o devil_n themselves_o believe_v that_o will_v draw_v thou_o to_o unbelief_n 12._o last_o take_v heed_n of_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o this_o sin_n for_o it_o be_v the_o ordinary_a way_n to_o total_a 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