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but_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 1_o cor._n 12.3_o this_o be_v the_o substance_n of_o what_o i_o can_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n concern_v this_o matter_n and_o i_o suppose_v it_o be_v sufficient_o show_v that_o faith_n or_o a_o firm_a persuasion_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o that_o his_o doctrine_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v a_o effect_n of_o a_o divine_a operation_n upon_o our_o mind_n and_o that_o the_o first_o preparation_n within_o we_o towards_o regeneration_n be_v from_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o consequent_o that_o the_o semipelagian_a opinion_n introduce_v by_o the_o massilienses_n upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o pelagian_a controversy_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o prevent_a grace_n though_o grace_n be_v necessary_a to_o make_v our_o faith_n fruitful_a of_o good_a work_n but_o that_o faith_n and_o the_o first_o inclination_n of_o the_o will_v to_o that_o which_o be_v good_a be_v mere_o from_o ourselves_o be_v contrary_a to_o 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tell_v they_o that_o without_o he_o they_o can_v do_v nothing_o which_o must_v needs_o imply_v some_o grace_n distinct_a from_o the_o bare_a revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o which_o they_o have_v already_o bear_v some_o fruit_n and_o be_v capable_a of_o bring_v forth_o more_o vers_n 2_o 3._o but_o that_o all_o those_o disposition_n and_o virtue_n wherein_o our_o obedience_n to_o the_o gospel_n do_v consist_v be_v as_o well_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n as_o the_o effect_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v clear_o and_o full_o affirm_v in_o those_o word_n of_o the_o apostle_n phil._n 2.13_o it_o be_v god_n which_o work_v in_o you_o both_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v which_o be_v again_o speak_v to_o believer_n manifest_o suppose_v a_o divine_a operation_n distinct_a from_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o enable_v they_o to_o will_n and_o to_o do_v i._n e._n to_o perform_v that_o obedience_n from_o their_o very_a soul_n which_o will_v qualify_v they_o for_o 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he_o which_o he_o require_v too_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o operation_n in_o we_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v yet_o want_v to_o satisfy_v we_o full_o in_o this_o matter_n our_o be_v teach_v to_o pray_v that_o we_o may_v not_o enter_v into_o temptation_n and_o to_o pray_v always_o that_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o stand_v against_o the_o wile_n of_o the_o devil_n will_v leave_v no_o room_n for_o doubt_v whether_o of_o ourselves_o we_o need_v or_o by_o promise_n have_v this_o great_a encouragement_n to_o the_o study_n of_o godliness_n and_o virtue_n or_o not_o for_o these_o direction_n be_v unprofitable_a if_o we_o either_o need_v no_o strength_n from_o the_o divine_a spirit_n against_o our_o temptation_n or_o if_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v gain_v by_o our_o prayer_n much_o less_o will_v those_o prayer_n of_o st._n paul_n for_o other_o christian_n which_o we_o so_o often_o meet_v withal_o have_v signify_v any_o thing_n to_o their_o advantage_n or_o encouragement_n if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o divine_a grace_n obtainable_a by_o they_o for_o the_o produce_v of_o those_o effect_n which_o he_o so_o much_o desire_v to_o see_v in_o their_o conversation_n and_o these_o effect_n be_v no_o other_o than_o all_o kind_n of_o christian_a virtue_n and_o goodness_n as_o we_o may_v learn_v by_o the_o follow_a place_n wherefore_o also_o we_o pray_v always_o for_o you_o that_o our_o god_n will_v count_v you_o worthy_a of_o this_o call_n and_o fulfil_v all_o the_o good_a pleasure_n of_o his_o goodness_n and_o the_o work_n of_o faith_n with_o power_n 2_o thess._n 1.11_o i_o e._n that_o god_n will_v make_v their_o faith_n fruitful_a of_o all_o good_a work_n acceptable_a to_o he_o that_o the_o name_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n may_v be_v glorify_v in_o they_o as_o he_o speak_v in_o the_o follow_a verse_n again_o we_o do_v not_o cease_v to_o pray_v for_o you_o and_o to_o desire_v that_o you_o may_v be_v fill_v with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o will_n in_o all_o wisdom_n and_o 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a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n together_o with_o a_o confutation_n of_o some_o part_n of_o dr._n owen_n book_n upon_o that_o subject_a imprimatur_fw-la may_v four_o 1677._o guil._n jane_n r.p.d._n hen._n episc._n lond._n à _fw-la sacris_fw-la dome_v london_n print_v by_o j._n c._n for_o hen._n brome_n at_o the_o gun_n at_o the_o west-end_n of_o st._n paul_n 1678._o the_o preface_n among_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v usual_o aim_v at_o in_o a_o preface_n one_o be_v to_o invite_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o book_n the_o author_n of_o this_o book_n do_v not_o think_v it_o worthy_a of_o every_o man_n perusal_n into_o who_o hand_n it_o may_v chance_v to_o come_v and_o therefore_o do_v not_o commend_v it_o to_o all._n it_o be_v write_v principal_o for_o their_o sake_n who_o have_v be_v make_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v depart_v from_o the_o scripture_n in_o their_o doctrine_n concern_v the_o 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incapable_a of_o inquire_v much_o further_o and_o i_o hope_v some_o of_o these_o do_v so_o firm_o believe_v the_o truth_n upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o god_n minister_n as_o to_o live_v according_a to_o it_o which_o if_o they_o do_v god_n forbid_v that_o i_o shall_v say_v they_o be_v in_o a_o damnable_a condition_n but_o you_o see_v in_o what_o strict_a term_n the_o doctor_n admonish_v every_o one_o of_o you_o not_o to_o rely_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o man_n but_o to_o examine_v their_o doctrine_n by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n possible_o he_o mean_v no_o more_o than_o that_o this_o be_v a_o duty_n to_o be_v discharge_v by_o all_o christian_n according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o those_o mean_n ability_n and_o opportunity_n which_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o give_v they_o and_o this_o sure_o be_v a_o great_a truth_n but_o then_o i_o desire_v you_o to_o consider_v that_o every_o one_o of_o you_o be_v more_o concern_v to_o look_v to_o it_o that_o you_o omit_v not_o this_o duty_n than_o many_o other_o christian_n be_v and_o that_o for_o this_o reason_n because_o you_o have_v withdraw_v yourselves_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o lawful_a guide_n of_o this_o church_n to_o follow_v those_o that_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o lead_v you_o without_o any_o know_a authority_n by_o which_o they_o do_v so_o for_o if_o you_o follow_v these_o your_o leader_n into_o error_n it_o will_v be_v no_o excuse_n for_o you_o to_o say_v they_o lead_v you_o into_o error_n because_o you_o set_v they_o up_o to_o yourselves_o against_o the_o will_n of_o your_o rightful_a superior_n both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n whereas_o if_o the_o christian_n of_o our_o communion_n shall_v be_v lead_v into_o some_o great_a mistake_n as_o i_o be_o persuade_v they_o be_v not_o by_o rely_v upon_o the_o authority_n and_o wisdom_n of_o their_o pastor_n though_o it_o will_v not_o total_o excuse_v they_o yet_o it_o will_v be_v some_o mitigation_n of_o their_o fault_n that_o they_o be_v mislead_v by_o those_o guide_n and_o minister_n which_o god_n have_v set_v over_o they_o 44._o the_o doctor_n himself_o tell_v you_o in_o that_o book_n that_o the_o people_n be_v bind_v to_o hear_v those_o who_o possess_v the_o place_n of_o teach_v in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o if_o the_o law_n account_v only_o such_o assembly_n to_o be_v conventicle_n 52._o where_o the_o assembler_n contemn_v and_o despise_v the_o service_n of_o god_n in_o public_a he_o have_v not_o speak_v one_o word_n in_o favour_n of_o they_o you_o do_v not_o wonder_v i_o suppose_v at_o these_o passage_n for_o you_o know_v this_o book_n be_v write_v by_o he_o above_o thirty_o year_n since_o when_o he_o be_v a_o presbyterian_a as_o he_o there_o solemn_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v 42._o and_o engage_v by_o the_o interest_n of_o his_o party_n to_o contend_v for_o some_o church-decency_n and_o order_n 47._o as_o he_o there_o do_v after_o his_o manner_n indeed_o since_o that_o time_n he_o turn_v independent_a but_o however_o you_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o he_o have_v change_v his_o mind_n in_o that_o other_o point_n also_o of_o the_o people_n be_v bind_v to_o examine_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o doctrine_n of_o those_o teacher_n who_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o hear_v or_o that_o he_o believe_v that_o all_o that_o be_v say_v in_o conventicle_n or_o write_v by_o those_o assembler_n that_o despise_v the_o service_n of_o god_n in_o public_a may_v be_v take_v upon_o trust_n no_o though_o he_o have_v change_v his_o party_n he_o may_v still_o be_v of_o this_o mind_n 45._o that_o unless_o minister_n as_o he_o tell_v you_o will_v answer_v for_o all_o those_o soul_n they_o shall_v mislead_v and_o excuse_v they_o before_o god_n at_o the_o day_n of_o trial_n they_o ought_v not_o to_o debar_v they_o from_o try_v their_o doctrine_n now_o this_o they_o can_v do_v for_o if_o the_o blind_a lead_v the_o blind_a both_o shall_v fall_v into_o the_o pit_n of_o destruction_n now_o unless_o he_o except_v himself_o from_o a_o possibility_n of_o mislead_v you_o thus_o far_o i_o will_v not_o desire_v a_o fair_a adversary_n and_o if_o you_o think_v he_o ought_v not_o to_o except_v himself_o i_o can_v wish_v more_o equal_a judge_n than_o yourselves_o sure_o i_o be_o the_o doctor_n must_v either_o explain_v himself_o further_o or_o he_o must_v not_o debar_v you_o from_o try_v his_o doctrine_n and_o inquire_v whether_o he_o himself_o be_v not_o a_o blind_a guide_n who_o you_o may_v follow_v into_o the_o pit_n of_o destruction_n for_o what_o he_o say_v in_o general_a may_v be_v apply_v to_o he_o in_o particular_a that_o if_o he_o shall_v mislead_v you_o he_o can_v excuse_v you_o before_o god_n at_o the_o day_n of_o trial_n now_o the_o truth_n be_v although_o he_o
the_o mind_n unprofitable_a to_o man_n and_o dishonourable_a to_o god_n but_o then_o withal_o i_o can_v find_v they_o any_o where_o in_o the_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o he_o fancy_n of_o a_o possibility_n to_o believe_v that_o to_o be_v divine_o reveal_v which_o be_v not_o believe_v to_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o divine_a attribute_n etc._n etc._n i_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o believe_v they_o nor_o do_v i_o see_v any_o likelihood_n that_o i_o ever_o shall_v unless_o some_o irresistible_a power_n make_v another_o thing_n of_o i_o than_o i_o find_v myself_o to_o be_v at_o present_a and_o if_o this_o will_v content_v the_o doctor_n i_o have_v no_o quarrel_n with_o he_o but_o then_o if_o he_o pretend_v that_o the_o real_a doctrine_n of_o our_o saviour_n gospel_n viz._n that_o the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v crucify_v for_o we_o and_o that_o we_o must_v be_v save_v by_o faith_n in_o he_o and_o that_o god_n will_v give_v his_o holy_a spirit_n to_o they_o that_o ask_v he_o etc._n etc._n be_v as_o unintelligible_a and_o the_o usefulness_n of_o they_o as_o indiscernible_a as_o that_o of_o his_o new-fashioned_a principle_n i_o must_v beg_v his_o pardon_n if_o i_o can_v believe_v that_o neither_o but_o reckon_v on_o the_o contrary_a that_o the_o doctor_n have_v cast_v a_o horrible_a reproach_n upon_o the_o christian_a religion_n while_o he_o make_v it_o impossible_a for_o a_o man_n that_o bend_v his_o mind_n to_o consider_v the_o doctrine_n thereof_o never_o so_o attentive_o and_o use_v his_o reason_n never_o so_o modest_o in_o the_o examination_n of_o they_o to_o assent_v to_o they_o as_o doctrine_n worthy_a of_o god_n and_o profitable_a to_o man_n if_o that_o be_v true_a than_o this_o pernicious_a consequence_n be_v unavoidable_a that_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n for_o a_o man_n to_o use_v any_o mean_n to_o satisfy_v himself_o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o if_o it_o be_v yet_o pretend_v to_o he_o that_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o right_a believer_n he_o have_v no_o way_n but_o to_o sit_v down_o in_o a_o lazy_a expectation_n of_o that_o light_n which_o the_o doctor_n say_v must_v be_v create_v in_o his_o mind_n by_o a_o almighty_a act_n of_o god_n before_o he_o can_v know_v and_o believe_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o they_o be_v and_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v know_v this_o be_v the_o consequence_n of_o the_o doctor_n be_v interpretation_n of_o st._n paul_n text_n and_o let_v any_o man_n but_o himself_o judge_n whether_o it_o do_v not_o infinite_o disparage_v the_o whole_a gospel_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o whether_o it_o do_v not_o offer_v great_a wrong_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n by_o betray_v they_o either_o into_o a_o contempt_n of_o christianity_n or_o at_o least_o into_o a_o sluggish_a neglect_n of_o all_o that_o consideration_n whereby_o they_o come_v to_o understand_v and_o believe_v it_o upon_o its_o proper_a ground_n and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o i_o have_v be_v so_o punctual_a in_o find_v out_o and_o so_o long_o in_o confute_v his_o notion_n of_o this_o text_n which_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v altogether_o as_o pernicious_a as_o they_o be_v false_a i_o shall_v have_v leave_v they_o to_o perish_v in_o their_o own_o nonsense_n sect_n v._o the_o incoherence_n of_o his_o interpretation_n with_o the_o scope_n of_o st._n paul_n in_o that_o and_o the_o former_a chapter_n must_v be_v judge_v of_o by_o observe_v what_o st._n paul_n design_n be_v in_o they_o which_o i_o now_o come_v to_o inquire_v into_o and_o thereby_o to_o lay_v a_o foundation_n for_o the_o true_a interpretation_n of_o the_o text._n to_o allay_v those_o contention_n that_o be_v among_o the_o corinthian_n about_o their_o teacher_n who_o they_o shall_v follow_v chap._n 1._o vers_fw-la 11._o st._n paul_n remind_v they_o how_o he_o have_v preach_v the_o gospel_n among_o they_o and_o by_o what_o argument_n they_o have_v be_v win_v to_o receive_v it_o not_o with_o wisdom_n of_o word_n vers_fw-la 17._o and_o again_o not_o with_o entice_a word_n of_o man_n wisdom_n chap._n 2._o vers_fw-la 4._o but_o in_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n note_n i._n e._n not_o with_o rhetorical_a oration_n or_o philosophical_a discourse_n such_o as_o the_o wise_a man_n among_o the_o gentile_n make_v use_v of_o to_o put_v off_o their_o opinion_n to_o the_o people_n withal_o he_o do_v not_o go_v about_o to_o persuade_v they_o in_o this_o manner_n but_o as_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n which_o the_o gospel_n be_v pretend_v to_o be_v he_o prove_v it_o to_o they_o by_o a_o divine_a demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n thereof_o viz._n that_o of_o supernatural_a gift_n bestow_v now_o upon_o believer_n of_o ancient_a prophecy_n of_o apparent_a miracle_n wrought_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o such_o testimony_n of_o god_n own_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v a_o revelation_n from_o he_o as_o these_o be_v the_o consequence_n whereof_o be_v that_o their_o faith_n do_v not_o stand_v in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n but_o in_o the_o power_n of_o god_n i._n e._n that_o their_o faith_n be_v not_o ground_v upon_o the_o eloquence_n or_o the_o subtle_a reason_n of_o man_n but_o upon_o the_o plain_a testimony_n of_o god_n declare_v by_o miracle_n etc._n etc._n and_o this_o be_v clear_o a_o good_a consideration_n to_o take_v they_o off_o from_o contend_v about_o the_o person_n of_o their_o teacher_n who_o never_o go_v about_o to_o make_v proselyte_n to_o themselves_o as_o vers_n 13._o by_o the_o ostentation_n of_o learning_n and_o eloquence_n but_o to_o win_v they_o to_o the_o christian_a faith_n by_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n but_o hereupon_o the_o apostle_n take_v occasion_n to_o show_v 1._o the_o offence_n which_o they_o who_o be_v most_o in_o vogue_n for_o wisdom_n take_v at_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o way_n of_o preach_v it_o and_o the_o prevalency_n of_o that_o way_n notwithstanding_o above_o all_o other_o method_n to_o make_v man_n wise_a and_o good_a and_o this_o be_v the_o scope_n of_o chap._n 1._o from_o vers_n 18._o to_o the_o end_n 2._o to_o vindicate_v this_o way_n of_o preach_v the_o gospel_n against_o their_o pretence_n who_o reject_v the_o revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v the_o design_n of_o chap._n 2._o that_o the_o former_a be_v the_o design_n of_o the_o apostle_n discourse_n in_o the_o first_o chapter_n be_v plain_a from_o what_o he_o say_v vers_fw-la 18._o and_o so_o forward_o for_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o cross_n be_v to_o they_o that_o perish_v foolishness_n and_o who_o these_o be_v we_o learn_v from_o vers_fw-la 20._o where_o be_v the_o wise_a where_o be_v the_o scribe_n etc._n etc._n i_o e._n let_v those_o man_n who_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o preach_a of_o christ_n crucify_v come_v and_o compare_v the_o religion_n they_o teach_v and_o the_o reason_n they_o bring_v for_o it_o argument_n and_o the_o good_a they_o do_v by_o it_o with_o our_o doctrine_n and_o the_o testimony_n we_o confirm_v it_o withal_o and_o the_o advantage_n which_o it_o bring_v to_o they_o that_o believe_v it_o for_o it_o please_v god_n by_o the_o foolishness_n as_o they_o be_v please_v to_o call_v it_o of_o preach_v to_o save_v they_o that_o believe_v vers_fw-la 21._o and_o the_o foolishness_n of_o god_n be_v wise_a than_o man_n and_o the_o weakness_n etc._n etc._n vers_fw-la 25._o i._n e._n let_v it_o be_v consider_v and_o you_o will_v see_v a_o clear_a manifestation_n of_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o power_n in_o the_o death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o convince_a of_o man_n that_o his_o doctrine_n be_v true_a and_o the_o bring_n of_o they_o to_o salvation_n by_o it_o vers_n 24._o you_o will_v see_v also_o what_o a_o infinite_a disparegement_n this_o wise_a contrivance_n of_o god_n will_v do_v to_o all_o the_o method_n of_o human_a wisdom_n when_o they_o be_v compare_v with_o it_o for_o god_n have_v choose_v the_o foolish_a thing_n of_o this_o world_n those_o way_n of_o instruct_v and_o save_v mankind_n which_o be_v so_o far_o above_o all_o the_o invention_n and_o above_o the_o expectation_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n that_o they_o now_o general_o reckon_v they_o to_o be_v foolish_a to_o confound_v the_o wise_a to_o put_v down_o all_o that_o wisdom_n of_o they_o which_o they_o so_o much_o glory_n in_o and_o thereby_o to_o show_v that_o god_n be_v infinite_o wise_a than_o man_n v_o 27._o that_o no_o flesh_n shall_v glory_v in_o his_o presence_n vers_fw-la 29._o but_o the_o particular_a reason_n gospel_n why_o so_o few_o of_o those_o person_n who_o wisdom_n be_v in_o this_o manner_n baffle_v do_v embrace_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n for_o not_o many_o wise_a man_n after_o the_o flesh_n be_v call_v vers_fw-la 26._o
of_o that_o change_n and_o as_o that_o original_a or_o cause_n of_o that_o change_n be_v not_o perceive_v by_o we_o as_o we_o know_v not_o whence_o the_o wind_n come_v so_o the_o end_n of_o it_o be_v not_o perceive_v by_o we_o neither_o for_o that_o be_v eternal_a life_n which_o yet_o we_o do_v not_o see_v as_o we_o know_v not_o whither_o the_o wind_n go_v but_o only_o believe_v 3._o our_o saviour_n similitude_n likewise_o show_v that_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v discoverable_a only_o by_o its_o effect_n as_o the_o wind_n be_v by_o the_o noise_n it_o make_v and_o other_o effect_n thereof_o so_o likewise_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n upon_o our_o mind_n though_o they_o be_v not_o in_o themselves_o perceivable_a by_o we_o yet_o in_o their_o effect_n they_o be_v for_o if_o christian_a virtue_n and_o piety_n can_v be_v attain_v or_o preserve_v without_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n then_o where_o there_o be_v this_o change_n in_o a_o man_n state_n there_o we_o be_v sure_o have_v be_v and_o still_o be_v the_o operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o though_o he_o do_v not_o feel_v the_o cause_n itself_o yet_o he_o discover_v it_o in_o its_o effect_n 177._o dr._n owen_n indeed_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o work_n itself_o be_v discoverable_a in_o its_o cause_n and_o bring_v this_o very_a text_n to_o prove_v his_o say_n which_o prove_v the_o contrary_a it_o be_v true_a we_o know_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o this_o change_n but_o how_o not_o by_o the_o work_n itself_o but_o by_o the_o revelation_n of_o christ_n who_o withal_o have_v inform_v we_o that_o we_o have_v no_o other_o way_n to_o discern_v the_o operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o we_o but_o by_o their_o effect_n i._n e._n those_o alteration_n that_o be_v thereby_o produce_v in_o our_o heart_n and_o life_n thus_o than_o we_o may_v understand_v our_o saviour_n word_n let_v not_o this_o startle_v you_o that_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n whereby_o you_o must_v be_v change_v and_o as_o it_o be_v bear_v again_o be_v not_o discernible_a and_o sensible_a for_o though_o you_o can_v feel_v they_o yet_o you_o may_v understand_v they_o by_o the_o effect_n and_o alteration_n in_o you_o that_o be_v cause_v by_o they_o now_o whereas_o nicodemus_n answer_v how_o can_v these_o thing_n be_v i_o suppose_v the_o reason_n of_o his_o hesitation_n be_v either_o 1._o that_o he_o do_v not_o understand_v this_o to_o be_v our_o saviour_n meaning_n or_o 2._o that_o he_o think_v as_o dr._n owen_n do_v that_o to_o be_v bear_v again_o be_v too_o hyperbolical_a a_o expression_n of_o that_o which_o he_o now_o perceive_v our_o saviour_n mean_v by_o it_o i_o can_v positive_o say_v which_o it_o be_v but_o suppose_v whether_o you_o will_v our_o saviour_n reply_n to_o he_o rebuke_v his_o ignorance_n either_o way_n be_v thou_o a_o master_n of_o israel_n and_o know_v not_o these_o thing_n vers_fw-la 10._o q._n d._n be_v thou_o one_o of_o the_o great_a council_n a_o learned_a jew_n and_o yet_o ignorant_a of_o these_o matter_n do_v you_o not_o perceive_v that_o i_o speak_v to_o you_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o become_v my_o disciple_n in_o such_o language_n as_o any_o man_n who_o be_v verse_v in_o your_o custom_n and_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n may_v easy_o understand_v be_v not_o be_v bear_v again_o that_o very_a phrase_n whereby_o you_o express_v the_o make_n of_o a_o proselyte_n be_v not_o wash_v one_o of_o the_o ceremony_n whereby_o a_o proselyte_n be_v make_v among_o you_o and_o therefore_o when_o i_o tell_v you_o a_o man_n must_v be_v bear_v of_o water_n what_o shall_v you_o think_v i_o mean_v but_o that_o he_o must_v become_v my_o disciple_n by_o baptism_n i_o have_v also_o tell_v you_o that_o he_o must_v be_v bear_v of_o the_o spirit_n too_o and_o can_v you_o be_v ignorant_a that_o those_o prophecy_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o day_n of_o the_o messiah_n do_v mention_v the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n upon_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n which_o shall_v then_o be_v liberal_o bestow_v upon_o the_o subject_n of_o his_o kingdom_n to_o make_v they_o good_a and_o holy_a person_n viz._n that_o god_n will_v circumcise_v the_o heart_n of_o his_o people_n that_o he_o will_v take_v away_o their_o heart_n of_o stone_n and_o give_v they_o a_o heart_n of_o flesh_n with_o his_o law_n write_v in_o it_o that_o they_o may_v be_v the_o true_a disciple_n of_o the_o messiah_n that_o prophet_n to_o who_o you_o be_v to_o hearken_v in_o all_o thing_n i_o say_v unto_o thou_o we_o speak_v that_o we_o do_v know_v and_o testify_v that_o we_o have_v see_v and_o you_o receive_v not_o our_o testimony_n vers_fw-la 11._o now_o i_o be_o that_o prophet_n but_o how_o credible_a soever_o that_o testimony_n be_v which_o be_v give_v hereof_o you_o regard_v it_o not_o if_o i_o have_v tell_v you_o earthly_a thing_n and_o you_o believe_v not_o how_o shall_v you_o believe_v if_o i_o tell_v you_o of_o heavenly_a thing_n vers_fw-la 12._o this_o last_o be_v a_o place_n of_o some_o difficulty_n for_o although_o by_o heavenly_a thing_n be_v mean_v doctrine_n which_o be_v to_o be_v know_v by_o the_o revelation_n of_o christ_n yet_o by_o those_o earthly_a thing_n which_o our_o saviour_n have_v tell_v nicodemus_n already_o we_o must_v not_o understand_v truth_n mere_o natural_a for_o that_o jesus_n be_v the_o messiah_n that_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o jew_n to_o become_v his_o disciple_n by_o baptism_n and_o to_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o spirit_n which_o none_o but_o his_o disciple_n can_v be_v these_o be_v heavenly_a doctrine_n too_o in_o this_o sense_n that_o they_o be_v knowable_a only_o by_o revelation_n wherefore_o i_o conceive_v that_o by_o heavenly_a thing_n here_o may_v probable_o be_v mean_v such_o reveal_v doctrine_n as_o be_v most_o contrary_a to_o the_o worldly_a and_o sensual_a expectation_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o have_v long_o cherish_v in_o themselves_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o messiah_n who_o shall_v fight_v their_o battle_n for_o they_o as_o their_o other_o saviour_n and_o deliverer_n have_v do_v and_o rescue_v they_o from_o the_o roman_a power_n now_o these_o doctrine_n be_v that_o christ_n shall_v be_v deliver_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o roman_n and_o be_v crucify_a for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o world_n that_o those_o who_o believe_v in_o he_o shall_v not_o perish_v but_o have_v everlasting_a life_n divers_a consideration_n make_v it_o probable_a that_o these_o be_v the_o heavenly_a thing_n mean_v by_o our_o saviour_n in_o this_o place_n for_o 1._o after_o he_o have_v make_v way_n for_o it_o by_o tell_v nicodemus_n that_o he_o only_o ascend_v up_o into_o heaven_n i._n e._n know_v the_o secret_a purpose_n of_o god_n concern_v the_o way_n of_o salvation_n he_o fall_v upon_o the_o mention_n of_o that_o death_n which_o he_o be_v to_o undergo_v for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o world_n and_o as_o moses_n lift_v up_o the_o serpent_n in_o etc._n etc._n 2._o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n be_v that_o which_o make_v the_o jew_n most_o of_o all_o offend_v that_o his_o disciple_n shall_v still_o pretend_v he_o to_o be_v the_o christ._n it_o be_v to_o the_o jew_n a_o stumbling-block_n and_o to_o the_o greek_n foolishness_n word_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v probable_a this_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o the_o jew_n will_v hardly_o believe_v viz._n that_o god_n will_v save_v mankind_n by_o the_o death_n of_o his_o son_n 3._o when_o st._n peter_n rebuke_v our_o saviour_n foretell_v his_o own_o passion_n he_o say_v unto_o peter_n get_v thou_o behind_o i_o satan_n for_o thou_o savory_a not_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o god_n or_o heavenly_a thing_n i._n e._n the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n way_n to_o save_v the_o world_n but_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o man_n thou_o speak_v according_a to_o the_o imagination_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n will_v be_v of_o this_o world_n lay_v all_o these_o thing_n together_o and_o it_o will_v appear_v probable_a that_o by_o those_o heavenly_a thing_n which_o our_o saviour_n intimate_v will_v be_v more_o difficulty_n believe_v by_o the_o jew_n than_o those_o which_o he_o have_v already_o mention_v to_o nicodemus_n be_v mean_v his_o suffering_n and_o death_n by_o which_o believer_n shall_v be_v save_v and_o which_o he_o discourse_v to_o nicodemus_n of_o present_o after_o and_o then_o by_o the_o earthly_a thing_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v those_o truth_n which_o be_v indeed_o divine_o reveal_v but_o be_v not_o so_o contrary_a to_o the_o worldly_a expectation_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o the_o other_o viz._n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n and_o that_o all_o man_n be_v to_o be_v his_o disciple_n which_o
do_v not_o say_v in_o plain_a term_n that_o he_o be_v infallible_a yet_o in_o that_o book_n which_o i_o have_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o consider_v he_o lay_v claim_v as_o you_o will_v see_v to_o such_o a_o illumination_n of_o mind_n by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n as_o differ_v very_o little_a from_o that_o kind_n of_o inspiration_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v but_o this_o will_v not_o hinder_v you_o from_o try_v the_o doctor_n be_v spirit_n and_o way_n of_o teach_v if_o you_o consider_v what_o he_o very_o well_o observe_v in_o the_o forementioned_a book_n 44._o viz._n that_o the_o berean_o be_v high_o extol_v for_o search_v whether_o the_o doctrine_n concern_v our_o saviour_n preach_v by_o st._n paul_n be_v so_o or_o no_o for_o he_o must_v not_o desire_v to_o be_v believe_v more_o hasty_o than_o st._n paul_n do_v who_o we_o be_v sure_a speak_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n the_o more_o high_o any_o man_n pretend_v to_o the_o divine_a spirit_n the_o better_a testimony_n he_o have_v need_n to_o produce_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o pretence_n no_o wise_a man_n will_v light_o take_v up_o that_o belief_n of_o another_o which_o if_o he_o once_o give_v way_n to_o he_o must_v believe_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n else_o the_o bright_a those_o illumination_n be_v which_o any_o teacher_n boast_v of_o the_o less_o reason_n you_o have_v to_o take_v his_o bare_a word_n for_o it_o and_o if_o he_o be_v not_o willing_a that_o you_o shall_v examine_v his_o doctrine_n he_o give_v you_o great_a cause_n of_o suspicion_n that_o they_o will_v not_o abide_v the_o trial_n beside_o the_o doctor_n take_v notice_n that_o what_o be_v praise_v in_o the_o berean_o 44._o be_v commend_v in_o the_o scripture_n beloved_n believe_v not_o every_o spirit_n but_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n because_o many_o false_a spirit_n be_v go_v out_o into_o the_o world_n 1_o joh._n 4.1_o prophet_n then_o as_o he_o go_v on_o must_v be_v try_v before_o they_o be_v trust_v now_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o hold_v still_o there_o be_v many_o false_a teacher_n abroad_o in_o the_o world_n wherefore_o try_v every_o one_o try_v his_o spirit_n his_o spiritual_a gift_n of_o teach_v and_o that_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n i_o will_v only_o add_v that_o the_o reason_n hold_v more_o strong_o now_o for_o if_o false_a teacher_n pretend_v to_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n even_o whilst_o the_o apostle_n be_v alive_a to_o contradict_v they_o and_o discover_v they_o much_o more_o likely_a be_v they_o to_o do_v so_o now_o when_o they_o think_v they_o may_v do_v it_o more_o secure_o and_o therefore_o we_o have_v need_v to_o use_v the_o more_o diligence_n in_o try_v those_o teacher_n that_o pretend_v lofty_o by_o that_o word_n of_o god_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v leave_v we_o in_o their_o write_n now_o if_o the_o doctor_n will_v have_v you_o to_o shut_v your_o own_o eye_n and_o then_o trust_v to_o that_o new_a save_a light_n by_o which_o he_o pretend_v to_o explain_v gospel-truths_n this_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v you_o suspect_v that_o the_o light_n that_o be_v in_o he_o be_v darkness_n or_o if_o he_o mean_v to_o except_v himself_o from_o be_v try_v when_o he_o bid_v you_o try_v the_o spirit_n for_o that_o reason_n he_o be_v least_o of_o all_o to_o be_v except_v i_o have_v obey_v the_o apostle_n advice_n and_o try_v he_o as_o you_o may_v see_v in_o the_o follow_a book_n which_o i_o be_v willing_a to_o make_v public_a because_o those_o reason_n which_o satisfy_v i_o that_o he_o be_v very_o much_o out_o of_o the_o way_n in_o discourse_v upon_o spiritual_a thing_n after_o this_o manner_n may_v possible_o seem_v as_o clear_a to_o you_o as_o they_o do_v to_o myself_o if_o there_o be_v any_o sophistry_n in_o they_o or_o carnal_a reason_v or_o pervert_v of_o holy_a writ_n it_o be_v more_o than_o i_o know_v and_o i_o shall_v thank_v the_o doctor_n for_o make_v the_o discovery_n which_o i_o think_v he_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v if_o he_o can_v not_o only_o for_o your_o sake_n but_o for_o i_o too_o for_o so_o far_o as_o i_o understand_v myself_o i_o be_o not_o less_o desirous_a to_o retract_v any_o error_n of_o my_o own_o than_o i_o be_o to_o convince_v you_o of_o he_o and_o therefore_o if_o he_o be_v as_o willing_a as_o i_o be_o i_o shall_v in_o all_o probability_n hear_v further_o from_o he_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o desire_v you_o to_o believe_v neither_o of_o we_o but_o to_o try_v we_o both_o if_o the_o doctor_n be_v friend_n shall_v be_v trouble_v to_o find_v he_o charge_v with_o nonsense_n in_o the_o follow_a book_n the_o author_n have_v this_o to_o say_v for_o himself_o that_o he_o know_v no_o other_o name_n so_o fit_a as_o nonsense_n to_o call_v nonsense_n by_o and_o he_o believe_v that_o he_o have_v not_o only_o say_v but_o prove_v also_o that_o the_o doctor_n be_v guilty_a of_o nonsense_n where_o he_o have_v charge_v he_o with_o it_o he_o hope_v also_o that_o they_o will_v not_o be_v offend_v with_o he_o for_o take_v occasion_n sometime_o to_o rebuke_v this_o man_n for_o those_o rude_a word_n and_o unjust_a reproach_n which_o he_o have_v pour_v forth_o for_o whole_a page_n together_o upon_o his_o adversary_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a he_o shall_v be_v teach_v at_o last_o to_o manage_v controversy_n in_o religion_n in_o a_o more_o christian_a manner_n than_o he_o have_v do_v hitherto_o and_o now_o the_o author_n will_v only_o say_v in_o behalf_n of_o himself_o that_o his_o design_n in_o this_o book_n be_v to_o clear_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o question_n which_o he_o have_v undertake_v to_o every_o ordinary_a understanding_n and_o thereby_o to_o promote_v the_o power_n of_o godliness_n and_o the_o best_a thing_n he_o can_v say_v of_o the_o book_n itself_o be_v that_o it_o have_v be_v think_v by_o man_n of_o far_o better_a judgement_n than_o he_o can_v pretend_v to_o not_o to_o be_v altogether_o improper_a for_o that_o end_n and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o mistake_v may_v the_o alwise_a and_o good_a god_n prosper_v the_o design_n of_o it_o with_o his_o blessing_n the_o content_n of_o the_o introduction_n sect_n i._o that_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v according_a to_o the_o scripture_n a_o great_a motive_n to_o diligence_n in_o religion_n page_n 1_o that_o according_a to_o dr._n owen_n principle_n it_o seem_v to_o be_v none_o at_o all_o p._n 3._o the_o author_n design_n p._n 4._o sect_n ii_o the_o advantage_n which_o the_o doctor_n make_v by_o pretend_v that_o only_a the_o regenerate_v understand_v spiritual_a thing_n spiritual_o p._n 5._o while_o he_o prove_v himself_o to_o be_v regenerate_v by_o his_o spiritual_a understanding_n of_o spiritual_a thing_n p._n 6._o this_o artifice_n of_o his_o discover_v in_o some_o instance_n p._n 7._o that_o he_o allow_v only_o himself_o and_o his_o party_n to_o be_v competent_a judge_n of_o his_o doctrine_n concern_v the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n p._n 11._o sect_n iii_o his_o interpretation_n of_o 1_o cor._n 2.14_o explain_v p._n 15._o sect_n iv._o that_o his_o meaning_n of_o the_o natural_a man_n be_v groundless_a p._n 20._o of_o his_o not_o receive_v the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n absurd_a p._n 21._o and_o of_o their_o be_v foolishness_n to_o he_o blasphemous_a p._n 25._o the_o odd_a account_n he_o give_v of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o his_o preface_n p._n 27._o other_o reflection_n upon_o his_o sense_n of_o the_o forementioned_a text_n p._n 30._o that_o the_o doctor_n be_v pretend_v gospel-mystery_n need_v his_o interpretation_n of_o that_o text_n but_o the_o real_a mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n need_v it_o not_o p._n 31._o the_o pernicious_a consequence_n of_o his_o interpretation_n p._n 32._o sect_n v._o another_o sense_n of_o the_o text_n offer_v according_a to_o st._n chrysostome_n who_o authority_n the_o doctor_n pretend_v in_o favour_n of_o his_o own_o p._n 33._o the_o scope_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o and_o the_o former_a chapter_n large_o show_v p._n 34._o from_o whence_o it_o plain_o appear_v what_o he_o mean_v by_o the_o natural_a man_n p._n 40._o the_o scriptural_a notion_n of_o the_o state_n of_o nature_n p._n 42._o what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o their_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v p._n 43._o and_o by_o the_o spiritual_a man_n p._n 45._o the_o incoherence_n of_o the_o doctor_n be_v sense_n with_o the_o context_n p._n 46._o dr._n hammond_n paraphrase_n upon_o the_o text_n vindicate_v from_o the_o exception_n of_o dr._n owen_n p._n 47._o and_o show_v to_o agree_v with_o those_o passage_n of_o st._n chrysostome_n which_o dr._n owen_n himself_o produce_v p._n 51._o that_o the_o follow_a book_n be_v not_o to_o be_v
thereunto_o 206._o for_o my_o part_n i_o do_v not_o think_v that_o pride_n and_o petulancy_n qualify_v man_n either_o to_o maintain_v argument_n or_o to_o answer_v they_o the_o doctor_n seem_v to_o be_v of_o the_o opinion_n that_o they_o do_v and_o much_o good_a may_v his_o advantage_n do_v he_o but_o this_o i_o see_v that_o pride_n and_o petulancy_n be_v good_a help_n towards_o the_o write_n of_o a_o great_a book_n for_o if_o this_o man_n have_v spare_v himself_o the_o pain_n of_o charge_v his_o adversary_n with_o pelagianism_n ignorance_n impudence_n and_o ill_a manner_n and_o his_o frequent_a tautology_n into_o the_o bargain_n the_o bulk_n of_o his_o book_n have_v be_v take_v down_o so_o considerable_o that_o the_o smallness_n of_o the_o volume_n will_v have_v carry_v a_o even_a proportion_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o the_o profitableness_n of_o his_o discourse_n and_o how_o much_o of_o that_o be_v to_o be_v allow_v to_o he_o i_o will_v leave_v the_o indifferent_a reader_n to_o 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turn_n for_o you_o must_v know_v that_o you_o have_v not_o yet_o receive_v that_o new_a save_a light_n he_o speak_v of_o which_o can_v only_o make_v you_o to_o understand_v spiritual_a thing_n spiritual_o for_o without_o the_o addition_n of_o this_o new_a light_n which_o only_o the_o regenerate_a have_v the_o use_n of_o reason_n and_o scripture_n be_v utter_o insufficient_a to_o give_v you_o a_o spiritual_a understanding_n of_o they_o so_o that_o you_o can_v neither_o be_v convince_v that_o another_o understand_v they_o spiritual_o till_o security_n be_v give_v you_o that_o he_o be_v a_o regenerate_a man_n nor_o when_o you_o be_v certain_a of_o that_o be_v he_o able_a to_o make_v you_o understand_v they_o so_o till_o you_o be_v regenerate_v yourself_o now_o if_o this_o be_v true_a than_o i_o have_v a_o very_a strange_a task_n for_o than_o i_o can_v confute_v dr._n owen_n till_o i_o can_v prove_v he_o to_o be_v a_o unregenerate_a man_n nor_o can_v i_o convince_v any_o man_n that_o 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something_o towards_o it_o in_o divers_a place_n of_o his_o book_n for_o he_o suppose_v that_o whoever_o understand_v gospel-mystery_n in_o that_o spiritual_a manner_n wherein_o he_o have_v explain_v they_o be_v thereby_o prove_v one_o that_o have_v receive_v the_o special_a illumination_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o consequent_o regenerate_v so_o that_o if_o you_o ask_v how_o a_o man_n be_v qualify_v to_o understand_v and_o teach_v spiritual_a thing_n spiritual_o you_o be_v tell_v by_o the_o especial_a illumination_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o if_o you_o will_v then_o be_v satisfy_v that_o the_o doctor_n suppose_v be_v thus_o illuminate_v you_o must_v know_v it_o can_v be_v otherwise_o because_o he_o understand_v and_o teach_v spiritual_a thing_n spiritual_o which_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o shameful_a circle_n now_o whether_o i_o have_v injure_v the_o doctor_n in_o any_o thing_n that_o i_o have_v hitherto_o charge_v he_o with_o let_v the_o reader_n judge_v by_o a_o few_o of_o 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consideration_n be_v a_o clear_a compliance_n with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n and_o a_o mark_n of_o regeneration_n i_o take_v this_o to_o be_v a_o competent_a instance_n of_o the_o doctor_n be_v prove_v himself_o to_o be_v regenerate_v by_o his_o spiritual_a understanding_n of_o thing_n but_o how_o he_o come_v to_o understand_v they_o so_o spiritual_o you_o hear_v before_o viz._n by_o a_o almighty_a power_n which_o induce_v a_o new_a save_a light_n into_o his_o mind_n for_o i_o suppose_v he_o have_v not_o a_o way_n by_o himself_o of_o arrive_v at_o this_o felicity_n this_o now_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o if_o you_o spiritual_o understand_v the_o necessity_n of_o holiness_n you_o must_v not_o understand_v it_o to_o be_v necessary_a to_o justification_n but_o if_o you_o ask_v the_o doctor_n why_o you_o can_v understand_v it_o as_o he_o do_v his_o answer_n be_v because_o you_o be_v not_o enlighten_v and_o regenerate_v by_o the_o irresistible_a work_n for_o where_o this_o work_n be_v not_o that_o spiritual_a thing_n can_v be_v so_o understand_v and_o where_o it_o be_v it_o be_v impossible_a but_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o understand_v now_o then_o if_o you_o ask_v how_o the_o doctor_n prove_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o regenerate_a man_n he_o prove_v it_o clear_o by_o his_o understanding_n the_o necessity_n of_o holiness_n in_o that_o spiritual_a manner_n wherein_o he_o understand_v it_o and_o at_o this_o rate_n i_o think_v a_o man_n may_v prove_v any_o thing_n thus_o the_o doctor_n tell_v we_o how_o the_o purify_n virtue_n of_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n be_v apply_v to_o we_o by_o faith_n 401._o but_o in_o so_o mystical_a a_o manner_n that_o he_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v it_o himself_o and_o therefore_o say_v he_o when_o you_o understand_v these_o thing_n you_o will_v not_o think_v it_o so_o strange_a that_o god_n shall_v appoint_v this_o way_n of_o believe_v only_o as_o the_o mean_n to_o interest_n we_o in_o the_o purify_n virtue_n of_o the_o blood_n of_o christ._n for_o the_o truth_n be_v before_o he_o have_v do_v with_o that_o point_n he_o have_v make_v it_o so_o unintelligible_a that_o he_o have_v nothing_o to_o keep_v up_o his_o reader_n in_o heart_n withal_o but_o by_o promise_v they_o that_o when_o they_o understand_v those_o thing_n they_o will_v not_o think_v they_o strange_a i._n e._n when_o that_o new_a save_a light_n be_v once_o dart_v into_o their_o mind_n by_o which_o the_o doctor_n discern_v spiritual_a mystery_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n he_o caution_n they_o against_o those_o that_o pretend_v the_o believe_v he_o speak_v of_o to_o be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o work_n of_o the_o fancy_n in_o these_o word_n despise_v their_o ignorance_n for_o they_o know_v not_o what_o they_o say_v when_o man_n come_v to_o the_o real_a practice_n of_o this_o duty_n the_o practice_n of_o believe_v that_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n without_o any_o more_o ado_n will_v cleanse_v they_o from_o their_o sin_n they_o will_v find_v what_o it_o be_v to_o discard_v all_o other_o way_n and_o pretence_n of_o cleanse_v viz._n a_o sincere_a reformation_n of_o heart_n and_o life_n what_o it_o be_v to_o give_v unto_o god_n against_o all_o difficulty_n and_o opposition_n i._n e._n though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o absurd_a to_o imagine_v this_o make_v for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n the_o glory_n of_o his_o attribute_n in_o find_v out_o this_o way_n for_o we_o again_o after_o he_o have_v give_v such_o a_o description_n of_o gospel-holiness_n as_o any_o one_o will_v be_v ashamed_a to_o own_o that_o pretend_v to_o a_o intelligible_a religion_n he_o hope_v to_o make_v up_o all_o with_o say_v 421._o the_o thing_n itself_o as_o have_v be_v declare_v be_v deep_a and_o mysterious_a not_o to_o be_v understand_v without_o the_o aid_n of_o spiritual_a light_n in_o our_o mind_n so_o that_o if_o you_o do_v not_o understand_v what_o the_o doctor_n say_v the_o reason_n be_v plain_a because_o you_o have_v not_o the_o spirit_n and_o at_o this_o rate_n any_o man_n may_v write_v nonsense_n safe_o enough_o and_o put_v it_o off_o for_o a_o gospel-mystery_n when_o he_o have_v do_v for_o the_o thing_n may_v be_v understand_v though_o you_o do_v not_o understand_v it_o for_o it_o may_v be_v understand_v by_o the_o aid_n of_o spiritual_a light_n and_o if_o you_o understand_v it_o not_o it_o be_v because_o you_o rely_v upon_o carnal_a reason_n and_o have_v not_o the_o light_n of_o the_o spirit_n for_o thus_o the_o doctor_n tell_v we_o the_o reason_n why_o man_n have_v other_o notion_n of_o holiness_n than_o he_o have_v be_v their_o ignorance_n and_o hatred_n of_o the_o only_a true_a real_a principle_n of_o evangelical_n holiness_n which_o we_o have_v describe_v for_o what_o the_o world_n know_v not_o in_o these_o thing_n it_o always_o hate_v and_o they_o can_v discern_v it_o clear_o or_o in_o its_o own_o light_n and_o evidence_n for_o it_o must_v be_v spiritual_o discern_v this_o the_o natural_a man_n can_v do_v 1_o cor._n 2.14_o and_o in_o that_o false_a light_n of_o corrupt_a reason_n wherein_o they_o discern_v and_o judge_v it_o they_o esteem_v it_o foolishness_n and_o fancy_n so_o that_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n what_o the_o natural_a man_n a_o man_n that_o use_v the_o best_a mean_n he_o can_v to_o find_v out_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n say_v in_o these_o matter_n till_o that_o new_a light_n be_v create_v in_o his_o mind_n by_o the_o help_n whereof_o this_o author_n as_o it_o shall_v seem_v talk_v of_o sublime_a mystery_n which_o we_o use_v to_o call_v nonsense_n and_o yet_o be_v blame_v for_o it_o though_o he_o confess_v it_o be_v impossible_a that_o we_o shall_v do_v otherwise_o now_o the_o doctor_n be_v as_o safe_a as_o may_v be_v if_o he_o can_v thus_o make_v his_o reader_n believe_v that_o to_o understand_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n spiritual_o be_v to_o understand_v they_o according_a to_o his_o apprehension_n of_o they_o and_o that_o to_o contradict_v he_o be_v a_o infallible_a sign_n of_o one_o that_o want_v the_o special_a illumination_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n for_o upon_o these_o term_n whoever_o go_v about_o to_o write_v against_o he_o must_v do_v it_o at_o the_o peril_n of_o be_v reckon_v a_o unregenerate_a man_n and_o then_o the_o doctor_n be_v secure_a for_o we_o have_v often_o see_v as_o it_o be_v say_v by_o he_o that_o such_o a_o man_n because_o he_o want_v special_a illumination_n can_v understand_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n spiritual_o and_o then_o he_o can_v discourse_v of_o they_o spiritual_o and_o then_o i_o think_v he_o may_v as_o well_o hold_v his_o tongue_n for_o any_o good_a he_o be_v likely_a to_o do_v with_o his_o carnal_a reason_n and_o this_o be_v that_o prejudice_n which_o i_o be_o in_o danger_n of_o lie_v under_o with_o the_o doctor_n be_v party_n while_o i_o treat_v concern_v the_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n for_o he_o use_v the_o same_o artifice_n to_o support_v his_o notion_n in_o this_o matter_n thus_o he_o tell_v we_o 336._o a_o command_n they_o suppose_v leave_v no_o room_n for_o a_o promise_n at_o least_o such_o a_o promise_n as_o wherein_o god_n shall_v take_v upon_o himself_o to_o work_v in_o we_o what_o the_o command_n require_v of_o we_o and_o a_o promise_v they_o think_v take_v off_o all_o the_o influence_a authority_n of_o the_o command_n if_o holiness_n be_v our_o duty_n there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o grace_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o if_o it_o be_v a_o effect_n of_o grace_n there_o be_v no_o place_n for_o duty_n but_o all_o these_o arguing_n be_v a_o fruit_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o flesh_n now_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o in_o these_o word_n he_o belie_v those_o who_o he_o write_v against_o for_o they_o suppose_v no_o such_o matter_n as_o he_o talk_v of_o but_o the_o doctor_n as_o we_o shall_v see_v do_v in_o other_o place_n mean_v by_o grace_n a_o irresistible_a force_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n though_o he_o conceal_v it_o here_o dishonest_o to_o slander_v his_o adversary_n now_o that_o such_o a_o grace_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o command_n of_o god_n in_o scripture_n may_v be_v so_o evident_o argue_v that_o he_o have_v nothing_o to_o say_v against_o it_o but_o to_o call_v such_o argue_v a_o fruit_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o flesh_n which_o be_v his_o perpetual_a refuge_n but_o to_o be_v short_a he_o express_o tell_v we_o the_o whole_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v rational_o to_o be_v account_v for_o by_o and_o unto_o they_o who_o believe_v the_o scripture_n 187._o that_o i_o like_v very_o well_o and_o have_v receive_v the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n but_o there_o we_o be_v all_o spoil_v again_o for_o we_o know_v what_o he_o mean_v by_o have_v receive_v the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n viz._n be_v
they_o must_v be_v discern_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o discern_v they_o without_o that_o new_a light_n and_o now_o that_o i_o have_v take_v this_o pain_n to_o bring_v the_o doctor_n out_o of_o the_o cloud_n i_o challenge_v he_o to_o show_v that_o this_o paraphrase_n be_v not_o the_o just_a sum_n of_o his_o talk_n concern_v the_o text_n before_o we_o now_o although_o the_o naked_a representation_n of_o this_o paraphrase_n be_v enough_o to_o expose_v it_o yet_o because_o this_o be_v the_o text_n which_o these_o man_n perpetual_o rely_v upon_o when_o they_o set_v themselves_o to_o cant_v down_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n in_o religion_n i_o shall_v brief_o let_v the_o doctor_n see_v that_o his_o notion_n of_o it_o be_v either_o groundless_a or_o absurd_a and_o inconsistent_a with_o themselves_o and_o incoherent_a with_o the_o context_n sect_n iv._o 1._o whereas_o he_o make_v the_o natural_a man_n to_o be_v one_o in_o who_o spiritual_a light_n be_v not_o create_v by_o the_o almightiness_n of_o god_n it_o be_v altogether_o groundless_a for_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v not_o of_o itself_o signify_v one_o who_o want_v that_o light_n nor_o do_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d denote_v any_o almighty_a act_n whereby_o a_o man_n come_v to_o be_v spiritual_o enlighten_v nor_o can_v the_o doctor_n show_v from_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o place_n any_o reason_n for_o this_o his_o notion_n for_o those_o word_n neither_o can_v he_o know_v they_o do_v not_o infer_v that_o a_o man_n can_v know_v they_o without_o such_o a_o irresistible_a light_n as_o he_o suppose_v nor_o be_v there_o the_o least_o mention_n of_o any_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o whole_a context_n 38._o he_o tell_v we_o indeed_o that_o st._n paul_n plentiful_o show_v elsewhere_o that_o this_o light_n must_v be_v create_v in_o we_o by_o almightiness_n and_o he_o instance_v in_o 2_o cor._n 4.6_o i_o shall_v in_o due_a place_n prove_v that_o st._n paul_n show_v no_o such_o thing_n in_o that_o text_n but_o admit_v he_o do_v yet_o it_o do_v not_o present_o follow_v that_o st._n paul_n do_v in_o this_o place_n mean_v by_o the_o natural_a man_n one_o in_o who_o this_o light_n be_v not_o create_v for_o it_o be_v certain_a he_o do_v not_o speak_v one_o word_n of_o it_o throughout_o the_o whole_a chapter_n wherefore_o the_o doctor_n ought_v at_o least_o to_o have_v prove_v by_o compare_v both_o these_o text_n that_o he_o design_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o they_o which_o he_o have_v not_o once_o attempt_v and_o yet_o this_o arbitrary_a supposal_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o his_o whole_a comment_n upon_o this_o place_n 2._o his_o grant_v that_o the_o natural_a man_n may_v assent_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o his_o deny_v that_o he_o can_v discern_v their_o agreeableness_n to_o the_o divine_a perfection_n and_o their_o fitness_n to_o promote_v the_o end_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v palpable_o absurd_a for_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o a_o man_n who_o exercise_v his_o rational_a faculty_n about_o divine_a thing_n which_o he_o grant_v the_o natural_a man_n may_v do_v shall_v believe_v the_o revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o be_v divine_a and_o yet_o see_v no_o consistency_n in_o they_o with_o the_o divine_a attribute_n and_o no_o suitableness_n in_o they_o to_o the_o end_n of_o god_n glory_n and_o man_n good_a the_o doctor_n whatever_o he_o say_v about_o those_o improvement_n of_o the_o natural_a man_n mind_n which_o he_o allow_v to_o he_o seem_v rather_o to_o take_v he_o for_o a_o natural_a fool_n than_o a_o rational_a man_n a_o great_a part_n of_o that_o evidence_n upon_o which_o we_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o doctrine_n worthy_a of_o god_n and_o a_o mean_n conducible_a to_o the_o recovery_n of_o man_n and_o if_o the_o literal_a sense_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n themselves_o be_v not_o more_o evident_a to_o a_o man_n that_o can_v consider_v than_o that_o they_o be_v so_o why_o may_v not_o a_o consider_a man_n who_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n believe_v this_o of_o they_o or_o how_o can_v he_o believe_v the_o former_a without_o believe_v the_o latter_a i_o know_v not_o which_o way_n the_o doctor_n can_v hope_v to_o escape_v but_o by_o pretend_v it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o assent_v to_o a_o doctrine_n or_o proposition_n the_o true_a reason_n whereof_o he_o do_v not_o discern_v for_o example_n that_o a_o man_n may_v assent_v to_o the_o creed_n upon_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o spiritual_a guide_n and_o not_o discern_v the_o true_a reason_n of_o those_o proposition_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o it_o but_o this_o will_v not_o serve_v he_o for_o the_o natural_a man_n be_v by_o he_o grant_v to_o be_v one_o who_o may_v have_v a_o improve_a reason_n and_o may_v exercise_v it_o in_o the_o consideration_n of_o divine_a thing_n and_o of_o such_o a_o man_n viz._n who_o be_v thus_o improve_v and_o consider_v i_o say_v it_o be_v absurd_a to_o affirm_v that_o he_o may_v assent_v to_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o can_v discern_v that_o they_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o divine_a attribute_n etc._n etc._n the_o reason_n be_v because_o this_o be_v to_o suppose_v he_o as_o dull_a and_o ignorant_a as_o he_o be_v allow_v to_o be_v know_v and_o rational_a before_o since_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o divine_a attribute_n etc._n etc._n as_o for_o those_o who_o believe_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n upon_o that_o mean_a motive_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o teacher_n though_o for_o want_v of_o consider_v they_o do_v not_o discern_v its_o agreeableness_n to_o the_o divine_a perfection_n yet_o they_o do_v believe_v it_o it_o be_v not_o only_o unreasonable_a but_o impossible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o assent_v to_o any_o proposition_n as_o a_o divine_a revelation_n which_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o believe_v to_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o perfection_n of_o god_n but_o man_n that_o can_v tolerable_o well_o use_v their_o understanding_n in_o divine_a thing_n as_o the_o natural_a man_n may_v do_v to_o abate_v the_o philosophical_a improvement_n which_o the_o doctor_n be_v willing_a to_o cast_v into_o the_o bargain_n may_v not_o only_o believe_v but_o discern_v this_o agreeableness_n and_o it_o be_v nonsense_n to_o suppose_v they_o have_v exercise_v their_o rational_a faculty_n as_o they_o may_v have_v do_v in_o this_o matter_n and_o withal_o to_o affirm_v that_o they_o assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o can_v discern_v that_o they_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o divine_a perfection_n to_o put_v this_o out_o of_o question_n i_o will_v instance_n in_o these_o proposition_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o god_n so_o love_v the_o world_n that_o he_o give_v his_o only_a beget_v son_n that_o whosoever_o believe_v in_o he_o shall_v not_o perish_v but_o have_v everlasting_a life_n this_o a_o natural_a man_n according_a to_o the_o doctor_n may_v assent_v unto_o but_o i_o demand_v this_o proposition_n be_v reveal_v be_v it_o not_o very_o discernible_a that_o god_n give_v his_o son_n for_o mankind_n be_v very_o agreeable_a with_o his_o goodness_n and_o that_o his_o purpose_n of_o save_a mankind_n by_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o his_o son_n death_n be_v agreeable_a with_o his_o hatred_n of_o sin_n and_o his_o justice_n and_o that_o the_o demonstration_n of_o his_o justice_n and_o mercy_n this_o way_n be_v agreeable_a to_o his_o wisdom_n 2._o that_o no_o unrighteous_a person_n shall_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n this_o also_o the_o natural_a man_n may_v assent_v to_o but_o i_o demand_v be_v it_o not_o very_o discernible_a that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v agreeable_a with_o the_o holiness_n and_o righteousness_n of_o god_n be_v it_o not_o discernable_o agreeable_a with_o his_o wisdom_n and_o sovereignty_n and_o then_o why_o may_v not_o the_o wise_a and_o know_a man_n that_o believe_v these_o doctrine_n to_o be_v divine_a revelation_n discern_v they_o to_o be_v agreeable_a with_o the_o divine_a perfection_n take_v the_o same_o doctrine_n again_o and_o i_o demand_v concern_v they_o be_v they_o not_o manifest_o suitable_a to_o promote_v the_o end_n of_o the_o gospel_n these_o end_v the_o doctor_n say_v be_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o our_o deliverance_n from_o a_o state_n of_o sin_n and_o misery_n as_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n they_o plain_o tend_v to_o the_o promote_a thereof_o because_o they_o manifest_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n goodness_n and_o holiness_n and_o the_o perfection_n of_o god_n which_o be_v observe_v before_o as_o for_o our_o deliverance_n from_o sin_n be_v not_o that_o doctrine_n plain_o suit_v to_o that_o end_n which_o assure_v we_o there_o be_v room_n for_o repentance_n since_o god_n have_v give_v his_o only_a son_n etc._n etc._n and_o which_o acquaint_v we_o
we_o find_v in_o vers_fw-la 22_o 23._o for_o the_o jew_n require_v a_o sign_n and_o the_o greek_n seek_v after_o wisdom_n but_o we_o preach_v christ_n crucify_v to_o the_o jew_n a_o stumble_a block_n and_o unto_o the_o greek_n foolishness_n here_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o man_n concern_v who_o the_o apostle_n speak_v and_o he_o show_v concern_v each_o of_o they_o why_o they_o reject_v the_o gospel_n 1._o the_o jew_n be_v offend_v at_o it_o because_o it_o require_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o crucify_a messiah_n but_o their_o pretence_n be_v that_o they_o want_v a_o sign_n i._n e._n some_o prodigy_n from_o heaven_n or_o some_o such_o amaze_a appearance_n as_o accompany_v the_o delivery_n of_o the_o law_n to_o moses_n upon_o mount_n sinai_n 2._o the_o greek_a philosopher_n of_o those_o day_n be_v offend_v at_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o apostle_n preach_v who_o naked_o represent_v their_o doctrine_n without_o any_o such_o philosophical_a subtlety_n and_o reason_n as_o they_o use_v themselves_o for_o that_o which_o they_o seek_v after_o which_o they_o pretend_v to_o want_v in_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v wisdom_n or_o demonstration_n from_o natural_a principle_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v of_o these_o peculiar_o say_v that_o the_o gospel_n be_v foolishness_n unto_o they_o viz._n because_o they_o look_v for_o wisdom_n or_o discourse_n mere_o philosophical_a now_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o apostle_n chief_a design_n in_o the_o second_o chapter_n be_v to_o vindicate_v his_o way_n of_o preach_v the_o gospel_n against_o the_o fault_n which_o the_o greek_n find_v with_o it_o for_o to_o this_o purpose_n he_o begin_v direct_o thus_o and_o i_o brethren_n when_o i_o come_v to_o you_o ibid._n come_v not_o with_o excellency_n of_o speech_n or_o wisdom_n declare_v unto_o you_o the_o testimony_n of_o god_n ay_o e._n i_o answer_v not_o their_o expectation_n who_o look_v for_o eloquence_n or_o philosophy_n for_o i_o determine_v not_o to_o know_v any_o thing_n among_o you_o save_v jesus_n christ_n and_o he_o crucify_v v_o 2._o not_o to_o make_v know_v unto_o you_o any_o other_o doctrine_n but_o those_o which_o god_n have_v reveal_v and_o particular_o that_o the_o crucify_a jesus_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o my_o speech_n and_o my_o preach_v be_v not_o with_o entice_a word_n but_o in_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n etc._n etc._n i._n e._n and_o these_o doctrine_n i_o prove_v by_o miracle_n and_o other_o divine_a testimony_n now_o this_o way_n of_o prove_v they_o the_o apostle_n justify_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v preach_v unto_o they_o show_v that_o they_o have_v depend_v altogether_o upon_o the_o free_a and_o sovereign_a will_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o can_v not_o be_v know_v but_o by_o revelation_n and_o therefore_o can_v not_o be_v prove_v to_o those_o unto_o who_o they_o be_v not_o immediate_o reveal_v otherwise_o than_o by_o sufficient_a testimony_n that_o god_n have_v reveal_v they_o to_o other_o such_o as_o miracle_n and_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o show_v why_o he_o reject_v excellency_n of_o speech_n and_o wisdom_n already_o viz._n because_o it_o be_v a_o improper_a way_n of_o prove_v thing_n of_o that_o nature_n which_o he_o have_v deliver_v to_o they_o thus_o say_v the_o apostle_n we_o speak_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o a_o mystery_n even_o the_o hide_a wisdom_n which_o god_n ordain_v before_o the_o world_n unto_o our_o glory_n v_o 7._o i._n e._n we_o declare_v those_o counsel_n of_o god_n concern_v the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n which_o be_v conceal_v from_o former_a age_n and_o which_o god_n have_v now_o honour_v we_o with_o the_o clear_a revelation_n of_o revelation_n which_o none_o of_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o world_n know_v for_o have_v they_o but_o as_o it_o be_v write_v eye_n have_v not_o see_v nor_o ear_n hear_v neither_o have_v enter_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n what_o thing_n etc._n etc._n vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o i_o e._n if_o it_o can_v have_v be_v find_v out_o by_o natural_a sense_n or_o natural_a reason_n that_o god_n will_v send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n etc._n etc._n the_o chief_a man_n among_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o have_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o and_o instead_o of_o crucify_a he_o they_o will_v have_v become_v his_o disciple_n themselves_o but_o god_n have_v reveal_v they_o to_o we_o by_o his_o spirit_n vers_fw-la 10._o but_o these_o thing_n to_o the_o knowledge_n whereof_o no_o man_n by_o mere_a natural_a reason_n can_v attain_v god_n have_v make_v know_v to_o we_o by_o revelation_n of_o his_o spirit_n so_o that_o this_o contrivance_n of_o divine_a wisdom_n be_v no_o long_o hide_v now_o be_v reveal_v to_o we_o by_o the_o spirit_n for_o the_o spirit_n search_v all_o thing_n yea_o the_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n for_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v acquaint_v with_o all_o the_o secret_a counsel_n of_o god_n and_o we_o may_v therefore_o be_v sure_a that_o we_o be_v acquaint_v with_o as_o many_o of_o they_o as_o the_o spirit_n reveal_v unto_o we_o for_o what_o man_n know_v the_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n save_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n which_o be_v in_o he_o even_o so_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n know_v no_o man_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n vers_fw-la 11._o i._n e._n what_o man_n know_v the_o secret_a purpose_n of_o another_o man_n till_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o discover_v they_o himself_o so_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n i._n e._n his_o counsel_n concern_v the_o salvation_n of_o man_n which_o depend_v mere_o upon_o his_o own_o will_n and_o choice_n none_o can_v know_v but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o that_o these_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o the_o apostle_n mean_v be_v plain_a from_o the_o argument_n which_o he_o use_v here_o for_o those_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n which_o be_v common_a to_o humane_a nature_n one_o man_n may_v know_v concern_v another_o without_o be_v acquaint_v by_o he_o what_o they_o be_v in_o like_a manner_n without_o particular_a revelation_n a_o man_n may_v understand_v the_o natural_a perfection_n of_o god_n and_o those_o divine_a truth_n which_o by_o the_o mere_a use_n of_o reason_n may_v be_v thence_o infer_v wherefore_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n here_o mean_v be_v those_o intention_n and_o design_n of_o god_n which_o by_o natural_a reason_n can_v be_v infer_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o divine_a perfection_n because_o they_o depend_v only_o upon_o the_o will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o god_n and_o be_v therefore_o only_o to_o be_v know_v by_o revelation_n and_o this_o be_v further_a express_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o 12_o vers_n we_o have_v receive_v the_o spirit_n which_o be_v of_o god_n that_o we_o may_v know_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v free_o give_v to_o we_o of_o god_n to_o instruct_v man_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o can_v not_o otherwise_o be_v know_v which_o thing_n also_o we_o speak_v not_o in_o the_o word_n which_o man_n wisdom_n teach_v but_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n teach_v compare_v spiritual_a thing_n with_o spiritual_a i._n e._n there_o be_v then_o no_o reason_n why_o they_o shall_v be_v offend_v that_o we_o pretend_v not_o to_o prove_v these_o divine_a matter_n by_o philosophical_a argument_n but_o by_o such_o argument_n only_o as_o be_v proper_a to_o prove_v they_o by_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o revelation_n we_o prove_v by_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n vers_fw-la 4._o the_o sense_n of_o revelation_n we_o prove_v by_o compare_v spiritual_a thing_n with_o spiritual_a etc._n i._n e._n one_o divine_a revelation_n with_o another_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n with_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o new_a then_o the_o apostle_n add_v but_o the_o natural_a man_n receive_v not_o etc._n etc._n which_o be_v the_o text_n to_o be_v explain_v now_o if_o we_o will_v allow_v the_o apostle_n to_o speak_v consistent_o we_o be_v 1._o by_o the_o natural_a man_n to_o understand_v one_o who_o reject_v revelation_n do_v not_o exclude_v he_o that_o never_o have_v it_o offer_v to_o he_o but_o the_o former_a seem_v principal_o to_o be_v intend_v though_o upon_o the_o matter_n it_o come_v all_o to_o one_o viz._n he_o who_o reject_v the_o testimony_n whereby_o any_o thing_n be_v prove_v to_o be_v divine_o reveal_v which_o be_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o philosophical_a wisdom_n thus_o do_v the_o greek_a philosopher_n who_o count_v the_o doctrine_n of_o a_o crucify_a saviour_n foolishness_n as_o here_o the_o natural_a man_n do_v the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o it_o be_v he_o to_o who_o the_o apostle_n offer_v the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n against_o the_o excellency_n of_o speech_n and_o wisdom_n wherefore_o the_o natural_a man_n be_v he_o against_o who_o st._n paul_n be_v prove_v the_o necessity_n
of_o revelation_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o reveal_v doctrine_n by_o testimony_n of_o revelation_n and_o consequent_o the_o natural_a man_n be_v one_o who_o reject_v reveal_v doctrine_n though_o as_o i_o intimate_v before_o he_o may_v be_v so_o call_v that_o be_v fain_o to_o rely_v upon_o his_o mere_a natural_a reason_n for_o want_v of_o revelation_n because_o it_o be_v never_o propose_v to_o he_o for_o whether_o a_o man_n never_o have_v it_o or_o reject_v it_o be_v offer_v he_o be_v equal_o force_v to_o trust_v to_o natural_a reason_n in_o his_o enquiry_n after_o divine_a truth_n and_o therefore_o if_o the_o doctor_n by_o the_o state_n of_o nature_n which_o he_o make_v such_o a_o clutter_v about_o all_o over_o his_o book_n mean_v the_o state_n of_o the_o natural_a man_n here_o speak_v of_o the_o scriptural_a notion_n thereof_o though_o we_o do_v not_o find_v this_o very_a phrase_n the_o state_n of_o nature_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v this_o viz._n the_o state_n of_o a_o heathen_a man_n who_o either_o want_n or_o reject_v divine_a revelation_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v fit_o oppose_v to_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n as_o that_o signify_v be_v a_o believer_n or_o a_o member_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o both_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o state_n of_o judaisme_n or_o be_v under_o the_o law_n for_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o reject_v all_o divine_a revelation_n believe_v that_o which_o come_v by_o moses_n and_o so_o be_v not_o in_o a_o mere_a state_n of_o nature_n as_o the_o heathen_n be_v but_o as_o many_o of_o the_o jew_n as_o will_v not_o receive_v the_o gospel_n be_v under_o the_o law_n but_o not_o under_o grace_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v rom._n 3._o i._n e._n they_o be_v not_o in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n not_o as_o the_o phrase_n be_v take_v now_o adays_o but_o as_o it_o signify_v no_o other_o thing_n than_o the_o receive_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o those_o jew_n who_o receive_v not_o be_v under_o the_o law_n those_o heathen_n who_o receive_v not_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o nature_n or_o the_o natural_a man_n which_o the_o apostle_n here_o speak_v of_o 2._o by_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n which_o the_o natural_a man_n reject_v the_o apostle_n mean_v those_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n the_o truth_n whereof_o be_v not_o discoverable_a by_o natural_a reason_n which_o neither_o eye_n have_v see_v etc._n etc._n vers_fw-la 9_o the_o hide_a wisdom_n of_o god_n v_o 7._o but_o be_v knowable_a only_o by_o revelation_n god_n have_v reveal_v they_o to_o we_o by_o his_o spirit_n vers_fw-la 10._o be_v they_o concern_v the_o purpose_n of_o god_n that_o depend_v upon_o his_o sovereign_n will_v and_o pleasure_n even_o so_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n vers_fw-la 11_o 12._o and_o therefore_o be_v to_o be_v prove_v only_o by_o divine_a testimony_n and_o argument_n by_o the_o demonstration_n etc._n etc._n vers_fw-la 4._o in_o word_n which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n teach_v etc._n etc._n vers_fw-la 13._o 3._o because_o they_o be_v foolishness_n unto_o he_o signify_v because_o they_o be_v not_o prove_v by_o wisdom_n which_o the_o greek_n seek_v after_o by_o philosophical_a demonstration_n from_o natural_a principle_n chap._n 1._o vers_fw-la 22._o 4._o by_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v be_v mean_v their_o be_v know_v and_o understand_v and_o judge_v of_o by_o the_o revelation_n and_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o that_o external_a to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o immediate_o inspire_v as_o the_o apostle_n be_v which_o be_v clear_a from_o st._n paul_n former_a discourse_n for_o he_o propose_v this_o way_n whereby_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n viz._n the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n he_o also_o propose_v this_o way_n whereby_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o doctrine_n thereof_o viz._n by_o compare_v spiritual_a thing_n with_o spiritual_a that_o be_v believe_v one_o divine_a revelation_n with_o another_o now_o this_o have_v be_v utter_o vain_a if_o those_o to_o who_o that_o evidence_n and_o this_o help_n be_v propose_v can_v not_o possible_o know_v spiritual_a thing_n without_o such_o a_o internal_a and_o immediate_a revelation_n of_o they_o as_o the_o apostle_n have_v themselves_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v reveal_v to_o the_o world_n not_o immediate_o by_o the_o spirit_n but_o by_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n and_o have_v leave_v we_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n in_o their_o holy_a write_n they_o prove_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v reveal_v those_o doctrine_n by_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n they_o prove_v the_o sense_n of_o they_o by_o compare_v one_o divine_a revelation_n with_o another_o and_o this_o way_n of_o conviction_n st._n paul_n clear_o oppose_v to_o philosophical_a demonstration_n which_o it_o have_v be_v ridiculous_a to_o do_v if_o he_o have_v not_o mean_v a_o external_a mean_n of_o conviction_n by_o it_o i._n e._n a_o mean_n by_o which_o one_o man_n may_v convince_v another_o which_o the_o doctor_n irresistible_a light_n can_v with_o any_o face_n be_v pretend_v to_o be_v wherefore_o to_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v do_v according_a to_o the_o clear_a scope_n of_o the_o apostle_n signify_v to_o be_v discern_v and_o understand_v by_o the_o external_a revelation_n and_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o thing_n that_o be_v natural_o discern_v be_v thing_n discernible_a by_o sense_n revelation_n or_o mere_a natural_a reason_n so_o thing_n that_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v be_v those_o which_o be_v discernible_a only_o by_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o spirit_n i._n e._n by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n &_o his_o apostle_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o by_o compare_v one_o divine_a revelation_n with_o another_o as_o to_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o so_o that_o the_o apostle_n argument_n be_v this_o a_o natural_a man_n can_v understand_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v to_o be_v know_v by_o revelation_n from_o the_o spirit_n because_o they_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v i._n e._n because_o there_o be_v no_o way_n of_o know_v these_o thing_n but_o by_o revelation_n and_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o he_o reject_v now_o he_o who_o faith_n be_v ground_v upon_o this_o revelation_n the_o apostle_n call_v a_o spiritual_a man_n v_o 15._o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o natural_a man_n and_o he_o say_v concern_v he_o that_o he_o judge_v all_o thing_n yet_o he_o himself_o be_v judge_v of_o no_o man_n i._n e._n either_o according_a to_o st._n chrysostome_n excellent_a note_n he_o judge_v both_o the_o doctrine_n that_o may_v be_v know_v by_o mere_a natural_a reason_n and_o those_o which_o can_v be_v know_v but_o by_o revelation_n for_o he_o have_v the_o principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n equal_o with_o the_o natural_a man_n we_o and_o moreover_o he_o have_v further_a knowledge_n by_o revelation_n which_o the_o other_o have_v not_o or_o he_o judge_v all_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n whereof_o the_o apostle_n be_v speak_v viz._n gospel-mystery_n he_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n by_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v divine_o reveal_v and_o thereby_o to_o confute_v their_o pretence_n who_o reject_v they_o because_o they_o can_v be_v know_v by_o mere_a natural_a reason_n but_o no_o man_n can_v confute_v he_o who_o knowledge_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v ground_v upon_o sufficient_a evidence_n that_o they_o be_v divine_o reveal_v for_o who_o have_v know_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o lord_n who_o can_v pretend_v to_o know_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n better_a than_o god_n himself_o do_v and_o yet_o those_o must_v do_v so_o reveal_v who_o contradict_v what_o be_v prove_v by_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o therefore_o this_o be_v the_o certain_a foundation_n of_o our_o knowledge_n which_o must_v stand_v when_o all_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n shall_v perish_v that_o we_o have_v the_o mind_n of_o christ_n that_o we_o be_v instruct_v by_o christ_n himself_o who_o come_v from_o god_n thus_o have_v i_o large_o show_v the_o design_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o these_o two_o chapter_n and_o that_o sense_n of_o the_o text_n in_o hand_n which_o make_v the_o apostle_n discourse_v clear_o consistent_a and_o now_o i_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o unprejudiced_a reader_n to_o judge_v whether_o the_o doctor_n be_v interpretation_n of_o it_o which_o i_o have_v already_o show_v to_o be_v absurd_a in_o itself_o be_v not_o also_o utter_o impertinent_a to_o the_o apostle_n main_a design_n for_o suppose_v the_o natural_a man_n to_o be_v one_o in_o who_o spiritual_a light_n be_v not_o create_v by_o a_o almighty_a work_n of_o god_n upon_o his_o mind_n how_o strange_o must_v the_o apostle_n have_v wander_v from_o his_o purpose_n which_o be_v to_o show_v that_o reveal_v truth_n
can_v only_o be_v know_v by_o god_n reveal_v they_o to_o we_o and_o the_o truth_n of_o such_o revelation_n by_o miracle_n prophecy_n and_o such_o argument_n as_o he_o oppose_v to_o those_o natural_a demonstration_n and_o way_n of_o prove_v thing_n which_o the_o philosopher_n use_v and_o how_o just_o may_v they_o have_v deride_v the_o apostle_n for_o find_v fault_n with_o they_o because_o they_o reject_v reveal_v religion_n for_o it_o be_v not_o be_v knowable_a by_o mere_a natural_a reason_n if_o after_o so_o long_a a_o flourish_n about_o a_o high_a and_o better_a way_n of_o demonstrate_v those_o divine_a truth_n he_o speak_v of_o than_o from_o natural_a principle_n he_o have_v conclude_v that_o no_o man_n can_v understand_v their_o truth_n and_o sense_n as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v understand_v till_o god_n make_v he_o to_o understand_v they_o by_o a_o irresistible_a work_n upon_o his_o mind_n which_o be_v the_o doctor_n be_v sense_n of_o those_o word_n that_o they_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v i_o put_v it_o also_o to_o the_o reader_n to_o judge_v whether_o this_o follow_a paraphrase_n upon_o these_o word_n which_o the_o doctor_n carp_v at_o be_v as_o he_o call_v it_o a_o wrest_n of_o the_o scripture_n at_o pleasure_n but_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o matter_n of_o divine_a revelation_n they_o that_o be_v lead_v only_o by_o the_o light_n of_o humane_a reason_n the_o learned_a philosopher_n etc._n etc._n do_v absolute_o despise_v and_o so_o harken_v not_o after_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o it_o seem_v folly_n to_o they_o chap._n 1._o vers_fw-la 28._o nor_o can_v they_o by_o any_o study_n of_o their_o own_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o for_o they_o be_v only_o to_o be_v have_v by_o understand_v the_o prophecy_n of_o scripture_n and_o other_o such_o mean_n which_o depend_v on_o divine_a revelation_n the_o voice_n from_o heaven_n descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n miracle_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v the_o paraphrase_n of_o the_o reverend_n dr._n hammond_n and_o it_o full_o express_v that_o sense_n which_o by_o the_o context_n i_o have_v prove_v to_o belong_v to_o the_o text._n our_o author_n bring_v it_o in_o at_o last_o to_o examine_v it_o by_o his_o own_o comment_n which_o since_o i_o have_v disprove_v i_o may_v spare_v myself_o any_o further_a trouble_n in_o defend_v the_o sense_n of_o that_o paraphrase_n but_o let_v we_o see_v what_o he_o have_v to_o say_v against_o it_o 1._o he_o say_v that_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o natural_a man_n intend_v not_o only_o the_o learned_a philosopher_n but_o every_o one_o of_o what_o sort_n and_o condition_n soever_o who_o have_v not_o receive_v the_o spirit_n of_o christ._n to_o see_v what_o a_o man_n will_v say_v when_o he_o be_v set_v to_o wrangle_v dr._n owen_n himself_o more_o than_o once_o give_v his_o meaning_n of_o the_o natural_a man_n in_o such_o expression_n as_o these_o one_o which_o have_v the_o use_n and_o exercise_v of_o all_o his_o rational_a faculty_n the_o thing_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v foolishness_n to_o the_o learned_a philosopher_n of_o old_a and_o the_o wise_a know_v and_o rational_a make_v the_o long_a opposition_n to_o they_o and_o he_o say_v himself_o in_o the_o very_a next_o exception_n the_o apostle_n give_v a_o account_n why_o so_o few_o wise_a and_o learned_a man_n receive_v the_o gospel_n but_o if_o dr._n owen_n offence_n be_v take_v that_o they_o only_o be_v intend_v by_o dr._n hammond_n this_o offence_n be_v unreasonable_o take_v for_o the_o doctor_n intend_v as_o his_o word_n be_v very_o plain_a all_o those_o of_o whatsoever_o sort_n they_o be_v that_o be_v lead_v only_o by_o the_o light_n of_o humane_a reason_n i._n e._n who_o either_o want_n or_o reject_v revelation_n 2._o he_o dislike_v the_o paraphrase_v of_o he_o receive_v not_o by_o he_o absolute_o despise_v the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v sometime_o his_o own_o paraphrase_n as_o where_o he_o give_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o natural_a man_n do_v not_o receive_v they_o he_o say_v the_o apostle_n tell_v they_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o foolishness_n of_o god_n and_o that_o to_o cast_v a_o contempt_n upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n by_o who_o it_o be_v despise_v and_o in_o divers_a other_o place_n he_o use_v the_o same_o liberty_n but_o his_o chief_a exception_n against_o this_o part_n of_o the_o paraphrase_n be_v because_o it_o do_v not_o express_v the_o reason_n give_v by_o the_o apostle_n why_o the_o natural_a man_n do_v not_o receive_v etc._n etc._n and_o that_o reason_n be_v his_o disability_n to_o receive_v they_o i._n e._n because_o it_o do_v not_o express_v that_o which_o the_o apostle_n can_v not_o possible_o intend_v for_o he_o that_o bare_o say_v that_o any_o one_o believe_v or_o receive_v not_o such_o a_o doctrine_n will_v not_o unless_o he_o be_v a_o fool_n pretend_v that_o by_o say_v so_o he_o give_v a_o reason_n why_o he_o do_v not_o but_o dr._n hammond_n give_v a_o reason_n why_o the_o natural_a man_n receive_v not_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n where_o st._n paul_n give_v a_o reason_n who_o say_v he_o do_v not_o receive_v they_o because_o they_o be_v foolishness_n unto_o he_o and_o he_o can_v because_o they_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v his_o five_o objection_n be_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n with_o this_o for_o he_o say_v the_o proper_a meaning_n of_o receive_v not_o be_v give_v in_o the_o ensue_a reason_n and_o explanation_n of_o it_o he_o can_v know_v they_o which_o be_v nonsense_n for_o not_o to_o know_v a_o doctrine_n be_v one_o thing_n and_o not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o know_v it_o be_v another_o and_o therefore_o the_o latter_a can_v be_v the_o proper_a meaning_n of_o the_o former_a nor_o do_v i_o understand_v how_o the_o meaning_n of_o a_o proposition_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v give_v by_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o for_o i_o always_o think_v that_o the_o meaning_n of_o a_o sentence_n must_v first_o be_v understand_v before_o the_o reason_n or_o truth_n of_o that_o meaning_n can_v be_v know_v it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v wish_v that_o though_o dr._n owen_n take_v no_o care_n to_o speak_v truth_n he_o will_v yet_o make_v some_o conscience_n of_o speak_a sense_n 3._o he_o say_v the_o apostle_n treat_v not_o of_o what_o man_n can_v find_v out_o by_o any_o study_n of_o their_o own_o but_o of_o what_o they_o can_v not_o do_v they_o can_v not_o receive_v the_o spiritual_a mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o exception_n i_o be_o amaze_v at_o because_o neither_o dr._n hammond_n speak_v of_o what_o they_o can_v find_v out_o but_o of_o what_o they_o can_v not_o find_v out_o by_o any_o study_n of_o their_o own_o but_o say_v j.o._n they_o can_v not_o do_v it_o when_o the_o gospel_n be_v propose_v declare_v and_o preach_v to_o they_o and_o so_o the_o doctor_n suppose_v too_o and_o any_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n must_v suppose_v it_o likewise_o for_o how_o else_o can_v they_o have_v call_v the_o gospel_n foolishness_n if_o it_o have_v never_o be_v know_v to_o they_o 4._o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v to_o they_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o prophecy_n miracle_n and_o the_o like_a in_o the_o same_o way_n and_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v to_o those_o that_o believe_v what_o then_o why_o you_o may_v go_v look_n for_o he_o have_v only_o leave_v we_o to_o guess_v at_o the_o design_n of_o this_o exception_n but_o at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o five_o exception_n he_o say_v concern_v the_o thing_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v spiritual_o discern_v to_o wrest_v this_o unto_o the_o outward_a mean_n of_o revelation_n which_o be_v direct_o design_v to_o express_v the_o internal_a manner_n of_o the_o mind_n reception_n of_o thing_n reveal_v be_v to_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n at_o pleasure_n i_o answer_v 1._o if_o the_o word_n spiritual_o be_v design_v to_o express_v not_o the_o mean_n but_o the_o manner_n of_o receive_v gospel-mystery_n than_o dr._n h._n do_v wrest_v the_o scripture_n by_o make_v it_o to_o signify_v the_o outward_a mean_n of_o discern_v they_o viz._n miracle_n prophecy_n etc._n etc._n but_o then_o withal_o dr._n owen_n wrest_v the_o scripture_n too_o by_o make_v it_o to_o signify_v the_o inward_a mean_n of_o discern_v they_o viz._n the_o irresistible_a light_n by_o which_o he_o discern_v they_o for_o inward_a mean_n of_o do_v a_o thing_n be_v oppose_v to_o the_o manner_n of_o do_v it_o equal_o with_o outward_a mean_n and_o if_o dr._n owen_n say_v that_o the_o internal_a manner_n of_o the_o mind_n reception_n be_v express_v by_o his_o say_n that_o they_o be_v discern_v by_o irresistible_a light_n i_o ask_v he_o why_o i_o may_v not_o say_v too_o that_o the_o internal_a manner_n of_o the_o mind_n reception_n of_o they_o be_v express_v by_o dr._n hammond_n affirm_v that_o they_o be_v discern_v by_o
miracle_n prophecy_n etc._n etc._n the_o true_a difference_n between_o dr._n h._n and_o dr._n o._n in_o this_o matter_n be_v not_o whether_o the_o manner_n or_o the_o mean_n of_o receive_v spiritual_a thing_n be_v signify_v by_o the_o word_n spiritual_o but_o whether_o it_o be_v design_v to_o express_v those_o mean_n which_o dr._n h._n affirm_v viz._n external_a testimony_n of_o divine_a revelation_n or_o those_o which_o dr._n o._n contend_v for_o viz._n the_o internal_a and_o irresistible_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n upon_o a_o man_n mind_n but_o 2._o i_o have_v show_v by_o the_o clear_a scope_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o the_o outward_a mean_n be_v here_o to_o be_v understand_v this_o i_o see_v be_v our_o author_n be_v great_a trouble_n that_o dr._n h._n suppose_v the_o true_a cause_n why_o the_o natural_a man_n can_v know_v the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v because_o he_o will_v only_o be_v lead_v by_o his_o natural_a reason_n and_o will_v not_o attend_v to_o revelation_n and_o the_o outward_a mean_n whereby_o reveal_v doctrine_n may_v be_v prove_v whereas_o j._n owen_n meaning_n be_v that_o he_o can_v receive_v they_o because_o the_o new_a light_n be_v not_o yet_o create_v in_o his_o mind_n by_o a_o almighty_a act_n of_o the_o spirit_n the_o truth_n of_o dr._n hammond_n sense_n and_o the_o absurdity_n of_o dr._n owen_n i_o have_v already_o show_v and_o shall_v only_o add_v this_o to_o help_v our_o author_n understanding_n viz._n that_o the_o proposal_n of_o the_o external_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n make_v equal_o to_o those_o who_o reject_v the_o gospel_n with_o they_o who_o receive_v it_o be_v no_o argument_n that_o they_o who_o reject_v it_o can_v not_o receive_v it_o because_o their_o mind_n be_v not_o enlighten_v by_o a_o omnipotent_a act_n of_o the_o spirit_n for_o another_o reason_n may_v be_v give_v why_o they_o can_v not_o viz._n the_o apostle_n reason_n because_o they_o seek_v after_o man_n wisdom_n and_o will_v not_o admit_v of_o that_o for_o truth_n which_o be_v not_o prove_v by_o philosophical_a discourse_n by_o the_o authority_n he_o bring_v to_o confirm_v his_o own_o exposition_n and_o to_o confront_v dr._n hammond_n we_o may_v guess_v how_o pertinent_a the_o rest_n be_v that_o his_o book_n be_v stuff_v withal_o he_o produce_v that_o say_n of_o st._n chrysostome_n a_o natural_a man_n be_v he_o who_o live_v by_o the_o flesh_n and_o have_v not_o his_o mind_n yet_o enlighten_v by_o the_o spirit_n but_o only_o have_v that_o connatural_a humane_a understanding_n which_o the_o creator_n of_o all_o thing_n have_v endue_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n withal_o this_o exposition_n which_o he_o call_v better_a than_o dr._n hammond_n be_v clear_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n with_o it_o for_o here_o be_v not_o a_o word_n about_o that_o irresistible_a light_n which_o j._n o._n contend_v for_o and_o to_o be_v lead_v only_o by_o the_o light_n of_o humane_a reason_n which_o be_v dr._n hammond_n word_n be_v perfect_o the_o same_o with_o have_v only_o the_o connatural_a humane_a understanding_n etc._n etc._n the_o follow_a passage_n of_o chrysostome_n which_o he_o quote_v be_v to_o the_o same_o effect_n i_o shall_v only_o add_v that_o citation_n out_o of_o the_o same_o writer_n which_o he_o bring_v in_o at_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o exposition_n the_o natural_a man_n be_v one_o that_o ascribe_v all_o to_o the_o reason_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n and_o do_v not_o think_v that_o he_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o aid_n from_o above_o which_o be_v madness_n for_o god_n have_v give_v the_o soul_n that_o it_o shall_v learn_v and_o receive_v what_o he_o bestow_v or_o what_o be_v from_o he_o and_o not_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o itself_o eye_n be_v beautiful_a and_o profitable_a but_o if_o they_o will_v see_v without_o light_n this_o beauty_n and_o power_n will_v not_o profit_v but_o hurt_v they_o and_o the_o mind_n if_o it_o will_v see_v without_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n it_o do_v but_o entangle_v itself_o this_o be_v clear_o against_o he_o for_o that_o which_o god_n be_v here_o say_v to_o bestow_v be_v not_o that_o irresistible_a light_n the_o doctor_n speak_v of_o but_o the_o light_n of_o revelation_n which_o i_o have_v be_v discourse_v of_o i._n e._n reveal_v truth_n which_o st._n chrysostome_n say_v the_o soul_n be_v to_o learn_v but_o to_o learn_v that_o light_n he_o talk_v of_o be_v nonsense_n st._n chrysostome_n be_v so_o far_o from_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o receive_v what_o revelation_n god_n bestow_v unless_o the_o almighty_a power_n of_o god_n necessitate_v he_o to_o do_v it_o that_o he_o say_v god_n have_v give_v the_o soul_n that_o it_o may_v receive_v they_o when_o they_o be_v bestow_v and_o he_o reckon_v it_o madness_n for_o a_o man_n to_o think_v he_o need_v no_o divine_a revelation_n and_o consequent_o to_o reject_v they_o when_o they_o be_v offer_v with_o sufficient_a evidence_n now_o the_o only_a reason_n according_a to_o j._n o._n why_o he_o reject_v they_o be_v because_o the_o almighty_a work_n have_v not_o be_v yet_o upon_o his_o mind_n if_o st._n chrysostome_n have_v think_v so_o too_o he_o have_v be_v a_o mad_a man_n himself_o for_o accuse_v they_o of_o madness_n that_o fail_v of_o do_v what_o no_o power_n less_o than_o almighty_a can_v enable_v they_o to_o do_v which_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o accuse_v they_o of_o madness_n because_o they_o be_v not_o almighty_a themselves_o st._n chrysostome_n similitude_n be_v very_o pertinent_a for_o as_o light_n be_v to_o bodily_a eye_n so_o be_v revelation_n to_o the_o mind_n in_o respect_n of_o reveal_v truth_n which_o be_v such_o as_o none_o but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n can_v discover_v and_o therefore_o whoever_o refuse_v to_o attend_v to_o his_o revelation_n of_o they_o must_v needs_o be_v ignorant_a of_o they_o and_o will_v find_v himself_o entangle_v in_o many_o difficulty_n which_o he_o may_v have_v understand_v by_o harken_v to_o revelation_n this_o similitude_n st._n chrysostome_n use_v elsewhere_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n for_o he_o say_v as_o no_o man_n with_o his_o naked_a eye_n can_v learn_v the_o appearance_n in_o the_o heaven_n so_o the_o soul_n alone_o can_v learn_v the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n 7._o i._n e._n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v learn_v by_o mere_a natural_a reason_n without_o the_o aid_n of_o revelation_n i_o now_o leave_v the_o reader_n to_o judge_v with_o what_o conscience_n this_o man_n can_v pretend_v the_o authority_n of_o st._n chrysostome_n to_o countenance_v his_o own_o exposition_n of_o this_o text_n of_o st._n paul_n and_o this_o be_v all_o i_o shall_v say_v to_o the_o doctor_n be_v authority_n which_o any_o one_o may_v see_v be_v as_o convince_a as_o his_o reason_n and_o now_o at_o length_n i_o desire_v he_o to_o take_v notice_n that_o it_o will_v be_v to_o no_o purpose_n for_o he_o to_o reject_v what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v concern_v spiritual_a thing_n contrary_a to_o his_o notion_n of_o they_o under_o pretence_n that_o i_o be_o a_o natural_a man_n for_o i_o thank_v god_n i_o be_o a_o christian_n and_o so_o long_o as_o i_o have_v the_o scripture_n by_o i_o i_o enjoy_v the_o mean_n of_o understanding_n what_o revelation_n god_n have_v make_v know_v to_o we_o by_o his_o son_n for_o they_o contain_v those_o doctrine_n which_o be_v prove_v by_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n these_o doctrine_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v foolishness_n to_o i_o or_o reject_v by_o i_o because_o they_o be_v not_o knowable_a by_o mere_a natural_a reason_n that_o i_o shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o inexcusable_a madness_n if_o i_o shall_v not_o surrender_v up_o my_o belief_n unto_o they_o though_o i_o can_v not_o possible_o find_v they_o out_o nor_o have_v know_v they_o unless_o they_o have_v be_v reveal_v yet_o be_v reveal_v i_o discern_v the_o great_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n towards_o we_o in_o they_o still_o acknowledge_v that_o i_o know_v but_o in_o part_n and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o depth_n of_o wisdom_n in_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o my_o understanding_n can_v reach_v into_o but_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o revelation_n i_o learn_v principal_o from_o the_o testimony_n give_v to_o they_o and_o the_o sense_n of_o they_o not_o exclude_v other_o subordinate_a help_n by_o compare_v one_o divine_a revelation_n with_o another_o and_o the_o doctor_n have_v no_o other_o mean_n to_o qualify_v he_o for_o the_o discern_a of_o these_o thing_n aright_o but_o that_o new_a light_n which_o he_o pretend_v to_o but_o which_o the_o apostle_n speak_v never_o a_o word_n of_o and_o let_v he_o make_v his_o best_a advantage_n of_o it_o but_o if_o the_o doctor_n be_v resolve_v to_o cant_n on_o still_o in_o his_o own_o defence_n and_o
the_o proper_a sense_n but_o i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o so_o learned_a a_o man_n as_o dr._n owen_n can_v excuse_v himself_o from_o dishonesty_n for_o make_v this_o construction_n of_o it_o which_o must_v appear_v ridiculous_a to_o any_o consider_a man_n however_o i_o hope_v the_o reader_n will_v acknowledge_v that_o i_o have_v give_v a_o plain_a and_o reasonable_a account_n of_o the_o use_n of_o these_o metaphor_n by_o show_v wherein_o the_o similitude_n lie_v between_o the_o proper_a and_o figurative_a signification_n of_o they_o and_o hereby_o i_o may_v have_v help_v our_o author_n to_o conceive_v it_o a_o very_a possible_a thing_n that_o the_o scripture_n mean_v nothing_o more_o by_o those_o grand_a and_o hyperbolical_a expression_n as_o he_o call_v they_o of_o be_v regenerate_v etc._n etc._n then_o become_v a_o sincere_a disciple_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v his_o adversary_n notion_n of_o a_o regenerate_v man_n thus_o also_o i_o have_v show_v how_o far_o we_o may_v argue_v from_o these_o scripture_n metaphor_n if_o any_o man_n can_v go_v further_o and_o find_v out_o more_o similitude_n between_o the_o metaphor_n and_o that_o which_o be_v mean_v by_o they_o i_o shall_v not_o be_v his_o adversary_n provide_v he_o keep_v himself_o within_o the_o bound_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n but_o to_o argue_v from_o the_o proper_a signification_n of_o any_o one_o or_o all_o these_o metaphor_n to_o conclude_v something_o parallel_v in_o the_o state_n of_o a_o believer_n to_o every_o thing_n which_o can_v proper_o be_v affirm_v of_o they_o be_v to_o run_v upon_o such_o wild_a and_o absurd_a consequence_n as_o any_o wise_a man_n will_v be_v ashamed_a to_o own_o and_o any_o good_a man_n will_v be_v afraid_a to_o fasten_v upon_o the_o scripture_n how_o our_o author_n argue_v from_o they_o we_o shall_v see_v hereafter_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o have_v proceed_v thus_o far_o as_o to_o state_n the_o true_a notion_n of_o regeneration_n sect_n 10._o though_o i_o have_v as_o i_o conceive_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o to_o be_v bear_v again_o be_v to_o become_v a_o true_a disciple_n of_o christ_n yet_o for_o further_a confirmation_n and_o because_o it_o may_v be_v of_o some_o use_n to_o the_o ordinary_a reader_n i_o shall_v make_v it_o plain_a that_o this_o notion_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o scope_n and_o design_n of_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n to_o nicodemus_n joh._n 3._o which_o be_v the_o most_o famous_a place_n in_o the_o whole_a new_a testament_n where_o this_o phrase_n be_v use_v it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o best_a way_n of_o interpret_n any_o difficult_a passage_n in_o divine_a or_o humane_a author_n to_o observe_v the_o design_n of_o that_o whole_a discourse_n to_o which_o it_o belong_v and_o then_o to_o fix_v such_o a_o meaning_n upon_o that_o passage_n as_o be_v apparent_o suitable_a to_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o author_n if_o the_o word_n will_v bear_v that_o meaning_n that_o the_o phrase_n of_o be_v regenerate_v will_v bear_v that_o sense_n which_o i_o have_v assign_v to_o it_o i_o have_v show_v and_o that_o it_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n thereof_o i_o have_v prove_v by_o clear_a argument_n from_o other_o scripture_n wherefore_o if_o i_o show_v also_o that_o this_o sense_n of_o the_o phrase_n be_v consonant_a to_o the_o plain_a scope_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o that_o discourse_n where_o he_o make_v the_o first_o mention_n of_o it_o that_o we_o read_v of_o nothing_o can_v be_v further_o desire_v to_o demonstrate_v that_o this_o indeed_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n thereof_o the_o design_n of_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n may_v easy_o be_v gather_v from_o the_o plain_a passage_n of_o it_o and_o then_o it_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v this_o 1._o to_o show_v that_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o obedience_n to_o he_o be_v the_o mean_n by_o which_o god_n have_v appoint_v to_o bring_v man_n to_o eternal_a happiness_n 2._o to_o show_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o will_v not_o believe_v in_o he_o the_o former_a we_o find_v vers_fw-la 16._o for_o god_n so_o love_v the_o world_n that_o he_o give_v his_o only_a beget_v son_n that_o whosoever_o believe_v on_o he_o shall_v not_o perish_v but_o have_v everlasting_a life_n i._n e._n this_o be_v the_o way_n by_o which_o god_n have_v determine_v to_o save_v mankind_n viz._n by_o faith_n in_o his_o son_n who_o be_v to_o be_v lift_v up_o upon_o the_o cross_n as_o moses_n lift_v up_o the_o serpent_n in_o the_o wilderness_n a_o rude_a savage_a place_n and_o so_o fit_a to_o be_v the_o figure_n of_o that_o corrupt_a state_n of_o the_o world_n in_o which_o christ_n come_v to_o die_v for_o we_o that_o whosoever_o believe_v in_o he_o shall_v not_o perish_v but_o etc._n etc._n vers_fw-la 14_o 15._o now_o this_o be_v so_o great_a a_o demonstration_n of_o god_n love_n to_o man_n thus_o to_o give_v his_o only_o beget_v son_n that_o no_o man_n can_v hope_v to_o escape_v the_o anger_n of_o god_n who_o shall_v refuse_v the_o benefit_n of_o this_o sacrifice_n for_o though_o indeed_o god_n send_v not_o his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n to_o condemn_v the_o world_n but_o that_o the_o world_n through_o he_o may_v be_v save_v vers_fw-la 17._o yet_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o be_v condemn_v already_o vers_fw-la 18._o be_v in_o a_o state_n to_o which_o condemnation_n belong_v and_o that_o a_o more_o severe_a one_o for_o refuse_v so_o gracious_a a_o opportunity_n of_o salvation_n as_o be_v now_o offer_v 2._o our_o saviour_n show_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o those_o man_n that_o believe_v not_o and_o that_o by_o note_v 1._o the_o evidence_n of_o that_o truth_n which_o they_o disbelieved_a 2._o the_o true_a cause_n of_o their_o unbelief_n the_o former_a he_o admonish_v nicodemus_n of_o in_o these_o word_n very_o very_o i_o say_v unto_o thou_o we_o speak_v that_o we_o do_v know_v and_o testify_v that_o we_o have_v see_v and_o you_o receive_v not_o our_o testimony_n vers_fw-la 11._o i._n e._n you_o believe_v not_o my_o doctrine_n concern_v that_o only_a way_n by_o which_o you_o must_v come_v to_o see_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n although_o it_o be_v evident_o true_a for_o this_o be_v that_o very_a message_n which_o i_o bring_v you_o from_o god_n this_o be_v that_o counsel_n and_o decree_n of_o god_n which_o i_o come_v from_o he_o to_o testify_v unto_o you_o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n but_o that_o now_o this_o you_o acknowledge_v that_o i_o be_o a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n for_o no_o man_n can_v do_v those_o miracle_n that_o i_o do_v except_o god_n be_v with_o he_o v._n 2._o how_o strange_o incredulous_a therefore_o be_v you_o that_o yet_o you_o will_v not_o believe_v i_o deliver_v that_o doctrine_n which_o by_o these_o testimony_n of_o my_o come_n from_o god_n i_o confirm_v for_o i_o prove_v that_o i_o have_v see_v and_o know_v what_o i_o testify_v i_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o i_o say_v by_o those_o argument_n that_o convince_v you_o that_o i_o be_o a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n hence_o we_o may_v probable_o gather_v the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n and_o no_o man_n have_v ascend_v up_o to_o heaven_n but_o he_o that_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n even_o the_o son_n of_o man_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n vers_n 13._o to_o be_v this_o no_o man_n have_v know_v the_o secret_a purpose_n of_o god_n concern_v the_o way_n of_o save_a mankind_n viz._n by_o the_o death_n of_o his_o son_n no_o man_n have_v thus_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n but_o he_o that_o be_v come_v from_o heaven_n who_o god_n have_v send_v to_o reveal_v this_o to_o you_o even_o he_o who_o now_o speak_v to_o you_o who_o be_o in_o heaven_n who_o know_v the_o purpose_n and_o intention_n of_o my_o father_n concern_v the_o way_n of_o salvation_n this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o more_o probable_a interpretation_n of_o this_o difficult_a place_n than_o that_o which_o suppose_v our_o saviour_n to_o speak_v here_o of_o his_o local_a ascension_n into_o heaven_n afterward_o because_o 1._o the_o word_n themselves_o seem_v not_o well_o able_a to_o bear_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o future_a ascension_n 2._o as_o grotius_n have_v well_o show_v the_o phrase_n of_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n be_v in_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v take_v in_o the_o former_a sense_n viz._n of_o gain_v knowledge_n from_o god_n as_o in_o prov._n 30.3_o 4._o and_o 3._o if_o thus_o it_o be_v understand_v in_o this_o place_n than_o what_o our_o saviour_n say_v here_o have_v a_o clear_a connexion_n with_o vers_fw-la 11._o where_o he_o rebuke_v the_o jew_n for_o not_o believe_v his_o revelation_n tax_v they_o of_o unreasonableness_n for_o it_o since_o he_o deliver_v nothing_o but_o what_o he_o have_v see_v and_o know_v from_o god_n and_o also_o with_o the_o precedent_a verse_n where_o by_o the_o heavenly_a thing_n our_o saviour_n
open_v the_o eye_n of_o he_o that_o be_v bear_v blind_a the_o pharisee_n will_v believe_v never_o the_o more_o that_o he_o be_v of_o god_n and_o yet_o all_o the_o pretence_n they_o can_v find_v against_o he_o be_v because_o this_o cure_n be_v wrought_v on_o the_o sabbath-day_n vers_fw-la 16._o for_o when_o they_o have_v strict_o examine_v all_o circumstance_n of_o the_o miracle_n and_o the_o heal_v person_n in_o conclusion_n talk_v such_o unanswerable_a reason_n against_o they_o herein_o be_v a_o marvellous_a thing_n that_o you_o know_v not_o whence_o he_o be_v etc._n etc._n since_o the_o world_n begin_v be_v it_o not_o hear_v that_o any_o man_n open_v the_o eye_n of_o one_o that_o be_v bear_v blind_a if_o this_o man_n be_v not_o of_o god_n he_o can_v do_v nothing_o i._n e._n he_o can_v do_v no_o such_o work_n as_o these_o they_o be_v resolve_v to_o give_v he_o the_o hear_n no_o long_o but_o first_o bitter_o reproach_v he_o and_o then_o cast_v he_o out_o now_o our_o saviour_n frequent_o tell_v these_o man_n that_o their_o prejudice_n against_o he_o arise_v from_o their_o lust_n how_o say_v he_o can_v you_o believe_v who_o receive_v honour_n from_o one_o another_o and_o seek_v not_o the_o honour_n that_o come_v from_o god_n only_o john_n 5.44_o i_o e._n so_o long_o as_o your_o heart_n be_v set_v upon_o worldly_a greatness_n and_o the_o praise_n of_o man_n which_o if_o you_o can_v compass_v you_o care_v not_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n whether_o god_n approve_v of_o you_o or_o not_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o you_o reject_v my_o doctrine_n who_o come_v not_o to_o answer_v your_o ambitious_a and_o worldly_a expectation_n although_o i_o come_v with_o testimony_n from_o god_n and_o the_o work_n that_o i_o do_v bear_v witness_n of_o i_o vers_fw-la 36._o thus_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n blind_v the_o mind_n of_o they_o which_o believe_v not_o lest_o the_o light_n of_o the_o glorious_a gospel_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o image_n of_o god_n shall_v shine_v unto_o they_o 2_o cor._n 4.4_o where_o we_o have_v a_o plain_a reason_n give_v we_o by_o the_o apostle_n why_o some_o believe_v not_o who_o have_v the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n shine_v about_o they_o i._n e._n who_o have_v it_o preach_v to_o they_o with_o its_o proper_a evidence_n viz._n because_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n have_v blind_v their_o mind_n i._n e._n because_o they_o be_v blind_v with_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o prevail_a lust_n and_o passion_n by_o which_o the_o devil_n rule_v in_o the_o child_n of_o disobedience_n wherefore_o as_o faith_n be_v necessary_a to_o that_o more_o perfect_a victory_n over_o our_o lust_n which_o include_v the_o universal_a do_v of_o god_n will_n so_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n our_o mind_n must_v in_o some_o degree_n be_v disengage_v from_o the_o power_n of_o our_o lust_n before_o we_o can_v hearty_o believe_v viz._n so_o far_o as_o that_o we_o may_v be_v ready_a to_o yield_v to_o the_o truth_n how_o contrary_a sooner_o it_o prove_v to_o our_o sensual_a and_o worldly_a affection_n and_o consequent_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o hinder_v our_o attention_n and_o consideration_n when_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v offer_v to_o be_v make_v know_v to_o we_o of_o this_o teachable_a disposition_n we_o have_v a_o remarkable_a instance_n in_o act_n 16.14_o the_o lord_n open_v lydia_n be_v heart_n that_o she_o attend_v unto_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o paul_n where_o we_o may_v observe_v 1._o that_o her_o be_v qualify_v to_o hear_v which_o be_v here_o express_v by_o the_o open_n of_o her_o heart_n be_v ascribe_v to_o a_o divine_a operation_n which_o prevent_v even_o her_o attention_n to_o what_o she_o hear_v 2._o that_o the_o immediate_a effect_n of_o the_o lord_n open_v her_o heart_n be_v not_o her_o believe_v but_o her_o attend_v to_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o paul_n i._n e._n she_o hear_v he_o diligent_o without_o prejudice_n and_o passion_n and_o be_v willing_a to_o embrace_v the_o truth_n this_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o god_n spirit_n and_o whoever_o be_v thus_o dispose_v will_v believe_v the_o gospel_n when_o it_o be_v make_v know_v to_o he_o because_o it_o be_v indeed_o the_o word_n of_o god_n this_o be_v that_o temper_n of_o mind_n which_o be_v all_o that_o our_o saviour_n desire_v to_o find_v among_o man_n in_o order_n to_o the_o convince_a of_o they_o that_o he_o be_v the_o true_a prophet_n if_o any_o man_n will_v do_v his_o will_n he_o shall_v know_v of_o the_o doctrine_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o god_n or_o whether_o i_o speak_v of_o myself_o joh._n 7.17_o i_o e._n if_o a_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o do_v whatsoever_o shall_v appear_v to_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o so_o be_v not_o prejudice_v against_o the_o truth_n by_o his_o lust_n such_o a_o one_o will_v easy_o be_v convince_v that_o my_o doctrine_n be_v of_o god_n and_o because_o this_o temper_n come_v from_o the_o divine_a spirit_n therefore_o he_o that_o be_v thus_o dispose_v be_v say_v to_o be_v of_o god_n for_o it_o be_v exact_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n what_o our_o saviour_n say_v john_n 8.47_o he_o that_o be_v of_o god_n hear_v god_n word_n you_o therefore_o hear_v they_o not_o because_o you_o be_v not_o of_o god_n for_o this_o be_v the_o answer_n he_o make_v to_o that_o question_n of_o his_o own_o if_o i_o say_v the_o truth_n why_o do_v you_o not_o believe_v i_o he_o give_v the_o reason_n himself_o because_o you_o be_v not_o of_o god_n the_o meaning_n whereof_o be_v plain_a from_o vers_n 44._o you_o be_v of_o your_o father_n the_o devil_n and_o the_o lust_n of_o your_o father_n you_o will_v do_v he_o be_v a_o murderer_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o abide_v not_o in_o the_o truth_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o to_o be_v of_o the_o devil_n be_v to_o be_v wed_v to_o our_o lust_n and_o enrage_v against_o the_o truth_n that_o contradict_v they_o and_o therefore_o the_o contrary_a state_n or_o temper_n to_o be_v of_o god_n be_v plain_o to_o be_v ready_a to_o perform_v all_o duty_n and_o to_o believe_v all_o truth_n and_o whoever_o be_v thus_o dispose_v will_v hear_v god_n word_n and_o believe_v they_o vers_n 47._o thus_o after_o our_o saviour_n have_v appeal_v to_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v before_o his_o enemy_n joh._n 10.25_o he_o tell_v they_o but_o you_o believe_v not_o because_o you_o be_v not_o of_o my_o sheep_n where_o by_o sheep_n can_v be_v mean_v actual_a disciple_n for_o then_o the_o sense_n be_v you_o believe_v not_o because_o you_o believe_v not_o but_o such_o as_o be_v by_o a_o teachable_a spirit_n dispose_v to_o be_v so_o and_o will_v hear_v his_o voice_n for_o such_o as_o these_o will_v follow_v he_o assoon_o as_o he_o call_v they_o because_o he_o be_v the_o true_a shepherd_n now_o that_o this_o preparedness_n of_o mind_n to_o embrace_v the_o truth_n be_v a_o effect_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n be_v clear_o imply_v in_o vers_fw-la 29._o my_o father_n who_o give_v they_o i_o i._n e._n who_o have_v thus_o dispose_v and_o qualify_v they_o to_o hear_v my_o voice_n be_v great_a than_o all_o and_o none_o be_v able_a to_o pluck_v they_o out_o of_o my_o father_n hand_n to_o defeat_v they_o of_o that_o eternal_a life_n which_o christ_n have_v promise_v v_o 28._o all_o these_o place_n be_v compare_v with_o john_n 6.37_o give_v a_o clear_a light_n to_o the_o true_a interpretation_n thereof_o all_o that_o the_o father_n give_v i_o shall_v come_v unto_o i_o i._n e._n will_v believe_v in_o i_o and_o become_v my_o disciple_n and_o then_o to_o be_v give_v of_o the_o father_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o be_v resolve_v to_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n joh._n 7.17_o and_o be_v of_o god_n joh._n 8.47_o and_o be_v christ_n sheep_n joh._n 10.26_o all_o which_o phrase_n signify_v that_o humility_n and_o teachableness_n of_o mind_n whereby_o man_n be_v prepare_v to_o believe_v the_o truth_n only_o the_o father_n give_v such_o person_n to_o christ_n be_v a_o expression_n note_v that_o divine_a grace_n whereby_o their_o mind_n be_v thus_o dispose_v for_o which_o reason_n be_v bring_v to_o this_o temper_n be_v call_v vers_fw-la 44._o be_v draw_v by_o the_o father_n no_o man_n can_v come_v to_o i_o except_o the_o father_n who_o have_v send_v i_o draw_v he_o i._n e._n unless_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n have_v so_o far_o prevail_v over_o his_o affection_n as_o to_o endue_v he_o with_o a_o impartial_a love_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o his_o heart_n be_v thereby_o open_v to_o attend_v to_o god_n word_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n we_o may_v use_v those_o word_n of_o the_o apostle_n speak_v upon_o another_o occasion_n no_o man_n can_v say_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o lord_n
purpose_n it_o be_v observable_a that_o god_n dwell_n thus_o in_o the_o most_o holy_a place_n be_v call_v his_o dwell_n among_o the_o israelite_n thus_o when_o he_o command_v the_o build_n of_o the_o ark_n let_v they_o say_v he_o make_v i_o a_o sanctuary_n that_o i_o may_v dwell_v among_o they_o exod._n 25.8_o and_o after_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o sanctify_v the_o tabernacle_n with_o his_o glory_n he_o tell_v moses_n and_o i_o will_v dwell_v among_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n and_o will_v be_v their_o god_n exod._n 29.45_o now_o that_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o mercy_n and_o favour_n towards_o they_o be_v mean_v in_o this_o promise_n appear_v by_o the_o follow_a word_n and_o they_o shall_v know_v that_o i_o be_o the_o lord_n their_o god_n that_o bring_v they_o forth_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n i._n e._n he_o will_v so_o manifest_v his_o power_n in_o protect_v and_o defend_v they_o from_o all_o their_o enemy_n that_o they_o shall_v know_v he_o have_v the_o same_o care_n of_o they_o which_o he_o show_v in_o deliver_v they_o from_o the_o egyptian_a bondage_n but_o this_o be_v yet_o more_o clear_o signify_v by_o those_o word_n in_o all_o place_n where_o i_o record_v my_o name_n i_o will_v come_v unto_o thou_o and_o bless_v thou_o exod._n 20.24_o for_o the_o name_n of_o god_n as_o we_o find_v in_o 2_o sam._n 6.2_o be_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n that_o dwell_v between_o the_o cherubim_n and_o this_o be_v that_o account_n which_o the_o psalmist_n give_v of_o god_n dwelling_n in_o zion_n where_o the_o ark_n of_o his_o presence_n be_v the_o lord_n have_v choose_v zion_n he_o have_v desire_v it_o for_o his_o habitation_n this_o be_v my_o rest_n for_o ever_o here_o will_v i_o dwell_v for_o i_o have_v desire_v it_o i_o will_v abundant_o satisfy_v her_o poor_a with_o bread_n i_o will_v clothe_v her_o priest_n with_o salvation_n and_o her_o saint_n shall_v shout_v aloud_o for_o joy_n psal._n 132.13_o thus_o in_o time_n of_o distress_n and_o danger_n they_o begin_v their_o prayer_n for_o deliverance_n by_o invoke_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o israel_n that_o dwell_v between_o the_o cherubim_n 2_o king_n 19.15_o and_o psal._n 80.1_o by_o all_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o god_n dwell_v there_o signify_v the_o peculiar_a favour_n which_o he_o have_v towards_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n before_o all_o other_o people_n and_o according_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o the_o scripture_n do_v use_v to_o express_v the_o presence_n of_o god_n among_o they_o when_o they_o be_v punish_v for_o their_o sin_n not_o by_o dwell_v with_o they_o but_o by_o visit_v they_o which_o you_o know_v be_v a_o word_n that_o do_v not_o imply_v continuance_n and_o long_a abode_n as_o the_o other_o do_v and_o be_v therefore_o much_o fit_a than_o that_o to_o express_v the_o presence_n of_o his_o angry_a justice_n who_o delight_v not_o in_o vengeance_n but_o in_o mercy_n and_o who_o be_v more_o easy_o prevail_v with_o to_o withdraw_v his_o displeasure_n than_o his_o favour_n and_o kindness_n thus_o say_v the_o high_a and_o lofty_a one_o i_o dwell_v with_o he_o that_o be_v of_o a_o contrite_a and_o humble_a spirit_n which_o that_o it_o signify_v the_o last_a presence_n of_o his_o favour_n be_v plain_a from_o the_o follow_a word_n for_o i_o will_v not_o contend_v for_o ever_o neither_o will_v i_o be_v always_o wroth_a for_o the_o spirit_n shall_v fail_v before_o i_o and_o the_o soul_n which_o i_o have_v make_v isa._n 57.15_o 16._o although_o god_n be_v say_v to_o visit_v man_n both_o when_o he_o be_v present_a to_o punish_v they_o as_o in_o exod._n 32.34_o psal._n 89.36_o etc._n etc._n and_o when_o he_o be_v present_a to_o deliver_v and_o bless_v they_o as_o in_o exod._n 3.16_o psal._n 106.4_o yet_o it_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o latter_a only_o that_o he_o be_v say_v to_o dwell_v among_o they_o now_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o the_o apostle_n cite_v that_o promise_n of_o god_n make_v to_o the_o israelite_n that_o he_o will_v dwell_v in_o they_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o you_o may_v see_v 2_o cor._n 6.16_o wherefore_o god_n dwelling_n in_o man_n as_o this_o phrase_n be_v use_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n signify_v also_o his_o peculiar_a grace_n and_o favour_n towards_o they_o as_o the_o apostle_n himself_o explain_v it_o by_o subjoyn_v that_o other_o place_n thereto_o and_o i_o will_v be_v a_o father_n unto_o you_o and_o you_o shall_v be_v my_o son_n and_o daughter_n say_v the_o lord_n god_n almighty_n and_o this_o be_v that_o testimony_n which_o he_o have_v give_v we_o hereof_o that_o the_o word_n be_v make_v flesh_n and_o dwell_v among_o we_o full_a of_o grace_n and_o truth_n john_n 1.14_o by_o who_o we_o have_v receive_v god_n blessing_n and_o favour_n and_o the_o clear_a revelation_n of_o his_o will_n more_o free_o than_o the_o israelite_n ever_o do_v by_o the_o dwell_n of_o the_o ark_n among_o they_o they_o pray_v towards_o their_o most_o holy_a place_n where_o god_n be_v extraordinary_o present_a that_o he_o will_v stir_v up_o his_o strength_n and_o come_v and_o save_v they_o but_o we_o look_v up_o to_o the_o more_o holy_a mercy-seat_n where_o god_n be_v more_o glorious_o present_a than_o he_o be_v between_o the_o cherubim_n even_o to_o jesus_n who_o all_o the_o angel_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o in_o who_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o godhead_n dwell_v bodily_a that_o through_o he_o we_o may_v have_v help_n and_o salvation_n the_o name_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v now_o record_v among_o we_o be_v the_o god_n and_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o by_o this_o name_n we_o invoke_v he_o that_o he_o will_v come_v unto_o we_o and_o bless_v we_o and_o there_o be_v as_o great_a difference_n between_o the_o blessing_n that_o god_n come_v to_o we_o and_o dwell_v among_o we_o imply_v and_o those_o which_o be_v promise_v to_o the_o israelite_n as_o between_o the_o testimony_n themselves_o of_o god_n presence_n among_o they_o and_o among_o we_o they_o be_v temporal_a favour_n and_o deliverance_n which_o they_o promise_v to_o themselves_o from_o god_n presence_n in_o the_o most_o holy_a place_n but_o we_o look_v for_o a_o salvation_n incomparable_o more_o excellent_a god_n have_v bless_v we_o through_o christ_n with_o all_o spiritual_a blessing_n in_o thing_n that_o concern_v heaven_n eph._n 1.3_o the_o enemy_n we_o be_v to_o subdue_v by_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o power_n of_o his_o might_n be_v those_o which_o will_v hinder_v we_o of_o our_o heavenly_a canaan_n viz._n our_o sensual_a lust_n and_o earthly_a affection_n and_o the_o temptation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o devil_n for_o we_o wrestle_v not_o against_o flesh_n and_o blood_n but_o against_o principality_n against_o power_n against_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o darkness_n of_o this_o world_n against_o spiritual_a wickedness_n in_o high_a place_n eph._n 6.12_o against_o all_o the_o suggestion_n of_o evil_a spirit_n whether_o to_o more_o gross_a and_o sensual_a or_o to_o more_o refine_a and_o spiritual_a vice_n and_o they_o be_v enemy_n so_o much_o more_o dangerous_a than_o those_o which_o the_o israelite_n have_v to_o deal_v withal_o that_o they_o do_v not_o deserve_v to_o be_v call_v principality_n etc._n etc._n when_o they_o be_v compare_v with_o those_o here_o mention_v by_o the_o apostle_n thus_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n dwell_v in_o we_o twice_o mention_v by_o st._n paul_n rom._n 8.9_o 11._o we_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o presence_n of_o his_o grace_n whereby_o we_o be_v constant_o enable_v to_o mortify_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o body_n vers_fw-la 13._o for_o than_o our_o body_n shall_v have_v a_o bless_a resurrection_n vers_fw-la 11._o and_o the_o spirit_n be_v life_n because_o of_o righteousness_n vers_fw-la 10._o our_o soul_n shall_v then_o be_v qualify_v for_o eternal_a life_n and_o happiness_n now_o this_o be_v certain_a to_o come_v to_o pass_v if_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n dwell_v in_o we_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o peculiar_a grace_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n towards_o we_o which_o be_v signify_v thereby_o be_v that_o by_o which_o we_o may_v be_v keep_v from_o live_v after_o the_o flesh_n which_o if_o we_o do_v we_o shall_v die_v and_o enable_v to_o mortify_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o body_n to_o subdue_v our_o spiritual_a enemy_n more_o perfect_o and_o to_o prevail_v final_o against_o they_o that_o we_o may_v live_v vers_fw-la 13._o therefore_o to_o conclude_v this_o point_n as_o god_n dwelling_n among_o the_o israelite_n signify_v his_o peculiar_a favour_n to_o they_o in_o protect_v and_o defend_v they_o and_o bring_v they_o to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o blessing_n they_o with_o plenty_n and_o increase_n etc._n etc._n so_o be_v the_o peculiar_a presence_n of_o his_o grace_n
be_v in_o general_n promise_v by_o our_o saviour_n luke_n 11.13_o and_o prove_v also_o that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n several_o ascribe_v to_o his_o operation_n now_o upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n we_o can_v but_o conclude_v that_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o end_n of_o this_o divine_a grace_n god_n have_v make_v we_o a_o very_a large_a and_o bountiful_a promise_n thereof_o and_o give_v thereby_o such_o a_o abundant_a demonstration_n of_o his_o goodwill_n towards_o we_o that_o indeed_o he_o desire_v not_o the_o death_n of_o a_o sinner_n but_o have_v rather_o he_o shall_v turn_v and_o live_v as_o we_o ought_v to_o acknowledge_v with_o our_o utmost_a thanks_o and_o praise_n but_o after_o all_o this_o it_o will_v be_v pretend_v by_o some_o man_n that_o if_o we_o say_v the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v limit_v to_o those_o effect_n we_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o we_o confine_v the_o promise_n within_o too_o narrow_a a_o compass_n and_o do_v in_o effect_n deny_v several_a divine_a grace_n and_o work_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n upon_o the_o heart_n of_o god_n people_n such_o as_o dart_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n into_o their_o mind_n suggest_v word_n and_o matter_n to_o they_o when_o they_o pray_v extempore_o and_o give_v they_o absolute_a assurance_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v save_v at_o last_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o if_o we_o take_v the_o liberty_n of_o dissent_v from_o their_o sense_n of_o a_o place_n of_o scripture_n the_o next_o thing_n we_o hear_v be_v that_o we_o want_v the_o illumination_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o all_o that_o we_o can_v say_v be_v at_o once_o turn_v off_o for_o carnal_a reason_n if_o we_o dare_v not_o pretend_v to_o any_o other_o than_o a_o conditional_a assurance_n of_o our_o salvation_n we_o be_v those_o that_o have_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o if_o we_o make_v use_v of_o pious_a form_n of_o prayer_n and_o other_o exercise_n of_o devotion_n we_o do_v not_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n therefore_o i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o inquire_v upon_o what_o ground_n they_o pretend_v to_o these_o spiritual_a gift_n but_o before_o i_o do_v so_o i_o shall_v premise_v by_o way_n of_o caution_n these_o follow_a thing_n 1._o that_o those_o disposition_n which_o qualify_v we_o for_o a_o profitable_a understanding_n of_o the_o scripture_n such_o as_o teachableness_n humility_n attention_n and_o industry_n be_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o consequent_o that_o our_o success_n in_o endeavour_v after_o the_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a truth_n depend_v upon_o his_o blessing_n and_o grace_n 2._o that_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o labour_v after_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o our_o spiritual_a estate_n and_o that_o this_o knowledge_n of_o it_o be_v a_o grace_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n 3._o that_o those_o affection_n which_o make_v our_o prayer_n acceptable_a to_o god_n such_o as_o love_v to_o god_n trust_v in_o he_o hatred_n of_o sin_n zeal_n and_o fervency_n and_o the_o like_a be_v likewise_o the_o effect_n of_o divine_a grace_n all_o these_o thing_n i_o hearty_o acknowledge_v and_o they_o be_v no_o other_o thing_n than_o what_o may_v be_v conclude_v easy_o from_o the_o forego_n discourse_n concern_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n but_o that_o which_o i_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o question_n be_v this_o whether_o we_o can_v conclude_v that_o the_o spirit_n will_v convey_v a_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o scripture_n into_o any_o man_n mind_n by_o a_o immediate_a revelation_n of_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o or_o that_o he_o will_v give_v to_o some_o man_n a_o absolute_a assurance_n of_o their_o salvation_n while_o they_o live_v here_o upon_o their_o trial_n or_o that_o he_o suggest_v to_o they_o by_o inspiration_n what_o they_o say_v in_o their_o extemporary_a prayer_n for_o whatever_o he_o may_v do_v in_o this_o kind_n i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o he_o have_v promise_v any_o where_o so_o to_o do_v and_o i_o think_v we_o be_v not_o to_o promise_v to_o ourselves_o that_o divine_a grace_n which_o god_n have_v no_o where_o promise_v to_o we_o and_o that_o he_o have_v not_o promise_v these_o thing_n i_o shall_v show_v 1._o by_o compare_v the_o contrary_a pretence_n with_o that_o promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n concern_v the_o holy_a spirit_n in_o luke_n 11.13_o 2._o by_o consider_v what_o ground_n there_o be_v for_o it_o from_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n 1._o by_o compare_v the_o pretence_n with_o luke_n 11.13_o and_o here_o i_o shall_v show_v that_o whatever_o countenance_n it_o may_v have_v from_o other_o scripture_n it_o can_v have_v none_o from_o this_o which_o as_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v contain_v a_o promise_n of_o such_o gift_n as_o be_v needful_a to_o our_o eternal_a happiness_n 1._o as_o to_o that_o of_o come_v to_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n by_o inherent_a revelation_n i_o say_v that_o such_o a_o revelation_n be_v not_o needful_a for_o we_o to_o make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n because_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o we_o need_v no_o infallible_a interpreter_n for_o all_o truth_n necessary_a to_o be_v know_v be_v plain_o deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o new_a revelation_n to_o acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o text_n the_o sense_n whereof_o be_v plain_a and_o obvious_a there_o be_v indeed_o many_o passage_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o scripture_n but_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o a_o infallible_a guide_n or_o of_o new_a revelation_n to_o come_v to_o the_o sense_n of_o they_o unless_o they_o be_v themselves_o necessary_a to_o be_v understand_v if_o you_o say_v that_o because_o all_o scripture_n be_v profitable_a the_o revelation_n of_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o those_o text_n at_o least_o which_o have_v the_o great_a difficulty_n belong_v to_o they_o must_v be_v profitable_a also_o i_o answer_v 1._o it_o do_v not_o follow_v in_o every_o particular_a that_o because_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v profitable_a therefore_o if_o i_o ask_v god_n will_v give_v it_o which_o you_o know_v be_v prove_v in_o the_o explication_n of_o st._n luke_n text_n chap._n 2._o sect._n 2._o wherefore_o if_o i_o pray_v only_o that_o god_n may_v prosper_v my_o industry_n in_o endeavour_v to_o understand_v such_o a_o difficult_a place_n it_o do_v not_o follow_v from_o the_o promise_n in_o st._n luke_n that_o god_n will_v grant_v my_o request_n in_o that_o particular_a for_o he_o may_v give_v i_o something_o as_o good_a or_o better_a instead_o of_o it_o as_o i_o may_v get_v advantage_n by_o understand_v that_o place_n so_o i_o may_v also_o get_v advantage_n by_o find_v that_o after_o all_o i_o do_v not_o understand_v it_o which_o may_v through_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v improve_v by_o i_o into_o a_o occasion_n of_o more_o humility_n modesty_n and_o charity_n which_o if_o st._n paul_n may_v be_v believe_v be_v better_a than_o knowledge_n as_o my_o try_v to_o understand_v do_v before_o excite_v i_o to_o prayer_n and_o industry_n but_o much_o less_o do_v it_o follow_v that_o god_n will_v grant_v my_o request_n if_o i_o pray_v yet_o more_o particular_o that_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o difficult_a place_n may_v be_v reveal_v to_o i_o by_o immediate_a inspiration_n for_o 2._o though_o that_o be_v profitable_a yet_o it_o be_v profitable_a also_o to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o by_o study_n and_o the_o industrious_a use_n of_o mean_n common_a to_o learned_a man_n if_o i_o be_o a_o teacher_n of_o other_o or_o by_o the_o help_n of_o a_o spiritual_a guide_n if_o i_o be_o mere_o a_o learner_n and_o if_o i_o come_v either_o of_o these_o way_n to_o the_o understanding_n of_o a_o difficult_a text_n god_n have_v not_o be_v less_o good_a to_o i_o for_o not_o communicate_v it_o to_o i_o by_o immediate_a revelation_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v consider_v 3._o that_o if_o god_n give_v i_o the_o understanding_n of_o a_o difficult_a place_n by_o blessing_n my_o industry_n in_o read_v hear_v confer_v with_o other_o meditate_v and_o compare_v place_n with_o place_n this_o will_n in_o all_o probability_n be_v more_o useful_a to_o other_o not_o to_o say_v to_o myself_o than_o if_o he_o give_v it_o to_o i_o by_o immediate_a illumination_n because_o the_o knowledge_n which_o be_v gain_v the_o former_a way_n may_v be_v more_o easy_o impart_v to_o another_o than_o that_o which_o may_v be_v obtain_v by_o the_o latter_a for_o i_o can_v lead_v another_o into_o my_o knowledge_n of_o scripture_n which_o come_v by_o the_o way_n of_o industry_n and_o study_n by_o show_v he_o the_o reason_n that_o convince_v i_o and_o discover_v the_o method_n of_o my_o come_n to_o it_o now_o reason_v you_o know_v be_v a_o thing_n common_a to_o you_o and_o i_o
plain_a that_o no_o body_n can_v do_v any_o thing_n to_o procure_v that_o grace_n which_o be_v at_o first_o necessary_a to_o put_v he_o into_o the_o way_n of_o well-doing_n the_o latter_a proposition_n be_v clear_a thus_o no_o man_n shall_v be_v condemn_v to_o eternal_a punishment_n much_o less_o to_o such_o punishment_n in_o a_o more_o intolerable_a degree_n for_o not_o believe_v what_o be_v always_o impossible_a for_o he_o to_o believe_v and_o that_o without_o his_o own_o fault_n but_o every_o man_n to_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v shall_v be_v condemn_v to_o eternal_a punishment_n if_o he_o believe_v it_o not_o and_o to_o a_o sore_a punishment_n for_o not_o believe_v it_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o always_o thus_o impossible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v to_o believe_v the_o second_o proposition_n be_v clear_a from_o the_o forementioned_a passage_n of_o scripture_n as_o the_o first_o be_v from_o the_o unchangeable_a perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n for_o to_o say_v that_o god_n require_v impossible_a thing_n of_o any_o man_n and_o so_o take_v advantage_n against_o he_o to_o cast_v he_o into_o fierce_a flame_n where_o he_o must_v burn_v for_o ever_o be_v to_o blaspheme_v all_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n but_o those_o which_o make_v he_o great_a and_o powerful_a it_o be_v to_o rob_v he_o of_o all_o his_o goodness_n in_o the_o glory_n of_o which_o he_o have_v express_v so_o much_o delight_n for_o not_o to_o say_v that_o this_o fasten_v the_o reproach_n of_o insincerity_n and_o foul_a dissimulation_n upon_o the_o redeemer_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v to_o charge_v the_o creator_n of_o man_n and_o angel_n with_o tyranny_n and_o the_o judge_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n with_o injustice_n god_n be_v please_v to_o expostulate_v with_o man_n because_o of_o their_o disobedience_n from_o that_o relation_n wherein_o they_o stand_v to_o he_o as_o his_o child_n and_o servant_n if_o i_o be_v a_o father_n where_o be_v my_o honour_n and_o if_o i_o be_v a_o master_n where_o be_v my_o fear_n say_v the_o lord_n mal._n 1.6_o now_o can_v we_o think_v that_o he_o have_v give_v any_o man_n cause_n to_o retort_v that_o expostulation_n in_o this_o manner_n if_o thou_o be_v a_o father_n where_o be_v thy_o bowel_n if_o thou_o be_v a_o master_n where_o be_v thy_o justice_n for_o kindness_n belong_v as_o necessary_o to_o the_o character_n of_o a_o good_a father_n and_o justice_n to_o that_o of_o a_o good_a master_n as_o obedience_n and_o fear_n can_v to_o that_o of_o a_o good_a child_n or_o servant_n and_o we_o be_v not_o to_o forget_v that_o god_n have_v appeal_v to_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o reason_n impress_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n in_o justification_n of_o the_o equity_n and_o mercy_n of_o his_o proceed_n towards_o they_o the_o latter_a in_o isa._n 1.18_o come_v now_o let_v we_o reason_n together_o say_v the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n the_o former_a in_o ezekel_n 18.25_o be_v not_o my_o way_n equal_a be_v not_o your_o way_n unequal_a but_o to_o inflict_v a_o more_o grievous_a punishment_n and_o that_o eternal_a for_o not_o perform_v a_o impossible_a condition_n be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n cruel_a and_o unjust_a and_o therefore_o can_v stand_v with_o the_o goodness_n of_o a_o father_n nor_o with_o the_o justice_n of_o a_o master_n nor_o with_o god_n plead_v with_o obstinate_a evil_a man_n from_o these_o relation_n and_o the_o appeal_v he_o make_v to_o their_o own_o mind_n for_o the_o righteousness_n of_o his_o deal_n with_o they_o which_o upon_o these_o term_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o acknowledge_v unless_o they_o lie_v aside_o the_o bright_a principle_n of_o their_o reason_n if_o some_o thing_n be_v so_o evil_a that_o they_o can_v never_o be_v good_a than_o some_o thing_n there_o be_v which_o can_v never_o be_v ascribe_v to_o god_n without_o blasphemy_n now_o if_o the_o inflict_a of_o eternal_a torment_n upon_o man_n for_o what_o they_o can_v never_o help_v be_v not_o one_o of_o those_o thing_n i_o desire_v any_o man_n to_o tell_v i_o what_o be_v beside_o be_v it_o blasphemy_n to_o say_v that_o god_n can_v lie_v but_o he_o have_v tell_v we_o that_o he_o take_v no_o pleasure_n in_o the_o death_n of_o he_o that_o die_v but_o have_v rather_o he_o shall_v turn_v and_o live_v and_o what_o shadow_n of_o truth_n can_v there_o be_v in_o that_o say_n if_o he_o first_o prescribe_v impossible_a term_n of_o forgiveness_n and_o then_o damn_v the_o sinner_n with_o more_o severity_n for_o not_o perform_v they_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o debate_v this_o matter_n with_o dr._n owen_n in_o another_o place_n but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n let_v he_o please_v to_o contrive_v some_o undeniable_a instance_n of_o barbarous_a injustice_n which_o without_o question_n he_o can_v easy_o do_v and_o when_o he_o have_v give_v we_o his_o idea_n of_o it_o i_o will_v undertake_v to_o reconcile_v the_o fasten_n it_o upon_o god_n with_o the_o honour_n of_o his_o attribute_n as_o easy_o as_o he_o can_v secure_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n while_o he_o make_v god_n to_o oblige_v man_n to_o impossibility_n under_o pain_n of_o eternal_a damnation_n but_o if_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o right_n and_o wrong_n if_o we_o know_v nothing_o so_o good_a or_o so_o evil_a but_o it_o may_v cease_v to_o be_v so_o then_o the_o divine_a perfection_n may_v cease_v too_o and_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n be_v mutable_a and_o so_o farewell_n to_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o the_o certainty_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o religion_n and_o if_o this_o be_v not_o the_o last_o result_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o make_v believe_v and_o consequent_o obey_v the_o gospel_n impossible_a from_o the_o very_a first_o to_o they_o that_o will_v be_v damn_v for_o not_o do_v so_o i_o leave_v indifferent_a man_n to_o consider_v the_o conclusion_n be_v that_o believe_v be_v possible_a to_o all_o that_o hear_v now_o the_o possibility_n thereof_o must_v consist_v either_o in_o this_o that_o of_o ourselves_o we_o be_v able_a to_o dispose_v our_o mind_n to_o that_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n to_o that_o teachableness_n and_o attention_n which_o will_v cause_v actual_a believe_v assoon_o as_o the_o gospel_n be_v plain_o and_o evident_o make_v know_v or_o else_o in_o this_o that_o by_o the_o help_n of_o divine_a grace_n we_o may_v be_v thus_o dispose_v and_o consequent_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ._n the_o former_a be_v the_o semipelagian_a doctrine_n which_o i_o have_v show_v to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o scripture_n chap._n 4._o sect._n 1._o therefore_o the_o latter_a remain_v to_o be_v true_a viz._n that_o through_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n it_o be_v possible_a for_o all_o that_o hear_v the_o gospel_n to_o believe_v and_o by_o force_n of_o the_o former_a argument_n it_o follow_v that_o common_a grace_n or_o that_o which_o make_v it_o possible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o begin_v well_o and_o by_o believe_v to_o perform_v the_o first_o condition_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v give_v to_o all_o that_o hear_v it_o i_o do_v not_o indeed_o find_v any_o such_o express_a promise_n in_o the_o gospel_n that_o god_n will_v give_v every_o man_n that_o hear_v the_o gospel_n grace_n to_o believe_v it_o as_o there_o be_v that_o he_o will_v give_v the_o holy_a spirit_n to_o believer_n and_o good_a man_n and_o this_o may_v be_v say_v why_o there_o be_v no_o such_o promise_n make_v express_o viz._n because_o it_o will_v have_v be_v of_o little_a or_o no_o use_n either_o to_o those_o that_o believe_v already_o because_o they_o need_v not_o that_o grace_n which_o be_v proper_a to_o beget_v faith_n at_o first_o but_o only_o that_o which_o be_v proper_a to_o confirm_v and_o increase_v it_o or_o to_o those_o who_o do_v not_o believe_v for_o of_o whatsoever_o use_v such_o a_o promise_n can_v be_v to_o any_o man_n it_o must_v suppose_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o which_o he_o will_v want_v who_o do_v not_o yet_o believe_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v a_o divine_a revelation_n but_o though_o there_o be_v no_o promise_n of_o common_a grace_n express_o make_v to_o all_o that_o hear_v the_o gospel_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o implicit_a promise_n thereof_o contain_v partly_o under_o that_o obligation_n which_o the_o gospel_n lay_v upon_o all_o that_o hear_v it_o to_o believe_v and_o partly_o under_o those_o passage_n in_o scripture_n which_o suppose_v faith_n to_o be_v a_o effect_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v operation_n in_o we_o for_o no_o man_n can_v be_v just_o oblige_v to_o impossible_a term_n of_o forgiveness_n under_o pain_n of_o a_o more_o grievous_a punishment_n therefore_o if_o faith_n be_v a_o effect_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n god_n will_v give_v his_o spirit_n in_o such_o measure_n
to_o all_o that_o shall_v hear_v that_o it_o will_v be_v possible_a for_o they_o to_o believe_v which_o be_v so_o clear_a a_o consequence_n that_o the_o very_a mention_n of_o it_o will_v have_v be_v sufficient_a have_v not_o some_o man_n get_v a_o custom_n of_o impute_v the_o want_n of_o faith_n and_o indeed_o of_o all_o other_o christian_a virtue_n to_o a_o defect_n on_o god_n part_n as_o if_o he_o have_v not_o give_v they_o grace_n enough_o to_o believe_v and_o repent_v etc._n etc._n the_o meaning_n of_o which_o phrase_n and_o the_o like_a if_o it_o be_v this_o that_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n have_v not_o put_v it_o into_o their_o power_n to_o believe_v be_v so_o high_o dishonourable_a to_o the_o divine_a goodness_n that_o i_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o show_v wherein_o it_o be_v so_o and_o thereby_o to_o prove_v the_o untruth_n of_o it_o final_o this_o implicit_a promise_n of_o that_o grace_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o put_v they_o that_o hear_v the_o gospel_n into_o the_o way_n of_o obtain_v salvation_n by_o it_o be_v not_o proper_o a_o part_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n such_o as_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o believer_n and_o good_a man_n be_v because_o there_o be_v no_o condition_n annex_v to_o it_o thus_o that_o promise_n of_o god_n that_o he_o will_v send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n to_o be_v the_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o man_n can_v be_v no_o part_n of_o that_o covenant_n whereof_o christ_n be_v the_o mediator_n and_o which_o he_o be_v to_o seal_v with_o his_o blood_n but_o it_o be_v a_o absolute_a promise_n of_o a_o act_n of_o grace_n that_o be_v antecedent_n to_o the_o covenant_n itself_o and_o which_o depend_v not_o upon_o any_o condition_n require_v by_o it_o the_o promise_n of_o a_o saviour_n be_v indeed_o part_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o of_o the_o revelation_n of_o god_n will_n to_o mankind_n in_o order_n to_o our_o recovery_n and_o salvation_n but_o it_o can_v be_v affirm_v to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o man_n with_o any_o more_o propriety_n than_o it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o god_n enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o man_n be_v a_o article_n of_o the_o covenant_n in_o like_a manner_n that_o grace_n by_o which_o we_o be_v first_o put_v into_o a_o capacity_n of_o believe_v and_o consequent_o of_o obey_v the_o gospel_n after_o it_o be_v reveal_v be_v suppose_v in_o the_o gospel_n otherwise_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v impossible_a which_o be_v to_o take_v away_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n such_o as_o that_o be_v whereof_o our_o lord_n jesus_n be_v the_o mediator_n but_o although_o the_o promise_n of_o this_o grace_n be_v imply_v in_o the_o gospel_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o proper_o any_o part_n of_o the_o covenant_n because_o it_o be_v a_o promise_n without_o condition_n sect_n 4._o 4._o from_o what_o have_v be_v already_o prove_v it_o may_v be_v infer_v that_o the_o promise_n of_o special_a grace_n be_v make_v to_o we_o all_o under_o possible_a condition_n for_o since_o a_o believer_n may_v by_o his_o prayer_n obtain_v that_o special_a grace_n of_o god_n which_o be_v needful_a for_o sincere_a obedience_n since_o a_o obedient_a christian_a may_v obtain_v that_o further_a grace_n which_o be_v needful_a for_o perseverance_n see_v also_o that_o grace_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o a_o good_a beginning_n i._n e._n to_o excite_v good_a desire_n in_o we_o and_o to_o bring_v we_o to_o faith_n be_v give_v absolute_o to_o all_o that_o live_v under_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n it_o follow_v plain_o that_o the_o promise_n of_o special_a grace_n be_v make_v to_o all_o such_o under_o possible_a condition_n wherefore_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o god_n will_v give_v his_o holy_a spirit_n to_o all_o that_o live_v under_o the_o ministration_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o they_o may_v learn_v and_o believe_v and_o pray_v for_o his_o further_a grace_n that_o to_o all_o who_o be_v thus_o qualify_v he_o will_v give_v his_o spirit_n that_o they_o may_v overcome_v the_o world_n and_o obey_v the_o gospel_n and_o that_o to_o all_o such_o sincere_a christian_n he_o will_v give_v his_o spirit_n that_o they_o may_v perfect_v holiness_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o persevere_v to_o the_o end_n which_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o satisfactory_a answer_n to_o the_o second_o question_n chap._n vii_o concern_v the_o manner_n and_o measure_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v operation_n sect_n 1._o this_o question_n may_v easy_o be_v multiply_v into_o a_o great_a many_o more_o according_a as_o man_n be_v lead_v by_o their_o curiosity_n that_o which_o have_v be_v still_o most_o debate_v under_o this_o head_n be_v this_o how_o far_o or_o in_o what_o measure_n the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n upon_o our_o mind_n conduce_v to_o those_o effect_n which_o be_v design_v to_o be_v produce_v by_o they_o now_o concern_v this_o and_o all_o other_o question_n of_o this_o kind_n i_o observe_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v very_o silent_a in_o comparison_n to_o that_o clear_a and_o full_a account_n which_o they_o have_v give_v we_o of_o the_o former_a god_n have_v think_v it_o sufficient_a for_o our_o encouragement_n in_o the_o search_n of_o truth_n and_o the_o study_n of_o godliness_n and_o virtue_n to_o let_v we_o know_v assure_o that_o he_o will_v give_v his_o holy_a spirit_n to_o they_o that_o ask_v he_o for_o necessary_a and_o profitable_a purpose_n without_o satisfy_v our_o curiosity_n about_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o operation_n and_o the_o measure_n of_o their_o power_n wherefore_o in_o treat_v upon_o this_o subject_a a_o man_n shall_v not_o venture_v to_o affirm_v many_o thing_n or_o to_o conclude_v very_o particular_o much_o less_o to_o obtrude_v his_o opinion_n upon_o other_o man_n for_o in_o matter_n that_o be_v not_o knowable_a but_o only_o by_o revelation_n and_o concern_v which_o there_o be_v but_o little_o reveal_v he_o that_o be_v most_o ready_a to_o affirm_v bold_o and_o particular_o be_v still_o most_o likely_a to_o miscarry_v and_o that_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o reason_n for_o it_o because_o it_o argue_v a_o immodest_a temper_n to_o define_v peremptory_o in_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v reserve_v from_o our_o knowledge_n and_o this_o to_o be_v sure_a be_v none_o of_o those_o qualification_n which_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o reward_v with_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n but_o yet_o i_o observe_v that_o some_o man_n have_v be_v as_o dogmatical_a and_o particular_a in_o determine_v the_o manner_n and_o measure_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v operation_n as_o if_o their_o conclusion_n be_v as_o clear_o ground_v upon_o revelation_n as_o the_o plain_a truth_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o have_v thrust_v they_o upon_o the_o world_n with_o more_o fierceness_n and_o zeal_n than_o will_v have_v become_v a_o much_o better_a cause_n for_o a_o instance_n hereof_o we_o may_v take_v dr._n owen_n book_n where_o he_o do_v not_o only_o assert_v for_o himself_o and_o his_o brethren_n that_o the_o efficiency_n as_o he_o call_v it_o of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v irresistible_a 270._o and_o that_o grace_n be_v always_o prevalent_a or_o effectual_a and_o can_v be_v resist_v as_o to_o that_o end_n whereunto_o of_o god_n it_o be_v design_v and_o much_o more_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n but_o fall_v upon_o his_o adversary_n in_o this_o point_n with_o such_o insolent_a language_n and_o immodest_a reproach_n that_o they_o can_v hardly_o deserve_v to_o be_v worse_o use_v by_o he_o if_o they_o have_v affirm_v divine_a grace_n be_v not_o necessary_a to_o regeneration_n as_o resolute_o as_o they_o maintain_v the_o contrary_n this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n which_o he_o pretend_v to_o stand_v up_o for_o against_o the_o new_a pelagian_n and_o a_o crew_n of_o socinianize_v arminian_n they_o be_v his_o own_o word_n as_o if_o to_o deny_v the_o personality_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o assistance_n of_o divine_a grace_n and_o to_o contradict_v his_o opinion_n that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n do_v irresistible_o produce_v the_o effect_n of_o grace_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n but_o this_o you_o will_v less_o wonder_v at_o when_o you_o consider_v that_o he_o make_v nothing_o to_o compare_v those_o that_o oppose_v his_o opinion_n to_o cain_n and_o ishmael_n for_o he_o say_v 287._o the_o enmity_n of_o cain_n against_o abel_n be_v but_o a_o branch_n of_o this_o proud_a inclination_n the_o instance_n of_o ishmael_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o representative_a of_o all_o such_o as_o under_o a_o outward_a profession_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n do_v scoff_n at_o those_o who_o be_v as_o isaac_n child_n of_o the_o promise_n do_v profess_v and_o evidence_n a_o interest_n in_o the_o internal_a power_n of_o it_o which_o they_o be_v
motive_n include_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o operation_n nor_o do_v the_o spirit_n use_v any_o motive_n when_o he_o thus_o operate_v for_o as_o these_o man_n say_v this_o physical_a operation_n be_v the_o immediate_a cause_n of_o conversion_n and_o now_o let_v any_o man_n tell_v i_o in_o what_o capacity_n the_o word_n of_o god_n can_v stand_v to_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o grace_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n our_o author_n if_o you_o will_v believe_v he_o pay_v a_o great_a regard_n to_o the_o scripture_n which_o he_o do_v not_o only_o render_v thus_o useless_a in_o general_n but_o many_o plain_a testimony_n whereof_o he_o contradict_v in_o particular_a and_o for_o instance_n that_o passage_n in_o our_o saviour_n prayer_n sanctify_v they_o through_o thy_o truth_n thy_o word_n be_v truth_n i_o desire_v he_o at_o his_o leisure_n to_o consider_v whether_o the_o grace_n which_o our_o saviour_n pray_v for_o in_o his_o disciple_n behalf_n be_v a_o immediate_a physical_a operation_n if_o not_o whether_o we_o be_v now_o sanctify_v by_o another_o sort_n of_o operation_n than_o that_o which_o christ_n pray_v for_o now_o to_o say_v in_o express_a term_n that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v of_o no_o use_n in_o the_o conversion_n of_o a_o sinner_n will_v sound_v so_o horrid_o in_o any_o sober_a christian_n ear_n that_o the_o doctor_n himself_o have_v not_o venture_v upon_o it_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_n he_o be_v often_o persuade_v his_o reader_n that_o he_o attribute_n as_o much_o to_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o word_n as_o any_o of_o they_o all_o for_o he_o tell_v we_o 268._o whereas_o some_o contend_v that_o the_o whole_a of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n consist_v in_o the_o effectual_a application_n of_o it_o unto_o the_o mind_n and_o affection_n of_o man_n whereby_o they_o be_v enable_v to_o comply_v with_o it_o and_o turn_v unto_o god_n by_o faith_n and_o repentance_n they_o do_v not_o ascribe_v a_o great_a power_n unto_o the_o word_n than_o we_o do_v by_o who_o this_o administration_n of_o it_o be_v deny_v to_o be_v the_o total_a cause_n of_o conversion_n for_o we_o assign_v the_o same_o power_n to_o the_o word_n as_o they_o do_v and_o more_o also_o only_o we_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v a_o effect_n to_o be_v wrought_v in_o this_o work_n which_o all_o this_o power_n if_o alone_o be_v insufficient_a for_o after_o a_o few_o such_o say_n as_o these_o a_o man_n need_v not_o be_v ashamed_a to_o say_v any_o thing_n for_o 1._o they_o who_o contend_v that_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o word_n by_o the_o spirit_n apply_v it_o to_o the_o mind_n be_v insufficient_a to_o cause_v conversion_n and_o that_o there_o be_v another_o action_n of_o the_o spirit_n wherein_o no_o use_n be_v make_v of_o the_o word_n at_o all_o necessary_a to_o conversion_n do_v not_o attribute_v so_o much_o power_n to_o the_o word_n as_o they_o do_v who_o say_v the_o former_a be_v sufficient_a 2._o much_o less_o do_v they_o so_o if_o withal_o they_o pretend_v that_o this_o other_o operation_n be_v the_o immediate_a cause_n of_o conversion_n whereby_o the_o word_n be_v exclude_v from_o intervening_a as_o a_o mean_n 3._o and_o yet_o much_o less_o if_o they_o say_v this_o operation_n produce_v the_o effect_n irresistible_o and_o till_o this_o irresistible_a act_n have_v take_v place_n the_o word_n be_v utter_o ineffectual_a 4._o lest_o of_o all_o can_v it_o be_v pretend_v that_o they_o assign_v more_o power_n to_o the_o word_n than_o their_o adversary_n do_v i_o wonder_v at_o this_o man_n confidence_n to_o venture_v such_o open_a falsehood_n abroad_o as_o these_o be_v it_o have_v be_v enough_o in_o conscience_n for_o a_o modest_a man_n to_o say_v that_o those_o of_o our_o author_n opinion_n ascribe_v as_o much_o power_n to_o the_o word_n as_o we_o do_v but_o to_o say_v they_o assign_v more_o to_o it_o be_v too_o much_o in_o all_o reason_n to_o go_v for_o a_o mere_a mistake_n and_o therefore_o one_o may_v well_o think_v he_o see_v clear_o enough_o that_o he_o defer_v not_o so_o much_o to_o the_o word_n as_o we_o and_o that_o because_o he_o affirm_v the_o contrary_a he_o resolve_v to_o put_v on_o a_o face_n for_o something_o and_o say_v withal_o that_o he_o ascribe_v more_o for_o true_o he_o may_v even_o say_v that_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o for_o this_o passage_n of_o he_o be_v but_o the_o next_o page_n before_o he_o assert_n and_o endeavour_n to_o prove_v for_o a_o great_a while_n together_o that_o till_o the_o soul_n be_v change_v by_o his_o physical_a operation_n the_o word_n of_o god_n have_v no_o more_o power_n to_o make_v a_o due_a impression_n on_o it_o no_o though_o the_o motive_n thereof_o be_v urge_v by_o the_o internal_a persuasion_n of_o the_o spirit_n than_o you_o have_v to_o stir_v a_o rock_n by_o speak_v to_o it_o or_o to_o raise_v a_o dead_a body_n from_o the_o grave_a by_o a_o syllogiâ—â—â—_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o maâ—_n that_o just_a before_o will_v make_v you_o believe_v how_o he_o yield_v as_o much_o nay_o more_o efficacy_n to_o the_o word_n than_o we_o who_o say_v that_o mankind_n be_v not_o so_o incapable_a of_o be_v convert_v by_o the_o word_n but_o that_o when_o it_o be_v bless_v and_o use_v as_o he_o well_o enough_o express_v it_o by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n 268._o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o convert_v a_o man_n without_o any_o such_o physical_a operation_n as_o they_o talk_v of_o but_o you_o see_v this_o man_n make_v it_o to_o be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o dead_a letter_n even_o when_o it_o be_v quicken_v by_o the_o spirit_n too_o and_o after_o all_o his_o flourish_v resolve_v conversion_n into_o a_o irresistible_a operation_n in_o which_o there_o be_v no_o use_n of_o the_o word_n at_o all_o and_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o show_v you_o what_o a_o irreverent_a opinion_n he_o have_v of_o it_o whatever_o he_o pretend_v to_o the_o contrary_n and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o first_o proposition_n sect_n 2._o 2._o the_o manner_n wherein_o the_o holy_a spirit_n act_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v suitable_a to_o the_o ratioâ—nal_a nature_n of_o mankind_n which_o be_v a_o truth_n so_o full_o express_v and_o liberal_o grant_v by_o dr._n owen_n that_o i_o shall_v need_v to_o say_v the_o less_o of_o it_o 271._o for_o he_o say_v the_o power_n which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n put_v forth_o in_o our_o regeneration_n be_v such_o in_o its_o act_n or_o exercise_n as_o 〈◊〉_d mind_n will_n and_o affection_n be_v suit_v to_o be_v wrought_v upon_o and_o to_o be_v affect_v by_o it_o according_a to_o their_o nature_n and_o natural_a operation_n again_o he_o do_v not_o act_n in_o they_o otherwise_o than_o they_o themselves_o be_v meet_v to_o be_v act_v according_a to_o their_o own_o nature_n power_n and_o ability_n he_o draw_v we_o with_o the_o cord_n of_o a_o man_n and_o then_o he_o tell_v we_o the_o work_n itself_o be_v express_v by_o persuade_v and_o allure_a and_o that_o it_o carry_v no_o more_o repugnancy_n to_o our_o faculty_n than_o a_o prevalent_a persuasion_n do_v again_o that_o our_o mind_n be_v not_o mere_o passive_a instrument_n as_o former_o in_o prophetical_a inspiration_n move_v above_o their_o own_o natural_a capacity_n and_o activity_n as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o operation_n but_o he_o work_v on_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n in_o and_o by_o their_o own_o natural_a act_n through_o a_o immediate_a influence_n and_o impression_n of_o his_o power_n last_o that_o he_o offer_v no_o violence_n or_o compulsion_n to_o the_o will_n this_o he_o say_v that_o faculty_n be_v not_o natural_o capable_a to_o give_v admission_n unto_o if_o it_o be_v compel_v it_o be_v destroy_v these_o be_v very_o fair_a concession_n and_o â—â—less_v you_o have_v give_v over_o wonder_v at_o our_o author_n way_n of_o writing_n you_o will_v hardly_o believe_v they_o shall_v drop_v from_o his_o pen._n but_o they_o be_v his_o own_o word_n i_o assure_v you_o though_o light_n and_o darkness_n may_v be_v assoon_o reconcile_v as_o they_o can_v be_v to_o that_o opinion_n concern_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v operation_n which_o he_o so_o eager_o contend_v for_o for_o if_o a_o physical_a operation_n immediate_o and_o irresistible_o produce_v faith_n and_o holiness_n be_v utter_o unsuitable_a and_o repugnant_a to_o the_o natural_a faculty_n and_o operation_n of_o the_o mind_n in_o which_o those_o effect_n be_v wrought_v then_o be_v it_o most_o evident_a that_o those_o concession_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o conversion_n by_o that_o physical_a work_n now_o let_v he_o tell_v i_o whether_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v according_a to_o its_o nature_n and_o natural_a operation_n suit_v to_o be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o such_o a_o power_n as_o make_v not_o the_o least_o use_n of_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o least_o thought_n
diligence_n in_o use_v the_o external_a mean_n of_o grace_n his_o operation_n in_o we_o make_v we_o capable_a of_o recover_v ourselves_o by_o degree_n and_o all_o the_o while_n there_o be_v no_o sensible_a difference_n between_o they_o and_o the_o natural_a operation_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o yet_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o we_o have_v his_o assistance_n and_o help_n in_o all_o the_o good_a we_o do_v and_o without_o it_o can_v do_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o save_v purpose_n to_o affirm_v more_o particular_o what_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v operation_n in_o we_o i_o dare_v not_o unless_o i_o have_v warrant_v which_o i_o think_v i_o have_v not_o from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n so_o to_o do_v and_o if_o this_o be_v all_o which_o the_o scripture_n let_v we_o know_v concern_v it_o we_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o think_v that_o no_o more_o be_v needful_a to_o be_v know_v by_o we_o sect_n 7._o thus_o i_o have_v through_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n finish_v the_o first_o part_n of_o my_o undertake_n and_o give_v you_o a_o plain_a account_n of_o that_o which_o i_o believe_v to_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n concern_v those_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o be_v promise_v in_o the_o gospel_n to_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n i_o do_v not_o know_v that_o i_o have_v swerve_v in_o the_o least_o from_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n in_o any_o thing_n i_o have_v say_v upon_o this_o subject_n and_o i_o be_o the_o more_o persuade_v that_o i_o have_v not_o do_v so_o be_v very_o confident_a that_o i_o have_v not_o at_o all_o depart_v from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o this_o matter_n the_o judgement_n whereof_o i_o be_o prepare_v to_o leave_v to_o my_o superior_n i_o have_v observe_v that_o some_o late_a writer_n especial_o have_v represent_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n under_o such_o notion_n as_o be_v either_o intricate_a and_o unintelligible_a or_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o great_a end_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o fatal_a consequence_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n those_o of_o they_o that_o can_v be_v understand_v serve_v only_o to_o the_o multiply_a of_o idle_a question_n and_o frivolous_a dispute_n and_o those_o that_o be_v minister_a either_o to_o unreasonable_a presumption_n or_o incurable_a despair_n therefore_o when_o the_o stream_n be_v so_o muddy_a and_o impure_a i_o think_v it_o be_v the_o best_a way_n to_o go_v to_o that_o fountain_n of_o truth_n the_o holy_a word_n of_o god_n and_o to_o guide_v all_o my_o thought_n of_o this_o matter_n by_o what_o i_o can_v discern_v there_o and_o true_o i_o find_v that_o although_o the_o doctrine_n of_o grace_n as_o it_o have_v be_v tamper_v withal_o by_o man_n that_o serve_v a_o cause_n and_o as_o it_o have_v be_v debase_v by_o humane_a mixture_n and_o invention_n be_v at_o best_a a_o subject_n of_o unprofitable_a talk_n yet_o as_o it_o be_v represent_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v clear_a and_o plain_a to_o the_o understanding_n and_o likewise_o a_o most_o powerful_a motive_n to_o godliness_n how_o near_o i_o have_v keep_v to_o the_o sense_n of_o holy_a writ_n i_o must_v leave_v you_o to_o judge_v as_o for_o the_o reader_n who_o be_v yet_o in_o any_o thing_n otherwise_o persuade_v than_o i_o be_o if_o he_o have_v use_v diligence_n and_o sincerity_n in_o examine_v as_o i_o know_v myself_o to_o have_v do_v in_o consider_v all_o i_o have_v write_v where_o we_o do_v not_o agree_v i_o hope_v god_n will_v pardon_v the_o error_n on_o which_o side_n soever_o it_o lie_v i_o think_v it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o i_o have_v in_o some_o measure_n express_v my_o meaning_n plain_o easy_o natural_o which_o a_o man_n need_v not_o be_v ashamed_a to_o do_v who_o believe_v that_o he_o speak_v the_o truth_n i_o have_v neither_o pretend_v to_o explain_v thing_n that_o be_v not_o intelligible_a nor_o make_v any_o thing_n difficult_a to_o understand_v by_o affect_v obscurity_n of_o expression_n as_o for_o the_o profitableness_n of_o this_o discourse_n it_o can_v be_v better_a judge_v of_o than_o by_o that_o which_o shall_v be_v the_o end_n of_o all_o write_n of_o this_o nature_n viz._n the_o promote_a of_o true_a godliness_n and_o certain_o if_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v that_o which_o i_o have_v here_o offer_v to_o your_o consideration_n it_o do_v apparent_o render_v all_o wicked_a man_n inexcusable_a that_o live_v under_o the_o gospel_n and_o make_v high_o for_o the_o encouragement_n of_o religion_n this_o will_v appear_v by_o survey_v the_o three_o general_a head_n of_o this_o discourse_n for_o by_o so_o do_v it_o may_v easy_o be_v show_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o want_v to_o make_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n as_o it_o have_v be_v explain_v the_o most_o powerful_a motive_n to_o the_o study_n of_o godliness_n and_o virtue_n that_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v for_o 1._o there_o be_v nothing_o want_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o end_n of_o this_o promise_n and_o of_o those_o effect_n for_o the_o produce_v of_o which_o in_o we_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v promise_v for_o they_o be_v all_o christian_a virtue_n whatsoever_o all_o sort_n of_o qualification_n that_o be_v needful_a to_o our_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o therefore_o we_o need_v not_o doubt_v to_o strive_v against_o that_o sin_n which_o do_v most_o easy_o beset_v we_o nor_o sit_v down_o in_o despair_n of_o obtain_v that_o grace_n or_o virtue_n which_o be_v most_o contrary_a to_o our_o corrupt_a affection_n and_o custom_n for_o if_o god_n will_v give_v the_o holy_a spirit_n for_o all_o needful_a purpose_n he_o will_v bestow_v a_o more_o plentiful_a measure_n of_o his_o grace_n for_o the_o subdue_a of_o that_o sin_n and_o the_o gain_n of_o that_o virtue_n because_o here_o his_o assistance_n be_v most_o needful_a and_o he_o that_o have_v promise_v his_o spirit_n to_o answer_v all_o our_o need_n will_v not_o deny_v we_o when_o we_o ask_v he_o to_o supply_v the_o great_a of_o all_o 2._o there_o be_v nothing_o want_v in_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n to_o make_v it_o such_o a_o motive_n in_o respect_n of_o those_o to_o who_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v because_o it_o be_v make_v to_o every_o one_o that_o believe_v the_o gospel_n to_o every_o one_o i_o say_v under_o a_o possible_a condition_n so_o that_o none_o of_o we_o can_v have_v any_o reason_n to_o fear_v that_o we_o be_v shut_v out_o of_o the_o promise_n for_o i_o have_v show_v you_o it_o lie_v open_a to_o all_o and_o we_o can_v lose_v the_o benefit_n of_o it_o but_o by_o exclude_v ourselves_o beside_o the_o condition_n of_o obtain_v special_a grace_n from_o god_n be_v that_o of_o importunate_a ask_n we_o be_v hereby_o move_v to_o earnest_n and_o frequent_a prayer_n which_o you_o know_v be_v one_o branch_n of_o pious_a endeavour_n and_o then_o the_o condition_n of_o more_o plentiful_a communication_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n be_v a_o careful_a improvement_n of_o those_o measure_n of_o grace_n which_o we_o have_v now_o obtain_v this_o also_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o powerful_a motive_n to_o every_o christian_a that_o have_v proceed_v more_o or_o less_o in_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n to_o be_v as_o fruitful_a as_o he_o can_v in_o every_o good_a work_n and_o to_o follow_v after_o holiness_n look_v diligent_o lest_o he_o fail_v of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n 3._o there_o be_v nothing_o want_v in_o this_o promise_n to_o make_v it_o a_o strong_a motive_n to_o the_o study_n of_o godliness_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v operation_n in_o we_o which_o as_o you_o have_v hear_v will_v not_o be_v effectual_a without_o our_o own_o consideration_n and_o care_n and_o watchfulness_n because_o god_n have_v promise_v his_o spirit_n to_o assist_v our_o endeavour_n but_o not_o to_o make_v we_o good_a man_n without_o they_o and_o our_o recovery_n still_o depend_v as_o much_o upon_o our_o diligence_n in_o the_o event_n as_o if_o it_o depend_v upon_o nothing_o else_o wherefore_o in_o all_o respect_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n as_o it_o be_v express_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o most_o prevalent_a motive_n to_o the_o study_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n and_o since_o it_o be_v my_o design_n from_o the_o first_o to_o recover_v it_o to_o this_o use_n out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o man_n that_o have_v make_v it_o good_a for_o nothing_o i_o can_v not_o conclude_v better_o than_o with_o show_v you_o plain_o wherein_o the_o force_n of_o this_o promise_n lie_v to_o make_v we_o all_o careful_a to_o work_v out_o our_o own_o salvation_n o_o god_n forasmuch_o as_o without_o thou_o we_o be_v