The Gospel being a mystery, 1such a mystery as we have heard, it is not lightly, and slightly to be passed over: it requireth our best study and meditation, and it is worth the best pains that we can take: men naturally are desirous to have knowledge of deep and profound matters: this maketh some scholars to spend much time, and take great pains in reading the School-men, because they account them profound Authors, in regard of the many deep questions which they discuss: others in studying Astrology, Astronomy, Geometry, and other parts of Mathematics, because they are accounted deep Sciences, above the common conceit and capacity of ordinary men: there is no mystery in any Science which men hear of, but they are very inquisitive into it, and desirous to know it. Lo here is a mystery of mysteries, wherein out happiness consisteth: so as the knowledge thereof cannot but be most needful and behoovefull. Use we therefore all the means that possibly we can to understand it, and to all other means add faithful and earnest prayer to God, to give us the spirit of illumination, that so we may the better conceive it. In studying it, let us not measure i• by the last of our own capacity: for it is a mystery abou• ⟨p. 531⟩our capacity: they which know it best, know it but in part: when it is opened as clearly as can be by mans tongue, it still remaineth to be a mystery. Faith therefore in this respect, must be placed above our reason, and we must believe more then we can conceive: herein hath faith a preheminency above reason, that it is of an infinite capacity: for whatsoever God revealeth, faith believeth, though reason cannot fathom the depth of it.
THe Gospel being a mysterie, 1such a mysterie as we haue heard, it is not lightly, and sleightly to be passed ouer: it requireth our best study and meditation, and it is worth the best paines that we can take: men naturally are desirous to haue knowledge of deepe and profound matters: this maketh some schollers to spend much time, and take great paines in reading the Schoole-men, because they account them profound Authors, in regard of the many deepe questions which they discusse: others in studying Astrologie, Astronomie, Geometrie, and other parts of Mathematiques, because they are accounted deepe Sciences, aboue the common conceit and capacity of ordinary men: there is no mystery in any Science which men heare of, but they are very inquisitiue into it, and desirous to know it. Loe heere is a mysterie of mysteries, wherein out happinesse consisteth: so as the knowledge therof cannot but be most needfull and behoouefull. Vse we therefore all the meanes that possibly we can to vnderstand it, and to all other meanes adde faithfull and earnest prayer to God, to giue vs the spirit of illumination, that so we may the better conceiue it. In studying it, let vs not measure i• by the laste of our own capacity: for it is a mystery abou• ⟨p. 531⟩our capacitie: they which know it best, know it but in part: when it is opened as clearely as can be by mans tongue, it still remaineth to be a mysterie. Faith therefore in this respect, must be placed aboue our reason, and wee must beleeue more then wee can conceiue: herein hath faith a preheminency aboue reason, that it is of an infinite capacitie: for whatsoeuer God reuealeth, faith beleeueth, though reason cannot fatham the depth of it.
- 1Use. 1. It requireth study and prayer.Vse. 1. It requireth study and prayer.
