A Golden Chain

Hence we may learn the cause why excellent divines do vary in divers points of religion: and it is, because in this combat, natural blindness yet remaining, prevails more or less. Men that are dim sighted and cannot discern without spectacles, if they be set to descry a thing a far off, the most of them would be of divers opinions of it. And men enlightened and regenerate in this life, do but see as in a glass darkly. ¹Again, this must teach all students of divinity often to suspect themselves in their opinions and defences: seeing in them that are of soundest judgement the light of their understanding is mixed with darkness of ignorance. And they can in many points see but as the man in the gospel, who when our Saviour Christ had in part opened his eyes, saw men walking, not as men, but in the form of trees. Also this must teach all that read the scriptures to invocate & call upon the name of god, that he would enlighten them by his spirit, and abolish the mist of natural blindness. The Prophet David was worthily enlightened with the knowledge of Gods word, so as he excelled the ancient and his own teachers in wisdom: yet being privy to himself touching his own blindness, often prayeth in the Psalms, Enlighten mine eyes that I may understand the wonders of thy law.

Hence we may learne the cause why excellent diuines doe varie in diuers points of religion: and it is, because in this combate, naturall blindnesse yet remaining, preuailes more or lesse. Men that are dimme sighted and cannot discerne without spectacles, if they be set to discrie a thing a farre off, the most of them would be of diuers opinions of it. And men inlightned and regenerate in this life, doe but see as in a glasse darkely. ¹Againe, this must teach all students of diuinitie often to suspect themselues in their opinions and defences: seeing in them that are of soundest iudgement the light of their vnderstanding is mixed with darkenes of ignorāce. And they can in many points see but as the mā in the gospell, who when our Sauiour Christ had in part opened his eies, saw mē walking, not as mē, but in the forme of trees. Also this must teach al that read the scriptures to inuocate & cal vpon the name of god, that he would enlighten them by his spirit, and abolish the mist of naturall blindnesse. The Prophet Dauid was worthily inlightned with the knowledge of Gods word, so as he excelled the auncient and his owne teachers in wisdome: yet beeing priuie to himselfe touching his owne blindnesse, often praieth in the Psalmes, Inlighten mine eies that I may vnderstand the wonders of thy lawe.