Indeed, the Church might have said, my heart sleepeth, but my heart waketh: for it is the same faculty, the same power of the soul, both in the state of Corruption, and of grace, in which the soul is, as in the twi-light, we cannot say, this is light, and that is darkness, because there is such a mixture. In all the powers of the soul, there is something good, and something ill, something flesh, and something spirit. The heart was asleep, and likewise was awake. I sleep but my heart waketh;1 you see here then first of all in this correction; That a Christian hath two principles in him, that which is good, and that which is evil, whence issueth the weakness of his actions, and affections, They are all mixed, as are the principles from which they come forth, we may observe further, that a Christian man may know how it is with himself,2 though he be mixed of flesh, and spirit, he hath a distinguishing knowledge and judgement whereby he knows both the good, and evil in himself. In a dungeon where is nothing but darkness both on the eye that should see, and on that which should be seen, he can see nothing: but where there is a supernatural principle, where there is this mixture, there the light of the spirit searcheth the dark corners of the heart; A man that hath the spirit ⟨p. 107⟩knoweth both, he knoweth himself and his own heart. The Spirit hath a light of its own, even as Reason hath, how doth Reason know what it doth; By a reflect act Inbred in the soul, shall a man that is natural reflect upon his state, and know what he knows, what he thinks, what he doth, and may not the soul that is raised to an higher estate know as much? undoubtedly it may. Besides we have the Spirit of God, which is light, and self-evidencing, it shows unto us, where it is, and what it is▪ The work of the Spirit may sometimes be hindered,3 as in times of temptation, then I confess a man may look wholly upon corruption, and so mistake himself, in judging by that which he sees present in himself, and not by the other principle which is concealed for a time from him. But a Christian, when he is not in such a temptation, he knows his own estate, and can distinguish between the principles in him of the flesh and spirit, grace and nature.
Indeed, the Church might have said, my heart sleepeth, but my heart waketh: for it is the same facultie, the same power of the soule, both in the state of Corruption, and of grace, in which the soule is, as in the twy-light, wee cannot say, this is light, and that is darkenesse, because there is such a mixture. In all the powers of the soule, there is something good, and something ill, something flesh, and something spirit. The heart was asleepe, and likewise was awake. I sleepe but my heart waketh;1 you see here then first of all in this correction; That a Christian hath two principles in him, that which is good, and that which is evill, whence issueth the weakenesse of his actions, and affections, They are all mixed, as are the principles from which they come forth, wee may observe further, that a Christian man may know how it is with himselfe,2 though he be mixed of flesh, and spirit, he hath a distinguishing knowledge and judgement whereby he knowes both the good, and evill in himselfe. In a dungeon where is nothing but darkenesse both on the eye that should see, and on that which should bee seene, he can see nothing: but where there is a supernaturall principle, where there is this mixture, there the light of the spirit searcheth the darke corners of the heart; A man that hath the spirit ⟨p. 107⟩knoweth both, he knoweth himselfe and his owne heart. The Spirit hath a light of its owne, even as Reason hath, how doth Reason know what it doth; By a reflect act Inbred in the soule, shall a man that is naturall reflect upon his state, and know what hee knowes, what hee thinkes, what hee doth, and may not the soule that is raised to an higher estate know as much? undoubtedly it may. Besides we have the Spirit of God, which is light, and selfe-evidencing, it shewes unto us, where it is, and what it is▪ The worke of the Spirit may sometimes bee hindered,3 as in times of temptation, then I confesse a man may looke wholy upon corruption, and so mistake himselfe, in judging by that which hee sees present in himselfe, and not by the other principle which is concealed for a time from him. But a Christian, when he is not in such a temptation, he knowes his owne estate, and can distinguish betweene the principles in him of the flesh and spirit, grace and nature.
- 1Obser. 1.
- 2Obser. 2.
- 3How the discerning work of the Spirit cometh to be so interrupted.How the discerning worke of the Spirit commeth to be so interrupted.
