1No: All the Graces are Mysteries, every Grace.2 Let a man once know it, and he shall find, that there is a Mystery in Faith; that the earthly soul of man should be carried above it self,3 to believe supernatural Truths, and to depend upon that he sees not; to sway the life, by reasons spiritual: That the heart of man should believe, that a man in trouble should carry himself quietly and patiently, from supernatural supports and grounds, it is a Mystery: That a man should be as a Rock, in the middest of a storm, to stand unmoveable, it is a Mystery: That the carriage of the soul should be turned universally, another way; that the judgement and affections should be turned backward,4 as it were; that he that was proud before, should now be humble; that he that was ambitious before, should now despise the vain World; that he that was given to his lusts and vanities before, should now, on the contrary, be serious, and heavenly minded: here is a Mystery indeed, when all is turned backward. Therefore we see how Nicodemus (as wise as he was) it was a Riddle to him, when our blessed Saviour spake to him of the New-Birth, that a man should be wholly ⟨p. 13⟩changed, and new-moulded; that a man should be the same, and not the same; the same man for soul and body, yet not the same, in regard of a supernatural life and being put into him, carrying him another way, leading him in another manner, by other rules and respects, as much different from other men, as a man differs from a beast. A strange Mystery, that raiseth a man above other men, as much as another man is above other creatures. For a man to be content with his condition, in all changes, and varieties; when he is cast and tossed up and down in the world, to have a mind unmoveable, it is a Mystery: Therefore S. Paul saith, Philip 4. I have entered into Religion (as it were) I have consecrated my self, the word is wondrous significant; I have learned this Mystery, to be content. It is a Mystery, for a man to be tossed up and down, and yet to have a contented mind; I can want, and I can abound, I can do all through Christ, that strengtheneth me: Why? I have consecrate my self to Christ, and Religion, and from them I have learned this point, to be content. Therefore in the Text here (as we shall see afterwards) not only Divine Truths are a Mystery, Great is the Mystery of Godliness;
1No: All the Graces are Mysteries, every Grace.2 Let a man once know it, and hee shall find, that there is a Mysterie in Faith; that the earthly soule of man should be carryed above it selfe,3 to beleeve supernaturall Truths, and to depend upon that he sees not; to sway the life, by reasons spirituall: That the heart of man should beleeve, that a man in trouble should carry himselfe quietly and patiently, from supernaturall supports and grounds, it is a Mysterie: That a man should be as a Rocke, in the middest of a storme, to stand unmoveable, it is a Mysterie: That the carriage of the soule should be turned universally, another way; that the judgement and affections should be turned backward,4 as it were; that hee that was proud before, should now be humble; that hee that was ambitious before, should now despise the vaine World; that hee that was given to his lusts and vanities before, should now, on the contrary, be serious, and heavenly minded: here is a Mysterie indeed, when all is turned backward. Therefore wee see how Nicodemus (as wise as hee was) it was a Riddle to him, when our blessed Saviour spake to him of the New-Birth, that a man should be wholly ⟨p. 13⟩changed, and new-molded; that a man should be the same, and not the same; the same man for soule and body, yet not the same, in regard of a supernaturall life and being put into him, carrying him another way, leading him in another manner, by other rules and respects, as much different from other men, as a man differs from a beast. A strange Mysterie, that rayseth a man above other men, as much as another man is above other creatures. For a man to be content with his condition, in all changes, and varieties; when he is cast and tossed up and downe in the world, to have a mind unmoveable, it is a Mysterie: Therefore S. Paul saith, Philip 4. I have entred into Religion (as it were) I have consecrated my selfe, the word is wondrous significant; I have learned this Mysterie, to be content. It is a Mysterie, for a man to be tossed up and downe, and yet to have a contented mind; I can want, and I can abound, I can doe all through Christ, that strengtheneth me: Why? I have consecrate my selfe to Christ, and Religion, and from them I have learned this point, to be content. Therefore in the Text here (as we shall see afterwards) not onely Divine Truths are a Mysterie, Great is the Mysterie of Godlinesse;
- 1Answer.
- 2Every Grace a Mystery.Every Grace a Mysterie.
- 3Faith.
- 4Reformation.
