and he that not considering the Properties of things near and distant, should conclude that Piece to be bigger than the Heavens, were justly reputed a Fool. And the folly of carnal Men is more gross, who prefer things present to Sense, before what is future and of everlasting consequence to the Soul. But there are some Actions, which if done by a Natural, ⟨p. 486⟩would be counted Folly, yet being done by those who in the reputation of the World are Wise, are esteemed Prudent, but they are the most deplorable Folly. Now as the restoring the Laesum principium, the broken Mind to its sound state, whereby 'tis able to consider, discern and conclude of things according to their Nature, such is the action of God's Spirit upon the corrupt Mind, clarifying and enlightening it, so that it receives full conviction by the clearest Marks of divine Authority shining in the Gospel, of the Truth of all the great and precious Promises therein contained, and causing it, by a steady application of the Thoughts, to see the vast difference between what is Temporal, and Eternal; how despicably light all the Vanities of this World are found, when put in the Balance against the infinite inestimable Happiness of the next. In short, the renewed Mind knows Spiritual Things according to their Nature and Qualities, believes, esteems, and determines that they are of eternal Moment, and absolutely necessary for the Happiness of Man. And as when the natural Faculty of seeing is perished, 'tis irreparable by human Skill, and without a Miracle can ⟨p. 487⟩never be restored; so the intellectual Faculty, when darkened by sinful Lusts, without the renewing power of the Spirit, can never know Spiritual Things as they ought to be known. Therefore as the blind Men in the Gospel who despaired of help from the Physicians, hearing of the miraculous Power of Christ, importunately begged his healing Mercy; so let us pray to the Light and Saviour of the World, but in a more noble and higher Sense, Lord, that we may receive our sight. Let us with the most zealous Affections call upon the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, that he would give unto us the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of him, the Eyes of our understanding being enlightened, that we may know what is the hope of his Calling, and what the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints.
and he that not considering the Properties of things near and distant, should conclude that Piece to be bigger than the Heavens, were justly reputed a Fool. And the folly of carnal Men is more gross, who prefer things present to Sense, before what is future and of everlasting consequence to the Soul. But there are some Actions, which if done by a Natural, ⟨p. 486⟩would be counted Folly, yet being done by those who in the reputation of the World are Wise, are esteemed Prudent, but they are the most deplorable Folly. Now as the restoring the Laesum principium, the broken Mind to its sound state, whereby 'tis able to consider, discern and conclude of things according to their Nature, such is the action of God's Spirit upon the corrupt Mind, clarifying and enlightning it, so that it receives full conviction by the clearest Marks of divine Authority shining in the Gospel, of the Truth of all the great and precious Promises therein contained, and causing it, by a steady application of the Thoughts, to see the vast difference between what is Temporal, and Eternal; how despicably light all the Vanities of this World are found, when put in the Ballance against the infinite inestimable Happiness of the next. In short, the renewed Mind knows Spiritual Things according to their Nature and Qualities, believes, esteems, and determines that they are of eternal Moment, and absolutely necessary for the Happiness of Man. And as when the natural Faculty of seeing is perish'd, 'tis irreparable by human Skill, and without a Miracle can ⟨p. 487⟩never be restored; so the intellectual Faculty, when darkned by sinful Lusts, without the renewing power of the Spirit, can never know Spiritual Things as they ought to be known. Therefore as the blind Men in the Gospel who dispair'd of help from the Physicians, hearing of the miraculous Power of Christ, importunately begg'd his healing Mercy; so let us pray to the Light and Saviour of the World, but in a more noble and higher Sense, Lord, that we may receive our sight. Let us with the most zealous Affections call upon the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, that he would give unto us the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledg of him, the Eyes of our understanding being inlightned, that we may know what is the hope of his Calling, and what the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints.
