The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

1. Pride was their Universal Disease, they had a liberal esteem of themselves, as raised above the common rank of Men. And because Philosophy had instructed them in some truths, they believed the false as well as the true, and concluded all things impossible that did not concur with ⟨p. 438⟩their old tenets: they admitted no higher Principle than natural Reason, and utterly rejected Divine Revelation: which was as unreasonable as if one that never saw but the light of a Candle, should contend there was no other light in the World. Now a Person that doth not believe Divine Revelation, is wholly unqualified to judge of supernatural Mysteries. For till the Authority of the Revealer is submitted to, he cannot truly consider their Cause and their End. Besides, they looked on it as a reproach that any secret should be revealed to others and not to them. It seemed to darken their Glory that any School should be more knowing than theirs. Therefore they chose to be instructors of Error, rather than Disciples to the Truth. Add further, they thought their honour concerned to defend the Principles they had once espoused. From hence a rose the great contestations between themselves, accompanied with Invectives and Satyrs, being very jealous for their Opinions, and passionate for the interest of their Sects. Now the Gospel was in some things contrary to all of them, so that being touched in their tenderest part, no wonder they were so violent against it. Our Saviour asks the Jews, how can ye believe, which receive honour one from another, and seek not the Honour which comes from God only? He propounds it as an impossible thing. The Gospel would strip them of all their pretended excellencies; and commanded as its first Article, they should humbly resign their understandings to Divine Revelation; this they looked on as a submission unworthy their refined strong Spirits.

1. Pride was their Universal Disease, they had a liberal esteem of themselves, as raised above the common rank of Men. And because Philosophy had instructed them in some truths, they believed the false as well as the true, and concluded all things impossible that did not concur with ⟨p. 438⟩their old tenets: they admitted no higher Principle than natural Reason, and utterly rejected Divine Revelation: which was as unreasonable as if one that never saw but the light of a Candle, should contend there was no other light in the World. Now a Person that doth not believe Divine Revelation, is wholy unqualified to judge of supernatural Mysteries. For till the Authority of the Revealer is submitted to, he cannot truly consider their Cause and their End. Besides, they lookt on it as a reproach that any secret should be revealed to others and not to them. It seem'd to darken their Glory that any School should be more knowing than theirs. Therefore they chose to be instructors of Error, rather than Disciples to the Truth. Add further, they thought their honour concern'd to defend the Principles they had once espoused. From hence a rose the great contestations between themselves, accompanied with Invectives and Satyrs, being very jealous for their Opinions, and passionate for the interest of their Sects. Now the Gospel was in some things contrary to all of them, so that being toucht in their tenderest part, no wonder they were so violent against it. Our Saviour asks the Jews, how can ye believe, which receive honour one from another, and seek not the Honour which comes from God only? He propounds it as an impossible thing. The Gospel would strip them of all their pretended excellencies; and commanded as its first Article, they should humbly resign their understandings to Divine Revelation; this they lookt on as a submission unworthy their refined strong Spirits.