A26869:147
The arrogancy of reason against divine revelations, repressed, or, Proud ignorance the cause of infidelity, and of mens quarrelling with the word of God
London: printed by T.N. for Tho. Underhil, 1655
Title page: Internet Archive scan of the Early English Books microfilm
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Answ. It's one thing to ask whether this be possible? and another, Whether it were done? It is indeed the greatest wonder of all the works of God, But there is no contradiction in it to prove it impossible. The God head was no whit really abased or changed by this Union, but at the utmost) relatively and reputatively only. ⟨p. 75⟩God did not become man, by ceasing to be God, •r committing the humane Nature with the Divine. But only assumed a humane nature to the Divine. It is not therefore as if a Prince should become an inferior Creature, but only as if he should assume such a Creature into so near a relation to him.
Answ. It's one thing to ask whether this be possible? and another, Whether it were done? It is indeed the greatest wonder of all the works of God, But there is no contradiction in it to prove it impossible. The God head was no whit really abased or changed by this Union, but at the utmost) relatively and reputatively onely. ⟨p. 75⟩God did not become man, by ceasing to be God, •r commi•ing the humane Nature with the Divine. But one•y assumed a humane nature to the Divine. It is not therefore as if a Prince should become an inferior Creature, but onely as if he should assume such a Creature into so neer a relation to him.
2. And that God hath indeed done this, his evident Testimonies have proved to the world: Is it likely or possible that one should assert such a thing, and seal it in the face of the world with Miracles, and rise himself from the dead, and send forth a spirit of Miracles and of holiness on his Church, to confirm his affirmation, if all this were not true which he affirmeth?
3 Is this the thanks that God shall have for his wonderful condescension, that though he prove it to be true, yet we will not believe the mercy that he shows us, unless it seem likely to us in the way of us accomplishment?
3 Is this the thanks that God shall have for his wonderful condes•ension, that though he prove it to be true, yet we will not believe the mercy that he shews us, unless it seem likely to us in the way of us accomplishment?
Answ No: Because to be a person or subsistence in the Godhead, and to be a God is not all one. It is no contradiction that the Vegetative, sensitive and Rational in man, should be three, and distinct one from another, and yet not be three souls but one. And that Power, Understanding, and Will, should be three, and distinct; and yet not three souls but one: And that Power, Light, and Heat, should be distinct in the Sun; and yet not be three Suns, but one. Why then should the Divine Trinity of subsistences seem a contradiction?
Answ. 1. It is mere ignorance of the sense […] Scripture, that causeth this conceit of contrad• ction. Expositors themselves are imperfect in th• understanding of them; yet if you will well rea• them, you shall see how easily and clearly they reconcile many things that seen unreconcilable to the ignorant. Read among others, Scharpius hi• Symphonia to that end.
Answ. 1. It is meer ignorance of the sense 〈…〉 Scripture, that canseth this conceit of contrad• ction. Expositors themselve• are imperfect in th• understanding of them; yet if you will well rea• them, you shall see how easily and cleerly they reconcile many things that s•en unreconcileable to the ignorant. Read among others, Scharpius hi• Symphonia to that end.
2. As to the Text instanced. The second C•••• Crowing was then specially and eminently c•lle• [The Cocks Crowing] And therefore Matt••• an• Luke do name no more but [the Crowing •• the Cock] meaning that second Cock, which was specially so called; (of which see Grotius on the Text) whereas Mark doth more precisely express the same in fuller words: What a vain mind is it that will pick quarrels with such expressions?
2. As to the Text instanced. The second C•••• Crowing was then specially and eminently c•lle• [The Cocks Crowing] And therefore Matt••• an• Luke do name no more but [the Crowing •• the Cock] meaning that second Cock, which was specially so called; (of which see Grotius on the Text) wheras Mark doth more pr•cisely express the same in suller words: What a vain mind is it that will pick quarrels with such expressions?
I give but a brief touch of these few common Exceptions, leaving them to seek the resolution of such doubts, from Commentators that have performed it, or from their judicious Teachers, who are at hand, and ready to do it.
The Lord acquaint unbelieving sinners with the greatness of their ignorance, and the shallowness of their capacities that they may know how unfit they are to expostulate with their Maker, and what need they have to wait upon him as humble Learners. For the meek will he teach his ⟨p. 77⟩way. Psal 25. 9. and unto Babes doth he reveal ••e Mysteries of his Will. For though the Lord • High, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but •e proud he knoweth a far off, Psal. 138. 6. •nd the mysteries of the Gospel which now seem credible, he will one day open to the comfort •• his Saints, and the confusion of unbelievers; ••en at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed ••d only Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord •• Lords: who only hath immortality, dwelling •• the light which no man can approach unto, whom no man hath seen or can see: to whom be Ho•or and Power everlasting.
The Lord acquaint unbelieving sinners with the greatness of their ignorance, and the shallowness of their capacities that they may know how unfit they are to expostulate with their Maker, and what need they have to wait upon him as humble Learners. For the meek will he teach his ⟨p. 77⟩way. Psal 25. 9. and unto Babes doth he reveal ••e Mysteries of his Will. For though the Lord • High, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but •e proud he knoweth a far off, Psal. 138. 6. •nd the mysteries of the Gospel which now seem credible, he will one day open to the comfort his Saints, and the confusion of unbelievers; en at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, hich in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed d onely Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord Lords: who onely hath immortality, dwelling the light which no man can approach unto, hom no man hath seen or can see: to whom be Hoor and Power everlasting.
Amen.
FINIS.
