The divine life in three treatises

And it is the Wills intention that causeth the Understanding to be denominated Practical: And therefore I may well say, that it is Wisdom indeed when it reacheth to the heart. No man knoweth the Truth of God so well as he that most firmly Believeth him: And do man knoweth the Goodness of God so well as he that Loveth him most: No man knoweth his Power and Mercy so well as he that doth most confidently Trust him: And no man knoweth his Justice and Dreadfulness so well as he that feareth him: No man knoweth or believeth the Glory of Heaven so well as he that most esteemeth, desireth and seeketh it, and hath the most Heavenly Heart and Conversation: Ho man believeth in Jesus Christ so well as he that giveth up himself unto him, with the greatest Love and Thankfulness, and Trust and Obedience. As James saith [Show me thy Faith by thy works] so say I, Let me know the measure and value of my knowledge by my Heart and Life. That is wisdom indeed which conformeth a man to God, and saveth his soul: This only will be owned as wisdom to eternity, when dreaming notions will prove but folly.

And it is the Wills intention that causeth the Understanding to be denominated Practical: And therefore I may well say, th•t it is Wisdom indeed when it reacheth to the heart. No man knoweth the Truth of God so well as he that most firmly Believeth him: And do man knoweth the Goodness of God so well as he that Loveth him most: No man knoweth his Power and Mercy so well as he that doth most confidently Trust him: And no man knoweth his Justice and Dreadfulness so well as he that feareth him: No man knoweth or believeth the Glory of Heaven so well as he that most esteemeth, desireth and seeketh it, and hath the most Heavenly Heart and Conversation: Ho man believeth in Jesus Christ so well as he that giveth up himself unto him, with the greatest Love and Thankfulness, and Trust and Obedience. As James saith [Shew mee thy Faith by thy works] so say I, Let me know the measure and value of my knowledge by my Heart and Life. That is wisdome indeed which conformeth a man to God, and saveth his soul: This only will be owned as wisdome to eternity, when dreaming notions will prove but folly.

4. He that walketh with God hath an infallible Rule, and taketh the right course to have the best acquaintance with it, and skill to use it. The Doctrine that informeth him is Divine: It is from Heaven, and not of Men: And therefore if God be wiser than man, he is able to make his Disciples wisest; and Teaching will more certainly and powerfully illuminate. Many among men have pretended to Infallibility, that never could justify their pretensions, but have confuted them by their own mistakes and crimes: But none can deny the Infallibility of God. He never yet was deceived, or did deceive: He erreth not, nor teacheth error. Nicodemus knew Christ was to believed, when he knew that he was a Teacher come from God,