Answ. First, It is supposed that all that pretend to Prophesy and Revelation are not to be believed: And therefore that we must try the Spirits whether they be of God; and that all ⟨p. 135⟩trial of things unknown, must be made by some foreacknowledged principles, if it be a conclusion that must be known. Secondly, It must therefore next be understood, whether the Truth of the Gospel be to be known as a simple term, or a self evident proposition, or as a true conclusion. First, The first kind of knowledge only apprehendeth the words and sense; but not the Verity. It is the Truth of the Doctrine that we enquire of. Secondly, Many Divines assert the second way, and say it is Principium indemonstrabile; Like [est vel non est:] Doubtless this is not true as to the Natural Evidence of the proposition, principle or doctrine. But I think that in the very hearing or reading Gods spirit often so concurreth, as that the will it self shall be touched with an internal gust or savour of the goodness contained in the doctrine, and at the same time the understanding with an internal irradiation, which breedeth such a sudden apprehension of the Verity of it, as nature giveth men of natural principles. And I am persuaded that this increased by more experience, and ⟨p. 136⟩Love and inward gusts, doth hold most Christians faster to Christ, than naked reasoning could do: And were it not for this unlearned ignorant persons, were still in danger of Apostasy, by every subtle Caviller that assaulteth them. And I believe that all true Christians have this kind of internal knowledge, from a suitableness of the Truth and Goodness of the Gospel to their now quickened, illuminated sanctified souls. Thirdly, But yet I believe that this is not All the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel which we have: There is a common Belief of its truth by other means which most usually goeth before this Generative spiritual reception and belief; usually they that are converted to holiness by the Gospel are such as had some Belief of it before, and not such as took it to be false to that moment. And after Conversion, it is to be known as a certain demonstrable Conclusion; And so the faith of wise and settled Christians is most rational: And they are thus made capable to defend it against Temptations and adversaries, and to preach it rightly to unbelievers.
Answ. First, It is supposed that all that pretend to Prophesie and Revelation are not to be believed: And therefore that we must try the Spirits whether they be of God; and that all ⟨p. 135⟩tryal of things unknown, must be made by some foreacknowledged principles, if it be a conclusion that must be known. Secondly, It must therefore next be understood, whether the Truth of the Gospel be to be known as a simple term, or a self evident proposition, or as a true conclusion. First, The first kind of knowledge onely apprehendeth the words and sense; but not the Verity. It is the Truth of the Doctrine that we enquire of. Secondly, Many Divines assert the second way, and say it is Principium indemonstrabile; Like [est vel non est:] Doubtless this is not true as to the Natural Evidence of the proposition, principle or doctrine. But I think that in the very hearing or reading Gods spirit often so concurreth, as that the will it self shall be touched with an internal gust or savour of the goodness contained in the doctrine, and at the same time the understanding with an internal irradiation, which breedeth such a sudden apprehension of the Verity of it, as nature giveth men of natural principles. And I am perswaded that this increased by more experience, and ⟨p. 136⟩Love and inward gusts, doth hold most Christians faster to Christ, than naked reasoning could do: And were it not for this unlearned ignorant persons, were still in danger of Apostasie, by every subtile Caviller that assaulteth them. And I believe that all true Christians have this kind of internal knowledge, from a suitableness of the Truth and Goodness of the Gospel to their now quickned, illuminated sanctified souls. Thirdly, But yet I believe that this is not All the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel which we have: There is a common Belief of its truth by other means which most usually goeth before this Generative spiritual reception and belief; usually they that are converted to holiness by the Gospel are such as had some Belief of it before, and not such as took it to be false to that moment. And after Conversion, it is to be known as a certain demonstrable Conclusion; And so the faith of wise and settled Christians is most rational: And they are thus made capable to defend it against Temptations and adversaries, and to preach it rightly to unbelievers.
