More reasons for the Christian religion and no reason against it, or, A second…

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⟩