The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural…

Natural light or evidence is so unsuccessful in the world, that it loudly telleth us, something is yet wanting, what ever it is. We can discern what it is which is necessary to man's happiness: but we can hardly discern whether de facto any considerable number (at best) do by the teaching of nature alone attain it. When we enquire into the Writings of the best of the Philosophers, we find so little evidence of real holiness, that is, of the foresaid Resignation, Subjection, and Love to God as God, that it leaveth us much in doubt whether indeed they were holy themselves or not, and whether they made the Knowledge, Love, Obedience and Praise of God, the end and business of their lives. However, there is too great evidence, that the world lieth in darkness and wickedness, ⟨p. 193⟩where there is no more than natural light.

§. 2. I find therefore that the discovery of the will of God, concerning our duty and our end, called, The Law of Nature, is a matter of very great difficulty, to them that have no supernatural light to help them.

Though all this is legible in Nature, which I have thence transcribed; yet if I had not had another Teacher, I know not whether ever I should have found it there. Nature is now a very hard book: when I have learnt it by my Teachers help, I can tell partly what is there: but at the first perusal, I could not understand it. It requireth a great deal of time, and study, and help to understand that, which when we do understand it, is as plain to us as the high-way.