Here therefore you must understand, That the mere pure work of Faith, hath many disadvantages with us, in comparison of the work of Sense. Faith is imperfect, for we are renewed but in part; but Sense hath its strength, according to the strength of the flesh: Faith goes against a world of resistance, but Sense doth not. Faith ⟨p. 757⟩is supernatural, and therefore prone to declining, and to languish both in the habit and exercise, further then it is still renewed and excited; but Sense is natural, and therefore continueth while nature continueth. The object of Faith is far off; we must go as far as Heaven for our Joys: But the object of Sense is close at hand. It is no easy matter to rejoice at that which we never saw, nor ever knew the man that did see it; and this upon a mere promise which is written in the Bible; and that, when we have nothing else to rejoice in, but all our sensible comforts do fail us: But to rejoice in that which we see and feel, in that which we have hold of, and possession already; this is not difficult. Well then, what should be done in this case? Why sure it will be a point of our Spiritual Prudence, and a singular help to the furthering of the work of Faith, to call in our *Sense to its assistance: If we can make us friends of these usual enemies, and make them instruments of raising us to God, which are the usual means of drawing us from God, I think we shall perform a very excellent work. Sure it is both possible and lawful, yea, and necessary too, to do something in this kind; for God would not have given us, either our Senses themselves, or their usual objects, if they might not have been serviceable to his own praise, and helps to raise us up to the apprehension of higher things: And it is very considerable, How the Holy Ghost doth condescend in the phrase of Scripture, in bringing things down to the reach of Sense; how he sets forth the excellencies of Spiritual things, in words that are borrowed from the objects of Sense; how he describeth the glory of the New Jerusalem, in expressions that might take even with flesh it self: As that the Streets and Buildings are pure Gold, that the Gates are Pearl, that a Throne doth stand in the midst of it, &c. Revel. 21. and 22. That we shall eat and drink with Christ at his Table in his Kingdom;
Here therefore you must understand, That the meer pure work of Faith, hath many disadvantages with us, in comparison of the work of Sense. Faith is imperfect, for we are renewed but in part; but Sense hath its strength, according to the strength of the flesh: Faith goes against a world of resistance, but Sense doth not. Faith ⟨p. 757⟩is supernatural, and therefore prone to declining, and to languish both in the habit and exercise, further then it is still renewed and excited; but Sense is natural, and therefore continueth while nature continueth. The object of Faith is far off; we must go as far as Heaven for our Joyes: But the object of Sense is close at hand. It is no easie matter to rejoyce at that which we never saw, nor ever knew the man that did see it; and this upon a meer promise which is written in the Bible; and that, when we have nothing else to rejoyce in, but all our sensible comforts do fail us: But to rejoyce in that which we see and feel, in that which we have hold of, and possession already; this is not difficult. Well then, what should be done in this case? Why sure it will be a point of our Spiritual Prudence, and a singular help to the furthering of the work of Faith, to call in our *Sense to its assistance: If we can make us friends of these usual enemies, and make them instruments of raising us to God, which are the usual means of drawing us from God, I think we shall perform a very excellent work. Sure it is both possible and lawful, yea, and necessary too, to do something in this kinde; for God would not have given us, either our Senses themselves, or their usual objects, if they might not have been serviceable to his own praise, and helps to raise us up to the apprehension of higher things: And it is very considerable, How the Holy Ghost doth condescend in the phrase of Scripture, in bringing things down to the reach of Sense; how he sets forth the excellencies of Spiritual things, in words that are borrowed from the objects of Sense; how he describeth the glory of the New Jerusalem, in expressions that might take even with flesh it self: As that the Streets and Buildings are pure Gold, that the Gates are Pearl, that a Throne doth stand in the midst of it, &c. Revel. 21. and 22. That we shall eat and drink with Christ at his Table in his Kingdom;
- *Quantalibet intentione see humana mens extenderit, etiamsi phantasiaes imaginum corporalium a cognitione compescat, si omnes circumscriptos spiritu ab oculis cordis admoveat, adhuc tamen in carne mortali pasita videre gloriam Dei non valet, sicut est. Sed quicquid de illa quod in mente resplendet, similitudo, & non ipsa est. Greg. sup. hom. 8.Quantalibet intentione se humana mens extenderit, etiamsi phantasiaes imaginum corporalium a cognitione compescat, si omnes circumscriptos spiritu ab oculis cordis admoveat, adhuc tamen in carne mortali pasita videre gloriam Dei non valet, sicut est. Sed quicquid de illa quod in mente resplendet, similitudo, & non ipsa est. Greg. sup. hom. 8.
