3. Therefore the godly may misjudge and conclude contrary to what God 1intendeth, because of the want of that spiritual skill and wisdom, which is requisite, when we are to inquire or determine about Gods proceedings. Clouds ⟨p. 299⟩and darkness saith the Psalmist, Psal. 29. 7. are round about his pavilion, and as his essence is a light that none can draw nigh unto; so also his administrations do far exceed our natural capacity, and therefore we are not able to comprehend his counsel and ways. Now although this be so, yet as the Scripture is a Directory to us, how we are to conceive of his nature, so it doth also teach us how we are to understand his actions. The Scripture is a Key that doth in some particulars even open the deep things of God; and as Sampson out of love did disclose to Delilah such secret things, that none else did or could know, so (setting aside many imperfections in the comparison) doth God out of his love to his Church reveal to them, wherein his strength lieth, how she may prevail with him, which way if she take, she is sure to have good acceptance with him; but to receive this, there is a Heavenly wisdom and skill required. When the Apostle 1 Cor. 2. 14, 15, 16. made a distinction between a natural man and a spiritual as to their judgement and discerning, (for by the natural man cannot be meant a weak Christian, as a late Writer would have it, which is the greater wonder, because those of his way (I mean the Arminians,) think they strongly conclude Paul doth not speak Rom. 7. in the person of a regenerate man, because he calls himself carnal, and yet this Author though of the same judgment with them will by a natural man understand a babe in Christ, or a weak Christian.) The Apostle (I say) making this distinction between these two, saith, The natural man receiveth not the things of God, because they are spiritually discerned. Now there must be always some proportion between the faculty and the object. The eye cannot see music, nor the ear hear colours, nor doth a Beast understand reason; but then the spiritual man having received the Spirit of God, he judgeth all things, and such have the mind of Christ. There is then that Heavenly and holy wisdom which if we receive from above, if we plough with this Heifer, we are able more exactly and certainly to judge of Gods proceedings then otherwise we could do;
3. Therefore the godly may misjudge and conclude contrary to what God 1intendeth, because of the want of that spirituall skill and wisdome, which is requisite, when we are to inquire or determine about Gods proceedings. Clouds ⟨p. 299⟩and darkness saith the Psalmist, Psal. 29. 7. are round about his pavilion, and as his essence is a light that none can draw nigh unto; so also his administrations do far exceed our naturall capacity, and therefore we are not able to comprehend his counsell and wayes. Now although this be so, yet as the Scripture is a Directory to us, how we are to conceive of his nature, so it doth also teach us how we are to understand his actions. The Scripture is a Key that doth in some particulars even open the deep things of God; and as Sampson out of love did disclose to Dalilah such secret things, that none else did or could know, so (setting aside many imperfections in the comparison) doth God out of his love to his Church reveale to them, wherein his strength lyeth, how she may prevaile with him, which way if she take, she is sure to have good acceptance with him; but to receive this, there is a Heavenly wisdome and skill required. When the Apostle 1 Cor. 2. 14, 15, 16. made a distinction between a naturall man and a spirituall as to their judgement and discerning, (for by the naturall man cannot be meant a weake Christian, as a late Writer would have it, which is the greater wonder, because those of his way (I mean the Arminians,) think they strongly conclude Paul doth not speak Rom. 7. in the person of a regenerate man, because he cals himself carnall, and yet this Authour though of the same judgemen with them will by a naturall man understand a babe in Christ, or a weak Christian.) The Apostle (I say) making this distinction between these two, saith, The naturall man receiveth not the things of God, because they are spiritually discerned. Now there must be alwayes some proportion between the faculty and the object. The eye cannot see musick, nor the eare heare colours, nor doth a Beast understand reason; but then the spirituall man having received the Spirit of God, he judgeth all things, and such have the mind of Christ. There is then that Heavenly and holy wisedome which if we receive from above, if we plow with this Heifer, we are able more exactly and certainly to judge of Gods proceedings then otherwise we could do;
- 13. From the want of spiritual wisdom.3. From the want of spirituall wisdome.
