CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

2. Though this faith lifts up reason, yet it doth not contradict it. When we say,¹ faith cometh by revelation, not by reason, flesh and blood cannot make such things known to us, yet when once this revelation is discovered in the Scripture, then reason doth wonderfully help to propugn and maintain this truth; revelation must lay the foundation, and then reason will build upon it; so that enlightened reason, and instructed reason out of the Word, is of excellent use to explicate and clear divine mysteries; Even as the Gold-smiths hammer is useful to dilate and diffuse his golden metal in many forms; and this use all our learned Divines make against all Heretics; They do by the help of reason and arguments out of the Scripture, illustrate and confirm the Doctrine to be believed.

2. Though this faith lifts up reason, yet it doth not contradict it. When we say,¹ faith cometh by revelation, not by reason, flesh and blood cannot make such things known to us, yet when once this revelation is discovered in the Scripture, then reason doth wonderfully help to propugn and maintain this truth; revelation must lay the foundation, and then reason will build upon it; so that inlightned reason, and instructed reason out of the Word, is of excellent use to explicate and clear divine mysteries; Even as the Gold-smiths hammer is usefull to dilate and diffuse his golden mettal in many formes; and this use all our learned Divines make against all Heretiques; They doe by the help of reason and arguments out of the Scripture, illustrate and confirm the Doctrine to be believed.

1. 12. It contradicts not reason.

3.¹ This general nature of faith hath two excellent properties put together in one place,