Four useful discourses viz. ... /Four usefull discourses viz. ... /

And besides, It is a very high Mystery, a thing that is above the reach of any Natural Man living; and People ⟨p. 224⟩Generally are of Slight, Vain, and Proud Spirits. Now being partly Slight and Vain, and partly Proud, they will not bend their Minds to dive into those things that they are not presently able to read. It is that Mystery that the Angels do stoop down to pry into, and it requires a great deal of pains to behold the Glory of God in it. Now the Vain, and Drossy, and Proud hearts of Men and Women, they pass it over lightly, because they see no present need of it: They Thrive and enjoy their Estates, and they are well enough for the Flesh; and all things that are Savoury to them, they have according to their hearts desire; and what need have they to trouble themselves. Many other things might be named, to show that when the Gospel comes to places, why it is not entertained.

And besides, It is a very high Mystery, a thing that is above the reach of any Natural Man living; and People ⟨p. 224⟩Generally are of Slight, Vain, and Proud Spirits. Now being partly Slight and Vain, and partly Proud, they will not bend their Minds to dive into those things that they are not presently able to read. It is that Mystery that the Angels do stoop down to pry into, and it requires a great deal of pains to behold the Glory of God in it. Now the Vain, and Drossy, and Proud hearts of Men and Women, they pass it over lightly, because they see no present need of it: They Thrive and injoy their Estates, and they are well enough for the Flesh; and all things that are Savory to them, they have according to their hearts desire; and what need have they to trouble themselves. Many other things might be named, to shew that when the Gospel comes to places, why it is not entertained.

Quest. But you will say, Why doth God send it, God knows it will not be entertained; it is not with God as it is with us, to go to a place at peradventures? It is said, If they hear them: There can be no Ifs with God, God knows every thing. Now if God knows that before a Man comes, it will not be entertained, why doth God send it?