The saints treasury being sundry sermons preached in London /

This is that which is so supernatural, that 'tis above perfect nature. Adam knew nothing of this in his perfect estate. Yea this is that which the Angels themselves desire to pry into, looking upon it as a mighty depth. 1 Peter 1. 12. the Angels stoop down (for so the word signifieth) 'tis as if a thing should ⟨p. 34⟩lye in a deep pit, and when any would see it, they stoop down with their bodies to pry into the pit: that's the propriety of the word: so the Angels they see a mighty depth in the mystery of the Gospel, and they stoop down to pry into it, that they may know what it is. Yea this is that which requires a work of the spirit, beyond the ordinary work of the spirit of God, to reveal it to the soul, 1 Cor. 2. 10. speaking there of the Mystery of the Gospel, says the Apostle, The spirit that searcheth the deep things of God, &c. discovers this; that is the spirit of God in an extraordinary work of his, as he is a spirit searching the deep things of God, so he is a discovering spirit of this truth unto us: and therefore seeing it is thus, it is not so light to be past over. I, you will say, 'tis true, all must come through Jesus Christ: well, you see a little at first, but there is much more in this truth then we are aware of. 'Tis a truth that is the most profitable of all the truths contained in the book of God: there is no growing up in godliness till we come to know God in Christ: the knowledge of God is something to work upon the heart, and many labour against their sin because they see it is against the law of God, and set upon duties because God requires them; and this is well; but till they come to understand indeed the mystery of the Gospel, of Gods letting himself out unto his people through a mediator, they do but bungle in the ways of godliness, they do not thrive and grow up in them; and therefore these Christians that live under such a ministry, where though they have many good truths revealed to them, yet having but little of the mystery of Christ, as the mediator, their way of Christianity is very low, they do not sanctify God in their conversation. I remember a speech that Erasmus hath when they would have had him write against Luther, and promised him a great Bishopric for it; he answers, Luther is greater then that I can write against him;

This is that which is so supernaturall, that 'tis above perfect nature. Adam knew nothing of this in his perfect estate. Yea this is that which the Angels themselves desire to pry into, looking upon it as a mighty depth.