A37049:266
A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…
A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience.A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience.
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1675
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Again, this ignorance, as to these things, we ought to know, may be looked on as threefold, according to the diversity of its causes.
1 There is a natural ignorance that is the fruit of our natural corruption and blindness, which hath seized on mens memories and judgments, and, as they think, incapacitateth them to learn, and indeed doth so, as to the spiritual and saving up-taking of the matters of God, till the eyes of the mind be opened by the power of Grace.
2 There is a wilful ignorance, when men have parts, means, and occasions, whereby they may attain knowledge, and yet they will not know, but slight and despise the means which draweth often a judicial blindness along with it.
3 There is a lazy ignorance, whereby some do not wilfully reject the means of knowledge, yet are so negligent, that they do not actually stir themselves for attaining of knowledge: Now though there be a difference among th •se, yet the least of them is sinful, and will not wholly excuse, it being a fruit of original sin (at the best) entertained by our own neglect of such means as might have more removed it: And thus a dull wit, or weak memory, can no more simply excuse, than other gross disconformities to the Law in our natures (appearing in some more than others) which follow upon original sin.