First, It implies the transcendent nature of Spiritual things, far exceeding the highest flight and reach of natural reason. Jesus Christ must by his Spirit open the understandings of men, or they can never comprehend such mysteries. Some men have strong natural parts, and by improvement of them, are become Eagle-eyed in the mysteries of nature. Who more acute than the Heathen sages! yet to them the Gospel seemed foolishness 1 Cor. 1.20. Austin confesses that before his conversion, he often felt his Spirit swell with offence, and contempt of the Gospel; and he despising it, said dedignabar esse parvulus. He scorned to become a child again. Bradwardine, that profound Doctor, learned usque ad stuporem, even to a wonder; professes that when he read Pauls Epistles he contemned them, because in them he found not a metaphysical wit. Surely it's possible a man may with Berengarius, be able to dispute de omni scibili. Of every point of knowledge. To unravel nature, from the Cedar in Lebanon, to the Hyssop on the wall; and yet be as blind as a Bat, in the knowledge of Christ. *Yea it's ⟨p. 115⟩possible a mans understanding may be improved by the Gospel to a great ability in the literal knowledge of it; so as to able to expound the Scriptures orthodoxly, and enlighten others by them; as it is Matt. 7.22. The Scribes and Pharisees were well acquainted with the Scriptures of the old Testament; yea, such were their abilities, and esteem among the people for them, that the Apostle stiles them the Princes of this world. 1 Cor. 2.8. And yet notwithstanding Christ truly calls them, blind guides, Matt. 23. Till Christ open the heart, we can know nothing of him, or of his will, as we ought to know it. So experimentally true is that of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 2.14, 15. The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual, Judgeth all things; yet he himself is Judged of no man. The spiritual man can Judge and discern the carnal man, but the carnal man wants a faculty, to Judge of the spiritual man. As a man that carries a dark Lantern, can see another by its light; but the other cannot discern him. Such is the difference betwixt persons whose hearts Christ hath, or hath not opened.
First, It implys the transcendent nature of Spiritual things, far exceeding the highest flight and reach of natural reason. Jesus Christ must by his Spirit open the understandings of men, or they can never comprehend such mysteries. Some men have strong natural parts, and by improvement of them, are become Eagle-eyed in the mysteries of nature. Who more acute than the Heathen sages! yet to them the Gospel seemed foolishness 1 Cor. 1.20. Austin confesses that before his conversion, he often felt his Spirit swell with offence, and contempt of the Gospel; and he despising it, said dedignabar esse parvulus. He scorned to become a child again. Bradwardine, that profound Doctor, learned usque ad stuporem, even to a wonder; professes that when he read Pauls Epistles he contemned them, because in them he found not a metaphysical wit. Surely it's possible a man may with Berengarius, be able to dispute de omni scibili. Of every point of knowledge. To unravel nature, from the Cedar in Lebanon, to the Hysop on the wall; and yet be as blind as a Bat, in the knowledge of Christ. *Yea it's ⟨p. 115⟩possible a mans understanding may be improved by the Gospel to a great ability in the literal knowledge of it; so as to able to expound the Scriptures orthodoxly, and enlighten others by them; as it is Matt. 7.22. The Scribes and Pharisees were well acquainted with the Scriptures of the old Testament; yea, such were their abilities, and esteem among the people for them, that the Apostle stiles them the Princes of this world. 1 Cor. 2.8. And yet notwithstanding Christ truly calls them, blind guides, Matt. 23. Till Christ open the heart, we can know nothing of him, or of his will, as we ought to know it. So experimentally true is that of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 2.14, 15. The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual, Iudgeth all things; yet he himself is Iudged of no man. The spiritual man can Judge and discern the carnal man, but the carnal man wants a faculty, to Judge of the spiritual man. As a man that carries a dark Lanthorn, can see another by its light; but the other cannot discern him. Such is the difference betwixt persons whose hearts Christ hath, or hath not opened.
- *The most refined and ingenuous sort of unregenerate men have nothing in them, which is more Excellent than common grace; and common grace leaves them in the State of nature, under the power of sin, and in the very suburbs of Hell; wholly at the command of Satan; and if any man think otherwise, let him take heed, that very thought doth not nail him fast, to that unregenerate and cursed estate for ever more. Dr. Cheynelles Divinet Trin. p. 410. &c.
