The Fountain of Life Opened

Now, to give you a brief account of what is included in this Act of Christ, take it in the following particulars.

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,