That the Creatures (as one saith) like Balaam's Ass, should teach their Master. But though this be the unhappiness of poor man in his collapsed state, yet it is now his wisdom to improve such Helps; and whilst others by the abuse of Creatures, are furthering their Perdition, to be the spiritual improvement of them, promoting our own Salvation.
It's an excellent Art to discourse with Birds, Beasts and Fishes, about sublime and spiritual ⟨image 4⟩Subjects, and make them answer to our Questions; yet this may be done, Job 12. 7, 8. Ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee, and the Fowls of the Air, and they shall tell thee, or speak to the Earth, and it shall teach thee, and the Fishes of the Sea shall declare unto thee. That is (saith neat and accurate Caryl)1 the creatures teach us when we think of them; They teach us, though not formally, yet virtually; the answer and resolve the question put to them, though not explicitly to the ear, yet convincingly to the conscience. So then, we ask the creatures, when we diligently consider them, when we search out the perfections and virtues that God hath put into or stamped upon them. To set our mind thus upon the creature, is to discourse with the creature; the questions which man ask of a beast, are only his own Meditations. Again, the creatures teach us, when we in Meditation make out collections, and draw down a demonstration of the Power, Wisdom, and Goodness of God in making them, or of the frailty of man in needing them; Such Conclusions and Inferences, are the teachings of the creatures.
⟨image 4⟩Common objects (saith another) may be improved two ways;2 viz. In an argumentative, and in a Representative way; by reasoning from them, and by viewing the resemblance that is betwixt them and spiritual matters.
First, In Meditation argue thus, as in the §1present case and Similitude of the Apostle. If an Husbandman upon the ordinary principles of reason can wait for the Harvest, shall not I wait for the Coming of the Lord? The day of Refreshing; the Corn is precious to him, and so is the coming of Christ to me. Shall he be so patient, and endure so much for a little Corn? and not I for the Kingdom of Heaven? He is willing to stay till all causes have had their operations, till he hath received the former and the latter rain, and shall not I, till the divine decrees be accomplished?
That the Creatures (as one saith) like Balaams Ass, should teach their Master. But though this be the unhappiness of poor man in his collapsed state, yet it is now his wisdom to improve such Helps; and whilst others by the abuse of Creatures, are furthering their Perdition, to be the spiritual improvement of them, promoting our own Salvation.
It's an excellent Art to discourse with Birds, Beasts and Fishes, about sublime and spiritual ⟨image 4⟩Subjects, and make them answer to our Questions; yet this may be done, Iob 12. 7, 8. Ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee, and the Fowls of the Air, and they shall tell thee, or speak to the Earth, and it shall teach thee, and the Fishes of the Sea shall declare unto thee. That is (saith neat and accurate Caryl)1 the creatures teach us when we think of them; They teach us, though not formally, yet vertually; the answer and resolve the question put to them, though not explicitely to the ear, yet convincingly to the conscience. So then, we ask the creatures, when we diligently consider them, when we search out the perfections and virtues that God hath put into or stampt upon them. To set our mind thus upon the creature, is to discourse with the creature; the questions which man ask of a beast, are only his own Meditations. Again, the creatures teach us, when we in Meditation make out collections, and draw down a demonstration of the Power, Wisdom, and Goodness of God in making them, or of the frailty of man in needing them; Such Conclusions and Inferences, are the teachings of the creatures.
⟨image 4⟩Common objects (saith another) may be improved two ways;2 viz. In an argumentative, and in a Representative way; by reasoning from them, and by viewing the resemblance that is betwixt them and spiritual matters.
First, In Meditation argue thus, as in the §1present case and Similitude of the Apostle. If an Husbandman upon the ordinary principles of reason can wait for the Harvest, shall not I wait for the Coming of the Lord? The day of Refreshing; the Corn is precious to him, and so is the coming of Christ to me. Shall he be so patient, and endure so much for a little Corn? and not I for the Kingdom of Heaven? He is willing to stay till all causes have had their operations, till he hath received the former and the latter rain, and shall not I, till the divine decrees be accomplished?
- 1Caryl in loc.
- 2Mr. Manton.
