For First, It is evident, that no man can receive Jesus Christ in the darkness of natural ignorance: we must understand and discern who and what he is, whom we receive to be the Lord our righteousness. If we know not his person and his offices, we do not take, but mistake Christ. It's a good rule in the Civil Law, non consentit qui non sentit: a mistake of the person invalidates the match: •e that takes Christ for a mere man, or denies the satisfaction of his blood, or divests him of his humane nature, or denies any of his most glorious and necessary offices, let them cry up as high as they will, his spirituality, glory, and exemplary life and death; they can never receive Jesus Christ aright: this is such a crack, such a flaw in the very foundation of faith, as undoes and destroys all: ignorantis non est consensus: all saving faith is founded in light and knowledge: and therefore it's called knowledge, Isa. 53. 11. and seeing is inseparably connected with believing, Joh. 6. 40. men must hear and learn of the father before they can come to Christ, Joh. 6. 45. the receiving act of faith is directed and guided by knowledge. I will not presume to state the degree of knowledge, which is absolutely necessary to the reception of Christ, I know the first of actings faith are in most Christians accompanied with much darkness and confusion of understanding: but yet we must say in the general, that where ever faith is, there is so much light as is sufficient to discover to the soul, its own sins, dangers, and wants; and the all-sufficiency, suitableness, and necessity of Christ for the supply and remedy of all; and without this Christ cannot be received. Come unto me ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, Mat. 11. 28.
For First, It is evident, that no man can receive Jesus Christ in the darkness of natural ignorance: we must understand and discern who and what he is, whom we receive to be the Lord our righteousness. If we know not his person and his offices, we do not take, but mistake Christ. It's a good rule in the Civil Law, non consentit qui non sentit: a mistake of the person invalidates the match: •e that takes Christ for a meer man, or denys the satisfaction of his blood, or devests him of his humane nature, or denys any of his most glorious and necessary offices, let them cry up as high as they will, his spirituality, glory, and exemplary life and death; they can never receive Jesus Christ aright: this is such a crack, such a flaw in the very foundation of faith, as undoes and destroys all: ignorantis non est consensus: all saving faith is founded in light and knowledge: and therefore it's called knowledge, Isa. 53. 11. and seeing is inseparably connected with believing, Joh. 6. 40. men must hear and learn of the father before they can come to Christ, Joh. 6. 45. the receiving act of faith is directed and guided by knowledge. I will not presume to state the degree of knowledge, which is absolutely necessary to the reception of Christ, I know the first of actings faith are in most Christians accompanied with much darkness and confusion of understanding: but yet we must say in the general, that where ever faith is, there is so much light as is sufficient to discover to the soul, its own sins, dangers, and wants; and the all-sufficiency, suitableness, and necessity of Christ for the supply and remedy of all; and without this Christ cannot be received. Come unto me ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, Mat. 11. 28.
