The application of redemption

There is an incapability in our minds to receive this §2spiritual light by which we might be enabled to come to the right discovery of our Corruptions, John 1. 5. The Light shined in darkness and the darkness Comprehended it not. This is the Condition of every man by Nature, So the Apostle, ye were darkness, Eph. 5. 8. Now one opposite will oppose and resist another, but will not, nay cannot entertain another, and hence the Apostle gives that to be the ground of that resistance against the truth 2 Tim. 3. 8. They are men of corrupt minds, therefore they resist the truth as Jannes & Jambres did. As it is in Nature when any sense hath lost his right temper and wholesome Constitution, it is not possible to put forth its operation, with any right discerning or discovery of that which comes to it, the taste is corrupt, the tongue tainted and over-grown with some Canker, it cannot taste nor relish things aright, when the right constitution of the Eye is altered by a blow or any putrefying Wen that Breeds there, […] will perceive nothing, nay it cannot; So here. When the Eye of the understanding hath lost his primitive […], and becomes stained and polluted with putrefying sensual delusions it comes to be Reprobate touching the Doctrine of faith, or that which ought to be believed, not able to relish the truth in a right manner; And this their practice gives evidence of beyond all doubt, the revelation of the truth, which is in way of discovery of corruption, and that which would touch them to the quick, they are not able nor willing in truth without offence to hear. But the power of it to be pressed and pursued they are not able to bear, but there is present mutiny in their thoughts and apprehensions, I say, not able to hear with quietness the truths which be of a discovering Nature; when our Saviour told them there must be more than an outward ⟨p. 47⟩formal Communicating with him, as the Fathers did eat Manna and are dead, but they that would live by him must eat his flesh and drink his Blood, they returned, this is a hard saying, who can bear it? John 6. 60