Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons /

2. This Resignation of our Souls to Christ as a Teacher, as it must be resolute, so it must be unbounded and without reserves. We must submit absolutely to all that he propoundeth, though some Mysteries ⟨p. 168⟩be above our Reason, some Precepts against the Interest and Inclination of the Flesh, some Promises seem to be against Hope, or contrary to natural probabilities. There are some Mysteries in the Christian Religion, though not against Reason, yet above Natural Reason. Now we must believe them upon Christs word, Captivantes omnem intellectum in obsequium Christi, 2 Cor. 10. 5. Bringing into Captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ. All our disputings and reasonings against the Christian Doctrine, must be captivated by a submission to the Authority of our Teacher and Prophet. A Disciple is to be a Learner, not a Caviller; and some Principles are not to be chewed, but swallowed as Pills on the credit of the Physician, when it appeareth on other Grounds that Christ is the great Teacher sent from God. And as there are Mysteries above our Reason, so there be duties against the Interest and Inclination of the Flesh. Many of Christs Precepts are displeasing to Corrupt Nature; to deny our selves, to take up the Cross, to mortify our Appetites and Passions, to cut off right hands, and to pluck out right Eyes, that none shall be saved that are not Regenerate and Holy; that non-condemnation is the privilege of those that walk not after the ⟨p. 169⟩Flesh, but after the Spirit; that if we live after the Flesh, we shall dye; that we must not seek great things for our selves; that we must hate Father and Mother, and our own life, if we will be Christs Disciples: Flesh and Blood can hardly down with these things: that there shall be such an exact day of account, such eternal torments in the other World: yet if this be revealed by our great Prophet, as reason must not be heard against Christ, so the flesh must not be heard against Christ, nor the World heard against Christ; so if some of our Hopes exceed the probability of natural causes, Rom. 4. 18. he against hope believed in hope, as the Resurrection of the Body, we must believe and obey him in what he offereth and commandeth, notwithstanding the contradiction of our carnal minds, and hearts, in what is hard to be believed, and practised as well as in what is easy.