But 4. God hath not absolutely entrusted the evidence and preservation of this important truth which is the Foundation of all Religion, unto the remainders of innate light in the Minds and Consciences of men, which may be variously obscured, until it be almost utterly extinguished; nor yet unto the exercise of Reason on the consideration of the present Administration of Providence in this world, which is oft-times corrupted, depraved, and rendered useless; nor yet unto the influence which extraordinary Judgements may have upon the minds of men, which some fortify themselves against by their obstinacy in Sin and Security: but he hath abundantly testified unto it by express Revelation from the beginning of the world, now recorded in his word, by which all men must be tried whether they will or no. It may not be doubted but that Adam was acquainted with this truth immediately from God himself. He was so indeed in the Commination given against Sin at first, especially as it was explained in the Curse after he had actually sinned. And this was that which was taught him in the threatening, and which his Eyes were open to see clearly after his fall, where he immediately became afraid of God as his Judge, Gen. 3. 10. Nor can it be doubted but that he communicated the knowledge of it unto his posterity. But whereas they quickly in that profligacy in all wickedness which they gave themselves unto, had together with all other sacred Truths, lost the remembrance of it, or at least practically despised and scoffed at the instruction which they had received therein, God knowing the necessity of it, either to restrain them in their flagitious courses, or to give them a warning that might leave them without excuse, makes a new express Revelation of it unto Enoch, and by him to mankind, Jude 14, 15. For Enoch the seventh from Adam prophesied of these, saying, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints, to execute Judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodlily committed, and of all their hard speeches, which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. And this is the second New Revelation that is recorded before the Flood.
But 4. God hath not absolutely intrusted the evidence and preservation of this important truth which is the Foundation of all Religion, unto the remainders of innate light in the Minds and Consciences of men, which may be variously obscured, until it be almost utterly extinguished; nor yet unto the exercise of Reason on the consideration of the present Administration of Providence in this world, which is oft-times corrupted, depraved, and rendred useless; nor yet unto the influence which extraordinary Judgements may have upon the minds of men, which some fortifie themselves against by their obstinacy in Sin and Security: but he hath abundantly testified unto it by express Revelation from the beginning of the world, now recorded in his word, by which all men must be tried whether they will or no. It may not be doubted but that Adam was acquainted with this truth immediately from God himself. He was so indeed in the Commination given against Sin at first, especially as it was explained in the Curse after he had actually sinned. And this was that which was taught him in the threatning, and which his Eyes were open to see clearly after his fall, where he immediately became afraid of God as his Judge, Gen. 3. 10. Nor can it be doubted but that he communicated the knowledge of it unto his posterity. But whereas they quickly in that profligacy in all wickedness which they gave themselves unto, had together with all other sacred Truths, lost the remembrance of it, or at least practically despised and scoffed at the instruction which they had received therein, God knowing the necessity of it, either to restrain them in their flagitious courses, or to give them a warning that might leave them without excuse, makes a new express Revelation of it unto Enoch, and by him to mankind, Jude 14, 15. For Enoch the seventh from Adam prophesied of these, saying, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints, to execute Judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodlily committed, and of all their hard speeches, which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. And this is the second New Revelation that is recorded before the Flood.
