The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

Having therefore fixed this as their Rule, constantly to prefer their own Reason above the express words of the Scripture, which must therefore by one means or other be so perverted or wrested to be made compliant therewith, it is Endless to trace them in their multiplied Objections against the holy mysteries, all resolved into this one principle, that their Reason cannot comprehend them, nor doth approve of them. And if any man would have an especial Instance of the serpentine Wits of men winding themselves from under the power of Conviction by the spiritual Light of Truth, or at least endeavouring so to do, let him read the Comments of ⟨p. 61⟩the Jewish Rabbins on Isaiah chap. 53. and of the Socinians on the Beginning of the Gospel of John.

Secondly, The second Branch of this Repugnancy springeth from the want of a due comprehension of that Harmony which is in the mystery of Grace, and between all the parts of it. This comprehension is the principal effect of that Wisdom which Believers are taught by the Holy Ghost. For our understanding of the Wisdom of God in a mystery is neither an Art nor a Science whether purely speculative or more practical, but a spiritual Wisdom. And this spiritual Wisdom is such as understands and apprehends things, not so much, or not only in the notion of them, as in their Power, Reality, and Efficacy towards their proper Ends. And therefore although it may be very few, unless they be learned, judicious, and diligent in the use of means of all sorts, do attain unto it clearly and distinctly in the Doctrinal notions of it; yet are all true Believers, yea the meanest of them directed and enabled by the Holy Spirit as unto their own practice and duty, to act suitably unto a comprehension of this Harmony, according to the Promise that they shall be all taught of God. Hence those things which appear unto others contradictory and inconsistent one with another, so as that they are forced to offer violence unto the Scripture and their own Experience in the Rejection of the one or other of them, are reconciled in their minds, and made mutually useful or helpful unto one another, in the whole course of their Obedience. But these things must be farther spoken unto.