Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

Again, out of the seeming foolishness wisdom discovers it self. Whilst but a man is teaching outwardly to the ear, there is an inward Teacher in the heart: The Spirit of Revelation uncovers the holy things, and brings forth this or that sacred Mystery to the View, Intus datur, intus coruscat, intus revelatur, as St. Austin expresses it. The Father of Lights shows himself there in sacred Revelations; Christ seals up the Ordinance by the dropping of the holy Unction. A Believer meets with such illuminations as are far more precious than all the Lights in Nature. Hence St. Chrysostom's Auditors, when he was like to be silenced, cried out, Satius est ut Sol non luceat, quam ut Chrysostomus non doceat; It were better to lose the Sun, than such a burning shining light as he was. The entrance or opening of thy words giveth Light, saith the Psalmist, Psal. 119.130. When the Word preached is ⟨p. 381⟩admitted into the heart by Faith, and there opened by the Holy Spirit, a celestial Light rises up, and bears Witness to the Ordinance. Again, in the midst of plainness Divine Omniscience shows forth it self; the Minister stands without, but the Word enters in and anatomizes the heart. Elisha proved himself a Prophet, in telling what the King of Syria spake in his Bed-chamber. Our Saviour manifested his Deity in answering to the thoughts of Men. When the Word preached penetrates into the retiring-rooms and inmost chambers of the heart, and there rifles the very thoughts and unriddles the purposes and inclinations; It is an infallible Sign that the Great Searcher of hearts hath sent a Beam of Omniscience along with it. The Believer, who above all other men studies himself most, desires much to know two things, viz. What of secret sin there is in him, and what of truth of Grace. And under this searching Ordinance he comes to see many a mote or black spot in his heart, such as he never dreamt of; and withal some marks and characters which to his comfort show him his uprightness: and in such Discoveries he sees the Great Revealer of Secrets co-operating with the Word. Moreover, whilst the Minister is unfolding the Gospel, such are the ravishing savours of Christ and Grace, as if a box of Heavenly Spikenard were broken in the Believers Heart: Pardon and Peace smell out of the odours of Christs Merits, and Heaven it self out of his pure Righteousness:

Again, out of the seeming foolishness wisdom discovers it self. Whilest but a man is teaching outwardly to the ear, there is an inward Teacher in the heart: The Spirit of Revelation uncovers the holy things, and brings forth this or that sacred Mystery to the View, Intus datur, intus coruscat, intus revelatur, as St. Austin expresses it. The Father of Lights shews himself there in sacred Revelations; Christ seals up the Ordinance by the dropping of the holy Unction. A Believer meets with such illuminations as are far more precious than all the Lights in Nature. Hence St. Chrysostom's Auditors, when he was like to be silenced, cried out, Satius est ut Sol non luceat, quam ut Chrysostomus non doceat; It were better to lose the Sun, than such a burning shining light as he was. The entrance or opening of thy words giveth Light, saith the Psalmist,