1 The first fundamental sign is,1 a godly man is a man of† Knowledge. Prov. 14. 18. The prudent are crowned with knowledge. The Saints are called wise Virgins, Mat. 25. 4. A natural man may have some discursive knowledge of God, but he knoweth nothing as he ought to know, 1 Cor. 8. 2. He knows not God savingly: he may have the eye of Reason open, but he discerns not the things of God after a spiritual† manner. Waters cannot go beyond their Spring-head: Vapours cannot rise higher than the Sun draws them. […] natural man cannot act above his sphere; […] no more able to judge aright of sacred things, than a blind man is to judge of colours. 1 He sees not the evil of his heart; ⟨p. 16⟩if a face be never so black and deformed, yet it is not seen under a Veil: the heart of a sinner i• so black, that nothing but Hell can pattern it, yet the veil of ignorance hides it. 2 He sees not the beauties of a Saviour. Christ is a Pearl, but an hid Pearl.
1 The first fundamental sign is,1 a godly man is a man of† Knowledge. Prov. 14. 18. The prudent are crowned with knowledge. The Saints are called wise Virgins, Mat. 25. 4. A natural man may have some discursive knowledge of God, but he knoweth nothing as he ought to know, 1 Cor. 8. 2. He knows not God savingly: he may have the eye of Reason open, but he discerns not the things of God after a spiritual† manner. Waters cannot goe beyond their Spring-head: Vapors cannot rise higher than the Sun draws them. 〈…〉 natural man cannot act above his sphere; 〈…〉 no more able to judge aright of sacred things, than a blind man is to judge of colours. 1 He sees not the evil of his heart; ⟨p. 16⟩if a face be never so black and deformed, yet it is not seen under a Vail: the heart of a sinner i• so black, that nothing but Hell can pattern it, yet the vail of ignorance hides it. 2 He sees not the beauties of a Saviour. Christ is a Pearl, but an hid Pearl.
- 11 Character.
- †[Greek or Hebrew]. Arist.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Arist.
- †Nihil agit ultra suam speciem.
