2. Relating to the things themselves: We must consider that the reason of our compounding, or putting Truths together, is, from some connection which there is, and appears to us to be between them: as when I see that there is a connection between the nature of Man and Reason, my judgment thence compounds and concludes that Man is a reasonable creature. Now these connections are not all alike, some are tied of a slip knot, or are so connected as they may easily be separated; such is the Relation between all contingent causes and effects, or only probable and conjectural antecedents and consequents: as when we say, the diligent hand maketh rich▪ here is some rational connection between▪ diligence and prosperity, but yet▪ there are so many ⟨p. 78⟩casualties in the over-ruling Providence of God, that may check and over-bear this, that sometimes it falls out that we labour in the fire for very nothing; sow much and bring in little, and when we say it will be a fair day for the evening is red, though this be an ordinary symptom, yet it is no infallible presage, it is oftentimes so, and sometimes otherwayes: Now the judgement of these things is called Opinion, because it is a conclusion that is drawn from reasons which are only probable and contingent. But other connections are tied of a fast knot; they flow from the very nature of the things, & are therefore necessarily predicated of the subject, and it cannot be without them: Such are all natural Causes and effects, as when we say the Sun shines, Man is a reasonable Creature, &c. And the judgement of these things is that which we call Science or Knowledge: viz. When we discover, and conclude •• necessary effects from necessary Causes, & necessary causes from necessary effects; now such as this is, is that Knowledge which a Child of God may have of his future Glory.
2. Relating to the things themselves: We must consider that the reason of our compounding, or putting Truths together, is, from some connexion which there is, and appears to us to be between them: as when I see that there is a connexion betwen the nature of Man and Reason, my judgment thence compounds and concludes that Man is a reasonable creature. Now these connexions are not all alike, some are tyed of a slip knot, or are so connected as they may easily be separated; such is the Relation between all contingent causes and effects, or only probable and conjectural antecedents and consequents: as when we say, the diligent hand maketh rich▪ here is some rational connexion between▪ diligence and prosperity, but yet▪ there are so many ⟨p. 78⟩casualties in the over-ruling Providence of God, that may check aud over-bear this, that sometimes it falls out that we labour in the fire for very nothing; sow much and bring in little, and when we say it will be a fair day for the evening is red, though this be an ordinary symptom, yet it is no infallible presage, it is oftentimes so, and sometimes otherwayes: Now the judgement of these things is called Opinion, because it is a conclusion that is drawn from reasons which are only probable and contingent. But other connexions are tyed of a fast knot; they flow from the very nature of the things, & are therefore necessarily predicated of the subject, and it cannot be without them: Such are all natural Causes and effects, as when we say the Sun shines, Man is a reasonable Creature, &c. And the judgement of these things is that which we call Science or Knowledge: viz. When we discover, and conclude •• necessary effects from necessary Causes, & necessary causes from necessary effects; now such as this is, is that Knowledge which a Child of God may have of his future Glory.
