The second Question is, Whether the mystery of the Trinity, and 1of the Incarnation of Christ, can be found out as a truth by the light of Nature. And here, certainly, we must answer negatively; for the Apostle, 2 Corinth. 2. speaking of the mysteries of the Gospel, saith, It hath not entered into the heart of a man to conceive of them: which is to be understood, not only of the blessed joy and peace of those truths, but also as they are truths; so that all these things are of mere supernatural revelation. Hence we read, that when, by reason of the Arians, there was an hot dispute about these mysteries, there was a voice heard from heaven, [Greek or Hebrew], The fall of the wise men. I do acknowledge, that Austin and others have sought the foot-steps or representations of the Trinity in the creatures; yea, Nierembergius a Jesuit, de origine sacrae Scripturae, lib. 1. cap. 3. doth hold, that God did intend by the works of creation, to declare the mysteries of graces; as by those artificial things of the Ark, Tabernacle, and Temple, he intended spiritual mysteries: but this is false. But then they did first know and believe this doctrine by Scripture, and then afterwards go to represent it. Yet it must be confessed, that all these Similes have scarce one foot, much less four, to run on. The School-men speak of the three things in every creature, Esse, Posse, & Operari. But especially that is taken up about the soul, when it understandeth or knoweth, and when it loveth: and the Son of God is represented by that Verbum mentis, and the holy Ghost by Amor. Now here is a mistake, for Christ is called [Greek or Hebrew], Joh. 1. by John, imitating the Chaldee, not in respect of any such scholastical sense, but because he doth reveal and make known the will of God to us: so the union of the humane nature and the divine in one person, though learned men give many examples, yet none come up to the full resemblance: And indeed, if you could give the like instance, it were not wonderful or singular. We conclude then, that the Scriptures are the only ladder, whereby we climb up to these things, and our understandings are of such a little stature, that we must climb up into the tree of life (the Scriptures) to see Jesus.2
The second Question is, Whether the mystery of the Trinity, and 1of the Incarnation of Christ, can be found out as a truth by the light of Nature. And here, certainly, we must answer negatively; for the Apostle, 2 Corinth. 2. speaking of the mysteries of the Gospell, saith, It hath not entered into the heart of a man to conceive of them: which is to be understood, not onely of the blessed joy and peace of those truths, but also as they are truths; so that all these things are of meere supernaturall revelation. Hence we reade, that when, by reason of the Arrians, there was an hot dispute about these mysteries, there was a voice heard from heaven, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, The fall of the wise men. I doe acknowledge, that Austin and others have sought the foot-steps or representations of the Trinity in the creatures; yea, Nierembergius a Jesuit, de origine sacrae Scripturae, lib. 1. cap. 3. doth hold, that God did intend by the workes of creation, to declare the mysteries of graces; as by those artificiall things of the Ark, Tabernacle, and Temple, he intended spirituall mysteries: but this is false. But then they did first know and beleeve this doctrine by Scripture, and then afterwards goe to represent it. Yet it must be confessed, that all these Similies have scarce one foot, much lesse foure, to run on. The Schoole-men speak of the three things in every creature, Esse, Posse, & Operari. But especially that is taken up about the soule, when it understandeth or knoweth, and when it loveth: and the Son of God is represented by that Verbum mentis, and the holy Ghost by Amor. Now here is a mistake, for Christ is called 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Joh. 1. by John, imitating the Chaldee, not in respect of any such scholasticall sense, but because he doth reveale and make knowne the will of God to us: so the union of the humane nature and the divine in one person, though learned men give many examples, yet none come up to the full resemblance: And indeed, if you could give the like instance, it were not wonderfull or singular. We conclude then, that the Scriptures are the onely ladder, whereby we climb up to these things, and our understandings are of such a little stature, that we must climb up into the tree of life (the Scriptures) to see Jesus.2
- 1The mystery of the Trinity, and the Incarnation of Christ cannot be found out by the light of Nature.The mysterie of the Trinitie, and the Incarnation of Christ cannot be found out by the light of Nature.
- 2The light of Nature insufficient for salvation.
