Chapter 7
pp. 127–14528 passages
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
CHAP. VII.
The simple Speculation of the Gospel not sufficient without a real Belief, and Cordial Acceptance. The Reasons why the Jews and Gentiles conspired in the contempt of it. How just it is to resign up the Understanding to Revelation. God knows his own Nature and Will, and cannot deceive us. We must believe the things that are clearly revealed, though we do not understand the manner of their existence: Although they are attended with seeming contradictions. No Article of Faith is really repugnant to Reason. We must distinguish between things incomprehensible, and inconceivable. Between corrupt and right Reason. How Reason is subservient to Faith. Humility and Holiness qualify for the belief of the Gospel-mysteries. A naked belief of Supernatural Truths is unprofitable for Salvation. An effectual Assent that prevails upon the Will, and renders the whole Man obsequious, is due to the quality of the Gospel-Revelation.
The simple Speculation of the Gospel not sufficient without a real Belief, and Cordial Acceptance. The Reasons why the Jews and Gentiles conspir'd in the contempt of it. How just it is to resign up the Understanding to Revelation. God knows his own Nature and Will, and cannot deceive us. We must believe the things that are clearly revealed, though we do not understand the manner of their existence: Although they are attended with seeming contradictions. No Article of Faith is really repugnant to Reason. We must distinguish between things incomprehensible, and inconceivable. Between corrupt and right Reason. How Reason is subservient to Faith. Humility and Holiness qualifie for the belief of the Gospel-mysteries. A naked belief of Supernatural Truths is unprofitable for Salvation. An effectual Assent that prevails upon the Will, and renders the whole Man obsequious, is due to the quality of the Gospel-Revelation.
The simple Speculation of this glorious Mystery will be of no profit without a real belief of it, and a cordial acceptance of Salvation, upon the terms which the Divine Wisdom prescribes. The Gospel requires the Obedience of the Understanding, and of the Will; unless it obtains a full possession of the Soul, there is no saving efficacy derived from it. And such is the sublimity and purity of the Object, that till Reason is sanctified, and subdued, it cannot sincerely entertain it. I will therefore