pp. 48–536 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.
There is a great deal of difference in this light as to the clearness of it; all that have this Spiritual light do not see thing• with the like clearness; the discoveries an• more dim in some than in others. There are degrees of natural light, so of the light of reason, so of spiritual light. This light is sometimes called wisdom. Sometimes because of the clearness of it, it is called revelation Eph. 1.17. That God would give unto you t•• Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. But whether the sight be clea• or more obscure, they do all see the truth […] the Gospel; that Christ is a sufficient found• tion for them to build upon, that 'tis safe […] east themselves upon him; that Christ is precious, and that the Gospel is of divine authority. But no man is able to give an exact account of all that he did see at that time The thing was done in the twinkling of an eye; and tho' men never forget it, yet they cannot call to mind all that they were convinced of; no, not if they were to give ⟨p. 49⟩an account the next hour. Men have not at that time the actual understanding of all gospel principles: Indeed they saw that that way of Salvation that they had been for many years instructed in was true; but they have not the actual understanding of them at the very time: Yet they did see, and actually understood at the time, a great deal more than they can remember.
THere is a great deal of difference in this light as to the clearness of it; all that have this Spiritual light do not see thing• with the like clearness; the discoveries an• more dim in some than in others. There are degrees of natural light, so of the light of reason, so of spiritual light. This light is sometimes called wisdom. Sometimes becaus• of the clearness of it, it is called revelatio• Eph. 1.17. That God would give unto you t•• Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. But whether the sight be clea• or more obscure, they do all see the truth 〈…〉 the Gospel; that Christ is a sufficient found• tion for them to build upon, that 'tis safe 〈…〉 east themselves upon him; that Christ is precious, and that the Gospel is of divine authority. But no man is able to give an exact account of all that he did see at that time The thing was done in the twinkling of an eye; and tho' men never forget it, yet they cannot call to mind all that they were convinced of; no, not if they were to give ⟨p. 49⟩an account the next hour. Men have not at that time the actual understanding of all gospel principles: Indeed they saw that that way of Salvation that they had been for many years instructed in was true; but they have not the actual understanding of them at the very time: Yet they did see, and actually understood at the time, a great deal more than they can remember.
This may appear by these things,
1. From the shortness of the time wherein this discovery is made. There is but a very little time between the opening of the eyes, and the hearts closing with Christ, & the discovery is wont to last but a little time; and so it is impossible that he should have a distinct remembrance of every thing that he saw, The Spouse gives a very particular description of Christ in figurative expressions, Cant. 5. from v. 16. ad fin. And so Godly men are able to do from what they find in the word of God; but they can remember but a little account of what they saw at that time. If a man cast up his eyes to heaven, he sees a multitude of stars; but is not able to give a particular account of what he saw of the several stars and constellations. So, if a man should cast his eye upon a beautiful Person, he is much affected with his beauty; but he can't give a particular account of all his features, the comeliness of his forehead, eyes, cheeks and lips, nor give ⟨p. 50⟩a description of them. If a man should cast his eye upon a Garden wherein there is a variety of flowers, he may be much affected with it, yet not able to tell particularly what sorts of flowers he saw. Or if he should cast his eye upon a curious piece of Embroidery, he may perceive immediately that there is much curiosity in it; but he can't give an account of all the colours and resemblances that he cast his eye upon. Thus it is when men's eyes are opened. They see the way of Salvation to be a glorious way, but they can't tell particularly all that they saw; they had but a transient sight, and could not take such distinct notice of things, as to lay them up in their memory.
1. From the shortness of the time wherein this discovery is made. There is but a very little time between the opening of the eyes, and the hearts closing with Christ, & the discovery is wont to last but a little time; and so it is impossible that he should have a distinct remembrance of every thing that he saw, The Spouse gives a very particular description of Christ in figurative expressions, Cant. 5. from v. 16. ad fin. And so Godly men are able to do from what they find in the word of God; but they can remember but a little account of what they saw at that time. If a man cast up his eyes to heaven, he sees a multitmde of stars; but is not able to give a particular account of what he saw of the several stars and constellations. So, if a man should cast his eye upon a beautiful Person, he is much affected with his beauty; but he can't give a particular account of all his features, the comeliness of his forehead, eyes, cheeks and lips, nor give
2. There is need of the actual knowledge of many gospel Truths, in order to the first closing with Christ. They heard of those things often before, but they understood nothing in a right manner before; but they must understand them in order to their closing with Christ. They need to understand something of the Greatness of that Salvation that is offered. Men will not accept the offer, except they judge it worthy to be accepted. They need to understand, that the offer is made to them; the making of such an offer to others is no warrant to them to accept thereof. They need to understand their sins may be pardoned; that the law don't render them uncapable of Pardon. They need to understand, that it is ⟨p. 51⟩God himself that makes the offer in the Gospel: Nothing less than that can be an encouragement to accept. Men need to understand that God has Mercy enough to pardon all their Sins, though they have no worthiness: If they do not understand this, they will not dare to accept the offer. They need to understand the Faithfulness of God, else they can see no safety in coming to Christ. They need to understand the saving Virtue of the blood of Christ; that it is acceptable to God, and sufficient to purge away Sin. They need to understand that Christ Jesus is the Son of God, •hat they may be satisfied in the divine ver••e of his blood. They need to understand that God made him a Mediator, and woun•ed him for our Transgressions. They had need to understand the sufficiency of Christ to sanctify them and make them persevere, and God ability to fulfil his promises. And there is no godly man that can recover the remembrance of it, that at that time he saw all these things. Some can remember more than others; but none can call to mind all that he saw at that time.
2. There is need of the actual knowledge of many gospel Truths, in order to the first closing with Christ. They heard of those things often before, but they understood nothing in a right manner before; but they must understand them in order to their closing with Christ. They need to understand something of the Greatness of that Salvation that is offered. Men will not accept the offer, except they judge it worthy to be accepted. They need to understand, that the offer is made to them; the making of such an offer to others is no warrant to them to accept thereof. They need to understand their sins may be pardoned; that the law dont render them uncapable of Pardon. They need to understand, that it is
3. Because at that time men's thoughts are so fixed upon one or two particular things, that they are hindered thereby from remembering some other things. Experience shows that some men at their first conversion, have their thoughts more fixed on the consideration of the free Mercy of God: They see a depth of ⟨p. 52⟩compassion in the heart of God; that he has no need of any external motive to draw his heart; that he can overlook all manner of provocations, has mercy on whom he will, and compassion on whom he will have compassion, as Rom. 9.15. Some men at the time had their thoughts more taken up about the Sacrifice of Christ, how he has born the curse, bought us with a price, made his Soul an offering for Sin, fully satisfied the Justice of God. And some others have their thoughts at the time more fixed upon the Faithfulness of God, that his words are pure words, that he is not as a man that he should lie, nor the Son of man that he should repent; that his word is a sure foundation to build upon. It is frequently •o afterwards. They are led into it sometime by the consideration of some Scripture that comes to mind at that time. Sometimes by having special temptation just before; as if God could not find in his heart to pardon such as they; as if Christ's blood would not answer for their Sins, &c. And the thoughts being fixed on one encouragement makes others less observed. If a man takes particular notice of one Argument in a discourse, he can give the less account of the rest. If a man takes special notice of what concerns himself in a discourse, he will not take such particular notice of what concerns others. If there be a great Show, one person takes more notice of one particular, ⟨p. 53⟩another of another, and are not able to give so good an account of the other things that they saw.
3. Because at that time men's thoughts are so fixed upon one or two particular things, that they are hindered thereby from remembring some other things. Experience shews that some men at their first conversion, have their thoughts more fixed on the consideration of the free Mercy of God: They see a depth of ⟨p. 52⟩
