There is a great difference between Converting Light, and common Illumination.
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CHAP. XIV. There is a great difference between Converting Light, and common Illumination.
Men are wont to distinguish between rational conviction and spiritual. Which distinction had need to be carefully understood; for man's rational faculty is the subject both of common and of spiritual conviction. We have no other faculty capable to receive conviction but our Reason. When the spirit of God gives common conviction, he works upon reason; and when he gives spiritual conviction, he likewise works upon reason, Besides, spiritual conviction is rational conviction: Godly men act understandingly and rationally, when they judge God to be worthy to be trusted, loved and obeyed; when they judge Christ to be the eternal Son of God, and an all-sufficient Saviour. Yet the distinction may be allowed if it be thus explained; that rational conviction is that which men by their natural reason do attain; which they may gain by the force of their natural reason, improving the works and word of God; which differs very much from that conviction which men have by the saving work of God's Spirit.
MEn are wont to distinguish between rational conviction and spiritual. Which distinction had need to be carefully understood; for man's rational faculty is the subject both of common and of spiritual conviction. We have no other faculty capable to receive conviction but our Reason. When the spirit of God gives common conviction, he works upon reason; and when he gives spiritual conviction, he likewise works upon reason, Besides, spiritual conviction is rational conviction: Godly men act understandingly and rationally, when they judge God to be worthy to be trusted, loved and obeyed; when they judge Christ to be the eternal Son of God, and an alsufficient Saviour. Yet the distinction may be allowed if it be thus explained; that rational conviction is that which men by their natural reason do attain; which they may gain by the force of their natural reason, improving the works and word of God; which differs very much from that conviction which men have by the saving work of God's Spirit.