Edwards - BX7230 .E4 1746

164 fe fourth Sign PART III. the Prefence of the Idea of it : And thisSenfiblenefs of theAtniablenef or DeIightfulnefs of Beauty, carries in the veryNature of it, the Senfe of the Heart ; or an Effect and Imprefion the Soul is the Subjet± of, as a Subftance pofrefred of Tafte, Inclination and Will. There is a Diftinaion to be made between a meer notional Under - flanding, wherein the Mind only beholds Things in the Exercife'of a fpeculative Faculty ; and the Senfe of the Heart, wherein the Mind don't only fpeculate and behold, but relifhes and feels. That Sort of Knowledge, by which a Man has a fenfible Perception of Amiable- nefs and Loathfomenefs, or of Sweetnefs and Naufeoufnefs, is not juft the fame Sort of Knowledge with that, by which he knows what a Triangle is, and what a Square is. The one is meer fpeculative Knowledge ; theother fenfibleKnowledge, in which more than themeer Intellect is concerned ; the Heart is the proper Subject of it, or the Soul as a Being that net only Beholds, but has Inclination, and is pleafed or difpieafed. And yet there is the Nature of Inftru&ion in it ; as he that has perceived the fweet Tafle of Honey, knows much more about it, than he who has only looked upon and felt of it. The Apoftle feems to make a Diflinc`tion between meer fpecula- tive Knowledge of the Things of Religion, and fpiritual Knowledge, in calling that the Form of Knowledge, andofthe Truth ; Rom. 2. 20. Which half the Form of Knowledge, and of the Truth in the Law. The Latter is often reprefented by relifhin , frnelling, or tatting ; 2 Cor. 2. 14. Now Thanks be to God, which always caufeth us to triumph in L nri/l 7efus, and maketh manifefl the Savour ofhis Knowledge, in every Place. Matth. /6. 23. Thou favour not the Things that be of God, but thofe Things that be of Men. r Pet. 2. 2. 3. As new born Babes, :lire thefncere Milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby ; iffo be ye bave rafted that the Lord is gracious. Cant. I. 3. Becaufe of the Sa- vour of thy good Ointments, thy Name is as Ointment poured forth ; -therefore do the Virgins love thee ; compared with i John 2. 20. But ye have an Undtion from the holy One, and ye know all 'Things. Spirit gal Undertan',ing primarily conftlts in this Senfe, or `Palle of he moral Beauty of divine 'Things ; fo that no Knowledge canbe called Spiritual, any further than it arifes from this, and has this in it. But econdaril'y, it includes all that Difceining and Knowledge of Things of Religion, which depends upon, and flowsfrom inch a Senfe. When the trae Beauty and Amiablenefs of the Holinefs or true moral Good that is in divine Things, is difcovered to the Soul, it as were opens a new World to it's View. This thews the Glory of all the Perfcaions of God, and of every Thing appertaining to the divine Being : For, as was obferved before, the Beauty of all arifes from God's moral Perfeecion. This thews the Glory of all God's Vvorks, both of Creation and Providence : For 'tis the fpecial Glory af them, that God's Holinefs, Righteoufnefs, Faithfulnefs and Good- nefs

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