PAR't in. of gracious Afa `ions. 167 This Sort of Underflanding or Knowledge is that Knowledge of divine Things from whence all truly gracious Affections do proceed : By which therefore all Affections are to be tried. Thofe Affections that arife wholly from any other Kind of Knowledge, or do refult from any other Kind of Apprehenfions of Mind, are vain. Fromwhat has been laid may \be learn'd wherein the moft efl'ential Difference lies between that Light or Underflanding which is given by the common Influences of the Spirit of. God, on the Hearts of na- tural Men, and that faving Inftruction wfiich is given to the Saints. The Latter primarily and mofl efentially lies' in beholding the holy Beauty that is in divine Things ; which is the only true moral Good, and which the Soul of fallen Man is by Nature totally blind to. The ± 6 G 166 CC: C6 CC cC CC 6. CC 66 CC CL CC CC 6C 6C 66 CC CC CC CC CC CC CC C6 CC 6C CC C.0 Take Heed of contenting your (elves with every Kind of Knowledge. Do not worfhip evervImage ofyour ownHeads ; efpecially you that fall fhort of Truth, or the Knowledge of it. For when you have Ionic, there may be yet that want- ing, which may make you fincere. There are many Men of great Knowledge, able to teach themfelves, and others too ; and yet their Hearts are unfound. How comes this to pals ? Is it becaufe they have fo much Light ? No ; but be- caufe they want much. And therefore content not your (elves with every Knowledge. There is fome Knowledge which Men have by theLight ofNature, ( which leaves them without Excufe ) from the Book of Creation ; fome by Power of.Education ; fome by the Light of the Law, where- by Men know their Sin and Evils ; fome by the Letter of the Gofpel ; and fo Men may know much, and fpeak well ; and fo in feeing, fee not ; fome by the Spirit, and may fee much, fo as to prophecy in Chirft's Name, and yet bid de- part ; Matti). 7. Now there is a Light of Glory, whereby the Elea fee Things in another Manner: To tell you how, they cannot : It's the Beginning of Light in Heaven : And the fame Spirit that fills Chriifl, filling their Minds, that they know, by this anointing, all 'Things : Which if ever you have, ybu mutt become Babes and Fools in your own Eyes. God will never write his Law in your Minds, 'till all the Scribblings of it are blotted out. Account all your Know- ledge Lofs for the Gaining of this. 'Tis fad to fee many a Man pleafing himfelf in his own dreaming Delufions ; yet the poor Creature in feeing, fees' nbt ; which is God's heavy Curie upon Men under.greàtefl Means, and which lays all wafle and defolate." Shepard's Parable, Part I., p. 14.7. M {l Former,
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