iv 70 THE READEft9. also in things civil, moral, political and artificial, as in our ensuing discourse is fulr`r''7. anifested. But whereas r these things belong unto the work of the old creation, and the preservation thereof, or the tale and govern- ment of mankind in this world merely as rational crea- tures, there is no rise óf means, no communication of aids spiritual or supernatural absolutely necessary to be exercised or granted about them. Wherefore know- ledge and wisdom in things of this nature are distribut- ed promiscuously among all sorts of persons according to the foundation of their natural abilities, and a super- struction thereon in their diligent exercise, without any peculiar application to God for especial grace or assist- ance, reservingstill a liberty unto the sovereignty of divine providence in the disposal of all mess and their concerns. But as to things supernatural, the knowledge and truth of them, the teachings of God, are of another na- ture; and in like manner a peculiar application of our- selves unto him for instruction is required of us. In these things also there are degrees according as they ap- proach on the one hand unto the infinite abyssof the di- vine essence and existence, as the eternal generation and incarnation of the Son, the procession and mission of the -Holy Spirit; or on the other unto those divine eflicts which are produced in our souls, whereof we have ewe. 'donee. According unto these degrees, as the divine con- descension is exerted in their revelation,so ought our at- tention in the exercise of faith, humility and prayer, to be increased in our inquiries into them. For although all that diligence in the use of outwardmeans, necessary to the attainment of the knowledge of any other useful truth, be indispensibly required in the pursuit ofan ac- quaintance with these things also; yet if moreover there be not an addition ofspiritual ways and means suited its their own nature, and appointed of God unto the receiving of supernatural light, and the understand- ing of the deep things of God, our labour about them will, in a great measure, be but fruitless and un- profitable. For although the letter of the scripture, and the sense of the propositions are equally exposed to the reason of all mankind; yet the real spiritual knowledge . of the things themselves, is not communicated unto any but by the especial operation of the Holy Spirit; nor is any considerable degree of insight into the doctrine of the mysteries of them attainable, but by a due wait- ing on him, who alone giveth the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of them. For the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God and they to whom by him they arerevealed. Neithercan the scrip- tures be interpreted aright but by the aid of that Spirit by which they were indited, as Hierom affirms, and as I shall afterwards fully prove. But in the use of the means mentioned we need not despond, but that seeing these things themselves are revealed that we may know God in a due manner, and live unto him as we ought, we may attain such a measure of spiritual understand- ing in them as is useful untoour own and others edifica- tion. They- may, I say, do so who are not slothful is hearing or learning, but by .reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Wherefore the subject of the ensuing discourses be- ing entirelythings of this nature its their several de- grees of access unto God or ourselves, I shall give no account of any particular endeavours in my inquiries into them, but leave the judgment thereof unto the evidence of the effects produced thereby. Only, whereas I know not any who ever went before me in this design of representing the whole ceconomy of the Holy Spirit, with all his adjuncts, operations and effects, whereof this is the first part (the attempt of Crellius in this kind being only to corrupt the truth in some few instances) as the difficulty of my work was increased thereby, so it may plead my excuse, if any thing be found not to answer so regular a projection, or just a method as the nature of the subject requireth, and as was aimed at. In the first part of the whole work which concerneth the name, divine nature, personality and mission of the Holy Spirit, I do but declare and defend the faith of the Catholic church against the Socinians; with what advantage, with what contribution of light or evidence, strength or order unto what bath been pleaded before by others, is left unto the learned readers to judge and determine. And in what concerns the adjuncts and properties of his mission and operation, some may, and I hope do judge themselves not unbeholding unto me for administering an occasion unto them of deeper and better thoughts about them. The second part of our endeavour concerneth the work of the Holy Spirit in the old creation, both in its production, preservation and rule. Andwhereas I had ..._,.
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