〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 8. 32. God did not spare or bate him a farthing and we who are remitted make no satisfaction all our Tears Prayers Sorrows Services pay not a mite to divine Justice Why should corrupt Reason mutter as if Satisfaction and Remission which are matches in Scripture were inconsistencies in Nature What saith God Levit. 4. 31. the Priest shall make an atonement there 's satisfaction and it shall be forgiven there 's remission What saith the great Apostle Rom. 3. 24. We are justified freely by his grace there 's remission through the redemption that is in Christ there 's satisfaction Take both in three words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you Eph. 4. 32. for Christ's sake there 's satisfaction hath forgiven you there 's remission and free remission for 't is not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a dismission or discharge of Sin but 't is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a dismission or discharge of it in a gracious way In Christ our Surety there was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 3. 25. but towards us there was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tit. 2. 11. Christ may say totum exsolvi and God may say totum remisi there was nothing forgiven to Christ for he paid all but there was all forgiven to us for we paid nothing Thus this Price is Redemptive from the Guilt of Sin and Wrath of God but this is not all 2. This Price is Redemptive from the stain of Sin the power of Sin and the tyranny of Satan and that by procuring the holy Spirit for us We are saved by the renewing of the holy Ghost and that is shed on us through Jesus Christ Tit. 3. 5 6. and where it is shed there it redeems 1. From the stain of Sin Sin is the dross or rust of the Soul Isai. 1. 22. but the Spirit refines and purifies from it Sin is the wrinkle of the old man Eph. 5. 27. but the Spirit smooths and removes it Christ came by water and blood 1 Joh. 5. 6. and the water sprung out of the blood the Spirit is that clean water Ezek. 36. 25. which fetcheth out the spots and stains of Sin and that healing water coming out from the side of the Temple even the pierced side of Christ Ezek. 47. 1. which by degrees cures all the Ulcers and Plague-sores of the heart The Corinthians were all over mire and dirt but they were washed in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 6. 11. the Spirit washed them and washed them in the name of Jesus that is for his Merits sake The Soul in sinning runs to the Cabul of the Creature dirtying and fouling it self but the Spirit brings it back again to the holy one and as it approaches nearer and nearer to him the macula peccati goes off and the nitor animae appears 2. It redeems from the power of Sin Sin merited Christ's Crucifixion and Christ's Crucifixion merited the Crucifixion of Sin and upon this account out comes the holy Spirit and nullifies the Law of Sin batters down the strong holds of it plucks up the very Throne of it and crucifies the old Man with all his members by outward restriction nailing his hands and his feet and by inward circumcision cutting and piercing into his heart and from thence gradually letting out his vital blood even the love of Sin hence his motions wax feeble his members weak his natural heat of original lust spent and exhausted and his whole body drooping and languishing to his dying day and all this by a secret virtue from Christ's death We are planted together 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Apostle Rom. 6. 5. he saith not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the conformity but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the conformation of his death because his death procured that conformity in us Hence Sin doth not reign in us as a Prince upon his Throne but die as a man upon the Cross Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through Jesus Christ. 3. It redeems from the tyranny of Satan Christ in his own person spoiled principalities and powers on the cross Col. 2. 15. and Christ by his Spirit spoils them in the hearts of men Satan hath his Palace there but Christ hath bought him out and the Spirit will cast him out Satan would keep on our chains but Christ dissolves them 1 Joh. 3. 8. As he by his Spirit enlightens off go the chains of the Mind as he converts off go the chains of the Will as he spiritualizes off go the chains of the Affections and as he sprinkles his blood upon us off goes the weighty Guilt of all these Satan would keep us within the Prison but Christ comes with an Habeas Animam translating us from the power of darkness into his own kingdom Col. 1. 13. a Region of Grace and Light where Satan the Ruler of Sin and Darkness cannot have the Victory because Christ the Wisdom and Power of God fights against Him who is as I may so say the wisdom and power of Sin Hence he falls as lightning from heaven Luke 10. 18. falls and breaks his Serpents head even his design against poor souls the ruine of Souls is a heaven to him and in falling short of that he falls as it were from heaven The Prince of this world shall be cast out saith Christ Joh. 12. 31. and he adds as a reason If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me Ver. 32. Lifted up upon the Cross he purchased the Spirit and lifted up into Heaven he sends down the Spirit which draws men out of Satans World into Christ's where the Gates of Hell can never prevail The God of peace bruises Satan underfoot Rom. 16. 20. the Apostle saith not the God of Mercy or Power shall do it but the God of Peace because unless Peace had been made through the blood of the Cross Satan would have kept us in everlasting Chains But now Justice being satisfied the Spirit comes forth with a Quo jure first rescuing the Captive-soul and then treading down Satan under its feet Thanks be unto God for this victory also through Jesus Christ. Thus this Price is redemptive from Evil but 2. This Price is procurative of Good Infinity is a boundless Ocean and may run over in effects as far as it pleaseth infinite Power might have run over in making millions of Worlds more and infinite Mercy might have run over in saving millions of Sinners more The Price of Redemption hath a kind of Infinity in it no wonder then if after remotion of Evils it run over by its transcendent excess of Value in the procuration of Good such was the glorious redundance and supereffluence of its Merit that it paid divine Justice to the last mite and over and besides made a purchase of three Worlds I mean the lower World of Nature the middle World of Grace and the upper World of
the holy Spirit drops some moral Vertues and Beams of light from whence have issued many excellent Sayings some of which the holy Spirit hath so far owned as to quote them in his own Book But the Father doth in a special manner love and the Son did in a special manner die for the Elect. Hence proportionably the holy Spirit works in them after more glorious strains of Power and Grace as a Spirit of Grace and Supplication he melts them into Repentance as a Spirit of Faith he makes them catch hold upon Christ for Righteousness and Life as a Spirit of Wisdom he unveils their hearts and makes the Light to shine out of Darkness as a Spirit of Liberty he unshackles and unbinds their Wills and makes them free indeed in the ways of God and as a Spirit of Truth and Holiness he leads them into Truth and by inward Law-engravings moulds and changes them into it Moreover the holy Spirit after such glorious workings on them comes and dwells in them and that intimately in the very secrets of their hearts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will indwel in them saith he 2 Cor. 6. 16. there are two in 's to denote an intimate inhabitation as if God could never be near enough to them As in Christ Personal who is the Head there is God in the flesh by an hypostatical Union so in Christ Mystical which is the Body there is God in the Flesh by a gracious Inhabitation and to shew that he is there he cries Abba Father in their Devotions he is a Spirit of Love in their charities a Spirit of Power in their infirmities a Spirit of Comfort in their distresses and a Spirit of Glory in their sufferings Seeing then the holy Spirit who works in men more or less according to the Fathers Love and Sons Merits works in such a special way in the Elect 't is as clear as if it were written with a Sun-beam that the Father loves them and the Son died for them in a special way Hence we find these three folded and wrapt up together by the Apostle Elect according to the foreknowledge of the Father through sanctification of the Spirit and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1. 2. And again The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ the love of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with you all 2 Cor. 13. 14 If the Father's Love and the Son's Blood had respected all men as much as the Elect doubtless the holy Spirit who in Subsistence procedes and in Operations works from them both would have converted all as well as the Elect why then are not all men actually converted Is it because the holy Spirit works not equally in all or because the holy Spirit is resisted in some Is it because the holy Spirit works not equally in all I answer That the Spirit is sent forth from the Father and the Son and works exactly according as it is sent the inward impulsive Cause of pouring out the Spirit is the Father's Love and the outward meritorious cause of it is the Son's Blood Wherefore if the Father equally love all and the Son equally died for all the Spirit works equally in all for there can be no breach in the sacred Trinity Or is it because the Spirit is resisted in some I answer Their resistance is a grand Obstacle to the work but if the Spirit did roll away the Stone and new-mould the Heart and work the Will in all as he doth in the Elect that Obstacle would at last be removed out of the way 5. I argue from the Blessings purchased Christ's Death is more or less respective of men as it is more or less procurative of Blessings for them Christ purchased a Salvability for all but over and besides he purchased many choice Blessings for the Elect he purchased Repentance for them for he is a prince and a saviour to give repentance to Israel Acts 5. 31. He purchased a room for Repentance even for all men but he purchased Repentance it self for his chosen Israel he purchased Faith for them Unto you it is given for Christs sake to believe in him Phil. 1. 29. For others he purchased a ground-work for Faith but for them he purchased the very Grace of Faith he purchased effectual Vocation for them others have a Call by the Gospel but these have a Call by the Gospel coming in power and in the holy Ghost and in much assurance he purchased Holiness and Sanctification for them Indeed there is no man living on the Earth but if he did really believe he should have the rivers of living water the Spirit of holiness flowing in his heart Joh. 7. 38. but the Elect were destined and chosen in Christ to be holy Eph. 1. 4. and Christ sanctified himself in a special manner for them that they might be sanctified 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in truth actually truly Joh. 17. 19. Lastly he purchased Heaven and Glory for them others may have Heaven upon believing but these shall certainly arrive at it these are the sheep to which Christ gives eternal life Joh. 10. 28. these are the sons which without fail shall be brought to Glory Heb. 2. 10. Now seeing Christ purchased so many Blessings for the Elect 't is evident he died for them in a special way 6. I argue from the Intercession of Christ. Christ intercedes for men more or less proportionably as he more or less respected them in his Death for his Death is the foundation of his Intercession the very same Blood of Christ which as shed on Earth made Satisfaction as presented in Heaven makes Intercession Now how far doth Christ intercede in Heaven What doth his Blood speak there For all men it speaks thus Father let them all be saved on Gospel-terms but for the Elect it speaks thus Father let them have Repentance this the Apostle hints out Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a prince a saviour to give repentance to Israel Acts 5. 31. Israels Repentance on Earth comes from Christ exalted in Heaven for there he intercedes for it by his Merits and from thence he works it by his Spirit Again it speaks for them thus Father let them be made a willing people this I gather from the 110. Psalm where we find Christ sitting at the right hand of God Ver. 1. and sitting there he intercedes for us and from this Session and Intercession comes forth a willing people Ver. 3. Here 's the true original of spiritual willingness the right Hand of God which is a right Hand of Power works it in our Hearts and works it at the instance of Christ who sits and intercedes there for it Again it speaks for them thus Father sanctifie them with thy Grace preserve them with thy Power and crown them with thy Glory in Heaven Thus Christ in his sweet Prayer a little before his bitter Passion interceded for them for their Sanctification Sanctifie them
Acts as to the rest appear as Extraministerial Blots and Errata's those Invitations to the Gospel-feast which as to the Elect are the cordial wooings and beseechings of God himself as to the rest look like the words of mere men speaking at random and without Commission for alas why should they come to that Feast for whom nothing is prepared How should they eat and drink for whom the Lamb was never slain Wherefore I conclude that Christ died for all mens so far as to found the truth of the Ministery towards them 4. I argue from the Blessings purchased by Christ's Death one great Blessing is Salvation on Gospel Terms Lapsed Angels must be damned but Men nay all Men may be saved on Gospel-terms there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a common Salvation to them and O what a blessing is this especially to such as live under the Gospel there is nothing stands between them and Heaven but their own Will they will not come to Christ that they may have life Oh! what would the damned Spirits in Hell give for such a door of Hope as hath no other bar but what is in their own Hearts how would they sweat and strive with tears and strong cries to enter in at it A second Blessing is the Patience of God which waits upon Sinners and by some glimmerings of Mercy leads them to repentance A third Blessing is the Dispensation of Gifts even in the Wilderness of the Pagan-world there are Moral Vertues and in the Eden of the Church there are even in those that perish some touches of the holy Ghost tastes of the heavenly Gift and feelings of the Powers of the World to come and whence are these but from the Death of Christ As David called the water of Bethlehem the blood of his worthies so may I call these Blessings the blood of Christ. Wherefore Christ died so far for all as to procure some Blessings for them 5. I argue from the Unbelief of Men which is wonderfully aggravated in Scripture through Jesus Christ there is a real offer of Grace made but Unbelief receives it in vain 2 Cor. 6. 1. great Salvation is prepared 〈◊〉 â—nbelief neglects it Heb. 2. 3. Eternal 〈◊〉 is promised but Unbelief comes short of it Heb. 4. 1. the Kingdom of Heaven comes nigh to men but Unbelief draws back from it Heb. 10. 39. God himself bears witness that there is Life in his Son even for all if they believe but Unbelief saith No to it and doth what it can to make him a liar 1 Joh. 5. 10. Christ is set forth before our eyes as the great Expiatory Sacrifice and evidently set forth as if he were crucified among us his Blood runs fresh in the Veins of the Gospel but Unbelief recrucifies the Son of God Heb. 6. 6. tramples his precious blood under foot Heb. 10. 29. and doth as it were nullifie his glorious Sacrifice so that as to final Unbelievers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there no more remaineth a sacrifice Heb. 10. 26. as to their Salvation 't is as if there were no Sacrifice at all for them But if Christ died not for all men how can these things be How can those men receive Grace in vain for whom it was never procured or neglect Salvation for whom it was never prepared How can they fall short of eternal Rest for whom it was never purchased or draw back from the Kingdom of Heaven which never approached unto them How can there be life in Christ for thosâ— for whom he never died and if not 〈◊〉 way doth their Unbelief give God the lye How can they recrucifie the Son of God for whom he was never crucified or trample on that precious Blood which was never shed for them The Devils as full of malice as they are against Christ are never said to do it and why are men charged with it I take it because men have some share in him and Devils none at all 6. I argue from the Death of Christ which hath a superexcellent Redundance of Merit in it not only because of its intrinsecal value but because of the divine Ordination there are unsearchable riches in Christ enough to pay all mens Debts there are Pleonasms of Grace in him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grace superabounded saith the Apostle 1 Tim. 1. 14. Salvation flows out from him actually upon all Believers and by a glorious supereffluence it would run over upon all men if they did believe As it was with the Widows litte Pot of Oil 2 Kings 4. 6. the Oil did run till all the Vessels were full and then it staid the Widow called for another Vessel and if she had had many more there the Oil in the Pot would have filled them all Even so pardon the Comparison it is with the immense Sea of Christ's Merits it actually fills all the Vessels of Faith and then it stays as it were for want of Vessels mean-while Christ calls and cries out for more and if all men would come and bring their Vessels to him he would fill them all doubtless if all men did believe all would see the Glory of God all would have the Rivers of living water flowing in them all would feel spiritual Miracles wrought in their Hearts by that Christ who sits at the right hand of Power and consequently all would find an experimental witness in themselves that Christ died for them all 7. I argue from the general and large Expressions in Scripture touching Christ and his Death Christ died for all 2 Cor. 5. 15. for every man Heb. 2. 9. he gave himself for the world Joh. 6. 51. for the whole world 1 Joh. 2. 2. he is stiled the Saviour of the world 1 Joh. 4. 14. and his Salvation is called a common salvation Jude Ver. 3. a salvation prepared before the face of all people Luk. 2. 31. and flowing forth to the ends of the earth Isai. 49. 6. the Gospel of this Salvation is to be preached to all nations Matth. 28. 19. and to every creature Mark 16. 15. there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 grace bringing salvation to all men Tit. 2. 11. a door of Hope open to them because Christ gave himself a ransom for all 1 Tim. 2. 6. I know not what could be more emphatical to point out the Universality of Redemption But you 'l say all these general Expressions do but denote genera singulorum some of all sorts the World of the Elect or the All of Believers In answer to which I shall only put two Quaeries 1. If those general Expressions denote only the World of the Elect or the All of Believers why is it not said in Scripture that God elected all and every man the World and the whole World in that sence 't is as true that God elected them all as 't is that Christ died for them all Why then doth the holy Spirit altogether forbear those general Expressions in the matter of Election which it useth in the matter of
irresistible way I am for the Affirmative in a right sence A work may be said to be done irresistibly two ways either when there is no resistance at all thus the Apostle saith ye have killed the just and he doth not resist you Jam. 5. 6. that is not resist at all or else when there is no such resistance as to impede the work thus they were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit of Stephen Acts 6. 10. there 's an irresistibility but what without any resistance at all No they disputed against him with might and main but because their disputes could not impede his work in propagating the Gospel therefore it is said that they were not able to resist him Thus when I say that Conversion is wrought in an irresistible way I mean not that there is no resistance at all for even in the Regenerate there is flesh lusting against the spirit the old Man and the new strugle in the same Faculties like Esau and Jacob in the same Womb but I mean that there is no such resistance as to impede the Work of Conversion In meekness saith the Apostle instructing those that oppose themselves if peradventure God will give them repentance 2 Tim. 2. 25. here is a resistance but for all that the work will be done if God give repentance He went on saith the Prophet frowardly in the way of his heart but what saith God I have seen his ways and will heal him Isai. 57. 17 18. here was a great resistance but for all that God will heal him God works Conversion in such an insuperable way that notwithstanding all the opposition made thereunto it doth infallibly come to pass Now this I shall endeavour to demonstrate first in general and then in particular with respect to the two Instants of Conversion 1. I shall demonstrate it in general and that by these Arguments taken 1. From God's Election He hath chosen some before the foundation of the World chosen them to holiness as the Way Eph. 1. 4. and chosen them to salvation as the End 2 Thess. 2. 13. But if Conversion be not wrought in an insuperable way how doth the foundation of God stand sure 2 Tim. 2. 19 How is that golden Chain kept entire Whom he did predestinate them he called whom he called them he justified and glorified Rom. 8. 30 Were not these called ones who have Predestination going before them and Justification and Glorification coming after them called in an insuperable way If not the Chain cannot hold together The Apostle makes a plain difference between men he opposes those of the election of grace to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who were blinded Rom. 11. 7. and those on whom God will have mercy to those whom he hardens Rom. 9. 18. But if Conversion be not irresistibly wrought this difference falls to the ground those of the Election may be blinded and those on whom God hath mercy may be hardened as well as others For my part I should as soon believe that a little Child may put up his finger and rowl about the Spheres as that the Will of Man may stay or turn aside the Influences of electing Grace 2. From Christs Redemption If we consider the preciousness of his Blood surely he must have a Body every little Seed in Nature hath a Body given to it and the Son of God sowing his Blood and Life cannot want one If we consider the Promise of God surely he must have a seed Isai. 53. 10. and what else is the Fulness of the Gentiles and the Conversion of the Jews but this promised Seed But if Grace be not wrought in an insuperable way Christ might sow his Blood and Life in a wonderful Passion and yet have no Body springing out of it nay God might engage himself in the Promise of a Seed and yet nothing at all come of it if the Grace of God be resistible lieve must be asked of Man's will that Christ's Blood may be fruitful and God's Promise Faithful 3. From the Spirit 's Work The three glorious Persons in the sacred Trinity shew forth themselves in three glorious Works the Father hath a special Shine in Creation the Son in Redemption and the holy Spirit in Sanctification In the first Work we have God in the World in the second God in the Flesh and in the third God in the Heart or Spirit When God came forth in Creation Oh! what an Heaven and Earth full of admirable Creatures and Harmonies issued forth When God came in the Flesh what out-breakings of Glory were there What sparklings of the Deity in Miracles upon the Bodies of Men The blind received their sight the lame walked the lepers were cleansed the deaf did hear the dead were raised and the Devils were ejected with power And when God comes in the Heart or Spirit what planting of a new heaven and a new earth How much of Glory and spiritual Miracle breaks forth in the Souls of Men Even here also the blind receive their sight the lame walk the lepers are cleansed the deaf hear the dead are raised and the devil is cast out with power The very same Miracles which Christ in the flesh did do on the Bodies of Men in a visible manner the very same doth Christ in the Spirit do on the Souls of Men in a spiritual way This is the proper Work of the Spirit to sanctifie Mens Hearts the Spirit doth not appear any where in all the World so much as in a true Saint Look into a godly Man's Understanding there 's the Spirit of Revelation look into his Will there 's the Spirit of Holiness look into his Affections there 's the Spirit of Love and Joy look into hs Conscience there 's the Spirit of Consolation look into his Prayers there 's the Spirit of Supplication look into his Conversation there 's the Spirit of Meekness and all Righteousness Thus the holy Spirit shews forth its Glory and flows in Men as rivers of living water and this Glory and Out-flowing is so precious that before it came in Esse according to the rich Measures of Gospel-grace it is said of the eternal Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the holy Spirit was not yet Joh. 7. 39. as if the Spirits flowing in Men were a kind of second Being to it But now after all this if Conversion be not wrought in an insuperable way the holy Spirit may be barred out of every Heart and then how shall his work be done Where shall his Glory and spiritual Miracles appear The Father hath a World to appear in the Son hath Flesh to tabernacle in but possibly the holy Spirit can get never an Heart to inhabit in never a Temple to fill with his Glory the holy Spirit would tabernacle with Men but what if the Iron-sinew in the Will will not come out What if the Stone in the heart will not break Then the holy Spirit is robbed of his Glory But is this so strange
Nature 't is a Nullity in naturals and if a rational Creature be separate from the God of Grace he is a Nullity in spirituals Sure if he were any thing at all he might speak or think but he can do neither As running a fountain of Words as his tongue is he cannot say Jesus is the Lord 1 Cor. 12. 3. and as swarming a Hive of Thoughts as his Heart is he cannot think any thing as of himself 2 Cor. 3. 5. The great Apostle gives a double account of himself an account what he is in himself I am nothing saith he 2 Cor. 12. 11. and an account what he is by Grace by the grace of God I am what I am 1 Cor. 15. 10. all his nothingness is in and of himself and all his spiritual essence is in and of Grace A mere Natural man is nothing in Spirituals his eyes are on that which is not Prov. 23. 5. his joy is in a thing of nought Amos 6. 13. and all the false Gods in his heart are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nihilitates nothingnesses Psal. 96. 5. As they are Creatures in the World they are Beings but as they are Idols in his 〈◊〉 they are nothing nothing to make a God of and he who makes them such is like unto them even nothing in Spirituals 2. 'T is a State of Enmity against God he is not only a Stranger but an enemy too Col. 1. 21. nay which is more his carnal Mind is enmity against God Rom. 8. 7. Enmity is irreconcileable it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be not unless the Enmity be slain in it nay further the Apostle call the Gentiles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 haters of God Rom. 1. 30. and Hatred is Enmity boiled up to the height Hatred saith the Philosopher seeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Not-being of the thing hated and such is man's Wickedness that strikes as it were at the Life and Being of God it had rather that God should not be than that Lusts should be restrained The Scripture sets out some grand Enemies as opposing God openly and upon the Stage of the World and by what they did openly we may discern what spirit and mystery of Iniquity is working in every Natural man's heart secretly there is in him some of the corrupt flesh of the old World somewhat of Pharaoh's spirit which secretly saith Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice Somewhat of the bloody Jew which is ready to crucifie the Son of God afresh and trample his precious blood under-foot somewhat of the proud Antichrist the man of sin which exalts it self above God it s own Reason above the Wisdom of God and its own Will above the Will of God The very same Venom and Poyson of Enmity which the Grand Enemies of God pour out openly privily lurks and works in every Natural Man Thus in general Man's State is Estrangement and Enmity But to procede 2. What is Man's State in particular in relation to his several parts Now here the same Estrangement and Enmity shews forth it self according to the Nature of each part 1. As for the Understanding 't is turned away from God the first and essential Truth and so become a Forge of lying Vanities 't is turned away from God the first and essential Light and so become a dark place nay darkness it self Eph. 5. 8. and if the light be darkness how great is that darkness So great it is that a Natural man sets an higher estimate on the Follies of Time than on the Blessedness of Eternity and rates the broken Cisterns above the Fountain of living waters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the souly man who hath nothing but a rational Soul the Spirit of a mere man in him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God 2 Cor. 2. 14. One would think that all Truths should be welcome to a rational Soul and above all the Mysteries of Heaven but he receiveth them not And this the Apostle lays down distinctly The spirit of man knows the things of man because they are within his own Line but the things of God are only known by the Spirit of God because they are above the Sphere of natural Reason As the things of Man are above the Sphere of Sense so the things of God are above the Sphere of Reason and yet as if they were below it the Natural man counts them foolishness which evinces an extreme foolishness in his own heart he is not a Man not an understanding Creature in Spirituals Agur is a Brute in his own eyes I have not the understanding of a man saith he Prov. 30. 2. The Apostle proving all under sin asserts that there is none that understandeth Rom. 3. 11. Millions of ratinal Creatures in the World and yet there is none that understandeth and his proof is invincible there is none that seeketh after God which sure would be done if there were any spark of spiritual Understanding in him 'T is true there may be a mass of Notions in a man unconverted but not a dram of spiritual Knowledge Seeing he sees not he sees the things of God in the image or picture of the Letter but he sees them not in their liveliness and inward Glory Just as the carnal Israelites who saw their Manna and Sacrifices only in the outside but saw not Christ in them or as those false Seekers of whom Christ saith Ye seek me not because ye saw the miracles but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled Joh. 6. 26. There was a Miracle in those very Loaves but they saw only the carnal and grosser part of the Miracle and not the Glory and Power of Christ's Deity sparkling out in it An Unconverted man knows nothing as he ought to know it no not in the midst of his notions there is no savouring tasting or practical Knowledge in him nothing but a husk shell or form of Knowledg and in the midst thereof a real enmity against the things known Whilest the light of Truth shines only in the Notion he likes it well enough but if it waken Conscience check Lust press Duty or any way offer to assume its Supremacy in his heart or life he instantly hates it as an enemy 2. As for the Will the Principle of Freedom 't is turn'd from God the primum liberum and from his service the vera libertas and so it is become servum arbitrium an arrant Slave bound in the bonds of iniquity and which is the height of Slavery 't is in love with its Bonds and which is the intenseness and intimateness of that love when Christ comes to break these Bonds 't is loth to be made free indeed the iron is so entred into his soul the Bondage is so intimate in the forlorn Will that it looks on God's service as bondage and Sins bondage as freedom and hence it is dead and lame to God's ways but runs and flies