when we are thus refolved, ready to receive whatfoever God fhall further or otherwise fhew; or whereinfoever we may

be hereafter informed.

He that is thus only in an error, that he is not in love with any opinion, but upon fuppofition that it is truth; as he is not in danger while he is in a mistake, fo whenfoever he is fhewn, he presently rectifies his apprehenfions, and thanks the difcoverer. "Tis always an ill fign, when the teller of truth hath an ill return for his good-will. Am I become your enemy because I tell you the truth? Gal. iv. 16. But in the forefaid cafe there is implicit faith in God, which is, in fome degree, knowledge of the thing. In this sense our Saviour faith, Abraham rejoiced to fee my day, and faw it, John viii. 56. (Hebr. xi. 13, 40.) faw them afar off, God having provided some better things for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Thus in refpect of fomething on our part, 'tis likely and credible, that God will reveal truth unto those who are otherwife minded.

Thirdly, This is likely, and credible in respect of something on the part of truth: and that,

1. Because truth is connatural to our fouls. The common motions of our minds and truth, are not at any odds at all. The mind makes no more refiftance to truth, than the air does to light both are thereby beautified and adorned. This is to be understood, while the mind retains its primitive temper and conftitution: and after, when it hath recovered it by moral purgation and virtue; but fondnefs and partiality limits the generousness of heavenborn fouls. 2. Because

2. Because the several truths hang together, mutually depend each on other one truth helps on the discovery of another; and each truth is declaratory and convictive of the fame error. For instance, if God be a spiritual substance, then his worship chiefly must be mental and intellectual. If God be holy, holiness becomes his houfe, Pfal. xciii. 5. and we must serve him in holiness and righteousness (Luke i. 75.) before him all our days. If he be the first and chiefeft goodness, then he will graciously confider our frame, and remember we are but duft, Pfal. ciii. 14. If the fpirit of man be the candle of the Lord, Prov. xx. 27. the mind and understanding ought to be employed about God. If God be the governor of the world, then are we to be of good carriage and behaviour in his family: not to fall a beating our fellow-fervants. If God be the firft caufe, and the laft end, then are we to acknowledge him, and finally to refer to him.

If man be made for converse, then we are to do as ave would be done by we are to do righteous things, and to live in love.

If we confist of reasonable fouls as well as bodies of earth; then are we to make a fober and moderate ufe of bodily conveniencies, that our minds be not annoyed and disturbed.

Thus it is likely and probable in respect of fomething on the part of truth, that God will reveal wherein men are otherwife minded. If in any thing, if in any other thing, where ye hold to the main; to press towards the mark; be right in principles, serious in practice and endeavours; and be otherwise

minded one than another; even this, wherein ye think differently, to him that knows not, or miftakes; God fhall reveal.

Here I obferve.

1. That this is more for the certain guidance of any honeft man, than he can in fcripture fhew for infallibility, who abroad ufurps the title of the heaof the church.

2. That we have warrant enough to think and fpeak of God, things worthy of him and tending to our encouragement in good behaviour. For f look at this (God fhall reveal) as rationally fpoken; becomingly in respect of God, charitably in respect of men. There is no need of the gift of prophecy to declare fuch a futurity: 'Tis but the right use of reafon, and the true improvement of fcripture. I fhould not doubt to affure men that God will not be wanting to them, while they keep in his ways.

:

I have given grounds of good perfuafion and confidence, that God will reveal, as the apoftle here faith but left I should give any advantage to enthusiasm, the confounder of all reason and religion, I will further infift upon explication, caution, and limitation to which purpose I fhall fuperadd four things and the,

1. is, To keep within the compass of the cafe. Where men are honest in their way, do practise truth, and not practise upon truth, as pretenders, defigners, such as have by-ends and finifter respects, where men keep good confciences, Heb. xiii. 18. are in no matter immoral; not fluggish, unactive, but diligent in the use of proper means. Thus this of

God's

God's revealing, fuppofes we keep within the compass of the cafe. We must not exceed the bounds of the grant: we must not make conditionals abfolute. 'Tis true, that a conditional propofition, if the condition be performed, becomes absolute; but not elfe. And although we have not a condition in this verse, yet we have one in the context. None are here concerned but those who prefs towards the mark of the prize. Confinements and enlargements are according to the latitude of the fcripture. Our Saviour gives us to understand the scripture: he will give his angels charge, Luke iv. 10, 12. not of the prefumptuous, thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God. I will not fail thee, is a particular, Fof. i. 5. which is made a general, Heb. xiii. 5. The bleffing of God maketh rich; and the diligent hand maketh rich, Pro. x. 4. and 22. God promises to make us new hearts ; and we also are bid to do the fame. Ezek. xxxvi. 26. Fer. iv. 4. God works in us to will and to do; who alfo bids us work out our falvation, Phil. ii. 12, 13. God's fuperintendency doth neither discharge, nor difpenfe with our fubferviency. Faith and repentance on our part are always to be understood, in the terms of the new covenant, Acts iii. 19. They put men upon running a defperate hazard, who tell them of abfolute promifes in this fenfe, as not inclufive of due qualification on our part : as not fuppofing our due diligence, careful use of means, confent of our minds. That place, 1 John ii. 27. the anointing teaching all things, and there is no need that any teach; is what fome use to discharge education, means of knowledge, God's inftruments. I am apt

to

to suppose by it is meant, the unction of thofe times by the holy fpirit; which was extraordinary: all believers had it, against seducers, as v. 26. The then framers of the chriftian church, the pen-men of the scriptures had it; and we are taught by their writings.

2. I conceive it antecedent, and necessary to the teaching of God, that we put off pride. Prefumption, imagination, and conceitedness, wholly indifpose men for learning: There is more hopes of a fool, than of fuch. These are full, vainly fraught and poffeffed and the full foul loaths the honey comb. As to this cafe it is fo full as not to admit any thing though it be filled with wind. One that is wife in his own eyes is readier to impofe than to receive. Alfo, who will trouble himself with him? And fo he is not like to have any thing offered to his confideration. God refifts the proud, but gives grace to the humble: the meek will be guide in judgment, and teach his way. Pfal. xxv. 9. And not that I have already attained. Wherefore be not wife in your own eyes; Prov. iii. 7.

3. This doth not neceffarily import immediate infpiration. God will reveal; one way or other, in the course of his providence: fome inftrument of God, fome lover of truth shall tell him what he is to do; as was the case of the Eunuch, Acts viii. 35. He fhall find it out by some search of scriptures, he shall meet with it comparing places he fhall hear of it in fome good company: in the ufe of or dinary means. As it is true that God feeds us, and

cloaths us, though he does not fend Manna from

VOL. II.

B

heaven,