compared with those under the law ; but childish, compared with the knowledge whicli glorified saints have ; therefore, as Paul saith, 1 Cor. xiii. 10, 11, he put away childish things, when he grew up into farther knowledge of the gospel ; so he tells us of an imperfect knowledge, which yet he had, that must be done away, when that which is pei-fect is come.
Sixthly, The gospel is a mystery, in regard of the contrary operation it hath upon the hearts of men ; the eyes of some it opens, others it blinds. Some, when they hear the gospel, are pricked in their hearts, and cry out, ' What shall we do to be saved? ' others are hardened by it, and their consciences seared into a greater stupidity. At Paul's sermon, Acts xvii., some mocked ; others were so aiFected that they desired to hear it again ; what a mysterious doctrine is this, that sets one a-laughing, another a-weeping ! that is the sa~ voiu" of life to some, and of death to others !
Section V. — Lastly, A mystery it is, in regard of those rare and strange effects it hath upon the godly, and that both in respect of their judgments and practice. As the gospel is a mystery of faith, so it enables them to believe strange mysteries; to believe that which they imderstand not, and hope for that which they do not see ; it enables them to believe Three to be One, and One to be Three ; a Trinity of Persons in the Deity, and an Unity of Essence ; a Father, not older than his Son; a Son, not inferior to his Father; a Holy Spirit pro- ceeding from both, yet equal to both. It teacheth them to believe that Christ was born in time, and that he was from everlasting ; that he was comprehended within the Virgin's womb, and yet the heaven of heavens not able to contain him : to be the Son of Mary, and yet her Maker ; to be born without sin, and yet justly to have died for sin. They believe that God was just in punishing Christ, though innocent; and in justifying penitent believers, who are sinners; they believe themselves to be great sinners, and yet that God sees them in Christ without spot or wrinkle. Again, as the gospel is a mystery of godliness, it enables them to do as strange things as they believe ; to live by another's spirit, to act from another's strength, to live to another's will, and aim at another's glory ; they live by the Spirit of Christ, act with his strength, are determined by his will, and aim at his glory : it makes them so gentle, that a child may lead them to anything that is good ; yet so stout, that fire shall not frighten them into sin : they can love their enemies, and yet, for Christ's sake, can hate father and mother : it makes them diligent in their worldly calling, yet enables them to contemn the riches they have obtained by God's blessing on their labour ; they are taught by it, that all things are theirs, yet they dare not take a pin from the wicked by force or fraud : it makes them so humble as to prefer every one above themselves ; yet so to value their own condition, that the poorest among them would not change his estate with the greatest monarch of the world : it makes them thank God for health, and for sickness also ; to rejoice when exalted, and not to repine when made low ; they can pray fov lii'e, and at the same time desire to die !
CHAPTER V.
THE REASON WHY THE GOSPEL IS SLIGHTED AND PERSECUTED.
The reason why the gospel is so slighted and rejected by the wicked world is, because the blessings of the gospel are a mystery, and carnal hearts know them not, therefore care not for them. The things it propounds are liked well enough, might they have them in a way suited to their carnal apprehensions. The gospel opens a mine of unsearchable riches, but in a mystery ; it shews men a way how to be rich in faith, rich in God, rich for another world, while poor in this. Our Saviour instructed the young man in the gospel how to be rich ; not by purchasing more land, but by selling what he had ; but he would not follow his counsel. The gospel reveals pleasures and delights, but not such as the sensual world is fond of; gospel pleasures suit not their palate, because they are pleasures in a mystery, pleasures in mourning for sin, and mortifying sin ; not pleasures in satisfying it : pleasures in communion with Christ ; pleasui'es to the eye and palate of faith, not of sense ; to feed their souls, not to pamper and fat- ten their bodies : in a word, the gospel makes a discovery of high and choice notions. Surely those who are the more sober part of the world, who crave
THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL." OQ1