A GL.\^•CE OF HEAVEN. 159
see, nor hear, nor understand, more than the child in the womb of the mother can conceive the excellencies in this civil* life. Thus we see these truths a little more unfolded. I will now add somewhat to make use of what hath been spoken.
Use 1. First of all, therefore, for matter of instruction. If it be so, that the things of the gospel be such, as that without a revelation from God they could not be known, then we sec that there is no principJe at all of the gospel in nature. There is not a spark of light, or any inclination to the gospel, but it is merely above nature. For he removes here all natural ways of knowing the gospel, eye, ear, and understanding. Therefore the knowledge of it is merely supernatural. For if God had not revealed it, who could ever have devised it ? And when he revealed it, to discover it by his Spii'it, it is supernatural ; but in heaven much more, which is the third degree I spake of. Thei'efore, by the way, you may know the reason why so many heresies have sprung out of the gospel, more than out of the law and the misunderstanding of it. There are few or no heresies from that, because the principles of the law are written in the heart. Men naturally know that whoredom, and adultery, and filthy living, &c., are sins. Men have not so quenched nature but that they know that those things are naught. Therefore there have been excellent law-makers among the heathens. But the gospel is a mere 'mystery' discovered out of the breast of God, withoutf all principles of nature. There are thousands of errors that are not to be reckoned, about the nature, the person, and the benefits of Christ ; about justification and sanctification, and free will and grace, and such things. What a world of heresies have proud wits con- tinually started up ! This would never have been but that the gospel is a thing above nature. Therefore, when a proud wit and supernatural know- ledge revealed meet together, the proud heart storms and loves to struggle, and deviseth this thing and that thing to commend itself ; and hereupon comes heresies, the mingling of natural wit with divine truths. If men had had passive wits to submit to divine truths, and to work nothing out of themselves, as the spider out of her own bowels, | there had not been such heresies in the church ; but their hearts meeting with supernatural truths, their proud hearts mingling with it, they have devised these errors ; that I note in the first place.
Use 2. Then again, if the things that we have in the gospel be such divine truths, above nature altogether, then xce must not stand to look for reason too much, nor trust the reason or wit of any man, but divine authoriti/ especially. For if divine authority cease in the gospel, what were it ? Nothing. The law is written in men's hearts ; but we must trust divine authority in the gospel above all other portions of Scripture, and not to the wit of any man whatsoever.
The Church of Rome, that is possessed with a spirit of pride and ignor- ance and tyranny, they will force knowledge on them that be under them from their sole authorities. The church saith so, and we are the church ; and it is not for you to know, &c., and Scriptures are so and so. But is the gospel a supernatural mystery above the capacity of any man ? and shall we build upon the authority of the church for these truths ? Oh, no ! There must be no forcing of evangelical truths from the authority or parts of any man. But these are not things that we stand in so much need of.
* That is, ' outward life.'— G. t That is, 'outside of.'— G.
X This is a comparison constantly used by Bacon, in his Novum Organum, and elsewhere. — Ed.
inO A GLANCE OF HEAVEN.
Tliorofovo I linstcn to that wbicli is more useful. ' Eye hatli not soon, nor ear heard,' &c.
Use 3. Here then we have an use of direction how to carry ourselves in readhif/ and sliKb/iiitf hohj truths: espcchdlij the sacred nn/steries of the gospel. How shall wc study them ? Wo think to break into them with the engine of our wit, and to understand them, and never come to God for his Spirit. God will curse such proud attempts. * Who knows the things of man, but the spirit of a man ? and who knows the things of God, but the Spirit of God ?' Therefore in studying the gospel, let us come with a spirit of faith, and a spirit of humility and meekness. There is no breaking into these things with the strength of parts. That hath been the ground of so many heresies as have been in the church. Only Christ ' hath the key of David, that shutteth, and no man opcneth ; and openeth, and no man shutteth,' Rev. iii. 7. He hath the key of the Scripture, and the key to open the understanding. And to press this point a little. If ' eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath entered into the heart of man to conceive, the things of the gospel,' without the revelation of the Spirit, then we must come with this mind when we come to hear the things of the gospel. Lord, without thy Holy Spirit they are all as a clasped book ; they are hidden mysteries to me, though they be revealed in the gospel. If my heart be shut to them, they are all hidden to me.