Ans. 1. We do not now discourse concerning the Aveakness and disability of the mind in and about these things, which is as it v/ere a natm'cd impotency, like blindness in the eyes, which hatli been both explained and confirmed before ; but it is a inoral disahility, and that as unto all the powers of nature invincible, as unto the right receiving of spiritual things, which ensues on that corrupt deprava- tion of the mind in the sta-te of nature, that the Scripture calls " dark- ness" or "blindness," which Ave inten^d.
2. Our present testimonies have sufticiently confirmed that all the instances mentioned do proceed from the depravation of the mind. And whereas this is common unto and equal in all unregenerate men, if it produce not in all effects to the same degree of enormity, it is from some beams of light and secret convictions from the Holy Spirit, as we shall afterward declare.
3. Our only aim is, to prove the indispensable necessity of a sav- ing work of illumination on the mind, to enable it to receive spiritual things spiritually ; which appears sufficiently from the efficacy of this darkness, whence a man hath no ability to disentangle or save him- self; for, also, —
(3.) It fills the mind with prejudices against spiritual things, as proposed unto it in the gospel; and from these prejudices it hath neither light nor power to extricate itself No small part of its de- pravation consists in its readiness to embrace them, and pertinacious adherence unto them. Some few of these prejudices may be in- stanced : —
[1.] The mind, from the darkness that is in it, apprehends that spiritual things, the things of the gospel, as they are proposed, have an idter inconsistency with true contentment and satisfaction. These are the things which all men, by various ways, do seek after. This is the scent and chase which they so eagerly pursue, in diflerent tracks and paths innumerable. Something they would attain or arrive unto which should satisfy their minds and fill their desires; and this
276 COREUPTION OR DEPEAVATION [BOOK III.
commonly, before they have had any great consideration of the pro- posals of the gospel, they suppose themselves in the way at least unto, by those little tastes of satisfaction unto their lusts which they have obtained in the ways of the world. And these hopeful begin- nings they will not forego: Isa. Ivii. 10, "Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand ; therefore thou wast not grieved." They are ready ofttimes to faint in the pursuit of their lusts, because of the disappointments which they find in them or the evils that attend them ; for, which way soever they turn themselves in their course, they cannot but see or shrewdly suspect that the end of them is, or will be, vanity and vexation of spirit. But yet they give not over the pursuit wherein they are engaged ; they say not, " There is no hope." And the reason hereof is, because they " find the life of their hand." Something or other comes in daily, either from the work that they do, or the company they keep, or the expectation they have, which preserves their hope alive, and makes them unwill- ing to forego their present condition. They find it to be none of the best, but do not think there can be a better; and, therefore, their only design is to improve or to thrive in it. If they might obtain more mirth, more wealth, more strength and health, more assurance of their lives, more power, more honour, more suitable objects unto their sensual desires, then they suppose it would be better than it is; but as for any thing which differeth from these in the whole kind, they can entertain no resj)ect for it. In this state and condition, spiritual things, the spiritual, mysterious things of the gosj)el, are pro- posed unto them. At first view they judge that these things will not assist them in the pursuit or improvement of their carnal satis- factions. And so far they are in the right; they judge not amiss. The things of the gospel will give neither countenance nor help to the lusts of men. Nay, it is no hard matter for them to come to a discovery that the gospel, being admitted in the power of it, will crucify and mortify those corrupt affections which hitherto they have been given up to the pursuit of; for this it plainly declares. Col. iii. 1-5; Tit. ii. 11, 12.
There are but two things wherein men seeking after contentment and satisfaction are concerned : — first, the objects of their lusts or desires, and then those lusts and desires themselves. The former may be considered in their own nature, as they are indifferent, or as they are capable of being abused to corrupt and sinful ends. In the first way, as the gospel condemns them not, so it adds nothing to them unto those by whom it is received. It gives not men more riches, wealtli, or honour, than they had before in the world. It promises no such thing unto them that do receive it, but rather the
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