488 PREFACE.
who used more than common exertions in building Noah's ark, ^ and who, like bees, work for others and not for themselves in the search of truth, who, relying on their own abilities and industry, use every effort to ascertain and comprehend divine truths, while, at the same time, they continue utterly regardless whether " He who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath hitherto shone in their hearts, to give them the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ ;" for, after all, they can accomplish nothing more, by their utmost efforts, but to discover their technical or artificial ignorance.^
Setting aside, then, the consideration of some phrases, and even of some arguments, as to what relates to the principal point of the controversy, I hold myself bound, in conscience and in honour, not even to imagine that I have attained a proper know- ledge of any one article of truth, much less to publish it, unless through the Holy Spirit I have had such a taste of it, in its spiritual sense, as that I may be able from the heart to say with the psalmist, " I have believed, and therefore have I spoken." He who, in the investigation of truth, makes it his chief care to have his mind and will rendered subject to the faith, and obedient to the "Father of lights," and who with attention Avaits upon Him whose throne is in the heavens ; he alone (since the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God) attains to true wisdom, — the others walk in a "vain show." It has, then, been my principal object, m tracing the depths and secret nature of the subject in question, — while I, a poor worm, contemplated the majesty and glory of Him concerning whose perfections I was treating, — to attend and obey, with all humility and reverence, what the great God the Lord hath spoken in his word ; not at all doubting but that, whatever way he should incline my heart, by the power of his Spirit and truth, I should be enabled, in a dependence on his aid, to bear the contradictions of a false knowledge, and all human and philosophical arguments.
And, to say the truth, as I have adopted the opinion which I defend in this dis- sertation from no regard to the arguments of either one or another learned man, and much less from any slavish attachment to authority, example, or traditionary prejudices, and from no confidence in the opinion or abilities of others, but, as I hope, from a most humble contemplation of the holiness, purity, justice, right, do- minion, wisdom, and mercy of God; so by the guidance of his Spirit alone, and power of his heart-changing grace, filling my mind with all the fulness of truth, and striking me with a deep awe and admiration of it, I have been enabled to sur- mount the difficulty of the research. Theology is the " wisdom that is from above," a habit of grace and spiritual gifts, the manifestation of the Spirit, report- ing what is conducive to happiness. It is not a science to be learned from the precepts of man, or from the rules of arts, or method of other sciences, as those represent it who also maintain that a " natural man" may attain all that artificial and methodical theology, even though, in the matters of God and mysteries of the gospel, he be blinder than a mole. What a distinguished theologian must he be " who I'cceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God ! "
But again ■ having sailed through this sea of troubles,' and being ready to launch f)ut upon tin subject, that gigantic spectre, " It is everywhere spoken against," should have occasioned me no delay, had it not come forth inscribed with the mighty names of Augustine, Calvin, Musculus, Twisse, and Vossius. And although I could not but entertain for these divines that honour and respect which is due to such great names, yet, partly by considering myself as entitled to that " freedom wherewith Christ hath made us free," and partly by opposing to these the names of other very learned theologians, — namely, Parjeus, Piscator, Molina-us, Lub- bertus, Rivetus, Cameron, Maccovius, Junius, the professors at Saumur, and others, — who, after the spreading of the poison of Socinianism, have with great ac-
1 Thereby liastcniiig their own (lestructloii.— Tr.
2 The meaning is, " But to make a most elahorate display of their ignorance." — Ed.
3 Vado isto enavigato, "Having cleared these shallows."— Ed.
PKEFACE. 489
curacy and caution investigated and cleared up this truth, I easily got rid of any uneasiness from that quarter.
Having thus surmounted these difficulties, and begun the undertaking by de- voting to it a few leisure hours stolen from other engagements, the work pros- pered beyond all expectation ; and, by the favour of the " Father of lights," who " worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure," in a few days it was brought to a conclusion.
And now that the labour of composing was ended, I again entertained doubts, and continued for some time in suspense, whether, considering the manners of the times in which we live, it would not be more prudent to throw the papers, with some other kindred compositions on other subjects of divinity, into some secret coffers, there to be buried in eternal oblivion, than bring them forth to public discussion.