The Way To Divine Knowledge

1 [Way-1-1] Humanus. 2 [Way-1-2] But these great points cannot be received in any TRUE degree 3 [Way-1-3] On the other hand, I find in myself a vehement impulse to turn preacher amongst 4 [Way-1-4] Theophilus. 5 [Way-1-5] Your business is now to give way to this heavenly working of the Spirit of 6 [Way-1-6] For be assured of this, as a certain truth 7 [Way-1-7] For the soul of every man is the breath and life of the triune God 8 [Way-1-8] Only remember this; look well to the ground on which you stand 9 [Way-1-9] Therefore, my friend, set out right, and be assured of this truth 10 [Way-1-10] Here now you have the test of truth, by which you may always know 11 [Way-1-11] But if you please, Humanus, pray tell me, in what manner you would attempt to 12 [Way-1-12] Humanus. 13 [Way-1-13] And, on the other hand, should the Deist yield up such a cause as this 14 [Way-1-14] For since the fall of man, implying a real change from his first state 15 [Way-1-15] For the gospel has but one ground, or reason 16 [Way-1-16] How unreasonable would it be, to offer the Christian redemption to glorious angels in heaven? 17 [Way-1-17] Thus does it appear, that the fall of man 18 [Way-1-18] Hence it is that the gospel has only one simple proposal of certain life 19 [Way-1-19] To embrace the gospel is to enter with all our hearts into its terms of 20 [Way-1-20] This therefore is the one TRUE essential distinction between the Christian and the infidel. 21 [Way-1-21] On the other hand, the Christian renounces the world 22 [Way-1-22] Where this faith is, there is the Christian, the new creature in Christ 23 [Way-1-23] But where this faith is not, there is the true 24 [Way-1-24] Here therefore I fix my TRUE ground of converting men to Christianity 25 [Way-1-25] He therefore that opens a field of controversy to the Deist 26 [Way-1-26] For I had frequently a consciousness rising up within me 27 [Way-1-27] This is the infidelity that you have forced me to fly from 28 [Way-1-28] But, dear Theophilus, I must now tell you that I want to make haste in 29 [Way-1-29] An angel my first father was created, and therefore nothing but the angel belongs to 30 [Way-1-30] Theophilus. 31 [Way-1-31] It is no extravagance, or overstraining the matter, when we say 32 [Way-1-32] Academicus. 33 [Way-1-33] Pray, Academicus, give me leave also to say 34 [Way-1-34] Would you know the TRUE nature of angelic goodness 35 [Way-1-35] See here, Academicus, the folly of your quarrelling with the word |angelic 36 [Way-1-36] A virtue that is only according to the state of this earthly life 37 [Way-1-37] Bid the anatomist, that can skillfully dissect an human body 38 [Way-1-38] Now learned reason, when pretending to be a master of morality 39 [Way-1-39] It is wonderfully astonishing, that you men of learning seldom come thus far 40 [Way-1-40] Oh! Academicus, forget your scholarship, give up your art and criticism 41 [Way-1-41] Thus far the masters of morality and human discipline may go 42 [Way-1-42] This, Academicus, is angelic goodness; and is the goodness of those who are born again 43 [Way-1-43] Theophilus. 44 [Way-1-44] Now this one great point consists of two essential parts 45 [Way-1-45] For if man is fallen from a divine life 46 [Way-1-46] If he is thus fallen, has died this death to a divine life 47 [Way-1-47] Strange it is therefore beyond expression, that every man 48 [Way-1-48] Thus do these two Testaments begin with the most open declarations of these two things 49 [Way-1-49] But seeing man is dead to his first life 50 [Way-1-50] Next after Moses came the prophets, or the spirit of prophecy 51 [Way-1-51] Thus, my friend, you see the importance of this one point 52 [Way-1-52] How many hundred barns must there be, to hold all the learned volumes 53 [Way-1-53] Humanus. 54 [Way-1-54] Why was the Son of God made man? It was because man was to be 55 [Way-1-55] Thus, |Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden 56 [Way-1-56] Theophilus. 57 [Way-1-57] Humanus. 58 [Way-1-58] Moses is the first historian of natural death, and has recorded the death of the 59 [Way-1-59] Thus it is with the fall; we have no more occasion to go to Moses 60 [Way-1-60] My first attempt therefore, upon any man, to convince him of the fall 61 [Way-1-61] What is all this, but the strongest proof, that man is the only creature that 62 [Way-1-62] Now all this evil and misery are purely the natural and necessary effect of his 63 [Way-1-63] But the Christian has yet an additional proof of his matter 64 [Way-1-64] Thus, |Let us make man in our image; according to our own likeness. 65 [Way-1-65] Is not this a full proof, that the first created life of man is quite 66 [Way-1-66] |The grossness, impurity, sickness, pain, and corruption of our bodies 67 [Way-1-67] Theophilus. 68 [Way-1-68] Humanus. 69 [Way-1-69] The beasts have no ignorance of anything, that concerns them 70 [Way-1-70] Reason, therefore, is so far from being able to help man to that knowledge 71 [Way-1-71] Now suppose man to come thus into the world 72 [Way-1-72] But I believe Academicus wants to say something, and therefore I have done. 73 [Way-1-73] Academicus. 74 [Way-1-74] Theophilus. 75 [Way-1-75] But however, to remove your difficulty, I shall give you a little sketch of the 76 [Way-1-76] Now supposing God to have brought a new intelligent creature into a new world 77 [Way-1-77] This is the one only possible way for a good 78 [Way-1-78] Which inquiry, being given into, ended in the real knowledge of this good and evil 79 [Way-1-79] Supposing therefore the fall of man, which is a fact attested 80 [Way-1-80] Academicus. 81 [Way-1-81] Theophilus. 82 [Way-1-82] The fall of angels must be supposed to have been as soon after their creation 83 [Way-1-83] Now as the lust of Adam, when it had obtained its desire 84 [Way-1-84] To ask therefore, why the fallen angels continue in their state 85 [Way-1-85] To ask therefore, why the fallen angels were not helped by the mercy and goodness 86 [Way-1-86] For what are we to understand by the mercy and goodness of God? His mercy 87 [Way-1-87] And his light, and Holy Spirit, cannot enter into a creature 88 [Way-1-88] This therefore you may rest upon, as a certain truth 89 [Way-1-89] And therefore it is, that fallen man was immediately helped 90 [Way-1-90] And therefore the goodness of God, or his light 91 [Way-1-91] As to your last question, whether I believe the final restoration of all the fallen 92 [Way-1-92] For it can neither be sufficiently affirmed, nor sufficiently denied 93 [Way-1-93] Now if anyone can show, that the devils are not essentially evil 94 [Way-1-94] But unless it could be shown from a TRUE ground in nature 95 [Way-1-95] For time cannot alter the nature or essence of things 96 [Way-1-96] Now if the fallen angels have nothing heavenly in them 97 [Way-1-97] But we have launched far enough in a deep that does not belong unto us 98 [Way-1-98] Humanus. 99 [Way-1-99] Now to press a man to deny himself, and leave all that he hath in 100 [Way-1-100] And indeed I very well know, from former experience 101 [Way-1-101] Here therefore, in my humble opinion, should all begin 102 [Way-1-102] The one business then upon his hands, if he will hold out against you 103 [Way-1-103] This is the TRUE height, and depth, and total strength of Deism or infidelity 104 [Way-1-104] If therefore Christianity is in the hands of scholars 105 [Way-1-105] But the truth of the matter is this; Christian redemption is God's mercy to all 106 [Way-1-106] For this salvation, which is God's mercy to the fallen soul of man 107 [Way-1-107] Now in this sensibility, which every man's own nature leads him into 108 [Way-1-108] This is the Christianity which every man must first be made sensible of 109 [Way-1-109] Theophilus. 110 [Way-1-110] Nothing can be more right than your resolution not to enter into debate about the 111 [Way-1-111] And wherever the heart is weary of the evil and vanity of the earthly life 112 [Way-1-112] Let me now only, before we break up, observe to you the TRUE ground and 113 [Way-1-113] But when the Son of God had taken a birth in and from the human 114 [Way-1-114] The Holy Ghost descended in the shape of cloven tongues of fire on the heads 115 [Way-1-115] Hence it was, that sinners of all sorts, that felt the burden of their evil 116 [Way-1-116] Here therefore, my friend, you are to place the TRUE distinction of gospel Christianity from 117 [Way-1-117] He that adheres only to the history of the facts 118 [Way-1-118] It is in vain therefore for the modern Christian 119 [Way-1-119] But a learned Christianity, supported and governed by reason 120 [Way-1-120] For the truth of Christianity is the Spirit of God living and working in it 121 [Way-1-121] For the spiritual life is as much its own proof 122 [Way-2-2] All my acquaintance have the same complaint that I here make 123 [Way-2-3] Oh this impatient scholar! How many troubles do I escape 124 [Way-2-4] |John,| said I, |shall I bring a man to you 125 [Way-2-5] |And, as I was that morning going to my sheep 126 [Way-2-6] |When my Betty used to read this, or some such words of Christ 127 [Way-2-7] |When he, like an Elijah, in his fiery chariot 128 [Way-2-8] |As I have but one end in hearing the scriptures read to me 129 [Way-2-9] |Now these lofty and mysterious words, instead of puzzling my head 130 [Way-2-10] |Bring not therefore your cunning man, that has skill in words 131 [Way-2-11] Thus ended honest old John the shepherd. 132 [Way-2-12] But the truth is, you have only heard these fundamental matters 133 [Way-2-13] Theophilus. 134 [Way-2-14] Academicus. 135 [Way-2-15] Theophilus. 136 [Way-2-16] Now all this circle of science and arts, whether liberal or mechanic 137 [Way-2-17] This is Christian redemption; on the one side, it is the heavenly divine life offering 138 [Way-2-18] Now, whether this awakened, new man breathes forth his faith and hope towards this divine 139 [Way-2-19] And therefore, sir, no truths concerning the divine and heavenly life are to be brought 140 [Way-2-20] For the doctrines of redemption belong no more to the natural man 141 [Way-2-21] Jesus Christ is the light of that heavenly man that died in paradise 142 [Way-2-22] Academicus. 143 [Way-2-23] Now this TRUE ground of the Christian redemption gives the greatest glory to God and 144 [Way-2-24] But now, though this one ground of Christian redemption stands in the highest degree of 145 [Way-2-25] It would take up near half a day, to tell you the work which my 146 [Way-2-26] Following the advice of all these counselors, as well as I could 147 [Way-2-27] |Could you therefore, be content to be one of the primitive Christians 148 [Way-2-28] |Look up to Christ, as your redeemer, your regenerator 149 [Way-2-29] |God is a spirit, in whom you live and move and have your being 150 [Way-2-30] So ended Rusticus. 151 [Way-2-31] What a project was it, to be grasping after the knowledge of all the opinions 152 [Way-2-32] How easy was it for me to have seen with Rusticus 153 [Way-2-33] But now I go back to that which I first spoke of 154 [Way-2-34] Theophilus. 155 [Way-2-35] Further, he may be considered, 4. 156 [Way-2-36] There are two sorts of people to whom he forbids the use of his books 157 [Way-2-37] In this advice, so different from that of other writers 158 [Way-2-38] Secondly, the other sort of people, whom he excludes from his books 159 [Way-2-39] And now, Academicus, you may see how needless it is to ask me 160 [Way-2-40] Academicus. 161 [Way-2-41] Theophilus. 162 [Way-2-42] This is the great scene of his eternal wisdom and omnipotence 163 [Way-2-43] Out of this transcendent eternal nature, which is as universal and immense as the Deity 164 [Way-2-44] This is in part what you are first to understand concerning the mystery. 165 [Way-2-45] But, secondly, it is a mystery, in which the creation and fall of angels 166 [Way-2-46] Thirdly, it is a mystery, in which the ground of Christian redemption 167 [Way-2-47] This, sir, is, in some degree, the mystery which it has pleased the Spirit of 168 [Way-2-48] Academicus. 169 [Way-2-49] Theophilus. 170 [Way-2-50] Behold, now, what a flagrant proof you have given of the vanity 171 [Way-2-51] Academicus. 172 [Way-2-52] Theophilus. 173 [Way-2-53] Again, you can have no real knowledge of nature 174 [Way-2-54] To count the stars, to observe their places or motions 175 [Way-2-55] This world, with all its stars, elements, and creatures 176 [Way-2-56] If man himself was not all these three things 177 [Way-2-57] For God can only manifest that, which there is to be manifested 178 [Way-2-58] We are led into mistakes about this matter from the common practice of the world 179 [Way-2-59] From this idea of knowledge it is, that when this rational man turns his thoughts 180 [Way-2-60] He turns his mind to hearsay, to conjecture, to criticism 181 [Way-2-61] This is the great delusion which has long overspread the Christian world 182 [Way-2-62] Now this is strictly the incapacity of reason, to speak 183 [Way-2-63] Secondly, natural reason, whenever judging or ruling in divine matters 184 [Way-2-64] Academicus. 185 [Way-2-65] Theophilus. 186 [Way-2-66] For nothing that is brought into the mind from without 187 [Way-2-67] One would have thought, Academicus, that this advice, if only from the uncommon nature of 188 [Way-2-68] Truth, my friend, whatever you may think of it 189 [Way-2-69] Hear therefore its own language: |If any man will be my disciple 190 [Way-2-70] God created us in and for the light; and had Adam kept his first state 191 [Way-2-71] The schools of this world are of no higher a nature 192 [Way-2-72] Would you therefore be a divine philosopher, you must be a TRUE Christian 193 [Way-2-73] Academicus. 194 [Way-2-74] Theophilus. 195 [Way-2-75] Academicus. 196 [Way-2-76] Theophilus. 197 [Way-2-77] Every other thing, besides the life and light of God 198 [Way-2-78] Academicus. 199 [Way-2-79] Theophilus. 200 [Way-2-80] For nothing leads or carries you anywhere, nothing generates either life or death in you 201 [Way-2-81] For where the will of man is not, there he hath nothing 202 [Way-2-82] Academicus. 203 [Way-2-83] Theophilus. 204 [Way-2-84] And herein consisteth the infinite goodness of God, in the birth of all intelligent creatures 205 [Way-2-85] And here, my friend, you have an easy entrance into the TRUE meaning of many 206 [Way-2-86] Now magic power meaneth nothing but the working of the will 207 [Way-2-87] The first manifestation of the invisible God, is that which is called 208 [Way-2-88] This manifestation of God is a magic birth from the triune working will of the 209 [Way-2-89] Now this same working will of the triune Deity 210 [Way-2-90] Now everything that is not God, but after him 211 [Way-2-91] Would you know now the TRUE ground of all this? It is this 212 [Way-2-92] And now, sir, you are come into a full view of the most important matter 213 [Way-2-93] For nothing is effected by fiction and invention, by any contrived arts or searchings of 214 [Way-2-94] Now here you see, in the utmost degree of clearness 215 [Way-2-95] Hence it is, that our author so often tells his reader 216 [Way-2-96] I said, into the truth and reality of nature 217 [Way-2-97] For the Word of God which saveth and redeemeth 218 [Way-2-98] Again, see here in a still higher degree of proof the absolute necessity 219 [Way-2-99] All the mysteries of religion, and the necessity of the whole process of Christ in 220 [Way-2-100] Nor does this at all too much exalt the human will 221 [Way-2-101] And thus, sir, you see, that every soul of man is partly human 222 [Way-2-102] And thus, from this knowledge of the magic nature of things 223 [Way-2-103] The short is this: the whole matter of religion relates only to life and death. 224 [Way-2-104] Academicus. 225 [Way-2-105] For this magic power of everything, that works in all nature and creature 226 [Way-2-106] Theophilus. 227 [Way-2-107] As to your other matter, how this language of the magical working of the will 228 [Way-2-108] Everything that is outward in religion, whether it be men or things 229 [Way-2-109] For nothing worketh in all nature or grace, but what worketh as a birth 230 [Way-2-110] Again, faith and hope, and love and desire towards God 231 [Way-2-111] For all these powers, whether of faith, hope, love 232 [Way-2-112] Again, hence it is, namely, from this magic power of the working of the will 233 [Way-2-113] Hence all these truths plainly follow: first, that faith 234 [Way-2-114] This was the dominion he had over all the creatures on the earth 235 [Way-2-115] Now all this high state of his first power is undeniable from the words of 236 [Way-2-116] And therefore all gospel faith, however wonderful in its power 237 [Way-2-117] For if the revival of faith, in so small a degree 238 [Way-2-118] And thus also, you see, that all that was said of the nature and extent 239 [Way-2-119] Humanus. 240 [Way-2-120] Now this faith may be thus understood; it is that power by which a man 241 [Way-2-121] Now this faith is not a matter of choice 242 [Way-2-122] The debate therefore, set up by the Deists, about reason and faith 243 [Way-2-123] Now, was not faith the power of life in every man 244 [Way-2-124] The delusion of the Deist lies here: he refuses an assent to the history of 245 [Way-2-125] The Deist therefore hath no other possible way of showing 246 [Way-2-126] I could not help saying thus much on this delusion 247 [Way-2-127] |For if devils are what they are, because of their state and manner of existence 248 [Way-2-128] |Now, if you was to send to the fallen spirits of darkness all the systems 249 [Way-2-129] |Hence it sufficiently appears, that your way of natural religion cannot be the way of 250 [Way-2-130] |There never could have been any dispute about the possibility of saving ourselves by our 251 [Way-2-131] |Now all this is the same total ignorance of God 252 [Way-2-132] |For as soon as it is known and confessed 253 [Way-2-133] And now, Theophilus, if you please, you may proceed in the matter you was upon. 254 [Way-2-134] Theophilus. 255 [Way-3-2] Theophilus. 256 [Way-3-3] Academicus. 257 [Way-3-4] Theophilus. 258 [Way-3-5] The men of speculative reason, whom you seem most to apprehend 259 [Way-3-6] Observe the word |self-evident|; for there lies the truth of the matter 260 [Way-3-7] You can know nothing of God, of nature, of heaven 261 [Way-3-8] Let it be supposed, that your ingenious reason should suggest to you 262 [Way-3-9] Now this is the only knowledge that you can possibly have of an outward hell 263 [Way-3-10] Again, let it be supposed, that your sceptic reason had brought you into doubt about 264 [Way-3-11] For what a God is this, that is only proved to be 265 [Way-3-12] But now, if you turn from all these idle debates and demonstrations of reason 266 [Way-3-13] And as this is our only TRUE knowledge, so every man is 267 [Way-3-14] Wonder not therefore, my friend, that though the mystery under consideration contains the greatest truths 268 [Way-3-15] Academicus. 269 [Way-3-16] Theophilus. 270 [Way-3-17] Now suppose you knew no more of what God is in himself 271 [Way-3-18] Academicus. 272 [Way-3-19] Theophilus. 273 [Way-3-20] And thus your difficulty is removed: attraction or drawing is rightly ascribed to the desire 274 [Way-3-21] Now as these two properties are two resistances, not in two different things 275 [Way-3-22] Now the life of these three properties is a life of three contrary wills 276 [Way-3-23] And now, sir, you have seen plainly enough the birth 277 [Way-3-24] For it is a thing self-evident to you, that every desire 278 [Way-3-25] You have yourself for a proof, that desire and pain begin together 279 [Way-3-26] Now all that is nature, or natural life within you 280 [Way-3-27] And if the working properties, which constitute the life of eternal nature 281 [Way-3-28] Academicus. 282 [Way-3-29] Theophilus. 283 [Way-3-30] But if life is to be happy, something else must come into them 284 [Way-3-31] Now this first thickness, darkness, or substantiality, brought forth in the desire 285 [Way-3-32] The first three properties of nature were never to have been seen or known 286 [Way-3-33] Now as a new thickness of darkness, hardness, or substantiality 287 [Way-3-34] Now the three first properties of nature; the first 288 [Way-3-35] Without these two things, material nature must have continued in its darkness 289 [Way-3-36] For as this material system of things may, in a good sense 290 [Way-3-37] Oh Academicus! Look now whilst these thoughts are alive in you at worldly greatness 291 [Way-3-38] Academicus. 292 [Way-3-39] But, instead of learning this one lesson of truth 293 [Way-3-40] Theophilus. 294 [Way-3-41] God breathed the triune Spirit of the holy Deity into a body taken out of 295 [Way-3-42] But when his wandering eye had raised a longing desire to know what the earthly 296 [Way-3-43] And thus you see the possibility, the truth, and the manner of the thing 297 [Way-3-44] Now, when this happened, the fallen angels entered again into some power in their lost 298 [Way-3-45] Stay a while, sir, in view of these truths 299 [Way-3-46] Here also you see, in a self-evident light, the deep ground 300 [Way-3-47] You rejoice to think, that you know the TRUE ground of your redemption 301 [Way-3-48] Academicus. 302 [Way-3-49] Theophilus. 303 [Way-3-50] You say, that your nature stands in a trembling desire after the birth of this 304 [Way-3-51] But to speak a word or two of the fire 305 [Way-3-52] Now from this longing on both sides, nature wanting God 306 [Way-3-53] For nothing works either in God, or nature, or creature 307 [Way-3-54] Academicus. 308 [Way-3-55] Theophilus. 309 [Way-3-56] To make therefore a right use of his writings 310 [Way-3-57] Academicus. 311 [Way-3-58] Theophilus. 312 [Way-3-59] But to speak now directly to your objection: if I knew of any person 313 [Way-3-60] And this may pass for a good reason why this mystery was not opened by 314 [Way-3-61] But seeing a worldly spirituality, called in the scripture the whore riding upon the beast 315 [Way-3-62] Let not therefore the genuine, plain, simple Christian, who is happy and blessed in the 316 [Way-3-63] Neither let the orthodox divine, who sticks close to the phrases and sentiments of antiquity 317 [Way-3-64] Hence you may see why the truth has always suffered in every controversy of the 318 [Way-3-65] Look next at the Socinian controversy. 319 [Way-3-66] Just the same may be said of the present controversy betwixt the Christians and infidels 320 [Way-3-67] Observe this proposition; viz. 321 [Way-3-68] And now, sir, you may enough see, how all controversy 322 [Way-3-69] Suffer me now, before we part, once more to repeat what I have so often