The Cure of Misprision, Section 18
Sect. 18.
Secondly, It is the peculiar office of Gods ſpirit to convience of ſinne. As it is, John 16▪ 8. 1 Cor. 2. 10. 12. 15. 16. For as none can behold the Sun but by the benefit of the Sun. So none can know God, nor the things of God, but by the revelation of God, 1 Cor 12. 3 8. Mat. 16 17. Luke 21. 85. God is the Sun of our ſoules, his word as a ſun dyall, in which may bee ſeene all the letters, either by day or candle light. but to know what a clocke it is, and how the time paſſes, the Sun muſt ſhine. So without Gods ſpirit we cannotby the word know how it fares with our ſoules. For whereas ſin comes with conception, and ſome morall principles by education, grace comes only by inſpiration, as experience teaches. It is ſaid that Melancton (having found the word moſt eaſily to prevaile with him) doubted not but his preaching, ſhould doe wonders upon others, but having tryed, he ſound and confeſſ, that old Adam was too ſtrong for young Melancton, whence he reſolved upon another courſe, viz. to add unto his preaching, faithfull and ſervent prayer for them, ſaying, though our reaſons cannot open their eyes, yet God who brought light out of dark…neſſe can doe it, and therefore we pray unto him, with the Prophet for his ſervant. 2 Kings 6. 17 Lord open their eyes.
And certainly if arguments, or the evidence and demonſtration of reaſon, drawne from the very word it ſelfe▪ could convince the judgements, and change the minds of our malicious adverſaries, ther needed no more to be ſpoken then hath been ſpoken in the former treatiſe, and this to cure their Enmity, Prejudice, and Miſpriſion towards Religion, and the Religious. Yea, admit they but minded what hath now been ſaid of this argument▪ what could they have to object? For i… the religious (whem they tearme Puritanes) are ſo far from juſtifying themſelves, that their thoughts are chiefly taken up with their owne wants and infirmities, and that they account their v…r… …, … as filthyr …ggs? And that their … the …, do indeed through ignorance and bl…dues juſt…fie themſelves, and thinke they are pure and without ſin? wh…n they are not in any degree purged from their filthineſſe, as hath been plenti…ully proved Let them acknowledge, yea, let all men upright…y and impar…ially confeſſe, that the reputed Pu…ita… … no Pu…i…ane, but that their accuſe…s, who rai…e and cry out ſo againſt Puritaniſme, are every of them both notorious Puritans, and the right heires aparant to him …ho is the Father of lyes, John 8. 44. For ſee how ſcandalous, how ſlight, how falſe and forged thi… their accuſation is, ſo are all the reſidue, as I ſhall be able eaſily to evince. For they are no more guilty of the things they are accuſed, then Benjamin was o… Joſephs Cup, when it was put into his Sack.
But it is the ſpirit of God alone, that can convince men both of their ſinfullneſſe and maliciouſneſſe. For as meer ſence is uncapable of the rules of reaſon, ſo reaſon is no leſfe uncapable of the things that are ſupernaturall. The true knowledge of the nature and ſtate of the ſoule, muſt come by his inſpiration that gave the ſubſtance. With the ſpirits helpe, the meanes can never be too weake: without it never ſtrong enough. Wherefore let us importune God the father, (who only hath the key of the heart) for his holy ſpirit, to become their teacher, then ſhall their underſtandings be opened to diſcerne the truth cleerly, as it fared with thoſe Diſciples▪ Luke 24. 44. 45. and their hearts changed as St. Pauls was▪ Acts 9. In the meane time, let us pray for them, as Chriſt for his murtherers, Father forgive them for they know not wh… they doe, Luke 23. 34.
And ſo much concerning your firſt Miſpriſion Now let us heare what elſe you ſtumble at?