The possibility and necessity of the inward immediate revelation of the spirit of God towards the foundation and ground of true faith, proved in a letter write [sic] in Latine, to a person of quality in Holland; and now also put into English. By R.B.
         Barclay, Robert, 1648-1690.
      
       
         
           1686
        
      
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         99826938
         31350
         
           
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             The possibility and necessity of the inward immediate revelation of the spirit of God towards the foundation and ground of true faith, proved in a letter write [sic] in Latine, to a person of quality in Holland; and now also put into English. By R.B.
             Barclay, Robert, 1648-1690.
          
           [4], 28 p.
           
             s.n.],
             [London :
             Printed in the year 1686.
          
           
             "To the reader" and letter signed: R. Barclay.
             Place of publication from Wing.
             Identified on UMI microfilm (Early English books, 1641-1700) reel 1881 as Wing B732B.
             Reproduction of the original in the Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Revelation -- Early works to 1800.
           Salvation -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           POSSIBILITY
           AND
           NECESSITY
           Of
           the
           INWARD
           IMMEDIATE
           REVELATION
           Of
           the
           SPIRIT
           of
           GOD
           Towards
           the
           Foundation
           and
           Ground
           of
           True
           FAITH
           ,
           proved
           in
           a
           Letter
           write
           in
           Latine
           ,
           to
           a
           Person
           of
           Quality
           in
           Holland
           ;
           And
           now
           also
           put
           into
           English.
           
        
         
           By
           R.
           B.
           
        
         
           Printed
           in
           the
           Year
           1686.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           ADVERTISEMENT
           To
           the
           READER
           .
        
         
           THIS
           serves
           to
           inform
           thee
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           above
           seven
           years
           since
           this
           Epistle
           was
           Printed
           in
           Latine
           ,
           the
           Person
           to
           whom
           it
           was
           write
           ,
           the
           
             Heer
             Paets
          
           ,
           is
           a
           Man
           of
           no
           mean
           accompt
           both
           in
           the
           Learned
           and
           Politick
           World
           ;
           The
           Conference
           I
           had
           with
           him
           was
           lately
           after
           his
           return
           from
           Spain
           ,
           where
           he
           had
           been
           Ambassadour
           from
           the
           
             United
             Netherlands
          
           ;
           I
           discoursed
           with
           him
           on
           the
           same
           subject
           ,
           last
           year
           at
           London
           ,
           where
           he
           was
           one
           of
           the
           Commissioners
           for
           the
           
             Dutch
             Eastindian
             Company
          
           ;
           but
           could
           not
           find
           him
           propose
           any
           thing
           new
           ,
           nor
           what
           I
           could
           conceive
           had
           any
           weight
           towards
           a
           Reph
           ;
           what
           his
           Reasons
           were
           ,
           not
           to
           prosecute
           this
           Matter
           further
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           determine
           :
           But
           thus
           far
           he
           readily
           yeelded
           ,
           
             That
             he
             had
             been
             mistaken
             in
             his
             notion
             of
             the
          
           Quakers
           ,
           
             for
             he
             found
             they
             could
             make
             a
             Reasonable
             Plea
             for
             the
             foundation
             of
             their
             Religion
             .
          
           Vpon
           my
           reading
           it
           over
           again
           ,
           I
           find
           an
           inclination
           in
           my self
           ,
           and
           was
           perswaded
           by
           some
           Friends
           ,
           to
           publish
           it
           in
           a
           Language
           more
           obvious
           to
           all
           my
           Countrey
           Men.
           It
           is
           a
           Question
           now
           frequently
           tossed
           ,
           
             What
             is
             the
             Ground
             and
             Foundation
             of
             Faith
          
           ?
           And
           when
           the
           matter
           is
           sifted
           to
           the
           bottom
           ,
           it
           resolves
           in
           Tradition
           or
           Revelation
           ;
           for
           those
           who
           lay
           claim
           to
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           would
           make
           it
           the
           foundation
           of
           their
           Faith
           ,
           do
           resolve
           it
           but
           in
           a
           Tradition
           ,
           when
           
           the
           Motives
           of
           Credibility
           are
           enquired
           unto
           ,
           since
           the
           
             subjective
             Revelation
          
           which
           they
           yeeld
           ,
           comes
           but
           in
           the
           last
           place
           ,
           and
           is
           by
           themselves
           termed
           
             medium
             incognitum
             assentiendi
          
           .
           And
           such
           a
           Revelation
           those
           of
           Rome
           will
           not
           refuse
           ,
           to
           influence
           them
           to
           assent
           to
           the
           
             determination
             of
             the
             Church
          
           :
           So
           those
           Protestants
           who
           say
           ,
           
             the
             subjective
             operation
             of
             the
             Spirit
             influences
             them
             ,
             (
             tho
             they
             know
             not
             how
             )
             to
             believe
             the
             Scripture
             presented
             and
             conveyed
             to
             them
             by
             Tradition
             ,
             as
             the
             Dictats
             of
             GODS
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             so
             understand
             them
             as
             their
             Preachers
             interpret
             them
          
           ;
           differ
           not
           much
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           have
           not
           Reason
           to
           differ
           from
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           who
           say
           ,
           
             the
             Spirit
             influences
             them
             to
             believe
             the
             Scriptures
             as
             proposed
             by
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             according
             as
             her
             Doctors
             and
             Councils
             interpret
             them
             .
          
           And
           neither
           has
           any
           better
           foundation
           than
           Tradition
           ;
           And
           to
           speak
           the
           truth
           plainly
           ,
           the
           Faith
           of
           both
           resolves
           in
           the
           veneration
           they
           have
           for
           their
           Doctors
           ;
           But
           whereas
           the
           one
           affirms
           ,
           they
           do
           it
           by
           
             an
             intire
             Submission
          
           ,
           they
           think
           it
           decent
           to
           say
           ,
           
             they
             judge
             them
             infallible
          
           .
           And
           certainly
           ,
           it
           is
           most
           reasonable
           that
           such
           as
           affirm
           the
           first
           ,
           believe
           the
           last
           .
           The
           other
           because
           they
           pretend
           they
           
             believe
             the
             Church
             but
             conditionally
             ,
             have
             denyed
             to
             her
             infallibility
             ,
          
           tho
           generally
           they
           be
           as
           credulous
           as
           the
           other
           .
           And
           I
           find
           the
           Doctors
           of
           their
           Church
           as
           angry
           to
           be
           contradicted
           as
           the
           other
           ,
           that
           is
           an
           ingredient
           goes
           to
           the
           Composition
           of
           all
           Clergy-Men
           ,
           since
           it
           became
           a
           Trade
           ,
           and
           went
           to
           make
           a
           part
           of
           the
           outward
           policy
           
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           from
           whence
           has
           flowed
           that
           monster
           Persecution
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           the
           matter
           is
           easily
           driven
           into
           this
           narrow
           compass
           ;
           we
           believe
           either
           because
           of
           an
           outward
           or
           
             inward
             Testimony
          
           ,
           that
           is
           because
           it
           is
           outwardly
           delivered
           to
           us
           ,
           or
           inwardly
           revealed
           to
           us
           .
           For
           my
           part
           ,
           I
           think
           the
           Papists
           does
           wisely
           in
           pleading
           for
           Infallibility
           ,
           for
           certainly
           the
           true
           Church
           never
           was
           nor
           can
           be
           without
           it
           :
           And
           the
           Protestants
           does
           honestly
           in
           not
           claiming
           it
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           sensible
           they
           want
           it
           .
           I
           should
           therefore
           desire
           the
           one
           to
           prove
           that
           they
           are
           infallible
           ;
           and
           advice
           the
           other
           to
           believe
           they
           may
           ,
           and
           seek
           after
           it
           :
           But
           I
           am
           sure
           ,
           neither
           the
           one
           is
           ,
           nor
           the
           other
           cannot
           without
           
             immediate
             Divine
             Revelation
          
           .
           Therefore
           as
           to
           deny
           Revelation
           ,
           is
           a
           bad
           way
           to
           prove
           Infallibility
           ;
           so
           to
           deny
           Infallibility
           is
           a
           bad
           way
           to
           make
           a
           Reformation
           ,
           since
           they
           who
           do
           reform
           ,
           had
           need
           to
           be
           certain
           they
           are
           doing
           so
           .
           The
           asserting
           of
           Infallibility
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           ●hrist
           ,
           is
           not
           the
           errour
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           but
           the
           pretending
           to
           it
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           it
           not
           ,
           and
           placing
           it
           where
           they
           should
           not
           :
           But
           since
           those
           who
           oppose
           
             immediate
             Revelation
          
           ,
           do
           it
           on
           the
           accompt
           that
           they
           reckon
           it
           either
           impossible
           or
           unnecessary
           .
           I
           hope
           there
           will
           be
           as
           much
           found
           in
           this
           Epistle
           as
           will
           〈◊〉
           the
           contrary
           .
           I
           have
           now
           exceeded
           the
           limits
           of
           〈◊〉
           Advertisement
           ,
           (
           but
           being
           known
           not
           to
           be
           a
           Man
           of
           form
           )
           I
           hope
           ,
           my
           Reader
           will
           excuse
           me
           ;
           to
           whom
           I
           wish
           true
           certainty
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           so
           bid
           him
           heartily
           Farewell
           ,
        
         
           
             R.
             BARCLAY
             .
          
           
             
               The
               9.
               of
               October
               ,
               87.
               
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           
             My
             Friend
             ,
          
        
         
           ALBEIT
           I
           judge
           I
           did
           fully
           answer
           to
           all
           thy
           Arguments
           in
           that
           Conference
           we
           had
           concerning
           the
           necessity
           and
           possibility
           of
           
             Inward
             Immediate
             Revelation
          
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           
             certainty
             of
             True
             Faith
             from
             thence
             proceeding
             .
          
           Nevertheless
           ,
           Because
           after
           we
           had
           made
           an
           end
           ,
           and
           were
           parting
           ,
           thou
           would
           needs
           remit
           to
           my
           further
           Consideration
           ,
           the
           strength
           of
           thy
           Argument
           ,
           as
           that
           in
           which
           thou
           supposed
           the
           very
           hing
           of
           the
           Question
           to
           lye
           :
           That
           I
           might
           satisfie
           thy
           desire
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Truth
           might
           more
           appear
           ,
           I
           did
           further
           consider
           of
           it
           ;
           But
           the
           more
           I
           weighed
           it
           ,
           I
           found
           it
           the
           weaker
           :
           And
           therefore
           that
           thou
           thy self
           may
           make
           the
           truer
           Judgement
           of
           it
           ,
           I
           thought
           meet
           to
           send
           thee
           my
           further
           considerations
           thereon
           ,
           (
           which
           I
           had
           done
           err
           now
           ,
           had
           not
           I
           both
           at
           London
           and
           elsewhere
           been
           diverted
           by
           other
           necessary
           occasions
           )
           Wherein
           ,
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           thou
           will
           perceive
           a
           full
           and
           distinct
           answer
           to
           thy
           Argument
           .
           But
           if
           thou
           cannot
           as
           yet
           yield
           to
           the
           Truth
           ,
           or
           thinks
           mine
           answer
           in
           any
           part
           to
           be
           defective
           ,
           so
           that
           there
           yet
           remains
           with
           thee
           ,
           any
           matter
           of
           doubt
           or
           scruple
           I
           doe
           earnestly
           desire
           thee
           ,
           that
           as
           I
           for
           thy
           sake
           ,
           and
           out
           
           of
           love
           to
           the
           Truth
           have
           ,
           not
           been
           wanting
           to
           examine
           thy
           Argument
           ,
           and
           to
           transmitt
           to
           thee
           my
           Considerations
           thereon
           ;
           So
           thou
           may
           give
           thy self
           the
           trouble
           to
           write
           and
           send
           me
           what
           thou
           has
           further
           to
           say
           ,
           which
           my
           Friend
           N.
           N.
           who
           delivers
           thee
           this
           ,
           will
           at
           what
           time
           thou
           shall
           appoint
           receive
           from
           thee
           ,
           and
           transmitt
           to
           me
           thy
           Letter
           ,
           that
           at
           last
           the
           Truth
           may
           appear
           where
           it
           is
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           the
           whole
           matter
           may
           the
           more
           clearly
           be
           understood
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           fit
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           to
           propose
           thy
           Argument
           whereby
           thou
           opposes
           the
           
             Immediat
             Revelation
             of
          
           GOD
           in
           the
           Saints
           ,
           thence
           concluding
           thou
           has
           fully
           overturned
           the
           foundation
           of
           the
           People
           called
           Quakers
           .
           Which
           Argument
           of
           thine
           is
           ,
        
         
           
             That
             since
             (
             as
             thou
             judges
             )
             the
             Beeing
             and
             Substance
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             consisteth
             in
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             and
             Faith
             concerning
             the
             Birth
             ,
             Life
             ,
             Death
             ,
             Resurrection
             and
             Ascension
             of
             Christ
             Jesus
             ;
             thou
             consider●
             the
             substance
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             as
             a
             contingent
             truth
             ;
             which
             contingent
             truth
             is
             matter
             of
             fact
          
           :
           whence
           thou
           reasons
           ,
           
             That
             matter
             of
             Fact
             cannot
             be
             known
             but
             by
             the
             relation
             of
             another
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             perception
             of
             the
             outward
             Senses
             :
             Because
             there
             are
             naturally
             in
             our
             Souls
             no
          
           Ideas
           
             of
             contingent
             truths
             ,
             such
             as
             are
             concerning
             necessary
             Truths
          
           :
           to
           wit
           ,
           
             That
             GOD
             is
             ,
             and
             tha●
             the
             whole
             is
             greater
             than
             the
             part
             ;
             And
             since
             i●
             may
             without
             absurdity
             be
             said
             ,
             that
             GOD
             cannot
             make
             a
             contingent
             Truth
             to
             become
             a
             necessary
             Truth
             ;
             neither
             can
             GOD
             reveal
             contingent
             Truths
             or
             matters
             of
             Fact
             
             but
             as
             contingent
             Truths
             are
             revealed
             ;
             But
             matters
             of
             Fact
             are
             not
             revealed
             but
             by
             the
             outward
             Senses
          
           :
           From
           whence
           thou
           concludes
           ,
           
             That
             Men
             are
             not
             even
             oblieged
             to
             believe
             GOD
             producing
             any
             Revelation
             ●n
             the
             Soul
             concerning
             matter
             of
             Fact
             ,
             whether
             of
             a
             ●hing
             done
             or
             to
             be
             done
             ,
             unless
             there
             be
             added
             some
             Miracles
             obvious
             to
             the
             outward
             senses
             ,
             by
             which
             the
             Soul
             may
             be
             ascertained
             that
             that
             Revelation
             cometh
             from
             GOD
          
           :
           And
           this
           thou
           endeavours
           also
           to
           prove
           from
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           Rom
           :
           10.
           where
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           ,
           
             Faith
             cometh
             by
             hearing
          
           :
           And
           because
           the
           Apostle
           speaketh
           afterwards
           of
           those
           who
           were
           ●ent
           in
           the
           plural
           number
           :
           Thence
           thou
           concludes
           ,
           
             That
             to
             be
             spoken
             of
             outward
             Preaching
             by
             ●he
             Ministry
             of
             Men
          
           :
           And
           since
           the
           Apostle
           uses
           Question
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             How
             shall
             they
             believe
             unless
             ●hey
             hear
          
           ?
           Thou
           gathers
           from
           the
           Induction
           and
           ●onnexion
           of
           the
           Text
           ,
           that
           the
           Apostle
           treats
           ●nly
           
             of
             outward
             hearing
          
           ;
           thence
           concluding
           
             that
             ●ithout
             outward
             hearing
             ,
             Faith
             cannot
             be
             produced
          
           :
           ●nd
           therefore
           ,
           that
           there
           can
           
             be
             no
             Immediat
             Revelation
             by
             the
             simple
             operation
             of
             the
             Spirit
             in
             the
             Mind
             ,
          
           ●nless
           there
           be
           somewhat
           proposed
           to
           the
           
             Out●ard
             senses
          
           .
        
         
           Before
           I
           proceed
           to
           a
           direct
           answer
           to
           this
           Ar●ument
           ,
           some
           things
           are
           necessary
           to
           be
           premised
           ,
        
         
           First
           then
           ,
           That
           is
           falsly
           supposed
           ,
           that
           the
           ●ence
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           consists
           in
           the
           ●istoricall
           Faith
           and
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           
             Birth
             ,
             ●eath
             ,
             Life
             ,
             Resurrection
             and
             Ascension
             of
             Christ
          
           
           That
           Faith
           and
           Historicall
           Knowledge
           is
           indeed
           a
           part
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ;
           But
           not
           such
           an
           Essentiall
           part
           ,
           as
           that
           without
           which
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           cannot
           consist
           ;
           But
           an
           Integrall
           part
           ,
           which
           goes
           to
           the
           compleating
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           as
           the
           Hands
           or
           Feet
           of
           a
           Man
           are
           Integrall
           parts
           of
           a
           Man
           ,
           without
           which
           nevertheless
           a
           Man
           may
           exist
           ,
           but
           not
           an
           intire
           and
           compleat
           Man.
           
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           If
           by
           
             Immediate
             Revelation
          
           be
           understood
           such
           a
           Revelation
           of
           GOD
           as
           begets
           in
           our
           Souls
           an
           historicall
           Faith
           and
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           Birth
           of
           Christ
           in
           the
           flesh
           ,
           without
           the
           means
           o●
           the
           holy
           Scripture
           ,
           we
           do
           not
           for
           such
           a
           Revelalation
           as
           commonly
           given
           or
           to
           be
           expected
           by
           u●
           or
           any
           other
           Christians
           ;
           For
           albeit
           many
           other
           Evangelical
           Truths
           be
           manifested
           to
           us
           by
           the
           immediate
           manifestation
           of
           God
           ,
           not
           using
           the
           Scripture
           as
           the
           means
           :
           yet
           the
           Historical
           Knowledge
           o●
           Christ
           is
           not
           commonly
           manifested
           to
           us
           ,
           nor
           t●
           any
           others
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           holy
           Scripture
           as
           th●
           means
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           way
           of
           a
           
             Material
             Object
          
           ,
           eve●
           as
           when
           we
           see
           the
           Person
           of
           Peter
           or
           Paul
           by
           th●
           help
           of
           the
           Suns
           light
           ;
           that
           light
           of
           the
           Sun
           re●veals
           the
           Person
           of
           Peter
           or
           Paul
           to
           our
           visiv●
           Faculty
           immediately
           ,
           yet
           not
           without
           the
           m●dium
           of
           that
           person
           concurring
           as
           a
           
             matterial
             O●ject
          
           to
           produce
           that
           sight
           ,
           while
           the
           light
           of
           th●
           Sun
           concurrs
           as
           the
           
             formal
             Object
          
           of
           that
           vision
           〈◊〉
           sight
           :
           So
           that
           when
           we
           Livingly
           and
           Spiritua●ly
           know
           the
           History
           of
           the
           Birth
           of
           Christ
           〈◊〉
           the
           flesh
           ,
           the
           
             Inward
             Revelation
          
           or
           Illumination
           〈◊〉
           
           GOD
           ,
           which
           is
           like
           the
           Suns
           light
           ,
           proceeding
           from
           the
           
             Divine
             Sun
          
           doth
           shine
           into
           the
           eye
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           and
           by
           Its
           influence
           moves
           the
           mind
           to
           assent
           unto
           the
           Historical
           Truth
           of
           CHRISTS
           Birth
           ,
           Life
           ,
           &c.
           in
           the
           Reading
           or
           Hearing
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           or
           meditating
           therein
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           Nevertheless
           we
           do
           firmly
           assert
           ,
           that
           GOD
           can
           most
           easily
           ,
           clearly
           and
           certainly
           manifest
           to
           our
           minds
           the
           Historical
           Truths
           of
           CHRISTS
           Birth
           ,
           &c.
           when
           it
           so
           pleaseth
           Him
           ,
           even
           without
           the
           Scripture
           or
           any
           other
           outward
           mean.
           And
           because
           this
           Argument
           seems
           to
           be
           formed
           against
           the
           possibility
           of
           such
           a
           Revelation
           ,
           therefore
           I
           shall
           proceed
           to
           discuse
           it
           .
           But
           first
           ,
           thou
           may
           mind
           that
           the
           Prophets
           who
           foretold
           CHRISTS
           
             coming
             in
             the
             Flesh
          
           ,
           and
           
             being
             to
             be
             born
             of
             a
             Virgin
             ,
          
           and
           
             afterwards
             to
             suffer
             Death
          
           ,
           did
           know
           these
           Truths
           of
           Fact
           ,
           by
           the
           
             Inward
             Inspiration
          
           of
           GOD
           without
           Outward
           Means
           ,
           for
           which
           see
           1
           Peter
           1.10
           ,
           11.
           
           Now
           that
           which
           hath
           been
           may
           be
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           This
           Argument
           doth
           at
           most
           conclude
           that
           we
           cannot
           know
           Naturally
           any
           truth
           of
           Fact
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           relation
           of
           another
           without
           us
           ,
           or
           by
           the
           perception
           of
           the
           outward
           senses
           ;
           Because
           there
           are
           naturally
           in
           our
           minds
           no
           Ideas
           concerning
           contingent
           Truths
           (
           and
           every
           Truth
           of
           Fact
           is
           a
           contingent
           Truth
           )
           as
           there
           are
           of
           necessary
           Truths
           .
           This
           then
           proveth
           that
           we
           cannot
           naturally
           know
           any
           contingent
           Truth
           but
           by
           the
           relation
           of
           another
           ,
           or
           perception
           of
           
           the
           outward
           senses
           :
           But
           that
           hindreth
           not
           ,
           but
           we
           may
           know
           a
           contingent
           Truth
           by
           a
           
             supernaturall
             Knowledge
          
           ,
           GOD
           supplying
           the
           place
           of
           an
           outward
           Relator
           ,
           who
           is
           so
           true
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           believed
           ;
           Sith
           GOD
           is
           the
           fountain
           of
           Truth
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           When
           GOD
           doth
           make
           known
           unto
           Men
           any
           matter
           of
           Fact
           by
           Divine
           immediat
           Revelation
           or
           Inspiration
           ,
           GOD
           speaking
           as
           to
           the
           Ear
           of
           the
           Heart
           of
           the
           inward
           Man
           ,
           or
           as
           by
           his
           Finger
           writting
           it
           therein
           .
           Two
           things
           are
           to
           be
           considered
           in
           such
           an
           
             Immediat
             Revelation
          
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Tòmateriale
           ,
           The
           matter
           of
           fact
           or
           thing
           revealed
           which
           is
           contingent
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Toformale
           ,
           The
           forme
           or
           mode
           ,
           how
           the
           Revelation
           is
           made
           ,
           which
           forme
           is
           an
           Inward
           ,
           Divine
           and
           
             supernaturall
             Revelation
          
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           voice
           or
           speech
           of
           GOD
           ,
           inwardly
           speaking
           to
           the
           Ear
           of
           the
           inward
           Man
           ,
           or
           Mind
           of
           Man
           ▪
           or
           a
           Divine
           writting
           ,
           supernaturally
           imprinted
           therein
           .
           Now
           as
           to
           the
           
             matteriall
             part
          
           ,
           or
           the
           thing
           and
           matter
           revealed
           ;
           This
           is
           indeed
           a
           contingent
           Truth
           ,
           and
           of
           it self
           is
           not
           manifest
           to
           the
           Mind
           ,
           but
           because
           of
           the
           form
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           
             Divine
             mode
          
           and
           supernaturall
           inward
           operation
           ,
           the
           matter
           is
           known
           to
           be
           true
           :
           For
           that
           Divine
           and
           Supernatural
           Inward
           Operation
           ,
           which
           the
           Mind
           doth
           feel
           and
           perceive
           in
           it self
           ,
           is
           the
           Voice
           of
           GOD
           speaking
           unto
           Man
           ,
           which
           by
           its
           Nature
           and
           
             specifick
             Property
          
           ,
           is
           as
           clearly
           distinguished
           and
           understood
           to
           be
           the
           Voice
           of
           
           GOD
           ,
           as
           the
           voice
           of
           Peter
           of
           James
           is
           known
           to
           be
           the
           voice
           of
           such
           Men
           :
           for
           every
           Beeing
           as
           a
           Beeing
           is
           knowable
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           its
           own
           speci●●●k
           Nature
           or
           Property
           proceeding
           from
           its
           Nature
           ,
           and
           hath
           its
           proper
           Idea
           by
           which
           it's
           distinguishable
           from
           every
           other
           thing
           ,
           if
           so
           be
           it's
           Idea
           be
           stirred
           up
           in
           us
           ,
           and
           clearly
           proposed
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           ,
           Now
           as
           some
           Beeings
           are
           Natural
           ,
           some
           Supernatural
           ;
           so
           some
           Ideas
           are
           Natural
           ,
           some
           Supernatural
           :
           And
           as
           when
           any
           
             natural
             Idea
          
           is
           excited
           in
           us
           ,
           we
           clearly
           know
           it
           .
           So
           also
           when
           a
           
             supernatural
             Idea
          
           is
           raised
           ,
           we
           clearly
           know
           that
           whereof
           it
           is
           the
           Idea
           :
           but
           the
           Voice
           of
           GOD
           speaking
           to
           the
           mind
           of
           Man
           ,
           is
           a
           supernatural
           Beeing
           ,
           and
           stirreth
           up
           in
           us
           a
           
             supernatural
             Idea
          
           ,
           by
           which
           we
           clearly
           know
           that
           inward
           Voice
           to
           be
           the
           Voice
           of
           GOD
           ,
           and
           not
           the
           voice
           or
           operation
           of
           another
           ,
           or
           of
           any
           evil
           Spirit
           ,
           or
           Angel
           ,
           because
           none
           of
           these
           has
           a
           
             supernatural
             Idea
          
           ,
           as
           the
           Voice
           of
           GOD
           ,
           and
           his
           Divine
           Operation
           hath
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           full
           of
           Vigour
           ,
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           Divine
           Glory
           ,
           as
           saith
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           who
           had
           often
           experience
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           we
           also
           in
           our
           measures
           are
           witnesses
           thereof
           ,
           for
           the
           Voice
           of
           GOD
           is
           known
           to
           be
           his
           by
           its
           Divine
           Virtue
           .
        
         
           Seventhly
           ,
           The
           senses
           are
           either
           Outward
           or
           Inward
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Inward
             senses
          
           are
           either
           Natural
           or
           Supernatural
           :
           We
           have
           an
           example
           of
           the
           Inward
           Natural
           Sense
           in
           being
           Angied
           or
           Pacified
           ,
           
           in
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           ,
           or
           when
           we
           perceive
           and
           discern
           any
           Natural
           Truth
           ,
           (
           such
           as
           the
           Natural
           Maxims
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           
             That
             the
             whole
             is
             greater
             then
             the
             part
             :
          
           or
           when
           we
           deduce
           any
           Conclusion
           by
           the
           strength
           of
           Natural
           Reason
           ,
           that
           Perception
           also
           in
           a
           larger
           sense
           may
           be
           called
           an
           
             inward
             Sense
          
           .
           But
           an
           Example
           of
           an
           
             Inward
             supernatural
             Sense
          
           is
           ,
           when
           the
           Heart
           or
           Soul
           of
           a
           pious
           Man
           feels
           in
           it self
           
             Divine
             Motions
             ,
             Influences
             ,
             and
             Operations
             ,
          
           which
           sometimes
           are
           as
           the
           voice
           or
           speech
           of
           GOD
           ,
           sometimes
           as
           a
           most
           pleasant
           and
           glorious
           Illustration
           or
           visible
           Object
           to
           the
           inward
           Eye
           ,
           Sometimes
           as
           a
           most
           sweet
           Savour
           or
           Taste
           ,
           sometimes
           as
           a
           Heavenly
           and
           Divine
           Warmness
           ,
           or
           (
           so
           to
           speak
           )
           Melting
           of
           the
           Soul
           in
           the
           Love
           of
           GOD.
           Moreover
           this
           
             Divine
             and
             supernatural
             Operation
          
           in
           the
           Mind
           of
           a
           Man
           is
           a
           true
           and
           most
           glorious
           Miracle
           ,
           which
           when
           it
           is
           perceived
           by
           the
           
             Inward
             and
             supernatural
             Sense
          
           ,
           divinely
           raised
           up
           in
           the
           Mind
           of
           Man
           ,
           doth
           so
           evidently
           and
           clearly
           perswade
           the
           Understanding
           to
           assent
           to
           the
           thing
           revealed
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           need
           of
           an
           outward
           Miracle
           ;
           for
           this
           Assent
           is
           not
           because
           of
           the
           thing
           it self
           ,
           but
           because
           of
           the
           Revelation
           proposing
           it
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Voice
           of
           GOD
           :
           For
           when
           the
           Voice
           of
           GOD
           is
           heard
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           the
           Soul
           doth
           as
           certainly
           conclude
           the
           truth
           of
           that
           Voice
           as
           the
           truth
           of
           GOD'S
           Beeing
           ,
           from
           whom
           it
           proceeds
           .
        
         
           These
           things
           being
           thus
           premised
           ,
           I
           now
           proceed
           to
           a
           direct
           Answer
           :
           For
           what
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           
           GOD
           cannot
           make
           a
           contingent
           Truth
           to
           become
           a
           necessarie
           Truth
           ,
           I
           agree
           :
           But
           when
           any
           
             Contingent
             Truth
          
           is
           manifest
           to
           us
           by
           the
           
             Immediat
             Revelation
          
           of
           GOD
           :
           There
           is
           in
           it
           two
           things
           to
           be
           considered
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           the
           thing
           revealed
           which
           is
           Contingent
           ;
           And
           the
           Revelation
           it self
           ,
           which
           upon
           the
           Supposition
           that
           it
           is
           a
           Divine
           Revelation
           ,
           
             is
             no
             contingent
             Truth
          
           ,
           but
           a
           most
           
             Necessarie
             Truth
          
           .
           And
           this
           all
           mankind
           will
           say
           ,
           that
           this
           Proposition
           ,
           
             Every
             divine
             Revelation
             is
             necessarly
             true
             ,
          
           is
           as
           clear
           and
           evident
           as
           that
           Proposition
           ,
           
             That
             every
             Whole
             is
             greater
             then
             its
             Part.
             
          
        
         
           But
           thou
           wilt
           say
           ,
           how
           knows
           thou
           that
           a
           
             Divine
             Revelation
          
           is
           a
           
             Divine
             Revelation
          
           ?
           I
           answer
           ,
           how
           knows
           thou
           that
           a
           Whole
           is
           a
           Whole
           ,
           and
           a
           Part
           is
           a
           Part
           ?
           Thou
           wilt
           say
           ,
           by
           the
           
             natural
             Idea
          
           excited
           in
           me
           of
           a
           Whole
           and
           of
           a
           Part.
           I
           answer
           again
           ,
           even
           so
           ,
           a
           Divine
           Revelation
           is
           known
           to
           be
           such
           by
           a
           
             Supernatural
             Idea
          
           of
           Divine
           Revelation
           stirred
           up
           in
           us
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           a
           Divine
           Motion
           or
           Supernatural
           Operation
           .
           But
           it
           is
           no
           wonder
           that
           Men
           who
           have
           no
           Experience
           of
           
             Supernatural
             Ideas
          
           ,
           or
           at
           lest
           do
           not
           heed
           them
           ,
           doe
           deny
           them
           ;
           which
           is
           as
           if
           a
           man
           naturally
           blind
           denyed
           Light
           ,
           or
           Colours
           ;
           or
           a
           deaf
           man
           Sounds
           ,
           because
           they
           experience
           them
           not
           .
           Therefore
           we
           cannot
           dissemble
           that
           we
           feel
           a
           fervent
           Zeal
           ,
           even
           Divinely
           kindled
           in
           us
           against
           such
           an
           absurd
           opinion
           ,
           as
           affirms
           ,
           
             That
             God
             cannot
             ascertain
             us
             of
             his
             will
             in
             any
             contingent
             Truth
             ,
             but
             by
             proposing
             it
             to
             the
             outward
             Senses
             .
          
           This
           Opinion
           does
           
           in
           a
           manner
           turn
           Men
           into
           brutes
           ,
           as
           if
           Man
           were
           not
           to
           believe
           his
           GOD
           ,
           unless
           he
           propose
           what
           is
           to
           be
           believed
           to
           the
           outward
           Senses
           ,
           which
           the
           beasts
           have
           common
           with
           us
           ;
           yea
           it
           derogats
           from
           GOD's
           Power
           ,
           and
           imputes
           weakness
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           could
           not
           do
           that
           which
           not
           only
           both
           good
           and
           evil
           Angels
           can
           doe
           ,
           but
           which
           the
           meanest
           Creatures
           can
           doe
           and
           the
           most
           unsensible
           ;
           As
           for
           instance
           ,
           the
           heat
           of
           the
           fire
           ,
           the
           coldness
           of
           the
           Air
           ,
           &
           Water
           worketh
           upon
           us
           ;
           yea
           if
           a
           Pinn
           prick
           us
           ,
           we
           feel
           it
           ,
           &
           that
           by
           the
           outward
           Sense
           ;
           because
           the
           Objects
           are
           outward
           and
           carnal
           .
           But
           since
           GOD
           is
           a
           most
           Pure
           and
           Glorious
           Spirit
           ,
           when
           he
           operateth
           in
           the
           Innermost
           parts
           of
           our
           Minds
           by
           his
           will
           ;
           Shall
           not
           he
           and
           his
           will
           be
           clearly
           felt
           according
           to
           his
           Nature
           ?
           That
           is
           by
           a
           
             spiritual
             and
             supernatural
             Sense
          
           ;
           For
           as
           the
           Nature
           of
           GOD
           is
           ,
           so
           is
           the
           Nature
           of
           his
           will
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           purely
           spiritual
           ;
           And
           therefore
           requireth
           a
           
             Spiritual
             Sense
          
           to
           discern
           it
           ;
           which
           
             Spiritual
             Sense
          
           when
           it
           is
           raised
           up
           in
           us
           by
           a
           divine
           Operation
           ,
           doth
           as
           clearly
           and
           certainly
           know
           the
           voice
           or
           revelation
           of
           the
           will
           of
           GOD
           ,
           concerning
           any
           thing
           which
           GOD
           is
           pleased
           to
           reveal
           however
           Contingent
           ,
           as
           the
           outward
           Sense
           knows
           ,
           and
           perceives
           the
           
             Outward
             Object
          
           :
           And
           it
           is
           no
           less
           absurd
           to
           require
           of
           GOD
           ,
           who
           is
           a
           most
           pure
           Spirit
           ,
           to
           manifest
           his
           will
           to
           Men
           by
           the
           outward
           Senses
           ,
           else
           not
           to
           be
           credited
           ;
           As
           to
           require
           us
           to
           see
           sounds
           ,
           and
           hear
           Light
           and
           Colours
           .
           For
           as
           the
           Objects
           of
           the
           
           outward
           Senses
           are
           not
           to
           be
           confounded
           ,
           but
           every
           Object
           is
           to
           have
           its
           proper
           Sense
           :
           So
           must
           we
           judge
           of
           inward
           and
           spiritual
           Objects
           ,
           which
           have
           their
           proper
           Sense
           ,
           whereby
           they
           are
           to
           be
           perceived
           .
           And
           tell
           me
           how
           God
           doth
           manifest
           his
           will
           concerning
           matters
           of
           Fact
           ,
           when
           he
           sends
           his
           Angels
           to
           men
           ,
           since
           Angels
           (
           as
           is
           commonly
           received
           )
           have
           not
           outward
           Senses
           or
           at
           least
           not
           so
           gross
           ones
           as
           ours
           are
           ?
           Yea
           ,
           when
           Men
           dye
           and
           apear
           before
           the
           Tribunal
           of
           GOD
           ,
           whether
           unto
           eternal
           Life
           or
           Death
           ,
           how
           can
           they
           know
           this
           having
           laid
           down
           their
           bodies
           ,
           and
           therewith
           their
           outward
           Senses
           ?
           And
           nevertheless
           this
           Truth
           of
           GOD
           is
           
             a
             Truth
             of
             Fact
          
           ,
           as
           is
           the
           historicall
           Truth
           of
           Christs
           Birth
           in
           the
           Flesh.
           And
           which
           is
           yet
           more
           near
           ;
           how
           do
           good
           and
           holy
           Men
           even
           in
           this
           Life
           most
           certainly
           know
           that
           they
           are
           in
           Favour
           and
           Grace
           with
           GOD
           ?
           No
           
             Outward
             Revelation
          
           doth
           make
           this
           known
           unto
           them
           ,
           but
           
             the
             Spirit
          
           (
           as
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           )
           
             beareth
             witness
             with
             our
             Spirits
             that
             we
             are
             the
             Children
             of
          
           GOD.
           For
           the
           meer
           Testimonie
           of
           a
           human
           Conscience
           ,
           without
           the
           inward
           Testimonie
           of
           the
           holy
           Spirit
           ,
           cannot
           beget
           in
           us
           a
           firm
           and
           immoveable
           Testimony
           of
           our
           Sonship
           ,
           because
           the
           Heart
           of
           Man
           is
           deceitfull
           ,
           and
           if
           the
           Testimony
           thereof
           were
           true
           ,
           at
           most
           it
           is
           but
           a
           Human
           Testimonie
           which
           begetteth
           in
           us
           only
           an
           human
           Faith
           ;
           But
           that
           Faith
           by
           which
           holy
           Men
           believe
           they
           are
           the
           Sons
           of
           GOD
           is
           a
           
             Divine
             
             Faith
          
           ,
           which
           leans
           upon
           
             a
             Divine
             Testimony
          
           of
           the
           holy
           Spirit
           ,
           witnessing
           in
           them
           that
           they
           are
           the
           Sons
           of
           GOD.
           Moreover
           when
           a
           good
           Man
           feels
           in
           himself
           that
           undeclarable
           Joy
           of
           the
           holy
           Spirit
           ,
           concerning
           which
           the
           holy
           Scripture
           speaks
           ,
           and
           which
           is
           the
           common
           Priviledge
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           how
           or
           whence
           feels
           he
           this
           Joy
           ?
           Truely
           this
           Argument
           concludes
           no
           less
           against
           
             this
             Heavenly
             Spiritual
             Joy
          
           which
           is
           begotten
           in
           the
           Souls
           of
           the
           Saints
           by
           the
           holy
           Spirit
           ,
           then
           it
           does
           against
           the
           immediat
           Revelation
           of
           GOD
           ;
           for
           there
           is
           
             no
             natural
             Idea
          
           in
           Men
           of
           this
           spiritual
           Joy
           ,
           else
           meer
           natural
           Men
           ,
           yea
           such
           as
           are
           prophane
           and
           ungodly
           would
           feel
           it
           as
           much
           as
           the
           Godly
           :
           But
           because
           it
           is
           
             a
             Supernatural
             thing
          
           ,
           Therefore
           it
           can
           have
           
             no
             true
             Idea
          
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           Supernatural
           .
           Moreover
           whence
           is
           it
           that
           prophane
           Men
           feel
           sometimes
           in
           themselves
           the
           Wrath
           of
           GOD
           as
           Fire
           ,
           when
           all
           things
           as
           to
           the
           outward
           go
           as
           prosperously
           with
           them
           as
           with
           the
           Godly
           ,
           and
           oftentimes
           more
           prosperously
           ?
           For
           there
           is
           
             no
             natural
             Idea
          
           in
           Men
           of
           this
           inward
           Wrath
           of
           GOD
           :
           There
           is
           also
           an
           inward
           Grief
           oftentimes
           raised
           up
           in
           Wicked
           Men
           from
           the
           sense
           of
           this
           Wrath
           of
           GOD
           ,
           which
           very
           much
           vexeth
           and
           tormenteth
           their
           Minds
           ,
           and
           nevertheless
           this
           Grief
           hath
           
             no
             natural
             Idea
          
           in
           us
           :
           For
           oftentimes
           wicked
           Men
           feel
           not
           this
           Sorrow
           ,
           for
           God
           sometimes
           is
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           silent
           while
           the
           Wicked
           sin
           ,
           as
           in
           Psalm
           50.
           
        
         
           All
           which
           things
           do
           most
           clearly
           demonstrate
           
           that
           there
           are
           in
           Men
           
             Supernatural
             Ideas
          
           of
           supernatural
           Beeings
           ;
           which
           Ideas
           are
           nevertheless
           not
           perceived
           by
           us
           unless
           they
           be
           stirred
           up
           by
           some
           
             Supernatural
             Operation
          
           of
           GOD
           ,
           which
           raiseth
           up
           in
           us
           
             Supernatural
             and
             Spiritual
             ,
             Senses
          
           which
           by
           their
           Nature
           are
           as
           distinguishable
           from
           the
           natural
           Senses
           whether
           inward
           or
           owtward
           ,
           as
           the
           natural
           Senses
           are
           distinguished
           one
           from
           another
           by
           their
           specifick
           Difference
           .
           Of
           which
           Spiritual
           Senses
           the
           Scripture
           speaks
           frequently
           ,
           
             as
             Heb.
          
           5.
           and
           14.
           
           Where
           is
           spoken
           of
           the
           Spiritual
           senses
           in
           general
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           spiritual
           Man
           hath
           the
           discerning
           of
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ;
           which
           Good
           is
           of
           a
           spiritual
           Nature
           ,
           and
           conduceth
           to
           feed
           in
           us
           a
           Spiritual
           and
           Divine
           Life
           ;
           And
           the
           Evil
           is
           of
           that
           kind
           by
           which
           the
           spiritual
           Life
           is
           in
           us
           hurt
           :
           To
           wit
           Sins
           ,
           whether
           carnal
           or
           spiritual
           :
           All
           which
           cannot
           be
           discerned
           but
           by
           such
           who
           have
           
             Spiritual
             Senses
          
           stirred
           up
           in
           them
           ,
           as
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           .
           In
           other
           places
           the
           Scripture
           also
           speaketh
           of
           these
           Spiritual
           senses
           ,
           in
           particular
           ,
           as
           of
           the
           Spiritual
           seeing
           :
           Ps
           :
           34.9
           .
           Of
           the
           spiritual
           Hearing
           ,
           Ps
           :
           85.
           and
           9.
           
           Of
           spiritual
           Tasting
           ,
           Ps
           :
           34.8
           .
           Of
           Spiritual
           smelling
           ,
           Cant.
           1.3
           .
           of
           Spiritual
           touching
           ,
           Acts
           17
           :
           8.
           and
           in
           many
           other
           places
           of
           Scripture
           we
           read
           of
           those
           Spritual
           Senses
           in
           particular
           .
           Yea
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           Promise
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           that
           
             The
             glory
             of
          
           GOD
           
             shall
             be
             seen
             of
             holy
             Men
             ,
          
           such
           as
           are
           clean
           of
           Heart
           ,
           even
           in
           this
           Life
           :
           Isa.
           33.17
           .
           Mat.
           5.8
           .
           Which
           were
           fulfilled
           in
           the
           primitive
           Christians
           ,
           see
           John
           1.14
           .
           1
           John
           1.1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3
           ,
           4.
           2
           
           Cor.
           3.18
           .
           and
           Chap.
           4.6
           .
           But
           what
           is
           this
           Vision
           
           of
           GOD
           and
           Divine
           Glory
           which
           the
           Soules
           of
           the
           Saints
           enjoy
           in
           this
           Life
           ,
           which
           is
           only
           as
           the
           Earnest
           or
           first
           Fruits
           of
           that
           more
           abundant
           glorious
           Vision
           in
           the
           Life
           to
           come
           ,
           concerning
           which
           the
           Scripture
           so
           much
           declareth
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           highest
           happiness
           of
           the
           Immortal
           Soul.
           
        
         
           For
           this
           Argument
           seemeth
           to
           doe
           no
           less
           Injury
           to
           the
           Saints
           ,
           then
           to
           rob
           them
           of
           this
           most
           glorious
           Treasure
           ,
           both
           in
           this
           Life
           and
           that
           to
           come
           ;
           For
           there
           is
           in
           us
           
             no
             Natural
             Idea
          
           of
           this
           Divine
           Glory
           ,
           as
           there
           is
           not
           of
           GOD
           himself
           ,
           which
           is
           any
           wayes
           proportionable
           unto
           so
           great
           Happiness
           which
           the
           Scripture
           so
           much
           declareth
           of
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           Godly
           are
           rewarded
           ,
           partly
           in
           this
           Life
           ,
           and
           plenarly
           in
           that
           which
           is
           to
           come
           .
           We
           confess
           indeed
           ,
           there
           is
           in
           all
           Men
           as
           well
           the
           Godly
           as
           ungodly
           ,
           some
           sort
           of
           
             Idea
             of
          
           GOD
           ,
           
             as
             of
             a
             most
             perfect
             Beeing
          
           ;
           and
           that
           therefore
           this
           Proposition
           ,
           
             There
             existeth
             a
             most
             perfect
             Beeing
             ,
          
           doth
           as
           clearly
           appear
           to
           Human
           understanding
           ,
           as
           that
           
             the
             whole
             is
             greater
             then
             the
             part
             ,
          
           And
           therefore
           this
           proposition
           ,
           
             That
             a
             most
             perfect
             Beeing
             existeth
             ,
          
           ought
           to
           be
           numbred
           among
           the
           Principalls
           that
           of
           themselves
           are
           manifest
           ;
           
             But
             this
             Idea
          
           of
           God
           is
           as
           manifest
           to
           Ungodly
           as
           to
           Godly
           Men
           ,
           yea
           is
           as
           clearly
           perceived
           by
           the
           Devill
           ,
           as
           by
           the
           most
           holy
           Angels
           ,
           for
           all
           the
           Devills
           know
           that
           GOD
           is
           ;
           But
           yet
           how
           blind
           is
           the
           Devill
           ,
           and
           all
           wicked
           Men
           as
           to
           the
           Vision
           of
           GOD
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           chief
           reward
           of
           the
           Saints
           .
        
         
         
           There
           is
           then
           either
           
             no
             such
             Vision
             of
             GOD
          
           ,
           neither
           in
           this
           Life
           nor
           in
           that
           to
           come
           ,
           or
           there
           is
           a
           
             Supernatural
             Idea
             of
             GOD
             in
             us
             ,
          
           by
           which
           we
           are
           made
           capable
           of
           this
           Vision
           :
           Which
           
             Supernaturall
             Idea
             of
             GOD
          
           ,
           differeth
           much
           from
           that
           
             Natural
             Idea
             of
             GOD
          
           ,
           which
           Cartesius
           and
           his
           followers
           so
           much
           talk
           of
           ,
           (
           albeit
           others
           long
           before
           Cartesius
           did
           observe
           this
           
             Natural
             Idea
             of
             GOD
          
           ,
           and
           spoke
           of
           it
           )
           But
           the
           happiness
           of
           the
           Saints
           consists
           not
           in
           contemplating
           
             this
             Naturall
             Idea
             of
             GOD
          
           ;
           Else
           the
           wicked
           would
           be
           as
           happy
           as
           the
           Godly
           ,
           yea
           the
           very
           Devill
           as
           the
           most
           holy
           Angel
           ;
           Since
           as
           is
           said
           ,
           both
           the
           Devill
           and
           most
           wicked
           Men
           doe
           as
           clearly
           perceive
           
             this
             Natural
             Idea
             of
             GOD
          
           ,
           as
           the
           most
           holy
           Men
           or
           Angels
           .
        
         
           If
           the
           Scriptures
           then
           be
           true
           ,
           there
           is
           in
           Men
           a
           
             Supernatural
             Idea
             of
             GOD
          
           ,
           which
           altogether
           differs
           from
           this
           naturall
           Idea
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           in
           
             all
             Men
          
           ;
           Because
           all
           men
           are
           capable
           of
           Salvation
           ;
           and
           consequently
           ,
           of
           injoying
           this
           Divine
           Vision
           :
           Now
           this
           capacity
           consisteth
           herein
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           such
           a
           
             Supernatural
             Idea
          
           in
           themselves
           :
           For
           ,
           if
           there
           were
           no
           such
           Idea
           in
           them
           it
           were
           impossible
           they
           should
           so
           know
           God
           :
           
             For
             whatsoever
             is
             clearly
             and
             Distinctly
             known
             ,
             is
             known
             by
             its
             proper
             Idea
             ,
          
           nether
           can
           otherways
           be
           clearly
           and
           distinctly
           known
           ;
           For
           the
           Ideas
           of
           all
           things
           are
           Divinly
           planted
           in
           our
           Souls
           ,
           for
           they
           are
           not
           begotten
           in
           us
           by
           outward
           objects
           ,
           or
           outward
           causes
           ,
           (
           As
           the
           better
           Philosophy
           teacheth
           )
           
           but
           only
           are
           by
           these
           outward
           things
           excited
           or
           stirred
           up
           :
           And
           this
           is
           true
           not
           only
           in
           
             Supernatural
             Ideas
             of
             GOD
          
           ,
           and
           things
           Divine
           ,
           and
           in
           
             Natural
             Ideas
          
           of
           the
           naturall
           Principals
           of
           Human
           understanding
           ,
           and
           conclusions
           thence
           deduced
           by
           the
           strength
           of
           human
           reason
           ;
           but
           even
           in
           the
           Ideas
           of
           outward
           objects
           ,
           which
           are
           perceived
           by
           the
           outward
           Senses
           ;
           As
           that
           noble
           Christian
           Philosopher
           Boetius
           hath
           well
           observed
           ,
           to
           which
           also
           the
           
             Cartesian
             Philosophie
          
           agreeth
           :
           For
           when
           I
           see
           any
           outward
           object
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           a
           Man
           ,
           or
           Horse
           ,
           or
           Bird
           ,
           the
           outward
           object
           does
           not
           treat
           in
           my
           eye
           ,
           nor
           yet
           in
           my
           mind
           the
           Idea
           of
           those
           things
           ;
           For
           the
           outward
           object
           does
           nothing
           but
           Imprint
           in
           our
           sensible
           Organs
           a
           Corporall
           motion
           :
           Now
           there
           is
           nothing
           in
           a
           Corporall
           motion
           that
           can
           form
           in
           us
           ,
           the
           Ideas
           of
           those
           things
           ;
           For
           all
           Ideas
           are
           of
           a
           Spiritual
           Nature
           :
           Now
           nothing
           that
           is
           Corporall
           can
           produce
           that
           which
           is
           Spirituall
           ,
           because
           the
           less
           excellent
           cannot
           produce
           the
           more
           excellent
           ,
           Else
           the
           effect
           would
           exceed
           its
           cause
           ,
           which
           is
           against
           all
           sound
           reason
           that
           it
           should
           bring
           forth
           what
           were
           of
           a
           higher
           and
           more
           excellent
           kind
           .
           Therefore
           all
           Ideas
           whether
           
             Of
             Natural
             or
             Spirituall
             things
          
           ,
           are
           Divinly
           implanted
           in
           our
           minds
           ;
           Which
           nevertheless
           do
           not
           alwayes
           appear
           ,
           but
           sometimes
           appear
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           are
           as
           it
           were
           hid
           in
           us
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           are
           stirred
           up
           in
           us
           by
           causes
           outward
           or
           inward
           ,
           and
           again
           do
           as
           it
           were
           sleep
           and
           shun
           our
           observation
           ,
           and
           seem
           
           not
           to
           be
           otherwayes
           distinguished
           by
           our
           minds
           ,
           but
           as
           thoughts
           and
           perceptions
           of
           the
           mind
           from
           the
           mind
           it self
           .
           That
           is
           as
           the
           Mode
           from
           the
           Subject
           ,
           or
           as
           a
           
             Bod●lie
             Motion
          
           from
           the
           body
           whereof
           it
           is
           the
           Motion
           ;
           
             For
             as
             is
             the
             Relation
             of
             a
             Bodily
             Motion
             to
             a
             Body
             ,
             so
             is
             the
             Relation
             of
             a
             thought
             or
             perception
             of
             the
             mind
             to
             the
             mind
             .
          
           In
           this
           nevertheless
           they
           differ
           that
           the
           mind
           can
           move
           it self
           and
           operat
           in
           it self
           which
           a
           body
           cannot
           doe
           ;
           But
           as
           a
           Body
           can
           be
           moved
           by
           another
           ,
           So
           also
           can
           the
           Mind
           after
           its
           manner
           be
           moved
           by
           another
           ,
           and
           that
           both
           by
           outward
           and
           inward
           causes
           ;
           But
           chiefly
           by
           GOD
           himself
           ,
           in
           whose
           hand
           all
           Souls
           and
           Creatures
           are
           .
           But
           of
           these
           things
           there
           is
           enough
           said
           at
           present
           ,
           and
           I
           hope
           ,
           I
           have
           not
           thus
           farr
           Impertinently
           Philosophised
           .
        
         
           To
           return
           again
           to
           the
           matter
           in
           question
           It
           is
           already
           proved
           ,
           
             That
             there
             is
             in
             a
             Man
             a
             Supernaturall
             Idea
             of
             GOD
             ,
          
           from
           whence
           it
           easily
           may
           be
           concluded
           
             There
             are
             other
             Supernaturall
             Ideas
             in
             man
             also
          
           :
           To
           wit
           ,
           Concerning
           Divine
           and
           Supernaturall
           things
           ;
           Yea
           (
           as
           the
           Saints
           experience
           doth
           prove
           it
           )
           neither
           doth
           sound
           reason
           any
           ways
           contradict
           it
           .
           )
        
         
           As
           there
           are
           then
           
             Naturall
             Ideas
          
           concerning
           the
           things
           of
           the
           natural
           World
           ,
           as
           for
           instance
           ,
           Ideas
           of
           Light
           and
           Colours
           ,
           Ideas
           of
           Voice
           and
           Sounds
           ,
           Ideas
           of
           Savouring
           and
           and
           Smelling
           ,
           Ideas
           of
           Tasting
           and
           Feeling
           ,
           
           as
           of
           Heat
           and
           Cold
           ,
           of
           Grief
           and
           Joy
           :
           It
           follows
           also
           
             that
             there
             are
             Ideas
             of
             supernatural
             things
             ,
          
           concerning
           the
           Divine
           and
           supernatural
           things
           of
           the
           Divine
           and
           Supernaturall
           World
           ;
           As
           Ideas
           of
           those
           things
           above
           mentioned
           in
           the
           Spiritual
           World
           ;
           And
           as
           the
           
             Naturall
             Ideas
          
           are
           stirred
           up
           in
           us
           by
           outward
           and
           
             Naturall
             Bodies
          
           ;
           So
           
             those
             Divine
             and
             Supernatural
             Ideas
          
           are
           stirred
           up
           in
           us
           by
           a
           certain
           Principle
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           body
           in
           naturalls
           in
           Relation
           to
           the
           Spirituall
           World
           ;
           And
           therefore
           may
           be
           called
           a
           Divine
           Body
           ;
           Not
           as
           if
           it
           were
           a
           part
           of
           GOD
           ,
           who
           is
           a
           most
           pure
           Spirit
           ,
           
             But
             the
             Organ
             or
             Instrument
             of
             GOD
             ,
          
           by
           which
           he
           worketh
           in
           us
           and
           stirreth
           up
           in
           us
           these
           Ideas
           of
           Divine
           things
           ,
           
             This
             is
             that
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           by
           which
           the
           Saints
           are
           nurished
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           Mystery
           to
           all
           unregenerated
           and
           meer
           natural
           Men
           ,
           never
           to
           be
           reached
           by
           them
           ,
           while
           they
           remaine
           in
           that
           state
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           there
           be
           such
           
             Supernatural
             Ideas
          
           ,
           there
           are
           also
           Senses
           ,
           or
           Perceptive
           faculties
           by
           which
           those
           Ideas
           are
           perceived
           ,
           for
           those
           are
           two
           relatives
           that
           suppose
           and
           inferr
           one
           another
           :
           But
           in
           wicked
           men
           those
           Senses
           or
           faculties
           do
           as
           it
           were
           sleep
           (
           as
           the
           Visive
           faculty
           of
           a
           blind
           man
           )
           But
           in
           the
           Godly
           they
           are
           stirred
           up
           .
           Now
           by
           these
           
             Divine
             and
             Spirituall
             Senses
          
           which
           are
           distinct
           and
           distinguishable
           from
           all
           the
           naturall
           faculties
           of
           the
           
           Soul
           ,
           whether
           of
           Imagination
           or
           naturall
           reason
           ,
           Spirituall
           minded
           men
           do
           behold
           the
           Glory
           and
           Beauty
           of
           GOD
           ,
           In
           respect
           whereof
           and
           for
           which
           all
           the
           Glory
           of
           this
           World
           is
           despicable
           to
           them
           ;
           Yea
           even
           as
           dross
           and
           dung
           ,
           and
           they
           also
           hear
           GOD
           
             Inwardly
             speaking
             in
             their
             Souls
          
           words
           truly
           Divine
           and
           Heavenly
           ,
           full
           of
           Virtue
           and
           Divine
           Life
           ;
           And
           they
           savour
           and
           taste
           of
           Divine
           things
           ,
           and
           doe
           as
           it
           were
           handle
           them
           with
           the
           hands
           of
           their
           Souls
           ,
           And
           those
           Heavenly
           Enjoyments
           do
           as
           realy
           differ
           in
           their
           nature
           from
           all
           false
           similitudes
           and
           fa●itious
           appearances
           of
           them
           ,
           which
           either
           the
           mind
           of
           Man
           by
           its
           own
           streng●h
           can
           imitate
           ,
           or
           any
           evill
           spirit
           to
           deceive
           man
           can
           counterfit
           ,
           as
           a
           true
           Man
           differs
           from
           the
           dead
           Image
           of
           a
           Man
           ,
           or
           true
           Bread
           ,
           Honey
           ,
           Wine
           or
           Milk
           doth
           from
           the
           meer
           Picture
           of
           those
           things
           .
           And
           albeit
           either
           the
           Imagination
           of
           Man
           or
           subtility
           of
           the
           Devil
           may
           Counterfit
           false
           likenesses
           of
           these
           Injoyments
           ,
           by
           which
           men
           may
           be
           deceived
           ;
           and
           no
           doubt
           many
           are
           deceived
           ;
           That
           doth
           not
           hinder
           but
           that
           those
           divine
           Injoyments
           are
           clearly
           perceived
           in
           such
           in
           whom
           the
           
             Divine
             and
             spirituall
             senses
          
           are
           truly
           opened
           ,
           and
           the
           true
           
             Supernaturall
             Ideas
          
           of
           those
           things
           truly
           raised
           up
           :
           And
           if
           there
           be
           at
           any
           time
           a
           mistake
           ,
           
             the
             Divine
             Illumination
          
           is
           not
           the
           cause
           of
           that
           mistake
           ,
           but
           some
           evill
           disposition
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           as
           happeneth
           in
           those
           things
           relating
           
           to
           naturall
           Reason
           ;
           For
           there
           are
           many
           false
           appearances
           of
           Reason
           ,
           which
           differ
           as
           much
           from
           true
           Reason
           ,
           as
           those
           false
           and
           pretended
           Revelations
           and
           Diabolicall
           Inspirations
           from
           such
           as
           are
           truly
           Divine
           .
           Now
           how
           many
           Men
           who
           would
           be
           esteemed
           Philosophers
           ,
           are
           miserably
           deceived
           by
           those
           false
           likenesses
           of
           Reason
           ?
           Judging
           their
           false
           Reasons
           to
           be
           the
           true
           similitudes
           of
           things
           and
           solid
           Ratiocinatione
           ;
           which
           nevertheless
           moveth
           no
           man
           of
           sound
           Reason
           to
           reject
           sound
           and
           solid
           Reason
           ,
           as
           doubtfull
           and
           uncertain
           :
           For
           even
           sound
           naturall
           Reason
           is
           an
           excellent
           Gift
           of
           GOD
           ,
           and
           very
           usefull
           to
           mankind
           ,
           when
           used
           in
           its
           proper
           place
           ;
           But
           let
           none
           think
           to
           comprehend
           by
           their
           naturall
           reason
           things
           that
           are
           of
           a
           divine
           and
           supernaturall
           kind
           :
           And
           as
           we
           use
           to
           do
           when
           any
           one
           is
           deceived
           by
           false
           appearances
           of
           Reason
           ,
           we
           endeavour
           to
           reduce
           them
           to
           contemplate
           the
           
             first
             naturall
             Ideas
          
           of
           naturall
           things
           ,
           and
           to
           meditate
           therein
           ,
           which
           is
           as
           
             a
             Test
             ,
             or
             Touchstone
          
           ,
           by
           which
           all
           the
           appearances
           and
           likenesses
           of
           Reason
           are
           to
           be
           examined
           ,
           if
           they
           contradict
           them
           to
           be
           rejected
           :
           So
           also
           when
           any
           one
           is
           deceived
           by
           his
           own
           Imagination
           ,
           or
           the
           cunning
           of
           satan
           ,
           thinking
           any
           evil
           inspiration
           of
           the
           devil
           to
           be
           a
           true
           Divine
           Revelation
           ;
           He
           that
           is
           so
           deceived
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           reduced
           to
           the
           
             naturall
             Ideas
          
           of
           things
           (
           if
           so
           be
           that
           pretended
           Revelation
           doth
           contradict
           
           them
           ;
           For
           no
           true
           Divine
           Revelation
           can
           contradict
           the
           true
           naturall
           Idea
           )
           or
           to
           
             the
             Supernaturall
             Ideas
          
           of
           Divine
           things
           ,
           which
           are
           most
           simple
           ,
           clear
           and
           obvious
           to
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           ,
           if
           they
           will
           turn
           their
           minds
           
             to
             the
             Divine
             seed
             in
             them
          
           ;
           or
           at
           least
           those
           Ideas
           are
           readily
           and
           easily
           stirred
           up
           :
           For
           as
           in
           
             Naturall
             Ideas
          
           ,
           so
           in
           Supernaturall
           ,
           Some
           are
           more
           easily
           raised
           then
           others
           ;
           For
           there
           is
           an
           certain
           order
           both
           
             of
             Naturall
             and
             Supernaturall
             Ideas
          
           ,
           whereby
           they
           are
           gradually
           excited
           ;
           Nor
           is
           there
           any
           Mortall
           Man
           in
           whose
           Mind
           at
           some
           time
           or
           other
           there
           is
           not
           stirred
           up
           
             some
             Idea
          
           ,
           that
           's
           truly
           
             Supernaturall
             and
             Divine
          
           :
           And
           who
           hath
           not
           felt
           in
           himself
           both
           the
           Wrath
           and
           Judgement
           of
           GOD
           for
           his
           sins
           ;
           And
           also
           some
           tender
           and
           gentle
           taste
           of
           GOD'S
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           by
           which
           wicked
           men
           are
           invited
           to
           Repentance
           .
           Now
           that
           which
           is
           thought
           to
           be
           a
           
             Divine
             Revelation
          
           ,
           is
           felt
           to
           contradict
           any
           
             Divine
             and
             Supernaturall
             Idea
          
           ,
           which
           is
           clearly
           perceived
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           manifest
           token
           that
           it
           is
           not
           a
           
             Divine
             Revelation
          
           ,
           but
           either
           a
           false
           Imagination
           ,
           or
           the
           wicked
           sugestion
           of
           some
           evill
           spirit
        
         
           But
           to
           proceed
           if
           we
           will
           hear
           the
           Scripture
           (
           as
           all
           Christians
           ought
           )
           It
           testifies
           to
           us
           ,
           That
           GOD
           hath
           declared
           his
           Mind
           and
           Will
           ,
           even
           concerning
           Contingent
           Truths
           to
           come
           in
           the
           Prophets
           ;
           As
           that
           of
           the
           first
           to
           the
           
             Heb
             〈…〉
          
           doth
           evidently
           declare
           ,
           
             GOD
             who
             
             at
             sundry
             times
             ,
             and
             in
             diverse
             manners
             spoke
             to
             our
             Fathers
             in
             the
             Prophets
          
           ;
           Yea
           let
           us
           hear
           the
           Prophets
           themselves
           ▪
           
             Hosea
             Chap
          
           :
           1.
           saith
           plainly
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Word
             of
             the
             LORD
             was
             made
             in
             him
             ,
          
           As
           it
           is
           in
           the
           
             Heb.
             Habakuk
          
           also
           sayes
           ,
           
             As
             he
             was
             standing
             on
             his
             Watch
             to
             see
             what
             Jehovah
             would
             speak
             in
             him
          
           :
           And
           it
           is
           so
           manifest
           that
           the
           most
           Heavenly
           Revelations
           are
           by
           
             Inward
             Illustrations
          
           and
           Inspirations
           in
           the
           very
           minds
           of
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           strange
           how
           any
           that
           believes
           the
           Scripture
           should
           doubt
           of
           it
           .
           And
           if
           it
           happened
           at
           any
           time
           such
           Revelations
           were
           made
           in
           the
           naturall
           Imaginations
           of
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           or
           any
           of
           their
           Inward
           ●aturall
           Senses
           ,
           Then
           it
           may
           be
           confessed
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           be
           infallibly
           certain
           they
           came
           from
           GOD
           ,
           unless
           they
           also
           felt
           GOD
           
             in
             the
             Divine
             and
             Supernaturall
             Senses
          
           ;
           by
           which
           they
           did
           most
           neerly
           approach
           to
           him
           ,
           from
           these
           Superior
           and
           most
           Inward
           Senses
           working
           upon
           the
           lower
           and
           less
           noble
           Faculties
           of
           the
           Mind
           .
           But
           which
           ever
           way
           the
           Prophets
           were
           certain
           that
           they
           were
           Inspired
           of
           GOD
           ,
           even
           when
           they
           foretold
           
             Contingent
             Truths
          
           to
           come
           ;
           It
           is
           without
           doubt
           they
           were
           most
           certainly
           perswaded
           that
           they
           were
           
             Divinly
             Inspired
          
           ,
           and
           that
           frequently
           
             without
             any
             Outward
             Miracle
          
           ;
           For
           John
           the
           Baptist
           did
           no
           Miracle
           ,
           and
           many
           Prophesied
           where
           there
           appeared
           no
           Miracle
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           Scripture
           may
           be
           often
           observed
           .
           And
           ,
           we
           also
           
             by
             the
             Inspiration
             of
             the
             same
             Divine
             
             Spirit
          
           by
           which
           the
           Prophets
           prophesied
           do
           believe
           their
           Words
           and
           Writtings
           to
           be
           Divine
           concerning
           Contingent
           Truths
           ,
           as
           well
           past
           as
           to
           come
           ;
           else
           that
           Faith
           by
           which
           we
           believe
           the
           Scripture
           would
           not
           be
           Divine
           but
           
             meerly
             Humane
          
           :
           And
           thence
           we
           need
           no
           outward
           Miracles
           to
           move
           us
           to
           Believe
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           And
           therefore
           much
           less
           were
           they
           necessary
           to
           the
           Prophets
           who
           Write
           them
           ;
           For
           we
           see
           in
           many
           places
           of
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           where
           they
           declare
           Prophesies
           as
           revealed
           to
           them
           of
           GOD
           ,
           there
           is
           not
           a
           word
           mentioned
           of
           any
           outward
           Miracle
           ,
           as
           that
           by
           which
           alone
           they
           were
           certain
           of
           it
           .
           Moreover
           the
           falseness
           of
           this
           Argument
           doth
           appear
           ,
           in
           that
           the
           Scripture
           doth
           declare
           many
           
             Contingent
             Truths
          
           to
           have
           been
           revealed
           to
           the
           Prophets
           in
           Dreams
           :
           Now
           as
           naturall
           and
           wicked
           men
           do
           not
           see
           what
           they
           dream
           ,
           by
           a
           reall
           perception
           of
           the
           Outward
           Senses
           ,
           but
           by
           
             Inward
             Ideas
          
           which
           are
           presented
           to
           the
           Mind
           and
           perceived
           by
           it
           :
           
             so
             it
             is
             also
             in
             Divine
             Revelations
          
           of
           this
           nature
           ,
           Of
           which
           we
           have
           a
           clear
           Example
           in
           Joseph
           the
           Husband
           of
           the
           Blessed
           Virgin
           ,
           who
           when
           he
           observed
           his
           Wife
           with
           Child
           ,
           was
           told
           in
           a
           Dream
           ,
           That
           She
           had
           Conceived
           by
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           .
           Now
           I
           would
           Know
           ,
           to
           which
           of
           Joseph's
           Outward
           Senses
           was
           this
           revealed
           ?
           or
           what
           miracle
           had
           he
           to
           Induce
           him
           to
           Believe
           ?
           Which
           could
           neither
           be
           proved
           ,
           (
           so
           as
           to
           make
           an
           Infallible
           
           application
           to
           Mary
           )
           by
           the
           Testimony
           of
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           And
           which
           being
           against
           the
           Order
           of
           nature
           did
           choak
           his
           reason
           :
           The
           Scripture
           mentions
           no
           miracle
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           and
           yet
           no
           doubt
           Joseph
           had
           highly
           sinned
           ,
           had
           he
           not
           Believed
           this
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           not
           withstanding
           rejected
           his
           Wife
           as
           an
           Adulteress
           :
           But
           if
           thou
           say
           ,
           That
           according
           to
           thy
           Hypothesis
           ,
           there
           must
           have
           been
           a
           miracle
           ;
           That
           is
           only
           to
           beg
           the
           Question
           :
           And
           how
           false
           this
           Hypothesis
           is
           ,
           The
           Apostle
           shews
           clearly
           ,
           Corinth
           .
           2.14
           .
           
             The
             Naturall
             or
             Animall
             Man
             knoweth
             not
             ,
             receiveth
             not
             the
             things
             of
             GOD
          
           :
           Now
           Divine
           Revelations
           are
           of
           this
           Nature
           ;
           and
           if
           either
           chiefly
           or
           only
           those
           things
           were
           to
           be
           Judged
           by
           the
           
             Outward
             Senses
          
           it
           would
           contradict
           the
           Apostle
           ;
           For
           natural
           Men
           ,
           yea
           the
           most
           wicked
           have
           the
           use
           of
           the
           outward
           senses
           as
           true
           and
           exact
           as
           the
           most
           Godly
           :
           And
           whereas
           the
           Apostle
           adds
           ,
           
             For
             they
             are
             Spiritually
             Discerned
          
           :
           It
           puts
           the
           Matter
           out
           of
           all
           Question
           ;
           For
           thence
           it
           abundantly
           appears
           ,
           that
           this
           discerning
           is
           not
           by
           the
           
             Outward
             Senses
          
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           following
           verse
           ,
           for
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           ,
           
             The
             Spirituall
             Man
             Judgeth
             all
             things
          
           :
           This
           then
           must
           be
           done
           by
           
             some
             senses
          
           or
           Properties
           Peculiar
           to
           the
           Spirituall
           man
           ,
           and
           in
           which
           he
           excells
           the
           naturall
           man
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           in
           the
           outward
           senses
           (
           as
           all
           do
           know
           )
           Therefore
           
             the
             perception
             of
             spirituall
             
             things
             cannot
             be
             by
             the
             outward
             senses
             ,
          
           either
           as
           the
           chief
           or
           only
           means
           ,
           as
           is
           falsly
           contended
           for
           .
        
         
           Now
           as
           to
           these
           words
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           Rom.
           10.
           
           
             That
             Faith
             comes
             by
             Hearing
             ;
             Zuinglius
          
           observed
           well
           ▪
           That
           the
           Apostle
           intended
           not
           to
           affirm
           Faith
           to
           come
           by
           the
           hearing
           of
           the
           
             Outward
             Word
          
           ,
           Neither
           doth
           the
           following
           words
           prove
           it
           ;
           
             How
             shall
             they
             Believe
             unless
             they
             hear
             ?
             And
             how
             shall
             they
             hear
             without
             a
             Preacher
             ?
             And
             how
             shall
             they
             Preach
             unless
             they
             be
             sent
             ?
          
           For
           the
           Apostle
           uses
           these
           words
           not
           as
           his
           Arguments
           ,
           but
           as
           Objections
           which
           might
           be
           formed
           ,
           As
           the
           same
           Apostle
           uses
           in
           other
           places
           ;
           To
           which
           Objections
           he
           answers
           in
           the
           same
           Chapter
           ,
           as
           appears
           verse
           18.
           
           
             But
             I
             say
             ,
             have
             they
             not
             all
             heard
             ?
             Yes
             truly
             ,
             their
             Voice
             went
             into
             all
             the
             Earth
             ;
             That
             is
             of
             the
             Father
             and
             Son
             ,
             Or
             the
             Father
             in
             the
             Word
             ,
             which
             Word
             is
             not
             only
             neer
             us
             ,
          
           But
           (
           according
           to
           the
           same
           Apostle
           ,
           in
           the
           same
           Chapter
           )
           
             in
             our
             Mouths
             ,
             and
             in
             our
             Hearts
             .
          
           But
           further
           thou
           can
           conclude
           nothing
           from
           this
           ,
           
             But
             that
             Faith
             is
             begotten
             by
             Outward
             Hearing
             only
             ,
             and
             no
             otherwise
          
           :
           For
           this
           is
           the
           strength
           of
           thy
           Argument
           ,
           
             That
             since
             Faith
             cannot
             be
             without
             Outward
             Hearing
             ,
          
           Therefore
           nothing
           can
           be
           certainly
           believed
           ,
           but
           where
           somewhat
           is
           proposed
           to
           the
           
             Outward
             Hearing
          
           ,
           For
           if
           thou
           acknowledge
           Faith
           can
           be
           begotten
           any
           otherwise
           then
           by
           Hearing
           ,
           thou
           looses
           the
           
           strength
           of
           thy
           Argument
           :
           And
           if
           that
           Argument
           hold
           
             That
             Faith
             comes
             only
             by
             Outward
             Hearing
             ,
          
           thou
           destroyes
           the
           whole
           Hypothesis
           ;
           For
           having
           before
           affirmed
           that
           outward
           miracles
           are
           sufficient
           to
           render
           one
           certain
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           any
           Revelation
           ;
           those
           miracles
           whether
           it
           be
           the
           healing
           of
           the
           Sick
           ,
           or
           the
           raising
           of
           the
           Dead
           ,
           would
           avail
           nothing
           ,
           because
           those
           (
           as
           for
           most
           part
           all
           miracles
           )
           are
           obvious
           to
           the
           sight
           ,
           not
           to
           the
           Hearing
           :
           And
           if
           it
           be
           not
           
             by
             Outward
             Hearing
          
           only
           ,
           thou
           can
           conclude
           nothing
           from
           this
           place
           .
           But
           I
           the
           more
           wonder
           ,
           thy
           using
           of
           this
           Argument
           ,
           considering
           the
           Discourse
           we
           had
           together
           before
           we
           entred
           upon
           this
           debate
           ;
           For
           when
           we
           were
           speaking
           of
           the
           Opinions
           of
           a
           certain
           Person
           ,
           who
           denyed
           the
           certainty
           of
           every
           thing
           ,
           but
           what
           was
           discerned
           by
           the
           outward
           Senses
           ,
           thou
           condemned
           as
           most
           absurd
           ;
           But
           why
           ,
           I
           cannot
           conceive
           since
           there
           is
           no
           great
           difference
           betwixt
           those
           two
           Opinions
           ,
           the
           one
           saith
           ,
           
             There
             can
             be
             no
             certainty
             concerning
             any
             Truth
             ,
             whether
             they
             be
             necessary
             or
             Contingent
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             perception
             of
             the
             Senses
          
           ;
           The
           other
           affirms
           the
           same
           
             of
             Contingent
             Truths
          
           ,
           though
           not
           of
           
             Necessary
             Truths
          
           ▪
           But
           among
           the
           number
           of
           Contingent
           Truths
           thou
           Esteems
           what
           belongs
           to
           Christian
           Religion
           :
           For
           thou
           reckon
           
           the
           necessary
           Truths
           only
           to
           belong
           to
           naturall
           Religion
           .
           This
           then
           is
           all
           the
           difference
           that
           that
           other
           Person
           sayes
           ,
           There
           is
           no
           certainty
           of
           any
           Religion
           ,
           neither
           Naturall
           nor
           Christian
           but
           by
           the
           perception
           of
           the
           Outward
           Senses
           ;
           But
           thou
           sayes
           ,
           though
           thou
           Esteems
           the
           Certainty
           of
           Naturall
           Re●i●ion
           to
           be
           without
           them
           ,
           yet
           not
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           .
           But
           again
           since
           thou
           Esteems
           that
           not
           
             Naturall
             Religion
          
           but
           the
           
             Christian
             Religion
          
           is
           necessary
           to
           Salvation
           ;
           Thou
           must
           necessarly
           conclude
           ,
           
             That
             th●se
             Truths
             which
             are
             necessary
             to
             Salvation
             are
             only
             known
             and
             beleived
             by
             the
             benefit
             of
             the
             Outward
             Senses
          
           :
           In
           which
           Conclusion
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Summ
           of
           all
           ,
           thou
           yields
           the
           Matter
           to
           that
           other
           Person
           .
           But
           lastly
           ,
           If
           all
           the
           certainty
           of
           our
           Faith
           ,
           Hope
           ,
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           did
           depend
           upon
           the
           Infallibility
           of
           outward
           Senses
           ,
           we
           should
           be
           most
           mis●rable
           ;
           since
           these
           Senses
           can
           be
           easily
           deceived
           ,
           and
           by
           many
           outward
           Casualities
           ,
           and
           Naturall
           infirmities
           ,
           whereunto
           the
           Godly
           are
           no
           less
           subject
           then
           the
           wicked
           ,
           are
           often
           vitiated
           and
           there
           are
           (
           as
           the
           Scripture
           affirms
           )
           false
           miracles
           which
           as
           to
           the
           outward
           cannot
           be
           distinguished
           from
           the
           True
           ,
           of
           which
           we
           cannot
           infallibly
           Judge
           by
           the
           outward
           Senses
           ,
           which
           only
           discern
           what
           is
           outward
           .
        
         
         
           There
           is
           a
           necessity
           then
           to
           have
           recourse
           to
           some
           other
           Means
           .
        
         
           From
           all
           which
           it
           does
           appear
           how
           fallacious
           and
           weak
           this
           Argument
           is
           ,
           but
           thanks
           be
           unto
           GOD
           ,
           who
           would
           not
           that
           our
           Faith
           should
           be
           built
           upon
           so
           uncertain
           and
           doubtfull
           a
           Foundation
           :
           And
           whoever
           hath
           known
           True
           Faith
           ,
           or
           hath
           felt
           the
           Divine
           Testimony
           of
           GOD'S
           Spirit
           in
           his
           Soul
           ,
           will
           judge
           otherwise
           ,
           neither
           will
           be
           moved
           by
           such
           Reasonings
           ;
           I
           pray
           GOD
           therefore
           remove
           these
           Clouds
           which
           darken
           thy
           Understanding
           ,
           that
           thou
           may
           perceive
           the
           Glorious
           Gospell
           of
           CHRIST
           .
           This
           is
           that
           Saving
           Word
           of
           Grace
           which
           I
           commend
           thee
           unto
           ;
           And
           that
           GOD
           may
           give
           thee
           a
           Heart
           inclinable
           to
           believe
           and
           obey
           the
           Truth
           ,
           is
           the
           desire
           of
           ,
        
         
           
             Thy
             Faithfull
             Freind
             ,
             
               R.
               BARCLAY
            
             .
          
           
             
               The
               24th
               .
               of
               the
               Month
               ,
               called
               ,
               November
               ,
               1676.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             
               This
               Letter
               a
               Year
               ago
               at
               the
               desire
               of
               my
               Freind
               ,
               R.
               B.
               I
               delivered
               into
               the
               hands
               of
               the
               aforenamed
               Ambassadour
               ,
               desiring
               his
               answer
               in
               writting
               ,
               which
               he
               then
               promised
               ;
               but
               not
               having
               as
               yet
               done
               ,
               It
               was
               seen
               meet
               to
               be
               published
               .
            
          
           
             
               B.
               F.
               
            
             
               Rotterdam
               
                 the
                 28
                 of
                 March
                 ;
                 1678.