regeneration (1 Pet. 1.24.25.) And then labour to be taught inwardly by the Spirit. For with∣out his gracious illumination wee can know no∣thing aright. 1 Cor. 8.2. certainly humane know∣ledge must needs deceive us, and misleade us; and therefore we must not be instructed by that Tu∣tour, nor consult with flesh and blood, concern∣ing the things of our soules, (Rom. 8.6, 7, 8, and 1 Corinth. 3.18.) but labour that we may be taught of God. The truth of this more particularly ap∣peares thus, namely,
First, naturally we know not God aright, but have these grosse, and false conceits of him, viz. I. We thinke, that he sees not our sinnes, Psalm. 50.21. But the Spirit of God teacheth us that his eyes are over all the world, and run too and fro through the whole earth: from which lesson proceeds these things.
First, a fearefulnesse to sinne: for if God see us, how shall we then dare to do evill?
Secondly, a watchfulnesse over our waies in se∣cret; because God seeth all things, therefore we dare not privately do evill, or so much as con∣ceive, or imagine mischiefe in our hearts.
Thirdly, because God seeth all things, therfore the Spirit workes in us humiliation, and godly sorrow for our evill thoughts, Yea
Fourthly, hence comes alacrity, and cheerful∣nesse in the wayes of God, and every good work, because God sees them and writes them in his Book of remembrance. Malach. 3. II. We think that God is like unto us, (as the Heathens con∣ceit of their Gods, as Saturne, Iupiter, Mars, and the rest) and that sinne is not so displeasing unto him as we say it is. But the blessed Spirit teach∣eth us, that he is of such tender, and pure eyes, that he cannot endure to behold any thing that is evill. (Habak. 1.13.) And hence the spirituall man is afraid to commit the least sinne. Matth. 12 36. and 1 Thessal. 4.6. III. We thinke that God may be deceived: but the Spirit admonisheth us to take heed, that we do not deceive our selves, for our God will not, nor cannot be mocked. Galath 6.7. When we remember that God fits in heaven, and there markes the words and works that are done and spoken upon the earth, (Psal. 2.6.) it makes us the more carefull to purge the inside of the Cup as well as the outside, Math. 23.20. IV. We thinke, that God is all mercy, and no Justice; but the Spirit teacheth us that he is both, according to his owne Procla∣mation of himselfe: The Lord, the Lord God, merci∣full and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in goodnesse and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniqui∣ty, transgression, and sinne. And this the Lord would have us take notice off, (lest the sight of our sinnes should make us despaire) And a God that will by no meanes cleare the guilty, but will visite the iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children, and upon the Childrens Chil∣dren, unto the third, and fourth generation; and this the Lord spake, least carnall security, and naturall stupidity should make us to pre∣sume.
Secondly, naturally, we are ignorant of Reli∣gion and the word of God, For I. we thinke it to be a hard saying. Ioh. 6.60. But the Spirit of God doth teach us, that it is sweeter then honey, (Psalm. 119.103) and more precious then gold. Psalm 119.127. yea the very joy and rejoycing of our hearts. Ierem. 15.16. If we attentively reade Psalm 119. we shall see what exceeding joy David felt and found in the wayes and workes of Religion. II. We thinke Religion but foolish curiositie: but the Spirit teacheth us that with∣out it there can bee no salvation. Hebr. 12.14.
Thirdly, we do not know our selves, having made a Covenant with death, and being at an agreement with hell: yea, ready to say that wee are rich and abound in all things. Revel. 3.17. But the Spirit teacheth us, that these are but de∣ceivable dreames arising from blind pride: the truth being this, that we are poore, naked, blind, and miserable.