fhall prove the Doctrine, and then

Vol. VII apply it.

First, For the proof of it. I will attempt it these three ways.

I. By way of inftance, or induction of particulars.

II. By way of conviction.

III. By giving the clear reason

of it.

I. By way of inftance. And I fhall give you inftances both on the part of the Object; and of the Subject, or the perfons who are capable of knowing God in any de

gree.

1. On the part of the Object. The Nature of God, the Excellency and Perfection of God, the Works and Ways of God are above our thoughts and apprehenfions. The Nature of God; it is vaft and infinite, Job 36. 26. God is great, and we know him not. Fob 37. 23. Touch

we

we

23. Touching the Almighty, cannot find him out. Pfal. 145. 3. His greatness is unfearchable.

The Excellencies and Perfections of God; his Immenfity, 2 Chron. 2. 6. The heaven of heavens cannot contain him: The Eternity of his duration, from everlasting to everlasting he is God. We cannot imagine any limits of his prefence, nor bounds of his duration: The infiniteness of his knowledge, Pfal. 147. 5. his understanding is infinite. When we think of the Wif dom and Knowledge of God, our best way is to fall into admiration, Rom. 11. 33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

Where the Scripture fpeaks of those Perfections of God, which the Creatures do in fome meafure and degree partake of, as his Goodnefs, and Power, and Wifdom, and Holiness, and Immortality, it attributes them in fuch a peculiar and Divine manner to God, as doth exclude and shut

out

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1

out the Creature from any claim Vol. VII. or fhare or title to them, Matt. 19. 16, 17. Why Call'st thou me good; there's none good but one, that is God. 1 Tim. 6. 15, 16. Who is the bleffed and only potentate, who only bath immortality. 1 Tim. 1. 17. The only wife God. Rev. 15. 4. For thou only art holy. In fo inconceivable a manner doth God poffefs thefe Perfections which he Communicates, and we can only understand them as he Communicates them, and not as he poffeffes them; fo that when we confider any of these Divine Perfections, we must not frame Notions of them contrary to what they are in the Creature, nór muft we limit them by what they are in the Creature, but fay, the Goodnefs and the Wisdom of God are' all this which is in the Creature, and much more which I am not able to comprehend; the transcendent degree, and the fingularity of these Divine Perfections, which are communicable, is beyond what we are able to conceive.

The

The Works of God, they are likewife unfearchable; the Works of Creation and of Redemption. Job 5. 9. Which doth great things, and unfearchable, marvelous, things paft finding out: And then he inftanceth in the Works of God, Job 26. 14. Lo these are part of his ways: But how little a portion is heard of him? and the thunder of his voice who can underftand? So that he tells us exprefly, we cannot find out the Works of God, we do but know part of them. The question which he puts, Job 37. 16. Doft thou know the wondrous works of him that is perfect in knowledge? can only be answered by the words of the Pfalmift, Pfal. 104. 24. O Lord how wonderful are thy works! in wisdom haft thou made them all. The work of Redemption: In this there fhines forth fuch Wisdom, Mercy, and Love, as our understandings cannot reach; this work is called the Wisdom of God in a myftery, hidden Wifdom, σοφία αποκεκρυμ

Cc

Vol. VII.

μένη, μévn, I Cor. 2. 7. The Mercy, VolVland Grace, and Love of it is called, the riches of Gods mercy, the exceeding riches of his grace, Eph. 2.4, 7.. Now Riches is when you cannot tell the utmost of them, pauperis eft numerare, Eph. 3. 18, 19. That ye may be able to comprehend with all Saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and heighth, and to know the love of Christ which paffeth knowledge. When we have the largest apprehenfions of this love, fo that we think we comprehend it and know it, it paffeth knowledge; yea the Effects of God's Power and Love which he manifefts in believers are unfpeakable; for he is able to do for us exceeding abundantly above what we can ask or think, according to the power which worketh in us, Eph. 3. 20. The Peace which guards their fouls paffeth all understanding, Phil. 4. 7. Those Joys which fill their hearts are not to be expreffed. 1 Pet. 1. 8. We read of Joy unspeakable and full of glory. The Happiness which

they