12. As sense will be sense, when faith hath done its best; so faith will be faith, when flesh or sense hath done its worst.
13. Men that fix on a heavenly, everlasting interest, will not be temporizers, and changed by the worldly men's wills or cruelties.
14. When all men have tired themselves with their contrivances and stirs, moderation and peace must be the quiet state.
15. When all worldly wisdom hath done its utmost, and men's endeavours are winged with the greatest expectations, God will be God, and blast what he nilleth; and will overrule all things, to the accomplishment of his most blessed will. Amen.
On these suppositions it is, that the following Prognostications are founded; which I must admonish the reader, not to mistake for historical narratives: but I exhort him to know what hath been, and what is, if he would know what will be; and to make sure of everlasting rest with Christ, when he must leave a sinful, restless world.
A
MORAL PROGNOSTICATION
OF WHAT MUST BE EXPECTED
IN THE CHURCHES OF CHRISTENDOM,
TILL THE
GOLDEN AGE RETURNS, OR TILL THE TIME OF TRUE REFORMATION AND UNITY.
1. Mankind will be born in a state of infancy and nescience, that is, without actual knowledge.
2. Yea, with a nature that hath the innate dispositions to sloth, and to diverting pleasures and business; and more than so, to an averseness from those principles which are needful to sanctification and heavenly wisdom. The carnal mind will have an enmity against God, and will not mind the things of the Spirit, nor be subject to God's law, Rom. viii. 5-8.
3. Sound learning, or wisdom, in things of so high a nature as are the matters of salvation, will not be attained without hard study, earnest prayer, and humble submission to instructions; and all this a long time patiently endured, or rather willingly and delightfully performed.