Sec. 12.  To begin therefore with our Blessed Saviour himself.  It is evident that he never recommended any such way of worshipping God, as is contended for by the Mysticks, nor promised to reward the most sincere of his Followers with the Vision of God whilst in this State.  As for his own Life, which is certainly the most perfect Pattern, it was Active to the greatest Degree; and bating some times of Retirement, to pray or the like, was wholly spent in Conversation, and doing Good to others.  Then as to the Substance of his Doctrine, it consisted in acquainting the Jews that he himself was the Messias, whose Coming was so long ago, and so often foretold by the Ancient Prophets.  He also acquainted them with the Nature of his Office and Mediatorship, and shew’d them how mightily they were mistaken in their Interpretations of the Prophets concerning him.  He let them know, that, contrary to their Expectation, his Kingdom was not of this World; but that his Business was to bring Men out of Darkness to Light, and from the Bondage and Slavery of Sin, to the Liberty of the Sons of God.  He taught them to abandon all ungodly Lusts, and to set their Hearts upon Things above; assuring them, that if they continu’d in his Love, they should be rewarded with everlasting Happiness.  And lest his Disciples,and those Churches which should be planted by their Ministry, should be destitute of necessary Encouragement and Assistance, he assures them, in most endearing Terms, of his Love towards and Care over them, and promises speedily to send them the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth[40], which should not only assure them of his own, and the Father’s Love towards them, but also enable them to work such Miracles as should be sufficient to confirm the Truth of their Mission.  But no where promises the Enjoyment of the Beatifick Vision here; but bid them to expect their Reward hereafter; assuring them, that whither he went they could not follow him now, but should follow him afterwards[41], and that he went to prepare a place for them.  Nor did he even mention his having purchas’d for Mankind such a Privilege, as that they might, by diligently improving what was given them, come to God without any other Means, but rather the quite contrary:  For he says, No Man cometh to the father but by me[42]; now certainly the way to come to Christ, is to believe in him; which, according to the Apostle S. Paul, presupposes, hearing him preach’d.

Sec. 13, And as our Blessed Saviour did never promise to reward the Endeavours of sincere Persons, with such a Power whereby they might attain, without any External Means, all Things necessary to Salvation, much less the Intuition, or beholding the Divine Presence whilst in this Life; so neither do we find that they either expected or enjoy’d it.  The Method of God in teaching his People, was still the same as it ever had been, viz. by revealing his Will