The Improvement of Human Reason: Exhibited in the Life of Hai Ebn YokdhanIbn Tufayl, Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Malik
Islamic
The Improvement of Human Reason: Exhibited in the Life of Hai Ebn Yokdhan
Ibn Tufayl, Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Malik
Islamic philosophy -- Early works to 1800
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.
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