converted and so they did as the h Act. 2.44 17.4.34 Scripture manifests in many places which might be noted Again it is to be minded that God himself counts all the faithful to belong to the i Rev. 12.4 5 Woman the Church of God as appears in the Revelations where the Man-child as is evident by k Exod. 4.23 23. other places contains all the faithful even the whole Church of God This Son of God and his Man-child is called his l Exod. 5.1 people The like appears in Isay 66.7 8. where the Man-child is interpreted to be a whole Nation of Children including all the faithful Now this Woman is said to be in Travail crying and if yours be that Church that is in this Travail crying and in pain according to the Scriptures I am content the Child shall be acknowledged yours but if it be in jollity and without sorrow putting the others to pain and ready to cut the living Child in pieces how then can I acknowledge it for the true Mother when as also the Apostle saith That Jerusalem that is from above is the m Gal. 4.24 Mother of us all and she is not one that gendreth to bondage but to freedome as saith the Apostle and therefore methinks it appears that every ones conversion strongly binds him to make speed to that Church which consists of such as are faithful in Jesus Christ as being the proper inheritance to which they all belong and to know that all such places as are alledged to conclude otherwise be but wrested and perverted though never so fair a glosse be set upon them for God ever since the beginning hath put enmity betwixt the seed of the Woman and the seed of the Serpent and accuâ—sed shall all they be that joyne those together that God hath so far separated and therefore let none of Gods servants stand with one foot on Mount Sion and another on Babylon lest that which is halting be turned out of the way Heb. 12. Object 3 Another Objection against us is brought in the defence of your Ministery after this manner That Ministery that doth the work of the Ministery of Jesus Christ spoken of in Ephes 4. for the perfecting of the Saints is a true Ministery but your Ministery you say doth the same work c. Answ Was it the work of the Ministery of the Apostles c. to read Divine Service Church women Marry and bury the Dead and such like services as these are Did the Apostles perfect the Saints after this manner For who knows not but that this is the substance of what your office of Ministery binds you unto as for Preaching that may be dispensed withall and a little now and then may serve the turn Besides as is granted your offices are not the same there mentioned that Jesus Christ from on high gave gifts unto for you have others that the Scripture speaks not any otherwise then by the n Rev. 17.3 names of blasphemy But for the power and work of the Ministery which you say is answerable to that of the Apostles by your gathering of the Saints together taking it for granted that you say from what do you convert them If from the power of darknesse as you would seem to imply into the Kingdom of Christ as o Col. 1.13 did the Apostle then by your own grant in the power of darknesse you found them and the truth is that where you found them there you leave them when you found them before their conversion you professed of them that they were regenerate and boâ—â—â— anew to what then do you convert them or have you conversion after regeneration you also bade these persons before to take and eat in remembrance that Christ died for them and so give them the Seals of Life and Salvation and yet after all this you being Ministers to them come to justifie the truth of your Ministery by your conversion of the people that by these things no need of amendment and yet when all is done that you plead for they still abide in the same Church under the same Ministery in the same worship that they were conversant in before whereas I have declared before that when as the Apostle converted any those converts left their former places turning from dumb Idols to serve the living God Now it hath been long acknowledged and professed that the worship of your Church * Ministers that now are saith be come of Rome and the Ministery of it came out of the Popes Shop and must needs be reformed or else the judgment of God cannot but light upon you as hath been manifested in the first and second admonition to the Parliament in the daies of Queen Elizabeth and all know that yet it continues the same that then it was and if it were so bad then as it is reported that a thousand Ministers said it was small cause have any to plead Conversion when as they shall continue in such abominations as that the plagues of God cannot by their own confession be withheld Seeing that the Scriptures and Spirit of God teacheth us that the p Psa 119.101 fear of the Lord teacheth men to refrain their feet from every evil way and to cleanse our selves from all filthinesse both of flesh and spirit and to grow up unto full holinesse in the fear of God or the worship of God as our Saviour q Mat. 4. 2 Cor. 2.1 interprets it and to hate the very r Jude 23. garment spotted by the flesh Now these things well considered it will appear that the several Scriptures that are continually brought for the maintenance of your Ministery are but so many flourishes by which the Word of Truth is wrested and wringed like to a Nose of Wax contrary to their proper intents and scopes to serve their own turns which who they be of you or others that are the perverters of them God knows and one day will judg betwixt the righteous and the wicked and give to every one according as his works shall be In the mean while to me it appears plain that men destitute of the Spirit of God be they as learned as may be in mans learning yet they do pervert all Scriptures to their own destruction when as the unlearned one simple men and women having the Spirit of Truth in them shall rightly know them and Gods mind in them for their great comfort Again seeing this is so that such men do thus pervert the Scriptures this should provoke all that are made able Ministers of the Spirit as saith the Å¿ 2 Cor. 3.2 Apostle that they take the same Apostles t 1 Tim. 4.6 advise saying If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things thou shalt be a good Minister of Jesus Christ If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things What thing those things mentioned u From the 1 Verse before how that the Spirit hath foretold of
judgment of all such as love and know the Truth not doubting but there will be some found that out of love will reprove what is amisse and so turn the sinner out of the errour of his way though some others as k Job â— Job saith forge lies as I could name divers who are Physitians of no value For God who knows the hearts of all men knows that it was not my intent at all at that time to have medled in this Argument nor with this Scripture not till the night before I spake of it and all because I knew if I did it would be offensive as it hath proved and what I did herein it was by the advice of Friends But now I see that Gods hand was in it and I doubt not but for good though it is and may be my portion deeply to suffer for it and for men to be offended at the truth and such as declare it is no new thing even for the l Psa Acts 4.1 Esay 8.14 â— builders themselves to stumble at the stumbling stone But leaving all such to stand or fall to their own Lord. Something remains to be spoken concerning the matter following for the preventing of such things as may further be objected against it 1. Though the matter be the same in substance that it was at the first delivery yet somewhat may be wanting and is which was then said and more is added in other respects then at that time was spoken which I thought fit to give notice of 2. Another exception and that of great moment is that I have blasphemed against Jesus Christ in saying that he was without Humane Learning Now besides what is answered hereunto in the first Objection belonging to the first Doctrine if any yet remain unsatisfied and will affirm the contrary let them declare as the m Rom. 11.34 35. Apostle saith who was his Councellor and who taught him and he shall be recompenced The Scripture cells us that he grew in wisdome and stature and so couples them alike together Now none will affirm that he learned his Stature then from the like will I affirm that he learned not his Wisdome no more then he did his Stature and so if none taught him then must it needs follow that he was without Humane Learning for we in common speech call them unlearned which were never taught as did the n John 7.15 Act 4.13 Jews and Learning presupposeth one to Teach so that methinks it is but requisite if any did so affirm that they should declare his Teacher which if they cannot do why then should they affirm him to have Humane Learning And methinks the matter being rightly considered it will be found blasphemy for any to affirm that He had Humane Learning seeing that in so doing they call in question the perfection of His Manhood as if there were others that could adde unto Him Seeing all grant that the Master is above the Scholar and the Scripture witnesseth for me that at o Luk. 2.46.47 twelve years old such was His Wisdome observed amongst the Doctors as that they were astonished at his understanding and answers and doubtless this was a part of their grear wonder seeing that He never Learned as it was the Councels wonder also concerning p Act. 4.13 Peter and John Therefore for any to affirm him to be by men taught is to take that glory from him which he had of His own and so they are most like to be them that blaspheme 3. It is also very likely that Pride and Vain-glory will be imputed to me as it hath been already that I being as I am should undertake to maintain that which all godly and learned men are contrary to me in Answer I answer that it is no strange thing for the Servants of God to meet with such hard measure even for declaring of the truth for so was Joseph q Gen. 37.8.11 dealt by even of his Father and Brethren and so was r Sam. 17.28 David used for speaking for the Lord And Paul you shall sind was Å¿ Act. 17.18 coffed at by the learned Athenians And seeing that it hath alwayes been so with Gods Servants why should not I affirm with the t Cor. 4.3 Apostle not to pass to be judged of men whatsoever they be though godly wise learned seeing that as the Apostle saith it makes no matter to me God is no u Gal. 2.6 accepter of persons And therefore I hold it a defence sufficient with David to say x 1 Sam. 17.29 Is there not a cause seeing that there is none that I know of that will stand up for the Lord against those that defie the Hoast of Israel because that they be not Goliah like Men of stature having Bowes of brass and such like furniture as that the flâ—shly hearts of men dare not lock such in the face and all because that they be so strongly furnished with Mans strength Though that the Souldiers of the Lord of Hoasts may with one blast of a Rams horn through the might of God y Josh 6.20 blow down the strong Wall of this spirituall Jericho seeing that the Lord hath said That by the z Mat. 21.16 mouth of Babes and Sucklings he will perfect his praise and this if Babes should neglect to do the stones would cry Whence it is to be observed our Saviour descends from Babes to Stones and not from Babes to Learned men for he hath chosen such to bring forth His Righteousness as the light for He himself doth not despise the day of a Zach. 4.10 small things Now these things considered why should any with the proud b Mat. 21.15 Pharisees disdain at what the Lord will do but lay their hands upon their mouths and say nothing because He c Psal 39. doth it And seeing it is the Lords d Psal 118.23 doing why should it not be marvellous in our eyes Though I doubt not but the Lord will in his good time bring forth one learned Moses and another as excellent that ways as was Paul and cause them disclaiming that Humane excellency to magnifie the foolishness of God c 1 Cor. 1. to be wiser then the wisdome of men and so every way convince them of their folly this way to his praise And in the mean while let them that can receive this for truth receive it and let none be so conceited of Learned men as if the Word of God came only to them and from them as Paul said to f 1 Cor. 14.36 37. some that were puffed up But let such as are Spirituall know that the Lord reveals his Mysteries to whom he pleaseth and where he will and therefore the eye of none should be evil because he is good But we should learn as the wise in an saith That g Eccles 9.11 the race is not alway to the swift nor the battel to the strong but it may so prove that little
Tit. 1.12 and therefore it cannot properly be called Humane Learning especially in my sense that I have to do withall which is to oppose that which is maintained to make men fitting to open the mind of God in his Word which is by the learning of Tongues and Arts as of necessity whereas this is used but by the by and not to find out the Truth with but it being sufficiently before proved by themselves also It is the Spirits order to gain their acknowledgement of it and this is no other learning but what every man without any Scholarship as ye call it may attain unto whereas that that is so much gloried in is that a man is able aptly to speak according to art and knowledge in the Sciences and this is it by which men yet still are hatched and bred up and this I believe was the means of bringing in all those abominable errors that the earth hath drunk in Rev. 12.16 1 Tim. 6. to 12. Revel 12.4 both in Doctrines and Practice and so have occasioned those noysome lusts that drown men in perdition that the man of God is to fly as best beseeming the tail of the Dragon and suiting with this great woe which is further manifested by comparing the Ministers of Iesus Christ and those together Now what marks they be known by you may read in 2 Cor. 6. from the third to the 11. Verse where as in a Looking-glass you may behold the true Picture both of the one and of the other by them we approve our selves as the Ministers of Christ and give none occasion why our Ministery should be reproved saith Paul In much patience in afflictions in necessities in distresses in stripes in imprisonments in tumults in labour in watchings in fastings by purenesse by knowledge by long-suffering by-kindnesse by the Holy Ghost by love unfaigned by the Word of Truth by the power of God by the Armor of Righteousnesse on the right hand and on the left by honour and dishonour by evil report and good report as deceivers and yet true as unknown and yet known as dying and yet behold we live as chastened and not killed as sorrowfull and yet alway rejoycing as poor and yet making many rich as having nothing and yet possessing all things * Distinguishing marks of the true Ministers These ye see are the marks by which Paul approves himselfe with his fellow labourers to be the Ministers of Christ now selves so to be they disprove themselves to be the Ministers of Christ in all these things Where is their patient bearing with the contrary minded as Paul saith the f 2 Tim. 2.24 25. servants of God should do And where are their afflictions which they suffer with their necessities and distresses Are they not for the most part full of all outward necessaries What are they in distresse for How many stripes do they suffer or shall have need so to do be they but observant of their Canonical obedience How many â—ay where are any imprisonments that they suffer or at least need to do if they live according to their own Laws And for â—umults they are so far from abiding any as that they be far more ready to make them against others then to endure them themselves and for their labours which what he means you may perceive by 1 Cor. 4.12 and that to be sure they are guiltlesse of and so for their watchings and fastings and all the rest being duly considered of we may read the quite contrary fulfilled in them so that of necessity there will appear as void 〈◊〉 difference as is betwixt light and darknesse and those persons more fitly suiting that description belonging to the g Rev. 9. from 7. to 11. Locusts then with this description here of the h 2 Cor. 6. from 3. to 11. Apostle so far are they from what they pretend themselves to be as that the words of the Prophet came truly to be fulfilled in them That their i Isa 47.10 wisdome and their knowledge perverts them or causes them to erre and is the wickednesse they trust unto and this is it that lifts them up in their own conceits so far as that they think in their hearts and stick not to say also with their tongues that they are for the ministration of the Word and none else and the Lord saith That their wisdome and knowledg is the cause oâ— this their error and they say it is the means of right understanding now whether is to be believed God or they let all judge especially when as we see that the Lord himself is against them for it in denying others he denies them saying therefore shall evill come upon thee and thou shalt not know where it ariseth c. all which declares the depth of the woe they lie under for is not this a wofull thing that of that which God hath made a curse men should make a blessing and that against his will and say that his mind cannot be knowne what can be more against him Vse 2 In the next place that being so that men taught by Gods Spirit are through it sufficiently made able to know his minde in word then it teacheth us not to account any man any whit the nearer to understand the Scriptures by any humane excellencies but rather let us be suspitious of him that hath them for the fame especially if he make use of them in those things for as we have seene they be dangerous to be leaned unto It is his high time that now we should all awake from sleepe and watch in the Spirit and so let the Lord have all the praise and glory of his owne grace Not unto us not unto us but to his name be all the glory Rom. 11.19 seeing it is he only that doth great things Allso it may teach all men to cease pinning of their faith upon the sleeves of Learned men for there is no good cause why we should so doe but to see with our owne eyes seeing that the just is to live by his own faith and to beleeve what the Lord hath said which is that he hath k Luke 10.21 hid those things that is the mysteries of the Gospel among which this which now is declared is one from the wise and learned and this I verily believe is the wholesom Doctrine of the Gospel and which hath against it the wise and learned opposing and denying of it to be so and so confirming the words of our Saviour therefore need we not to wait for their witness to it but to be glad and rejoyce to see his saying made true That he will reveale them to babes that is simple things in the Worlds eye and account and with this consideration to overlook all contempt that can be cast upon us for the same For so is it now with men that they judge that nothing is hid from such and such when as we are to expect the fulfilling of the
and all this Science or knowledge is falsly said to be of use in the Gospell prophane and vain bablings are far better names for them and oppositions according to Pauls teaching and he saith of himself I think I have the Spirit of God and so indeed he had without doubt and so our ground remains good that we are compleat in Christ Jesus Reason 4 Another consideration confirming this conclusion is from the Apostles i 1 Cor. 3.18 advise Let no man deceive himself and that in the true way of attaining wisdome he declares what it is in these words That such a one is to become a fool that he may be wise and how is that but by knowing that indeed there is nothing in all mans wisdome to be any whit helpfull but hurtfull to him in attaining and comprehending the wisdome of God in Christ Now what is more foolish to a man then to know that there is nothing that all the wits of man can reach unto that can benefit him and if nothing then not the thing in question but that it must needs be that we must be fools to it and what is the true mark of a fool but to be ignorant and without knowledge therefore we call them fools in the world and so is it here The best way for a man to deceive himself is to know nothing of this Learning nor any other fleshly excellency that so he may learn true wisdome and the Apostle doth methinks sufficiently confirme this advice of his against all exceptions The Lord knows saith he that the thoughts of mâ—â— be vain Men think highly of their own conceits this way yeâ— if no man will take this his counsell for wisdome in this kinde yet the Lord concludes the truth of it and he knows the thoughts of men to be vaine that thinke Humane Learning some help but let them thinke what they will the Lord is against them in it for hee knows that it is sure that they are deceived for his thoughts be not as mans thoughts Reason 5 Now another cause that confirmes mee in this Conclusion is because that wheresoever the Apostle honours the Spirits teaching and preferres it usually he at the same time casts contempt upon this learning as is to be seen in many places k 1 Cor. 1.17.18 Christ saith he sent me to preach the Gospell not with the wisdome of words lest I should make the crosse of Christ or the Gospel of Christ of none effect where we see that for good reason he rejects the very wisdome of words in preaching of the Gospel and that is lest if he should have done otherwise he should have made it of no effect because he was to declare the sincere word without the least mingling as if he should say such manner of preaching is a foolish preaching but it is so onely to them that perish but to such as are saved it is the power of God without what man expects and therefore he l 2 Cor. 11. â— 2 3. saith againe he was jealous over them with a godly jealousie for he had prepared them a pure Virgin for Christ but saith he I fear that as the Serpent beguiled Eve but how through his subtiltie so your minâ—s should be corrupt that is putrified and infected from the sinceritie that is in Christ This we see was Pauls feare that while he was absent their minds should be withdrawn from the foolishness of the Gospel and the simplicitie sinceritie and truth thereof and this they should be withdrawn from by the subtiltie of Satan that old Serpent in his instruments the false Teachers this he feares because of their fleshlinesse that was in them which was ready to yeeld to their wiles by reason of their subtiltie that way for by faire words and flatteries they deceived the m Ro. 16.18 hearts of the simple and with this their craftinesse they lie in wait to n Eph. 4.14 deceive thus contemptuously doth Paul speake of those things in opposition to the true learning as is further to be seen in many places of which I will name one more and that from the Apostle Peter in his second Epistle Chap. 1. Verse 16. For we saith he followed not deceiveable Fables when we opened unto you the power and coming of our Lord Iesus Now such names as these are doth the Apostle chuse to cast on mans excellencies as in divers other o 1 Tim. 1.4 and 4.7 Tit. 3.9 places which declare what contempt is cast on such learning in opposition to the Spirit of God Reason 6 Now one thing more which I conceive observeable for the proof of this point in hand is drawn from the 2 Cor. 2.10 The spirit searches the deep things of God and verse 14. The spiritual man discerns all things if then the spirit searcheth the deep things of God and that discerns all things what need we more And with this agrees the Apostle John saying And ye need not that any man teach you save as that Anointing teacheth you p 1 Iohn 2.27 Then I conclude That we need not that any man teach us not the Master nor any of his followers for the Disciples of Jesus Christ do learn as the truth is in him and of him and they have received the Spirit of God that they might know the things of God therefore we may well be without any mans learning and have no need of it and so the point is clear and plain That such as are taught by Gods Spirit without that learning do truly understand the Word I judge it necessary also to be understood of the Reader what I do understand by Humane Wisdome as well as Humane Learning by Humane Wisdome I do understand whatsoever appears excellent in mans understanding as he is left without Gods Spirits teaching this the more excellent it is to him that is carnall so much the worse it is therefore it is said of such by the Apostle That when as they professed themselves to be wise then they became fools Rom. 1.21 Mat. 6.23 And saith our Saviour If the light which is in this which I mind to be meant of mens understanding and wisdome be darknesse how great is that darknesse So that by mans wisdome I understand whatsoever seems excellent to him with which he would honour God withall that he is not the Author of as eloquence and fair speeches and any thing in thaâ— way such as the Greeks sought after as men do now adays this I do the rather differ from Humane Learning 1 Cor. 1.22 because iâ— seems to me that the Scripture differenceth them Acts 22. and the difference rightly understood may prevent just exceptionâ— and give light to the right understanding of the whole matterâ— for this wisdome is made by the Apostle Rom. 6.7 and that rightly to be enmity to the Spirit of God and impossible to submit to it it iâ— so contrary Now follows to be answered such Objections as are
made against it As first Object 1 That of Paul in 1 Tim. 3.6 That a Bishop must be no young Scholar lest he being puffed up fall into the condemnation of the Devil Answ The Scholarship Paul means here is the teaching of the Spirit whereby the man is made sound in the Faith for that learning only will make men low in their own eyes as is before declared and he that is unsound in the faith will ever be found the most lofty and puffed up in his own conceit and so be rejected of God as the Devil was though he was in heaven with God yet being puffed up he was rejected of God and so q 2 Pet. 2. cast down to hell to which example Paul here alludes as I conceive and that rightly for a Bishop in the Church is in respect of his spiritual state and place in favour and fellowship with God and that in heaven as the whole book of the Revelation describes the Church to be Now such as by the Church should be chosen to that state being young Scholars that is not soundly taught in the truth by the Spirit he is in great danger the more other learning that he hath so much the more to be puffed up This I believe was the cause of Diotrephes r 3 Ioh. 9.10 pride he wanted this Scholarship and that caused him to seek the preheminence and this whatsoever our great Scholars think of themselves is the cause of the high conceits that they have of themselves and their knowledg and understanding above others that want their learning even this because they be but young Scholars if that in the School of Christ and thence is it they are so puft up with the vain-glory of their fleshly learning that they think that none that are not as themselves are fit to be their fellows and so know not how that they be wretched poor miserable blind and naked though they conceive themselves to be rich and have need of nothing as did the Å¿ Rev. 3.17 Laodiceans and so indeed are fallen into the condemnation of the Devill as being rejected of God for he resists the proud and such as are puft up and gives grace to the t 1 Pet. 5.5 humble and such as are low in their own eyes Now whether these men humanly learned be they that are puft up or low in their own eyes as mean as he that is unlearned I leave to all that have eyes to see and look into it and so to judge whether they are not yet to learn Pauls Scholarship Further I say it is here to be minded that if it should be Humane Learning that is here meant then Paul should teach Timothy for to teach the Church to chuse such Scholars as had more learning then had their Master Christ Jesus Now this some say is blasphemy and threaten me sorely for it Answ I answer them that considering Christ Jesus as God according to the Divine Nature so he is God over all and so gives all things Acts 17.25 and so he is the u Jam. 1.17 giver of every good gift and so Humane Learning and Wisdome are x Ro. 11.37 of him and so much but that men are maliciously bent they might discern that I in this argument had not to deal with him as God but as the Minister of God administring for the good of his body according to that Luke 24.18 * What learning Christ had where he saith The Spirit of the Lord hath Anointed me that I should Minister c. and so in this argument he is by the Apostle set forth as a Man y Act. 2.22 Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God and such a man so administring I do still affirme and that with great confidence that he was unlearned in this consideration and without the learning that we speak of and so the Tongue of the z Isa 5.1 learned that was said to be given him is a Isa 61.1 interpreted by the same Prophet to be the Spirit of God For saith he The Spirit of the Lord hath Anointed me that I should preach from whence is plain That Christ Jesus was learned of the Father to preach by the Spirit See further of this in the Epistle noted with without Humane Learning and so much is plain to them that can believe the Scriptures from John 7.15 where the Jews admire saying How comes this man to know the Scriptures seeing that he was never learned From whence it is plain that as he was a Man he was unlearned in the letters of the Scriptures though as God he knew all things and by a Divine Power not Humane Learning so much as his own naturall Tongue by letter as in the Synagogue he could take the Book and read Luke 4.17 and this doubtlesse was one cause why the Jews are said to be astonished at the hearing and seeing of him as appeares Matth. 13.54 c. Luke 4.22 so that from all this my affirmation remains true and good that if Humane Learning should be it that is there meant by the Apostle then he was to teach the Servant to be above his Master when as Christ Jesus himself b Mat. 10.5 saith It is enough for the Disciple to be as his Lord and he being destitute of Humane Learning his Disciples may well be without it also without any offence and yet preach the Gospell too Now if notwithstanding all this there be them that will take c Act. 6.11 Stephens accusers place and still accuse me of blasphemy as they did him c. though it may be they may say true words as that I said that Iesus Christ was without Humane Learning and so apply it to him as God when as I spake of him as Man they may there see themselves ranked among the number of them that are called by the Spirit of God False Witnesses as walking in the steps of those envious persons * Chief Priest chief in spilling innocent blood even such as were alwayes the Murtherers and Betrayers of Christ Iesus and his Servants and they that are such may be likened to them that being full of envy d Act. 13.45 spake against those things that were spoken of Paul contrarying them and railing on them Mark it they denied what he taught but disproved it not but spake against it and railed on the person and so left not till they had been a means to expell them out of their Coasts so was he and such like measure is still to be expected to befall such as tread in his steps but it is to be minded that envious ones are the movers of it and so leaving of it I come to another exception which is Object 2 How such as are unlearned will be able to stop the mouths of Gain-sayers seeing the Apostle requires of a e Tit. 1.11 Bishop that he should be able so to do Answ I answer that it is not the Apostles
Therefore seeing the Gospel is t 1 Cor. 1.25 foolishnesse therefore it is meet he should have * Foolish in the worlds account was the Lords choice foolish Ministers in the wise worlds account yea and in his servants too when as they see as man sees and not as doth the Lord. For thus was it of old subject to Samuel the Lords Prophet when as the Lord sent him to the House of Isâ—ay to anoint him a King he seeing as a man doth he said u 1 Sam. 16.6 7. Surely the Lords Anointed is before me but we finde that the Lord corrects that and tells him It was not so the more unlikely man and the unthought of one was he that God had chosen to himself and so is it here we are not to see as man sees but as the Lord directs us Thirdly God chuseth these things in opposition to others to astonish the wisdome of man When the x Acts 4.13 Council perceived Peter and John were unlearned men and without knowledge they marvelled and were amazed And so saith the Apostle He y 1 Cor. 3.19 catcheth the wise in their own craft they think that all knowledge lies in their breasts now the Lord he comes and makâ—s fools wise and so catcheth them manifesting that their thoughts be but vain in thinking that the wise are them that God hâ—â—â—â—hosen for it is not so for he hath chosen the foolish to confound the wise and therefore such as are godly wise should chuâ—e Gods wise but the worlds foolish things for his serve before the worlds wise ones and so I come to another exception which is Object 5 If it be sanctified it must needs be a good help to the right understanding of the truth Answ It is true if it be sanctified so it is But how or where doth that appear that ever it was sanctified Hath not the Lord long agone told us by his z Isa 29.14 Prophet and wished his to behold it That he would do a marvellous work and then he doubles it again even a marvellous work and a wonder and then all comes to this that he would cause to perish and destroy the wisdome of the wise and cast away the understanding of the prudent * A curse threatened because the people were led by the precâ—pis of men verse 13. and here if we could see we might all of us stay our wondering at this strange thing and consider the Lord tells us it is a marvellous work and a wonder and so our wondering and marvelling how these things come so to be is but a fulfilling of Gods Word and men might rest in it and see in the next words that it is a woe to them for the former abuse of the same and so now as a Mal. 2.2 Malachy saith that he would curse their blessings and that he had done it already to both which b 1 Cor. 1.19 Rom. 8.7 agrees the Apostle from Isay and concludes also that God hath distroyed it and in another place tells us that it is enmitie with God How shall any dare say then * The worlds learning not sanctified in a spiritual way it is sanctified when as so plain a curse is on it as that we are wished to beware of being c Co. 2.8 spoiled by it Now are we wished any where to beware of being spoiled by that which is sanctified to us in a spirituall way Now these things can be sanctified no further then they are of use and that is but in a worldly way for a spirituall use they be accursed from it Object 6 Now another exception from these things thus minded is That by this all Humane Learning seems utterly to be condemned Answ I Answer that it follows not because it is not to be allowed in this way that therefore it is not of any use for I doe acknowledge it in it selfe to be a good thing * Humane and good in its proper place Learning is good in its proper place which is for the repairing of that d Gen. 11. from 6. to 10. decay which camâ— upon man for sin so I say it is of good use for the repairing of that losse and so fit for Statesmen Physitians Lawyers and Gentlemen yea all men so far as they can attain to it are as men beyond and above others that are without it yea and beyond all other excellencies that this world can afford but bring it once to be a help to understand the minde of God in the holy Scriptures and there it is detestable filth drosse and dung in that respect and so good for nothing but e 1 Tim. 6.21 destroy and cause men to erre as we have seen before It fares with it as I perceive * But out of its place is like fire out of the Chimney and in the roof of the house it doth with fire keep it in the chimney and it serves as a good blessing of God for good and necessary uses but let it once come into the roofe of the house and it destroys all because it is not in its proper place so it is here for this thing among men for humane and worldly imployments it is good but bring it once to the perfecting of the Gospel and it will be found to be the spoiling of the right understanding thereof And yet further so far doe I acknowleg †Tongues a help in Translation Tongues to be â—â—â—se as to yeeld us the translation of the Scriptures our of one language into another without which we that are unlearned could not come to have the letter of the Word and so far there is a necessity of it for that use but that man which can so do is ever the more able to understand the spirituall meaning of the word thereby that I deny and withall do affirm that an understanding man may through the teaching of the Spirit know the mind of God which the other may never reach unto according to that f Mat. 13.11 saying of our Saviour To you it is given to know the mysteries the secrets of the Kingdome of heaven to you his simple Disciples it is given but to others the learned Scribes and Pharisees it was not given But in this case it may fare as it did with those that built Noahs Ark they made a place of safeguard for others but were drowned themselves So these men may prepare a good help for others but themselves be altogether without the benefit of it A Lanthorn you know is of good use to contain the candle but let one carry it in a dark night and it will do him no pleasure without a candle lighted in it of the same use is the letteâ— of the Word it is but as a Lanthorn or candle without light * Learning Now the Spirit is the light of the letter and so is the Apostleâ— g 2 Cor. 3. opposition without the Spirit is