it doth further appeare by the 13th Chap. and the 3. verse that it was so great power and glory as that all the world wondered and admired it and yet this Iesus Christ accounts a great wo and plague to them Rev. 16.10.11 Now part of this woe I beleeve is this learning which we have here in question for as we have before manifested the Sun light of the Gospel of Iesus Christ alows not for the glory of Christs Doctrine is that it is of the Spirits teaching for when we behold the glory of the Lord in the most perfectest measure 2 Cor. 3.12 so as we are changed thereinto from glory to glory yet all is from the Spirit of the Lord seeing that he is the promised Comforter that is to teach us all good things belonging to our perfection Then it must needs follow that is a smokey power and glory flowing from the Kingdome of Sathan and so a part of the tayle that the § Rev. 12.4 Dragon drew the Starres withall after him and hence comes it to passe that now instead of the Spirits teaching according to Peters prophesie here are a generation that doe arise 2 Pet. 2.1 which privily bring in damnable errours and so for that end forsaking the Spirit of truth they speake lyes through hypocrisie 1 Tim. 4.2 as Paul also witnesseth they should doe pretending now that the true and right way for understanding the Scriptures and mind of God was that men for that end must learne a part from others onely for that worke and so to be taught in Tongues and divers Languages and have their wits exercised in Arts and Sciences humane and so such a flourish beares this in mans conceit as that it seems the onely way that can be for a man to be made fit for this worke so that before while the Angels kept their station in heaven the Spirits simple teaching was judged sufficient without these things for this worke they now being fallen from thence to the earth Rev. 9.2 and having the key of the bottomlesse pit thence it being opened now ariseth up * See Iohn Bale on Rev. 9.1 Plato and Aristotle and a multitude more of Heathen Philosophers These are the foure Angels that stand on the foure corners of the earth holding the foure winds that they should not blow on the Earth neither on the Sea neither on any Tree Rev. 7.1 as being those that have the whole power of Preaching in their hand not suffering any to blow but who they please and so doe withold the truth in unrighteousnesse Rom. 1.18 declalaring thereby they be under the wrath of God and they seem to yeeld these Starrey Principles very fitting in their own understanding better to furnish them with fitnesse to open the mind of God then His Spirit can doe whereas before whenas the perfect teachings of the holy Spirit was in force these men of all others were by reason of their learning and wisdome the most untutablest men that were in the world for the receiving of the truth as appeares by the testimony of Luke Act. 1.18 and is not yet for all the great Sun light of the glorious Gospel of Christ which these men professe they have these blacke smokey principles still so stiffly stood for as that there is no removing of men from the high conceit that they have of them And doth not this sufficiently declare as the Apostle saith that God hath blinded the minds of men so as they cannot see but are so much the blinder because they say they see and hence came it to passe 2 Cor. 4.4 Ioh. 9.41 that I for mentioning Plato and Aristotle and such like was demanded how I came by the knowledge of that Object if not by Human-Learning with contempt cast upon it as if that which I had from them being Humane Learned Men was of it selfe sufficient to overthrow the matter which I had there delivered Answ I answered then as I doe still it was none other but as Paul mentioned to the Athenians their own Poets and yet for all that he was as great an enemy to Human-Learning as I and greater too Act. 17 And it is to be minded as I have before declared that I doe not oppose the knowledge of Humane things nor yet deny but that we may be acquainted with their sayings as the Apostle himselfe and our Saviour was yea and that somtimes we make use of them too as occasion requires as I have done here though sparingly and but seldome and when it is that it be of great use as it was at those 3 times that Paul did use them and no more Act. 17.28.1 Cor. 15.33 Tit. 1.12 that I remember in all the Scripture Now this you see the Spirit teacheth and therefore it cannot properly be called Human-Learning especially in my sence that I have to doe 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 wheras 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 gaine there acknowledgement of it and this is no other learning but what every man without any Scholership as ye call it may attaine unto wheras that that is so much gloryed 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 Rev. 12.16.1 Tim. 6. to 12. Rev. 12.4 and this I beleeve was the meanes of bringing in all those abhominable errours that the Earth hath drunke in both in Doctrine and Practise and so have occasined those noysome lusts that drown men in perdition that the man of God is to flie as best beseeming the tayle of the Dragon and suting 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 the 3. to the 11. verse where as in a Looking-glasse 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 Ministry should be reprooved saith Paul In much Patience in Afflictions in Necessities in Distresses in strips in Imprisonments in Tumults in Labour in Watchings in Fastings by purenes by knowledge by long-suffering by kindnesse by the Holy Ghost by love unfeigned by the word of truth by the power of God by the armour of righteousnesse on the right hand and on the left by honour and dishonour by evill report and good report as dâ—ceivers 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
a meere naturall man may be a great worldly Learned man as were the Aegyptians and Babylonians and as are many of the Romish Priests and Jesuites therfore for this cause that is not the learning here meant 4. Because such of Gods servants as have had such kind of learning when as they came to know Christ they forsook it all 4 Reason as Moses when he came to age though he was ‡ Act. 7.22 learned in all the wisdome of the Aegyptians yet by Faith he forsooke all the treasures of Aegypt and this being one of Aegypts treasures he forsooke this also for when he saith treasures there none is excepted therfore in asmuch as learning was one aswell as riches and honours he forsook that also as seeing by Faith a better treasure in the worst condition among the people of God then in the best condition in the world suppose it be learning The like is to be seen in Paul who counted all things losse and dung that he might winne Christ even the righteousnesse of the Law it selfe which is farre beyond all this and all this he did that he might know him Wherein the Apostle gives me to understand that all such things were but hinderances to keep him from the knowledge of Christ to salvation which is it that here I mind also therfore likewise this is not the learning here meant seeing it was rejected of them therfore it was no help nor furtherance to them to know Christ by but lets and hinderances and so much appeares by those converts in Acts 19.18 19. Who when they beleeved are said such of them as used curious Arts to burn their Books declaring that now they had met with learning of farre greater worth then their curious Arts and therfore now they burn their Books declaring that now they had no more need of them and so I conclude that such as this is not the learning here meant What Learning it is I now come to manifest what Learning it is the Apostle here intended Now the learning here intended by the Apostle it is as I understand That sound knowledge and sure information that every Christian hath in Iesus Christ Col. 2.7 whereby he is so deeply rooted and so surely grafted into him by Faith as that he abides unmoveably setled in him Ephe. 3.17.18 as therby he abides stable in the sure knowledge and understanding of the word of Christ and so much here me thinks the Apostle gives us to understand 1 Pet. 2.6 how that the unlearned they be unstable then on the contrary the learned they are stable beleeving and being layd on the true Foundation they shall never be confounded or ashamed Now such as these are that are learned as the truth is in Iesus these may well say to the greatest worldly learned ones as Philip said to the Eunuch Vnderstandest thou what thou readest and not onely so but such may teach them the understanding of the mystery saying these are taught and instructed by the teachings of the Spirit of God agreeable to these Scriptures * 1 Cor. 2.10 That it hath not entred into the heart of man to conceive of that which God by his Spirit which searcheth the deep things of God hath reavealed unto us And this the Apostle further explaines that as no man knows the things of a man save the spirit of a man which is in him so the things of God knows no man no not a worldly learned man but by the Spirit of God and so he goes on to difference the spirit of the world from Gods Spirit and shewes that that is it wherby the things of God are known and also manifested to others so that all the things of God both for matter and manner flow from the wisdome of Gods Spirit and not what mans wisdome teacheth which is to compare spirituall things and carnall things together as tongues and arâ—s and such like but Gods Spirit teacheth us to compare spirituall things with spirituall things and so he goes on and declares that onely such that are taught by the Spirit are capable of true discerning of spiritual things without being justly condemned of any as truly having the mind of Christ rightly and truly knowing the things that are of God and with this agrees the witnes of Iohn * 1 Ioh. 2.26.27 saying these things have I written unto you concerning them that deceive you wherby it appeares they had deceivers about them and those things were written concerning such But saith the Apostle in opposition to their deceivings ye have received the Anoynting of him that dwells in you and this anoynting that they had received doth he oppose to their deceiving as being able throughly to teach them so as that they needed not that any man teach them save as that anoynting taught them then seeing that that anoynting never did teach them such tongues or arts as were humane therfore the Saints by the Apostles grant had not need of any such learning and yet this anoynting taught all truth and obedience in it also And yet further our ‡ Ioh. 16.7 with 13. Saviour himselfe concludes this point shewing that when he hath sent the Comforter the Spirit of Truth to them that then he shall leade them into all truth whence I doe conclude that for the Disciples knowledge of the truth there was no more necessary according to the mind of him that was Truth but the Spirit of God to lead them into all truth without all errour teaching by no humane meanes the Reason why is rendered because it is sufficient and that is because it speakes from the Father agreeable to that of our Saviour taken from the Prophet that ‡ Ioh. 6.45 we shall be all taught of God and so indeed being taught of the Spirit we are taught of the Ftther and the Sonne also which are all one and so our learning comes to us being taught of the Father Sonne and Spirit for all our Instructers and Councellers and this is all the learning that we need to know the things that are of God by agreeable to his will so from these words thus interpreted the Conclusion comes to this Proposition That such as are taught by the Spirit of God destitute of Humane-Learning are the Learned ones that truly understand the Scriptures according to Peters mind I say such as are taught by the Spirit without Humane-Learning are such persons as rightly understand the Word And this me thinks the whole Councel of Ierusalem as wicked as they were did in effect conclude § Act. 4.13.14 considering Peter and Iohn though unlearned men yet they knew they had been with Iesus by their boldnesse and so they had nothing to say against it and yet though men should oppose it Christ Iesus our Lord * Luk. 10.21.24 Justifies it with great thankfullnesse to his Father that having hid these sâ—ings from the wise and prudent he had revealed them to babes Now that
other Scriptures to their own destruction and so this is another observation That such as are destitute of the Spirits teaching though furnish with Human-Learning are the perverters and wresters of these and all other Scriptures to their own destruction The truth of this Conclusion appeares plainly confirmed to us in the * Math 5.21 Pharisees as our Saviour declares in many particulars plainly discovering the “ Math. 23. from 16. to 19. blindnesse of these learned teachers in esteeming and preferring of things lesse in themselves above such as were farre greater as the proportion is made betwixt the gold of the Temple and the Temple and the Altar and that which was offred thereon and so blind were they that they counted that most holy which the Temple and the Altar made to be holy and the same ‡ Math 15. from 3. to 7. else â—here appeares that for all their learning they taught directly against the mind of God in his word We may see the same farther commended to us in Bartesus one full of all * Acts 13.6 suâ—â—â—â—â— in this kind but a turner from the Faith and not to it and a perverter of the straight wayes of God The like is to be observed in ‚‘‚ 1 Tim. 1.7 those of whom Paul speaks that would be Doctors of the Law and yet knew not what they said nor whereof they â—ffirmed so wise their Humane-Learning did helpe to make them Now from the word of God good Reasons may be observed further to confiâ—â—e this as first Reas 1 Because nothing but the Spirit of God can bring any to the true knowledge of the word of God and so saith the ‘‚ 1 Cor 2.12 Apostle We have received the Spirit of God that we may know the things that are given us of God and Peter * 2 Pet. 1.20 21. tells us that no Scripture is of any private interpretation but in opposition to that the Apostle sets the Spirit and opposes it to the will of Man and so declares that the Spirits interpretation where it is is a publique interpretation and not private and that Men though indued with great learning having not the Spirit of God can give but a private interpretation according to the Apostles intent let men judge what they will though it be the Pope and all his Councels of Cardinals and Bishops and the rest of that learned rabble yet they being destitute of the Spirit can give but a private interpretation according to the Apostles mind whereas if a Man have the Spirit of God though he be a Pedler Tinker Chimney-sweeper or COBLER he may by the helpe of Gods Spirit give a more publique interpretation then they all for as “ 1 Cor. 15. â—â— 2. Paul saith of love the same is to be said of the Spirit though men did speake with the tongues of Men and Angels and knew all secrets and had all knowledge yet this is but as a sounding brasse or tinckling Cymball without the Spirit Reas 2 Another Reason is because this was one end of Iesus Christ His comming into the world that they that * Ioh. 9.39 see might be made blind and this clearely appeares in the Pharisees those learned wise men that counted the common people as accursed because not knowing the Law and they themselves seeing blessed ones and therfore “ Ioh 7.48 say they Do any of the Rulers or Pharises beleeve in him as touching that the Rulers and Pharises must needs know the Truth whenas these were blind guides as saith our Saviour and so much ‡ Ioh. 9 4â— these took notice of that he so accounted hem and so also those that were blind in mans sight as was the blind man there spoken of He sees the gift of God and beleeves in Iesus Christ for his salvation and yet they refuse the knowledge and light of this seeing § ver 29. man and upbraid him for being born in sins and for going about to teach them scorning that such learned men as they should be taught of such as he was though Iesus Christ hath made him learned and given himselfe for him Another Reason is rendered out of the words 3 Reason Because such are unlearned and unstable ones for as before we have seen such persons are destitute of the true learning so also are they in an unsetled and unstable condition seeing as the Prophet †Psalm 51. witnesseth that the Spirit is the establisher neither can they be rooted and established in the Faith according to the Apostles * Col. 2.7 saying seeing they be not founded on the rock Christ Iesus but on â—he sands of Human-Learning arysing from a fleshly mind destitute of the Spirit of Truth for they have not learned as the Truth is in Iesus Againe 4 Reason it must needs be so that such must pervert the Scriptures because it is impossible for them to goe beyond their pronciple Now their principle is errour as the following words declare and by it they be guided and lead even the whole heape of them as bigge as it is and these shall satisfie mens lusts and turne them from the Faith unto Fables as the “ 2 Tim 4.4.4 Apostle long agoe hath foretold For such as are themselves of the flesh turn all things to fleshlinesse for that is it which they savour for to the uncleane all things are uncleane their Consciences being defiled as ‡ Tit. 1.15 witnesseth the Apostle hence was it that whenas our Saviour § Ioh 2.29 bade the Jewes to destroy this Temple meaning his †ver 29. body they themselves being carnall understood him to speake of the Temple of Ierusalem And so the Capernaites whenas Iesus Christ tells them He will give * Ioh. 6. them of His flesh to eate they being carnall cannot beare it and all because they be destitute of the Sririt vers 53.60.63 Ioh. â— 1.3.4 for it was in a spirituall sense that he intended it And the like is to be seen in Nicodemus a Pharisee and so a learned man being a Teacher and a Ruler of the Jewes this man for all this whenas Iesus Christ tells him that he must be borne againe otherwise he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God he seeing no further then into the naturall birth demands how that could be that a man when he is old should enter into his Mothers wombe and be borne againe so destitute was ne of the spirituall meaning of the mind of Iesus Christ in his word Another Reason me thinks included in the words is Because such Persons are usually vessels of wrath 5 Reason prepared to destruction therfore they drive all to the same end to which themselves belong the Gospell is the savour of life to life in them that are saved but it is the savour of death to them that perish Yet would I not from hence have any to conclude that I deny salvotion to learned men as some
to furnish us with expression So now the point remaining true for all this That men destitute of the Spirit having Human-Learning doe pervert the Scriptures to their own destruction This in the first place may teach Vse 1 All men that are without Gods Spirit how wise and learned otherwise they seem to be to beware of medling with the Scriptures it is the worst work that possibly they can undertake for in so doing they meddle with that in which they have no skill and so wound themselves for it is a sharpe two edged sword and they having no skill to handle it to be sure it will dangerously wound them to their own destruction but seeing the truth is so as that they have neither eares to heare nor hearts to understand it therfore I will thus passe it over and Vse 2 In the next place take notice that such persons without Gods Spirit whatever they be else yet they be both unlearned and unstable men according to the mind of God so the * 1 Cor. 14.24 unbeleever is called of Paul an unlearned man and so much in effect ‡ Iam 1.6 7.8 Iames tells us of a Faithlesse mans inconstancie that he is tost about like a wave and is unstable in all his wayes of Religion for indeed wanting the Spirit to establish him he is driven hither and thither of every blast and breath of mans wisdome and so much experience without any more Scriptures dayly proves upon every change of orders and ordinances of Religion how confident have many wise worldly Learned men bin of their stability for being brought to yeeld to this or that when as the raging wave of the Sea hath roared but a little how have these men fallen from their supposed stability and stedfastnes so that instances I need not name every ones small experience can bring forth enough but from all this there is given us to see the Scriptures fullfilled before our eyes for our confirmation and their just conviction Vse Now in the next place I will manifest in some few particulars how these learned men but according to Peters intent unlearned men do pervert the Scriptures making their interpretations as carnall as themselves for whenas the Scriptures speake of learning and so by it do for the most part commend unto us the learning of the Spirit of Truth as before we have seen from this text and many more places these persons presently apply them to Human-Learning and the texts are all by them wrested and perverted and in this kind many Instances might further be aledged First concerning the Church whereas the Scriptures doe authorize Christians to gather themselves together in Christs name and so have the ‡ Mat. 18.20 promise of Gods presence in so doing This they presently deny to be the intent of the place and say it is to be meant of two or three come together in performance of prayer or such like contrary to the scope of the place which treats only of such as are in Church-order and have committed to them the power of binding and loosing which the promise of Christ Iesus his approving of the same by them and besides where in the Scriptures is Christ Iesus said to be in the midst of any but his ‡ Lev. 26.11.12 2 Cor 6.16 Ps 132.14 Rev. 13.1 Rev 2.1 Churches And further whereas the Scriptures speake of the Church Temple and house of God applying these savings to beleevers and such as are § 2 Cor. 6.16 with Heb. 3.6 with 1 Pet. 2.5 built upon Christ by faith these they wrest and pervert in applying these titles to their houses of lime and stone calling them the houses of God and Temples for him to dwell in though the Scriptures be plaine to the contrary as Stephen declared to the * Act. 7.47 to 50. Councel long agoe and that from the testimony of the ‡ Isay 66.1 Prophet long before and so our ‡ Ioh. 4.21 Saviour himselfe to the Woman of Samaria denying for the time to come any such places as the Jewes and the Samaritans doted on but tells her and us that spirituall service in § Mat. 18.20 any place as he saith himselfe should please him though it will noâ— give carnall men content Likewise are not the Scriptures alledged frequently by these learned men for the nation and people for being the Church of God and for the same end nationall observances as an High Priest consecrated and set apart for the services of the Church and so under him the rest of the holy Priests with their holy garments and tythes and such like for their maintenance and for this purpose the Scriptures alledged in a most plentifull manner both from the Law and the Prophets for the justifying of their names orders and administrations whenas if it be spâ—ritually discerned and the Scriptures not wrested nor perverted it wil be found true as Peter †Act. 10.14.15 saith ‡̶ Rev. 13.7 with Rev. 16.19 that noâ— every Nation nor any more any Nation but in every Nation them that feare the Lord and none other are accepted of him Wheras Christ Iesus himself hath told us that the Psalm 125. Psalm 1. beast should have power over every kindred nation and tongue and that the nationall Cities should fall wheras Mount Sion the City of God shall never be moved as saith the ‡ Heb. 12. Prophet and also the Apostle by this then it appeares that all such Scriptures as are alledged for the maintenance of a Nationall Church are perverted Seeing that long since the Lord hath rejected it Now accounting a Company of Saints in fellowship with himselfe to be Mount ‡ Rev. 14 1. â—sal 14.9 from 6 to 9. that shall never be moved and these he hath made § Rev. 1.6 and 5.10 1 Pet. 2.9 Kings and Priests to God The like we may see in the Ministers of the Church seeing that they were of old time in that Church to be honourable persons in outward honour and esteem for their names Priests for their callings above the rest of the people a distinct body of themselves for their apparell different in their administrations from other of the people and so for their maintenance by tythes and offerings all which had a respect to Christ and were in him to have their end as the Apostle †Gal. 4.12 declares as being but worldly rudiments Yet these men though they professe themselves Ministers of Iesus Christ and under the Gospell yet Childlike as under tutors and governours doe yet observe these things after the rudiments of the world and so sutably to the Gospell cannot abide to approve themselves to be Ministers of Christ by such marks as his word affords as we have * 2 Cor. 6. from â— to 10. before considered but they must be men of honour and such as be distinct from others in their apparell maintenance and such like dishonour and reproach and nakednesse
you have others that the Scripture speaks not any otherwise then by the * Rev. 17.3 names of blasphemy But for the power and worke of the Ministry 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 Kingdome of Christ as ‡ 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 born anew to what then do you convert them or have you conversion after regeneration you also bade these persons before to take and eate in remembrance that Christ dyed for them and foâ—give them the seales of life and salvation and yet after all this you being ministers to them come to justifie the truth of your Ministry by your conversion of these people that have 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 Ministry in the same worship that they were conversant in before whenas I have declared before that whenas the Apostles converted any those converts left their former places turning from dumb Idols to serve the living God Now it hath been long since acknowledged and professed that the Worship of your Church and the Ministry of it came out of the Popes shop and must needs be reformed or else the judgement of God cannot but light upon you as hath bin manifested in the first and second admonition to the Parliament in the dayes 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 whenas they shall continue in such abhominations 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 * Psalm 119.101 feare of the Lord teacheth mâ—n to refrain their feet from every evill way and to cleanse our selves from alâ— filthinesse both of flesh and spirit and to grow up unto full holinesse in the feare of God or the worship of God as our Saviour ‡ Mat. 4. 2 Cor. 2.1 interprets it and to hate the very ‡ Iude 23. garment spotted by the flesh Now these things well considered it will appeare that the several Scriptures that are continually brought for the maintenanc of your Ministry are but as 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 your own turnes which who they be of you or others that are the perverters of them God knows and one day will judge betwixt the righteous and the wicked and give to every one according as his workes shall be In the mean while to me it appeares plain that men destitute of Gods holy Spirit be they as learned as may be in Mans-Learning yet they do pervert all Scriptures to their own destruction whenas 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 4 Vse 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 § 2 Cor. 3.2 Apostle that they take the same Apostles †1 Tim. 4.6 advise saying if thou put the Bretheren in remembrance of these things thou shalt be a good Minister of Iesus Christ If thou put the Bretheren in remembrace of these things What things those things mentioned ‡̶ from the 1. verse before how that the Spirit hath foretold of Doctrines of Devils how that men should speeake lyes through hypocrisie c. as Zachary also foretold that the * Zach. 13.3 Father and Mother of the Prophet should say that he told them lyes in the name of the Lord If thou put the Bretheren in remembrance of these things because they are subject to forget them and thou shouldest be their remembrancer which if thou do thou shalt be a good Minister of Iesus Christ which hast bin nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine then marke these things are not errors nor lyes nor he a false-teacher that speakes of them but a good Minister that hath bin nourisht up in faith and good doctrine which was continually taught of Paul and heard of Timothy and to this is to be added what the Apostle * Tim 6.3.4 saith further in this matter declaring that he that consenteth not to wholsome doctrine that is according to godlines is puft up and knows nothing but dotes about words and is such a one as is so farre corrupted by the flesh as that he is to be separated from Therfore Gods good Ministers as we see should be carefull of these things as knowing of whom they shall receive their reward and what shal also be their portion from men of the world in that which is ‡ Rev. 11.7 death in the world but ‡ Rev. 14.13 life with the Lord Be Faithfull therfore to the death and you shall have a § Rev. 2.10 5 Vse crown of life declaring the power of the Spirit of the Lord in you Now in the last place I will conclude with the exhortation of the †2 Pet. 3.17.18 Apostle in the words following Ye therfore beloved seeing ye know these things before what things among others those that worldly learned men are Gods unlearned men being destitute of his Spirit beware and take heed least ye also aswell as others you being subject to it be plucked away before you be aware into the errour of the wicked to thinke that Gods Mysteries cannot be attained to by mans learning and so you fall from your own stedfastnes which is ‡ Rom. 11. through Faith for by Faith ye stand and by the Spirit for by it ye are also ‡ Psalm 51. establisht and for a preservative against this errour as opposite to it grow and increase in the grace of God and the knowledge of the Lord Iesus Christ which is that that will preserve you from errour Now to Him be glory not to us nor to Man but to Him our Lord Iesus Christ both now and for evermore Amen I SAY 44.25 The Lord frustrateth the tokens of the lyars and maketh diviners mad turneth wise men backward and maketh their knowledge foolishnesse FINIS
the wise be them that God hath chosen for it is not so for he hath chosen the foolish to confound the wise and therfore such as are godly wise should choose 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 helpe to the right understanding of the Truth Answ It is true if it be sanctified so it is But how or where doth that appeare that ever it was sanctified Hath not the Lord long agone told us by his * Isay 19.15 Prophet and wished his to behold it that he would doe a marveylous worke and then he doubles it againe even a marveylous worke 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 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 marveylous worke and a wonder and so our wondering and marveyling 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 wo to them for the former abuse of the same and so now as * Mal. 2.2 Malachy saith that he would curse their blessings and that he had done it already to both which ‡ 1 Cor. 1.19 Rom. 8.7 agrees the Apostle from Isay and concludes also that God hath destroyed it and in another place tells us that it is emnity with God How shall any dare say then it is sanctified whenas so plain a curse is on it as that we are wished to beware of being ‡ Col. 2.8 spoyled by it Now are we wished any where to beware of being spoyled 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 followes not because it is not to be allowed in this way that therfore it is not of any use for I doe acknowledge it in it selfe to be a good thing and good in its proper place * Gen. 11. from 6. to 10. which is for the repayring of that § decay which came upon man for sinne so I say it is of good use for the repayring of that losse and so fit for States-men Physicians Lawyers and Gentlemen yea all men so farre as they can attaine 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 mind of God in the holy Scriptures and there it is detestable filth drosse and dung in that respect and so good for nothing but †1 Tim. 6.21 destroy and cause men to erre as we have seen before It fares with it as I perceive as it doth with Fire keep it in the Chymney 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 destroyes 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 perfiting of the Gospel and it will be found to be the spoyling of it And yet further so farre doe I acknowledge tongues to be of use as to yeeld us the translation of the Scriptures out of one language into another without which we that are unlearned could not come to have the letter of the word and so farre there as a necessity of it for that use but that man which can foe doe is ever the more able to understand the spirituall meaning iof the word thereby that I deny and withall doe affirme 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 * 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 Arke they made a place of safeguard for others but were drowned themselves so these men may prepare a good helpe for others but themselves be altogether without the benefit of it A Lantherne you know is of good use to contain the Candle but let one carry it in a darke night and it will doe him no pleasure without a Candle lighted in it of the same use is the letter of the word it is but as a Lautherne or Candle without light Now the Spirit is the light of the letter and so is the Apostles ‡ 2 Cor. 3◠opposition such men then in that respect may be a help to others and yet when all is done be but castawayes themselves seeing as we have before seen the Aegyptians and Babylonians in this kind of learning did excell And it is none other blessing then what the Pope Cardinalls and other professed enemies of the truth as all for the generall confesse them to be have in as great a measure and beyond many others that professe to know the truth and stand stifly for this as a speciall helpe to understand the true meaning of the Lord in the word which if it be so then by their own grants they have the advantage of them and so are to be reverenced of themselves to have more knowledge in it then they so then they are to acknowledge their errour in counting themselves wise above what is meet or else must be forced to confesse that that learning is inavayleable for finding out of the mind of God Neither for all this would I have any to conclude of me as some affirme that I hold all Learned men to be excluded from the spirituall meaning of the Word God forbid for Though the Apostle ‡ 1 Cor. 1.26 say not many of severall rankes yet he saith not there is none but yet not many There was one Ioseph of § Mar. 15.43 Arimathea One †Nicodemus One Deputy * Ioh. 3.1 Act. 13.7 Surgeus Paulus a prudent man and divers of ‡ Act 6.7 the Priests But this was not ususuall for it is hard for such men to entertaine the truth Gods ordinary way is among the foolish ‡ 1 Cor. 1.27.28 Iam. 2.5 with Mat. 11.5 weake and vile so that when as the wise rich noble and learned come to receive the Gospel they