The Drunkards Character, Section 162
§ 162.They may be called subtile, persons, but not wise men, except we take the greatest …olly, for the greatest wisdome.
IF you would know what to judge of them, and how to call them; they are properly subtile persons, as the Holy Ghost stiles Ionadab, who gave that wicked and crafty counsell to Amnon, 2 Sam. 13. 3. 5. and the woman of Tekoa 2 Sam. 14. 2. and Elimas Acts 13. 10. being rarely gifted to deceive, and more crafty and wily then is usuall; but not wise men, or if it may be termed wisdome, (as sometimes the Scripture terms it wisdom) in an holy derision, as, Ge. 3. 22. is to be understood: or else calling it wisdom, because worldly men deeme it so, as in another place, it calls preaching, the foolishnesse of preaching, because wicked men esteeme preaching but foolishnesse: and as Christ calls the Pharisies, just, because they justified themselves, Luke 15. 7. or thirdly, meaning by wisdome, the wisdome of the flesh, or of the world, and that is as much, as if it should say in other words, foolishnesse; for the wisdome of the world is foolishnesse with God, saith Paul, as the wisdome of God is foolishnesse with the world, 1 Cor. 2. 14. I am sure, to be wise to evill, is an evil wisdom, or rather wisdome backward: for, where as God saith, if any man will bee wise, let him become a foole, that hee may bee wise: these, on the contrary, become wise, that they may bee fooles; they studie the dangerous art of selfe-Sophistry, to the end, that they may bee wily to beguile themselves, and to plot selfe-Treason, then which there is no greater, when the betrayer and betrayed spell but one man.
There is, yea, this is a kind of wisdome, which is more contrary to wisdome then ignorance: and indeed, whence proceeds the subtilest folly, but from the subtilest wisdome? For as from the extreamest friendships, proceeds the extreamest enmities; and from the soundest healths, the mortallest diseases: so from the rarest and quickest agitations of our mindes, ensue the most distempered and outragious frenzies; there wants but half a pegs turn, to passe from the one to the other. In mad mens actions we see how fitly folly suiteth, and meetes with the strongest operations of our mindes; who knowes not how unperceivable the neighbourhood is, betweene folly and the liveliest elevations of these wits; yea, their crafty wisdome, the occasion of their folly, thy wisdome and thy knowledge, saith Isai…h, they have caused thee … 47. 10. and what is rebellion but folly? as Iob 28. 28. Proverbs 9. 10. 12. and 11. 3. Deut. 4. 6. Hosea 14. 9. Iames 3. 13. 17. 2 T…m. 3. 15. and other the like places shew.
If then (to use our Saviours words) the light that is in them be darknesse, how great is that darkn…sse? Matth. 6. 23. If their wisdome and knowledge be ig…orance; how great is that ignorance? yea, how inconceivably great is the folly of that ignorance? surely in my judgment it is such, that if the Law admit any to be beg'd for fooles, these are the fittest; and I cannot but wonder to see, how the most are mistaken in them: but being thus discouered, I hope it will appeare, that as love and lust are not both one; so a cunning man, and a wise man are not both one. Wee have seene some that could packe the cards, and yet cannot play well.
Now as I have shewen these two sorts of men their folly;And even such fooles are the voluptio…s. so it were as easie to shew, that the voluptuous are fooles also; though, of all men, they are the wisest in their owne conceits, because they live the merriest and freeliest of all others.
Yea, I could make it plaine to them, that the very worst thing in religion, even the reproach of Christ, is better then the best pleasure, that is in the sweetest sinne; for so it was to Moses, a man of a right esteeme: and that one day in the courts of God, viz. his holy Temple, is better then a thousand elsewhere; for so it was to David, a man of a refined and reformed judgement: yea, S. Paul, a sanctified man, after hee was rapt up into the third heaven, reckoned so meanly of the things below, that he could hardly find forth a comparison for them homely enough. Philipians 3. 8. It is true, carnall men think that if they once embrace religion, farewel all joy aud delight: but they only think so, it is not so, for a good conscience, when it is at the worst; is even filled with joy, Act. 5. 41. 2. Cor. 1. 5. thus it fared with Steven, Act. 7. 55. 56. and those disciples, Chapter 13. 52. yea, a good conscience made Peter more merry, under stripes, then Caiaphas upon the Judgement-seat; and Paul happier in his chaine of iron, then Agrippa in his chain of gold. Neither have Gods children a lesse portion of outward blessings, then the wicked, when God knowes the same good for them. Abraham was as rich as any of our Aldermen; David as valiant as any of our Gentlemen; Salomon as wise in humane skill, as any of our deepest Naturians; Susanna as faire, as any of our painted peeces, &c.
But I feare mee Egypt hath beene so teadious to you already that you aske for Goshen; though, indeed, you have beene all this while in the light, that you have look'd upon darknesse; for darknes could never be seene by it self, but by the light.
Besides, I have search'd and rubd enough this sore, only the plaister is wanting; wherefore I will winde up this objection, with a few helpes to, or meanes of true wisdome, and saving knowledge; that so each one may bee able to understand the Scriptures, and what qualifications God requireth in such, to whom he will shew mercy: and so much the rather, because the worke of regeneration begins at illumination; a man desires not, that he doth not know, saith Chrysostome, neither are unknowne evils feared.