Solitude Improved by Divine Meditation, Chapter 21
CHAP. XXI. Of the next particular, the fourth end to produce habitual wiſdom.
THE next particular end of Meditation is to produce an habitual wiſdom, in the Mind of a Chriſtian: To be a moulder and former of the ſpirit into habitual wiſdom, to ſuperinduce upon the firſt Fundamental (that infuſed wiſdom, given in renovation and heart-change) I ſay to the firſt ſaving wiſdom, to ſuperadde and introduce an habitual wiſdom (acquired as they call it) ſuch a wiſdom as makes a Chriſtian more knowingly and wiſely skillful and ready for his way and work; to be beyond a meer Learner, to prove an Artiſt for working out his own ſalvation.
There is an infuſed knowledge, and an infuſed wiſdom, a wiſdom ſtampt upon and given into the Mind in its firſt renovation and converſion, for then a man ceaſes from being a ſtark fool for ſalvation, as the Scripture makes all in the ſtate of Nature, Prov. 1.22. &c. but by converſion and change of heart, and by union with Chriſt firſt, and then communion with him, as the wiſdom of his members; by this they become wiſe, by an infuſed wiſdom, whereby they are wiſe indeed, wiſe to ſalvation; wiſe whereby the right and chief end and happineſs is diſcerned, and the right way and means to that end is diſcovered, and both thereupon deſigned and intended. But this is but a lower meaſure at firſt, a Seed, a grain of Muſtard-ſeed, as the Lord compares the ſtate of Grace begun in the heart, Mat. 13.32.
But beſide the former infuſed wiſdom there is requiſite an acquired wiſdom, a ſuperaddition to the other: This is a noble help, and an improver of the firſt; that as to the Eye of Reaſon and natural wiſdom, Learning and Experience and Exerciſe brings in an Habitual wiſdom, enlarging the Natural. As it is with a Scholar, or an Apprentice to a Trade, Firſt his Tutor or Maſter infuſes principles for the wiſdom or skill of his Profeſſion or Trade, whereby he can a little begin to act or work, make tryal, though but in an imperfect manner; but then by minding and muſing of his inſtructions, and by exerciſe he comes at length to an acquired habit, to act and work knowingly and with facility, becauſe he hath a new wiſdom to underſtand his way. But without minding and muſing he would never have had the way, the Art or Trade intended. Meditation (beſide others) is a ſingular help to Habitual wiſdom, to attain the Art and Trade of Chriſtianity, Prov. 14.8. It is the wiſdom of the wiſe to underſtand his way. And Eph. 5.17. Be not fools but wiſe, underſtand the will of the Lord. Though they were excellent Chriſtians, by the large meaſure of wiſdom they at their firſt converſion received, yet he calls upon them to ſeek for more, to improve the wiſdom infuſed to farther wiſdom, to a ſpirit of wiſdom, to an acquired habitual wiſdom, to be Artiſts in their way, and excel in it. Nothing doth ſo mould the mind into habitual wiſdom, as Meditation; nothing ſo improves and enlarges ſpiritual underſtanding, makes to underſtand our way and rule of walking, as Meditation, as ſerious and repeated thinkings.
In natural, or any Civil Affairs, wiſdom in and about them is not obtained by bare thinkings, ſlight, ſhort, and tranſient thoughts, or by ſeldom, and now and then in a fit to think and away, but by ſerious thoughts, weighings and ponderings, yea by frequencies and conſtancies of thoughts and mindings. This way of thinking makes a man wiſe in his way, Trade, or in any buſineſs emergent: Its impoſſible to be wiſe with this acquired habit of wiſdom, without taking time, making a ſtand, an abode of thoughts, and thoſe ſerious alſo.
If we are haſty, ſhort, give not due allowance of Time, and down weight of thoughts, ſerious thoughts, we will not come up to habitual wiſdom; nor likewiſe we ſhall not act as wiſe Chriſtians are required to do, if habitual wiſdom be wanting: No man can act wiſely, or in height or eminency of wiſdom, except he act by a perfect principle, as the Angels and Saints in Heaven do, or as a perfect Artiſt, that hath a perfect skill and hand at ſome Art or work: The moſt of good Chriſtians, though they have true ſaving wiſdom for the ſubſtance, yet have little, very little wiſdom to underſtand their way, little of this acquired habitual wiſdom. This is the reaſon of their being ſo frequently to ſeek, ſo at a ſet, and at a loſs, not knowing what to do: The want now of this wiſdom, is from want of Meditation, ſerious and frequent muſing to frame and mould the mind into habitual wiſdom, and ſo increaſing in wiſdom daily.
That a Chriſtian may be an Artiſt, and have his Trade, have head and hand adapted and readyed for it, this muſt be by habit, through cuſtom and uſe. There are theſe four ſpecial things, excellent advantages in a habit among others.
1. It lays in ability for doing.
2. It induces facility in doing.
3. It breeds delight and complacency with doing.
4. It holds up evenneſs and conſtancy in doing.
A Scholar or an Apprentice put upon Employment for learning an Art or Myſtery: At the firſt he wants (for the preſent) the ability to act as an Antiſt, a Logician, a Philoſopher, or the like, and ſo the facility, pleaſure, and conſtancy cannot be come at; becauſe they are the higher ſteps or ſtories built upon the firſt, that of ability: But when by time he hath accuſtomed himſelf in a way, he comes to an habitual knowledge and skill, and that habit brings ability to do; and with ability goes facility, eaſineſs to act in the art or way; then with facility is pleaſure and delight attending, what we do with eaſe is pleaſing. Then what breeds Pleaſures, brings alſo conſtancy, and doing with evenneſs and equality. O how deſirable is this wiſdom in Chriſtianity, how highly is it to be contended for, to have this wiſdom, this Art of going to Heaven, of living to the living God, to arrive at a doing with an improved wiſdom, a wiſdom of ſuperadded ability, with a happy facility of acting, a ſweet delight in acting heavenward, and a beauteous, a glorious evenneſs and conſtancy: Not to be and remain ſtill weak in our Trade of godlineſs, not be to ſeek ſo oft, as not knowing our way in divers caſes, not to drive ſo hardly on, not to be ſo dull and heavy, nor yet ſo unevenly and brokenly to carry on our work, but with all forenamed advantages, to be daily ſtill experienced to higher encouragements.
This is a grand end of Meditation to work up to habitual wiſdom, to help a Chriſtian to excel in this ſoul Beauty of an exquiſite Artiſt and Operatour for Heaven and Eternity.