The Trial of True Wisdom, Section 49
Sect. 49.
I Grant that in ſome kind of skill they out-ſtrip the beſt of Gods People, who, if they are put to it, may anſwer as Themiſtocles did when one invited him to touch a lute; for as he ſaid, I cannot fiddle; but I can make a ſmal town a great ſtate: So the godly may ſay, We cannot give a ſollid reaſon in Nature, why Nilus ſhould over-flow only in the Sommer, when waters are at the loweſt? Why the Loadſtone ſhould draw iron, or incline to the pole-ſtar? How the heat of the ſtomach, and the ſtrength of the nether chap ſhould be ſo great? Why a flaſh of lightening ſhould melt the ſword without making any impreſſion in the ſcabbard? Kill the Child in the womb, and never hurt the Mother? How the waters ſhould ſtand upon a heap, and yet not over-flow the earth? Why the clouds above being heavie with water, ſhould not fall to the earth ſuddenly, ſeeing every heavy thing deſcendeth? Except the reaſon which God giveth, Gen. 1. 6. & Job 38 8. to 12. & 26. 8. Pſal. 104. 9. But we know the myſtery of the Goſpel, and what it is to be born a new, and can give a ſollid reaſon of our faith: we know that God is reconciled to us, the Law ſatisfied for us, our ſins pardoned, our ſouls acquitted, and that we are in favour with God; which many of theſe with their great learning do not know. And thus the godly are proved wiſer than the wiſeſt humaniſt that wants grace. You have likewiſe the reaſons why theſe great knowers, know nothing yet as they might and ought to know: that is to ſay,
Firſt, Becauſe they are miſtaken in the thing; they take ſpeculative knowledg for ſoul wiſdom; & soul ſaving wiſdom to be fooliſhneſs & madneſs. Now if a man take his aim amiſs, he may ſhoot long enough ere he hit the white: and theſe men are as one that is gone a good part of his journey, but muſt come back again becauſe he hath miſtaken his way.
Secondly, Becauſe they are Unregenerate, and want the Eye of Faith.
Thirdly, For that they ſeek not to God for it who is the giver thereof, and without whoſe ſpirit there is no attaining it.
Fourthly, Becauſe they are proud, and ſo ſeek not after it, as ſuppoſing they have it already.
Fiftly, Becauſe if they had never ſo much knowledge, they would be never the holier, or the better for it, but rather the worſe; nor would they imploy it to the honour of God, or the good of others.
Sixtly, Becauſe they either do, or would do miſchief inſteed of good with their knowledge.
Seventhly, Becauſe they will not conſult with the word about it, nor adviſe with others that have already attained to it. Or thus, They read and hear the Scriptures and mind not, (I mean the spirituallity of the word) or mind and underſtand not, or underſtand and remember not, or remember and practice not. No, this they intend not of all the reſt; and they that are unwilling to obey, God thinks unvvorthy to know.
When the Serpent taught knowledge, he ſaid, If ye eate the forbidden fruit, your eyes ſhal be opened, and you ſhal know good and evil: But God teacheth another leſſon, and ſaith, If ye will not eate the forbidden fruit, your eyes ſhall be opened, and you ſhall know good and evil, Rom. 12. 2. See Pſa. 111. 10. & 119. 97, 98, 99, 100. Or if you do eat it, you ſhall be like images that have ears and cannot hear, Rom. 11. 8. Iſa. 6. 10. Matth. 13. 14. Pſal. 115. 6.
From all which Reaſons we may collect, That there are but a few amongſt us, that are wiſe indeed, and to purpoſe; For theſe Seven Hinderances are applyable to ſeventy ſeven parts of men in the Nation. Beſides, if theſe great knowers know ſo little, how ignorant are the rude rabble, that deſpiſe all knowledge? Nor can it be denied but all impenitent perſons, all unbelievers (who prefer their profits and pleaſures before pleaſing of God; as Herodias prefered John Baptiſts head before the one half of Herods kingdom,) are arrant fools; yea, fools in folio: For if they were wiſe, ſayes Bernard, they would foreſee the torments of Hell, and prevent them.
And ſo wiſe are the godly, for they prefer grace, and glory, and Gods favour, before ten thouſand worlds.