The Christian Warfare Part 2, Book 1 · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
That worldly sciences are of no worth, in comparison of spirituall knowledge and sauing grace.
ANd thus much concerning the tentations arising§. Sect. 1. Arts and sciences in themselues good, and the gifts of God. from worldly learning, and those arguments and reasons which may arme the Christian against them, and moue him to contemne it in comparison of spirituall graces, and heauenly excellencies. In the next place wee are to speake of the tentations which arise from worldly science and knowledge; the which are either the skill and knowledge of ciuill and mechanicall Arts and Sciences, or of the holy Scriptures, and of the points of Christian religion; both which are in themselues good, as being the common gifts of Gods spirit, and his profitable talents, which being well vsed, do much redound to the glorie of God, the author of them, and to the good of the Church and Common-wealth, for whose sake principallie these gifts of God were conferred and bestowed. And this appeareth in the example of Aholiab and Bezaliel, of whom it is said, that the Lord called them by name, and filled them Exod. 31. 2. 3. 4. 5. and 36. 2. 3.with his spirit, in wisedome and vnderstanding, and in knowledge and in all workmanship, to finde out curious workes, to worke in gold, and in siluer, and in brasse; also in the art to set stones, and to carue in timber, and to worke all manner of workmanship for the seruice of the Sanctuarie. And therefore these Arts and Sciences are not simply to be contemned, yea rather they are to be much valued and esteemed, as being Gods good gifts, which hee hath bestowed vponupon some speciall men, for his owne glorie, and the common good of humane societies; but only as they are abused by carnall worldlings excelling in them.
And thus they abuse them, first, when in sight of their§. Sect. 2. Hovv vvorldly sciences are abused. owne excellencie they are puffed vp in pride, and contemne others, especially of their owne facultie, who hauehave not attained vntounto their skill. Secondly, when they set their hearts vponupon them, preferring and esteeming them before Gods spirituall graces and sanctifying gifts, and neglecting them together with the meanes whereby they may attaine vntounto them, whilest they set and imploy all their desires and endeuours about these earthly sciences. And lastly, when as they seuer these common gifts of the Spirit, from Gods sanctifying and sauing graces, being content to remaine vtterly destitute of the true feare of God, knowledge, faith, repentance and the rest; as though they needed them not, being qualified aboue others with this worldly skill.
But in these respects, these Sciences and cunning skill,§. Sect. 3. That vvorldly sciences are to be contemned. though good in themselues, are to bee contemned and despised: for if it be a great sinne to be proud of learning and the knowledge of ingenuous and liberall Arts, yea of morall vertues and ciuill wisedome; and if they are to bee all contemned and despised, when they come in comparison of Gods holy and heauenly graces; then how much more is it a grieuous sinne to wax proud of these inferiour Sciences; or in respect of such contemptible qualities, to set light by, and contemne those vnualuable excellencies and heauenly treasures? Which sinne that all may auoid, and may learne to despise these Sciences as base trifles, when they come in comparison with the sauing knowledge of Gods truth, and our assurance of his spirituall treasures and eternal happines; let them consider that these Sciences are but common gifts bestowed both vponupon the elect and reprobate, and vponupon Pagans as well as Christians, and therefore notwithstanding them, if they want Gods spirituall and sanctifying graces, they are still in the state of death & condemnation; let them know that God hath giuen them these talents not that they should be puffed vp in pride, or neglecting his more excellent gifts, they should set their hearts on them, but that they should vse them to the glorie of him who bestowed them, and the good of the Church and Common-wealth; and therefore if they abuse them to contrary ends, the Lord will take away from them his gifts; or if hee suffer them to hauehave the vse of them, it shall be to bring vponupon them a more heauy iudgement, and to increase their condemnation at the day of his generall assises, for their great abuse of his rich talents. Finally, let them remember that these worldly Sciences serue but to procure vntounto them some temporarie profit or aduancement, which is but of small worth, and of momentanie continuance; and therefore they shall shew extreame follie if they more highly esteeme, and take more care, and spend more labour, in compassing these transitorie trifles, then in attaining vntounto the vnualuable riches of Gods grace, and that eternall waight of glorie, and vnspeakeable happinesse in his kingdome.