man and so must needs himself lie under that blame that he layes upon others therefore Humane Learning is not here that which he intends 2. Because Humane Learning is a c Col. 2.8 rudiment of this world 2 Reason hence it is that our Saviour acknowledgeth that his Mysteries were hid from the d Luk. 10.21 learned but they were not hid from his Disciples For unto them it was e Mar. 13. Col. 2.8 given to know the mysteries of the Kingdome And the rudiments of this world are not after Christ the Apostle tells us therefore Humane Learning cannot be it that Peter here minds 3. Because the * Or carnal natural man cannot f 1 Cor. 2.14 perceive the things of God 3 Reason but a meer natural man may be a great worldly learned man as were the Aegyptians and Babylonians and as are many of the Romish Priests and Jefuits therefore for this cause that is not the learning here meant 4. Because such of Gods Servants 4 Reason as have had such kind of learning when as they came to know Christ they forsook it all As Moses when he came to age though he was g Act. 7.32 learned in all the wisdome of the Aegyptians yet by Faith he forsook all the treasures of Aegypt and this being one of Aegypts treasures he forsook this also for when he saith treasures there is none excepted therefore in as much as learning was one as well 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 win Christ even the righteousnesse of the Law it self which is far 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 therefore likewise this is not the learning here meant seeing it was rejected of them therefore it was no help nor furtherance to them to know Christ by but lets and hinderances and so much appears by those Converts in Acts 19.18 19. Who when they believed are said such of them as used curious Arts to burn their Books * The price whereof was fifty thousand pieces of silver declaring that how they had met with learning of far greater worth then their curious Arts and therefore now they burn their Books declaring that now they had no more need of them and so I conclude that such as this was 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 whereby he is so deeply rooted Col. 2.7 and so surely grafted into him by Faith as that he abides unmoveably setled in him Ephes 3.17 18. Pet. 2.6 as thereby he abides stable in the sure knowledge and understanding of the Word of Câ—rist and so much here methinks the Apostlâ— gives us to understand how that the unlearned they be unstable then on the contrary the learned they are stable believing and being laid on the true foundation they shall never be confounded or ashamed Now such as these are that are learned as the truth is in Jesus these may well say to the greatest wordly learned ones as Philip said to the Eunuch Vnderstandest thou what thou readest and not only 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 b 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 revealed unto us And this the Apostle further explains 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 * A difference between the teaching of Gods Spirit and the worlds artificial Tongues from Gods Spirit and shews that that is it whereby 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 Arts 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 spirituall 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 witnesse of John i 1 John 2. â—6 27. saying These things have I written unto you concerning them that deceive you whereby it appears 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 Anointing of him that dwells in you and this anointing 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 anointing taught them Then seeing that that anointing never did teach them such Tongues or Arts as were humane therefore the Saints by the Apostles grant had not need of any such learning and yet this anointing taught all truth and obeâ—iâ—nâ—e in it also And yet further k John 16.7 with 13. our Saviour himselfe concludes this point shewing that when he hath sent the Comforter the Spirit of Truth to them that then he shall lead them into all truth Whence I do 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 means the reason why is rendred because it is sufficient and that is because it speaks from the Father agreeable to that of our Saviour taken from the Prophet That l John 6.45 we shall be all taught of God and so indeed being taught of the Spirit we are taught of the Father and the Son also which are all one and so our learning comes to us being taught of the Father Son and Spirit for all our Instructers and Councellors and this is all the learâ—ing 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 That such as are tought by the Spirit of God Proposition 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 methinks the whole Council of Jerusalem as wicked as they were did in effect conclude m Act. 4.13 14. considering Peter and Iohn though unlearned men yet they knew they had been with Jesus by their boldnesse and so they had nothing to say against it and yet though men should oppose it Christ Iesus our Lord n Luke 10.21 to 24. justifies it with great thankfulnesse to his Father that having hid these things from the wise and prudent he had revealed them to Babes Now that revealing must needs be by the Spirit according to that 1 Cor. 2.10 And on this manner is it that our Lord comforts his Disciples telling them that all things were given him of his Father to reveal and so in that regard he tells them that blessed are the eyes that see that that they saw which was as the Apostle saith God manifested in the flesh which many wise men and Kings desired to see but could not see it and so that was now made manifest to them which before was hid from wise men and Scribes and so was at the present also for few of the wise could attain to the knowledge of him and his doctrine as they did Now with this also agrees what our o Mat. 22.23.29 Saviour affirmes to the Sadduces who by reason of their wisdome and learning thought to have intangled him he tells them that they erred not knowing the Scriptures for all their great learning being destitute of Gods Spirit Now by these Scriptures this point being thus confirmed good reason also may by Gods Word be brought for the further justifying of it As Reason 1 First because it is the good pleasure of God to place our Salvation in great contempt and enmity to mans wisdome Hence is it that the Apostle saith that he preached Christ crucified to the Jews a p 1 Cor. 1.23 24. stumbling block and to the Grecians foolishnesse For the Jews we read in great contempt refused him as Pilate bid them behold your q John 19.19.21 King presently they cry Away with him away with him crucifie him And so when Pilate had wrote on the Crosse that he was King of the Jews they took it as a great prejudice to them and therefore wished him to write That he said he was King of the Jews And so as Peter tells them in Acts 3. They denied him and desired a murtherer to be given them And to this agreed the Gentiles for they had their hands also in his death And we find that when as Paul preached him at Athens Act. 17.18.23 that then this saying of the Apostle here is made good both of Jews and Gentiles and indeed they both agree to hang him betwixt heaven and earth as being in their esteem worthy of neither and yet even in this crucified Jesus lies contained the salvation of r Act. 4.12 all both Jews and Gentiles that are saved and in this despised Jesus are all to rejoyce with the Å¿ 1 Cor. 2.2 Gal. 6.14 Apostle to salvation for in him thus dishonourable and unmeet in mans wisdome lye hid all our heavenly t Col. 2.3 1 Cor. 1.20 treasures of wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption for he is the wisdome of God and power of God 1 Cor. 1.24 Reason 2 Another reason why such as have Gods Spirit destitute of Humane Learning come thus to know Gods mind is That as the u 1 Cor. 1.29 Apostle declares no flesh should rejoyce in Gods presence now this learning is but fleshly and carnall Now the Apostles advise is though we had known x 2 Cor. 5.16 Christ Iesus after the flesh yet now coming to be after God we should henceforth know him so no more and here is a sufficient reason because knowledge is subject to puffe us up as saith the y 1 Cor. 2.8 Apostle When as love and the learning of the Spirit keeps us low in our own eyes and causeth as Solomon saith our minds to be good making us suitable to the Apostles exhortations z Rom. 12.16 saying Be not high-minded but make your selves equall to them of the lower sort be not wise in your selves but a Phil. 2.3 let every man esteem others better then himself and if any glory let him b 1 Cor. 1.31 * Here glorying in the Lord is opposed to vain-glory or haughtinesse glory in the Lord. Now he that hath these things as Humane Learning and Wisdom more then another let him weigh and consider duly with himself whether he doth not think and conclude that he in regard of these things is not more to be respected then they that are without them Now then c 1 Cor 5. this rejoycing is not good for it is a rejoycing in the flesh and suitable to d Rom. 4. works and so not of God and yet so is it that for our hearts we cannot but think better of our selves for these things then of others without them and so we may see the Apostles words fulfill'd that the wisdome â—f the e Rom. 8.3 flâ—sh that is whatsoever the flâ—sh is excellent in it is enmity to God it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be Reason 3 Another cause why the Spirits teaching is sufficient without Humane Learning is because as the Apostle saith We are compleat in him that is perfect and full in him and this he strengthens yet further from this consideration that he is the Head of all Principalities and Powers so that if there were any thing else to make us compleat he being the Head of all we should have it but he hath given nothing but his f 1 Cor. 12.7 Spirit to profit withal therefore we are compleat by it alone and therefore is it that Paul g 1 Tim. 6.20.21 exhorts Timothy to keep that which was committed to him which was the Faith taught by the Word and Spirit and wisheth him to avoid and beware of Science that is all knowledge naturall which is comprehended under h Col. 2.8 Phylosophy learned prophane bablings and oppositions to the Faith of Christ and so much is by the Apostle there declared saying Which while some have lusted after they have erred from the Faith So that it is most plain and clear that these things are so far from perfecting men or helping of them in the knowledge of the truth as that they hinder and cause such as professe them to erre from the Faith Even all the seven Liberall Sciences for all is but Science
made against it As first Object 1 That of Paul in 1 Tim. 3.6 That a Bishop must be no young Scholar lest he being puffed up fall into the condemnation of the Devil Answ The Scholarship Paul means here is the teaching of the Spirit whereby the man is made sound in the Faith for that learning only will make men low in their own eyes as is before declared and he that is unsound in the faith will ever be found the most lofty and puffed up in his own conceit and so be rejected of God as the Devil was though he was in heaven with God yet being puffed up he was rejected of God and so q 2 Pet. 2. cast down to hell to which example Paul here alludes as I conceive and that rightly for a Bishop in the Church is in respect of his spiritual state and place in favour and fellowship with God and that in heaven as the whole book of the Revelation describes the Church to be Now such as by the Church should be chosen to that state being young Scholars that is not soundly taught in the truth by the Spirit he is in great danger the more other learning that he hath so much the more to be puffed up This I believe was the cause of Diotrephes r 3 Ioh. 9.10 pride he wanted this Scholarship and that caused him to seek the preheminence and this whatsoever our great Scholars think of themselves is the cause of the high conceits that they have of themselves and their knowledg and understanding above others that want their learning even this because they be but young Scholars if that in the School of Christ and thence is it they are so puft up with the vain-glory of their fleshly learning that they think that none that are not as themselves are fit to be their fellows and so know not how that they be wretched poor miserable blind and naked though they conceive themselves to be rich and have need of nothing as did the Å¿ Rev. 3.17 Laodiceans and so indeed are fallen into the condemnation of the Devill as being rejected of God for he resists the proud and such as are puft up and gives grace to the t 1 Pet. 5.5 humble and such as are low in their own eyes Now whether these men humanly learned be they that are puft up or low in their own eyes as mean as he that is unlearned I leave to all that have eyes to see and look into it and so to judge whether they are not yet to learn Pauls Scholarship Further I say it is here to be minded that if it should be Humane Learning that is here meant then Paul should teach Timothy for to teach the Church to chuse such Scholars as had more learning then had their Master Christ Jesus Now this some say is blasphemy and threaten me sorely for it Answ I answer them that considering Christ Jesus as God according to the Divine Nature so he is God over all and so gives all things Acts 17.25 and so he is the u Jam. 1.17 giver of every good gift and so Humane Learning and Wisdome are x Ro. 11.37 of him and so much but that men are maliciously bent they might discern that I in this argument had not to deal with him as God but as the Minister of God administring for the good of his body according to that Luke 24.18 * What learning Christ had where he saith The Spirit of the Lord hath Anointed me that I should Minister c. and so in this argument he is by the Apostle set forth as a Man y Act. 2.22 Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God and such a man so administring I do still affirme and that with great confidence that he was unlearned in this consideration and without the learning that we speak of and so the Tongue of the z Isa 5.1 learned that was said to be given him is a Isa 61.1 interpreted by the same Prophet to be the Spirit of God For saith he The Spirit of the Lord hath Anointed me that I should preach from whence is plain That Christ Jesus was learned of the Father to preach by the Spirit See further of this in the Epistle noted with without Humane Learning and so much is plain to them that can believe the Scriptures from John 7.15 where the Jews admire saying How comes this man to know the Scriptures seeing that he was never learned From whence it is plain that as he was a Man he was unlearned in the letters of the Scriptures though as God he knew all things and by a Divine Power not Humane Learning so much as his own naturall Tongue by letter as in the Synagogue he could take the Book and read Luke 4.17 and this doubtlesse was one cause why the Jews are said to be astonished at the hearing and seeing of him as appeares Matth. 13.54 c. Luke 4.22 so that from all this my affirmation remains true and good that if Humane Learning should be it that is there meant by the Apostle then he was to teach the Servant to be above his Master when as Christ Jesus himself b Mat. 10.5 saith It is enough for the Disciple to be as his Lord and he being destitute of Humane Learning his Disciples may well be without it also without any offence and yet preach the Gospell too Now if notwithstanding all this there be them that will take c Act. 6.11 Stephens accusers place and still accuse me of blasphemy as they did him c. though it may be they may say true words as that I said that Iesus Christ was without Humane Learning and so apply it to him as God when as I spake of him as Man they may there see themselves ranked among the number of them that are called by the Spirit of God False Witnesses as walking in the steps of those envious persons * Chief Priest chief in spilling innocent blood even such as were alwayes the Murtherers and Betrayers of Christ Iesus and his Servants and they that are such may be likened to them that being full of envy d Act. 13.45 spake against those things that were spoken of Paul contrarying them and railing on them Mark it they denied what he taught but disproved it not but spake against it and railed on the person and so left not till they had been a means to expell them out of their Coasts so was he and such like measure is still to be expected to befall such as tread in his steps but it is to be minded that envious ones are the movers of it and so leaving of it I come to another exception which is Object 2 How such as are unlearned will be able to stop the mouths of Gain-sayers seeing the Apostle requires of a e Tit. 1.11 Bishop that he should be able so to do Answ I answer that it is not the Apostles
Prophecy of l Zach. 13.2 3. Zachary that the Lord will cut off the names of the Idols and the unclean Spirits of the Land and that while they Prophecy their Father and Mother that begat them shall run them through with the Sword of the Spirit and say Thou shalt not live because they told lies in the name of the Lord and then shall they be ashamed of their Vision and it then shall be known that their garments by which they be known taken knowledg of to be Ministers are garments of deceit and at that day such Prophets shal be ashamed of themselves as that they shall disclaim themselves for very shame to stand in any relation to such Prophets as m Zach. 13.4 5 there the Prophet shews when are their neerest friends with contempt shall refuse them and run them through saying Thou toldst us lies in the name of the Lord such light it seems shall then appear as that they themselves shall count him no Prophet that is made so by mans teaching Now this teaching in question is but mans teaching and therefore when as the clear light appears they shall be ashamed of it though now they prefer it Vse 3 This Consideration also ministers matter of thankfulnesse to God on our parts for his exceeding kindnesse towards us in Christ Jesus for that he is pleased to reveal these great Mysteries to such mean and simple things as we are when as he conceals them from the wise and prudent This n Mat. 11.29 use Christ Jesus himself makes and gives us to understand the true cause why and that he makes not any excellency in them more then was in others but only according to the nature of the Gospel the good pleasure of God which is indeed the only ground of all our happinesse and blessed must needs all those be that can with our Saviour truly conclude with the same And so I come to the next point for having found out who be the learned men that Peter here intends which is they are taught by the Spirit of God then it must needs follow that they that are not such are the perverters of these and all other Scriptures to their own destruction and so this is another Observation That such as are destitute of the Spirits teaching * Here he set out the perverters of Scripture though furnisht with Humane Learning are the perverters and wresters of these and all other Scriptures to their own destruction The truth of this Conclusion appears plainly confirmed to us in the o Mat. 5.21 Pharisees as our Saviour declares in many particulars plainly discovering the * Mat. 23. from 16. to 19. blindnesse of these learned Teachers in esteeming and preferring of things lesse in themselves above such as were far greater as the proportion is made betwixt the Gold of the Temple and the Temple and the Altar and that which was offered 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 p Mat. 15. from 3. to 7. elswhere appears that for all their learning they taught directly against the mind of God in his Word We may see the same further commended to us Barjesus one full of all q Acts 13.6 subtilty 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 r 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 affirmed so wise their Humane Learning did help to make them Reason 3 Now from the World of God good Reasons may be observed further to confirm this As first Because nothing but the Spirit of God can bring any to the true knowledge of the Word of God and so saith the Å¿ Cor. 2.12 Apostle We have received the Spirit of God that we may know the things that are given us of God * The Spirit of God though in Coblers Pedlers Tinkers or Chimney-sweepers is better thou all the worlds learning though in Popes Councils Cardinals Bishops or Presbyters and Peter t 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 publike 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 Councils of Cardinals and Bishops and the rest of that learned Robble 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 help of Gods Spirit give a more publike interpretation then they all for as u Cor. 15.1 2 Paul saith of love the same is to be said of the Spirit Though men did speak with the tongues of men and Angels and knew all secrets and had all knowledge yet this is but as a sounding brasse or tinkling Cymball without the Spirit Reason 2 Another reason is because this was one end of Jesus Christ his coming into the world that they that x John 9.39 see might be made blinde and this clearly appears in the Pharisees * The learned aceounted the common people accursed those learned wise men that counted the common people as accursed because not knowing the Law and they themselves seeing blessed ones and therefore y Joh. 7.48 say they Do any of the Rulers or Pharisees believe in him as touching that the Rulers and Pharisees must needs know the truth when as these were blind guides as our Saviour saith and so much z Joh. 9.40 these took notice of that he so accounted them 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 believes in Jesus Christ for his salvation and yet they refuse the knowledg and light of this seeing a 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 Jesus Christ hath made him learned and given himself for him Reason 3 Another Reason is rendered out of the words Because such are unlearned and unstable ones for as before we have seen such persons are destitute of the * The unlearned of the Spirit are the unstable ones true learning so also are they in an unsetled and unstable condition seeing as the Prophet b Psal 51. witnesseth That the Spirit is the establisher neither
doctrines of devils how that men should speak lies through hypocrisie c. as Zachary also foretold that the x Zach. 13.3 Father and Mother of the Prophet should say that he told them lies in the name of the Lord If thou put the Brethren 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 Jesus Christ which hast been nourished up in the words of Faith and good Doctrine then mark these things are not error nor lies nor he a false Teacher that speaketh of them out a good Minister that hath been 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 y 1 Tim. 6.3.4 saith further in this matter declaring that he that consenteth not to wholesome doctrine that is according to godlinesse is puft up and knows nothing but dotes about words and as such a one as is so far corrupted by the flâ—sh as that he is to be separated from therefore Gods good Ministers as we see should be carefull of these things as knowing of whom they shall receive their reward and what shall also be their portion from men of the world in that which is z Rev. 11.7 death in the world but a Rev. 14.13 life with the Lord Be faithful therefore to the death and you shall have a b Rev. 2.10 Crown of Life declaring the power of the Spirit of the Lord in you Vse 5 Now in the last place I will conclude with the exhortation of the c 2 Pet. 3.16.18 Apostle in the words following Yea therefore beloved seeing ye knew 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 lest ye also as well as others you being subject to it be plucked away before you be aware into the error of the wicked to think that Gods Mysteries can be attained to by mans learning and so you fall from your own stedfastnesse which is d Rom. 11. through Faith for by Faith ye stand and by the Spirit for by it ye are also e Psal 51. establisht and for a preservative against this error as opposite to it grow and encrease in the grace of God and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ which is that that will preserve you from error Now to him be glory not to us nor to man but to him our Lord Jesus Christ both now and for evermore Amen ESAY 64.25 The Lord frustrateth the tokens of the Lyars and maketh Diviners mad turneth wise men backward and maketh their knowledge foolishnesse FINIS POSTSCRIPT HAving before the death of this Author been well acquainted with him and tasted that Spirit of Light and Truth which God in his day did more then ordinary powre out upon him by which he was inabled to minister seasonable words to the refreshing of many weary souls and also to contend against those corruptions and inventions which men brought into the Worship of God raging like the mighty waters against all the Servants of God which opposed them in the same I mean the power of Prelacy which ruled them in that day the weight of whose persecuting hand this Author while he lived had his share and when he died not suffered by them to have that which they called Christian Buriall but his friends were forced to lay his body in the high way as one which was numbred amongst the Transgressors of whom I may say the world was not worthy But my intent in writing this 〈◊〉 word is not to commend the Author but to tender to thy review the matter of this foregoing Book the bent thereof is to advance the Teachings of the Spirit of Christ in the unfolding of the mystery of the Gospel to the hearts of men as the choice Revealer of that glory of truth to the soul which will change from glory to glory into its own likeness a truth much opposed by men of corrupt minds in this day and therefore it becomes all that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity to stand upon their watch and be earnestly beging of the Father of Lights that Spirit which may help them to judg of things that differ and may lead into strait paths trying all things and holding fast that which is good Thou wilt find in this Tract the Spirit of the Author strongly and zealously contending for the advancement of the Spirit of Christ which if therein thou meet'st with any words that may seem harsh against that which men advance let it not be an offence to thee but try whether it be agreeable to the form of found words or no. I shall detain thee no longer but my desires to the Lord is that all his Israâ— may more and more know the truth as it is in Jesus shining as the Sun more to their perfect clearnesse knowing the night is far past and the day neer approaching that so we may walk as the Children of the Light waiting for the glorious appearing of him that will come and not tarry Yours in the love of Christ William Kyffen