eternally Many there are that dream of Anabaptistical revelations and I know not what kind of strange and immediate inspirings despising the publick teaching and ministry of man I know God can teach otherwise but I have no ground to think that he will he that desireth to lodge among the wise Prov. 5.31 let him prepare his care to hearken to the instruction of life saith Solomon thou maist never expect a blessing from him who is a teacher of the heart if thou despisest him whom God hath appointed to be a teacher of the Eare as the holy Scripture is the book of wisdome out of which God giveth subtilty to the fimple so teaching by his Ministers is the Pipe by which this heavenly wisdom is conveyed to us from the Fountain and no man is assured by the word of God to attain this knowledge but by this course 3. All those that reject prayer which is a seeking of God for a blessing upon the means whereby knowledge might be acquired The Psalmist saith that the Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any that did understand and seek God Psal 14.3 If thou criest after knowledge and liftest up thy voyce for understanding Prov. 2 3. c. there are many that pray not for knowledge nor for a blessing on the means of knowledg and those are such as despise knowledge Paul speaks of such as despise the Word the Ministery Prayer and the means of knowledge as if their case were desperate and saith 1 Cor. 14.38 if any man be ignorant let him be ignorant as if he should say if any man will despise the means of knowledge and chuse to be still ignorant let him be ignorant to his own perill be it he will run through inner darknesse to utter darknesse I fear brethren that the commonnesse of the word and of preaching hath bred the contempt thereof I read that when Elephants were first brought into Asia and two of them brought and presented to King Antiochus he made great account of them and held them in high esteem calling the one Ajax and the other Achilles but in processe of time growing common in the countrey by reason of their traffick into those places whence they came notwithstanding they were of no lesse use then they were before Nay in all likelihood of more because they were better acquainted with the use of them and knew better how to mannage them yet because they were common they contemned them and called them Lucanian oxen So doubtlesse the word of God in the dayes of our fore-fathers in this nation when the light of Gods truth first brake out of that grosse darknesse of Popery it was highly esteemed and the godly Ministery and Preachers of the word were valued as precious jewels but now it is just an hundred years that we have had the Gospel among us this very year 1658. therefore it is as odious and loathsome as it is common but did men know the worth of it they would not despise the means of knowledge Repr 3 This may reprove such as go about to hinder and discourage others from getting knowledge such as will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven themselves nor suffer others how many sottish and wicked Parents will discourage their children from reading the Scriptures and frequenting Sermons they will not get knowledge themselves nor suffer their children how many Masters will not allow their servants one hour in a week to hear a Lecture but cry to them as Pharaoh to the Israelites when they spake of going out to serve the Lord ye are idle ye are idle and so encrease their tasks many ignorant Masters are well contented with ignorant servants with an ignorant family like themselves wicked wretches that are wholly led by the Prince of darknesse do labour to hinder others from attaining the light of saving knowledge Thus when Sergius Paulus a prudent man called for Paul and Barnabas desiring to be instructed by them in the knowledge of Christ Elymas the sorcerer withstood them seeking to turn away the Deputy from the faith Acts 13.8 and for this the hand of God was upon him the Lord smote him with corporal who laboured to keep others in spiritual blindnesse verse 11. and after the stubborn Jews had rejected the word the Apostles turne from them to the Gentiles yet then the Jews stirred up devout and honourable women and the chief men of the City and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them out of their coasts verse 50. and for this very cause the Apostle saith 1 Thess 2.16 they filled up their sins and the wrath of God comes upon them to the uttermost Vse 3 If ignorance be the chief cause of a peoples destruction then suffer the word of exhortation Let us all labour after knowledge that we may be men of knowledge Prov. 10 14. wise men will lay up knowledge saith Solomon or store it up as the covetous man layes or storeth up his bags of silver and gold Wisdom is the principal thing Prov. 4.7 therefore get wisdom and with all thy getting get understanding many men spend so much of their time about getting of the world that they can find little or no time to get wisdom and knowledge they see the want of riches as they think but they see not the want of spiritual knowledge Diogenes had a pretty answer to some that askt him why Philosophers rather followed rich men then rich men Philosophers why that is no marvaile at all said he for Philosophers know that they want rich mens wealth Job 11 11 but rich men will not acknowledge that they want Philosophers wisdome Most men hate the imputation of ignorance vain man would be wise so pleasing a thing is knowledge to reasonable creatures not too much degenerated and though men run a course tending to ignorance and errour yet they hate the imputation of ignorance as a thing very reproachfull and yet some such monsters there are that care not to acquire any more knowledge then is necessary to the keeping up of a poor sottish and halfe-brutish kind of life and for God they know him not nor do they care to know him and if you speak of God to them they presently cry out like Pharaoh who is the Lord Let therefore both ministers and people labour to be filled with knowledge 1. But especially the Ministers of the Gospel should be knowing men A Minister must not be like young Samuel 1 Sam. 3.4 who knew not the voyce of the Lord from Elies when the Lord called him nor like Ahimaaz that would needs run to carry the King newes from the Camp but when he came knew nothing every Scribe that is instructed unto the Kingdom of God is like an householder Matth. 13.52 that bringeth forth of his treasury things both new and old Ministers must be knowing men 2. Because they are to be
know the more ignorant a man is of God the more doth pride prevail upon him now Ignorance being the root of pride it must be the chief cause of destruction to a people for pride goes before destruction saith the wise man Proverbs 16.18 2 Ignorance is the cause of Rebellion against God to this purpose the Lord complains of his people I have nourisht and brought up children and they have rebelled against me and the reason of their rebellion against God is their ignorance of him the Oxe Isai 1.2 3. saith he knoweth his owner and the asse his Masters crib but Israel doth not know my people doth not consider Thus when Moses cometh with a message from God to Pharaoh thus saith the Lord Let my people go that they may serve me Pharaoh said Who is the Lord Exod. 5.2 that I should obey his voice c. I know not the Lord neither will I let Israel go Ignorance is the root of disobedience this sin was that which brought swift destruction upon Pharaoh and his people when Peter would have men like obedient children 1 Pet. 1. 14 15. he bids them not fashion themselves according to the former lusts of their Ignorance 3. Ignorance is the root of persecution 1. It makes men persecute Christ himself when Christ called to Saul from heaven as he was persecuting and making havock of the Church Saul Saul why persecutest thou me like one wholly ignorant of Christ he said Who art thou Lord Acts 9.5 the Lord answered I am Jesus whom thou persecutest It is said by the Apostles Act. 1.17 1 Cor. 2.8 that none of the Princes of this world knew Christ for had they known they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory Object But it may be said from Matth. 21.38 that they did know who Christ was when they saw the Son they said among themselves This is the heir come let us kill him and let us seize on his inheritance and they caught him and cast him out of the vineyard and slew him in this place it is evident that they did know him and in the other place that they did not know him for they would not have crucified him if they had known him how shall these places be reconciled Resp They did know him in regard of the reality of the thing but they had not an effectual knowledge able to change their minds and affections that were set to crucifie the Lord of Glory thus people that have the means of knowledge may be said to be ignorant First In regard they may have a general knowledge and yet be ignorant in the particular application of what they know Secondly in regard they may have a particular knowledge and yet be ignorant in regard of an effectual knowledge and this kinde of ignorance is a destroying sin a man may know what is to be done and in particular that such a thing is to be done and yet this knowledge is uneffectual if it change not the will and affections to yield obedience and so it is no better then ignorance He that saith he knoweth God and keepeth not his commandements 1 Joh. 2.4 1 Sam. 2.12 is a lyar the sons of Eli were sons of Belial and it is said of them They knew not the Lord though they were the Priests of the Lord whose lips should preserve knowledge Malachi 2.7 And as ignorance makes men persecute Christ himself so it makes them persecutors of the faithful messengers and members of Christ Ignorant men love not their teachers that be eyes to guide them seers to go before though they stand in danger of their own lives to save theirs and if the seers were once out of the way into what errour would not the blinde multitude suddenly fall were there no faithfull Ministers to lead them or speak to the people from God they could not chuse but fall to every finne against God our Saviour tells his Disciples a little before his departure out of this world If they have persecuted me they will also persecute you Joh. 15.21 but all these things they will do unto you for my names sake the reason followeth because they know not him that sent me and he tells them further that they should put them out of the Synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service and gives the reason of it These things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor me John 16.2 3. Psal 14.4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge who eat up my people as bread the Prophet Hosea sheweth Psal 74.20 where there is no knowledge of God in the land there is no truth nor mercy in the land the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty that is of cruell men men that have no true knowledge of God among them are ready to act ay manner of cruelty against the people of God 4. Ignorance is the cause of Idolatry the Prophet Isaiah shewing the dotage of idolaters he sets it down thus Isai 44.17.18 he falleth down to his graven image and worshippeth it and prayeth unto it and saith deliver me for thou art my God then he sheweth the root of it to be their blockish ignorance they have not known nor understood Ignorance of the true God makes men adore any fantasticall deity Ignorant men like bruit beasts are ready to run into any sin and danger Reas 2 Because ignorance is the breach of Gods Commandments and especailly the first Commandment he that is ignorant of God is so farre from worshipping God as he ought to be worshipped that he is an enemy to God an ignorant man walkes in darknesse and he that goes in the dark is apt to stumble at every stone and fall into every ditch he that knowes not the way to life must needs walk in the way that goes down to the chambers of death he that is ignorant of him who is the Way will soon wander in a wildernesse where there is no way where there is no plain and beaten path an ignorant man runs out of Gods way viz. the way of his Commandment and walks in his own wayes and runs into extreme danger every moments an ignorant man is blind he knoweth not what he doth Prov. 4.19 his way is darknesse he knoweth not at what he stumbleth and having often stumbled at last he falleth into the pit of destruction from whence he shall never see his way out if a man be ignorant he knoweth not where he goes John 12.35 and he that walks in darknesse knoweth not whither he goes as our Saviour saith Reas 3 Ignorance doth stupifie and harden mens hearts they are in a miserable and damnable condition and are not sensible that they are so they see not their misery therefore seek they not out for a remedy The Church of Laodicea was in a blind and wretched estate but
caused them to understand the eading but what understanding can the hearer have if the Minister teach obscurely let them call this learned obscurity that will I take it rather to be unlearned obscurity for let learning appear when it should appear Let any man shew that either the Greek or Roman Oratours have been commended for dealing obscurely therefore let Ministers deal apertè perspicuè in their Sermons that the hearers may be made to understand what they teach them Solomon speaks thus of himself the more wise the Preacher was he stil taught the people knowledg Eccles 12.9 yea he gave good heed and sought out and set in order many Proverbs now to preach so as to make the people to understand what they hear much wisdom and knowledge is requisite And here let me shew that humane learning righly used is very useful and necessary to a Minister of the Gospel 1. It is very useful and necessary to the understanding and expounding of divers places of Scripture where mention is made of the motions influences and operations of the Sun Moon and Starres being celestiall and heavenly bodies which places are dark and difficult and cannot be understood without the help of naturall Philosophy and Astronomy Also where there are allusions to and similitudes and comparisons from Birds Beasts Fishes Serpents c. natural Philosophy is also needful Item in the description of Countries and regions with their several Climates and Temperatures and the natures and inclinations of their inhabitants there is use of Cosmography Geography Topography and naturall Philosophy too 2. For Logick it can by no means be lacking in a Minister for without it we cannot in many things discern the truth nor discover falshood both which both Pastor and people must endevour to do Ephes 4.14 Ephes 5.17 that we may be wise clearly to understand what the will of the Lord is and not be like children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftinesse of those that lie in wait to deceive 3. Learning is necessary to confute and confound pagans that are not acquainted with the Scriptures Acts 17.28 therefore Paul made use of this kind of learning at Athens out of their own Poets to confute them If one that had been born bred and brought up a long time under the earth should upon the sudden be brought into the clear light of the Sun it would so dazle his eyes as it would almost make him starke blind so if one that hath been nuzzeled up all his time in ignorance should at first be brought to the bright shining light of the Gospel it would so amaze him as he would not know what to make of it such therefore must be set in the Moon-shine or star-light of nature before they be brought to the clear Sun-shine of the Scriptures that so being overcome by common principles whereto both sides agree and give consent they may be forced to yield being foyled at their own weapons as Goliah was slain with his own sword 4. History and other things moving delight may be moderately borrowed from humane Authours and inserted into Sermons Non ad necessitatem sed ad delectationem and mixed with and mingled among Theological discourses as sauce not so much for necessity as for delight The Scriptures onely be instar panis like bread In his hujusmodi Philosophia Thealogiaese submittat ut Hagar Sarae patiatur se admoneri corrigi Sin minus pareat ejice Ancillam Clem. Alexand as needful and necessary food to suffice and satisfie nature and kill hunger and Philosophy and other humane learning that may serve for sauce both to procure appetite and help digestion But here let me adde this caution Let us beware that there be not more sauce then meat more humanity then divinity As Grynaeus reporteth of a certain Monk of Heidelberg who when Melancton was a young man lived in that University and used to read and expound to the people in their Mother tongue a piece of Aristotles Ethicks instead of a Sermon this was indeed to put Hagar in Sarah's place and therefore by no means to be endured 2. Let people also look to it that they be men of knowledge Every one of you professe your selves to be Gods servants and the Lord to be your Master now it behoves every servant to know his Master's will Luke 12.47 Every servant of God must labour to know his will revealed in his word A loving and dutiful wife that should have a letter sent to her from her husband out of a far Countrey would not throw it into a hole and there let it lie and rot but have it in her bosome neer her heart and hand that she may often peruse it and inform her self by it how she may the better order her businesse according to her husbands directions contained therein O do not rest your selves in an ignorant condition nor content your selves with any natural wisdome and understanding such as was in the old Philosophers who had not the knowledge of God in Christ but only a confused a general knowledge which could not lead them to happinesse Nor must you rest content that you have worldly wit and wisdome to get and gather together things for this life of which Christ speaks Matth. 16.26 Labour not for that wisdome that is from beneath which is earthly Jac 3.15 Exod. 1.10 sensual and devillish such was the wisdome of Pharaoh plotting to oppresse the Israelites Come on saith he let us deal wisely with them but labour for that wisdome that is from above which as it cometh from heaven so it carrieth the soul that hath it to heaven again setting the heart and affections on things that are above and let me tell you further that it is not enough for you to have other graces but you must also have spiritual knowledge and understanding And here I shall lay down and propound two great motives to labour after saving knowledge 1 Consider the great danger and mischief of ignorance 2. The great benefit and excellency of knowledge 1. For the danger and mischief of ignorance I shall discover it in many particulars 1. Without knowledge a man cannot be good An ignorant man cannot be a good man an ignorant man is apt to say I have a good heart and my heart is as good as the best thou art deceived if thou art ignorant thou canst not be good I do not mean of natural goodnesse one towards another but of being good towards God Prov. 19.2 The Soul without knowledge is not good saith Salomon it hath not a dram of goodnesse in it i. e. of true goodnesse and if a mans soul be not good his heart is naught Prov. 10.20 an ignorant man is a wicked man and the heart of the wicked is little worth saith the wise man many ignorant people are ready to say what though we
be ignorant yet we mean well our heart is as good as the best and we hope that God will accept of our good meanings and intentions But how can men mean well when they know not how to do well Psal 51.6 then is the heart good when a man can say as David Lord thou hast taught or made me to know wisdom in the hidden part Prov. 2.10 or in the secret of my heart when this wisdome entreth into thy heart and knowledge is pleasant to thy soul as Salomon speaketh when thy heart is taught of God then it is good A man may have a good nature a good disposition good natural wisdome and knowledge but this is hateful to God if spiritual knowledge be wanting Rom. 8.7 the wisdome of the flesh is enmity to God and it is that which keeps a man off from yielding subjection to the Law of God A man cannot be good in any relation without knowledge A man cannot be a good husband without knowledge Peter exhorts husbands to dwell with their wives 1 Pet 3.7 according to knowledge Knowledge is required of all husbands and of all men before they be husbands because as soon as they have wives they are charged to shew their knowledge Husbands must set up the worship of God and the exercises of piety in their dwellings by instructing their wives and children in the things of God Josh 24.15 Deut. 6.7 and by talking and discoursing of Gods Word upon all occasions as also by praying together Jer. 10.25 Eph. 6 4. that so they may keep off the curse of God from them which shall fall upon them that know him not and the families that call not upon his Name A man cannot be a good Parent without knowledg Parents are required to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord how canst thou instruct thy children while thou thy self art ignorant of God and his word a man cannot be a good Master nor a good Christian without knowledge God who commanded light to shine out of darknesse hath shined in our hearts 2 Cor. 4.6 to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God c. saith the Apostle the first thing that God created in the world was light and the first thing he creates in the soul of the new creature is spiritual light and knowledge so then unlesse we have the light of heavenly knowledge in our hearts we cannot be good 2. Without knowledge we cannot do good Psal 36.3 Desiuit adhibere intelligentiam ad benè faciendum Junius Cadallehaskil lehetio Hebr. Noluit intelligere ut benè ageret Hieron David makes it an indelible Character of a wicked man to refuse knowledge he hath left off to understand and to do good Geneva he ceaseth to use his understanding to do well Junius he would not understand that he might do well saith Hierom upon Psal 36.3 under the. Law God rejected the blind sacrifices shewing how he contemneth blindnesse and ignorance in all those that will serve him Malach. 1.8 A good intention cannot make a good action if knowledge be wanting it is but a blind offering though done in obedience to Gods command As it is will-worship when things are done which are not commanded and men think by them to do God good service so likewise when men do Gods commands for sinister respects not knowing the force and ground of the command 1. Without knowledge a man cannot repent how can a man turn from sin unlesse he know the nature and danger of sin how can he turn to the Lord Hos 8.3 unlesse he know him When Israel turneth to the Lord he shall cry to the Lord My God we know thee saith the Prophet Hosea If you urge an ignorant man to turn from his sin and turn to the Lord he will answer as Pharaoh Who is the Lord I know not the Lord neither will I let my beloved lusts go how can a man repent till his conscience be touched and how can conscience accuse him without knowledge Knowledge is the effect of a good conscience and a good conscience like an haughty spirit scorneth to lie in the hovel of ignorance 2. A man cannot pray to the Lord without knowledge Ignoti nulla cupido Rom. 3.10 Joh. 4.10 3 Cor. 14.15 Alsted Theolog. Catechet there is none that understandeth that seeketh after God saith the Apostle If thou knewest saith Christ to the woman of Samaria thou wouldst have asked c. A man may say a prayer or read a prayer without true knowledge and the Lord regard them not but he cannot pray with the heart nor pray spiritually without true knowledge that prayer is right which is done in the spirit and with understanding Scientèr or at qui novit quem orat quid pro quo 3. VVithout knowledge a man cannot praise God for any mercy Psal 17.7 Sing ye praises with understanding saith the Psalmist therefore the Saints do honour God most with their praises and confessions because they know more of God and his goodnesse then others and can report higher things of him VVicked and ignorant men speak of God onely by hear-say but they that know him by intimate acquaintance and experience as the Queen of Sheba knew more of Salomons wisdome by his mouth then by his fame he that hath the most inward communion with God is able to render the more abundant praises to him 4. VVithout knowledge a man cannot be zealous for God and his glory there is a blind zeal like that of Popish votaries Phil. 3.61 there may be a zeal of God where there is no knowledge of God as the Apostle Paul speaks of himself before his conversion that he persecuted the Church out of zeal the like he speaks of his Countrey-men the Jews that they have a zeal of God Rom. 10.2 Zelus absque scientia quà vehementiùs irruit eò graviùs corruit Bernard but not according to knowledge It is good saith the Apostle alwayes to be zealously affected in a good matter Gal. 4.18 Now wisdome and knowledge are good guides to zeal to keep it within compasse that it run not out into fury in all pious actions let zeal be your spur but let knowledge and wisdome be your guide 5. A man cannot truly worship God without knowledge we must know him before we can worship him how can we reverence him whom we do not know we know what we worship Acts 17.23 saith our Saviour but as for all ignorant persons like the Samaritans they worship they know not what and if they do him any outward service they ignorantly worship the true God like the Athenians that set up an Altar to the unknown God this makes many persons to come into Gods presence and carry themselves so irreverently as they do because they do not know him Such as our knowledge is such is our worship of God 3. Without knowledge a man
will then tremble to think of the danger he hath escaped therefore the Apostle calleth the light of grace marvellous light because when God brings a man out of the dungeon of darknesse into the true light 1 Pet. 2.9 every thing is then to the poor soul very marvellous and full of admiration 4. thou sayest thou art not sensible of any danger in an ignorant estate no marvel for thou art dead and dead men are senselesse men the dead know nothing Paul tells us Ephes 4.18 that those that have their understanding darkened are alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them there is no life in the soul without knowledge spiritual knowledge is as it were the seed of true life in the soul and it maintaineth the life thereof and as the body is dead without the soul so the soul is dead without saving knowledge therefore being spiritually dead thou must needs be insensible of thy danger and so thou thinkest thou art in a good estate but hear O thou dead and sottish soul what the Lord saith unto thee this day Ephes 9.14 out of his word Awake thou that sleepest and stand up from the dead and Christ shall give thee light he doth not say Christ shall give thee life but Christ shall give thee light i. e. the light of knowledge if thou wilt awake from thy pleasing sleep and slumber Let me beseech you then if you love your souls labour to know God betimes even in your youth that is a commendable youth that is old in grace and savoureth of the wisdom of the Ancient of dayes happy is he whom Gods effectual grace saluteth at his Cradle whose spirit is Gods candle to discern youthful lusts and vanities so as to avoid them If we know God when we are young we shall not be strangers to him when we are old see thou that thy lampe be ready whensoever the Bridegroom passeth by thee make not that the task of thy Age which should be the practise of thy whole life you know by experience that a ship the longer it leakes the harder it is to be emptied an house the longer it goes to decay the worse it is to repair a nail the further it is driven in the harder it is to draw out again and can we perswade our selves that the trembling joynts the dazeled eyes the fainting heart and failing legs of a decrepit and indisciplinable old age is able to repair the many ruines which so many years ignorance have brought upon us Are there not twelve hours in the day saith our Saviour If any man walk in the day he stumbleth not John 11.9 10. because he seeth the light of this World but if a man walk in the night he stumbleth because there is no light in him It is no wisdom to defer to get the knowledge of God Non semper manet in foro pater-familias August Greg serm 1. de sanctis till old age cometh which usually brings with it a bedroll of follies to repent of no wisdom to post off this knowledge to the last hour the Lord of the Vineyard is not alwayes in the Market to set thee a work saith Austin and no marvel saith another Father if that man at the last gaspe forget himself who in all his life neglected to remember God Object 3 Others are ready further to object We have neither time nor leisure to get knowledge one saith I am in great trading and have a great many servants and much businesse in my hands to look after And another faith I have a great charge of children at home to look to and provide for and I cannot go abroad nor spare any time to get knowledge I live altogether by my labour I can spare no time for such occastons Resp 1 It is not multiplicity of businesse nor weightinesse of affairs that can excuse any mans ignorance and therefore those that are in the highest places and have the management of the greatest affairs are charged to know the Lord and to study his Word Who hath greater affairs than a King yet even Kings are commanded to know the Lord thus David chargeth Solomon his son now entering upon the Regal Dignity And thou Solomon my son 1 Chron. 28.9 know thou the God of thy Father and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind Kings and great Personages are to take care of Religion and Gods Service which they cannot do without the knowledge of the Lord therefore God charged Moses that the King that should rule his people after him should take a copy of his Law Deut. 17 18 191 and write it in a Book and keep it by him and read therein all the dayes of his life that he might learn to fear the Lord his God and to keep all the words of that Law and his Statutes to do them So God commandeth Joshua the Captain and General of the Armies of Israel The Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth but thou shalt meditate therein day and night Josh 1.8 that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good successe And according to the direction of God to Moses Samuel upon the election of Saul their first King 1 Sam. 10.25 having declared to the people the manner of the Kingdom wrote it in a book and laid it up before the Lord where no doubt the King might repair to it or have a copy taken out of it for his private instruction Herein doubtlesse Jehojada the Priest 2 Kings 12.2 instructed King Jehoash this Book surely had lien neglected by the space of 57 years viz. the time of Manasses and Amnon the Father and Grandfather of King Josiah for in his time we read that Helkias the High-Priest told Saphan the Scribe That he had found the Book of the Law which he took and read first by himself and afterwards before the King whose heart melted at the hearing of it 2 Reg 22.8 9 10 11 because his Predecessours had neglected the Law and not hearkened to the words of that Book to do it Thus you see it is not weighty affairs that must hinder men from the knowledge of the Lord. Therefore Christ upbraides Nicodemus for his ignorance Joh. 3.10 Art thou a Master of Israel and knowest not these things Ignorance of God and of the things of God in them that are Rulers is a very great sin those that rule over others are to defend the true Religion and the truths of Christ and those that are professors thereof now this they be not able to do unlesse they have knowledge to discern between truth and falshood Now as weighty affairs so neither must multiplicity of businesse hinder us from attending on the means of knowledge to this purpose our Saviour gives Martha a check that she was cumbred with too