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
SUFFICIENCY OF THE SPIRITS TEACHING WITHOUT Humane Learning Or a Treatise tending to prove Humane Learning to be no help to the Spirituall Understanding of the Word of God Written if it may be for the silencing of such false and scandalous Reports as have been rumoured about concerning this matter and also for the information of all such as desire to know the Truth By SAMUEL HOVV Prov. 14.5 A faithful Witness will not lie but a false Record will speak lies Esay 57.14 Cast ye up cast ye up prepare the way take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people Mal. 2.1 2. And now ô ye Priests this Commandment is for you if ye will not hear it nor consider it in your heart to give glory to my Name saith the Lord of Hoasts I will even send a curse upon you and will curse your blessings yea I have cursed them already because ye do not consider it in your heart Mat. 11.25 26. At that time Jesus answered and said I thank thee ô Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and men of understanding and bast revealed them unto Babes even so Father because thy good pleasure is such Luke 16.15 Then he said unto them ye are they that justifie your selves before men but God knows your hearts for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God Seen allowed and first printed by some friends of the Author 1639. Newly printed and are to-be sold by William Larnar at the Blackmore neer FLEET-BRIDGE 1655. To all such as love the truth in Sincericerity Light and Understanding be multiplied through JESUS CHRIST GOds Gracions Promise it is Christian Reader that by the a 2 Thes 2.8 breath of his mouth and the brightness of his coming he will reveal the Man of Sin and Son of Perdition Yet thus witnesseth the Spirit that when it shall so come to pass That the Vial of Gods wrath shall be b Rev. 16.10 11. poured upon the Throne of the Beast to the darkning of his Kingdome and discovering of those strong Delusions whereby he hath long deluded the World that then the men of that throne shall gnaw their tongues for sorrow and shall blaspheme the God of Heaven All which to me appears to be fulfilled and made good concerning this following Treatise 1. That when as the Lord by his Word the breath of his month hath blown out some smoak of the Bottomless Pit which I conceive to be Humane Learning which is so much magnified as being a help whereby to understand the mind of God This matter hath so vexed and tormented the men of that Throne that even * J. G. He himself at whose request I was moved to open this portion of Scripture 2 Pet. 3.16 hath as I am credibly informed reported about this City that I made a Calf meaning a false and unsound exposition and when I had done danced about it herein exposing not only me but the very Truth it self which I in this point delivered to the derision and contempt and Table-talk of such as had rather be deceived and believe their learned Teachers as men call them on their bare word having the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of Glory with respect of Person then to receive and justifie the Truth of God if the Messenger be weak and contemptible and his message in power much plainness and demonstration of the Spirit and not beautified with the excellency of speech and swelling words of mans wisdom which is enmity to God it crosseth and opposeth the simplicity of his way in the dispensation of the glorious Mystery of the Gospel And therefore God hath said of it as Simon Peter said to Simon Magus c Act. 8.21 1 Cor. 1.19 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter But yet methinks such men d Ephes â— 4 as would carry the shew of godlinesse should remember the counsel of the Apostle That such carriages are things not seemly though for my own part I blesse the Lord for it being to me a more strong confirmation that I have the Truth on my side For thus was e Luâ—â—â— 14. Iesus Christ our Lord served by the wise and learned Pharisees when as he taught them such a Doctrine as pleased them not And thus was Paul the Preacher of Righteousness dealt by of the learned f Act. 17.18 Athenians even for preaching Iesus and the Resurrection Likewise I read in Heb. 11. that this in former times was part of the Tryal that the Lord exercised his Witnesses withall even mockings verse 36. And therefore as our Saviour teacheth me I have in this case great cause to be glad and rejoyce for they having so served Iesus Christ my Lord and his faithful followers then what am I that I should be one of that number that have so large g â—â—t 5.12 incouragement and reward promised I shall therefore quietly passe by all such things and onely h Job 21.3 with Iob in his distressed condition crâ—ve that he and all you that have done this thing will suffer me to speak and when I have spoken mock on seeing as the i Job 12.2 Servant of God said Indeed because ye are the people only Wisdome must die with you so will I make bold to say to you also Yet for all his understanding and such others as heard me they failed of their zeal for God and his glory in that they sought not to suppress and throw down that Calf of dishonor which must needs being an Idol be a very high provocation in the eyes of his Glory which he that put me upon this Exercise having excepted against it when it was finisht and with much passion manifested his great dislike thereof before many witnesses ought especially and was obliged to have done being then lovingly requested by a friend that was there present for the satisfaction of all that Assembly to instance if not in all yet at least in some particular Scripture wherein I had perverted it seeing he had openly cast an aspersion on all that I had said but neither he nor any of his Profession though many were then present did undertake this task nor yet to this day hath he or any of them endeavoured it So it may appear my Error was not so great or none at all that they could prove or else their zeal to God and his Truth and their charity to me and others very small And if there were a Calfe it was their Humane Learning and Wisdome which the men of this Throne set up and themselves danced about it whilest I to their great grief and discontent was labouring with all the power and might that God assisted me with utterly to cast down grind it to ponder and to blow it away with the Word of God with the breath of his mouth Whether it be thus or no I commend now to the
and all this Science or knowledge is falsly said to be of use in the Gospell prophane and vain bablings are far better names for them and oppositions according to Pauls teaching and he saith of himself I think I have the Spirit of God and so indeed he had without doubt and so our ground remains good that we are compleat in Christ Jesus Reason 4 Another consideration confirming this conclusion is from the Apostles i 1 Cor. 3.18 advise Let no man deceive himself and that in the true way of attaining wisdome he declares what it is in these words That such a one is to become a fool that he may be wise and how is that but by knowing that indeed there is nothing in all mans wisdome to be any whit helpfull but hurtfull to him in attaining and comprehending the wisdome of God in Christ Now what is more foolish to a man then to know that there is nothing that all the wits of man can reach unto that can benefit him and if nothing then not the thing in question but that it must needs be that we must be fools to it and what is the true mark of a fool but to be ignorant and without knowledge therefore we call them fools in the world and so is it here The best way for a man to deceive himself is to know nothing of this Learning nor any other fleshly excellency that so he may learn true wisdome and the Apostle doth methinks sufficiently confirme this advice of his against all exceptions The Lord knows saith he that the thoughts of mâ—â— be vain Men think highly of their own conceits this way yeâ— if no man will take this his counsell for wisdome in this kinde yet the Lord concludes the truth of it and he knows the thoughts of men to be vaine that thinke Humane Learning some help but let them thinke what they will the Lord is against them in it for hee knows that it is sure that they are deceived for his thoughts be not as mans thoughts Reason 5 Now another cause that confirmes mee in this Conclusion is because that wheresoever the Apostle honours the Spirits teaching and preferres it usually he at the same time casts contempt upon this learning as is to be seen in many places k 1 Cor. 1.17.18 Christ saith he sent me to preach the Gospell not with the wisdome of words lest I should make the crosse of Christ or the Gospel of Christ of none effect where we see that for good reason he rejects the very wisdome of words in preaching of the Gospel and that is lest if he should have done otherwise he should have made it of no effect because he was to declare the sincere word without the least mingling as if he should say such manner of preaching is a foolish preaching but it is so onely to them that perish but to such as are saved it is the power of God without what man expects and therefore he l 2 Cor. 11. â— 2 3. saith againe he was jealous over them with a godly jealousie for he had prepared them a pure Virgin for Christ but saith he I fear that as the Serpent beguiled Eve but how through his subtiltie so your minâ—s should be corrupt that is putrified and infected from the sinceritie that is in Christ This we see was Pauls feare that while he was absent their minds should be withdrawn from the foolishness of the Gospel and the simplicitie sinceritie and truth thereof and this they should be withdrawn from by the subtiltie of Satan that old Serpent in his instruments the false Teachers this he feares because of their fleshlinesse that was in them which was ready to yeeld to their wiles by reason of their subtiltie that way for by faire words and flatteries they deceived the m Ro. 16.18 hearts of the simple and with this their craftinesse they lie in wait to n Eph. 4.14 deceive thus contemptuously doth Paul speake of those things in opposition to the true learning as is further to be seen in many places of which I will name one more and that from the Apostle Peter in his second Epistle Chap. 1. Verse 16. For we saith he followed not deceiveable Fables when we opened unto you the power and coming of our Lord Iesus Now such names as these are doth the Apostle chuse to cast on mans excellencies as in divers other o 1 Tim. 1.4 and 4.7 Tit. 3.9 places which declare what contempt is cast on such learning in opposition to the Spirit of God Reason 6 Now one thing more which I conceive observeable for the proof of this point in hand is drawn from the 2 Cor. 2.10 The spirit searches the deep things of God and verse 14. The spiritual man discerns all things if then the spirit searcheth the deep things of God and that discerns all things what need we more And with this agrees the Apostle John saying And ye need not that any man teach you save as that Anointing teacheth you p 1 Iohn 2.27 Then I conclude That we need not that any man teach us not the Master nor any of his followers for the Disciples of Jesus Christ do learn as the truth is in him and of him and they have received the Spirit of God that they might know the things of God therefore we may well be without any mans learning and have no need of it and so the point is clear and plain That such as are taught by Gods Spirit without that learning do truly understand the Word I judge it necessary also to be understood of the Reader what I do understand by Humane Wisdome as well as Humane Learning by Humane Wisdome I do understand whatsoever appears excellent in mans understanding as he is left without Gods Spirits teaching this the more excellent it is to him that is carnall so much the worse it is therefore it is said of such by the Apostle That when as they professed themselves to be wise then they became fools Rom. 1.21 Mat. 6.23 And saith our Saviour If the light which is in this which I mind to be meant of mens understanding and wisdome be darknesse how great is that darknesse So that by mans wisdome I understand whatsoever seems excellent to him with which he would honour God withall that he is not the Author of as eloquence and fair speeches and any thing in thaâ— way such as the Greeks sought after as men do now adays this I do the rather differ from Humane Learning 1 Cor. 1.22 because iâ— seems to me that the Scripture differenceth them Acts 22. and the difference rightly understood may prevent just exceptionâ— and give light to the right understanding of the whole matterâ— for this wisdome is made by the Apostle Rom. 6.7 and that rightly to be enmity to the Spirit of God and impossible to submit to it it iâ— so contrary Now follows to be answered such Objections as are
David without Sauls Arm or only with a Sling and a stone through the Name of the Lord may so wound great Goliah of Gath the enemy of God and his people as that he may receive his deadly wound and lye groveling on the ground to the dismayment of all the Host of the Philistins and great rejoycing of the Israel of God and this the Stone that is he wen out of the Mountain without hands is only able to do Therefore let all that fear the Lord take heed that they lean not to their own wisdome but so much the more that any â—f us have wisdome and Understanding Memory and such â—ike naturall parts above other so much the more let us be watchfull and carefull over our selves as knowing that the h Rom. 8.7 Wisdome of the flesh is enmity against God and is ready to butt against the Spirit And now to draw to a conclusion of all in the words of the Prophet i Esay 44.25 The Lord frustrateth the tokens of the lyars and maketh the Diviners mad turneth wise men backward and maketh their knowledge foolishness If any shall except against the matter for the rudeness of it as that it is without form or learning all such are to know that it is but suitable to the whole argument and that if it should be otherwise I should condemn that in practise which I justifie in words and so make my self a Trespasser Thus I commit this my labour with all those that out of love to the truth shall seek information in this matter to the blessing of the most High and remain an unfaigned well-willer of all them that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity The 25. day of the first moneth 1639. WHat How how now hath How such learning found To throw Arts curious Image to the ground Cambridge and Oxford may their glory now Vail to a Cobler if they know but Hâ—w Though big with Art they cannot over-top The Spirits teaching in a Coblers shop Reader if thou an humane Artist be Let Humane Learning be no Judge for thee Lay down thine Arts then try this Coblers end And see if it be by the Spirit pen'd Mean time adue ye Arts and Artists all The Spirits teaching may attend the Aul And thou brave Cobler blow another blast Upon their learning though thou blow thy LAST R. O. THE SVFFICIENCY OF THE SPIRITS TEACHING WITHOUT HVMANE LEARING The Text 2 PETER 3.16 As one that in all his Epistles speaks of these things in which ar some things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction THese words that I am * By J.G. and S.B. Ministers of London allotted to speak from at this time have respect as it should seem to such things as the Apostle had spoken of before which things seem to me to be those that are contained from the beginning of the second Chapter to the end of the 13. verse of this third Chapter and the 14. verse contains Peters exhortation strengthened in the 15. verse by his Brother Pauls writings who in all his Epistles speaks of these things as of the †Christ second coming mentioned in all Pauls Epistles coming of the Lord Jesus and other things such as are herein contained among the which that is Pauls writings in his Epistles some things were hard to be understood and so indeed was the coming of Christ Iesus which it should seem was hard of them to be undersood and that appears by his earnest wâ—iting to the a 2 Thes 2. at the beginning Thessalonians where he exhorts them That they should not suddenly be moved neither by Word nor Epistle as it were from him as if the day of Christ were at hand for there were many things to be fulfilled first as a departure from the Faith the rising up the perfection and the consumption of the Man of Sin and this it should seem though he had told them of it before yet to them it was hard to be understood which had the true learning here meant which things they that were unlearned and unstalbe perverted as they did other Scriptures to their own destruction therefore the great thing here to be minded is to find out what this learning is that Peter here intends And secondly who they be that are the unlearned ones and by that we shall easily find who they be that are the perverters of the Scriptures to their own destruction For this end therefore I will consider what this learning is not and then what it is What learning it is not It is not Humane Learning That I may not be misconceived about it I will here lay down my understanding in it and by Humane Learning I do not mind the knowledg and understanding of our own language which every man of what Tongue soever he be might in some measure be taught of another as the Parents teach their Children and they learn of them of this there is a natural necessity as the Apostle saith How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard Now the hearing there mentioned Rom. 10.14 must needs be a natural hearing seeing it is set before Faith and this hearing must needs be the understanding of the sound of words spoken Now thus Peter and John and all the rest learned the foolish things spoken of 1 Cor. 1.21 And thus I acknowledge that there is none but in some measure have this learning and must of necessity have it to understand Gods mind in an ordinary way But by Humane Learning all along in this matter which I oppose it is the knowledge of Arts and Sciences divers Tongues and much reading and a persisting in these things so as thereby to be made able to understand the mind of God in his Word this is it that I condemn from the Word of Truth for being that by which any is made able spiritually to understand the mind of God which the Apostle saith cannot be attained to by the words which mans wisdome teacheth all which these excellencies are said to be â—or 2.13 So that by Humane Learning I do here understand that whereby certain men do excell and are far above and beyond other ordinary men and in this sense do I understand that the Councel judged Peter and John to be no such learned men Act. 4.13 For we in common speech do oppose a learned man to one that otherwise can read and write in his own Tongue though he do not understand the grounds of his own speech as the other man that is learned doth as may appear by the Book called the English Schoolmaster and so such learning do I not conceive to be here meant which I conclude for these reasons 1. Because that then Peter must of necessity condemn himself 1 Reason for he was a man that in the b Act. 4.13 Councels knowledge was such an unlearned
word of the Lord is fulfilled and men see it not and this you know the Scripture in sundry places makes the depth of a judgement as in Hosea Ephraim is said to have here and there gray hairs and yet he saw them not and in this we know was the strength of that z 2 Thes 2.11 great Judgement that men should confidently take lyes for truth this is there made the depth of their woe And the like is manifested * 1 Tim. 4.2 elswhere by the same Apostle declaring That though they speak lies yet they were so scared in their consciences as that they felt nor feared no danger that they were in no more then the man that lying drunk did though he lay sleeping on the top of the Mast and so ready to be drowned yet he feared it not Pro. 23.34 35. Woe to those men that take darknesse for light and live in the smoak of the worldly Temples and yet such is the case the Sun and the Ayr being darkened their condition must needs be wofull and yet this is the case of the Inhabitants of the earth that they cannot be brought to believe but that they are in a very good case though that the light of the glorious Gospel which is the Image of God do not shine unto them as a 2 Cor. 4 4.6 saith the Apostle Now that by which this Sun is said to be darkened is the smoak of the bottomlesse Pit and that we shall find to be the glory and power of the false Church called by the name of the Bottomlesse Pit And that this may the better appear we find many b Isa 6.4 2 King 8.11 12. with 15. Rev. 8. places in the Scriptures manifesting the glory of God and his power to be his smoak Now because God hath smoak in his Temple so hath Gods Adversary in his Temple also or rather his bottomlesse Pit After his smoak in Rev. 9 2 3. there follows power and if you look in the 7.8 and 9. verses there is their glory and it doth further appear by the thirteenth Chapter and the third verse that it was so great power and glory as that all the world wondered and admired it and yet this Iesus Christ â—ccounts a great woe and plague to them now part of this woe Rev. 16 10 11. I believe is this learning which we have here in question for as we have before manifested the Sun light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ allows not for the glory of Christs Doctrine is that it is of the Spirits teaching 2 Cor. 3 12. for when we behold the glory of the Lord in the most perfect measure so as we are changed thereinto from glory to glory yet all is from the Spirit of the Lord seeing that he is the promised Comforter that is to teach us all good things belonging to our perfection Then it must needs follow that is a smoaky power and glory flowing from the Kingdom of Satan and so a part of the Taile that c Rev. 12.4 the Dragon drew the Stars withall after him And hence comes it to passe that now instead of the Spirits teaching 2 Pet. 2.1 according to Peters Prophesie here are a generation that do arise 1 Tim. 4.2 which privily bring in damnable errors and so for that end forsaking the Spirit of Truth they speak lies through hypocrisie As Paul also witnesseth they should do pretending now that the true and right way for understanding the Scriptures and mind of God was that men for that end must learn a part from others only for that work and so to be taught in Tongues and divers Languages and have their wits exercised in Arts and Sciences humane and so such a flourish bears this in mans conceit as that it seems the only way that can be for a man to be made fit for this work so that before while the Angels kept their station in heaven the Spirits simple teaching was judged sufficient without these things for this work they now being fallen from thence to the earth and having the key of the bottomlesse Pit Rev. 9.4 thence it being opened now ariseth up d See John Bale on Re. 9.1 Plato and Aristotle and a multitude more of Heathen Phylosophers * Phylosophers are the Angels that hinder the Spirits four winds to blow on the four corners of the earth These are the four Angels that stand on the four corners of the earth holding the four Winds that they should not blow on the earth neither on the Sea neither on any Tree as being those that have the whole power of preaching in their hand not suffering any to blow but who they please and so do withhold the truth in unrighteousnesse declaring thereby they be under the wrath of God and they seem to yeeld these starry Principles very fitting in their own understanding better to furnish them with fitnesse to open the mind of God Rev. 7.1 then his Spirit can do Rom. 1.18 whereas before when as the perfect teachings of the holy Sâ—â—â— was in force these men of all others were by reason of them learning and wisdome the most unutterablest men that were in the world for the receiving of the truth as appears by the testimony of Luke Acts 1.18 and is not yet for all the great Sun-light of the glorious Gospel of Christ which these men professe they have these black smoaky principles still so stifly stood for as that there is no removing of men from the high conceit that they have of them And doth not this sufficiently declare as the Apostle saith That God hath blinded the minds of men 2 Cor. 4.4 John 9.41 so as they cannot see but are so much the blinder because they say they see And hence came it to passe that I for mentioning Plato and Aristotle Object and such like was demanded how I came by the knowledge of that if not by Humane Learning with contempt cast upon it as if that which I had from them being Humane learned men was of it self sufficient to overthrow the matter which I had there delivered Answ I answered then as I do still it was none other but as Paul mentioned to the Athenians their own Poets Acts 17. and yet for all that he was as great an enemy to Humane Learning as I and greater too And it is to be minded as I have before declared that I do not oppose the knowledge of humane things nor yet deny but that we may be acquainted with their sayings as the Apostle himself and our Saviour was yea and that sometimes we make use of them too as occasion requires as I have done here though sparingly and but seldome and when it is that it be of great use as it was at those three times that Paul did use them and no more that I remember in all the Scripture Now this you see the Spirit teacheth Acts 17.28 1 Cor. 15.33
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
words declare Lest saith he I should make the Crosse of none effect And again I Brethren saith he when I come unto you came not with the y 1 Cor 2 1â— excellency of words or of wisdom shewing unto the Councell of God but frees himself from it denying that his preaching stood in the z Verse 4. inticing speech of mans wisdome but on the contrary in the plain evidence and demonstration of the Spirit And afterwards he gives the a Verse 5. reason for it that their Faith should not be in the wisdome of men by which it seems it is subject so to be if that were used And so we finde that indeed it is and not in the power of God by the plain demonstration of the Spirit And though in all this one would think the Apostle had said enough in this matter for the manner of the delivering of the truth yet for all this he hath not done with it but minds it yet b 1 Cor. 2.13 again saying Which things as we know them so we also speak not with words which mans wisdome teacheth And so again c 1 Cor. 4.19 slâ—ghtly passeth over the words of the false Teachers as not worth the knowing or regarding therefore he saith When he comes he will know not their words but their power And so againe he condiscends to the false Teachers so far as to confesse that he was d 1 Cor. 11.6 rude in speaking but not so in knowledge By all which places it plainly appears â—hat mans wisdome is to be rejected even in speaking the Word of God and that none are to affect any excellency that way but to content themselves even with the use of the naturall abilities they have without any art or skill in learning further Object 4 But Apollo is said to be an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 Answ And so doubtlesse was Paul and Moses and those mentioned in Acts 19. and yet as I have before manifested that when as all these came to receive the Faith they left forsook â—nd contemned all that so do I believe was it here with this â—an that when as he came to be taught further in the knowâ—edge of Christ that he then became more and more suitable â—o the rudenesse and simplicity of preaching the Gospel as well â—s Paul for never afterwards do we read that he was comâ—ended by that term for such manner of excellency was â—roper to the Law and not to the Gospel in any degree But â—â—condly take it for granted that he persisted in his eloâ—uence yet it appeares that it was such as he had obtained â—â—â—y being mighty in the Scriptures And this also further justifies a former Answer that the Scripture alone is sufficient to furnish us with expression So now the point remaining true for all this That men destitute of the Spirit having Humane Learning doe pervert the Scriptures to their owne destruction This in the first place may teach Vse 1 All men that are without Gods Spirit how wise and learned otherwise they seeme to be to beware of medling with the Scriptures it is the worst work that possibly they can undertake for in so doing they meddle with that in which they have no skill and so wound themselves for it is a sharp two edged sword and they having no skill to handle it to be sure it will dangerously wound them to their own destruction but seeing the truth is so as that they have neither eares to heare nor hearts to understand it therefore I will thus passe it over and Vse 2 In the next place take notice that such persons without Gods Siprit what ever they be else yet they be both unlearned and unstable men according to the mind of God so the e 1 Cor. 14.24 unbeliever is called of Paul an unlearned man and so much in effect f Jam 1 6 7 8 James tells us of a Faithlesse mans inconstancy that he is tost about like a wave and is unstable in all his ways of Religion for indeed wanting the Spirit to establish him he is driven hither and thither of every blast and breath of mans wisdome and so much experience without any more Scriptures daily proves upon every change of Orders and Ordinances of Religon how confident have many wise worldly leaâ—ned men been of their stability for being brought to yeeld to this or that when as the raging wave of the Sea hath roared but a little how have these men fallen from their supposed stabilitie and sledfastnsse so that instances I need not name every ones small experience can bring forth enough but from all this there is given us to see the Scriptures fulfilled before our eyes for our confirmation and their just convicton Vse 3 Now in the next place I will manifest in some few particulars how these learned men but according to Peters intent unlearned men doe pervert the Scriptures making their interpretations as carnall as themselves for when as thâ— Scriptures speak of learning and so by it doe for the mosâ— part commend unto us the learning of the Spirit of Truth aâ— before we have seene from this Text and many more places these persons presently apply them to Humane Learning and the Texts are all by them wrested and perverted and in this kinde many instances might further be alledged First concerning the Church whereas the Scriptures doe Authorize Christians to gather themselves together in Christs name and-so have the g Mat. 18.20 promise of Gods presence in so doing This they presently deny to be the intent of the place and say it is to be meant of two or three come together in performance of prayer or such like contrary to the scope of the place which treats only of such as are in Church Order and have committed to them the power of binding and loosing which the promise of Christ Jesus his approving of the same by them and besides where in the Scriptures is Christ Jesus said to be in the midst of any but his h Levit. 16.11 12. 2 Cor. 7.16 Ps 132.13.14 Rev. 13.1 Rev. 2.1 Churches And further whereas the Scriptures speake of the Church Temple and House of God applying these sayings to beleevers and such as are i 2 Cor. 6.16 with Heb. 3.6 with 1 Pet. 2.5 buâ—lded upon Christ by faith these they rest and pervert in applying these titles to their houses of lime and stone calling them the houses of God and Temples for him to dwell in though the Scriptures be plain to the contrary as Stephen declared to the k Act 7.47.28.50 Councel long agoe and that from the Testimony of the l Isay 66.1 Prophet long before and so our m Iohn 4.21 Saviour himselfe to the woman of Samaria denying for the time to come any such places as the Jews and Samaritans doted on but tells her and us that spirituall service in n Mat. 18.20 any place as