Downame - Houston-Packer Collection BX5133.D76 C552 1611 v.2

Reafonsmouingtothe contempt ofvnjruitfullknowledge. 4; fhould bepuffed vp in pride, or negle&ing'his more excel- lent gifts,they fhould (et their heartson em,butthatthey fhould vfe them to the glorieof hinr,who bellowed them and the good of the Church and Common-wealth; anj therefore iftheyabufe them to contrary ends, theLord will take away from them his gifts; or ifheefuffer them to haue the vfe ofthem,it fhall be tobringvpon them a moreheauy judgement, and to increafc their condemnation at theday ofhis general( affiifes,for their great abufe ofhisrich talents. Finally,let them remember that thefeworldlySciences ferue but to procure vnto them fume temporarie profit or ad- uancement,which isbut of (mall worth,and ofmomentanie continuance;and therefore they fhall Phewextreame follie if they morehighlyef}eeme,and take more care, and fpend more labour, incompafling thefe tranfitorie trifles, then in attaining vnto the vnualuable riches ofGods grace, and 'that eternall waight ofglorie, and vnfpeakeable happineffe inhiskingdome. CHAP. XII. That vnfruitfull knowledge ofGodand his time religion it vaineandvnprofitable. Nd thus much concerning worldlySciences, Secs. t. and the reafonswhichmay moue vs to con- knowledgeof temne them, when they come in compari- Godand his Ion withGods diuiner gifts, or hinder vs in truthinit feife attaining his fpirituall graces,orioyes ofhis an extelient kingdome. The other kinde of fcience, which I propoun- eilábeto'thee ÿ ded to fpeake of, is theknowledge ofGod, and of thedo- abufe ofwerid- &riue ofhis true religion,which in his word hehathreuei- /ings. led vnto vs. The which in it (elfe is an excellent gift and 'graceofGods fpirit,and farre to be preferred before world- ly fciences, humane learning, yeaaboue all meerely moral! andciuill venues ; as being that fplirituall light which gui- deth vs in the pathsofrighteoufneffe,that leade vs toGods kingdome, and the very groundand foundationofall fan- H 4 diifying

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