Reafonsmowingvs to thecontempt o fvnfruitfulllnowledge. aps lyvfeofthat we know in true obedience) is not at all to be efteemed ofvs, but to be vtterly defpifed and contemned : firil, becaufe it is in it felfe armworth or exceilencie : le- condly,becaufe tovs it isvnprofitable : thirdly, becaufe it is hurtful! and pernicious. For the firil, this idle knowledge which is in wotldlings,is ofnoworth or excellencie,becaufe it is iinperfeandbut adimme fhadow,in comparifonofthe dearelight; forthat we knowis nothing in comparifonof that wcknownot; neitherdowe fee thefe few things with the cleare eyeofadiflindlvnderflanding,but (as theApoflle , , CorI t2 fpeakcth) as it were in a glaffe dimmely and darkely; and 3' when wee thinke that wee loare an high pitch above o- thers,wedo in truthbut creepe vpon the earth; orifat all we arecaried aloft,it is inopinion only,and that with thewings ofpridc and felfe-loue, and not of knowledge and vnder- (landing. For ifeucn the Apofilehimfelfe, who had an ex- ceedingmeafureofknowledge in comparifon ofvs, being from his childhood brought vp in the (ludicofthe Scrip- tures, andofotherlearning, and after his calling, notónely extraordinarily inlightned with the illumination ofGods Spirit; but alto had recciued fromGod (as-himfelfefaith) a- a.Corat.7, bundance ofreuelations; did neuertheleffe confe% iu'his owne and others behalfe, that theydidknowbut inpart; and x.Cor.13.9.t%. that they snownothingat theyought to know, who haue a con- r.Cor.8.2.. ceit that theyknow any thing:thenwhat fliaiwe thinke ofour' felues, who are but pur-blind in comparifon of his cleare fight ; androughly ignorant in refpeét of his great know-` ledgeandvnderflanding? Ifthe wife cigar complaineth thathe had not thevnderftandtngofa man in him, and that Prou.3o.a.3; he bad learnedsoi fdome, xorattained to theknowledge o f ho- ly things: then furelywewho come fo farre fhort ofhim,may iufllyacknowledge that we are in the number of thofe, wbo arebealtsb7 theirowneknowledge,as theProphet leremie fpea- Ierero.ro.r4 keth.And ifwewould know untowhatbeafl we may fitly' compare and liken our felues, in refpebìofournaturallig- norance offpirituall things; it is not the fubtileDog,thewi- Iie Fox, or the vnderflanding Ape, but asZophar telleth vs; we areherein like the wilde Affe colt, which of all other beafis
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