Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

98 Reafonsmouing to thecontempt ofworldylearning. who more learned then thofe great Clerkes, andprofound Do&ors,which vphold(vpon the firength of their fhoulders) thedeclining Monarchic of theBabylonifh Antichril, and yet who more licentious in their lines? who more malicious oppofers againfi the kingdome and truth of Iefus Chrifi? who more crueli pert-centers of theSaints ofGod ? But let vs defcend to more particulars, this worldly learning doth not at all inlighten our minds with falling knowledge, nor in- richeth ourvndcrflanding with fpirituall wildome ; as may alto appeare by the formerexamples; for there was neuer a. ny in their times excelled thofe before named in thislear. ping; and neuer any more blindly ignorant,euen in the rudi- ments and firfi principles of true religion. In which refpe&, they may fitly be compared to Batter and Ovules, which fee very acutelyin the darke,but are dim - lighted andpur-blind when the Sun= fhineth:fo thefe remaining in natural dark - neffe, fee very cleerely the vnprofitable and nice quiddities ofvaine Philofophie,but when the light of the Gofpel deer - Iy fhineth, they are not therebyinlightned, for their Owle. like eyes cannot endure this brightnes,neither doth it helpe their fight,but makes them morepur-blind then before. So alto it dothnot profit vs for the attaining of faith,yea rather itconfirmeth and encreafeth naturali infidelitie ; forwhereas Nebr.!x.r. faith id of thingsnot ( eene,and not groundedonlènfe,but refl. eth vpon Gods word and promifes, as being truth it felfe which cannot deceiue, there learned world!ings credit no more then they fee,nor beleeue any thing which may not be demonfirared bythe rules ofthcir learning. And for this we haue the Pharifies reflimonie againfi themfelucs, where fpeaking to their feruants,who were afionill ed with Chrifis john 9.qß. do&rine, theydemand,ifanv of the 'Riders and P hart firs k. ¡roue inChrtft? But (fay they) this people that know not the law are curfed,And fo we !hall find that the do&rine offaith Aß.17.r8.32. taught by the Apofile `Paul, was neuer more vnprofitable and vnfruitfull, then among the Athenians, neuer more op- poled, normore derided, nor euer fewer in any placebyfo much preaching conuerted to the faith, then among thefe learnedPhilofophers.The like might be laid ofall other fan - @ifying