1. Diligence maketh a rough way plain and easy: here keep an even course, and persevere without weariness or starting from it.
2. With diligence desire to join wisdom: for choice of matter what, of order how, of time when, to read. For matter search things revealed, and hunt not after things not revealed. In things revealed, seek after things most necessary, and then* things less necessary. For order, first desire to lay the foundation of Christian religion, then build upon it, as God gives thee increase of faith and knowledge. For time, we must not read always, but keep our appointed times. The Sabbath day we may sp••d a great part of it in reading▪ the n•••• days, in the morning, at noon, and evening, when we may redeem▪ the day from the works of our calling.
3. Again, a due preparation is required: whereunto appertain: first the fear of Gods mai•s••• w•ich serves well to correct the pride of reason and to subdue our •ff•ctions, •nd so to fit us for2 the ch•le of Christ▪ Secondly▪ faith in Christ, for that he alone op•••th •ur understanding, that we may understand the Scriptures. Thirdly▪ great desire in the heart […] upon the good word of God.
4. The fourth property is meditation, which is the life of all good learning, and makes that we have heard to be our own: and this is two-fold: first of the mind or understanding, discoursing of things read or heard. Secondly, of the affection, when liking any thing in judgement, we labour that it may work also upon our affections. Here this rule is to be noted, that meditation without reading •• c•r•neous, and reading without meditation, barren.
5. The fifth help here is conference. For if in natural things, and in all things appertaining to this life man standeth in need of the help of other men, much more in spiritual things.
6. The sixth property after reading, meditation▪ and conference is faith which he requires as an increase of that aforegoing preparation. We must believe in Jesus Christ by a general faith going before: but we must use (saith he) all the means before named, to increase our knowledge and faith in all particulars after.
7. The seventh is practise: for this is a good way to increase our store, to put to good use that mediocrity of knowledge, and gifts we have received.
1. Diligence maketh a rough way plaine and easie: here keepe an euen course, and perseuere without wearines or starting from it.
2. With diligence desire to ioyne wisedome: for choise of matter what, of order how, of time when, to reade. For matter search things reuealed, and hunt not after things not reuealed. In things reuealed, seeke after things most necessarie, and then* things lesse necessarie. For order, first desire to lay the foundation of Christian religion, then build vpon it, as God giues thee increase of faith and knowledge. For time, we must not reade alwaies, but keepe our appointed times. The Sabbath day we may sp••d a great part of it in reading▪ the n•••• daies, in the morning, at noone, and euening, when we may redeem▪ the day from the workes of our calling.
3. Againe, a due preparation is required: whereunto appertaine: first the feare of Gods mai•s••• w•ich serues well to correct the pride of reason and to subdue our •ff•ctions, •nd so to fit vs for2 the ch•le of Christ▪ Secondly▪ faith in Christ, for that he alone op•••th •ur vnderstanding, that we may vnderstand the Scriptures. Thirdly▪ great desire in the heart 〈…〉 vpon the good word of God.
4. The fourth propertie is meditation, which is the life of all good learning, and makes that we haue heard to be our owne: and this is two-fold: first of the minde or vnderstanding, discoursing of things read or heard. Secondly, of the affection, when liking any thing in iudgement, we labour that it may worke also vpon our affections. Here this rule is to be noted, that meditation without reading •• c•r•neous, and reading without meditation, barren.
5. The fifth helpe here is conference. For if in naturall things, and in all things appertaining to this life man standeth in neede of the helpe of other men, much more in spirituall things.
6. The sixt propertie after reading, meditation and conference is faith which he requires as an increase of that aforegoing preparation. We must beleeue in Iesus Christ by a generall faith going before: but we must vse (saith he) all the meanes before named, to increase our knowledge and faith in all particulars after.
7. The seuenth is practise: for this is a good way to increase our store, to put to good vse that mediocritie of knowledge, and gifts we haue receiued.
- *GenealogiesG••ealogies
- 2Luk •4. 45.
