Seven treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holy Scriptures, leading…Seuen treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holie Scriptures, leading…

But yet this I say, that many which have them, have not therewith that §Ewhich giveth an edge to them, and which maketh them profitable, sweet, and precious both to themselves and others: they have not the salt of grace,¹ which only maketh them savoury, nor the love which only maketh them fit to edify (whereas knowledge without it, pusseth up, and the tongues of Angels to express it, were but as a tinkling cymbal:) Neither have they eye-salve to see that, except in humility they be content, yea glad to be led in their daily conversation by the light and help of the same; they have no other fruit ⟨p. 150⟩of it then earthly and transitory: in ostentation, and comparing with others,§F to disgrace them, and to be counted great masters when they attain to great applause; when yet indeed many of them have not the sweet fruit of it themselves, nor show that amiable use of it to others, as some mean country men which labour faithfully to make conscience of that which they know. And I say with the Psalmist, that he who hath fewer gifts of understanding, so as he live after them which he hath, is wiser then they: for thus he saith: Thou hast made me wiser then my teachers, ²then the ancient, or men of experience, because I have kept thy commandments. Therefore with the Wise man I conclude, that the delighting in this spiritual knowledge, which I have spoken of, is one special thing, necessary to the leading of a godly and upright life; without §Gthe which the mind is not good, and consequently the life cannot be approved:³ so that they, who care but little for knowledge to guide them, have as small pleasure in the godly life, whatsoever they think of themselves: to the shame of such I speak it,⁴ who say in their hearts, they know enough for their parts (for if they knew more, they must follow more.)