Fifty Godly and Learned Sermons (The Decades)

Last of all, let especial heed be taken ⟨p. 20⟩in hearing and learning. For saith Solomon, If thou wilt seek after wisdom as after gold, thou shalt obtain it. Again he saith, The searcher out of Gods majesty shall be overwhelmed by his wonderful glory. And again he saith, Seek not things too high for thee, neither go about to search out things above thy strength: but what God hath commanded thee, that think thou always on: and be not over curious to know his infinite works, for it is not expedient for thee to see his hidden secrets with thine eyes. Whereupon the Apostle Paul saith, Let no man think arrogantly of him self, but so think that he may be modest and sober, according as God to every one hath given the measure of faith. And hereto belongeth that which the same Apostle saith, Knowledge puffeth up, but charity doth edify.

Last of all, let especial héede be takē ⟨p. 20⟩in hearing and learning. For saythe Solomon, If thou wilt seeke after wisdome as after golde, thou shalte obteine it. Againe he sayth, The searcher out of Gods maiestie shall be ouerwhelmed by his wonderfull glory. And againe he sayth, Seeke not things too highe for thee, neyther goe about to searche out things aboue thy strengthe: but what God hath commaunded thee, that thinke thou always on: and be not ouer curious to knowe his infinite workes, for it is not expedient for thee to see his hidden secrets with thine eyes. Wherevpon the Apostle Paul sayth, Let no man thinke arrogantly of him selfe, but so thinke that he may be modest and sober, according as God to euery one hath giuen the measure of fayth. And hereto belongeth that which the same Apostle saythe, Knowledge puffeth vp, but charitie doth edifie.

But chiefly we must beware of those plagues, which choke the seed ¹of the word of God, and quench it without any fruit at all in the hearts of the hearers. Those plagues and diseases hath the Lord rehearsed or reckoned up in the parable of the sower. For first of all, wanton and vain cogitations which always lye wide open to the inspirations of Satan, and talk of naughty men, are plagues to the word of God. Also voluptuous and dainty lovers of this world, who can not abide to suffer any affliction for Christ and his Gospel, do without any fruit at all hear Gods word, although they seem to give ear unto it very joyfully. Furthermore, the care of this world, and the deceit of riches, are most pestilent diseases in the hearers of the word of God. For they do not only hinder the seed that it can not bring forth fruit in their hearts, but also they do stir up and egg men forward to gainsay the word of God, and to afflict the earnest desirers of Gods word. Here therefore we must take heed diligently, lest being infected with these diseases, we become vain and unthankful hearers of the word of God. We must pray continually, that the bountiful and liberal Lord will vouchsafe to bestow on us his spirit, that by it the seed of Gods word may be quickened in our hearts, and that we, as holy and right hearers of his word may bear fruit abundantly to the glory of God, and the everlasting salvation of our own souls.