HE goes on still in rebuking such as could not be reclaimed by any persuasion whatsoever, who shut the gate against all good counsel and holy admonitions which are made unto them. Lastly, he pronounceth a woe against all desperate contemners, who oppose and set the lusts of their flesh, or the perverse confidence of their own wisdom, against God his doctrine, and admonitions. And not only reproves those which are so puffed up with a false opinion of their wit, that they are ashamed to learn of others: but he also condemns all such in general, who being wise in their own conceit, refuse to hear God speaking, and to obey his holy counsels. This vice hath been too common in all times, and is to be seen at this day in many: who although they make conscience to reject all the doctrine of godliness openly, yet are so far off from any true teachableness and obedience, that they proudly reject whatsoever likes them not. They grant there ought to be some bridle to hold them in: but on the other side, arrogance so blinds them that they quickly murmur against God, when he shows them but the way wherein they should walk. And not content with that; but with furious indignation gnash their teeth when any reproveth that which they do. For where shall we find that man who renouncing all his own reason, will be ready to learn, from God his mouth only? Now there is not a more dangerous pestilence then this lying show of wisdom, seeing teachableness is the beginning of godliness; when renouncing our own wisdom, we go thither where God calls us. But this false persuasion, is not condemned only, for that it makes men disobedient to God, and so causeth their ruin: but also because it is intolerable in it self.1 For we must become fools, if we will be the disciples of God. It is also certain, that wheresoever this modesty and humility bears not sway, by means whereof men do voluntarily yield their obedience; there reigns a furious rebellion. In their own eyes, is as much as when we say in our French tongue, In their own opinion, or conceit.
HE goes on still in rebuking such as could not bee reclaimed by any perswasion whatsoeuer, who shut the gate against all good counsell and holy admonitions which are made vnto them. Lastly, he pronounceth a woe against all desperate contemners, who oppose and set the lusts of their flesh, or the peruerse confidence of their owne wisedome, against God his doctrine, and admonitions. And not onely reprooues those which are so puffed vp with a false opinion of their wit, that they are ashamed to learne of others: but he also condemnes all such in generall, who being wise in their owne conseit, refuse to heare God speaking, and to obey his holie counsels. This vice hath been too common in all times, and is to be seene at this day in many: who although they make conscience to reiect all the doctrine of godlines openly, yet are so farre off from any true teachablenes and obedience, that they proudly reiect whatsoeuer likes them not. They grant there ought to be some bridle to hold them in: but on the otherside, arrogancie so blinds them that they quickly murmure against God, when he shewes them but the way wherein they should walke. And not content with that; but with furious indignation gnash their teeth when any reprooueth that which they doe. For where shall we finde that man who renouncing all his owne reason, will bee readie to learne, from God his mouth onely? Now there is not a more dangerous pestilence then this lying shew of wisedome, seeing teachablenes is the beginning of godlines; when renouncing our owne wisedome, we goe thither where God calles vs. But this false perswasion, is not condemned onely, for that it makes men disobedient to God, and so causeth their ruine: but also because it is intollerable in it selfe.1 For we must become fooles, if we will be the disciples of God. It is also certaine, that wheresoeuer this modestie and humilitie beares not sway, by meanes whereof men do voluntarily yeeld their obedience; there reignes a furious rebellion. In their owne eies, is as much as when we say in our French tongue, In their owne opinion, or conceit.
- 11. Cor. 3.18.
