Theol. This is indeed a very broad gate, into ⟨p. 309⟩hell. For the Scripture saith: Seest thou a1 man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool then of such a one. And again, The fool is wiser in his own eyes, then seven men that can give a sensible reason. The holy ghost, we see, affirmeth, that such as are puffed up with an over-weening of their own gifts, are farthest of all other from the kingdom of Heaven. For they despise the wisdom of God, to their own destruction. They hold scorn to be taught. They will say, they know as much as all the Preachers can tell them. For, what can all the Preachers say more then this; We are all sinners, we must be saved by Christ; We must do as we would be done to? There is no more, but do well, and have well, &c. Alas poor souls, they look aloft: they are desperately haven up with conceitedness; not knowing that they are poor, naked, blind, & miserable.2
These men trust altogether to their own wit, learning, policy, riches, and great reputation in the world. And because all men crouch to them, and clap their hands at them, therefore they swell like Turkey Cocks, set up their feathers, & draw their wings upon the ground with a kind of snuff and disdain of all men: as if they were the only wights of the world. Moreover, when men do praise them for their gifts, soothe them, and applaud unto them, ⟨p. 310⟩then is it a wonder to see how they streak themselves; as though they would forthwith take their flight, and mount into the clouds. But let all insolent and conceited men hearken unto the woe that is pronounced against them, by the eternal King of glory, saying, Woe unto3 them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight. Again, let them hearken to the counsel of God, which saith, Trust unto4 the Lord, with all thy heart, but lean not unto thine own wisdom. Be not wise in thine own eyes: but fear God, and depart from evil. These silly conceited fools think, that because they have the cast of this life, and can cunningly compass the things of this world and go through-stitch with them, therefore they can compass heaven also by their fine wits, and deep devices. But, alas, poor wretches, they are greatly and grossly deceived. For the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God: and5 he catcheth the wise in their own craftiness.
Theol. This is indéed a very broad gate, into ⟨p. 309⟩hell. For the Scripture saith: Seest thou a1 man wise in his owne conceit? there is more hope of a foole then of such a one. And againe, The foole is wiser in his owne eies, then seuen men that can giue a sensible reason. The holy ghost, we sée, affirmeth, that such as are puft vp with an ouer-wéening of their owne gifts, are farthest of all other from the kingdome of Heauen. For they despise the wisedome of God, to their owne destruction. They hold scorne to bée taught. They will say, they know as much as all the Preachers can tell them. For, what can all the Preachers say more then this; We are all sinners, we must be saued by Christ; Wée must doe as we would be done to? There is no more, but doe well, and haue well, &c. Alas poore soules, they looke aloft: they are desperatly hauen vp with conceiptednesse; not knowing that they are poore, naked, blinde, & miserable.2
These men trust altogether to their owne wit, learning, policy, riches, and great reputation in the world. And because all men crouch to them, and clap their hands at them, therefore they swell like Turky Cocks, set vp their feathers, & draw their wings vpon the ground with a kinde of snuffe and disdaine of all men: as if they were the onely wights of the world. Moreouer, when men doe praise them for their gifts, soothe them, and applaud vnto them, ⟨p. 310⟩then is it a wonder to sée how they streake themselues; as though they would forthwith take their flight, and mount into the cloudes. But let all insolent and conceited men hearken vnto the woe that is pronounced against them, by the eternall King of glory, saying, Woe vnto3 them that are wise in their owne eyes, and prudent in their own sight. Againe, let them hearken to the counsel of God, which saith, Trust vnto4 the Lord, with all thy heart, but leane not vnto thine owne wisedome. Bee not wise in thine owne eies: but feare God, and depart from euill. These silly conceited fooles thinke, that because they haue the cast of this life, and can cunningly compasse the things of this world and goe through-stich with them, therefore they can compasse heauen also by their fine wits, and déepe deuices. But, alas, poore wretches, they are greatly and grossely deceiued. For the wisdome of the world is foolishnesse with God: and
- 1Pro. 26. 12. Pro. 26. 16.
- 2Reu. 3. 17.
- 3Esa. 5. 21.
- 4Prou. 3. 5.
- 51. Cor. 3. 19.
