The scorner) that is very sinful, and contemptuous persons: (for it is a collective, and meant of all, or at least of divers ⟨p. 86⟩of them) seeketh wisdom, by wisdom we may understand the true knowledge of Gods holy will, and where it is said, the scorners seek it, the meaning is, that some of them make show of seeking, and seem so to do, being present at those means, and outwardly dealing in those exercises, whereby others truly seek, & effectually find knowledge. And as these use the means without any desire of having wisdom, so others would have it, but contemn all those means whereby it is offered, and to be received, trusting to their own wit, and carnal reason. And a third sort seek it, and are willing to have it, and at the ministers hands would gladly obtain it, but only upon their death beds, or in great extremities, not in love to God, or sincere affection to his word, or in holy liking of his graces, but only in terror and passion, that they might escape hell and damnation: or the present dangers wherein they stand. Hereof the Prophet speaketh in the Psalm, saying, When he flew them, they sought him, and they returned 1and sought God early. But they flattered him with their mouth, and dissembled with him with their tongue. For their heart was not upright with him, neither were they faithful in his covenant. And therefore being so affected it is not str••ng• that their success is no better. For though our Saviour say, that every one which seeketh 2findeth, yet it is to be understood of every such one as seeketh faithfully, and in due manner. But knowledge is easy to him that is prudent. We must not so conceive of these words, as though men of understanding could increase their wisdom and graces without industry and pains taking, but that when they have used diligence in the exercise of Gods ordinances, they may know for certainty that they shall speed well, and be stored with all such graces, as will lead them to life everlasting. And therefore we see the sense of this sentence expressed in the second chapter of this book. If thou callest after knowledge, and criest for understanding 3if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for treasures, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
THe scorner) that is very sinfull, and contemptuous persons: (for it is a collectiue, and meant of all, or at leaste of diuers ⟨p. 86⟩of them) seeketh wisedome, by wisedome we may vnderstand the true knowledge of Gods holy will, and where it is said, the scorners seeke it, the meaning is, that some of them make shew of seeking, and seeme so to do, being present at those meanes, and outwardly dealing in those exercises, whereby others truely seeke, & effectually find knowledge. And as these vse the meanes without any desire of hauing wisedome, so others would haue it, but contemne all those meanes whereby it is offered, and to be receiued, trusting to their owne wit, and carnall reason. And a third sort seeke it, and are willing to haue it, and at the ministers hands would gladly obtaine it, but only vpon their death beds, or in great extremities, not in loue to God, or sincere affection to his word, or in holy liking of his graces, but only in terrour and passion, that they might escape hell and damnation: or the present dangers wherein they stand. Hereof the Prophet speaketh in the Psalme, saying, When he flew them, they sought him, and they returned 1and sought God earlie. But they flattered him with their mouth, and dissembled with him with their tongue. For their heart was not vpright with him, neither were they faithfull in his couenant. And therefore being so affected it is not str••ng• that their successe is no better. For though our Sauiour say, that euerie one which seeketh 2findeth, yet it is to be vnderstood of euery such one as seeketh faithfully, and in due manner. But knowledge is easie to him that is prudent. We must not so conceiue of these words, as though men of vnderstanding could increase their wisedome and graces without industry and paines taking, but that when they haue vsed diligence in the exercise of Gods ordinances, they may know for certainty that they shall speede well, and be stored with all such graces, as will lead them to life euerlasting. And therefore we see the sence of this sentence expressed in the second chapter of this booke. If thou callest after knowledge, and criest for vnderstanding 3if thou seekest her as siluer, and searchest for her as for treasures, then shalt thou vnderstand the feare of the Lord, and finde the knowledge of God.
- 1Psal. 78. 34▪ 36
- 2Mat. 7. 8.
- 3Prou. 2. 3. 4. 5.
