A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

¹3. By how much the better capacities men have for the receiving of knowledge, so much the more (caeteris paribus) they are to know. They that have riper parts, quicker apprehensions, stronger memories, a deeper reach, should know more, than they that are naturally more weak, and less capable of learning. Although I suppose there be none that have the use of their reason, but they are capable of understanding so much of the things of God, as is absolutely needful to Salvation, and may be sufficient for the Salvation of them, in their circumstances; yet there is a vast difference between the abilities of several persons: and therefore men are not to take their measures for their enquiries after Spiritual things merely by the necessariness of the things themselves, but likewise by the abilities God hath given them. So that upon the whole, the better means and advantages in any kind men have for the gaining of knowledge, so much the more knowledge is required to be in them.

1. 1Rule.

¹4. By how much the more use men have for their knowledge, and by how much the more good they may do with it, so much the more knowledge will be expected of them. That knowledge which might do well in a private Christian, yet is not ordinarily sufficient for a Minister. That which would be much in the one, might be but little in the other. And that which might do well in a Child, would not be sufficient in a Parent or Master of a Family. They, that are to instruct others in the knowledge of God, ought themselves to be more abounding in it.

1. 1Rule.