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

2. How foolish are they that cry down knowledge, and consequently cry up ignorance? Make that the mother of devotion, which is indeed the Parent of irreligion? as if they were like to do most, who know least, as if they were the best servants, who were least acquainted with their Master's will; or might be wise to Salvation and yet ignorant of the truth. Others there are too, who under the name of Head-knowledge do upon the matter cry down all knowledge, at least which themselves have not reached, and care not for seeking after. Because some men have only a notional knowledge, floating in their heads, these persons are ready to condemn all knowledge under that notion. They have got a fine word by the end, and are resolved to make much of it. A form of speech they have taken up, as a way of excusing their own sloth and ignorance, by declaiming against those that are better taught. Heart-knowledge without Head-knowledge is nonsense in divinity as well as reason: it is but fire without light, and so at the best but that which the Apostle ascribes to the Jews, Rom. 10.2. A zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

2. How foolish are they that cry down knowledg, and consequently cry up ignorance? Make that the mother of devotion, which is indeed the Parent of irreligion? as if they were like to do most, who know least, as if they were the best servants, who were least acquainted with their Master's will; or might be wise to Salvation and yet ignorant of the truth. Others there are too, who under the name of Head-knowledg do upon the matter cry down all knowledg, at least vvhich themselves have not reached, and care not for seeking after. Because some men have only a notional knowledg, floating in their heads, these persons are ready to condemn all knowledg under that notion. They have got a fine word by the end, and are resolved to make much of it. A form of speech they have taken up, as a way of excusing their own sloth and ignorance, by declaiming against those that are better taught. Heart-knowledg without Head-knowledg is nonsence in divinity as well as reason: it is but fire without light, and so at the best but that which the Apostle ascribes to the Jews, Rom. 10.2. A zeal of God, but not according to knowledg.