The arrogancy of reason against divine revelations, repressed

Fifthly, And there is also much Diligence necessary, as well as time and patience, before men ca• come to so much understanding in the heavenly Mysteries, as to be able to resolve the difficulties that occur. If you stay never so long in Christs School, and yet be Truants and Loiterers, and will not take pains; no wonder if you remain ignorant. And yet these men will expect, that they should know all things, and be satisfied in the answer of every Objection, or else they will suspect the Truths of Christ. Will sitting still in Christs School, help you to learning? do you look that he should teach you, when you will not take pains to learn what he teacheth? You know in Law, in Physic, in the knowledge of any of the Sciences or Languages, no man can come to understand them, much less to defend them against all opposers, and to resolve all Objections, without so long diligence and pains taking in his Studies, as the greatness of the work requires. And shall every young lazy Student in Theology, or every dull, unlearned Professor, think to see through all Scripture difficulties so easily? or else will he suspect the Truth which he should learn? It may be you have been Professors of Christianity long; but have you studied the Scriptures day and night, and consulted with men of judgment in such things, and diligently read the writings ⟨p. 33⟩that should unfold them to you, and held on in this way, till you came to a ripeness of understanding, and ability to defend the truth against gain-sayers? If not, what wonder, if every difficulty do puzzle you, after all your unprofitable duties and profession.

Fifthly, And there is also much Diligence necessary, as well as time and patience, before men ca• come to so much understanding in the heavenly Mysteries, as to be able to resolve the difficulties that occur. If you stay never so long in Christs School, and yet be Truants and Loyterers, and will not take pains; no wonder if you remain ignorant. And yet these men will expect, that they should know all things, and be satisfied in the answer of every Objection, or else they will suspect the Truths of Christ. Will sitting still in Christs School, help you to learning? do you look that he should teach you, when you will not take pains to learn what he teacheth? You know in Law, in Physick, in the knowledge of any of the Sciences or Languages, no man can come to understand them, much less to defend them against all opposers, and to resolve all Objections, without so long diligence and pains taking in his Studies, as the greatness of the work requires. And shall every yong lazy Student in Theology, or every dull, unlearned Professor, think to see through all Scripture difficulties so easily? or else will he suspect the Truth which he should learn? It may be you have been Professors of Christianity long; but have you studied the Scriptures day and night, and consulted with men of judgment in such things, and diligently read the writings