1. The Might and Diligence here required, excludeth not the necessity of Deliberation and Prudent conduct. Otherwise, the faster▪ you go, the further you may go out of the way; and mis-guided zeal may spoil all the work, and make it but an injury to others or your selves. A little imprudence in the season, and order and manner of a Duty, sometimes may spoil it, and hinder the success, & make it do more hurt then good. How many a Sermon, or Prayer, or reproof, is made the matter of derision, and contempt, for some imprudent passages or deportment? God sendeth not his servants to be jesters of the world, or to play the mad-men, as David in his fears: We must be wise and innocent, as well as resolute and valiant: Though fleshly and worldly ⟨p. 23⟩wisdom be not desirable, as being but foolishness with God; yet the wisdom which is from above, & is first pure, and then peaceable, and is acquainted with the high and hidden mysteries, and is justified of her children, must be the Guide of all our holy actions. Holiness is not blind: Illumination is the first part of Sanctification. Believers are Children of the light. Nothing requireth so much wisdom as the matters of God, and of our Salvation. Folly is most unsuitable to such excellent employments, and most unbeseeming the sons of the most High. It is a spirit of wisdom that animateth all the Saints, 1 Cor. 3. 19. & 2. 6, 7. Ephes. 1. 8, 17. Col. 3. 16. It is the treasures of wisdom that dwell in Christ, & are communicated to his members, Col. 2. 3. We must walk in wisdom toward them that are without, Col. 4. 5. And our works must be shown out of a good Conversation, with meekness of wisdom, Jam. 3. 13. Yet I must needs say, that its more in great ⟨p. 24⟩things then in small, in the substance then the circumstances; in a sound judgement and estimate of things, and suitable choir & prosecution, then in fine expressions, or deportment answering proud mens expectations.
1. The Might and Diligence here required, excludeth not the necessity of Deliberation and Prudent conduct. Otherwise, the faster▪ you go, the further you may go out of the way; and mis-guided zeal may spoil all the work, and make it but an injury to others or your selves. A little imprudence in the season, and order and manner of a Duty, sometimes may spoil it, and hinder the success, & make it do more hurt then good. How many a Sermon, or Prayer, or reproof, is made the matter of derision, and contempt, for some imprudent passages or deportment? God sendeth not his servants to be jesters of the world, or to play the mad-men, as David in his fears: We must be wise and innocent, as well as resolute and valiant: Though fleshly and worldly ⟨p. 23⟩wisdom be not desirable, as being but foolishness with God; yet the wisdom which is from above, & is first pure, and then peaceable, and is acquainted with the high and hidden mysteries, and is justified of her children, must be the Guide of all our holy actions. Holiness is not blind: Illumination is the first part of Sanctification. Believers are Children of the light. Nothing requireth so much wisdom as the matters of God, and of our Salvation. Folly is most unsuitable to such excellent imployments, and most unbeseeming the sons of the most High. It is a spirit of wisdom that animateth all the Saints, 1 Cor. 3. 19. & 2. 6, 7. Ephes. 1. 8, 17. Col. 3. 16. It is the treasures of wisdom that dwell in Christ, & are communicated to his members, Col. 2. 3. We must walk in wisdom toward them that are without, Col. 4. 5. And our works must be shewn out of a good Conversation, with meekness of wisdom, Jam. 3. 13. Yet I must needs say, that its more in great ⟨p. 24⟩things then in small, in the substance then the circumstances; in a sound judgement and estimate of things, and suitable choire & prosecution, then in fine expressions, or deportment answering proud mens expectations.
