Lastly, (For the differences I promised to speak to between fleshly wisdom, and heavenly wisdom, as also civil prudence, may be considered in the next particular.) Fleshly wisdom is seen, In glorying and boasting of humane eloquence and philosophical demonstrations. This some make to be a great part of, if not the only sense of fleshly wisdom. And certainly this is that which Paul renounceth, 1 Cor. 2. 1, 3, 4. the end whereof was, that their faith might not stand in the wisdom of men, but the power of God. And therefore the Thessalonians are commended, 1 Thess. 2. 13. That they received the Gospel, not as the word of men, but as of God, which effectually worketh in those that believe. That there may be no use made of humane learning, much less that it is not lawful to improve the gifts and abilities of learned men in our Ministry, I think is scarcely in an absolute sense denied by any orthodox. But then they give this Caution, That such things must not be done out of ostentation, but edification, and conviction; neither must we so preach that our auditors should be more affected with the oratory or learning, than the matter, the gifts and parts of a Minister, more than the holy truths which are delivered for information and conversion. And therefore as we the Ministers of the Gospel are to take heed of all fleshly wisdom, especially this latter, which is so subtle a thief, ready to steal away our treasure: So ought you the hearers to take heed of all fleshly wisdom. For it is this only maketh you go away unconverted, unhumbled, unreformed, your conscience, your mind condemns you for it, but only fleshly wisdom will not let you obey. As (I say) we are to take heed of this universally; so especially that you do not regard the parts, learning and oratory of a Minister more than holy matter. You must hear from a sincere heart, you must come to our Ministry with godly simplicity, as well as we are to preach so; and it is hard to say, whether is more difficult, to preach without fleshly wisdom, or hear without it. Do you desire to know nothing, but Jesus ⟨p. 432⟩Christ crucified? Are ye not like children that look upon Books, more to see the gays and gaudy flourishes, than the matter contained therein? Do ye not mind more what may tickle your ear, please your fancy, then what may wound your heart?
Lastly, (For the differences I promised to speak to between fleshly wisdome, and heavenly wisdome, as also civil prudence, may be considered in the next particular.) Fleshly wisdome is seen, In glorying and boasting of humane eloquence and philosophical demonstrations. This some make to be a great part of, if not the only sense of fleshly wisdome. And certainly this is that which Paul renounceth, 1 Cor. 2. 1, 3, 4. the end whereof was, that their faith might not stand in the wisdome of men, but the power of God. And therefore the Thessalonians are commended, 1 Thess. 2. 13. That they received the Gospel, not as the word of men, but as of God, which effectually worketh in those that believe. That there may be no use made of humane learning, much lesse that it is not lawfull to improve the gifts and abilities of learned men in our Ministry, I think is scarcely in an absolute sense denied by any orthodox. But then they give this Caution, That such things must not be done out of ostentation, but edification, and conviction; neither must we so preach that our auditors should be more affected with the oratory or learning, than the matter, the gifts and parts of a Minister, more than the holy truths which are delivered for information and conversion. And therefore as we the Ministers of the Gospel are to take heed of all fleshly wisdome, especially this latter, which is so subtil a thief, ready to steal away our treasure: So ought you the hearers to take heed of all fleshly wisdome. For it is this only maketh you go away unconverted, unhumbled, unreformed, your conscience, your mind condemns you for it, but only fleshly wisdome will not let you obey. As (I say) we are to take heed of this universally; so especially that you do not regard the parts, learning and oratory of a Minister more than holy matter. You must hear from a sincere heart, you must come to our Ministry with godly simplicity, as well as we are to preach so; and it is hard to say, whether is more difficult, to preach without fleshly wisdome, or hear without it. Do you desire to know nothing, but Jesus ⟨p. 432⟩Christ crucified? Are ye not like children that look upon Books, more to see the gayes and gaudy flourishes, than the matter contained therein? Do ye not mind more what may tickle your ear, please your fancy, then what may wound your heart?
