An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

2 COR. 1. 12. Not with fleshly wisdom.

2 COR. 1. 12. Not with fleshly wisdome.

WE are describing the several particulars of fleshly wisdom, which men have made in the matters of Religion, all which are renounced by the Apostle in this Text.¹

WE are describing the several particulars of fleshly wisdome, which men have made in the matters of Religion, all which are renounced by the Apostle in this Text.¹

1. 1More principles of fleshly wisdom in propagating Religion. 1. To advance those of their own way, and disgrace others

The first in order I shall now propound is, To advance those men who have been of their way, by lies attributing glorious things to them, and as much disparaging and falsely accusing all such who have been in a contrary way of Religion to them. This hath been the subtle policy and stratagem in the Church of Rome. For no Church in the world hath abounded more in fleshly wisdom then she hath done. How notoriously absurd and ridiculous ⟨p. 428⟩are they in relating many foolish miracles done by their Saints? Yea they attribute many wonderful things to some as Saints, when there were never any such persons in the world, as many learned Writers hold there were never such persons as St George, and St Christopher, and yet what fabulous miracles are reported of them? And truly to read the lives of their Popish Saints, would make a man nauseate their Religion, they are written by such who did so much serve their affections, and drive on their designs: Which made Canus, even a Papist, complain of it, though he saith he doth, Dolenter dicere magis quam contumeliose, speak it with grief rather than with reproach. The lives of Heathens (saith he) [Canus loc. Theolog. Lib. 11. cap. 6.] are written with more truth by Heathenish Writers, then of Saints by Catholic Writers. Laertius hath more faithfully related the lives of the Philosophers, and Suetonius the lives of the Caesars, then ours have done the lives of Saints. Which maketh him go on, and say, That he who wrote that Book, which is called Aurea Legenda, was a man Perrei oris, and Plumbei cordis: He that wrote the Golden Legend, was a man of an iron Fore-head, and a leaden-Heart. Now all this is nothing but fleshly wisdom, not to regard the truth: But only what will make for advantage, whereas we may see wonderful sincerity in the Apostles in this very matter; They did use no fleshly wisdom at all, but do record their own infirmities as well as miracles. Doth not the Evangelist Matthew relate how he was a Publican? Is not Peter's denial of his Master, in all the aggravations of it recorded? Are not the strifes of the Disciples about primacy mentioned? Do we not read of Paul and Barnabas their sharp contention? Did not Paul withstand Peter to the face, because he was worthy to be reproved?