CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

2. Then is thy knowledge saving, when the main and noble act of the will doth presently follow, which is to choose and take God for our chiefest good, and to embrace the goodness of all those things we know; for the devils they have knowledge enough, called therefore [Greek or Hebrew], because of their exceeding great knowledge, yet they are most maliciously opposite to God, because by their wills they do not choose and embrace that which is good. The two main pillars of the soul, or the chief faculties thereof are the understanding and the will: The object of the understanding is truth, of the will is good; Now the understanding is to be like a torch or star to guide the will, and whatsoever the mind discovers to be true and good, that the will is readily to receive; so that then our knowledge doth attain it's proper perfection, when it prevaileth upon the will and moveth that; the understanding is the counsellor, the will is the Queen, if that then be moved to choose the good discovered, then hath the understanding obtained its end: See then how it is with thee, thou knowest God and Christ, but how, as the chiefest good? as to be chosen above any worldly excellency, and therefore thy will cleaveth fully to them; this is rightly to know: While something is done upon the will, till that be bowed and changed, the strongest hold stands out against God. Oh then pray, and again pray that thy knowledge may so far prevail on thy will, that it shall renounce all other things to adhere to God only.

2. Then is thy knowledge saving, when the main and noble act of the will doth presently follow, which is to choose and take God for our chiefest good, and to imbrace the goodnesse of all those things we know; for the devils they have knowledge enough, called therefore 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, because of their exceeding great knowledge, yet they are most maliciously opposite to God, because by their wils they do not choose and imbrace that which is good. The two main pillars of the soul, or the chief faculties thereof are the understanding and the will: The object of the understanding is truth, of the will is good; Now the understanding is to be like a torch or starre to guide the will, and whatsoever the minde discovers to be true and good, that the will is readily to receive; so that then our knowledge doth attain it's proper perfection, when it prevaileth upon the will and moveth that; the understanding is the counsellour, the will is the Queen, if that then be moved to choose the good discovered, then hath the understanding obtained its end: See then how it is with thee, thou knowest God and Christ, but how, as the chiefest good? as to be chosen above any worldly excellency, and therefore thy will cleaveth fully to them; this is rightly to know: While something is done upon the will, till that be bowed and changed, the strongest hold stands out against God. Oh then pray, and again pray that thy knowledge may so farre prevail on thy will, that it shall renounce all other things to adhere to God only.