Thirdly, Humane conceited wisdom must needs hinder the entertainment of Christs truth, Because it sets it self on the Throne to be Judge, and to determine truth or falsehood according to her own principles. It makes weights, and a standard of its own, and will weigh even what God and the Scripture saith by its own self: yea humane wisdom doth not only thus intrude into the throne, but hath her instruments, the Socinians, who plead to have her the Judge, and the Determiner of all religious controversies. What from Scripture hath by the Orthodox been asserted to be, that these will put upon reason, making it the rule of faith. Hence there is no Trinity with them, not three Persons and one God, because it's against their reason. Christ is not truly and essentially God, because against reason (say they) Christ was not a Mediator by his blood as a Sacrifice to expiate our sins, because against their reason. Thus you see what a direct adversary the reason of man, as of it self, is against divine truths; whereas what the Apostle speaks of the woman, He did not permit her to usurp Authority over her husband, or to speak in the Church, 1 Tim. 2.12. The same ought to be applied to humane wisdom, not to usurp over faith, or to speak authoritatively in the Church. It's true, a mans reason or wisdom may be considered two ways:
1. As corrupt and darkened through original sin; And in this respect only we speak of it, as such an adversary to the mysteries of Religion.
2. As enlightened and sanctified by the Word, and the Spirit of God. Now in this later respect, though it be not a Judge, but is to be judged, yet it's an excellent instrument to faith. When faith hath first laid its foundation, then ⟨p. 232⟩reason and learning succeeding and building upon it, is wonderful serviceable for the explication and confirmation of divine truths. I speak as unto wise men (saith Paul) Judge ye what I say, 1 Cor. 10.15. Thus civil prudence, and all humane literature, while it's a servant, not a Mistress, is of wonderful use; but when with Hagar it will pride over Sarah, then cast it out of doors. That which some adversaries to learning object, That learning is never sanctified, is contrary to the instance of Moses, who was skilful in the Egyptians learning, which was the fountain and seminary of all learning to the world.
Thirdly, Humane conceited wisdome must needs hinder the entertainment of Christs truth, Because it sets it self on the Throne to be Judge, and to determine truth or falshood according to her own principles. It makes weights, and a standard of its own, and will weigh even what God and the Scripture saith by its own self: yea humane wisdome doth not only thus intrude into the throne, but hath her instruments, the Socinians, who plead to have her the Judge, and the Determiner of all religious controversies. What from Scripture hath by the Orthodox been asserted to be, that these will put upon reason, making it the rule of faith. Hence there is no Trinity with them, not three Persons and one God, because it's against their reason. Christ is not truly and essentially God, because against reason (say they) Christ was not a Mediatour by his bloud as a Sacrifice to expiate our sinnes, because against their reason. Thus you see what a direct adversary the reason of man, as of it self, is against divine truths; whereas what the Apostle speaks of the woman, He did not permit her to usurp Authority over her husband, or to speake in the Church, 1 Tim. 2.12. The same ought to be applied to humane wisdome, not to usurp over faith, or to speak authoritatively in the Church. It's true, a mans reason or wisdome may be considered two wayes:
1. As corrupt and darkened through original sinne; And in this respect onely we speake of it, as such an adversary to the mysteries of Religion.
2. As enlightned and sanctified by the Word, and the Spirit of God. Now in this later respect, though it be not a Judge, but is to be judged, yet it's an excellent instrument to faith. When faith hath first laid its foundation, then ⟨p. 232⟩reason and learning succeeding and building upon it, is wonderfull serviceable for the explication and confirmation of divine truths. I speake as unto wise men (saith Paul) Judge ye what I say, 1 Cor. 10.15. Thus civil prudence, and all humane literature, while it's a servant, not a Mistresse, is of wonderfull use; but when with Hagar it will pride over Sarah, then cast it out of doores. That which some adversaries to learning object, That learning is never sanctified, is contrary to the instance of Moses, who was skilfull in the Aegyptians learning, which was the fountain and seminary of all learning to the world.
