The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

To prosecute this,¹ I shall remind you of Austin's division of the whole matter of Christian Religion or Wisdom, viz. the Credenda, Speranda, and Agenda, Things to be believed, hoped for, and practised; and instance how all these particulars are a mere folly and reproach in the world. And

To prosecute this,¹ I shall remind you of Austin's division of the whole matter of Christian Religion or Wisdome, viz. the Credenda, Speranda, and Agenda, Things to be believed, hoped for, and practised; and instance how all these particulars are a meer folly and reproach in the world. And

1. 1The things to be believed have these seeming follies

First, For the things to be believed, there are these seeming follies:

First, The very way of Christianity, that it is not a knowledge but believing. This be the great wits of the world, hath been accused as a foolish thing. Indeed one Hebrew word for a fool, comes from believing, because it's a simple, childish thing to be too credulous; a fool believeth every thing; and in political wisdom, that is a famous Apophegme, [Greek or Hebrew], but in matters of Religion. ⟨p. 240⟩There cannot be any greater wisdom than to believe God speaking concerning himself. For who can know any thing of God, but by God himself? As we cannot see the Sun, but by the light of the Sun. Howsoever therefore the great Heathen Philosopher called Christians, Credentes, by scorn; yet indeed this is the most sure and infallible way. Julian that wretched Apostate, but a great admirer of humane learning; Nazianzen saith of him, he would brag, and say, The Heathens had all the learning; but you Christians, Vestrûm est infantia & barbaries, nec quicquam aliud quam crede vestra est sapientia. See what a fit instance this is; they said Christianity was infancy, childishness, barbarism, and they had no other wisdom, but only believe. Nazianzen first tells him, That the Pythagoreans would abhor that argument; for they said of their Master, Ipse dixit, ulterius non est quaerendm, but our belief is not in men, but in the word of God, which truth was confirmed by signs and wonders. So then, take heed of this sinful distemper; curiosity and pride in knowledge, to be wise above what is written: It was Adams sin at first, to affect a knowledge not vouchsafed him.