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

As there is no salvation, so there is no wisdom out of the Church. That which hath the appearance of so much folly and absurdity, is indeed the only true wisdom; and that will appear in several particulars, wherein I shall not take wisdom in so strict a sense, as Aristotle sometimes doth; for the knowledge only of most excellent and admirable things. Nor, as others, making wisdom to be only of divine things; science of natural things; and prudence of humane things. But I shall take it as largely, as the Scripture, which under wisdom comprehends the whole way of faith and godliness. That therefore only true wisdom is in the Church of God, appeareth several ways:

As there is no salvation, so there is no wisdome out of the Church. That which hath the appearance of so much folly and absurdity, is indeed the onely true wisdome; and that will appear in several particulars, wherein I shall not take wisdome in so strict a sense, as Aristotle sometimes doth; for the knowledge only of most excellent and admirable things. Nor, as others, making wisdome to be only of divine things; science of natural things; and prudence of humane things. But I shall take it as largely, as the Scripture, which under wisdom comprehends the whole way of faith and godlinesse. That therefore only true wisdom is in the Church of God, appeareth several wayes:

First, Here we have the only Rule of wisdom, which is, the Scriptures; so that all people without this sit in darkness, and want the star to bring them to Christ or happiness David doth in many places acknowledge this excellent property of Gods Word, That it giveth wisdom to the simple. Jer. 8 9. They have refused the word of God, and what wisdom can be in them? Thus you see, that only Christians have the true Rule of wisdom, viz. Gods Word. But oh the ingratitude and rebellion of many, who love their folly and their darkness, when yet they may be thus spiritually wise! Who is there that readeth this Book, to believe accordingly, to inflame his affections, and order his life accordingly? Who looketh into this Glass, to dress himself, and compose himself according to those commands? No folly, no cause of repentance would be in us, could we keep exactly to this Rule. O me nunquam sapientem, cried Tully, when deprived of all his hopes: But O me semper sapientem, may the godly say, while keeping close to Gods Word. Though thou art no Scholar, no learned man; though poor and contemptible, yet from the Scripture