Husbandry spiritualized, or, The heavenly use of earthly things consisting of many pleasant observations,…

Gifts may damnify the person that possesses them; and it §4may be better in respect of a mans own condition he had never had them. Knowledge (saith the Apostle) Puffeth up. 1 Cor. 8. 1. maketh the soul proud and flatulent. 'Tis a hard thing to know much, and not to know it too much. The Saints ⟨p. 76⟩knowledge is better than the Scholars; for he hath his own heart instead of a Commentary to help him. Aristotle said a little knowledge about heavenly things, though conjectural, is better than much of earthly things, though certain. The world by wisdom knew not God (saith the Apostle, 1 Cor. 1. 21.) (i. e.) their learning hanged in their light, they were too wise to submit to the simplicity of the Gospel. The excellent parts of the old Heretics, did but serve to midwife into the world the monstrous birth of soul-damning heresies. Cupit abs te ornari diabolus, as Austin said to that ingenious young Scholar; The devil desires to be adorned by thee. But now grace in its self is not subject to such abuses, it cannot be the proper univocal cause of any evil effect: It cannot puff up the heart, but always humbles it; nor serve the devils designs, but ever opposes them.

Gifts may damnifie the person that possesses them; and it §4may be better in respect of a mans own condition he had never had them. Knowledge (saith the Apostle) Puffeth up. 1 Cor. 8. 1. maketh the soul proud and flatulent. 'Tis a hard thing to know much, and not to know it too much. The Saints ⟨p. 76⟩knowledge is better than the Schollars; for he hath his own heart instead of a Commentary to help him. Aristotle said a little knowledge about heavenly things, though conjectural, is better than much of earthly things, though certain. The world by wisdom knew not God (saith the Apostle,