A treatise of the incomparableness of God in his being, attributes, works and word…

1. Be sensible of thine ignorance of him. A conceited Scholar is no good learner. He that thinks he knoweth enough already, will never be beholden to a Master to teach him more. Seest thou a man wife in his own conceit, there is more hope of a fool than of him, Prov. 26.12. This was that which locked up the Pharisees in the dark ⟨p. 256⟩dungeon of Ignorance: they were blind; Truth it self called them blind, Mat. 23.16, 17. But they conceited their eyes were good, and so neglected the means of curing them. Ye say ye see (I do not say ye see, but ye conceit so) therefore your sin remaineth, Joh. 9.40, 41. therefore your ignorance continueth. When Ignorance and Confidence (which are often Twins) go together, the condition of a man is helpless; partly, because such a person will not take that pains in reading, and praying, and conference, and meditation, without which the knowledge of God cannot be had, Dan. 12.4. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. It's an allusion to Merchants that run to this and that Port, to sell out and take in commodities; or to a Tradesman, that runs to this and that Mart or place to buy and sell, whereby their stocks are increased. But a conceited man will never labour thus for that which he thinks he hath already. If thou diggest as for silver, and searchest as for hid treasure, then thou shalt understand the fear of the Lord, and attain the knowledge of God, Prov. 2.4, 5. Men count digging hard work, and will sweat at it when ⟨p. 257⟩they dig for silver: such diligence must they use who will get the knowledge of God. But though poor men, who are sensible of their want of the knowledge of God, and of their woeful condition thereby, will work to preserve themselves from perishing; yet rich men, who think they can do well enough without it, will spare their pains, partly, because all knowledge must be obtained from God by fervent prayer; and a conceited man will neither be instant with God for it, nor will God give it to him. God is the God of knowledge,