Theol. This is indeed a very broad gate into hell. For the Scripture saith,1 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of such a one. And again, The fool is wiser in his own eyes, 2then seven men that can give a sensible reason. The holy Ghost we see affirmeth, that such as are puffed up with an overweening of their own gifts, are farthest of all other from the Kingdom of Heaven. For they despise the wisdom of God to their own destruction. They hold scorn to be taught: they will say they know as much as all the Preachers can tell them. For what can all the Preachers say more then this? We are all sinners, we must be saved by Christ, we must do as we would be done to. There is no more, but do well, and have well, &c. Alas poor souls, they look •loft, they are desperately hoven up with conceitedness, not knowing that they are poor,3 naked, blind, and miserable.
These men trust altogether to their own wit, learning, policy, riches, and great reputation in the ⟨p. 325⟩world. And because all men crouch to them, and clap their hands at them, therefore they swell like Turki••-Cocks, set up their feathers and draw their wings upon the ground with a kind of snuff and disdain of all men, as if they were the only wights of the world. Moreover when men do praise them for their natural gifts, soothe them, and applaud them, then it is a wonder to see how they streak themselves, as though they would forthwith take their flight, and mount unto the clouds. But let all insolent and conceived men hearken unto the woe that is pronounced against them by the eternal King of glory, saying, Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, 4and prudent in their own sight. Again, let them hearken to the counsel of God, which saith, Trust unto the Lord with all thine heart, 5but lean not unto thine own wisdom. Be not wise in thine own eyes, but fear God, and depart from evil. These silly conceited fools think that because they have the cast of this life, and can cunningly compass the things of this world and go through stitch with them, therefore they can compass heaven also by their fine wits, and deep devices: but alas, poor wretches, they ⟨p. 326⟩are greatly and grossly deceived. For the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God, and he catcheth the wise in their own craftiness.6
Theol. This is indeed a very broad gate into hell. For the Scripture saith,1 Seest thou a man wise in his owne conceit? There is more hope of a foole than of such a one. And againe, The foole is wiser in his owne eyes, 2then seven men that can give a sensible reason. The holy Ghost wee see affirmeth, that such as are puft up with an overwe•ning of their owne gifts, are farthest of all other from the Kingdome of Heaven. For they despise the wisedome of God to their owne destruction. They hold scorne to be taught: they will say they know as much as all the Preachers can tell them. For what can all the Preachers say more then this? Wee are all sinners, wee must bee saved by Christ, wee must do as wee would be done to. There is no more, but doe well, and have well, &c. Alas poore soules, they looke •loft, they are desperately hoven up with conceitednesse, not knowing that they are poore,3 naked, blind, and miserable.
These men trust altogether to their owne wit, learning, policie, riches, and great reputation in the ⟨p. 325⟩world. And because all men crouch to them, and clap their hands at them, therefore they swell like Turki••-Cocks, set up their feathers and draw their wings upon the ground with a kind of snuffe and disdaine of all men, as if they were the onely wights of the world. Moreover when men doe praise them for their naturall gifts, soothe them, and applaud them, then it is a wonder to see how they streake themselves, as though they would forthwith take their flight, and mount unto the clouds. But let all insolent and conceived men hearken unto the woe that is pronounced against them by the eternall King of glory, saying, Woe unto them that are wise in their owne eies, 4and prudent in their owne sight. Againe, let them hearken to the counsell of God, which saith, Trust unto the Lord with all thine heart, 5but leane not unto thine owne wisedome. Be not wise in thine owne eyes, but feare God, and depart from evill. These silly conceited fooles thinke that because they have the cast of this life, and can cunningly compasse the things of this world and goe through stitch with them, therefore they can compasse heaven also by their fine wits, and deepe devices: but alas, poore wretches, they
- 1Prov. 16.12.
- 2Prov. 26.•6.
- 3Rev. 3.17.
- 4Isaiah 5.21.Esay 5.21.
- 5Pro. 3.5.
- 61 Cor. •.19.
