2Chapter-Four

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{Second Part 21}
CHAP. IV.

Touching Wisdom and Knowledge.

The Apostle James tells us, There is a Wisdom from above (this Wisdom may be taken to be that Wisdom, which Paul describes to be the Wisdom of God, ) and that there is a Wisdom which is not from above, (which may be taken to be the same wisdom which the Apostle Paul describes to be Fleshly, and of this World.)1

The Apostle Paul also saith, 1 Cor. 8. 1. Knowledge puffeth up, and yet 1 Tim. 2. 4. Speaks of the Knowledge of Truth.

As to the Wisdom that is not from above James thus describes it, If ye have bitter Envying, and Strife in your hearts, Glory not, and lye not against the Truth. This Wisdom descended not from above but is Earthly, Sensual, and Devilish. For where Envying and Strife is, there is confusion, and every Evil Work. 2 But the Wisdom that is from above, he thus describes, viz. ‘Tis first Pure, then Peaceable, Gentile, and Easie to be entreated, full of Mercy, and Good Fruits; without Partiality, without Hyposcrisy.3

But notwithstanding the Apostle hath so plainly described the Difference; yet Experience tells us, that Wisdom without Distinction is so much preacht against, that many ignorant people are even set on float, uttering their folly and confusion, in an boasting self conceited spirit, as if it were sufficient evidence, that they are Good Christians, {Second Part 22} and in the Feeling of the Power of God, and Life of Christianity, because they have confidence enough to cry against Wisdom, and have so much memory, as from the mouths of others to use the words of the wise Apostle Paul, when he said, The Wisdom of this World is Foolishness with God;4 as if thereby, they had brought some Excellent Proof to Justifie all those Rude Actions, and Impertinent Expressions, which (as the fruit of their Ignorance, and Folly) in an boisterous unruly Spirit they have brought up.

Were such but sober, girding up the Lyons of their Minds, they would undoubtedly come to see, that such their Words and Actions are but the Fruits of that Ignorance, that lusteth to Envy, which is to be silenced; and doubtless of this sort were these whom the Apostle Peter hinted at, when he said, Wherefore gird up the Loins of your Minds, be sober, as obedient Children, not fashioning your selves according to your former Lusts, in your ignorance.5

But if such had less folly and confidence, and were but as ready to ask Wisdom of God (according to the Counsel of the Apostle James) as they are to condemn that Gift of Wisdom and Understanding which God hath given unto others, they would not be ready to run at the Beck, Nod, or Call of such, as in a boasting imperious Spirit glory (exalting them as Judges over God’s faithful Servants) and that have brought forth *6 Lyes in a bitter, envious Spirit, which things being earthly, sensual and devilish, are the very marks of the Wisdom that descendeth not from above.

As a farther illustration of what is aimed at in this discourse, we now come to signifie, that some have a far greater portion of Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding than others; and that it’s given them of God, as they are {Second Part 23} Creatures, distinct from what they are, when acted by a good Spirit or a bad, and in this respect is Man (as a Creature) the most excellent Creature that God hath made.

But yet such is the Ignorance of this Age, as to accompt this Portion of Wisdom, Knowledge, or Understanding (as we are creatures) to be that Wisdom which the Apostle terms Earthly Sensual, and Devilish, or the Wisdom of this World, or the Wisdom of the Wise, which the Lord by the Apostle Paul hath said, he will destroy.7

But herein such do manifest themselves not knowing whereof they affirm; for that Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding which we have as creatures, is the proper Gift of God, and a part of his own Creation, and is honourable in its place: and it is against the nature of the Divine Being to destroy this Wisdom, because it is his own Gift, even as it is against his Nature to destroy the Lives of Men, which is his Creation; for the Evangelist saith, the Son of Man came not to destroy mens lives.8

Obj. What then did the Apostle hint at, when he spoke of the Wisdom of the World, the Wisdom of the Wise, and the Wisdom of Words?

To this it may be said, That as Paul was brought up at the Feet of Gamaliel,9 and taught according to the perfect manner of the Law of the Fathers; so doubtless many there were, who through Education attained unto that, which Paul in his converted state terms to be the Wisdom of this World, &c. From whence it may be concluded, that he hinted at those things, which in that day were given forth by the Scribes and Pharisees, and other Disputers against that divine Appearance, whereby Paul was made a Minister of the Everlasting Gospel; which things so given {Second Part 24} forth, we do not take to be the natural Effects of that Wisdom, Knowledge or Understanding, given unto them as creatures; but rather (being in the state of Degeneration) as the Fruits of their Education and Acquired parts, wherewith being not subject unto the Appearance of Christ, they then became Opposers of the Truth. Besides, as the word Flesh in the Scriptures is sometimes used not with relation to a Carnal Body, but in a Metaphorical and Mystical sense, by way of opposition to the Spirit of God; so are these words fleshly wisdom used, not with respect to man as a creature, but by way of opposition to the Wisdom of God, that’s from above; and therefore is another thing, than that which man is endued withal, as he is a part of God’s Creation.

To conclude, Solomon in his day magnified Wisdom at a high rate (as the Scriptures testifies, too large here to be inserted) who in his day, did undoubtedly account it the sign of a just man, and therefore said, The mouth of the Just bringeth forth Wisdom. The Apostle in his day did magnifie Wisdom, exhorting the Saints to walk in Wisdom. Christ the Son of God testified, Wisdom is justified of her Children.10

These things considered, our desires are, that those who have true Wisdom may prize it; that those who lack it may imbrace the Counsel of the Apostle James,11 and ask it of God, who gives Liberally; and that those Fools, who despise Wisdom, may come to have a sense of what Solomon spoke, when he thus said, how long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity, and fools hate knowledge? Turn ye at my Reproof.

Sure we are, the Apostle’s Writings encourages none to cry down Wisdom at the rate ‘tis of late, without distinction, exclaimed against by some; but rather the contrary: for we find the Apostle Paul writing to the Colossians, {Second Part 25} thus to say, We do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the Knowledge of his Will, in all Wisdom and spiritual Understanding:12 and again thus, Who, we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all Wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

But this ignorance we doubt hath happened unto many, not only from a Principle of having their Eyes out unto man;13 but also from a neglect to read the Scriptures of Truth, given for by inspiration, which (the Apostle saith) are able to make thee Wise unto Salvation, through Faith which is in Christ Jesus.

As to the word [Knowledge] this may be added, That in the want thereof in days past, those who are escaped of the Nations set up their Graven-images, according as Isaiah the Prophet testified, They have no knowledge, that set up the Wood of their Graven Images, and pray unto a God that cannot save;14 Oh! That at this day there were no cause to take up a Lamentation, that the want of Knowledge is the cause that many have appeared ready to exalt man, to have an eye to men, and (in neglect of that heavenly Gift which is given unto Mankind) to bow in their Hearts unto Men, as having a dependency on the Dictates, Prescriptions, Orders, and Outward Rules of Man: this under the Dispensation of the Gospel of Christ, we take to be as great a falling away from the Truth, as the setting up of a graven image (through the want of Knowledge) was under the Law; and that at this day the words of the Prophet are again fulfilling, My People are destroyed for lack of Knowledge; because thou hast rejected Knowledge, I will also reject thee.15

‘Tis now needful to signifie the occasion on which the Apostle Paul saith, that Knowledge puffeth up.

1 Cor. 8. 1. Now as touching things offered unto Idols, {Second Part 26} we know that we have all Knowledge; Knowledge puffeth up, but Charity edifieth. And further in the same chap. Ver. 10, 11. If any man see thee, which hast Knowledge, sit at meat in the Idols Temple, shall not the Conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered unto Idols? And through thy knowledge shall the weak Brother perish. 

In this Chapter the Apostle Paul was a Reproof to such as (abounding in Knowledge, and clearly seeing, that to put a difference between Meat offered unto Idols, and that which was not, was but the fruit of weakness) had not a regard unto the weak Consciences of their Brethren, and so he tells such Knowledge puffeth up, but Charity edifieth: From whence we cannot conclude that Paul  meant strictly according as his words may be construed, no more than he intended by his saying, Let your Women keep silence in the Church, that none of them, though Members of the Church should prophesie when moved of God; whenas in a few verses before, he tells the Church (which consisted of Women as well as Men) They might all prophesie one by one; and the reason seems evident, because the Knowledge which the Apostle seems to hint at, was a Knowledge sprung from a growth in the Truth, that the weak had not attained unto; which may be taken to be signified in those words of the said Chapter, We know that we all have knowledge; howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge; for some with Conscience of the Idol unto this hour eat it, as a thing offered unto an Idol, and their conscience being weak, is defiled.

All which being considered, the Mind of the Apostle writing those words, viz. Knowledge puffeth up, but Charity edifieth, may be taken to be this, that though they had Knowledge, yet they should not have their Eye so much to that, as to exercise their Liberty to the offense of any that were weak, lest the Enemy to true Knowledge {Second Part 27} should interpose, and puff them up, so as not to condescend through Charity, for the sake of a weak Brother.

‘Tis the work of the Enemy of man’s Soul to puff up; but the Word of Knowledge is one of the Gifts, which through the manifestation of the Spirit,16 are given unto every man to profit withal; and therefore I conclude, that the Apostle writing unto the Philippians, thus exprest himself, I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in Knowledge,17 and in all Judgement; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere, and without offense. From whence it may reasonably be concluded, that the contrary Fruits, viz. things that are contemptible, and vile, insincere and offensive, spring through Want of that love which abounds in Knowledge.

Obj. By this discourse you seem to exalt Knowledge as an excellent thing;*18 How comes it then to pass, that divers amongst you (called Quakers) have preached reflectingly on such as are induced with knowledge above many of their Brethren, as if their Religion were in their Heads, and not in their hearts; telling us, That the Tree of knowledge was not good for Food; and not only so, but have appeared in such an invective Spirit against Reason also, without distinction, that in your public Meeting, this imperative expression hath been uttered, Away with all Reasoning.

Ans. ‘Tis very true: However, that doth not prove, that all such Expressions are according to the Truth: Peoples tongues are their own, and we cannot use Violence to prevent any from delivering that which they may pretend {Second Part 28} they have to say; and therefore for the clearing of the Truth, in relation to the aforesaid objection, we further add:

Pure Religion and undefined is, to visit the Fatherless and the Widows, and to keep unspotted of the World; wherein if our heads be not exercised, our hearts will not bring forth the Fruit thereof.

As to to the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, though the Scriptures do not positively declare, whether it was good for Food or no (as in itself,) yet it doth clearly import, that Adam’s Sin (in eating of the Tree of Knowledge) was the Sin of Rebellion, for that he was commanded not to eat thereof: A father may command his Child not to eat an Apple, and yet give him leave to eat of other food, fitter at the season for him; if the Child should therein disobey his Father, his rebellious eating would be no Argument to prove the Apple in itself not good for food. These things being considered, it may reasonably be concluded, that there is no Ground to assert, that the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was not good for Food, as in itself.

Besides, it hath been much observed, that when the aforesaid doctrine hath been by some declared, it hath been by way of Reflection on the Wisdom and Knowledge, which some of the Publishers thereof account sensual and devilish (though others have not thereby so intended) but therein they have manifested their own Weakness because that which is a Discoverer of Good and evil (being in it self good, as the Tree of Knowledge is) cannot be a proper Camparison or Allusion to represent the thing that is devilish.

John the Evangelist testifies, This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent, and yet {Second Part 29} many of those who cry up Life, are apt to cry down Knowledge without distinction, though ‘tis evident that Knowledge is the way to life.

These things being duly considered, we know not on what foot of Truth any one can assert, that the Tree of Knowledge is not good for food, as in itself; and that it can be a proper similitude, to represent any thing that is in opposition to that Knowledge which is from above: But yet I would not be understood to reflect on all that have used that expression, viz. The Tree of Knowledge is not good for Food; because I question not but many have so exprest themselves, not thereby to represent that Wisdom which is accounted Sensual, and Devilish, but rather to show forth, that if we should feed upon, or admire any excellent Qualification, or Endowment whatsoever, and not have the Eye of our Mind chiefly unto the Giver, we might then come to a loss, even as Adam did, through his Rebellion, in eating of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge.

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  1. Jam. 3. 17. Ephes. 3. 10. Jam. 3. 15. 2 Cor. 1. 12. 1 Cor. 3. 19.↩

  2. Jam. 3. 14, 15, 16.↩

  3. Jam. 3. 17.↩

  4. 1 Cor. 3. 19.↩

  5. 1 Pet. 13. 14.↩

  6. *See the 5th Part of the Christian Quaker.↩

  7. 1 Cor. 1. 19.↩

  8. Luke 7. 5.↩

  9. Act. 22. 3.↩

  10. Pro. 10. 30. Col. 4. 5. Matt. 11. 19.↩

  11. Jam. 1. 5.↩

  12. Col. 1. 9, 28.↩

  13. 2 Tim. 3. 15.↩

  14. Isa. 45. 20.↩

  15. Hos. 4. 6.↩

  16. 1 Cor. 12. 7, 8.↩

  17. Phil. 1. 9, 10.↩

  18. * See an Epistle evidencing the Qualifications of such whom Satan makes use of to rend and divide the Church of Christ, being contained in the first Part of the Christian Quaker.↩

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