dom that has its Being in Opinion and Conceit; and by which Men come to think well of themselves. Now this kind of Wisdom is a meer Shadow; for even they that are Fools pretend to it, as well as they that are of greater Talents; but neither are at all the wiser in truth, for this Opinion of their being fo: And as it is in it self a Shadow; so it chiefly aims and catches at a Shadow, that is, at Vain Glory and the Admiration of others. Now we may obferve of this kind of Wisdom, That it is always attended with one mischievous Companion, and that is the Affectation of Singularity: They that are Wife in their own Conceit, always found their Conceit upon the Knowledge of fomewhat that is Odd and out of the Way: They hate to think in the common Level; They value not themfelves for knowing what is vulgarly known; but efteem it their Excellency to ftart Novelties, and to be the Originals of their

own Opinions. From which it follows that this kind of Wisdom is always a direct Adversary to Faith: For Faith is a fimple Thing, and delivered purely with the Defign that all fhould receive it Uniformly; In which case the Man that affects Singularity is never pleas'd till he can form fome New Conception of the matter Revealed, whereby he may import that the Reach of his Understanding is above the common Meafure. So that the main Characteristick of this Wisdom is to be ever Oppofing, or Scrupling, or Refining upon Faith, and pretending to lead that revealed Light, which we all ought to follow with a ready and chearful Submiffion. From this bufie Itch of pretended wife Men, to unfettle Religion, and mif-interpret the Messages of God, and to vend their own Imaginations in place of Divine Oracles, it was that the Prophet, 1. 5. 21. Denounces Woe against them that are Wife in their own Eyes, and

Prudent

Prudent in their own Sight. And my Text is no lefs a warning against this kind of Wisdom from the exemplary Mischiefs that it has formerly brought upon others, who profeffing themselves to be Wife became Fools. The Truth that is pointed at in these Words and from this Example, I fhall farther evince, and apply in these two Propofitions.

(1.) That Humane Wisdom is a dangerous Guide in Matters of Religion. And,

(2.) That God has vouchsafed Faith as a neceffary Expedient in order both to make and to keep Men Wise.

The first Proposition, (viz.) That Humane Wisdom is a dangerous Guide in Matters of Religion; I shall evidence by fhewing, that the greatest Mischiefs relating to Religion, that ever yet happen'd to Mankind, have ow'd their Original to this pretended Wisdom. And

I need no more to prove this than the following Inftances, viz.

(1.) That VVisdom first extinguish'd the common VVorship of God and brought Idolatry into the World.

(2.) That VVisdom firft wafted Man's Conscience, and brought Sin into the VVorld.

(3.) That this VVisdom first cor. rupted Faith and brought all Herefies into the Church.

As to the first Inftance (viz.) That VVisdom firft extinguish'd the common worship of God and brought Idolatry into the VVorld.

It is the exprefs Intimation of the Text. For the Apostle is here treating concerning the Idolatry of the Gentiles; to what extravagance it proceeded and from what Cause it sprung; a Subject which cannot be duly confider'd without matter of VVonder, Noah the Preacher of Righteoufnefs who had warn'd the old VVorld and call'd them

to

:

to Repentance in vain, had at least this Advantage by it, that he came with greater awe to Teach and Inftruct the New And he taught them in such a manner, both what they ought to Believe and to Do; that the Apoftle fays of them, v. 21. They all knew both God and his Worship; tho' it was a Knowledge they liked not to retain; but instead of that as v. 23. They changed the Glory of the Incorruptible God, into the Image of corruptible Man, and to Birds, and fourfooted Beafts, and creeping Things. And this Corruption of Faith and VVorship together came on so fast, that the fame Noah who had feen the Funerals of the old VVorld, for their No Religion; faw likewise in his own days the new World overspread with a False Religion, more Abfurd and Irrational than None. Now the Text tells us exprefly that this State of things as ftrange and grofs as it was, was introduced under the pretences of VVisdom, Profeffing to be Wife they be

came