PART II.
PROV. XXIII. 23.Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdome, and instruction, and understanding.
YE have heard of part of the payment: But the price of the Truth is yet higher, and there is more to be given. And indeed we shall find that the mer∣chandise is unvaluable, and that it will be cheap when we have given all for it. What are the Va∣nities of the world, yea what is the whole World it self, nay, what is our Understanding, Will, and Affections, what is Man, in comparison of that Truth without which he is worse then nothing? What is it then that we must lay down more when we come to this mart? We must part with that which cleaveth many times so close unto us that we cannot so much as of∣fer any thing for the Truth. First, we must remove all Prejudice out of our minds, that they may be still tanquam rasa tabula; though they have something written in them, yet that they receive not any opinion so deeply in as not to be capable of another which hath more reason to commend it; that they cleave not so close to that which was first en∣tertained upon weak, peradventure carnal, motives, as to stand out a∣gainst that which bringeth with it a cloud of witnesses and proofs, yea light it self, to make entrance for it. Secondly, we must remove all Malice, all distast and loathing of the Truth; we must take heed we do not wilfully reject it, as if it concerned us not, nor were worth the buying. Till our mind be clear of both these, Prejudice and Malice, we may talk of the Truth, but onely as a blind man doth of the light; we may commend the Truth, but as a man of Belial may honour a Saint; we may cry out, Magna est Veritas, & praevalebit,* 1.1 and yet the Truth hath no power at all over us; we may look upon our selves as Temples de∣dicated to the Truth, and yet we put it far from us. These two e∣vil Spirits then we must cast out before the Spirit of Truth will enter into us. I shall now therefore shew the horrour and danger of them both, that ye may eject them, and so become fit merchants of the Truth.
I. Praejudicium est, quod obstat futuro judicio, saith the Civilians; Prejudice is that which hindreth and keepeth off any further and future judgment. It hath alwaies Pertinacie to accompany it, which as a rock beateth back all those batteries which Reason can make. The mind