What They Said

“For even as a house without walls and windows, and other necessary furniture, is accounted forlorn; so that is a very forlorn and naked conscience which is destitute of the knowledge of the Word. And as it is an easy matter to lead the blind out of the way, so the ignorant are easily led and taken in the snares of the devil. And this reproves the negligence of such who are not careful to apply themselves with all diligence to the study of the Word: our negligence herein being the cause of the barrenness of knowledge in these plentiful times. If men would bestow that time in the study of the Word, which they for the most part bestow, some in hunting and hawking; some in dicing and carding; some in drinking, swilling and following bad company; some in sloth and idleness; thus wisely redeeming the time: then certainly knowledge would abound among us, as the waters that cover the sea.  Even as in matters of the Word, though a man have never so good a trade; yet without labor and diligence he can do no good in it: and as the diligent shall bear rule and stand before kings: so knowledge shall increase to the diligent, when the negligent shall be under darkness."

Elnathan Parr

(1597-1632)