The last thing required in our knowledge, respecteth the quality of it, that it be sanctifying effectual, and saving knowledge. Neither doth every kind of knowledge make us and our lives acceptable unto God; for 1there is a false knowledge, consisting in vain speculations, fables, quirks, and conceits of wit, endless and useless genealogies, which minister questions, rather then edifying which is in faith, and making men rather more proud and contentious, then more holy and religious, which is odious unto God. And there is a literal or speculative knowledge swimming in the brain, which not being effectual for the sanctifying of the 2heart, and amendment of the life, doth not profit, but rather hurt those that have it, puffing them up with pride, and making them disdain those that want it. The which, as it increaseth their sin, because it is committed against knowledge and conscience, and leaveth men without excuse, so doth it make their punishment more grievous, and their condemnation more intolerable; for the servant that knoweth his masters will and doth 3it not, shall be beaten with many stripes; and it shall be more easy for Sodom 4and Gomorrah at the day of Judgement, then for Corazin and Bethsaida, because, hearing Christs Word, and seeing his works, they repented not. This knowledge, though it be true in respect of the object, which is the Word and truth of God, yet is it vain in regard of the effect, being uneffectuall to a godly life, and to the assuring us of life eternal; in which, when we excel never so much, yet shall we come short of many wicked men, who are in the state of death and condemnation, yea of the devils themselves, who in theory and speculation know more then we. Yea, in truth such knowledge is no better then ignorance in Gods estimate, seeing we know only so much in Christianity as we bring into use and practice, according to that of the Apostle; Hereby we do know that we know God, if we keep his Commandments; he that saith, I know him, and keepeth not 5his Commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. And again, Whosoever abideth in him, sinneth not; whosoever sinneth (that is, in whomsoever 6sin ruleth and reigneth) hath not seen him, neither known him.
The last thing required in our knowledge, respecteth the quality of it, that it be sanctifying effectuall, and sauing knowledge. Neither doth euery kind of knowledge make vs and our liues acceptable vnto God; for 1there is a false knowledge, consisting in vaine speculations, fables, quirkes, and conceits of wit, endlesse and vselesse genealogies, which minister questions, rather then edifying which is in faith, and making men rather more proud and contentious, then more holy and religious, which is odious vnto God. And there is a litterall or speculatiue knowledge swimming in the braine, which not being effectuall for the sanctifying of the 2heart, and amendment of the life, doth not profit, but rather hurt those that haue it, pussing them vp with pride, and making them disdaine those that want it. The which, as it increaseth their sinne, because it is committed against knowledge and conscience, and leaueth men without excuse, so doth it make their punishment more grieuous, and their condemnation more intolerable; for the seruant that knoweth his masters will and doth 3it not, shall be beaten with many stripes; and it shall bee more easie for Sodom 4and Gomorrah at the day of Iudgement, then for Corazin and Bethsaida, because, hearing Christs Word, and seeing his workes, they repented not. This knowledge, though it be true in respect of the obiect, which is the Word and truth of God, yet is it vaine in regard of the effect, being vneffectuall to a godly life, and to the assuring vs of life eternall; in which, when we excell neuer so much, yet shall wee come short of many wicked men, who are in the state of death and condemnation, yea of the deuils themselues, who in theory and speculation know more then wee. Yea, in truth such knowledge is no better then ignorance in Gods estimate, seeing we know onely so much in Christianity as we bring into vse and practice, according to that of the Apostle; Heereby we doe know that wee know God, if we keepe his Commandements; he that saith, I know him, and keepeth not 5his Commandements, is a lyer, and the truth is not in him. And againe, Whosoeuer abideth in him, sinneth not; whosoeuer sinneth (that is, in whomsoeuer 6sinne ruleth and reigneth) hath not seene him, neither knowne him.
- 11. Tim. 1. 4. & 6. 20.
- 21. Cor. 13. 2. & 8. 1.
- 3Luk 12. 47.
- 4Mat. 11. 21, 22. John 9. 41.Mat. 11. 21, 22. Iohn 9. 41.
- 51. Job. 2. 3.1. Iob. 2. 3.
- 61. Job. 3. 6.1. Iob. 3. 6.
