A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

¹4. By how much the more use men have for their knowledge, and by how much the more good they may do with it, so much the more knowledge will be expected of them. That knowledge which might do well in a private Christian, yet is not ordinarily sufficient for a Minister. That which would be much in the one, might be but little in the other. And that which might do well in a Child, would not be sufficient in a Parent or Master of a Family. They, that are to instruct others in the knowledge of God, ought themselves to be more abounding in it.

1. 1Rule.

Prop. 2. Men should in their seeking knowledge first study those truths, which are most confessedly necessary to Salvation, and before those which are apparently less necessary; and so Principles before Controversies; things essential before such as are only Circumstantial. And indeed by how much the ⟨p. 113⟩nearer any truth is to the foundation, so much the more they should labour after the knowledge of it: as for instance, men should acquaint themselves,

1. With the Being and Attributes of God, as the foundation of all service yielded to him, and expectations of rewards from him.¹ He that knows not God to be holy, how can he know that God requires holiness? and then how can he himself be holy? how can a man trust God, if he know him not to be wise, powerful, faithful; or love him, if he know him not to be good; or fear him, if he know him not to be just? and it will easily follow, that he who knows not God, as he can never worship him while he lives, so he can never expect that he should save him when he dies.