CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

2. Saving knowledge, as it causeth an avoiding of sin, so a ready and willing obedience unto the commands of God. And for this sake all disobedient and rebellious sinners, are said in the Scripture not to know God: They are excellently put together, 1 Thess. 1.8. in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, nor obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What obedience then and conformity to Gods Law doth thy knowledge work in thee? this God looketh at, he careth not for thy head or thy tongue, if he have not thy heart, thy hands, and thy whole life. If so be the Apostle say, that he which doubteth whether such a thing be sin, he is damned if he do it, Rom. 14. how damnable is that mans condition, who knoweth and is assured that he sinneth, and yet wilfully persists in it! So that our knowledge is not to be carried only to truths, to what is to be believed, and there to sit down, No, but Rom. 12.2. we are to be transformed in our mind, that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God: We are to consider what is that which is acceptable and well-pleasing to God, and when we know it we must readily fulfil it: Oh that men of knowledge and parts would think of these things; Dost thou that which is well-pleasing to God? Doth God accept of such a life as thine? Is there not a plain contrariety and opposition between Gods will and thy lusts? A man of great knowledge, and also great impiety, were he not puffed up with self-flattery, would easily see the opposition between his life and Gods Word, the one is strict, his life is dissolute; the one calleth to avoid not only sin but the appearance of it, but thy life plungeth thee both into sin, and the occasions of it: Oh consider all thy knowledge and understanding helps thee no more then the devils knowledge doth them, they are not able to love or delight in God and his will.

2. Saving knowledge, as it causeth an avoiding of sinne, so a ready and willing obedience unto the commands of God. And for this sake all disobedient and rebellious sinners, are said in the Scripture not to know God: They are excellently put together, 1 Thess. 1.8. in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, nor obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What obedience then and conformity to Gods Law doth thy knowledge work in thee? this God looketh at, he careth not for thy head or thy tongue, if he have not thy heart, thy hands, and thy whole life. If so be the Apostle say, that he which doubteth whether such a thing be sinne, he is damned if he do it,