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

3. It faileth in respect of clearness and evidence. Hence the whole world is said to lye in darkness, 1 John 2.11. The Platoes, the Aristotles of the world, were like the Sodomites groping in the dark, that could not feel what they sought for, but the Word of God, that is wonderfully commended for the clearness and brightness of the light it brings with it.

3. It faileth in respect of clearnesse and evidence. Hence the whole world is said to lye in darknesse, 1 John 2.11. The Platoes, the Aristotles of the world, were like the Sodomites groping in the dark, that could not feel what they sought for, but the Word of God, that is wonderfully commended for the clearnesse and brightnesse of the light it brings with it.

4. It faileth in respect of the efficacy: All that knowledge they had did not serve to purify their lives, to cleanse them from their wickedness, but they detained the truth in unrighteousness, Rom. 1. And if you say many Christians that have great revealed knowledge are not yet cleansed from their impieties; There is as much profaneness, yea sometimes more then have been in Heathens: Some Heathens would lose all they had rather then swear, they did so fear an oath. Basil upbraideth Christians with this. Of another Heathen it was said, You may sooner put the Sun out of its course, then make him do what is unjust: As also of Cato, either drunkenness was not a sin, or Cato was not drunk: but are there not thousands of Christians, and that with much knowledge, great understanding in the Scripture and Religion, yet run into all this excessive wickedness? It's true, and woe be to those that make it true; but then you must remember, that there is a mere barren brain knowledge, and a gracious practical knowledge: Now where this later is, there is always a clean and pure life; as for the other, it's not so much a knowledge, as a profession of it; They profess they know God, but in works they deny him,