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

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, Tit. 1.16. therefore the Scripture complaineth of such as not knowing God, The Ox knoweth his owner, and the Ass his masters crib, but Israel hath not known me saith God, Isa. 1.6. We might add more things, but I shall spend the other part by way of Use in practical corollaries of great use in our lives.

4. It faileth in respect of the efficacy: All that knowledge they had did not serve to purifie their lives, to cleanse them from their wickednesse, but they detained the truth in unrighteousnesse, Rom. 1. And if you say many Christians that have great revealed knowledge are not yet cleansed from their impieties; There is as much prophannesse, 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 Sunne out of its course, then make him do what is unjust: As also of Cato, either drunkennesse was not a sinne, 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 runne into all this excessive wickednesse? It's true, and wo be to those that make it true; but then you must remember, that there is a meer barren brain knowledge, and a gracious practicall knowledge: Now where this later is, there is alwaies a clean and pure life; as for the other, it's not so much a knowledge, as a profession of it; They professe they know God, but in works they deny him,