A30241:469
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, or, Christs prayer before his passion explicated, and both practically and polemically improved by Anthony Burgess ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1656
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 18: The Necessity of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus as well as of God the Father.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But 1. There is no man knoweth as much about God and Christ as may be known; The Apostle that was lifted up to the third heavens, yet he saith, We know but in part, 1 Cor. 13. If Paul then knew but in part, what must others do? We see the Angels themselves desire to have the Mystery of Christ made more known to them, Eph. 3. so that it's a foolish conceit to think thou knowest enough already, for though our knowledge shall be perfected in heaven, yet even there we cannot know God as much as he is known, for the infinite object cannot be comprehended by a finite faculty.
2. Suppose thou couldst not grow in knowledge, which yet is impossible, yet the Ministry is necessary for thy heart and affections; The devils know more then any man, but there will is obdurate and hardened in wickedness; So thou mayest have great knowledge and understanding, yet thy heart may need much quickening, much mollifying, and for this end the Ministry is appointed.
2. Suppose thou couldst not grow in knowledge, which yet is impossible, yet the Ministry is necessary for thy heart and affections; The devils know more then any man, but there will is obdurate and hardened in wickednesse; So thou maist have great knowledge and understanding, yet thy heart may need much quickening, much mollifying, and for this end the Ministry is appointed.
3, If thou didst not find a need of them either for understanding or heart, which yet is more impossible then the former; yet God having appointed such a way, thou art only for obedience sake, and to testify thy submission to God to do it; Christ needed not to be baptized, for he wanted not the grace signified, viz. remission of sins: Yet to show his obedience he did it, Adam though created in a state of integrity, yet had a command of trial, to manifest his obedience, and so though never so perfect, yet thou canst not be exempted from obedience to Gods commands.