4 Their knowledge is effectual, it makes them ready to obey, the law is ⟨p. 166⟩a light to my feet, and a Lantern to my paths, saith David, it is not a light to the understanding only, but it a light to my steps, to my practice, all the understanding they have, is true knowledge, if a man should walk in such a soil where he should certainly sink in, and be swallowed up, would you think he knows the danger? it is a sign he knew it not; so we say, if we meet with one of our acquaintance, and he passeth by us without observing, we say, he would not know us.

4 Their knowledge is effectuall, it makes them ready to obey, the law is ⟨p. 166⟩a light to my feet, and a Lanthorne to my paths, saith David, it is not a light to the understanding only, but it a light to my steps, to my practice, all the understanding they have, is true knowledge, if a man should walk in such a soil where he should certainly sinck in, and be swallowed up, would you think he knows the danger? it is a sign he knew it not; so we say, if we meet with one of our acquaintance, and he passeth by us without observing, we say, he would not know us.

3 For the object (all things) that is, all things pertaining to life and godliness, 2 Pet. 1.3. for they do not know the motions of the Heavens, the influences of the Stars, the nature of the Creatures, but they know all things belonging to life and godliness.

3 For the object (all things) that is, all things pertaining to life and godliness, 2 Pet. 1.3. for they do not know the motions of the Heavens, the influences of the Stars, the nature of the Creatures, but they know all things belonging to life and godlinesse.

1 They know all things necessary to Salvation, no fundamental point but God reads it to them, which is necessary to Salvation, Joh. 17.3.

1 It is expedient, some men in some Callings should know more than others, as Ministers, Jer. 3.15. Mal. 2.7. it is fit that they should know more than others, and God hath promised their lips shall preserve knowledge; so it is not enough for a Magistrate to know as a private Christian, but he should know how to administer Judgment, 1 King. 3.9. & 12. as Solomon prayed for Wisdom, so Husbands should know more than Wives, 1 Pet. 3.17. so Parents than Children Ephes. 6.4.

1 It is expedient, some men in some Callings should know more than others, as Ministers, Jer. 3.15. Mal. 2.7. it is fit that they should know more than others, and God hath promised their lips shall preserve knowledge; so it is not enough for a Magistrate to know as a private Christian, but he should know how to administer Judgment, 1 King. 3.9. & 12. as Salomon prayed for Wisdom, so Husbands should know more than Wives, 1 Pet. 3.17. so Parents than Children Ephes. 6.4.

2 There is an expedience and meetness in regard of the present condition of Gods people, if God see that his Children he puffed up with knowledge, he is pleased to leave them in much ignorance; but if he finds their hearts humble, and prepared to hear, he doth delight to pour out his Spirit on them, Ps. 25.9. as long as the Woman had an empty Vessel, the Oil run, but when it was full, it ceased; so as long as we come with empty hearts this Oil runs upon them, but as soon as they think they have enough, and rest content, their knowledge stands at a stay.

2 There is an expedience and meetnesse in regard of the present condition of Gods people, if God see that his Children he puft up with knowledge, he is pleased to leave them in much ignorance; but if he finds their hearts humble, and prepared to hear, he doth delight to poure out his Spirit on them, Ps. 25.9. as long as the Woman had an empty Vessel, the Oyl run, but when it was ful, it ceased; so as long as we come with empty hearts this Oyl runs upon them, but as soon as they think they have enough, and rest content, their knowledge stands at a stay.

3 There is expediency for the present practice in any business, a man that hath present need of direction, in some present business that must presently be done, if men have humble hearts, and look up to God why the Spirit is pleased to whisper into their hearts, there is your way walk in it, Isa. 30.21.

3 There is expediency for the present practice in any businesse, a man that hath present need of direction, in some present businesse that must presently be done, if men have humble hearts, and look up to God why the Spirit is pleased to whisper into their hearts, there is your way walk in it, Isa. 30.21.

4 There is a further expedience for the present condition of the Church, for sundry things are expedient in sundry Ages, it had been an hindrance of many providences of God, had they known the sinfulness of Polygamy in the first ages of the world; so, many Christians were ignorant of the Death and Resurrection of Christ, but after the Ascension of Christ they had the clear knowledge thereof, 2 Pet. 1.18. the days of the Old Testament were but as a dim light, now it is more clear: the Fathers of the Church of Old had little of the Revelation of Saint John, and as the Church hath now need to know more than at other times, so God reveals himself accordingly: had those seven thousand in Israel which bowed not their knee to Baal, been endued with the spirit of Elijah, certainly the Church had been dissipated, had they spoken with the same spirit and power that he did, they had been dissipated: but they knew as much as God saw fit for their present condition, and so what God sees meet for you to know, as far as you stand in need to know the spirit of Antichrist in th•se times, so far shall knowledge be revealed to you, so that you may be preserved.

4 There is a further expedience for the present condition of the Church, for sundry things are expedient in sundry Ages, it had been an hindrance of many providences of God, had they known the sinfulnesse of Poligamie in the first ages of the world; so, many Christians were ignorant of the Death and Resurrection of Christ, but after the Ascension of Christ they had the clear knowledge thereof, 2 Pet. 1.18. the dayes of the Old Testament were but as a dim light, now it is more clear: the Fathers of the Church of Old had little of the Revelation of Saint John, and as the Church hath now need to know more than at other times, so God reveals himselfe accordingly: had those seven thousand in Israel which bowed not their knee to Baal, been endued with the spirit of Elias, certainly the Church had been dissipated, had they spoken with the same spirit and power that he did, they had been dissipated: but they knew as much as God saw fit for their present condition, and so what God sees meet for you to know, as farre as you stand in need to know the spirit of Antichrist in th•se times, so farre shall knowledge be revealed to you, so that you may be preserved.

For the Reasons of the Point.

Reas. 1. From the object of their Knowledge, and in him all things needful; 2 Cor. 2.2. in Christ they have enough, Col. 2.9, 10. therefore having got Christ, will he not give you all other things needful? since God hath given us Christ, ⟨p. 167⟩our head understands all things, and the head will be sure to guide the foot, when it hath need to go.

2 From the excellency of their Teacher, John 6.45. thy Children shall be [Greek or Hebrew], Isa. 48.17. and if God undertake to teach us to profit he is able to do more than any other teachers; they may teach, but they cannot give a dullard wit, but God can open our understandings, and enlarge our hearts with wisdom, so that he will clear the object, the Medium and the faculty, Psal 119.13. I have more understanding then my teachers, so vers. 97.

2 From the excellency of their Teacher, John 6.45. thy Children shall be 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Isa. 48.17. and if God undertake to teach us to profit he is able to do more than any other teachers; they may teach, but they cannot give a dullard wit, but God can open our understandlngs, and enlarge our hearts with wisdom, so that he will clear the object, the Medium and the faculty, Psal 119.13. I have more understanding then my teachers, so vers. 97.

Use. 1 A ground of singular comfort to any poor Christian, that whatsoever is needful for him, expedient for him, he hath a teacher; every poor Christian hath a Counsellor within him; that teacheth him all things, and this is better than the Urim and Thummim, and Ephod; to counsel at, we have an unction which is worth all, we have an oracle in our breasts, which if we would but rub up, would reveal all things to us.

Ʋse. 1 A ground of singular comfort to any poor Christian, that whatsoever is needfull for him, expedient for him, he hath a teacher; every poor Christian hath a Counsellor within him; that teacheth him all things, and this is better than the Ʋrim and Thummim, and Ephod; to counsell at, we have an unction which is worth all, we have an oracle in our breasts, which if we would but rub up, would reveal all things to us.

2 Here is ground of trial to all, art thou a true Child of God? thou mayest know it by thy knowledge, dost thou find thy heart prepared to receive Christs voice? and dost thou discern of things that differ? and dost thou still think thou knowest nothing? is thy knowledge clear, particular, and effectual? doth God give thee knowledge according to thy calling, and present employment? why then certainly thou art a Child of God, and hast received an unction from the holy one; but if it be contrary with thee, thou canst not be assured that thou hast received an unction from the spirit, and so the least in Gods Kingdom is greater, and hath received more knowledge than thou.

2 Here is ground of tryall to all, art thou a true Child of God? thou mayest know it by thy knowledge, dost thou find thy heart prepared to receive Christs voyce? and dost thou discern of things that differ? and dost thou still think thou knowest nothing? is thy knowledge clear, particular, and effectuall? doth God give thee knowledge according to thy calling, and present imployment? why then certainly thou art a Child of God, and hast received an unction from the holy one; but if it be contrary with thee, thou canst not be assured that thou hast received an unction from the spirit, and so the least in Gods Kingdome is greater, and hath received more knowledge than thou.

Use 3 May teach every Child of God, what course to take to get knowledge, and use it, and increase it; if you want knowledge, give up thy heart to God, labour for that spiritual eye salve; that may enlighten thine eyes; one days teaching in Christs School, is able to teach thee more than thou canst learn all thy life time from other teachers, if you neglect this; though you should spend much time in Schools, and Universities, you shall not find so much, as the poorest Christian can teach you.

Ʋse 3 May teach every Child of God, what course to take to get knowledge, and use it, and increase it; if you want knowledge, give up thy heart to God, labour for that spirituall eye salve; that may inlighten thine eyes; one dayes teaching in Christs School, is able to teach thee more than thou canst learn all thy life time from other teachers, if you neglect this; though you should spend much time in Schooles, and Universities, you shall not find so much, as the poorest Christian can teach you.

And for you that have received this unction, make use of it, it is not for you to hide and smother this light, it is for you to consult at this oracle; and take heed by all means that you grieve not this spirit by any vanity, or sin you cleave unto, for then you shall find this ointment very much straitened, and you shall be put to great straights; therefore keep your hearts empty and humble, hungering after the ways of God, and gladly receive his motions, he will be ready to fill empty Vessels, and to guide an humble soul in his ways: Lead me O Lord in thy ways, saith David: he speaks as a blind man, that wants some body to lead him; such souls are sensible of their own blindness, and depend upon God, and are ready to walk according to the counsel he gives, the Lord will be ready to reveal all things to them, necessary and expedient, and yet think you still have need of help, but yet take heed of trusting to any motion, but what comes from the spirit.

And for you that have received this unction, make use of it, it is not for you to hide and smother this light, it is for you to consult at this oracle; and take heed by all means that you grieve not this spirit by any vanity, or sin you cleave unto, for then you shall find this oyntment very much straitned, and you shall be put to great straights; therefore keep your hearts empty and humble, hungring after the wayes of God, and gladly receive his motions, he will be ready to fill empty Vessells, and to guide an humble soul in his wayes: Lead me O Lord in thy wayes, saith David: he speaks as a blind man, that wants some body to lead him; such souls are sensible of their own blindnesse, and depend upon God, and are ready to walk according to the counsell he gives, the Lord will be ready to reveal all things to them, necessary and expedient, and yet think you stil have need of help, but yet take heed of trusting to any motion, but what comes from the spirit.

Use 4 Here we see of what use it is to consult with Christians in cases of difference, 1 Cor 6 1. to 6. for the weakest Christian is more able to discern than the greatest heathenish Philosophers or Counsellors; God doth provide that there shall be some differences in the judgements of his Children, but in the main, they shall hold no error hurtful; therefore let us search more into this ointment▪ and labour for it more than ever; we never had more need of knowledge, than in these days, and our Children will have more; therefore let us labour to establish them and our selves in the truth.

Ʋse 4 Here we see of what use it is to consult with Christians in cases of difference, 1 Cor 6 1. to 6. for the weakest Christian is more able to discern than the greatest heathenish Phylosophers or Counsellors; God doth provide that there shall be some differences in the judgements of his Children, but in the main, they shall hold no error hurtfull; therefore let us search more into this oyntment▪ and labour for it more than ever; we never had more need of knowledge, than in these dayes, and our Children will have more; therefore let us labour to establish them and our selves in the truth.