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.

1 JOHN 2.21. I have not written unto you, because you know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lye is of the truth.

1 JOHN 2.21. I have not written unto you, because you know not the truth, but because yee know it, and that no lye is of the truth.

These words are an answer to an objection that might arise from the former verse, why might they say, if we know all things, what need you write to us concerning such and such things? or thus, if we know all things, what need you write to us? if we know not, how can we be said to know all things? to this he answers in this vers. I write unto you, not because you know not the truth, &c wherein we have the cause of his writing.

THese words are an answer to an objection that might arise from the former verse, why might they say, if we know all things, what need you write to us concerning such and such things? or thus, if we know all things, what need you write to us? if we know not, how can we be said to know all things? to this he answers in this vers. I write unto you, not because you know not the truth, &c wherein we have the cause of his writing.

1 The Negative, not for their Ignorance.

2 The Positive cause, because ye do know, and because veruw est Index sui & obliqui, therefore ye know likewise what is not of the truth, that no lye is of the truth.

Doct. The Apostles writings were rather directed to such as know the truth, then such as know not the truth. Or thus, It is not the ignorance of the truth, but rather the knowledge of it, that occasioned the Apostles writings.

Observe all the Apostles writings, they were never written to any Country, or Town or person that did not know the truth before, but they were already brought on to the knowledge of the truth, Rom. 15.14. so the Corinths, he speaks to them, as to a Church of God, 1 Cor. 1.1.2 & 8, 9. so Gal. 2, 3, 4. and chap. 3. so Ephes. 4.21. Phil. 1.6. Col. 1.12, 13. so the Thessalonians, he blessed God for their election, 1 Thes. 1.9. so Timothy and Titus he writes to them, as to his natural sons in Christ, Heb. 6.9.10, 11. so the Apostle James chap. 1.2, 3. so 1 Pet. 1.2, 3, 4. so this Apostle St. John, I write unto you, because you know the truth. 2 Epist. 1. and third Epistle, 2.3. so the Epistles, Christ wrote to the seven Churches of Asia, he wrote to them as such as knew the truth of Christ, and profest his name; so that this is an universal truth, that not the Ignorance of the truth, but the knowledge hath occasioned the Apostles writings.

Observe all the Apostles writings, they were never written to any Country, or Town or person that did not know the truth before, but they were already brought on to the knowledge of the truth, Rom. 15.14. so the Corinths, he speaks to them, as to a Church of God, 1 Cor. 1.1.2 & 8, 9. so Gal. 2, 3, 4

Reas. 1. From God, who hath not sanctified their writings to this end, to the conversion of the Gentiles, but to their establishment, the Apostle here speaks of them that knew the main truth, though they were Ignorant of many particular truths; if men be converted to the truth; and brought to prize Christ and walk in obedience, there may be great use of the Apostles writings to establish them in the truth, we never read that they wrote to any Kingdoms where themselves had not been or sent; they wrote not to Persia, or Spain, or France, but to such places as they had been at, and if God had sanctified their writings to the conversion of the Gentiles, it had been more fit to write to such places, where they were not likely to come, rather than such places as they came at, 1 Cor. 1.2. but we see that God hath so ordered it, that men should be called by the foolishness of preaching, Rom. 10 13, •4, 15▪ and not of writing, it is not his writing to them, but he must be sent to them, so that the work of conversion is wrought by the preaching of the Gospel.

Reas. 1. From God, who hath not sanctified their writings to this end, to the conversion of the Gentiles, but to their establishment, the Apostle here speaks of them that knew the main truth, though they were Ignorant of many particular truths; if men be converted to the truth; and brought to prize Christ and walk in obedience, there may be great use of the Apostles writings to establish them in the truth, we never reade that they wrote to any Kingdomes where themselves had not been or sent; they wrote not to Persia, or Spaine, or France, but to such places as they had been at, and if God had sanctified their writings to the conversion of the Gentiles, it had been more fit to write to such places, where they were not likely to come, rather than such places as they came at, 1 Cor. 1.2. but we see that God hath so ordered it, that men should be called by the foolishnesse of preaching, Rom. 10 13, •4, 15▪ and not of writing, it is not his writing to them, but he must be sent to them, so that the work of conversion is wrought by the preaching of the Gospel.

Reas. 2. From the accompanying of their preaching of the Gospel with mighty signs and wonders, but we never read that God accompanied any of their writings with miracles, their writings laid upon any disease, healed none, but their presence healed many, and did many wonders, Heb. 2.2, 3, 4. 1 Cor. 5.22. tongues are not for them that believe, but them that believe not that is, the miracle of speaking with divers tongues, is not for them that believe, but for them that believe not; therefore we never read in any History, that their writings did work any miracle, and so he never intended that they should convert.

Reas. 2. From the accompanying of their preaching of the Gospel with mighty signes and wonders, but we never read that God accompanied any of their writings with miracles, their writings laid upon any disease, healed none, but their presence healed many, and did many wonders, Heb. 2.2, 3, 4. 1 Cor. 5.22. tongues are not for them that beleeve, but them that believe not that is, the miracle of speaking with divers tongues, is not for them that beleeve, but for them that beleeve not; therefore we never read in any History, that their writings did work any miracle, and so he never intended that they should convert.

Obj. What then, is their writings in vain, seeing they are of no use to convince?

A. No, there are singular uses of their Writings.

1 Sometimes to put men in remembrance of what they have heard, Rom. 15.14. 2 Pet. 1.15.

2 That they may be established in the truth, and confirmed in the knowledge thereof, 2 Cor. 13.1. Phil. 3.1. To write the same things, to me it is not grievous, but for you it is safe.