A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

You that have received the Unction of the Holy one, I write to you, not because you know not the truth, but because you know it, 1 Tim. 4.3. where he puts Believers and knowers together, now Believers are anointed with the Spirit of faith, John 8.31▪ 32. so much sincerity of truth, so much Discipleship, the stronger faith, the stronger knowledge of the truth, the weaker our faith the weaker our knowledge.

You that have received the Unction of the Holy one, I write to you, not because you know not the truth, but because you know it, 1 Tim. 4.3. where he puts Beleevers and knowers together, now Beleevers are anoynted with the Spirit of faith, John 8.31▪ 32. so much sincerity of truth, so much Discipleship, the stronger faith, the stronger knowledge of the truth, the weaker our faith the weaker our knowledge.

For Explication.

Q. 1. What is the truth?

But here by the truth is meant the Doctrine. of the Gospel, Ephes. 4.21. which is called the truth in Jesus, that truth which teacheth us to find Christ, to prize Christ, and you know it in a special manner, as it is in Jesus in a Crucified manner, you know it as it is in Jesus which raiseth you from death to life; it is sometimes called the word of truth, Col. 1.5. Gal. 2.4, 5. so then, you that know the truth, you know the worth of Christ, the means to find him, yea you know him in a Crucified manner, in his Death and Resurrection.

But here by the truth is meant the Doctrin. of the Gospel, Ephes. 4.21. which is called the truth in Jesus, that truth which teacheth us to finde Christ, to prize Christ, and you know it in a special manner, as it is in Jesus in a Crucified manner, you know it as it is in Jesus which raiseth you from death to life; it is sometimes called the word of truth, Col. 1.5. Gal. 2.4, 5. so then, you that know the truth, you know the worth of Christ, the means to finde him, yea you know him in a Crucified manner, in his Death and Resurrection.

Q. 2. What is the knowledge of the truth?

A. Three things make up the knowledge of the truth.

1 The understanding of it.

2 Approving of it, and consenting to it.

3 Because a man may consent to it, either as probable, or as certain and evident knowledge, therefore it is not only an understanding of the truth, but a consenting to it, and that not as a probable thing, but as an undoubted certain truth, Judicium contingentis axiomatis est opinio, necessarii scientia, if it be from the causes, then it is scientia, if by the effects, cognitio.

And thus these Babes know the truth, you understand it, you consent to it, ⟨p. 171⟩you yield to it as a certain and undoubted truth; and that all those concur to knowledge, we may see by Scripture.

And thus these Babes know the truth, you understand it, you consent to it, ⟨p. 171⟩you yeeld to it as a certain and undoubted truth; and that all those concur to knowledge, we may see by Scripture.

1 For understanding, see Luke 24.45.

2 They approve and consent to it, and follow it, John 10.4, 5, 27.

3 They do not only understand it clearly, and approve of it, but receive it as a certain undoubted truth; so John 6.69. We know, and are assured, that thou art the Christ.

There is as much difference between knowledge and faith, as betwixt hearing and seeing; if I hear a thing from an undoubted testimony I believe it, but when I see it my self, I know it more evidently; Stephen believed that Christ sate at Gods right hand, but when he saw it, he knew it certainly; so that these Babes by some sight and experience know those things that they believe, Heb. 11.2. this knowledge is one of the chiefest things that perfects the mind of a man, Isa. 11.2. what spirit is a spirit of wisdom and understanding? understanding apprehends it, Wisdom judgeth of it, and discerns of the truth hereof; Knowledge sees that they are most certainly true, and then he believes it, John 6.69. we know, and are sure, for none can know a thing but those that are sure of it.

There is as much difference between knowledge and faith, as betwixt hearing and seeing; if I hear a thing from an undoubted testimony I beleeve it, but when I see it my self, I know it more evidently; Stephen beleeved that Christ sate at Gods right hand, but when he saw it, he knew it certainly; so that these Babes by some sight and experience know those things that they beleeve, Heb. 11.2. this knowledge is one of the chiefest things that perfects the mind of a man, Isa. 11.2. what spirit is a spirit of wisdome and understanding? understanding apprehends it, Wisdom judgeth of it, and discerns of the truth hereof; Knowledge sees that they are most certainly true, and then he beleeves it, John 6.69. we know, and are sure, for none can know a thing but those that are sure of it.

Q. What is the reason, that by virtue of this Unction babes come to know the truth?

Q. What is the reason, that by virtue of this Ʋnction babes come to know the truth?