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

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?

2 He vouchsafes to them Wisdom, whereby they embrace and approve the truth, as the very truth of Christ, and they have a spirit of faith to believe it, therefore have knowledge of it.

2 He vouchsafes to them Wisdome, whereby they imbrace and approve the truth, as the very truth of Christ, and they have a spirit of faith to believe it, therefore have knowledge of it.

3 He gives them experience, that their hearts do as plainly feel, as their understandings know; nay these Babes, they fetch their understanding from the feeling of their hearts, they know the danger of sin, and the worth of Christ, and this puts them to reach after Christ, and look at him as the most excellent of a thousand, and so they come to find true fellowship with Christ, by putting into them a spirit of peace, 1 Pet. 3.8. so that they know it not only by faith, but by experience, and so they know the truth as it is in Christ; you may have men by hearing and study, come to know very largely of the ways of Grace; the Doctrines and points of Divinity; nay, they may come to approve of them, and may convince an adversary, but yet this is not properly a knowledge of these things, but an understanding of them; a man that wants this Unction may say, he understands these, and believes them, but he cannot say he knows them by any sensible work of God on his own soul.

3 He gives them experience, that their hearts do as plainly feel, as their understandings know; nay these Babes, they fetch their understanding from the feeling of their hearts, they know the danger of sin, and the worth of Christ, and this puts them to reach after Christ, and look at him as the most excellent of a thousand, and so they come to finde true fellowship with Christ, by puting into them a spirit of peace, 1 Pet. 3.8. so that they know it not only by faith, but by experience, and so they know the truth as it is in Christ; you may have men by hearing and study, come to know very largely of the wayes of Grace; the Doctrins and points of Divinity; nay, they may come to approve of them, and may convince an adversary, but yet this is not properly a knowledge of these things, but an understanding of them; a man that wants this Unction may say, he understands these, and beleeves them, but he cannot say he knowes them by any sensible worke of God on his own soul.

Use 1 May exhort all (in the name of the Lord) that intend to receive the Sacrament, to a conscionable care and endeavour to get knowledge, it is not a privilege of Scholars, but even of very Babes, if they have received this Unction, therefore let none excuse themselves, for if the Apostle acknowledge it in Babes, it may shame elder people, if they be ignorant of the rudiments of Religion, therefore labour to grow up to a knowledge of the truth, there is no hope that you should either find comfort in Gods Ordinances here, or in the life to come, if you be ignorant of the truth, Isa. 27.11. it is a fearful judgement, These people have no understanding, therefore their Maker will show them no favour, that is, no grace in Christ, they shall neither find mercy, nor favour; and mark how he prevents an Objection: He that made us will surely save us; no, if you be ignorant he that made you will not save you, therefore if you would ever get any good to your souls, above all gettings get understanding, for without it look for no mercy, and above all understanding get this wisdom, which is infused by the Unction of the Spirit.

Ʋse 1 May exhort all (in the name of the Lord) that intend to receive the Sacrament, to a conscionable care and endeavour to get knowledge, it is not a priviledge of Scholars, but even of very Babes, if they have received this Unction, therefore let none excuse themselves, for if the Apostle acknowledge it in Babes, it may shame elder people, if they be ignorant of the rudiments of Religion, therefore labour to grow up to a knowledge of the truth, there is no hope that you should either finde comfort in Gods Ordinances here, or in the life to come, if you be ignorant of the truth, Isa. 27.11. it is a fearfull judgement, These people have no understanding, therefore their Maker will shew them no favour, that is, no gnace in Christ, they shall neither finde mercy, nor favour; and mark how he prevents an Objection: He that made us will surely save us; no, if you be ignorant he that made you will not save you, therefote if you would ever get any good to your souls, above all gettings get understanding, for without it look for no mercy, and above all understanding get this wisdome, which is infused by the Unction of the Spirit.

And so Parents and Masters, as you desire to get favour of God for your Children, and Servants, be careful to instruct them in the ways of truth, and for such as have got knowledge, labour to grow up in this Spiritual knowledge, Col. 2.2, 3. Three things did Paul conflict for;

1 That their hearts might be comforted, nothing more useful for a Christian than comfort, but when Christians have got comfort, it is easy for Christians to fit loose one from another, and not to regard one another; therefore,

1 That their hearts might be comforted, nothing more useful for a Christian than comfort, but when Christians have got comfort, it is easie for Christians to fit loose one from another, and not to regard one another; therefore,

2 His conflict was, that they might be knit together in the bond of love.

3 That they might grow up to fullness of knowledge, &c. so that we see it is matter of great Conflict to the Apostles, with God, that they might be brought to the riches of full assurance, and shall Ministers thus Conflict for their people, and shall not people themselves labour to grow up to fullness of knowledge, and not be remiss, and know some pieces and parts of the truth, but to come to the riches and fullness of understanding? It would be a great conflict to a faithful Minister to see people poor in knowledge, to have only a few remnants and shreds of knowledge, some superficial kind of knowledge, therefore let people labour for the riches of the full assurance of understanding, which is properly true knowledge; we see therefore how much Parents and Masters are to blame, that are so far from having conflicts for the knowledge of their Children▪ and Servants, that they have no care at all to help them on; you are merciless Parents, and Masters, that do not labour to bring them on to the riches of knowledge, for without this they shall find no mercy, nor favour from God.

3 That they might grow up to fulness of knowledge, &c. so that we see it is matter of great Conflict to the Apostles, with God, that they might be brought to the riches of full assurance, and shall Ministers thus Conflict for their people, and shall not people themselves labour to grow up to fulnesse of knowledge, and not be remiss, and know some pieces and parts of the truth, but to come to the riches and fulnesse of understanding? It would be a great conflict to a faithful Minister to see people poor in knowledge, to have only a few remnants and shreds of knowledge, some superficial kinde of knowledge, therefore let people labour for the riches of the full assurance of understanding, which is properly true knowledge; we see therefore how much Parents and Masters are to blame, that are so far from having conflicts for the knowledge of their Children▪ and Servants, that they have no care at all to help them on; you are mercilesse Parents, and Masters, that do not labour to bring them on to the riches of knowledge, for without this they shall finde no mercy, nor favour from God.

Use 2 It may serve for a sign of trial of our knowledge, whether we have received the Unction of the Holy one, if you know the truth in a right manner, then you have partaken of the Unction of the Holy one; this differs from all other knowledge: For the cause of it, it is from God, Isa. 54.4. the means of getting it, is to attend diligently to the Word▪ private conference may bring on men to understanding of the truth; nay, where other means fail, it may bring them to the knowledge of faith, Joh. 4.42. when we come to public Ordinances, we arise to higher and full understanding, and riches of full assurance, they perceived Christ so speaking to their Souls, that they believed on him now by experience.

Ʋse 2 It may serve for a signe of trial of our knowledge, whether we have received the Unction of the Holy one, if you know the truth in a right manner, then you have partaken of the Unction of the Holy one; this differs from all other knowledge: For the cause of it, it is from God, Isa. 54.4. the means of getting it, is to attend diligently to the Word▪ private conference may bring on men to understanding of the truth; nay, where other means fail, it may bring them to the knowledge of faith, Joh. 4.42. when we come to publique Ordinances, we arise to higher and full understanding, and riches of full assurance, they perceived Christ so speaking to their Souls, that they believed on him now by experience.

First, Therefore listen to private Christians, but frequent the Ordinances, whereby you shall grow up to fullness of knowledge.

First, Therefore listen to private Christians, but frequent the Ordinances, whereby you shall grow up to fulnesse of knowledge.

The Second Means, is, frequency in prayer, Prov. 2.13, 14.

Thirdly, Obedience is the way to get knowledge, If any man do my Fathers, Will he shall know the truth; if you pray to God, and come to the Word, with a desire to do what you hear, and resolve that what the Lord speaks, you will hear and do it, and not only such resolution as is extorted by some Thunder-shakings, as the Jews, Exod. 20. but when you have a settled resolution, to obey what you know to be Gods Will, God will increase your knowledge.

Thirdly, Obedience is the way to get knowledge, If any man do my Fathers, Will he shall know the truth; if you pray to God, and come to the Word, with a desire to do what you hear, and resolve that what the Lord speaks, you will hear and do it, and not only such resolution as is extorted by some Thunder-shakings, as the Jews, Exod. 20. but when you have a setled resolution, to obey what you know to be Gods Will, God will increase your knowledge.

2 This knowledge differs from other knowledge in the effects, for this knowledge humbles men, Prov. 30.2, 3. and this knowledge works faith, Psal. 10.9. They that know thy name will trust in thee; and obedience, Col. 1.5, 6. that knowledge which brings not forth obedience▪ is no true knowledge; none but this kind of knowledge brings forth sincere obedience.

2 This knowledge differs from other knowledge in the effects, for this knowledge humbles men, Prov. 30.2, 3. and this knowledge works faith, Psal. 10.9. They that know thy name will trust in thee; and obedience, Col. 1.5, 6. that knowledge which brings not forth obedience▪ is no true knowledge; none but this kinde of knowledge brings forth sincere obedience.