An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

There are some things which 'tis a shame for a man not to know. The Apostle speaks often in that language (Rom. 2.4.) Despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? What a shame is it that any who know any thing should not know and understand the scope of the mercy of God to sinners; What! knowest thou not, that forbearance leads to repentance? Again, the same Apostle in the same Epistle puts the like upbraiding question (Rom. 7.1.) Know ye not (for I speak to them that know the Law) how that the Law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth. He is n t worthy to be reckoned as a piece of mankind, who is altogether unknowing; no• is he worthy to be reckoned among the men of his profession, who knows not the common principles of it. While the Apostl• sp•ke to those who knew the Law, he presumed they were not ignorant of that Rule in Law, that the Law which hath or should have dominion over all men living, hath no dominion over any man beyond this life. Now (I say) as it is a shame for any man not to know th•se things which are requi•ed of him, and specially concern him, so 'tis a presumption fo• any man to seek the knowledge of those things which are purposely reserved and hidden from him, (Deut. 29.29.) Secret things belong to God, revealed things to us and to our ⟨p. 539⟩children. Christ saith of the latter day, of the day of Judgment, (Math. 24.36.) Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the Angels of Heaven, but my Father only: and he removed the curiosity of his Apostles immediately before his ascension, for e•qui ing after that kind of knowledge (