The Godly Man's Picture

3. Are they godly,¹ who though they have some glimmering of knowledge, yet no fiducial applying of Christ: Many of the Old World knew there was an Ark, but were drowned, because they did not get into the Ark; Knowledge, which is not applying, will but light a man to hell; it were better to live an Indian, than to die an Infidel under the Gospel: Christ not believed in, is terrible. Moses Rod, when it was in his ⟨p. 24⟩hand, did a great deal of good, it wrought Miracles, but when it was out of his hand, it became a Serpent: So Christ, when laid hold on by the hand of Faith, is full of comfort, but not laid hold on, will prove a Serpent to sting.

1. 13 Bran.

Use 2.¹ As we would evidence our selves godly, let us labour for this good knowledge of the Lord: What pains will men take for the achievement of Natural Knowledge! I have read of one Benchorat, who spent forty years in finding out the motion of the Eighth Sphere; what pains then should we take in finding out the knowledge of God in Christ? There must be digging and searching for it, as one would search for a vein of silver, Pro. 2. 3. If thou seekest her as silver. —Et pluteum coedit,² & dimorsos sapit ungues.

Use 2.¹ As we would evidence our selves godly, let us labour for this good knowledge of the Lord: What pains will men take for the atchievement of Natural Knowledge! I have read of one Benchorat, who spent forty years in finding out the motion of the Eighth Sphere; what pains then should we take in finding out the knowledge of God in Christ? There must be digging and searching for it, as one would search for a vein of silver,