First, That Knowledge that accompanies salvation, is a working Knowledge,1 an operative Knowledge, 2 Cor. 11. 6. God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ: Divine light reaches the heart as well as the head. The beams of Divine light shining in upon the soul through the glorious face of Christ, are very working; they warm the heart, they ⟨p. 328⟩affect the heart, they new mould the heart. Divine knowledge masters the heart, it guides the heart, it governs the heart, it sustains the heart, it relieves the heart. Rom. 6. 6. We know that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth 2we should not serve sin. Divine knowledge puts a man upon crucifying of sin, it keeps a man from being a servant, a slave to sin, which no other knowledge can do. Under all other knowledge, men remain servants to their lusts, and are taken prisoners by Satan at his will. No knowledge lifts a man up above his lusts, but that which accompanies salvation. The wisest Philosophers, and the greatest3 Doctors, under all their sublime notions, and rare speculations, have been kept in bondage by their lusts. That knowledge that accompanies salvation, is operative knowledge. 1 John 2. 3, 4. And hereby we do know, that we know him, if we keep his Commandments. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his Commandments, is a liar, and the 4truth is not in him. By keeping his Commandments they did know, that ⟨p. 329⟩they did know him; that is, they were assured that they did know him. To know that we know, is to be assured that we know. So in Jam. 3. 17. But the wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated; full of mercy, and good fruits; without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Verse 13. Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge amongst you? Let him show out of a good conversation, his works with meekness of wisdom. Divine knowledge fills a man full of spiritual activity, it will make a man work, as if he would be saved by his works; and yet it will make a man believe that he is saved only upon the5 account of Free-grace. That knowledge that is not operative and working, will only serve to light souls to Hell, and to double damn all that6 have it.
First, That Knowledge that accompanies salvation, is a working Knowledge,1 an operative Knowledge, 2 Cor. 11. 6. God who commanded the light to shine out of darknesse, hath shined in our hearts, to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ: Divine light reaches the heart as well as the head. The beames of Divine light shining in upon the soule thorow the glorious face of Christ, are very working; they warm the heart, they ⟨p. 328⟩affect the heart, they new mould the heart. Divine knowledge masters the heart, it guides the heart, it governs the heart, it sustains the heart, it relieves the heart. Rom. 6. 6. We know that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth 2we should not serve sin. Divine knowledge puts a man upon crucifying of sin, it keeps a man from being a servant, a slave to sin, which no other knowledge can do. Under all other knowledge, men remain servants to their lusts, and are taken prisoners by Satan at his will. No knowledge lifts a man up above his lusts, but that which accompanies salvation. The wisest Philosophers, and the greatest3 Doctors, under all their sublime notions, and rare speculations, have been kept in bondage by their lusts. That knowledge that accompanies salvation, is operative knowledge. 1 John 2. 3, 4. And hereby we do know, that we know him, if we keep his Commandments. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his Commandments, is a lier, and the 4truth is not in him. By keeping his Commandments they did know, that ⟨p. 329⟩they did know him; that is, they were assured that they did know him. To know that we know, is to be assured that we know. So in Jam. 3. 17. But the wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easie to be intreated; full of mercy, and good fruits; without partiality, and without hypocrisie. Verse 13. Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge amongst you? Let him shew out of a good conversation, his works with meekness of wisdom. Divine knowledge fills a man full of spiritual activity, it will make a man work, as if he would be saved by his works; and yet it will make a man believe that he is saved onely upon the
- 1Knowledge that swims in the head only, and sinks not down into t•e heart, doth no more good then rain inth m•ddle region or then the Unicorns horn i• the Unicorns head.Knowledge that swims in the head only, and sinks not down into t•e heart, doth no more good then rain inth m•ddle re•ion or then the Un•corns horn i• the Unicorns head.
- 21 John 3 6. Whosoever sinneth (viz. Customarily, habitually, delightfully) hath not seen him, neither known him.
- 3As Socrates and others.
- 4He is a liar in a double respect. 1. In that he saith he hath that knowledge which he hath not. 2. In that he denies that in his works, which he affirms in his words.He is a lier in a double respect. 1. In that he saith he hath that knowledge which he hath not. 2. In that he denies that in his works, which he affirms in his words.
- 5Ephes. 2. 8.
- 6Matth. 23. 14.
