A Guide to Godliness, Book 1 · Chapter 7
CAP. VII.
Of the quantity and quality of ſauing knowledge, and how neceſſary it is to a godly life.
§. Sect. 1 Of the quantity of knowledge, and the diuers degrees of it.
THe next point to bee conſidered in our knowledge, is the quantity and meaſure of it; the which is imperfect in the greateſt perfection which in this life can be attained. For as the Apoſtle (though he had receiued aboundance of the Spirit, and ſuch reuelations as were not lawfull to bee vttered) confeſſed of himſelfe, together with others, We know but in part; and ſee 1. Cor. 13. 9, 12. & 8. 2.through a glaſſe darkely; and if any man thinke that hee knoweth any thing (namely in perfection) he knoweth nothing as he ought to know. For, wee 2. Cor. 5. 7. Heb. 11. 1.walke by faith, and not by ſight. And, faith is of things vnſeene, and not in viſion and fruition. Neither can wee attaine to perfect knowledge, vntill we attaine vntounto perfect happineſſe, which is not in this life, but the life to come, when we ſhall ſee God face to face, and ſhall know as we are knowne; not by the knowledge of faith, which is but by hearing, ſignes, ſemblances, and reuelations; but of viſion, fruition, and moſt firme experience. For the perfection of our knowledge heere, conſiſteth moſt in the knowledge and acknowledgment of our imperfection, and not in the high degree of quantitie, but in the ſincerity and truth. The which knowledge diſcouereth our ignorance, that we may bewaile it, and cauſeth vsus (not in pride and ſelfe-conceit, to content our ſelues with that we hauehave, but ſeeing our imperfections) to labour in the vſe of all good meanes, after a greater meaſure, till by attaining to one degree after another, wee doe in the end obtaine, with perfection of knowledge, perfect happineſſe. But yet in this imperfect knowledge there are diuers degrees, which accordingly are diuerſly required, that they may be acceptable vntounto God, and ſufficient for vsus and our ſaluation. Firſt, in reſpect of the diuers times of illumination, for in the twy-light of the Law, when as the Sunne was not yet riſen, there was not ſo great a meaſure of knowledge required, as in the broad day of the Goſpel, when as God requireth ſome proportion between our ſight of knowledge, and the light of his truth ſhining vntounto vsus. Otherwiſe wee can hauehave no aſſurance that we are in the number of his Church, and of thoſe Eſa. 11. 9. Ier. 31. 34. Ioel. 2. 28.with whom the Couenant of grace is made, vnleſſe the Prophecies foretold of ſuch, be verified in vsus, and among the reſt, that we, who are taught by his Sonne and Spirit, ſhall know God and his will in farre greater perfection, then they did which were vnderunder the Pedagogie of the Law. So in reſpect of the meanes, God requireth a greater meaſure, according to their greatneſſe; expecting much, where he hath giuen much; as more of thoſe where the Goſpell is freely and openly preached, then of thoſe, who liuing in times of perſecution, hauehave it only by ſtealth, and with many difficulties and dangers. And in a flouriſhing Church (ſuch as ours is) hee requireth the greateſt meaſure, where hee hath planted the moſt faithfull Miniſterie. And therefore in this cleere light of the Goſpel, and liberall meanes which God alloweth vsus, wee are to labour after a like meaſure of knowledge, as the Apoſtle exhorteth the Coloſſians, Let the Word of Chriſt Col. 3. 16.dwell in you richly, in all wiſedome: to which end, we muſt not ceaſe to pray for our ſelues as the Apoſtle for them, that wee may be filled with the knowledge Col. 1. 9.of Gods will, in all wiſedome and ſpirituall vnderſtanding. Finally, that our knowledge may be acceptable, there is a diuers meaſure required, in reſpect of diuers callings. As that the Miniſters muſt exceed the people, ſeeing they are appointed their teachers and guides, and the Prieſts lips Mal. 2. 7.muſt preſerue knowledge, that the people may ſeeke the Law at their mouth. That the rich exceed the poore, becauſe they hauehave more leaſure, liberty, and opportunity to vſe the meanes; that the husband exceed the wife, and the father the children, becauſe they are bound by their places to teach and inſtruct them. And finally, that they who hauehave beene long Schollers in Chriſts Schoole, doe excell thoſe who are nouices, and but newly admitted, for want of which proficiencie, the Hebrews are ſharply reprooued by Heb. 5. 12.the Apoſtle. But yet wee are to know, that in all true members of the Church, who are of age and capacity, it is required, that they vnderſtand the maine principles of Chriſtian Religion, which are contained in ordinary Catechiſmes, that they may bee able to render an account of their 1. Pet. 3. 15. 1. Theſ. 5. 21. 1. Ioh. 4. 1. Act. 17. 11.faith to thoſe that aske them; to inſtruct thoſe who are vnderunder their gouernment, and to know and diſcerne the voyce of Chriſt from the voyce of a ſtranger, to try the ſpirits whether they bee of God or no, and not hand ouer head receiue whatſoeuer is deliuered by thoſe who are in the habit and place of a Miniſter, but to diſcerne, at leaſt, in maine points neceſſary to ſaluation, the ſound doctrines of their faithfull teachers, from the errours and vntruths of falſe ſeducers.
§. Sect. 2 Of the quality of our knowledge, that muſt be effectuall.
The laſt thing required in our knowledge, reſpecteth the quality of it, that it be ſanctifying effectuall, and ſauing knowledge. Neither doth eueryevery kind of knowledge make vsus and our liues acceptable vntounto God; for 1. Tim. 1. 4. & 6. 20.there is a falſe knowledge, conſiſting in vaine ſpeculations, fables, quirkes, and conceits of wit, endleſſe and vſeleſſe genealogies, which miniſter queſtions, rather then edifying which is in faith, and making men rather more proud and contentious, then more holy and religious, which is odious vntounto God. And there is a litterall or ſpeculatiue knowledge ſwimming in the braine, which not being effectuall for the ſanctifying of the 1. Cor. 13. 2. & 8. 1.heart, and amendment of the life, doth not profit, but rather hurt thoſe that hauehave it, puſſing them vp with pride, and making them diſdaine thoſe that want it. The which, as it increaſeth their ſinne, becauſe it is committed againſt knowledge and conſcience, and leaueth men without excuſe, ſo doth it make their puniſhment more grieuous, and their condemnation more intolerable; for the ſeruant that knoweth his maſters will and doth Luk 12. 47.it not, ſhall be beaten with many ſtripes; and it ſhall bee more eaſie for Sodom Mat. 11. 21, 22. Iohn 9. 41.and Gomorrah at the day of Iudgement, then for Corazin and Bethſaida, becauſe, hearing Chriſts Word, and ſeeing his workes, they repented not. This knowledge, though it be true in reſpect of the obiect, which is the Word and truth of God, yet is it vaine in regard of the effect, being vneffectuall to a godly life, and to the aſſuring vsus of life eternall; in which, when we excell neuer ſo much, yet ſhall wee come ſhort of many wicked men, who are in the ſtate of death and condemnation, yea of the deuils themſelues, who in theory and ſpeculation know more then wee. Yea, in truth ſuch knowledge is no better then ignorance in Gods eſtimate, ſeeing we know onelyonly ſo much in Chriſtianity as we bring into vſe and practice, according to that of the Apoſtle; Heereby we doe know that wee know God, if we keepe his Commandements; he that ſaith, I know him, and keepeth not 1. Iob. 2. 3.his Commandements, is a lyer, and the truth is not in him. And againe, Whoſoeuer abideth in him, ſinneth not; whoſoeuer ſinneth (that is, in whomſoeuer 1. Iob. 3. 6.ſinne ruleth and reigneth) hath not ſeene him, neither knowne him.
§. Sect. 3 That ſauing knowledge is neceſſary to a godly life.
And therefore if we would be accepted of God, and hauehave our liues and wayes pleaſing in his ſight, wee muſt not content our ſelues with ſuch a Stude non vt plus alijs ſcias, ſed vt melius, Seneca. Tit. 1. 16. 1. Tim 4. 8. Ioh. 4. 24. Pſal. 16. 8. Gen. 5. 24. Gen. 17. 1.knowledge as ſwims in the braine, but labour after ſuch a ſauing & effectuall knowledge, to be the guide of all our works and actions, which maketh vſe of all we know, for the ſanctifying of our hearts and affections, and the reforming of our liues and conuerſations. For example, knowing that there is a God, we muſt worſhip and ſerue him, and profeſſing him with our lips, we muſt not deny him in our liues. Knowing that he is a Spirit, we muſt not reſt in bodily exerciſe, which profiteth nothing, but worſhip him in ſpirit and truth. Knowing that he is infinite and omnipreſent, we muſt with Enoch walke with God, and in all things carry our ſelues, as before him. Knowing that he is all-ſufficient, we muſt truſt in him for all things, both in the preſence and abſence of inferiour meanes. Knowing that he is omniſcient and the ſearcher of our inward parts, wee muſt approue our hearts as well as our workes vntounto him, and make conſcience of committing ſecret ſinnes, as well as thoſe which are open and manifeſt to the world. Knowing that he is omnipotent, we muſt depend vponupon him for preſeruation from all euill, and defence againſt all enemies; and that in greateſt difficulties and dangers, becauſe things, euen impoſſible to men, are poſſible with God. Knowing that he is the chiefe Good, we muſt louelove him aboue all things; knowing that he is true, yea truth it ſelfe, wee muſt beleeue his Word and promiſes. Knowing that he is iuſt, we muſt feare to offend him; that he is mercifull, we muſt hope in him; that he is bountifull, we muſt do cheerefull ſeruice to ſo gracious a Maſter. Knowing that he is but one God, wee muſt worſhip him alone, and not falſe gods and grauen Images, and ſet vp no Idols in our hearts, as the earthly Mammon with the couetous, worldly honours and vaine glory with the ambitious, and carnal and ſinfull pleaſures, with thoſe that are voluptuous. Finally, knowing that he is one in eſſence, & three in perſons, we muſt worſhip the Vnity in Trinity. Mat. 1. 6.Knowing that God the Father, is our Father in Chriſt, we muſt reuerence, 1. Pet. 1. 17. Luke 1. 74.feare and louelove him; that God the Sonne is our Redeemer, we muſt worſhip and ſerue him, in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, before him, all the daies of our liues; and knowing that the holy Ghoſt is our Sanctifier, 1. Theſ. 4. 4. 1. Cor. 6. 19.and dwelleth in vsus, wee muſt poſſeſſe our veſſels in purity and honour, that wee may bee fit temples and habitations for this holy Gheſt, &c.
§. Sect. 4 Of the meanes of ſauing knowledge.
And this is that ſauing knowledge which is neceſſary to a godly life; the which we hauehave not of our ſelues; for eueryevery man is aIer. 10. 14.beaſt in his owne knowledge, bIer. 4. 22. 1. Cor. 2. 14.wiſe vntounto euill, and vntounto any good without vnderſtanding; but it is a grace and free gift of God, as before we hauehave ſhewed. And therefore if we would obtaine it, wee muſt carefully and conſcionably vſe all good meanes which hee hath appointed for this purpoſe. And firſt we muſt begge this grace of God by feruent and effectuall prayer, according to that of the Apoſtle Iames, cIam. 1. 5.If any man want wiſedome, let him aske it of God, that giueth all men liberally, and vpbraideth not: and it ſhall be giuen him; as we ſee in the example of d1. King. 3. 6.Salomon: and deſire him to ſend his holy Spirit into our hearts, which will eIohn 16. 13.leade vsus into all truth, and like a fApoc. 3. 18.precious eye-ſalue, will open and illighten the blind gPſal. 119. 18, 27.eyes of our vnderſtandings; that we may ſee the wonders of Gods Law. The which our prayer will be more effectuall to preuaile with God, if we craue this knowledge to this end, that we may glorifie him by it, according to that of Dauid, Make mee Pſal. 119. 27.to vnderſtand the way of thy precepts, ſo ſhall I talke of thy wonderous workes; and make our knowledge the rule of our liues, practiſing the things we know in the whole courſe of our conuerſation, to which end Dauid beggeth it of God: Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy ſtatutes, and I ſhall keepe it Verſ. 33. 34.vntounto the end; GiueGive me vnderſtanding, and I ſhall keepe thy law, yea, I will obſerue it with my whole heart. Secondly, let vsus be diligent in hearing, reading and meditating of Gods Word, which giueth hPſal. 19. 7, 8. & 119. 130. Pro. 1. 3, 4, 5.light and vnderſtanding vntounto the ſimple, and is ſufficient to make vsus i2. Tim. 3. 15, 16, 17.wiſe in all things vntounto ſaluation; and to make the man of God perfect and throughly furniſhed vntounto all good workes. Thirdly, we muſt vſe holy conferences with others, whereby we ſhall inrich our mindes by communicating with them in their ſtocke, and more firmely imprint in our memories that which we know already, according to that of the Apoſtle, Let the Word of Chriſt dwell in you richly, in all wiſedome, Col. 3. 16.teaching and admoniſhing one another. Fourthly, we muſt labour to be reconciled vntounto God in Chriſt, and then becomming his friends, hee will make vsus acquainted with his will and counſailes, according to that of our Sauiour; I hauehave called you friends, for all things that I hauehave heard of my Father, Iohn 15. 15.I hauehave made knowne vntounto you. Fifthly, let vsus labour to hauehave our harts fraughted with Gods feare; for if any man feare the Lord, him ſhall he teach the way Pſal. 25. 12. 1. Pet. 5. 5. Pſal. 25. 9. Matth. 11. 25. 1. Cor. 3. 18.that he ſhall chuſe. Sixthly, let vsus decke our ſelues with humility, for hee giueth his grace to the humble, and teacheth him his way; he reuealeth his ſecrets to little babes, and hideth them from thoſe who are wiſe and prudent in their owne conceits. And therefore we muſt be fooles to our ſelues and to the world, if we would be wiſe to God and our owne ſaluation. For there is no true wiſedome, but in the ſauing knowledge of God and his will, and holy obedience yelded vntounto them, according to that of the Prophet, The wiſe men are aſhamed, they are diſmaied and taken: lo, they hauehave Ier. 8. 9. Deut. 4. 6.reiected the Word of the Lord, and what wiſedome, is in them? Seuenthly, wee muſt labour after holines, for God reuealeth his myſteries vntounto his Saints, but Col. 1. 26.will not ſuffer his wiſdome to enter into a prophane and malicious ſoule, as we ſee in the experience of the greateſt Prelates and Doctors of the world, who liuing in prophaneneſſe and all ſenſuality, hauehave not ſo much feeling, ſauing and experimentall knowledge of God, and the myſteries of his Kingdome, as many ſilly women and ſimple Ideots. Laſtly, wee muſt put thoſe things in practice which we already know, and then will God reueale more vntounto vsus, and faſten that which we know already, in our hearts and memories; for as our Sauiour ſaith, If any man will doe his will, he ſhall Iohn. 7. 17.know of his doctrine; and we ſhall with Dauid, be wiſer then the ancient, yea, Pſal. 119. 99, 100.then our teachers, if wee hauehave more care then they in keeping Gods Commandements; For the feare of the Lord is wiſedome, and to depart from euill, is vnderſtanding. Iob. 28. 28. Pſal. 111. 10.And as Dauid ſaith, The feare of the Lord is the beginning of wiſedome, a good vnderſtanding hauehave all they that doe his Commandements.