A Christian Library, Section 45
Sect. 45.
THe best knowledge is about the best things; and the perfection of all knowledge, to know God, and our selves: Knowledge and learning, saith Aristotle, consisteth not so much in the quantity, as in the quality; not in the greatness, but in the goodness of it. A little gold (we know) is more worth than much dross: a little diamond, than a rocky mountain. So one drop of wisdom, guided by the fear of God; one spark of spiritual, experimental, and saving knowledge, is more worth than all humane wisdom and learning: yea, one scruple of holiness, one dram of faith, one grain of grace, is more worth than many pounds, of natural parts. And indeed Faith, and Holiness, are the nerves, and sinews; yea, the soul of saving knowledge.
What saith Aristotle? No more than the knowledge of goodness, maketh one to be named a good man; no more doth the knowledge of wisdom alone, cause any person properly to be called a wise man. Saving knowledge of the truth, works a love of the truth known: yea it is a uniform consent, of knowledge and action. He only is wise, that is wise for his own soul: he whose conscience pulleth all he hears, and reads to his heart, and his heart to God: who turneth his knowledge to faith, his faith to feeling, and all to walk worthy of his Redeemer. He that subdues his sensual desires and appetite, to the more noble faculties of reason, and understanding; and makes that understanding of his to serve him, by whom it is, and doth understand. He that subdues his lusts to his will, submits his will to reason; his reason to faith; his faith, his reason, his will, himself to the will of God: this is practical, experimental, and saving knowledge; to which the other is but a bare name, or title. A competnet estate (we know) well husbanded, is better than a vast patrimony neglected. Never any meer man (since the first) knew so much as Solomon: many that have known less, have had more command of themselves.
Alas! they are not alwayes the wisest, that know most: For none more wise and learned in the worlds account, than the Scribes and Pharisees: yet Christ calls them four times blind, and twice fools in one chapter, Matth. 23. And the like of Balaam, 2 Pet. 2.16. who had such a prophetical knowledge, that scarce any of the Prophets, had a cleerer revelation of the Messiah to come. And the same may be affirmed of Judas, and Athitophel; for many that know a great deal less, are …ar wiser. Yea, one poor crucified thief, being converted, in an hours time, had more true wisdom and knowledge infused into him, than had all the Rulers, Scribes, and Pharisees.
It is very observable, what the High Priest told the Council, as they were set to condemne Christ; Ye know nothing at all: he spake truer than he meant it; for if we know not the Lord Iesus, our knowledge is either nothing ▪ or nothing worth. Rightly a man knows no more than he practiseth. It is said of Christ, 2 Cor. 5.21. that he knew no sin; because he did no sin: in which sense, he knows no good, that doth no good. These things if ye know (saith our Saviour) happy are ye, if ye do them, Joh. 13.17. And in Deut. 4.6. Keep the commandements of God, and do them: for this is your wisdom, and understanding before God, and man.
What is the national sweetness of Honey, to the experimental taste of it? It is one thing to know what riches are, and another thing to be Master of them: It is not the knowing, but the possessing of them that makes rich. Many have a depth of knowledge, and yet are not soul-wise; have a liberary of divinity in their heads, not so much as the least Catechisme in their consciences; full brains, empty hearts. Yea, you shall hear a flood in the tongue, when you cannot see one drop in the life. Insomuch, that in the midst of our so much light, and means of Grace, there be few I fear, that have the sound, and saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and him crucified, which was the only care, and study of St. Paul, 1 Cor. 2.2.