py in His service if they were content with a barren head-knowledge of duty, and did not live according to their knowledge.
The lesson is one which deserves the continual re- membrance of all professing Christians. Nothing is more common than to hear people saying of doctrine or duty, — "We know it, we know it;" while they sit still in unbelief or disobedience. They actually seem to flatter themselves that there is something creditable and redeeming in knowledge, even when it bears no fruit in heart, character, or life. Yet the truth is pre- cisely the other way. To know what we ought to be, believe, and do, and yet to be unaffected by our knowl- edge, only adds to our guilt in the sight of God. To know that Christians should be humble and loving, while we continue proud and selfish, will only sink us deeper in the pit, unless we awake and repent. Prac- tice, in short, is the very life of religion. " To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (James iv. 17.)
Of course we must never despise knowledge. It is in one sense the beginning of Christianity in the soul. So long as we know nothing of sin, or God, or Christ, or grace', or repentance, or faith, or conscience, we are of course nothing better than heathens. But we must not overrate knowledge. It is perfectly valueless unless it produces results in our conduct, and influences our lives, and moves our wills. In fact knowledge without prac- tice does not raise us above the level of the devil. He could say to Jesus, " I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God." The devils, says St. James, " believe and tremble." (James ii. 20.) Satan knows truth, but has no will to obey it, and is miserable. He that would be happy in Christ's service must not only know, but do.