Inf. 4. Learn hence the transcendent excellency of saving, spiritual knowledge, above that which is merely literal and natural. One drop of knowledge taught by God, is more excellent than the whole ocean of human knowledge and acquired gifts, Phil. hi. 8. John xvii. 3. 1 Cor. ii. 2. Let no man therefore be dejected at the want of those gifts with which unsanctified men are adorned. If God have taught thee the evil of sin, the worth of Christ, the ne- cessity of regeneration, the mystery of faith, the way of communion with God in duties ; trouble not thyself because of thine ignorance in natural or moral things : thou hast that, reader, which will bring thee to heaven ; and he is a truly wise man that knows the way of salvation, though he be ignorant and unskilful in other things : thou knowest those things which all the learned doctors and libra- ries in the world could never teach thee, but God hath revealed them to thee ; others have more science, thou hast more savour and sweetness; bless God, and be not discouraged. Second use for examination. If there be no coming to Christ without the teachings of the Fa- ther : then it greatly concerns us to examine our own hearts, whe- ther ever we have been under the saving teachings of God, during the many years we have sat under the preaching of the gospel. Let not the question be mistaken ; I do not ask what books you have read, what ministers you have heard, what stock of natural or speculative knowledge you have acquired ; but the question is, whether ever God spake to your hearts, and hath effectually taught you such lessons, as were mentioned in our last discourse? O there is a vast difference betwixt that notional, speculative, and traditional knowledge which man learneth from men, and that spiritual, operative, and transforming knowledge which a man learneth from God. If you ask how the teachings of God may be discerned from all other mere human teachings ; I answer, they may be discerned, and distinguished by these six signs.
Sign 1. The teachings of God are very humbling to the soul that is taught. Human knowledge puffeth up, 1 Cor. viii. 1. but the teachings of God do greatly abase the soul, Job xlii. 5. " I have " heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth " thee ; wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes :*
SX3AT. XXIII. THE METHOD OF GKACE. 325
the same light which discovers to us the holiness, justice, greatness, and goodness of God, disco vereth also the vileness, baseness, emp- tiness, and total unworthiness of men ; yea, of the best and holiest of men, Isa. vi. 5.
Sign 2. The teachings of God are deeply affecting and impressive teachings; they fully reach the heart of man, Hos. ii. 14. "I will " allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak com- " fortably unto her ;" or, as it is in the Hebrew, I will speak to her heart. When God sheweth unto man the evil of sin, he so convinceth the soul, that no creature-comforts have any pleasure or sweetness in them ; and when he sheweth unto man his righte- ousness, pardon, and peace in Christ, he so comforteth and refresh- eth the heart, that no outward afflictions have any weight or bit- terness in them : one drop of consolation from heaven, sweetens a sea of trouble upon earth, Psal. xciv. 19. " In the multitude of my " thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul."
Sign 3. The teachings of God are sanctifying and renewing teachings ; they reform and change the heart, Eph. iv. 21, 22, 23. " If so be that you have heard him, and been taught by him, as the " truth is in Jesus ; that ye put off concerning the former conver- ifc sation the old man, which is corrupt, according to the deceitful " lusts : and be renewed in the spirit of your mind," &c. See here what holiness and purity are the effect of divine teaching ! Holiness, both external and internal, negative and positive : holiness of every kind follows the Father's teachings : all the discoveries God makes to us of himself in Christ, have an assimilating quality, and change the soul into their own likeness, 2 Cor. iii. 18.
Sign 4. All God's teachings are practical, producing obedience. Idle notions and useless speculations are not learned from God. As God's creating words, so his teaching words are with effect : as when he said, " Let there be light, and there was light :" so when he saith to the soul, Be comforted, be humbled ; it is effectually comforted, Isa. lxvi. 13. it is humbled, Job xl. 4, 5. As God hath in nature made no creature in vain, so he speaks no word in vain : every thing which men hear, or learn from the Father, is for use, practice, and benefit to the soul.
Sign 5. All teachings of God are agreeable with the written word< The Spirit of God, and the word of God do never jar, John xiv. 26. " He shall take of mine, and shew it unto you." When God speaketh unto the heart of man, whether in a way of conviction, consolation, or instruction in duty, he always either maketh use of the express words of scripture, or speaks to the heart in language every way consentaneous and agreeable to scripture : So that the written word becomes the standard to weigh and try all divine teachings, Isa. viii. 20. u To the law, and to the testimonv : If
326 THE METHOD OF GRACE. SERM. XXIII.
" they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no " light (or morning) in them." Whatever is disagreeing or jarring with the scripture must not pass for an inspiration of God, but a deluding sophism, and insinuation of Satan.
Sign 6. The teachings of' God are very satisfying teachings to the soul of man: The understanding faculty, like a dial, is enlightened with the beams of divine truth sinning upon it : this no man's teach- ings can do : Men can only teach objectively, by propounding truth to the understanding ; but they cannot enlighten the faculty itself, as God doth, 1 John v. 20. He giveth man understanding as well as instructions, to be understood ; he opens the eyes of the under- standing, as well as propoundeth the object, Eph. i. 1 8. And thus we may discern and distinguish the teachings of God from all other teachings.
Third use of exhortation.
The last use I shall make of this point, shall be a word of exhor- tation, both to them that never were vet effectually taught of God, and to them also that have heard his voice, and are come to Christ.