1. They are ignorant of the nature of grace, which always upon a taste longeth for more: Ps. Ixiii. 1, 2, 'I long to see thy power and glory, as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.' When the springs lie low, a little water cast in bringeth \\\) more : so, after a taste, grace longeth for more communion with God ; they would see God as they have seen him : so the apostle, 1 Peter ii. 3, 4, ' If ye have tasted that he is gracious, come to him as to a living stone ; ' that is, if you have had any taste and experience of Christ in the word (which is the case in the context), you will be coming to him for more. However ■it is with spiritual pride, grace is quickened by former success and experience, not blunted.
2. They are ignorant of the intent and end of the word, which is not only to beget us, but to make the saints perfect, Eph. iv. 12, 13. The apostles, when they had established churches, returned to ' confirm the disciples' hearts,' Acts xiv. 22. We are to look after growth, as well as truth. Now, lest you should think it only concerneth the new-born babes, or the weaker sort of Christians, you shall see those of the liighest form found need to exercise themselves herein : the })rophets ' searched diligently ' into the writings of other prophets, 1 Peter i. 11, 12. Daniel himself, though a prophet, and a prophet of high visions, studied books, Dan. ix. 2. And still the greatest have need of praying, meditating, reading, hearing, to preserve the work of grace that is begun in their souls. That place is notable, Luke viii. 18, ' Take heed how you hear ; for whosoever hath, to him shall be given ; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken that which he seemeth to have.' Our Saviour upon this ground presseth them to a greater conscience and sense of the duty of hearing, because those
From Stancaras, a professor at Kiiuig.-j'berg, and afterwards iti Poland, where he died in 1574.— Ed.
VOL. IV. I
130 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. I. 19.
that have grace already will have further confirmation and increase ; and those that, upon a presumption and })retence of having grace, neglect the means of grace, shall lose that which they seemed to have ; that is, sliall appear to be just nothing in religion, blasted in gifts, as well as decayed in grace.
3. They are ignorant of the state of their own hearts. Are there no graces to be perfected and increased ? no corruptions to be morti- fied ? no good resolutions to be strengthened ? no affections to be quickened and stirred up ? Is there no decay of vigour and liveli- hood ? no deadness growing upon their spirits ? Certainly none need ordinances so much as they that do not need them. The spirit is a tender thing, soon discomposed. Things that are most delicate are most dependent. Brambles grow of themselves, but the vine needeth props. Wolves and dogs can rummage and seek abroad in the wilder- ness, but the sheep need a pastor. They that look into their hearts would find a double need of ordinances. (1.) Knowledge is imperfect. It is some good degree of knowledge to be sensible of our own ignor- ance ; none so proud and contented as they that know least : 1 Cor. viii. 2, 'If any man thinketh he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing as he ought to know.' At first truths seem few, and soon learned ; and it is some good progress in any learning to be sensible and humbled with the imperfections of knowledge ; and it is so in divine matters. We see little in the word till we come to be more deeply acquainted with it : and then, Ps. cxix. 18, ' Open mine eyes, that I may see wonders in thy law ; ' then we come to discern depths, and such wisdom as we never thought of The word is an ocean, without bottom and banks. A man may see an end of other things, and get the mastery over an art : ' I have seen an end of all perfec- tion, but thy commandment is exceeding broad,' Ps. cxix. 96. We can never exhaust all the treasure and worth that is in the word. (2.) Affections need a new excitement. Commands must be repeated to a dull servant ; such is our will. We need fresh enforcements of duty upon us. Live coals need blowing, and a good soldier the trumpet to stir up his warlike rage, 1 Cor. xiv. 31. All may learn, or all be comforted. The apostle there specifieth the two ends of prophecy, which is either that we may learn, or be comforted, or exhorted ; the word is indifferent to both those significations, either the improving of knowledge, or the exciting of languishing affections.
Obs. 3. From that let ever?/ one. This is a duty that is universal, and bindeth all men. None are exempted from hearing and patient learning : ' the eye hath need of the foot.' Those that know most may learn more. Junius was converted by discourse with a plough- man. A simple laic (as the story ^ calleth him) turned the whole Council of Nice against Arianism. God may make use of the meanest things for the instruction of the greatest. Paul, the great apostle, calleth Priscilla and Persis, two women, his ' fellow-helpers in the Lord,' Rom. xvi. Torches are many times lighted at a candle, and the most glorious saints advantaged by tlie meanest. Ciirist would teach his disciples by a child : ' He took a child, and set him in the midst of them,' Mat. xviii. 2. It is proud disdain to scorn the