166 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. XIX.
cept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little.' So sottish and brutish are some, that a man had need teach them as he teacheth little children, letter after letter, and line after line, little good done.
(2.) In others there is a grammatical knowledge but not a spiritual, a repeating things by rote, a talking of all that a Christian enjoyeth.
(3.) Besides the grammatical knowledge, there is a dogmatical knowledge, when the truths of the Avord are not only understood, but begin to settle Into an opinion that we bustle for in the world. An opinionative receiving of the truth is different from a saving receiv- ing of the truth. Many are orthodox, or have so much judgment and knowledge as to hold the truth strictly, but the heart is not possessed with the life and power of it. Those are intended in Kom. ii. 20, ' An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which have the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.' And such are described 2 Tim. iii. 8, ' Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.' It is not to be imagined that this is always in design, though many times carnal men swim with the stream, and take up with the opinions that are current in their age ; but also out of conviction of judgment ; there is somewhat of conscience in it. A sound judgment is a different thing from a sound heart. The truths of God have great evidence with them; and therefore a rational man, being helped with some common work of the Spirit, may close with them, though they have no experience of the power and prevailing influence of them.
(4.) Besides this dogmatical knowledge, by which we see round about the compass of truths revealed in the word, there is a gracious illumination when men are taught so as drawn to God, John vi. 44, 45, and they do so understand Christ's doctrine as to apply and make a right use of it ; such a knowledge as is called not only sight, but taste : 1 Peter ii. 3, ' If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious ; ' and a feeling of what we understand: Phil. i. 9, 'And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and in all judg- ment.' This sense and experimental knowledge is that which the saints seek after.
[2.] The uses of this spiritual illumination.
(1.) To give us a clear sight of the truths of God.
(2.) An applicative sight.
(3.) An affective sight.
(4.) A transforming sight.
(5.) Such a sense of the truth as is prevalent over lusts and interests.
(1.) A clear sight of the truths of God. Others have but an hear- say knowledge, gathered out of books and sermons, and the common report which is made of Christ ; but he that is divinely enlightened drinks of the fountain, and so liis draught is more fresh and sweet. They do not talk of things by rote after others, but it is written upon their hearts : Heb. viii. 10, ' I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts ; ' and so groweth more intimate and satis- factory, and moving upon them.
(2.) An applicative sight ; not only knowledge, but prudence : Prov.
VeR. IS.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 167
viii. 12, ' I, Wisdom, dwell witli Prudence.' Wisdom is the know- ledge of principles ; prudence is an ability to apply them to our com- fort and use, that we may know it for our good, Job v. 28. Many are right in generals ; but the Spirit doth not only reveal the truths of the gospel, but applieth those truths to awaken the conscience that was asleep in sin. Many men that are unrenewed may be stored with general truths concerning the misery of man, redemption by Christ, the privileges of a Christian ; but they do not reflect the light of these truths upon themselves, so as to consider their own case; and so it serveth rather for matter of opinion and discourse than for life and conversation ; it is not directive.
(3.) An affective sight: Prov. ii. 10, ' When wisdom entereth upon thy heart,' which is the seat of affections, it stirs up in the soul answer- able motions to every truth ; whereas when truths rest in em|)ty barren notions, without feeling and an answerable touch upon the heart, the knowledge of them is like a winter's sun, that shineth, but warmeth not ; the misery of man is not affective, and doctrines of redemption by Christ are apprehended without any joy and relish.
(4.) A transforming sight : 2 Cor. iii. 18, ' We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.' It is a light that is both directive and persuasive. A man may hear •the gospel vofiiK(t)<;, when it is only known as a rule, not as a means to convey the Spirit ; whereas a believer hears the law evayyeXcKcoi;. The apostle preferreth the gospel above the law in the afore-mentioned place, for comfortableness, perspicuity, efficacy, &c.