298 SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. [SeR. XII.
Eom. xiv. 23, ' He that doubtetli is damned if lie oat, because lie eatetli not of faith ; for whatsoever is not of faith, is sin.'
[G.] We are not so to search as to depend upon our private judg- ment, or slight the helps which God hath left in the church for the establishing of the truth, even pastors and teachers. Them hath God left in the church, ' that we may not be carried about with every wind of doctrine,' Eph. iv. 11, 14. Men are not to despise the judgment of their teachers in matters of faith, nor rest upon it as infallible. He that hath a bad sight should not throw away his spectacles. Where helps are instituted, and have a special calling, and a special promise of a blessing, they should not be despised. In all necessary things, ' Christ's sheep hear his voice,' John x. 3. But in lower matters, they may be shrewdly mistaken, and work great trouble to the church. Avoid these rocks, and the duty is clear, and of great importance. By searching and proving the truth loseth nothing, as gold doth not by being brought to the touchstone ; but you gain much settlement, feel more power and comfort in what you know.
Fourthly, We must search and try, that we may walk as children of the light. The night was made for rest ; the light is not given us for rest and idleness, but for work. The apostle prayeth for the Colos- sians, that they ' might be filled with the knowledge of God's will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that they might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,' Col. i. 9, 10. That is the end of knovv- ledge : Isa. ii. 3, ' He will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths ; ' for the end of learning is practice.
1. The more we fix this end, the sooner shall we get knowledge, and the more will it be increased to us. John vii. 17, he that will do the will of God shall know what doctrine is of God. A humble holy lieart, resolved to practise whatsoever shall be the will of God, will not be long left in doubt ; the more you make conscience of knowing truths, you shall know more.
2. As we shall know sooner, so we shall know better; we shall approve the truth in our consciences, and find the comfort of what we know in our own souls, if we pursue the practice of it : Phil. i. 9, 10, ' And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowl(3dge and iu all judgment,' aladrjacL, in all sense, 'that ye may approve the things that are excellent, that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.' We know our duty by the word, but we find the goodness of it by practice and experience.
3. We are not else good faithful servants to God: Luke xii. 47, 'And that servant which knoweth his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.' On the other side, John xiv. 21, 'He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and manifest myself to him.' First have, and then keep. Therefore we must search out what is pleasing to God, that we may do it. Knowledge is not to be sought that we may be puffed up with it, and rest in mere knowing, and so please ourselves with idle and useless speculations, but to govern and order our practice.
Use 1. Is for information.
VeR. 10.] SERMONS UPON ErHESIANS V. 299
1. That the judgment of discretion must be allowed to all christians. In controversies about religion it is usually asked, Who shall be judge ? The church hath a public judgment what doctrines are to be publicly recommended ; but every man liath judicium discretionis, a judgment of discretion for himself. God hath given every man a taste for his body, to discern what is wholesome and to discern what is noxious, and so also for his soul and conscience.
2. That the new creature hath great advantages above others of knowing the truth. The Holy Si)irit dwelleth in them : 1 John ii. 20, 'Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.' They are light in the Lord ; they may go to God for direction with more boldness : Ps. cxliii. 10, ' Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God ; thy Spirit is good, lead me into the land of uprightness.' They have a promise : Ps. xxv. 14, ' The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant;' Hosea xiv. 9, 'For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them ; but the transgressors shall fall therein.' The sanctifying Spirit
, is given to sanctify us, to give us the saving knowledge of God by the word. They know the truths contained there clearly and effectually, which others know superficially.