384 SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. [SeR. XXI.
they will learn anything, let them ask their hushands at home ;' and that they may not govern things in their houses according to passion and will, but God's word. Parents, that they may instruct their children; for they are 'to bring them up in the nurture and admoni- tion of the Lord,' Eph. vi. 4. Private christians, that they may com- fort and build up each other in their most holy faith : Kom. xv. 14, * And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another ; ' that we may not be ciphers in converse, and our coming together may not be like a dumb show, without speaking any savoury or comfortable and edifying word to one another. Therefore be not unwise,
5. The great danger of ignorance, or the evils that come from the want of spiritual wisdom.
[1.] To ourselves. Our worship is but a fond superstition, a blind devotion to an unknown god, a mere guess directed by custom and some devout aims : John iv. 22, ' Ye worship ye know not what ; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.' Our zeal is but a wild fury : Eom. x. 2, ' For I bear them record, tliat they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.' A dead fire, fervidus, non, lucidus ; like a blind horse full of mettle, but ever and anon stumbling,
[2.] To others. There is no preventing trouble in the church or scandals to the world if we have not spiritual wisdom and understand- ing. Whom doth Satan make use of as his instruments but those in whom there is weakness of mind and strength of passions ? these are unstable : Eph. iv. 14, ' That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness ; whereby they lie in wait to deceive.' These through pride and unskilfulness breed divisions : 1 Tim. iii. 6, ' Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil.'
6. The incredible delight and peace it begets in our souls,
[1.] The bare knowledge of God's will is very delightful, and yieldeth much more pleasure to the mind than an epicure can find in his most exquisite sensual enjoyments. It is incredible what contentment an anxious soul hath in the finding out of any truth whereof he was doubtful before, and it cannot be conceived till v;^e feel it : Prov, xxiv. 13, 14, ' My son, eat thou honey, because it is good ; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste. So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul ; when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward.' There is a comparison between the oblectation of the mind and the pleasure of bodily taste. Nothing can be so sweet/ to the palate as under- standing is to the soul, especially when we ourselves have searched it and found it out, when we see a truth with our own eyes. He doth not speak there of that sweetness which the conscience hath in the feeling of God's love, nor of the delight of the heart when it findeth liberty in the ways of God, but of the satisfaction and oblectation of the mind and understanding when truth is so fully cleared up that there remaineth no doubt or scruple about it.
[2.] The peace which accompanieth it. Many times there is little account made of God's will in the world, and it falleth out so that he
VeR. 17.J SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. 385
that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow : Eccles. i. 18, ' For in much wisdom is much grief ; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow ; ' and when he is forced for conscience' sake to differ from others, he meeteth with much trouble, for ignorance is furious. Yet this is a satisfaction to him, that he knoweth this is pleasing to God, and so hath more comfort in the knowledge of a hated truth than worldly men in all the advantages which a false wa}'' giveth them : Prov. iii. 31, 32, ' Envy not the oppressoi', and choose none of his ways : for the froward is abomination to the Lord ; but his secret is with the righteous.' That is rendered as a reason why they should not envy wicked men ; they know they aie in a way pleasing to God, and this supporteth them in all their troubles. Now this satisfaction we cannot have, unless we have the thorough knowledge of the truth we profess, or the holy ways of God we are engaged in. Therefore we need to get a distinct clear knowledge of the whole will of God revealed in his word.
7. The properties of this knowledge and wisdom show the necessity of it. All knowledge is to be prized, for il? is man's excellency above the beasts ; but especially divine knowledge, which far transcendeth all the wisdom of the world.
[1.] Because it is employed about the highest things, to know God's nature and will, what he is, and how he is to be enjoyed. Alas ! what mean things do most of the world employ their time and wit about, in comparison of a poor christian ! To know God, though not compre- hensively, yet satisfyingly and savingly : Ps. cxxxix. 6, * Such know- ledge is too wonderful for me ; it is high, I cannot attain unto it ; ' 1 Tim. iii. 16, 'And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness.' What are all the profound speculations of the world to this ? 1 Peter i. 12, ' Which things the angels desire to look into.' The angels, that much exceeded us in understanding, desire to pry into these things, a speculation that is fit for their best thoughts.