2. It may fall out that the elder christians may be babes in Christ, and the younger christians rather fathers for their longer experience in the things of God, and for the better government of their passions. A young man may be an old disciple ; as Josiah, Samuel, and King Edward the Sixth. The Spirit of God doth wonderfully discover itself in some betimes ; as in Samuel, Jeremiah, and Timothy. Ignatius in his epistle to the Magnesians saith, There are some ol rrjv irdkiav fxaT^v (frepovres, that they hang out the bush of grey hairs in vain, as invit- ing others to take notice of their folly : these are children of days, of grey heads but green wits ; ancient of age, but of childish behaviour and disposition, Whereas David when young was wiser than his enemies, than his teachers, than the ancients : Ps. cxix. 100, ' I under- stand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.' Gracious abilities come not from age, but from the Spirit. He was ' wiser than his enemies,' because he consulted not with flesh and blood, but with the word of God, or his duty : as plain honesty will be found at length to be the best wisdom. He was ' wTiser than his teachers,' because he contented not himself with naked doctrinal truths, but laboured with his conscience to make them profitable to himself, and so saw further by these truths into his own cause than they intended. Wiser than the ancients, or men of long study and experience, because of his diligent practice. Those who are slow and dull of conceit, by long use may grow wise ; and having smarted often, learn by their own harms to be more circumspect. But now the Spirit of God can teach us in an instant, and a man well studied in God's law may excel the ancients in true zeal, knowledge, and piety. Mortified young ones may have more of this wisdom than the ancients. Ancient men try several conclusions to their own loss ; but God is more ancient than they, and at one view and prospect seeth all things ; if he will direct me, I am safe. Joseph young, at seventeen years old, was wiser than his brethren. Naaman's ' servant came near, and spake to him, and said,
V£E. 13, 14.] SERMONS UPON 1 JOHN II. 12-14. 395
My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thirjg, wouldst thou not have done it ? how much more then when he saith, Wash and be clean ? ' 2 Kings v. 13. Christ at twelve years of age puzzled the doctors. Young Elihu brings milder words and better arguments in the dispute with Job than his aged friends, chap, xxxii. Solomon was very wise when young. Daniel and his fellows ten times more than all the astrologers and magicians, though children, Dan. i. 17-20. Joseph taught the senators of Egypt wisdom. It is God's free grace and sovereignty, who giveth to every one as he pleaseth : Job xxxii. 7-9 ' I said, Days should speak, and the multitude of years teach wisdom : but there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise, neither do the aged understand judgment' God will not be tied to age. Some drink in religion with their milk. Jeremiah was sanctified in the womb, Jer. i. 5. And many times youth goeth before the aged in ripeness of wisdom, and in solid and settled manners, though they are so much be- hind them in number of years. So there are old children.
3. As to spiritual growth, some may be weak and strong, young and old at the same time, in different respects, as we see by experience. Some are weak in knowledge, rude and unsettled in the faith, who yet have a good zeal toward God, and are temperate, just, and holy, and have a great command over their affections and passions. On the other side, some are of a good understanding, and they come behind in no gift, yet are subject to carnal passions and affections, and so are babes in that respect : 1 Cor. hi. 1-3, ' And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ I have fed you with milk, and not with meat ; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able : for ye are yet carnal ; for whereas there is among you strife and division, are ye not carnal, and walk as men ? ' Our first parents, the upper part of their souls were well furnished, yet miscarried by appetite. Solomon, who had so great wisdom, had also his foolish lusts. Therefore, the apostle biddeth us add to knowledge temperance, 2 Peter i. 5. A great measure of grace is seen in governing our own hearts. Now a christian should labour for both, for a good heart well-headed, and a head well-hearted. Of the two it is better to excel in graces than in parts. In the primitive times there was a distinction of the -^rv^Koc and irvev^ariKoi ; the ■^rvxiKoi, such as had rare perfections of learning and parts, and irvev- fiaTucbi, spiritual. Sometimes these terms were applied to those who had attained to a higher degree of knowledge and sanctification : Gal. vi. 1, ' If a man be overtaken with a fault, ye that are spiritual restore him.' ' Spiritual ' is put for a higher sort of christians. A spiritual people is not a people of parts, knowledge, and abilities, but of grace and sanctification.