2, Rest not in any notions of truth, unless you find that you have learned it as it isin Jesus. What it is to learn the truth as it is
in Jesus, the apostle fully declares, Eph. iv. 20-24, “But ye have
not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth isin Jesus: that ye put off con- cerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt ac- cording to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created
- in righteousness and true holiness.” This it is to learn the truth as it
is in Jesus,—namely, together with the knowledge of it, to have an experience of its power and efficacy in the mortification of sin, in the renovation of our nature, and transforming of the whole soul into the image of God in righteousness and the holiness of truth, When VOL. Vile 8
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114 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY.
men learn that they may know, and are satisfied with what they know, without an endeavour to find the life and power of what — they know in their own hearts, their knowledge is of little use, and their assent unto the truth will have no stability accompany- ing of it. The immediate end (with respect unto us) of the whole revelation of the mind and will of God in the Scripture is, that it may put forth a spiritual, practical power in our souls, and that we may do the things which are so revealed unto us. Where this is neglected, where men content themselves with a bare specula- tion of spiritual truths, they do what lies in them to frustrate the end, and “reject the counsel of God” in them. If, therefore, we would know any evangelical truths in a due manner, if we would have that evidence and assurance of them in our minds which may secure our profession against temptations and oppositions, let us not rest in any apprehensions of truth whose efficacy we have no ex- perience of in our hearts, nor think that we know any more of the mysteries of the gospel than we find effectually working in the re- novation of our minds, and the transforming of our souls into the image of the glory of God in Christ.
3. Learn to esteem more of a little knowledge which discovers itself in its effects to be sanctifying and saving, than of the highest attainments in notions and speculations, though gilded and set off by the reputation of skill, subtilty, eloquence, wit, and learning, which do not evidence themselves by alike operations. We are fallen * into days wherein men of all sorts, sects, and parties, are vying for the reputation of skill, ability, knowledge, subtilty, and cunning in disputes about religion. And few there are who are cast under such disadvantages by apparent want of learning, but that they hope to make it up one way or other, so as to think as well of their own knowledge and abilities as of other men’s. He who hath learned to be meek, humble, lowly, patient, self-denying, holy, zealous, peaceable, to purify his heart, and to be useful in his life, is indeed the person who is best acquainted with evangelical truth. Where- fore, let this knowledge be esteemed, both in ourselves and others, above all that proud, presumptuous, notional, puffing knowledge, which sets up for so great a reputation in the world, and we shall have experience of a blessed success in our pursuit of it.
4. Be not satisfied without a discovery of such a goodness, excel- lency, and beauty in spiritual things, as may attract your hearts unto them, and cause you to cleave unto them with unconquerable love and delight. This is that necessary, inseparable adjunct, pro- perty, fruit, or effect of faith, without which it is not essentially dif- ferenced from the faith of devils. That knowledge, that perception and understanding of the truth, which doth not present the things
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IGNORANCE A CAUSE OF APOSTASY, 115
known, believed, perceived, as lovely, excellent, and desirable unto
- the will and affections, is a “cloud without water,” which every wind
of temptation will scatter and blow away. Do not, therefore, sup- pose that you have learned any thing of God in Christ, of the mys- tery of his grace, of his acceptable and perfect will, unless you see therein such evidence of infinite wisdom, goodness, holiness, love, in all things so suited unto the eternal glory of God and advantage of your own souls, in the uttermost rest, peace, and satisfaction that they are capable of, as that you may admire, adore, delight in them, and cleave unto them with a holy, prevalent, unconquerable love. When you do so, then will you be established in the truth, and be able to bid defiance’unto the artifices of Satan, with the solicitations of men, that would withdraw or separate you from it. But I will not farther digress in these discourses.
Ignorance is another occasion of apostasy from the truth, which was named under this head of the depravation of the minds of men. It is the want of a due perception, understanding, or knowledge of the principal doctrines of the gospel, with the evidence which is given unto them, and the use of them in the Scriptures, that we in- tend hereby. A general knowledge of some doctrines, without an acquaintance with their grounds and reasons, their use and effects in the life of God, is of no value in these things. When persons know not in religion what they ought to know, as they ought to know it, or what it is their duty to know, and without the know- ledge whereof they can perform no other duty of religion in a right manner, then are they culpably ignorant, and so as to be exposed unto all other evils that may befall them; for whether this be for want of due instruction from others, or want of diligence in themselves to learn, the event is equally pernicious. Inthe first way, the Holy Ghost assures us that “where there is no vision, the people perish,” Prov. xxix. 18. The people will suffer where those whose duty it is so to do are not able to instruct them; for “if the blind- lead the blind, both must fall into the ditch.” And in general it is affirmed, that the “people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” Hos. iv. 6. Of such ruinous consequence, by one means or other, is the people’s ignorance of what it is their duty to know; and by no one way doth it so effectually operate unto their destruction as by this of dis- posing them to a defection from the truth which they have professed when any trial or temptation doth befall them.