Prov.xix.2. That the soul he ivithout knowledge, it is not good.
THERE is nothing so highly prized as knowledge. No pains are deemed too great for the acquirement
of it ; no expense too large It is that which,
more than any thing else, raises a man in public estima- tion, and gives him influence in the world ""
There is, however, a knowledge which is far from
^ If this were a subject for a Commemoration Sermon, before a lA'arned Body, the use and excellency of Learning should be largely opened, and form the first head of the Discourse. The second head would be, Tlic superior importance of divine knowledge.
being duly appreciated ; I mean, that which relates to the concerns of the soul. Yet is this, beyond all comparison, more important than the other. For this, St. Paul counted all things but as dross and dung. Without the attainment of human sciences, a man may be both holy and happy; but without divine knowledge he can have,
I. No directory for his ways —
[Reason is very inadequate to guide our steps. We know not of ourselves how to walk and to please God. The wisest of heathen philosophers were but blind conductors in the paths of real holiness : they understood not what holiness was. Of humility, which is the very foundation of holiness, they had no just ideas. So it is with unenlightened Christians. They see little beyond forms and external duties. The exercise of spiritual affections is beyond their attainment or their aim. Of an entire superiority to the world, and a total surrender of themselves to God, they have no conception ; unless, indeed, it be in a way of monastic institutions, where the duties of social life are overlooked, and form is substituted in the place of vital power. Of a life of faith in particular, a person, unin- structed in the Gospel can have no proper views. Being ignorant of Christ, he cannot see what a fulness there is in him of wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification and redemp- tion ; or what necessity there is for the sinner to receive sup- plies from it, by the daily exercises of faith and prayer. In a word, from a man ignorant of the Gospel, every thing that constitutes vital godliness is concealed. He has no higher principle than that of fear ; no better standard than that of heathen morals ; no nobler end than that of saving his own soul. As for being constrained by the love of God, or aspiring to a full conformity to the divine image, or living altogether for the glory of God's name, he knows it not ; yea, he regards it rather as fanciful, enthusiastic, impracticable, and absurd. Not feeling his obligations to his Redeemer, he wants the entire spring of vital godliness, and can rise no higher than to the low attainment of heathen morals. Tell me then whether he be not in a truly pitiable state.]
II. No remedy for his sins —
[Every man feels himself to be a sinner, and to stand in need of forgiveness with God. But a man ignorant of the Gospel, seeks remission only in a round of duties, or in mor- tifications of human origin. He sees not his need of a Media- tor, through whose obedience unto death he is to obtain acceptance with God. He knows not of " the fountain which