done. But knowledge may exist without practice: and when it does so, it is altogether worthless.
1. It has no intrinsic excellence —
[The devils have knowledge in common with us, and probably to a far greater extent : but do they possess any thing that is truly good? Virtue is good, even though it reside only in the mind, and have no scope for exercise ; but knowledge, when considered without reference to practice, is as empty and worthless as ignorance itself.]
2. It is productive of no good —
[The science of astronomy, and the knowledge of the magnet, are among the most useful of human attainments: but of what use would they be, if not applied to practical purposes ? In the same manner, the knowledge of medicine would never benefit any one, if it were not improved for the healing or preventing of disorders. Thus it is also with respect to divine knowledge. We may be able to delineate all the perfections of God, to trace all the ways of his providence, and to open all the wonders of redemption ; we may be able to descant upon virtue, in all its bearings and relations ; yea, as the Apostle says, we may " understand all mysteries and all knowledge ;" and what are we the better for it all, or what good do we effect by it, if it float only upon the mind, and never operate upon our life and conversation ? We are only " as sounding brass or as tinkling cymbals3. If it be said, that, by communicating our knowledge, we may influence others ; this only amounts to what we are insisting on, that knowledge is of use only in reference to practice ; and that it then only does good, when it stirs men up to a suitable improve- ment of it.]
3. It only aggravates our condemnation —
[We are assured, that " to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sinb." Exactly as much good therefore as " sin " does us, so much does unimproved know- ledge. Knowledge is a talent, of which we are to give an account : and "to whom much is given, of him will the more be required." The man who knew his Lord's will, and did it not, was beaten with many stripes; while the ignorant offender was beaten with comparatively fewc. Thus shall we find it in the day of judgment. If, on the one hand, unavoid- able ignorance will be considered as an extenuation of our guilt, so, on the other hand, will unsanctified knowledge prove a fearful aggravation of it.]
■' 1 Cor. xiii. 1, 2. " Jam. iv. 17. c Luke xii. 47, 48.