This knowledge may make men acknowledge, profess, maintain, and instruct others in the mysteries of Godliness, though they themselves be but hypocrites, and repro∣bates. Iudas did all these: for he was ordained an Apostle, (Luk. 6. 13, 16.) and therein so carried himself, as none of the other Apostles could judge of him amiss, till Christ manifested his hypocrisie.
This kinde of illumination is here said to be, once, in two especiall respects,
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1. Because there was a time, when they were not enlightned; forthey were, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 darkness, Eph. 5. 8. By nature men are blind in regard of spirituall matt•…•…, 2 Pet. 1. 9. Rev. 3. 17. That desire which man had to know more th•…•… God would have him know, (Gen. 3. 5, 7.) brake his eye-strings: so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man is not now capable of understanding the things of God, 1 Cor. 2. 14.
Though the word be a bright light, yet to a naturall man, it is but as the brightsun to a blindman. He must be enlightned before he can understand the mysteries of Godliness.
- 2. Because, if after they are enlightned, they grow blind again, th•…•… is no recovery of their illumination. In such a sense the faith i•…•… said to be, once delivered unto the Saints Jude v. 3. In this sense also Ch•…•… is said to be once offered up. And we are said, once to die, Heb. 9. 27, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Therefore, it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteous•…•…▪ 2 Pet. 2. 21.
This gift of illumination is fitly set in the first place, because the Spirit firstwod∣eth this gift in a man. For it is the ground of all other spirituall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Though it be not sufficient, yet is it of absolute necessity: a gift to be •…•…∣boured after, 2 Pet. 1. 5. Prov. 4. 5. Yea we must seek to be filled 〈◊〉〈◊〉 knowledge. (Col. 1. 9.) and to abound therein, 2 Cor. 8. 7.
Quest. Wherein lyeth the difference betwixt this knowledge, and the knowledge of them that are effectually called, which doth not thus vanish away?
Answ.
- 1. The knowledge of hypocrites is onely a generall knowledge of the word, and the mysteries thereof, that they are all true, but it is not an experi•…•… knowledge of them in themselves. The power, wisdom, mercy, and other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 attributes of God are not experimentally known in themselves: nor the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 o•…•… Christs death: nor the misery of man, nor other like points. But this experimen∣tall knowledge is in those that are effectually called. Eph. 1. 18, 19. Phil. 3. 1▪ Rom. 7. 24.
- 2. It swimmeth only in the brain of hypocrites: it diveth not into their heart▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make them fear, and love God, and trust in him: to make them carry themselves according to that which they know of Gods word, of God, and of themselves▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the knowledge of them, who are effectually called, doth so affect them, as it is a∣companied with other saving graces. This knowledge is said to be life eternall Ioh. 17. 3.
- 3. The knowledge which hypocrites have, is as a wind that puffeth them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1 Cor. 8. 1. it makes them cast their eyes on their own parts, and to be too 〈◊〉〈◊〉 conceited therein, Ioh. 9. 40. Rev. 3. 17. but the knowledge of them that are effe∣ctually called, maketh them abhor themselves, Iob. 42. 6.
This as it may be a tryall of our knowledge, whether we may rest in it or no•…•… so it may be an admonition unto such as know much, not to be proud thereof, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it may be no other gift then that which an hypocrite, and reprobate may have, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which may aggravate thy damnation, Luk. 12. 47. Use all thy good meanes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 canst to get that eye salve of the Spirit, whereunto Christ adviseth, Rev. 1. 18. which may sharpen thy eye-light, and make thee fully, and distinctly know the word of Salvation, and the mysteries thereof to thy eternall happiness.