Graphautarkeia, or, The Scriptures sufficiency practically demonstrated wherein whatsoever is contain'd in Scripture, respecting doctrine, worship or manners is reduced to its proper head, weighty cases resolved, truths confirmed, difficult texts illustrated and explained by others more plain.

CHAP. XXXVIII. Of knowledg and understanding in and about Divine things, and of the want thereof: Ignorance about such things, and the evil thereof. (Book 38)

WHen Abimelech had taken Sarah Abrams wife, though in the integrity of his heart, not knowing her to be Abrams wife, because he had said, She was his sister: yet God said unto him, Behold, thou art a dead man for the woman thou hast taken, for she is a mans Wife, Gen. 20. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth the children of Israel from among them, Exod. 7. 5. Ezek. 6. 7, 10, 13.

—According to thy word: that thou mayst know that there is none like unto the Lord, Exod. 8. 10.

I have hardned his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs, &c. that ye may know how that I am the Lord, Exod. 10. 1, 2. Deut. 4. 35.

Jethro said (when Moses had told him what God had done), Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proud∣ly, he, &c. Exod. 18. 11.

Under the law they were to offer sacrifices for sins of ignorance, whether of a person, or of the Congregation, Levit. 4. 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, 15. chap. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 17, 18, 19.

Ye have seen all that the Lord did, &c. yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day, Deut. 29. 2, 4.

They sacrificed, &c. not to God, to gods whom they knew not: to new gods, Deut. 32. 17.

Sampson said to his father, Get her for me, &c. but his father and his mother knew not that it was of the Lord, that he sought an occasion against the Phili∣stines, Judges 14. 3, 4.

The sons of Eli, wicked men, knew not the Lord, 1 Sam. 2. 12.

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him, 1 Sam. 3. 7.

Elijah prayed that God would (by an extraordinary means) let it be known, that thou art a God in Israel, &c. that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, 1 Kings 18. 36, 37, 38.

Because the Syrians have said, The Lord is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys: therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thy hands: and ye shall know that I am the Lord, 1 Kings 20. 28.

Solomon asked wisdom and knowledg, and God gave it: and riches also, 2 Chron. 1. 9, 10, 11, 12.

Nevertheless, they shall be his servants: that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the Countreys, 2 Chron. 12. 8.

Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection, &c? Job 11, 7, 8.

Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? Job 26. 14.

There is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them un∣derstanding; great men are not always wise, neither do the aged understand judg∣ment, Job 32. 8, 9.

I uttered that I understood not, things too wonderful for me which I knew not: I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee; wherefore I abhor my self, &c. Job 42. 5, 6.

They who know thy name, will put their trust in thee, &c. The Lord is known by the judgments he executeth, Psal. 9. 10, 16.

Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledg, who eat up my people, &c? Psal. 14. 4. Psal. 53. 4.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shew his handy-work: day unto day uttereth speech: and night unto night teacheth know∣ledg, &c. The testimonies of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple, &c. The commandments of the Lord is pure, inlightning the eyes, Psal. 19. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8.

Consume them, &c. and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob, unto the ends of the earth. Selah. Psal. 59. 13.

When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me, until I went into the Sanctuary of God: then understood I their end, &c. so foolish and igno∣rant was I: I was as a beast before thee, Psal. 73. 16, 17, 22.

Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen who have not known thee, Psal. 79. 6.

They know not, neither will they understand: they walk on in darkness, Psal. 82. 5.

Let them be confounded, &c. that they may know that thou whose name a∣lone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth, Psal. 83. 18.

Understand, O ye brutish among the people, and fools: when will ye be wise? He who planted the ear, shall he not hear, &c? Psal. 94. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.

It is a people who do err in their hearts: and they have not known my ways, Psal. 95. 10.

Whoso is wise and will observe these things: even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord, Psal. 107. 43.

For I know that the Lord is great: and our Lord above all gods, Psal. 135. 5.

Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, Psal. 143. 8. Psal. 146. 8.

He shewed his word unto Jacob, &c. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them, Psal. 147. 19, 20.

How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity, &c? and fools, hate know∣ledg, &c? they shall call upon me, but I will not answer, &c. for that they hated knowledg, and did not chuse the fear of the Lord, Prov. 1. 22, 28, 29.

Apply thine heart to understanding: yea, if thou cryest after knowledg, &c. if thou seek her as silver, &c. then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, &c. for the Lord giveth wisdom, &c. understanding shall keep thee, Prov. 2. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11.

Happy is the man who findeth wisdom, and the man who getteth understan∣ding: for the merchandize of it is better than the merchandize of silver, Prov. 3. 13, 14.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: the knowledg of the Holy, understanding, Prov. 9. 10.

Wise men lay up knowledg, Prov. 10. 14.

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, Prov. 14. 8.

Evil men understand not judgment: but they who seek the Lord, understand all things, Prov. 28. 5.

Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, &c. if thou know not, O thou fairest, &c. go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, Cant. 1. 7, 8.

The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his masters crib: Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider, Isa. 1. 3.

Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledg, Isa. 5. 13.

Hear ye indeed, but understand not: and see ye indeed, but perceive not, &c. make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes: lest they see, &c. and understand, Isa. 6. 9, 10. Matth. 13. 13, 14.

The earth shall be full of the knowledg of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea, Isa. 11. 9. Habbak. 2. 14.

It is a people of no understanding: therefore he who made them, will not have mercy on them, Isa. 27. 11.

The Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep: and hath closed your eyes, &c. and the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book sealed, &c. therefore, &c. The wisdom of their wise men shall perish: and the understanding of their prudent men, shall be hid, &c. In that day shall the eyes of the blind see out of obscurity, &c. They who erred in spirit, shall come to understanding, Isa. 29. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 24.

Save us, &c. that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord, &c. Isa. 37. 20.

Have ye not known, &c? it is he who sitteth upon the circle of the earth, Isa. 40. 21, 22.

That they may know and consider, and understand together: that the hand of the Lord, &c. Isa. 41. 20.

I will bring the blind by a way they knew not, &c. in paths they have not known, Isa. 42. 16.

They have not known, nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, and they cannot see; and their hearts, and they cannot understand, &c. neither is there knowledg or understanding to say, I have burned part of it, &c. Isa. 44. 18, 19.

They who handle the law, knew me not, Jer. 2. 8.

I will give you Pastors, &c. who shall feed you with knowledg and under∣standing, Jer. 3. 15.

My people is foolish, they have not known me: they are sottish children, they have no understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledg, Jer. 4. 22. chap. 8. 7. chap. 9. 3, 6. chap. 5. 21.

Let him who glories, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord, who exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, Jer. 9. 24.

I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord, Jer. 24. 7. Hos. 2. 20.

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know me from the least, &c. Jer. 31. 34.

I will set my glory among the heathen: so the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God, from that day, and forward, &c. And when I have brought them again, &c. then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, who caused them to be led into captivity, Ezek. 39. 21, 22, 23, 27, 28.

To the intent that the living may know that the most high ruleth, &c. They shall make thee eat grass as oxen, &c. till thou know that the most High ruleth, &c. Dan. 4. 17, 25, 32.

But the people who do know their God, shall be strong, and do, &c. and they who understand among the people, shall instruct many, &c. and some of under∣standing shall fall, Dan. 11. 32, 33, 35.

And none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand, Dan. 12. 10.

The Lord hath a controversie, &c. because there is no truth nor mercy, nor knowledg of God in the land, &c. My people are destroyed for lack of know∣ledg: because thou hast rejected knowledg, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no Priest, Hos. 4. 1, 2, 6.

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord, &c. For I desire, &c. the knowledg of God more than burnt-offerings, Hos. 6. 3, 6.

Who is wise? and he shall understand these things: prudent? and he shall know them, Hos. 14. 9.

The Priests lips should preserve knowledg, Malachi 2. 7.

The light of the body is the eye, &c. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness? Matth. 6. 22, 23.

If ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, &c. ye would not have condemned, &c. Matth. 12. 7.

Because it is given to you to know the mystery of the kingdom of heaven: but to them it is not given, &c. therefore speak I to them in parables, &c. Matth. 13. 11, 13, 19.

One heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not: then cometh the wicked, &c. Mark 4. 11, 34.

Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God, Matth. 22. 29.

The Gadarenes (through ignorance of Christ) besought him to depart from them, Luke 8. 37.

Peter said, &c. Let us build three tabernacles, one for thee, &c. not knowing what he said, Luke 9. 33.

I thank thee, O father, &c. that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes, &c. for so it seemed good in thy sight, &c. No man knoweth who the son is, &c. but the son, and he to whom the son will reveal him, &c. blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see, &c. Luke 10. 21, 22, 23.

Wo unto you Lawyers: for ye have taken away the key of knowledg; ye en∣tred not in your selves, and them, who were entring in, ye hindred (or forbad), Luke 11. 52.

That servant who knew his Lords will, and prepared not, neither did accord∣ing, &c. shall be beaten with many stripes: but he who knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes, Luke 12. 47, 48.

Jesus took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, &c. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them: neither knew they, &c. Luke 18. 31, 32, 33, 34. John 12. 16. chap. 13. 7. chap. 20. 9.

He beheld the City, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace: but now they are hid, &c. Luke 19. 41, 42.

Then opened he their understandings, that they might understand the Scriptures, Luke 24. 44, 45.

He was in the world, &c. and the world knew him not, John 1. 10.

Ye must be born again, &c. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus, &c. said, Art thou a master in Israel, and knowest not these things? John 3. 4, 7, 8, 9, 10.

If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink: thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living wa∣ter, &c. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship, John 4. 10, 22.

The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? John 6. 52.

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, &c. John 7. 17.

I am the light of the world: he who followeth me, shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life, &c. If ye had known me, ye should have known my father also, &c. When ye have lift up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, &c. If ye continue in my word, &c. ye shall know the truth, &c. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word, John 8. 12, 19, 28, 32, 43. chap. 14. 7, 9.

We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is, &c. Jesus said, For judgment came I, &c. that they who see not, might see: and that they who see, might be made blind, &c. If ye were blind, ye should have no sin, &c. John 9. 29, 39, 41.

He who walketh in darkness, knoweth not whither he goeth; John 12. 35.

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them, John 13. 17.

All these things will they do unto you, &c. because they know not him who sent me, John 15. 21, chap. 16. 2, 3.

And this is life eternal, that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent, &c. They have known surely that I came out from thee, &c. The World hath not known thee, &c. these have known that thou hast sent me, John 17. 3, 7, 8, 24.

As yet they knew not the Scripture, that he must rise again from the dead, John 20. 9.

Ye denyed the Holy one, &c. and killed the Prince of life; and now brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it: as did also your rulers, Acts 3. 14, 15, 17.

When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, &c. they had been with Jesus, Acts 4. 13.

They who dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers: because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the Prophets which are read, &c. they have fulfilled them in condemning him, Acts 13. 27.

I found an altar with this inscription, To the unknown God: whom there∣fore ye ignorantly worship, I declare, &c. We ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, &c. and the times of this ignorance God winked at: but now commandeth, &c. Acts 17. 23, 29, 30.

I verily thought with my self, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus, &c. Acts 26. 9.

That which may be known of God, is manifest, &c. for the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things which are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because when they knew God, they did not glorifie him as God, &c. Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledg: God gave them up, &c. Rom. 1. 19, 20, 21, 28.

—Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, &c? not knowing that the good∣ness of God leadeth thee to repentance, &c. Thou art called a Jew, &c. and knowest his will, &c. Rom. 2. 4. 18, 19.

The way of peace they have not known, &c. By the law is the knowledg of sin, Rom. 3. 17, 20. chap. 7. 7.

We glory also in tribulation: knowing that tribulation worketh patience, &c. Rom. 5. 3, 4.

They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledg: for they being ig∣norant of Gods righteousness, and going about to establish their own, &c. have not submitted, &c. Rom. 10. 2, 3.

I would not brethren, that ye should be ignorant in this mystery (lest ye should be wise in your own conceits), that blindness in part is happened to Israel, &c. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledg of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out? for who hath known the mind of the Lord? or, who hath been his counsellor? Rom. 11. 25, 33, 34.

That ye may prove what is that good and acceptable will of God, Rom. 12. 2.

I my self also am perswaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, and filled with all knowledg: able also to admonish one another, Rom. 15. 14.

The mystery which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest: and by the Scriptures of the Prophets according to the command∣ment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations, Rom. 16. 25, 26.

In every thing ye are enriched, &c. and in all knowledg, &c. The world by wisdom knew not God, &c. 1 Cor. 1. 5, 21.

I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified, &c. We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, &c. which none of the Princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory, &c. God hath revealed them unto us by his Spi∣rit, &c. The things of God knoweth no man, but the spirit of God. Now we have received the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God, &c. the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, &c. neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned, &c. Who hath known the mind of the Lord, &c? but we have the mind of Christ, 1 Cor. 2. 2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16.

If any, &c. seemeth to be wise in this world: let him become a fool, that he may be wise, 1 Cor. 3. 18.

Do ye not know that the Saints shall judg the world, &c? Know ye not, &c? 1 Cor. 6. 2, 3, 15.

We know that we all have knowledg: knowledg puffeth up, but charity edifi∣eth: and if any man thinketh he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know, &c. We know that an Idol is nothing, &c. howbeit, there is not in every man that knowledg, 1 Cor. 8. 1, 2, 4, 7.

I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, 1 Cor. 10. 1, 2.

To another the word of knowledg by the same spirit, 1 Cor. 12. 8.

Though I, &c. understand all mysteries, and all knowledg, &c. and have no charity, I am nothing, &c. Whether there be knowledg, it shall vanish a∣way: for we know in part, &c. now we see through a glass darkly, (or

in a riddle), but then face to face: now I know in part: but then shall I know, even as also I am known, 1 Cor. 13. 2, 8, 9, 10, 12.

If a man be ignorant, let him be ignorant, 1 Cor. 14. 38.

Some have not the knowledg of God: I speak this to your shame, 1 Cor. 15. 34.

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices, 2 Cor. 2. 11.

But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail un∣taken away in the reading of the old Testament, &c. When Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart, 2 Cor. 3. 14, 15.

If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them who are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel, &c. should shine into them, &c. God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts the light of the know∣ledg of the glory of God in the, &c. 2 Cor. 4. 3, 4, 6.

We know that if our earthly house, &c. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we perswade men, &c. Henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more, 2 Cor. 5. 1, 11, 16.

Therefore as ye abound in every thing, &c. in knowledg, 2 Cor. 8. 7.

Howbeit then when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods: but now after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, &c. Gal. 4. 8, 9.

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, &c. That God, &c. may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledg of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightned, that ye may know what is the hope, &c. Ephes. 1. 9, 17, 18, 19.

The mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is: that ye may be able to comprehend with all Saints, what is the breadth, &c. and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledg, Ephes. 3. 4, 5, 18, 19.

He gave some Apostles, &c. till we all come into the unity of the faith, and of the knowledg of the Son of God, &c. Walk not as other Gentiles, &c. having the understanding darkned, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance which is in them: because of the blindness (or, hardness) of their hearts, Ephes. 4. 11, 12, 13, 17, 18. 1 Thess. 4. 5.

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord, &c. understanding what the will of the Lord is, Ephes. 5. 10, 17.

I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledg of Jesus, &c. that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, &c. Phil. 3. 8, 10.

Since, &c. ye knew the grace of God in truth: we desire that ye may be filled with the knowledg of his will in all wisdom and understanding, &c. increasing in the knowledg of God, &c. the Saints, to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ, &c. Col. 1. 6, 9, 10, 26, 27.

—Unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknow∣ledgment of the mystery of God, and of the father, and of Christ: in whom (or, wherein) are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledg, Col. 2. 2, 3.

The new man, which is renewed in knowledg, after the image of him who created, &c Col. 3. 10.

Knowing, brethren, &c. your election of God: for our Gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, &c. 1 Thess. 1. 4, 5.

I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them who are asleep, 1 Thess. 4. 13.

Taking vengeance upon them who know not God, 2 Thess. 1. 8.

Desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm: but we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawful∣ly, &c. but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief, &c. 1 Tim. 1. 6, 7, 8, 9, 13.

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledg of the truth, 1 Tim. 2. 4.

If any man teach otherwise, &c. he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions, &c. 1 Tim. 6. 3, 4.

They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him, Titus 1. 16.

They do err in their hearts, not having known my ways, Heb. 3. 10.

Every high-priest taken from among men, &c. who can have compassion on the ignorant, Heb. 5. 1, 2.

If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledg of the truth, &c. Heb. 10. 26. 2 Pet. 2. 20, 21.

If any man lack wisdom, let him ask it of God, who giveth to all men liberal∣ly, &c. James 1. 5.

Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledg among you? let him shew out of a good, &c. James 3. 13.

To him who knoweth to do good, and doth it not, to him it is sin, James 4. 17.

Not fashioning your selves according to the former lusts, in your ignorance, &c. 1 Pet. 1. 14.

With well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, 1 Pet. 2. 15.

Grace, &c. be multiplied unto you through the knowledg of God, and of Jesus our Lord, &c. Add, &c. to vertue knowledg, &c. If these things be in you, &c. ye shall neither be barren, nor unfruitful in the knowledg of our Lord Jesus, &c. but he who lacketh these, &c. is blind, &c. knowing this first, that no Scripture is of private interpretation, 2 Pet. 1. 2, 3; 5, 8, 9, 20.

But these, &c. speak evil of things they understand not, &c. If after they have escaped the pollutions of the World, through the knowledg of the Lord, &c. it had been better, &c. not to have known, &c. 2 Pet. 2. 12, 20, 21. Jude, verse 1.

This they are willingly ignorant of, &c. Paul in all his Epistles, &c. in which are some things hard to be understood: which they who are unlearned,

wrest, &c. seeing ye know, &c. 2 Pet. 3. 5, 15, 16, 17, 18.

Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments: he that saith I know him, and, &c. I write to you fathers, because ye have known him, &c. ye know all things, &c. as the same anointing teacheth you all things, &c. 1 Joh. 2. 3, 4, 13, 20, 21, 27.

Therefore the world knew us not, because it knew him not, &c. we know that we have passed from death to life, &c. hereby we know that we are of the truth, &c. 1 Joh. 3. 1, 14, 19. ch. 5. 2.

Hereby know ye the spirit of God, &c. he who knoweth God, heareth us, &c. hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of errour, &c. he that loveth God, knoweth God: he who loveth not, knoweth not God: we have known and believed the love that God hath to us, 1 John 4. 2, 6, 7, 8, 16.

That ye may know that ye have eternal life, &c. we know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not, &c. we know that we are of God, &c. we know the son of God is come, &c. 1 Joh. 5. 13, 18, 19, 20.

These speak evil of those things which they know not, Jude vers. 10.

See the Ignorance of natural men, Chap. 5.

See the giver of knowledg, Chap. 20.