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So Verse 27. so that there is an abiding oyntment, and so sufficient, that they need not be taught more or better things than it will teach them.
For Explication,
1 Consider the subject, yee know all things. This universality of Christian knowledge is amplified by the subject, yee know all things.
1 For the desire of their hearts, they desire to know all things necessary to salvation, Acts 10.33. this is the frame and disposition of a converted heart, to know all things, and so great is the desire of Gods Children to know this, that they desire to know those things that are most against them, 1 Sam. 3.17. Eli knowing by Samuels lingring that he had some terrible message, yet he would know it, and urged him by a curse to declare it, and when he had told him, yet saith he, Good is the Word of the Lord; so that a godly heart desires to know all the Will of God, especially if it belongs to him, though it be never so bitter, it is contrary with a carnall heart; few are willing to know all things, especially if they be against them, and crosse their lusts, they would not know it, so Mark 6.12. in Herod, so Isa. 13.10. they were men of that frame, that would have the Prophet speak pleasing things, Mal. 2.11.
2 As in their desire, so in the preparation of their hearts they know it, so that if God reveal his Will at any time, they have hearts ready to hear it, and apprehend it better, Joh. 10.4, 5. there is a vertue in them, whereby they discern betwixt the truth of Christ, and false Doctrin, so the noble Be∣reans were more noble, because they received the truth with all readinesse and fear, Acts 17.11, 12. they searched the Scriptures, so that the Word falls in∣to their hearts like good seed, but on the contrary, if any man consent not to wholesome words, but makes questions and contention about them, he knows nothing, 1 Tim, 6.3, 4, 5. because he hath an heart unprepared to receive it, therefore contra, he that is ready to receive it, knows it; such a one knows all things.
3 In regard of their humility and meeknesse of spirit, whereby they think they know nothing, and more foolish than any, Prov. 30.2, 3. Agur saith, I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man, yet as foolish as he was, and debased himselfe before his Schollars, yet he exhorts them to fetch their knowledge from the high one; therefore the Holy Ghost seeing such a deep self-denyall in him, he ranks him with Solomon for his wis∣dome, and puts his Proverbs among his, 1 Cor. 8.2. such a man as thinks he knows any thing, knows nothing as he ought to know; therefore he that thinks he knows nothing, as weak Christians do, such a one knows all things, which God sees meet for him, and this sense of their own Ignorance, makes them still thirst the more after Knowledge.
2 For the Act, ye (know) all things, other men may know much, yet knowing they do not know, and understanding they do not understand, Prov. 9.12. he that knows not for his own souls good, is not wise, Prov. 24.5. a wise man increaseth in knowledge: the difference is
1 His knowledge is more clear, one man sees a thing by Candle-light, another by day-light, but he sees most clearly, that sees at noon-day; so a Chri∣stian sees things not only by the dimme light of nature, nor the day-light of the Word, but by the bright clear light of the spirit, that clearly manifests things.
2 His knowledge is more certain, he knows by his own experience the misery of sin; the excellency of Grace, he knows how Christ was formed in him, he hath conceived him in his soul, and so knows all the motions and operations of his spirit. Gal. 4.19.
3 It is more particular, he can apply all he hears and reads to himselfe, how farr this promise belongs to him; he thinks the command belongs to him, the threatnings to him, the promises to him, he thinks the Word was pend for him; another man he reads and hears, and never applies it to himself, nun∣quid ego talis, when he hears a Christian may be assured of his salvation, am I so? Christs death is not only sufficient but effectuall to them that beleeve, but do I beleeve? he hears that young men overcome the World, but do I so, aad overcome? thus it is with a Christian another man rests in the Theory.
4 Their knowledge is effectuall, it makes them ready to obey, the law is
a light to my feet, and a Lanthorne to my paths, saith David, it is not a light to the understanding only, but it a light to my steps, to my practice, all the under∣standing they have, is true knowledge, if a man should walk in such a soil where he should certainly sinck in, and be swallowed up, would you think he knows the danger? it is a sign he knew it not; so we say, if we meet with one of our acquaintance, and he passeth by us without observing, we say, he would not know us.
3 For the object (all things) that is, all things pertaining to life and god∣liness, 2 Pet. 1.3. for they do not know the motions of the Heavens, the in∣fluences of the Stars, the nature of the Creatures, but they know all things be∣longing to life and godlinesse.
1 They know all things necessary to Salvation, no fundamental point but God reads it to them, which is necessary to Salvation, Joh. 17.3.
2 They know all things that are expedient in their Callings, and places to know, and there is a manifold expediency.
1 It is expedient, some men in some Callings should know more than o∣thers, as Ministers, Jer. 3.15. Mal. 2.7. it is fit that they should know more than others, and God hath promised their lips shall preserve knowledge; so it is not enough for a Magistrate to know as a private Christian, but he should know how to administer Judgment, 1 King. 3.9. & 12. as Salomon prayed for Wisdom, so Husbands should know more than Wives, 1 Pet. 3.17. so Parents than Children Ephes. 6.4.
2 There is an expedience and meetnesse in regard of the present condition of Gods people, if God see that his Children he puft up with knowledge, he is pleased to leave them in much ignorance; but if he finds their hearts humble, and prepared to hear, he doth delight to poure out his Spirit on them, Ps. 25.9. as long as the Woman had an empty Vessel, the Oyl run, but when it was ful, it ceased; so as long as we come with empty hearts this Oyl runs upon them, but as soon as they think they have enough, and rest content, their knowledge stands at a stay.
3 There is expediency for the present practice in any businesse, a man that hath present need of direction, in some present businesse that must presently be done, if men have humble hearts, and look up to God why the Spirit is pleased to whisper into their hearts, there is your way walk in it, Isa. 30.21.
4 There is a further expedience for the present condition of the Church, for sundry things are expedient in sundry Ages, it had been an hindrance of many providences of God, had they known the sinfulnesse of Poligamie in the first ages of the world; so, many Christians were ignorant of the Death and Resurrection of Christ, but after the Ascension of Christ they had the clear knowledge thereof, 2 Pet. 1.18. the dayes of the Old Testament were but as a dim light, now it is more clear: the Fathers of the Church of Old had little of the Revelation of Saint John, and as the Church hath now need to know more than at other times, so God reveals himselfe accordingly: had those se∣ven thousand in Israel which bowed not their knee to Baal, been endued with the spirit of Elias, certainly the Church had been dissipated, had they spoken with the same spirit and power that he did, they had been dissipated: but they knew as much as God saw fit for their present condition, and so what God sees meet for you to know, as farre as you stand in need to know the spirit of Antichrist in th••se times, so farre shall knowledge be revealed to you, so that you may be preserved.
For the Reasons of the Point.
Reas. 1. From the object of their Knowledge, and in him all things needful; 2 Cor. 2.2. in Christ they have enough, Col. 2.9, 10. therefore having got Christ, will he not give you all other things needful? since God hath given us Christ,
our head understands all things, and the head will be sure to guide the foot, when it hath need to go.
2 From the excellency of their Teacher, John 6.45. thy Children shall be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Isa. 48.17. and if God undertake to teach us to profit he is able to do more than any other teachers; they may teach, but they can∣not give a dullard wit, but God can open our understandlngs, and enlarge our hearts with wisdom, so that he will clear the object, the Medium and the faculty, Psal 119.13. I have more understanding then my teachers, so vers. 97.
Ʋse. 1 A ground of singular comfort to any poor Christian, that what∣soever is needfull for him, expedient for him, he hath a teacher; every poor Christian hath a Counsellor within him; that teacheth him all things, and this is better than the Ʋrim and Thummim, and Ephod; to counsell at, we have an unction which is worth all, we have an oracle in our breasts, which if we would but rub up, would reveal all things to us.
2 Here is ground of tryall to all, art thou a true Child of God? thou may∣est know it by thy knowledge, dost thou find thy heart prepared to receive Christs voyce? and dost thou discern of things that differ? and dost thou still think thou knowest nothing? is thy knowledge clear, particular, and ef∣fectuall? doth God give thee knowledge according to thy calling, and pre∣sent imployment? why then certainly thou art a Child of God, and hast re∣ceived an unction from the holy one; but if it be contrary with thee, thou canst not be assured that thou hast received an unction from the spirit, and so the least in Gods Kingdome is greater, and hath received more knowledge than thou.
Ʋse 3 May teach every Child of God, what course to take to get know∣ledge, and use it, and increase it; if you want knowledge, give up thy heart to God, labour for that spirituall eye salve; that may inlighten thine eyes; one dayes teaching in Christs School, is able to teach thee more than thou canst learn all thy life time from other teachers, if you neglect this; though you should spend much time in Schooles, and Universities, you shall not find so much, as the poorest Christian can teach you.
And for you that have received this unction, make use of it, it is not for you to hide and smother this light, it is for you to consult at this oracle; and take heed by all means that you grieve not this spirit by any vanity, or sin you cleave unto, for then you shall find this oyntment very much straitned, and you shall be put to great straights; therefore keep your hearts empty and humble, hungring after the wayes of God, and gladly receive his motions, he will be ready to fill empty Vessells, and to guide an humble soul in his wayes: Lead me O Lord in thy wayes, saith David: he speaks as a blind man, that wants some body to lead him; such souls are sensible of their own blindnesse, and depend upon God, and are ready to walk according to the counsell he gives, the Lord will be ready to reveal all things to them, necessary and expedient, and yet think you stil have need of help, but yet take heed of trusting to any motion, but what comes from the spirit.
Ʋse 4 Here we see of what use it is to consult with Christians in cases of difference, 1 Cor 6 1. to 6. for the weakest Christian is more able to discern than the greatest heathenish Phylosophers or Counsellors; God doth provide that there shall be some differences in the judgements of his Children, but in the main, they shall hold no error hurtfull; therefore let us search more into this oyntment▪ and labour for it more than ever; we never had more need of knowledge, than in these dayes, and our Children will have more; therefore let us labour to establish them and our selves in the truth.