Symptomes of growth & decay to godlinesse: in LX. signs of a living and dying Christian. With the causes of decay, and remedies for recovery. / By Francis Smith.

CHAP. V. Containing five Causes of deceit fully thinking we know enough; with four marks to know when we are under that deceit.

SIGN V. VVHen you think you know enough.

The greatness of this defect, and the danger of it may be seen, if something be premised and considered. When you think you know enough; that is, you are grown so tall in the knowledge of God, and the Or∣dinances of his House, the way to his King∣dome; the strength of your adversaries, the Flesh, World, and Devil, and the plague of your own heart; for all this must be premi∣sed, as being in such persons as think they know enough; if their thoughts be not gross deceit, and then what need of Hearing or As∣sembling,

or crying after knowledge, or lift∣ing up the voyce for understanding? Is not this gross deceit grown somewhat common, but of dangerous tendency, to knock both heart and hand from off the means God hath ordained to encrease and sanctifie Knowledg? Is not such a conceit the road way to A∣theisme? Were it not gotten among some sleepy Christians in the Apostles time? Doth not that saying, 1 Cor. 8. 2, 3. directly aim at such? If any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him: As much as if the Apostle should say, you think you know much, truly if you know so much as that you love God, you are known of him; and if you know this, you know what you can know in this life; but if you know not this, you know nothing yet as ye ought to know, whatever you think of your selves: and therefore look to it, that you love God, and dwell not about this or that tall conceit of your knowledge, but if you or any man love him, the same is known of him: And this I shall humbly add, if any man love God, the same hath learned to think soberly or meanly of himself.

But the danger of this appears further, if we consider, that some for being under this

Dying Sign, were about to be spewed out of Gods mouth, Revel. 3. 17. Because thou saist, I am rich, and encreased with goods, and have need of Nothing; (yet art so ignorant) or knowest not that thou art wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. How doth the Holy Spirit illustrate to us the miserable estate of this People, under this Dying Sign? Wret∣ched, one would think that enough, yet he adds Miserable, and that is not enough to set it out, but they are Poor, Blind, and naked; in a word, they are quite the contrary to what they think of themselves, and what is in growing Christians.

Now I shall with Gods help, show some Causes of this Deceit; you may think you know enough:

First, when you measure what you know, by your own eyes or light; you do think so, not measuring what you know by the Rule of Knowledge, the Word of God, 1 Cor. 10. 12. For we dare not make our selves of the number, or compare our selves with some that commend themselves; but they measuring themselves with themselves, by comparing themselves a∣mong themselves, are not wise. Prov. 30. 12. There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, yet not washed from their filthiness.

By these texts you may see, what miserable

judgment men will make of things, when they walk by the light of their own eyes, contrary to Gods express charge, Deut. 12. 8. You shall not do after all things ye hear this day, every man what is right in his own eyes.

Secondly, Another Cause may be this, when you measure what you know, by what once you did know; not considering that further knowledge, forceth further light, and cals for proportionable practise: When I was a child I spake as a child, I understood as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Thirdly, When you measure what you know, by seeing others that profess they know, do as they do, Tit. 1. 16. They pro∣fess they know God, but in works they deny him. Other mens actions must no further be a rule for us, notwithstanding their know∣ledge, then as their actions accord with Gods Word, the rule of knowledge.

Fourthly, When you measure what you know, by what you are disposed to practise, or do; men pick and choose what Com∣mands they will observe, and how to observe them, in our dayes: Some Commands suit more with the nature and disposition of per∣sons than other Commands do; they that cannot endure Drunkenness, can give way

to passion; they that cannot endure unclean∣ness, can give way to Covetousness; but as the victory is glorious when gotten over, what was most difficult; so measuring what we know, not by what we are disposed to do; but what God commands us to do, is the truest way or rule to measure by; for the carnal man will make the Law of Nations his guide; the moral man the ten Commandments his guide; the Antichristian man the false Spirit his guide; and all measure themselves by their guide: but the undeceived Christian man, makes Gods Word his guide, and mea∣sures what he knows, by his walking like that; To the Law and to the Testimony, if they speak not according to this Word, 'tis because there is no light in them, Isa. 8. 20.

Fifthly, When you measure not what you know, by what God in his Word calls you personally to do; when those especial Com∣mands that lyeth upon you, as Husband to Wife, Wife to Husband, Father to Child, Child to Father, Master to Servant, Servant to Master, are left undone, or so lamely done, that they are full of cracks and flaws; the Re∣ligion of such is vain, and contrary compari∣sons to this, as vain and deceitful. This was the evil of the Scribes and Pharisees, they min∣ded Annise and Cummin, but neglected judg∣ment,

mercy, and faith, the weightier mat∣ters of the Law: all doings are shows with∣out substance, while the weightier matters are left undone, James 1. 26. If any man seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, he deceives his own heart; this mans Religion is in vain: Consider this in the fear of God.

Object. But how may we know we are de∣ceived with this deceit.

Answ. First, When you have a low value of that means, that under God first brought you to know: Is not Sermons a low thing with you? this and that Preacher, that once was high in your account, now weak and mean in your esteem? Now you are full, now you are rich, and have raigned as Kings with∣out us: I would to God you did raign, that we also might raign with you, 1 Cor. 4. 8.

Secondly, When you are mighty prodigal of what you know, thinking no matter well mannaged, that you have not most voyce in, Prov. 15. 2. The tongue of the wise useth know∣ledge aright, but the mouth of fools poureth forth foolishness. So prov. 29. 11. The fool uttereth all his mind, but a wise man keepeth it in while afterwards.

Thirdly, When you please your self with the thoughts, that few or none in knowledge

outstrip you, having a secret scorn to com∣pare your selves with any; that is, when you think none is able to say more to a text of Scripture, than you have done; or knows the holy Spirits mind more than your selves, Jer. 8. 8. We are wise, (We by way of singularity,) and the Law of the Lord is with us: At the same time God saith, What wisdome is in them?

Fouthly, When in all matters material, you are not careful to take counsel of God, before you bring them to action, Prov. 15. 28. The heart of the wise studieth to answer, but the mouth of fools poureth forth foolish∣ness. And Chap. 3. 6. In all thy wayes ac∣knowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.