A Godly Man Is a Man of Knowledge

2. IT will be enquired in the next place,¹ Who is the godly man?

For the full answer whereunto, I shall lay down several specifical signs and characters of a godly man.

1 The first fundamental sign is,¹ a godly man is a man of (Arist) Knowledge. Prov. 14. 18. The prudent are crowned with knowledge. The Saints are called wise Virgins, Mat. 25. 4. A natural man may have some discursive knowledge of God, but he knoweth nothing as he ought to know, 1 Cor. 8. 2. He knows not God savingly: he may have the eye of Reason open, but he discerns not the things of God after a spiritual² manner. Waters cannot goe beyond their Spring-head: Vapors cannot rise higher than the Sun draws them. […] natural man cannot act above his sphere; […] no more able to judge aright of sacred things, than a blind man is to judge of colours. 1 He sees not the evil of his heart; if a face be never so black and deformed, yet it is not seen under a Vail: the heart of a sinner i[…] so black, that nothing but Hell can pattern it, yet the vail of ignorance hides it. 2 He sees not the beauties of a Saviour. Christ is a Pearl, but an hid Pearl.

But a godly man is […], taught of God. 1 Ioh. 2. 27. The anointing teacheth you all³ things; that is, all things essential to salvation. A godly man hath the good knowledge of the Lord, 2 Chron. 30. 22. he hath sound wisdom, Prov. 3. 21. he knows God in Christ: to know God out of Christ, is to know him an enemy; but to know him in Christ is sweet and delicious. A gracious soul hath the savour of knowledge, 2 Cor. 2. 14. There is a great difference between one that hath read of a Countrey, or viewed it in the Map, and another who hath lived in the Countrey, and tasted the Fruits and Spices of it. The knowledge wherewith a godly man is adorned, hath these eight rare Ingredients in it.

1 It is a grounded Knowledge, Col. 1. 27. If ye continue in the Faith grounded. It is not a believing as the Church believes, but […] Knowledge rests upon a double basis […] Word and Spirit; the one is a […] other a witness: saving Knowledge is not pendulous or doubtful, but hath a certainty in it, Iohn 6. 69. We believe, and are sure thou art that Christ, 2 Cor. 5, 6. […] being always confident⁴ a godly man holds no more then he will dye for: The Martyrs were so confirmed in the knowledge of the Truth, that they would seal it with their bloud.

2. It is an appretiative knowledge. The Lapidary is said to know a Jewel, who hath skill to value it: He knows God, who esteems him above the glory of heaven, (Psal. 73. 25) and the comforts of the earth. To compare other things with God, is to debase Deity; as if you should compare the shining of a Gloworm with the Sun.

3. The knowledge of a godly man is quickning, Psalm 119. 93. I will never forget thy Precepts, for with them thou hast quickned me. Knowledge in a natural mans head, is like a Torch in a dead mans hand: True knowledge animates. A godly man is like Iohn Baptist, a burning and a shining Lamp: He doth not only shine by illumination, but burn by affection.⁵ The Spouses knowledge made her sick of love, Cant. 2. 5. Per[…]ulsa sum,⁶ I am wounded with love. I am like a Deer that is struck with a Dart, my Soul lies a bleeding, and nothing can cure me, but a sight of him whom my Soul loves.

4. Divine Knowledge is appropriating, Ioh 19. 25. I know that my Redeemer liveth. A Medicine is best when it is applyed; this applicative Knowledge is joyful. Christ is called a Surety, Hebr. 7. 22. O what joy when I am drowned in debt, to know that Christ is my Surety! Christ is called an Advocate, 1 Ioh. 2. 1. The Greek word for Advocate […], signifies a Comforter, O what comfort is it when I have a bad Cause, to know Christ is my Advocate, who never lost any Cause he pleaded.

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