[Sept. 20th, 1868].
There are two kinds of knowledge, of faith, of repentance. Simon Magus believed and remained in the gall of bitterness. Paul believed and became a Christian.
In both cases there was a persuasion of the truth. Simon believed when he saw the miracles wrought by the Apostles: Paul, when Christ was revealed within him. Judas repented when he saw the evil consequences of his treachery; Peter repented when he saw his conduct in its true character. So there is a simple intellectual knowledge of the truth, and there is a spiritual knowledge and discernment.
How are these related; that is, how do they agree and how do they differ? 1. The things known are the same. 2. The act of knowing is the same. 3. But the spiritual excellence of the object is not apprehended in the one case, while it is in the other.
This may be illustrated by the case of the discernment of beauty. Now with regard to the knowledge of the Scriptures, there is no reason why the unrenewed man, without any special aid of the Spirit, should not acquire that knowledge as well as the knowledge of any similar volume. Of course, however, it must be under the same conditions. 1. He must study assiduously. 2. In the right method, and in the use of the right means. 3. He must be impartial and honest; not endeavor to establish a theory, but simply to ascertain the true sense.
Now, although this is possible, it is in reference to the Scriptures difficult and rare, because of the opposition of the heart to the doctrines of the Bible, and because the judgments of men are so largely determined by their feelings.
Therefore, for the attainment of this intellectual knowledge, there is great need of the Spirit’s guidance to produce, 1st, Docility. 2d. To prevent opposition to the truth blinding the mind.
For spiritual knowledge the case is plain. On this subject the Scriptures teach, 1. The absolute necessity of divine teaching. No man cometh to me except he be taught of God. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. No man can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Ghost. He that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God. Besides, the Bible abounds in prayers for this divine teaching. And Paul declares all external teaching in vain without it.
- The Scriptures say that the cause of this ignorance, blindness and inability to know the things of God, arises from two sources; first, our depravity. We are natural, carnal, the opposite of the spiritual, and cannot by any possibility discern that which is spiritual. And secondly, Satan, the god of this world, blinds the eyes. His influence is great and general. He persuades men to reject the truth. He raises objections, and excites the enmity of the heart.
It is a solemn fact, therefore, that those and those only who are led by the Spirit, come to the knowledge of the truth. This is the great office of the Spirit. This is to be recognized, and his guidance sought and submitted to.
Correct speculative knowledge and spiritual knowledge experience teaches do not admit of protracted separation. There can be no spiritual knowledge without speculative knowledge, but there may be the speculative without the spiritual.
But orthodoxy will not last without piety. An unconverted ministry forsakes the truth. This all history proves. Hence the great importance of this subject. The salvation of men largely depends on the ministry preaching the truth. That ministers should preach the truth, depends on their being converted and taught by the Spirit. Therefore, whether you are to be blessings or curses to the Church depends on your being taught of God.
← 49. He will reprove (convince) the world of sin, because they believe not on me.—John 16:8, 9 · Contents · 51. The indwelling of the Spirit →