Caryl - Houston-Packer Collection BS1415 .C37 v12

792 Chap. 42. An Expofstionstpon the Bookof Jo a. Verf. 2; Hence note, Firft ; Knowledge is agrowongthing. And it were well if we were all foundgrowing in knowledge; That's the Apofile Peters charge(2Epift. 3. a 8.) Grow ingrate, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Defies Chrilb. He puts both together. There is a growth in knowledge as well as in grace ; and in proportion to our fpiritual growth inknowledge, is our growth in grace : for, though many grow much in notional and fpeculative knowledge, who grow little in grace ; yet they cannot but growmuch in brace, who grow much in fpiritual and experimental knowledge. As a godly mangroweth inknowledge, fo in grace too.Knowledge isa growing thing. The riling and en- creafing waters of the Sanc` nary were a type of the encreafings of knowledge ; thofe waters were firft to the ancles, and then to the knees, and then to the loyns, and then to the neck. And u knowledge increafeth, with refpe6 to the feveral times and flares of the Church (for fo that place (Ezek. 47. 3s 4s S.) is to be be underflood) fo it is a truth, that there is an increafe of know- ledge, with refpe6t to the Rate of every particular believer; his knowledge is firft to the ancles, and then to the knees, and then to the loyns, and then to the neck. As force points to be known are fo eafie or (hallow, that (according to that clear and common fimilitude) a Lamb may wade through them; others fo difficult and deep, that anElephant may fwim in them: fo the degree of knowledge in the fame perfon, which at one time was very (mall and (hallow, at anothertime may be fwelled into a great deep, andhe called aman of deep knowledge. We have agene- ral promife of fuch an increafe(Ifa. i a. 9.) The earth ¡hall befall of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters covertheSea ; that is, there (hall be a wonderful increafe of knowledge. That's alfo the import of Daniels Prophefie (Chap. r 2.4.) Many/hall run to and fro, and knowledge ¡hall be increafed. Particular perlons (hall improve in knowledge, and fo (hall the whole Church. So then, this increafe of knowledge is of two forts ; Firff, it isa knowledge of more things ; and, Secondly, of every thing more.. We fhould labour toknowmore truths; we mull thus add to our knowledge. For,though it be true, that every believer bath re-

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