eri. i 2. the Epifile to the Romans. 561 coon. At a word, as the faireft face hath a wart, fo the learned[! men have their errors, becaufe the night of their ig- norance was not wholly fpent, nor the day of their knowledge wholly come, their remaining ignorance brought falle expofitions and opinions. Se- condly, let this warn and exhort all Chriffians more earnefily to pray God to keep them from errors, and to that end, that he would increafe their knowledge and judgement, Coloff.. 1:9, 10, I I. Allo, let fit admonifh us never to content our felves with any meafure of underftanding in heavenly things, but ufe all good means, that we may grow more and more in all knowledge of Chrift,joyning knowledge unto know- ledge, as worldly men do adde riches to riches, and as the Sun increafeth in 'brightneffe till high noon, fo let the word of Chrifidwell in us in all wif- dome. Finally,let it move us both to be model} in our affertions about di- vine things; not hardy and bold to af- firm that whereof we doubt, but fufpe&ing our own ignorance, be more ready to hear then to (peak, to learn then to teach : and the things to be known many (and deep force of them) being humbled, that our igno- rance is fo much, and our knowledge fo little, duly confidering, that as we have no knowledge but what we receive, fo that which we do know, is far leffe then that which we do not know;which all holy men have both felt and con- feffed. Note further, that how much the day is above the night, fo much doth knowledge excel! ignorance, Eeclef. 2.13. Al fo the necellity of knowledge appeareth by this Metaphor : the day not more needfull to doe worldly works,then knowledge to a Chrifüan, to do the works of falvation. This condemns fuels of extreme folly, as care not for knowledge, but do defpifc underfanding : and ferves as a fpur to quicken our mindes unto the fearch of the Scriptures, chat our fight in Gods matters,may be clearer and greater then it is. T I M. Tell us what it memo by the [Work{ of darkneffe, ] and whereof it puts us in mindé, that we are itilted to raft them of? S 1 L. Works of darknefle lignifie Interpret. all vices, but fuch efpecially as be na- med in the next verle : which be ter- med [Works of darkneffe: ] Firft becaufe they conic from blindneffe of mincie. Secondly, becaufe the doers of them reek after sdarknefre, For he Oat doth evil! hates the light, yob. 3. and the Adul- terer loves Twilight (faith yob.) Third - ly,becaufe they lead to utter darkneffe, and eternal! mifery, filch as live and die in them. And by the [ calling them off,] we are warned of there three things. Firfi, that with fpeed and halle we turn from our fins, as a ratan that awakes out of fleep, ntaketh haft to cart away his night garments. Se- condly, that we do it with deteftati- on, as one doth with loathing call away and throw from him his tat- tered rags which he abhors. Third- ly, that we cart them fo from us, as we never mean to take them up again, as we never refume our ragged ap- parell. The contrary Garments rehearfed, Gal. 5. 22. and Ephef. 5. g, are here termed [ Armour,] both becaufe they offend our fpirituall enemies, and de- fend us againft their affaults : they be not garments to cover our fins, hut Armour to help us in our fight again!} fin. Now thefe graces be called -[Ar- mour of light,] becaufe they flow from, and follow the light of Chriftian knowledge : and fecondly, caufe us to fhinebefore men by good wilks, and at Taft lead us to the light heaven. We are Paid to put on this Armour when we do good works with filch delight, as we do take in 'cloathing our felves, and fo put them on, as we never mean to put them offany more; and as we cloathe our felves entirely from top to toe, fo to endeavour co do all good workes which concerne us... Cheerfulneffe, diligence, confiancy, and integrity in wel -doing is here re- quired. T IM. To cati . tr, what. Armour. Of light why.
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