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What is the scholar's knowledge of the strength, riches,
glories, and sweetness of far countries, obtained by maps
and bookscompared to their knowledge, who daily see
and enjoy those things?
Truly, that knowledge which is only notional, speculative,
and general; which is gathered out of books, discourses,
and other outward advantages, is such a knowledge that
will make men sit down in hell, as it did Judas, Demas,
the scribes and pharisees, etc.
A man who has that experimental knowledge which
accompanies salvation, will from his experience tell you,
that sin is the greatest evil in the worldfor he has found
it so, Rom. 7; that Christ is the one thing necessaryfor
he has found Him so, Psalm 27:4; that the favor of God
is better than lifefor he has found it so, Psalm 63:3; that
pardoning mercy alone makes a man happyfor he has
found it so, Psalm 32:1-2; that a wounded spirit is such
a burden that none can bearfor he has found it so, Prov.
18:14; that a humble and a broken heart is an acceptable
sacrifice to Godfor he has found it so, Psalm 51:17; that the
promises are precious pearlsfor he has found them so,
2 Pet. 1:4; that the smiles of God will make up the lack of
any outward merciesfor he has found it so, Psalm 4:6-7;
that only communion with God can make a heaven in a
believer's heartfor he has found it so, Psalm 48:10; that
if the Spirit is pleased and obeyed, He will be a comforter
to the soulfor he has found it so, John 16:7; but if His
motions and laws are slighted and neglected, He will stand
far off from the soul, He will vex and gall the soulfor he
has found it so, Lam 1:16; Isa 63:10-11.
That knowledge which is not experimental, will only increase
your guilt and torment, as it did the Scribes' and Pharisees'.
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