it followeth woe to the wicked it shall be ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be given him 2. Hast thou been without the meanes of grace for 30 or 40 years past and lived in ignorance so long and wilt thou refuse the means of grace now it is offered thee in thy age thy sin will be double and thy condemnation will be the greater If I had not come and spoken to them they had not had sin but now they have no excuse for their sin saith our Saviour if thou hadst allways been without the means of knowledge thou mightest have pleaded Joh. 15.22 Lord had I known thy will I would have done it but now Christ by his messengers hath spoken to thee and yet thou art ignorant and prophane thou hast no excuse for thy sin it is the sadning of many a Ministers heart to see the blockish ignorance that is among their people and that few or none will come to them to be instructed what thronging is there to the chambers of Lawyers for their advice and counsel touching mens outward estates what running after great men to get offices and places of preferment what posting to Physitians for advice if the body be sick and a little out of frame If an indulgent Father have his only son lie very sick by him how earnest is he in enquiring of the physitian what he thinks will become of his poor child and whether there be any hopes of his recovery but the precious soul that is more worth then the whole world as our Saviour intimateth to us this is neglected and never lookt after when shall you see a man or woman come to a Minister and say O Sir what shall I do to be saved I am a poor ignorant creature I pray teach me good judgement and knowledge and cause me to understand the feare of the Lord shew unto me the way of salvation but with grief I speak it we may sit till we freez before people will come to us on such an errand Most people will never send to a Minister till the Physitian leaves them and death stands ready to take them and then a Minister is called to come to them to speak some words of comfort to their languishing soules and what hard censures are past upon a Minister if he will not pronounce them then to be meet partakers of inheritance among the Saints in light who have walkt in darknesse all their life we dare not speak peace to those to whom God speaks nothing but wrath and indignation lest we bring that curse upon us in Deut. Deut. 27.18 27.18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of his way what a terrible curse would light upon us if we should now seal you up for Gods Kingdom when you know not one step of the way that leadeth thither let me tell you if you die without knowledge you die in your sins and as death takes thee so shall judgement find thee and then they that said unto the Almighty in their life depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes they I say shall hear God saying to them at their death depart from me I know ye not ye workers of iniquity or I never knew you to this day you that have hated the light of knowledg the light of grace shall be for ever without the light of life We read in the Gospel of one that went not into the Vineyard till the 11th hour of the day but did he refuse to go into the Vineyard when he was called surely no do you think it had been a tolerable excuse for him to have answered Christ when he was called It is now too late I am an old man at the last part of my life the better part of my life is spent and gone I can do thee but little service now and have but a little time to get the saving knowledge of thy will I will therefore shift as well as I can for that little time that remaineth as I have done to this day therefore trouble me not now you see he maketh no such excuse but as soon as ever he is called upon to know and turn to the Lord he goes into the Vineyard And now if God open thine eyes in thine old age thou wilt bitterly lament that thou wast no sooner acquainted with God and his ways August Meditat. as Austin did who meditating on the knowledg of God brake forth into such words as these Alas O Lord that I knew thee no sooner I have begun very late to love thee a beauty very ancient a beauty very new Too late have I begun thou wast within and I sought for thee without and have cast my self with such violence upon these created beauties without knowledge of my Creatour to defile thy self daily more and more 3. Dost not thou think thy condition to be dangerous because thou art not sensible of thy danger persons oftentimes in the greatest danger are least sensible of their danger as men that are sick of a phrensie will sometimes laugh and sing and those that are stung with an asp they lye laughing the poison being of that nature as it killeth them without putting them to any present pain these men are insensible of the dangerous estate they are in and their friends knowing in what condition they are do weep to see them laugh so it fareth with them that are sick of the phrensie of sin and ignorance and poisoned with the venome of the old Serpent they are many times at the brink of the pit of destruction they are at hell-mouth and do drop into hell it self before they fear any danger and like the Syrian souldiers that were smitten with blindnesse in the midst of Samaria 2 Kings 6.20 before they knew where they were he that should by night travel over a narrow bridge Sapientis est non quae ante pedes sunt modo videre sed etiam quae futura sunt prospicere Seneca under which were a deep river or go upon the edge of a very steep hill from which if he should have fallen he must needs be drowned in the one and break his neck from the other he goes on without fear but let him be brought back in the morning and shewed what danger he escaped and it will make him even to tremble to think of the greatnesse thereof and then he will stand like a man amazed and wonder he should escape so iminent a danger so all the while thou walkest in darknesse thou knowest not where thou goest nor whither thou art going An ignorant sinner is every moment ready to drop into the infernal pit Judg 20.34 and when he is near to destruction yet like the Benjamites he knoweth not that evil is near him But if ever the Lord open his eyes by the light of his word and spirit then he will stand amazed and wonder at the goodnesse of God towards him he
knowledge guideth the tongue understanding is a well-spring of life to him that hath it the heart of the wise teacheth his mouth and addeth learning to his lips that is as if he had said whereas a fooles heart is upon the tip of his tongue to vent and utter whatever he knoweth at all adventures a wise mans tongue is ordered and guided by his heart to keep and observe a decorum both in speech and silence And concerning actions Solomon bringeth in wisdom speaking thus in her own person saying Prov. 8.19 20. My fruit is better then Gold yea then fine Gold and my revenue then choyce Silver and then addeth a reason saying I lead in the way of righteousnesse and in the midst of the paths of judgement Now on the other side if thine eye be evill thy whole body is full of darknesse as a man that hath an ill sight a pearl in his eye or is pur-blind is oftentimes nay evermore deceived in his choyce and misseth his mark So he that hath his understanding darkned and dazzeled wanteth a right judgement to guide him in the worship and service of God the corruption of his own heart and proud flesh the sleights and suggestions of Satan and the evill examples of others with whom he liveth being as Gregory Nazianzen saith interposed between the eye of his mind and the light of the Gospel as a thick cloud or the shadow of the body of the earth between our eyes and the light of the Sun Now where this evill eye is there is nothing but darknesse and the fruits of it amazednesse horrour and confusion where understanding is wanting the whole life must be nothing but disorder knowledge in the soule is as a King in his Realm the head to the body the eye in the head a Pilot in a ship yea in a word as the Sun to the world now what truer mirrour of misery then a Realme without a King or Governour or whose King is a child not so much in years as in discretion as Rehoboam was and what can that body do that hath an head blind without eyes or that is still distempered fit for nothing but sleep what can be expected to become of a ship whose Pilot and guide is still stark drunk neither knowing nor caring how to guide her at Sea nor bring her to shore and what greater darknesse is there in the greater world then when the Sun the eye thereof hath run his race and is gone to rest untill his rising again as great disorder discomfort and confusion is there in a man without knowledge and spitituall understanding nay farre greater unlesse Jesus Christ the Sonne of Righteousnesse arise in it and shine upon it by the beames of his grace and favour 2. Knowledge is usefull to strengthen a man a knowing man is a strong man Eccles 7.19 a fool is a weak man wisdome strengthneth the wise more then ten mighty men that are in the City saith Solomon it will more support and strengthen a man then many great friends in Court or City it will strengthen a man in great straits Friends may faile a man and oftentimes do faile him but true wisdome doth not faile a man in the greatest straits it leadeth a man through the greatest difficulties and supports him under them to this purpose the Apostle prayeth that the Colossians might be filled with the knowledge of Gods will Colos 1.9 10 11. in all wisdome and spirituall understanding and increase in the knowledge of God that they might be strengthned with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulnesse Wisdome strengthens us rightly to use our spiritual armour both defensive and offensive as it is best for us and appointed to us When a great King besieged a little City and built great bulwarks against it there was found in it a poore wise man and he by his wisdome delivered the City then said I wisdom is better then strength Eccles 9.14 15 16. and verse 18. he addeth Wisdome is better then weapons of warre the Devill is like this great King that cometh against and besiegeth the little City of the soule buildeth great bulwarks against it but a poor Christian by wisdom delivereth his soule a man that knoweth his own weaknesse and wants that knoweth the necessity of grace that knoweth Jesus Christ to be the Fountain of wisdome and strength he goeth out of himselfe to Jesus Christ making use of the vertue of his death and resurrection to overcome all temptations unto sin 3. Knowledge doth exceedingly encourage a man and hearten him against all discouragements when a man knoweth God knoweth his service and knoweth what God requireth at his hands this doth exceedingly encourage a man upon the performance of his duty Paul saith 2 Tim. 1.12 I am not ashamed of my sufferings for the preaching of the Gospel and giveth this reason for I know whom I have believed and he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day When a man knoweth the will of God and walketh according to the light he hath received when a man knoweth the promises and his own interest in them this doth mightily encourage a man under sufferings when once we have gotten understanding of Christ and the Promises and Priviledges by him the heart is full of courage he knoweth then let God cast him into what state or condition he will that it shall go well with him this will make a man couragious in death it self What though I die yet saith he with Job Job 19.25 I know that my Redeemer liveth and in that he liveth he liveth for my good he is my life Col. 3.4 who is the life My life is bound up in him who is the Fountain of Life and because he liveth I shall live also Joh. 14.19 4. Knowledge is sweet and comfortable Eccles 11.7 light is sweet and it is a comfortable thing for a man with his eyes to behold the light of the Sun So when an ignorant soul is enlightened with the true knowledge of God and his wayes this is very comfortable What a comfort is it to come out of the dark dungeon of ignorance into Gods marvelous light the light of knowledge raiseth a drooping spirit Ignorance of God and of his Word ignorance of our selves also is the cause of much trouble of spirit when we are ignorant of our own estate and of our grounds of comfort It is the great design of the Devil to blind our eyes in soul-troubles that we may not see the Well of Comfort that runneth by us as poor Hagar that was ready to perish for thirst had not eyes to see the Fountain by her Now true knowledge leades the soul to the Promises to the waters of Comfort to the breasts of Consolation where he may suck and be abundantly satisfied Psalm 97.11 Light is sowen for the righteous and joy for the upright
in heart when grosse darknesse covereth other people light is risen to their souls The light of the righteous rejoyceth Prov. 13.9 when the lampe of the wicked is put out The knowledge of God in a saving way bringeth three grounds of comfort to the soul that hath it 1. It comforteth the soul to consider how many Wise and Learned men are blinded by the god of this World that God hath bid Heavenly Mysteries from the wise and prudent of the World and hath revealed them to poor babes and to such a poor ignorant creature as he was 2. It comforteth it to consider what darknesse it hath sometime lived in and that now the Lord hath called it out of darknesse into his marvellous light Oh! saith such a soul God hath done as great a work upon my heart as he did when he commanded light to shine out of darknesse Chushec panai Tehom in the beginning of the World my heart was like the earth at that time when there was nothing but Tohu and Bohu upon it Gen. 1.2 and darknesse was upon the face of the Deep and then did the Lord make light of it It is with Gods people before he openeth their eyes as it was with Abraham the Lord sent on him a most fearful darknesse even then Gen. 15.12 when he was ready to communicate a most comfortable light unto him The Lord strook Paul with blindnesse even then when he came to open his eyes 3. This further comforteth such a soul in that God shining into it hath given it the light of the knowledge of the glory of God Act. 9. 2 Cor. 4.6 in Jesus Christ glorious things are now revealed to the soul the soul seeth that now which it never saw before and they clearly see that which others cannot know nor discern It is light in Goshen where the Israelites are when there is no light in Egypt men in the same City in the same Congregation in the same Seat in the same Family sit in darknesse and cannot see when others in the same places do clearly behold the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ Now if this light of the godly be so glorious and comfortable in this World what shall it be in the World to come when God and the Lambe shall be their immediate light here God enlightens us by candle-light but there the glorious Sun of Righteousnesse himself will be our everlasting light here our light may be darkened and eclipsed but there shall be an eternal light without all darknesse there shall be no night there 5. Knowledge is useful to resolve all doubts and difficulties which arise in our souls this makes a man of a full and firm resolution a man is happy when he can say This I know to be the mind of God and in this will I live and die this is the truth of God and from this I will not be moved Ignorantiae duae pessimae filiae falsitas dubietas Ignorance is the mother of two filthy daughters the first daughter of Ignorance is called dubiety or doubtfulnesse which is a continual wavering in opinion a knowing man hath a fixt spirit and settled judgement but an ignorant man is a double-minded man though he be never so resolute and wilful in his opinions The other daughter of Ignorance is falsity or errour which setleth a man upon an unsound basis he that is void of reason will not be convinced by truth or reason when there were divers opinions in the World concerning Christ who he should be some said he was John Baptist some Elias Math. 16.14 others Jeremias or one of the Prophets this variety of opinions sprang from ignorance Some said he was Elias propter zelum amorem veritatis for his zeal and love of the truth for as Elias could not endure to have Gods worship mingled with idolatry no more could Christ as appears Joh. 2. by his punishing and casting out of those that bought and sold in the Temple others said he was Jeremias propter patientiam in adversis being like a lambe before the shearer not opening his mouth however he was abused and others said he was John Baptist for his boldnesse in reproving sin and this opinion for the most part went current and the reason why it was more favoured and followed than the rest Divines observe to be because a great man was Author of it as you may see Math 14.2 for when Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus he said unto his servant this is John the Baptist he is risen from the dead and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him and then no matter whether it be true or false if Herod be the Author of it for if Abimelech cut boughes from trees Jud. 9.49 to set the Tower in Sichem on fire all the people will do so by his example Here you may see the dangerousnesse of ignorance causing such various and erroneous opinions concerning Christ their ignorance of Christ made way to the entertainment of the Pythagorean opinion of the transmigration of souls into other mens bodies which occasioned all these errours so grossely ignorant were even the better sort of people in Christs time in a main fundamental point of Religion as viz. Whether he were the Messiah or no Now on the other side knowledge resolves all doubts though others doubted who Christ was yet Peter freely and clearly confesseth him he doth not stay till a Council might be called and the question determined among the Jews but knowing who Christ was like the fore-man of a Jury he brings in the verdict of himself and his followers saying as Matthew tells us to our Saviour Math. 16.16 Thou art Christ the Son of the Living God A man that hath clear eyes in his head can discern the light if it be shewed him but blindnesse makes a man uncapable of seeing light offered to him knowledge resolves a man and setleth his judgement without knowledge a man cannot in divers cases discern truth from errour as in the body of man eyes are given to distinguish of colours ears to distinguish of sounds pallats to distinguish of tastes so is knowledge very useful to distinguish of Doctrines that are tendered to us that with David we may chuse the way of truth and avoid the rocks of errour growing in the knowledge of Christ 2 Pet. 3.17 18. preserves a man from being carried away with the errour of the wicked 6. Knowledge is useful to adorn the soul knowledge is the soul 's greatest ornament wisdom especially heavenly wisdom makes a mans face to shine saith the Wise man Eccles 8. â— it putteth such a luster upon a man as out-shineth all the Diadems of the greatest Princes of the World Prov. 1.9 It is an ornament of grace to the head and chains about the neck Persons of Renown for wisdom were wont to wear chains of Gold about their necks Gen. 41.39 42.
Why say the Scribes that Elias must first come So likewise Nicodemus saith How can these things be Joh. 3.9 So the Eunuch to Philip Of whom speaks the Prophet this of himself or of another Act. 8.34 When you read and hear the word and study and meditate upon it and yet remain ignorant in many points have recourse then to your Minister and Gods Messenger whose mouth the Prophet tells you must preserve knowledge you must seek the Law at his mouth This Austin tells us was one cause Vt diligentiam praestemus inquirendi potiùs quam temeritatem affirmandi August why some things in the Scriptures were so hard that we may rather shew diligence of enquiring than rashnesse of affirming Pythagoras saith that those were the best of his Schollers and the greatest Proficients in knowledge that were the most inquisitive and askt the most questions Yet such is the sottishnesse of many people that they will remain grossely ignorant in many things rather than they will ask questions to betray their ignorance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heracl Sick persons are not ashamed to tell the Physitian what their Disease is neither is it good to hide ignorance but to bring it forth that it may be healed saith Heraclitus when John Baptist's disciples were infected with envy and repined at Christ that he should out-strip and excell their Master with the people as is evident by the complaint they make Joh. 3.26 where they come unto him saying Rabbi or Master He that was with thee beyond Jordan to whom thou barest witness and baptizedst behold now he baptizeth more than thou and all men come unto him Hereby the holy Baptist perceiving them to be infected with ignorance and infidelity he sends them to school to Christ to correct their ignorance that they might hear the words of his wisdom to correct their incredulity they might see his Works of wonder therefore two of his disciples are sent to Christ with this question Luk. 7.19 Art thou he that should come or shall we waite for another Some think that John Baptist moveth this doubt on the behalf of himself but this could not be for first John Baptist could not be so incredulous but believe what was testified by God the Father from Heaven at his Baptism Mat. 3.17 This is my well beloved son in whom I am well pleased Yea he testified of him before he baptized him and had born this testimony That he was not worthy to carry his shooes after him Mat. 3.11 Joh. 1.29 and again Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world Now John Baptist could not doubt of Christ and give such large testimony of him nor was John inconstant and unsetled like a reed shaken with the wind as our Saviour testifieth of him Thus Elisha knew and was assured that his Master Elias was taken up into Heaven and yet for the satisfaction of the children of the Prophets in that point he is at last contented 2 Kings 2.17 that they shall send fifty men to seek him by the space of three dayes in the mountains So John Baptist knowing his disciples to be too much infected with the leaven of the Scribes and Pharisees by reason of their too much familiarity and correspondency that they had one with the other he sendeth them therefore to Christ to be better instructed and that they might be satisfied both concerning his person that he was true man their eyes telling them that he had the dimensions and natural properties of a true humane body and true God too working such wonders as could not be done without the finger of God and also for his office that he was a most absolute Physitian both of body and soul yea the very Messiah and Saviour of the World Thus the Publicans the Souldiers and the People come to John Baptist and say to him Master what shall we do Luk. 3.10 12 14. being ignorant they come with a desire to learn of him and here they ask a profitable question they ask not what God did before he made the World what Pharaohs Daughter or the Queen of Sheba's names were whether Solomon was saved or not whether Jonas were ever at Nineveh before he went thither to preach whether ever the Virgin Mary had any more children than Christ but they go plainly to the point to enquire about a matter needful for them to know What shall we do to avoid the wrath and enjoy the favour of God Thus you see it is our duty not to conceale Etiamsi senes magis decet docere quam discere magis tamen decet discere quam ignorare Gregor but to discover our ignorance To this purpose one of the Ancients hath a good saying Albeit it becometh old men rather to be teachers than learners yet it is more comely for them to learn than to be ignorant If a Minister be well seen in Physick or in the Law his house shall be frequented and made oraculum civitatis but for Divinity few will trouble him which sheweth that men have more care of their bodies and goods than of their souls Let me entreate you to frequent much the company of those that are godly-wise Prov. 13.20 such as have the true knowledge of God and Christ in them he that walketh with wise men shall be wise saith Solomon but a companion of fools shall be destroyed The Queen of Sheba pronounced Solomons servants happy which continually stood before him to hear his wisdom though wisdom be condemned by the foolish world for madnesse Math. 11.19 yet wisdom is justified or commended of her children Associate thy self with the godly-wise and thou also shalt become more wise Direct 8 If thou hast any small measure of knowledge be thankful for that little I will blesse the Lord who hath given me counsel Psal 16.7 saith David if thou hast received any glimpse of the saving knowledge of God in Christ then blesse the Lord who hath given thee counsell and made thee to understand aright he that is thankful for a little shall have more It is just with God to suffer their understandings to be darkened who are not thankful for the light It is charged upon the Heathens that when they knew God Rom. 1.21 they glorified him not as God neither were thankful but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened Unthankfulnesse for light received makes way for darknesse blindnesse and ignorance Direct 9 Labour to be humble and poor in spirit he hath promised to teach the humble Psal 25.9 Prov. 11.2 Jam. 4.8 Luk. 1.53 with the lowly there is wisdome God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble he fills the hungry with good things Pride keeps a man farre from God and makes him unfit to come near him that which brings a man near is humility without humility it may be said to us as Didimus said to proud Alexander that
imperatorem i. e. being freed from the Ferula and discharged from subjection to a Tutour that even they be left to the guidance of their own discretion 2 Tim. 2.22 whereby they must follow Pauls counsell to his Schollar Timothy to fly all youthfull lusts and labour being well instructed in the grounds of true Religion as they grow in yeares to grow in wisdome and knowledge then shall no man have cause to despise their youth as the same Apostle speaketh 1 Tim. 4.12 But the wisdome of their young yeares shall be their Crowne and Glory As Virgil said of Aeneas his Sonne Sequitur Patrem non passibus aequis he followeth his Father not with even and equall steppes so it may be said of most of the children of faithfull Parents Let me presse this upon you that are old to teach the young do you not read that the Psalmist speaks often that the praises of the Lord should he declared from generation to generation Psal 22.31 Psal 79.13 And so the very Heathen understood that it was the duty of the old to teach the young Praecipere mitem convenit pueru senem Seneca Jura senes norint quid liceátque nefasque Fásque sit inquirant legémque exanima servant Ovid. Old men are or should be very knowing it belongeth to them to teach and to youth to learne of them this is chiefly to be observed among Christians hence it appeareth how grossely old men sinne if they who ought to informe others do themselves know little or nothing of those things that appertain to everlasting salvation and if they have neglected the meanes of knowledge and in their old age are so rude and ignorant that they had need to bee taught by children the heads of Catechisme which sometime happeneth what will they be able to answer to the righteous Judge of all the world when he shall aske them how they have done their duty upon the earth Let every christian now be conscientious in this duty to exhort and instruct one another to edify one another and provoke to love and to good works to stirre up one another to the wayes and work of godlinesse And to move you all hereunto I desire you to consider 1. The great benefit that will come to such as truly performe this duty the Lord hath made a gracious promise to it Jer. 23.22 if we stand in his counsell and cause his people to heare his words i. e. if we faithfully instruct them in the knowledge and feare of the Lord then we shall turne them from their evill way and from the evill of their doings Happy is that man that can turne a sinner from evill wayes and evill doings to the wayes of godlinesse This is the Reason why the Apostle will not have the believing husband or wife to separate one from another because by dwelling together they may instruct and do good one to another 1 Cor. 7.16 for what knowest thou O wife whether thou shalt save thy husband or how knowest thou O man whether thou shalt save thy wife 2. If thou canst winne but one soule to Christ Isa 2.28 thou shalt bring much glory to God Solomon saith that in the multitude of poople is the Kings honour So herein is the great King of heaven honoured when many people shall go and say Come ye and let us goe up to the mountaine of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walke in his pathes he that converteth a sinner shall save a soule from death and cover a multitude of sins Jac. 5.20 3. It will bring in great peace and comfort to your own soules what greater comfort in the world then to see those that sate in darknesse to have the eyes of their understandings opened to see those that were dead translated from death to life to be new borne to be converted unto God Oh what abundance of comfort will this consideration work upon thy heart However let Ministers do their duty Parents their duty Husbands their duty Christians their duty in their respective places and then let the successe be what it will we shall have comfort therein Ezek. 2.5 Ezek. 2. God commands the Prophet to speak to the people whether they would hear or whether they would forbear and thus saith the Prophet Isaiah though I have laboured in vain and spent my strength for nought Isa 49 4 5. yet surely my judgement is with the Lord and my work or my reward with my God though Israel be no gathered yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord and my God shall be my strength Thanks be to God saith Paul which alwayes causeth us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest by us the savour of his knowledge in every place 2 Cor. 2. 14 15. Heb. 3.13 for we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish Therefore exhort one another daily while it is called to day Do not think it a duty onely belonging to the Minister to instruct and stir up others in the wayes of Religion Per hoe nil aliud est scientia nostra quam culpa Salvian it is his duty principally but it is thy duty also Do not say with wicked Cain Am I my brothers Keeper If thou seest thy neighbour lying in the pit of ignorance and thou hast that which might help him out and doest it not thou art guily of his perishing by this our knowledge is no thing else but a fault saith Salvian Labour with all thy might to help thy Wife and Children Servants and friends and neighbours out of this dark dungeon Hath God enlightened you with saving knowledge Direct 7 Eph. 5.8 See that you walk as children of the light If a man have never so much knowledge if he walk not answerable to it it is but a glow-worm light if thy head be full of light and thy workes be full of darknesse it is an evidence that the light that is in thee is no better than darknesse The night is farre spent saith the Apostle the day is at hand let us therefore cast off the workes of darknesse Rom. 13.12 Pareus in loc and let us put on the Armour of light Pareus by night understandeth our estate of ignorance and blindnesse before our effectual calling and conversion and by day our estate of illumination and grace after our conversion Let us therefore saith the Apostle cast off the workes of darknesse Sin may be called workes of darkenesse 1. Because for the most part they proceed from the ignorance of Gods will not revealed to such as are yet unconverted Thus Paul saith That the Gentiles walked in the vanities of their minde having their understandings darkened Eph. 4.18 being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that was in them and did men know the dangers that follow sinners they would