The Hearing and Reading of the Word, under which I comprise
theological studies generally, are alike defective when pursued
_without_ increase of Knowledge, and when pursued chiefly _for_
increase of Knowledge. To seek no more than a present delight, that
evanisheth with the sound of the words that die in the air, is not to
desire the Word as meat, but as music, as God tells the prophet
Ezekiel of his people, Ezek. xxxiii. 32. _And lo, thou art unto them
as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play
well upon an instrument; for they hear thy words, and they do them
not._ To desire the word for the increase of knowledge, although this
is necessary and commendable, and, being rightly qualified, is a part
of spiritual accretion, yet, take it as going no further, it is not
the true end of the Word. Nor is the venting of that knowledge in
speech and frequent discourse of the Word and the divine truths that
are in it; which, where it is governed with Christian prudence, is not
to be despised, but commended; yet, certainly, the highest knowledge,
and the most frequent and skilful speaking of the Word, severed from
the growth here mentioned, misses the true end of the Word. If any
one's head or tongue should grow apace, and all the rest stand at a
stay, it would certainly make him a monster; and they are no other,
who are knowing and discoursing Christians, and grow daily in that
respect, but not at all in holiness of heart, and life, which is the
proper growth of the children of God. Apposite to their case is
Epictetus's comparison of the sheep; they return not what they eat in
grass, but in wool.