beginnings. God complains of Israel, tlu-y wore 'brutish in their knowledge,' Jer. X. 14. He doth not say brutish in their ignoranee ; had they sinned be- cause they did not know better, this would have excused a tanio ; but they did that which was brutish and unreasonable, as their worshipping graven images, notwithstanding they knew to the contraiy. That man shall not excel in knowledge who prostitutes it to sin : Job xxxvi. 12, ' If they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and shall die without knowledge.' A candle pent up close in a dark lantern swails out apace: and so doth light shut up in the conscience, and not suffered to come forth in the conversation. Those heathens that ai'e charged for 'holding the truth in unrighteousness,' Rom. i. 18, the next news you hear of them is, that ' they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened,' ver. 21.
Thirdly, Ply the throne of grace. Bene orasse est bene studuisne ; he is the best student in divinity, that studies most upon his knees. Knowledge is a divine gift ; all light is from heaven. God is the Father of light, and prayer puts the sold under the pupilage of God. ' If any man lack wisdom, let him ask it of God.' Tliis is more than naked knowledge, wisdom how to use it. Study may make one a great scholar in the Scriptures, but ])rayer makes a wise Christian, as it obtahis sanctified knowledge, without which it is no perfect gift, but cloron a doron, a gift and no gift. Pray then with an humble boldness ; God gives it to all that ask, and that candidly, liberally ; not like proud man, who will rather put one to shame who is weak, for his ignorance, than take the pains to teach him. Thy petition is very pleasing to God. Remember how Solomon sped upon the like occasion, and promise thyself the same suc- cess. Christ's school is a free school ; he denies none that come to him, so they Avill submit to the orders of the school ; and though all have not an answer in the same degree of knowledge, it is not needful that all should be Solomons in knowledge, except all were to be Solomons in place ; yet the meanest dis- ciple that Christ sends forth shall be furnished with saving knowledge enough to fit him for his admittance into heaven's academy. ' Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and after bring me to glory.'
Fourthly, Thou must bestow some time for thy diligent search after truth. Truth lies deep, and must be digged for. Since man was turned out of para- dise, he can do nothing without labour, except sin ; this follows his hand indeed, but this treasure of knowledge calls for spade and mattock. We are bid ' search the Scriptures ;' and, Dan. xii. 4, ' Many shall nm to and fro, and know- ledge shall be increased ;' a metaphor from merchants, who bestir themselves to get an estate, run to and fro, first in one land, then in another ; wherever they hear of anything to be got, thither they post, though to the ends of the earth ; thus must the soul run from one duty to another, one while read, and anon meditate of what he hath read, then pray over his meditations, and ask coimsel after all. What is the meaning of this, and how understand you that? Non schola Epicura facit magnos viros, sed cuntuhcrnium. There is more light got sometimes by a short conference with a preacher, than by his whole sermon. Re sure thou compass all the means for knowledge within the walk of thy endeavour. In tliis thy search for knowledge observe three things :
First, The end thou proi)osest, that it be pure and holy, not merely to know, as some do, who labour for knowledge, as many for estates, and when they have got it, look on their notions, as they on their bags of money, but have not a heart to use their knowledge for their own or others' good ; this is a sore evil. Speculative knowledge, like Rachel, is fair, but barren. Not to be known and admired by others for thy statiu-e in knowledge above thy brethren ; verily it is too base an end to aim at in seeking knowledge, especially such as is the know- ledge of God and Christ. To see a heathen study for knowledge in philosophy, and then carry all his laboiu- to this market, and think himself rewarded with obtaining the name of a wise man, is, though base, yet more tolerable : but for one that knows God, and what it is to enjoy him; for such a one to content himself with a blast or two of sorry man's vain breath, this is folly with a wit- ness : look thou fliest higher in the end than so. Labour for knowhdge that thou mayest fear God whom thou knowcst ; thus David, Psa. cxix. .'},'5, ' Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, and 1 shall keep it unto the end.' The
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