3. Other knowledge, though you should attain the highest de- gree of it, would never bring you to heaven, being defective and lame both in the integrity of parts, the principal thing, viz. Christ, being wanting ; and in the purity of its nature : for the knowing Heathens grew vain in their imaginations, Rom. i. 21. and in the efficacy and influence of it on the heart and life, They held the truth in unrighteousness ; their lusts were stronger than their light, Rom. i. 18. But this knowledge hath potent influences, changing souls into its own image, 2 Cor. hi. 18. and so proves a saving know- ledge unto men, 1 Tim. ii. 4. And thus I have in a few particu lars pointed out the transcendency of the knowledge of Christ.
The use of all this I shall give you in a few inferences, on which I shall not enlarge, the whole being only preliminary to the doc- trine of Christ ; only for the present I shall hence infer,
* The sufficiency of the doctrine of Christ, to make men wise unto salvation. Paul desired to know nothing else ; and, indeed,
delightful, and even invites and offers itself to every one of its own accord. What ex- quisite pleasure is there in that, which lies concealed within the inmost recesses of your heart, and is shut up, as it were, with locks and bars ? Brightman on Cant. * He is completely learned, who has learned the gospel; but that person is quite
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nothing else is of absolute necessity to be known. A little of this knowledge, if saving and effectual upon thy heart, will do thy soul more service, than all the vain speculation and profound parts that others so much glory in. Poor Christian, be not dejected, because thou seest thyself out-stript and excelled by so many in other parts of knowledge ; if thou know Jesus Christ, thou knowest enough to comfort and save thy soul. Many learned philosophers are now in hell, and many illiterate Christians in heaven.
If there be such excellency in the knowledge of Christ, let it humble all, both saints and sinners, that we have no more of this clear and effectual knowledge in us, notwithstanding the excellent advantages we have had for it. Sinners, concerning you I may sigh and say with the apostle, 1 Cor. xv. 34. " Some have not the " knowledge of Christ, I speak this to your shame." This, O this is the condemnation. And even for you that are enlightened in this knowledge, how little do you know of Jesus Christ, in com- parison of what you might have known of him ? What a shame is it, that you should need to be taught the very first truths, " when " for the time you might have been teachers of others ?" Heb. v, 12, 13, 14. " That your ministers cannot speak unto you as " spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ," 1 -Cor. iii. 1, 2. O how much time is spent in other studies, in vain discourses, frivolous pamphlets, worldly employments? how littlS in the search and study of Jesus Christ.
How sad is their condition that have a knowledge of Christ, and yet as to themselves it had been better they had never had it ! * Many there be that content themselves with an unpractical, inef- fectual, and merely notional knowledge of him ; of whom the apostle saith, " It had been better for them not to have known," 2 Pet. ii. 21. It serves only to aggravate sin and misery ; for though it be not enough to save them, yet it puts some weak restraints upon sin, which their impetuous lusts breaking down, exposes them thereby to a greater damnation.
Fourthly, This may inform us by what rule to judge both mi- nisters and doctrine. Certainly that is the highest commendation of a minister, to be an able minister of the New Testament ; not
foolish and mad, who seeks for saving knowledge any where else; for here is a large field of such knowledge ; here all the treasures of it. Davenant on Colons. • Vide Zanch. in Eph, iv, p, 161. de duplici cognilione Wiristu
THE FOUNTAIN OP LIFE. S9
of the letter, but of the Spirit, 2 Cor. iii. 6. He is the best artist, that can most lively and powerfully display Jesus Christ before the people, evidently setting him forth as crucified among them ; and that is the best sermon, that is most full of Christ, not of art and language. I know that a holy dialect well becometh Chrisfs mi- nisters, they should not be rude and careless in language or method ; but surely the excellency of a sermon lies not in that, but in the plainest discoveries and liveliest applications of Jesus Christ.
Let all that mind the honour of religion, or the peace and comfort of their own souls, wholly sequester and apply themselves to the study of Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Wherefore spend we ourselves upon other studies, when all excellency, sweetness, and desirableness is concentered in this one ? Jesus Christ is fairer than the children of men, the chiefest among ten thousands, " as " the apple-tree among the trees of the wood;" Quae faciunt divisa beatum, in hoc mixta fiuunt : These things which singly ra- vish and delight the souls of men, are all found conjunctly in Christ. O what a blessed Christ is this ! * whom to know is eter- nal life. From the knowledge of Jesus Christ do bud forth all the fruits of comfort, and that for all seasons and conditions. Hence Rev. xxii. 2. he is called " the tree of life, which bears twelve " manner of fruits, and yields its fruit every month ; and the " very leaves of this tree are for healing." In Christ souls have, (1.) All necessaries for food and physic. (2.) All varieties of fruits, twelve manner of fruits ; a distinct sweetness in this, in that, and in the other attribute, promise, ordinance. (3.) In him are these fruits at all times, he bears fruit every month ; there is precious fruit in Jesus Christ, even in the black month ; winter fruits as well as summer fruits. O then study Christ, study to know him more extensively. There be many excellent things in Christ, that the most eagle-eyed believer hath not yet seen : Ah ! 'tis pity that any thing of Christ should lie hid from his people. Study to know Christ more intensively, to get the experimental taste and lively power of his knowledge upon your hearts and affections : This is the knowledge that carries all the sweetness and comfort in it. Christian, I dare appeal to thy experience, whether the experi- mental taste of Jesus Christ, in ordinances and duties, has not a
* I am sure, (saith a holy one), the saints at .their best, are but strangers to the Weight and worth of the incomparable sweetness of Christ ; he is so new, so fresh in excellency every day to those that search more and more into him, as if heaven could furnish as many new Christs (if I may so. speak) as there are days betwixt him and us; and yet he is one and the same still; O, we love an unknown lover, wheu we love Christ.
40 THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE. STCRM. I,