(4thly.) It is affective ; that is, it is such a knowledge as, besides the representation of the object, leaveth an impression upon the affections, and btirreth up desires and delights : as Frov. ii. 10, ' When wisdom
ISA. LIII. 11.] THE riFTY-THIRD CHAPTER OF ISAIAH. 427
entereth upon thy heart.' The heart, in the scripture dialect, is the seat of the affections, of esteem, desire, and delight ; it stirreth up affiance, and embracing of Christ and his righteousness to salvation, when there is lieat as well as light, if it provoke affections and suit- able inclinations, and there is a powerful sway upon the whole spirit. As the church saith, Lam. iii. 51, ' Mine eye affecteth my heart.' There are proportionable affections stirred to the apprehensions that we have of Christ ; and the gospel as a light, by the further concur- rence of the Spirit, breaketh the force of contrary inclinations, and causeth yearnings and languishings in the soul after Christ. This must be understood rightly, for the most abstract speculations do suppose some inclination in the soul ; but it must be answerable. And besides, in the first work of the Spirit upon the heart, there is not only an. enlightening, but some impressions of joy. The stony ground received the word with joy, Mat. xiii. There may be some flashes of joy in the apprehension of Christ, though it be but a condi- tional proffer, some slight apprehensions of happiness in having Christ, when we look upon it as a probable way for salvation, and yet have no interest in him. As the Jews mistook John for Christ, so many mis- take these preparations for grace or a real work, Heb. vi. 5. This is called a ' tasting of the good word,' a causing of contentment in the joy the word holdeth forth. Therefore it is not to be understood by these flashy joys and transient glances, but by the settled and serious constitution of the spirit towards God, when the whole frame, stream, and bent of the soul goeth that way. As it is not a few thoughts and affections that make a man bad, but the frame and bent of his thoughts and affections, so here, it is not some glancing desires, or some slight wishes, but the general bent and delight of the spirit. Saving know- ledge begets standing affections and gracious dispositions, that are as the chariots of Aminadab to carry out the soul towards Christ.
(5thly.) It is practical, as it doth not stay in the brain, but goeth down to the affections ; and it doth not stay there, but gets out into the conversation and into the actions. When men pretend to know much and practise little, it is a sign their knowledge is but slight and trivial; and it is so far from being a privilege, that it obligeth us to many stripes : Luke xii. 47, ' That servant which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.' There is a knowledge that doth not end in doing, but alas ! that is but a fancied knowledge rather than true : 1 John ii. 4, ' He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.' Saving light and true appre- hensions of Christ will end in practice : 3 John 11, 'He that doeth evil hath not seen God.' A true sight and apprehension of God is renewing and transforming ; false apprehensions cannot work it: there- fore the apostle saith: 2 Cor. iii. 18, ' But we all with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory.' God's glory maketh us shine like Moses's face when he talked with God. The greater acquaintance with him, the more holy, and heavenly, and spiritual ; the life will be according to the light, and the light of Christ will carry the glory of Christ into the heart, and make it shine out in the conversation. Like
428 A PRACTICAL EXPOSITION UPON [ISA. LIII. 11.
windows that shine in the day when the sun is risen, so we may arise and shine, lor tlie glory of the Lord is risen upon us, and holiness of conversation is made to depend upon the clearness of the apprehension of Christ : Eph. iv. 2, ' But ye have not so learned Christ ;' that is, to walk in sucli looseness as the Gentiles did. A true sight of him maketh us the same that Christ is.
(Gthly.) It is spiritual : I mean, such as is begotten by the'power of the Spirit, not a taking up of reports of Jesus Christ, but a closing with him upon the revelation made of him ; not upon the reports of men, but the Spirit's testimony : John iv. 42, ' Now we believe, not because of thy saying, for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.' They would not take him upon the common report, but had heard his own voice ; not only uj^on the belief of the church, but upon Christ's own voice, that maketh it sure to the soul : 1 John v. 6, ' And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.'