4, Because of the profit that cometh by knowledge. All grace from first to last cometh in by the understanding. God in the work of grace followeth the order which he hath established in nature. Reason and judgment are to go before the will ; and therefore, when the work of grace is first begun in us, it beginneth in the understanding : ' Re- newed in knowledge,' Col. iii, 10. So the increase of grace : 2 Peter i. 12, ' Grrace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ our Lord.' As the beginning is by light, so is all the gradual progress of the spiritual life ; strength to bear afflictions, strength in conflicts, is by powerful reasons ; yea, the perfect change that is made in us in glory is by the vision of God : ' We shall see him as he is, and shall be like him,' If we had more knowledge of God and his ways, we should trust him more, fear him more, love him more. Trust him, Ps. ix, 10, ' And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee ; for thou. Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee,' If God were more known he would be better trusted : 2 Tim. i. 12, ' I know whom I have believed ;' I dare trust him with my soul. More feared : 3 John 11, ' Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doth good is of God, he that doth evil hath not seen God.' Right thoughts of God would not let us sin so freely ; one truth or other would fall upon us, and give check to the temptation : as feared, so loved more. The more explicit thoughts we have of his excellency, the more are our hearts drawn out to him : John iv, 10, ' If thou knewest the gift,' &c. Christ would not lie by as a neglected thing if he were more known in all his worth and excellency.
Use. The first use is to press you to get knowledge, and look upon it as a singular grace if the Lord will give you to understnnd and apply the comfort and direction of his holy word : John xv. 15, ' Hence- forth I call you not servants, for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth ; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard
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of ray Father I have made known unto j'on.' To be taught the mind of God is a greater act of friendship than if God shoukl give a man all the treasures of the workl ; to make himself known so as you may love him, fear him, trust him. When we can apply this for our comfort, oh ! then, ' cry for knowdedge, lift up thy voice for understanding ; seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures,' Prov., ii. 3, 4. Go to God, and he earnest with him, ' Lord, make me to understand the way of thy precepts.' We can walk in the ways of sin without a teacher, hut Ave cannot walk in the ways of God. And cry, lift up thy voice. We are earnest for quickening and enlargement ; but be earnest also for understanding. Now a large prayer without endeavours is nothing worth. Dig in the mines of knowledge, search into the scrip- ture, do not gather up a few scattered notions, but look into the bowels. Silver doth not lie on the surface of the earth, but deep in the bottom of it, and will cost much labour and digging to come at. If we would have any good stock of knowledge, Avhich will prevent vain thoughts, carnal discourse, abundance of heart-perplexing scruples and doubts, and much darkness and uncomfortableness of spirit, it will cost us some labour and pains. The more knowledge we have, the more are we established against error : 2 Peter iii. 17, ' Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfast- ness.' The more you have of this divine saving knowledge, the greater check upon sin : Ps. cxix. 11, ' I have hid thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.' One truth or another will rise up in defiance of the temptation. The greater the impulsion to duty, the more of the law of God, the more it urgeth the conscience, Prov. vi. 22. It maketh us more useful in all our relations : — Husbands, 1 Peter iii. 7, ' Dwell with them according to knowledge,' &c. Parents, Eph. vi. 4, ' Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.' Friends, Eom. xv. 14, ' And I myself also am persuaded of you my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, tilled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.' Magistrates, that they may discern Christ's interest, Ps. ii. 10, ' Be wise now, therefore, 0 kings, be instructed, ye judges of the earth.' When Solomon asked wisdom, the thing pleased the Lord. And lastly, more comfortable in ourselves ; that they may comfort and build up one another whenever they meet together.