II. The reasons why much wisdom and a good understanding i» required of christians.
1. That they may resemble God, and discover his perfections to the world. The notions which we have of God are, that he is wise, power- ful, and good. Now all these christians are to express, for they are ' to show forth his virtues,' 1 Peter ii. 9 ; and among others, that he is wise, by whose counsel we are guided in our circumspect walking. The honour of God lieth at stake ; if we behave ourselves foolishly, we dishonour him in the world. If wisdom be a part of God's image, the new creature must represent it to the world as well as other things. And therefore we should not be fools, but wise, and show ourselves to be light in the Lord.
2. That there may be a due impression of his word upon us, which is all wisdom ; and if we understand it and improve it, it must needs make us wise also ; for the impression is according to the nature of the seal ; and so the new creature must needs be the wisest creature on this side heaven ; for —
[L] He fixeth his right end, which is the glorifying and enjoying of God, whilst others disquiet themselves about a vain show : Ps. xxxix. 6, * Surely every man walketh in a vain show ; surely they are disquieted in vain.' Whilst they labour, cark, and turmoil themselves to get together a few poor transitory enjoyments, in which there is neither durable possession nor solid satisfaction. The S])iritually wise man is seeking after God and eternal life, beyond which he cannot aspire.
[2.] He chooseth apt and proper means, which is the way God hath prescribed him to walk in : Deut. iv. 6, ' Keep therefore, and do
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them, for this is your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'
[3.] He doth not dally with religion, but thoroughly sets himself to observe and obey the dictates and directions of it : Mat. vii. 24, * I will liken him to a wise builder.' Well, then, the impression must needs be according to the seal and stamp. Where there is a saving knowledge of divine mysteries, and diligence to order our actions accordingly, there must needs be true wisdom and prudence. Some excel in it more than others, but all are wise to salvation,
3. To make us thorough christians, or for our own direction, that we may keep to our rule in all things : Ps. cxix. 33, ' Teach me, 0 Lord, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end.' The nar- row way of obedience is hardly found, and hardly kept, and easily mis- taken, especially when prejudices, lusts, and interests are apt to pervert and blind us. Therefore this knowledge and wisdom doth caution us against sins and snares, that we be not corrupted and ensnared by them : Ps. cxix. 11, ' Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I may not sin against thee.' Knowledge doth not only discover sin, but fortify our resolutions against it : 1 John ii. 14, ' I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.' As it discovereth sin, it is good to have something in our hearts to check it : 1 John iii. 9, 'Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, for his seed remainetb in him ; and he cannot sin because he is born of God.' Truths in the word rise up in dislike. As it fortifieth our resolutions : I am in God's way ; I look for all my acceptance and reward from him : Gen. xxxix. 9, ' How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God ? ' This lifteth us above fears and flatteries, that we are neither discouraged nor enticed. So for duties ; it urgetli us to perform them: Prov. vi. 22, ' When thou goest, it shall lead thee ; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee ; when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.' It is good to have a bosom monitor, and something that may plead God's interest in our own hearts. In all cases it instructeth us, and mindeth us of all particular duties, to avoid snares and temptations.
4. Not only to direct us in the general duty of christians, but to make us useful in our particular relations. We are all bound to get knowledge. There are public and private relations ; public, as that of magistrates : Ps. ii. 10, ' Be wise now therefore, 0 ye kings ; be instructed, ye judges of the earth.' It is a critical thing many times to understand Christ's interest, and make their own veil to it ; so that a king needeth much wisdom. When Solomon asked wisdom, ' the thing pleased the Lord,' 1 Kings iii. 10. Ministers and guides of the church : Mai. ii. 7, ' For the priest's lips should keep knowledge.' These are the church's storehouse, therefore they need to be well fur- nished with all kind of knowledge, speculative and experimental, that they may draw it forth upon all occasions. Private, as husbands, that they may carry on the duties of the family : 1 Peter iii. 7, ' Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge ; ' that is, they are to labour for much prudence and wisdom, that they may be able to know their own dutv and instruct others : 1 Cor. xiv. 35, ' And if