A SECOND consideration of tlie excellencies of Christ, serving to endear the hearts of them who stand with him in the relation in- sisted on, arises from that which, in the mistaken apprehension of it, is the great darling of men, and in its true notion the great aim of the saints; which is wisdom and knowledge. Let it be evinced that all tme and solid knowledge is laid up in, and is only to be attained from and by, the Lord Jesus Christ ; and the hearts of men, if they are but true to themselves and their most predominate principles, must needs be engaged to him. This is the great design of all men, taken off from professed slavery to the world, and the j^ursuit of sensual, licentious courses, — that they maybe tuise : and what ways the generality of men engage in for the compassing of that end shall be afterward considered. To the glory and honour of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, and the estal)lishment of our hearts in communion witli him, the design of this digression is to evince that all wisdom is laid up in him, and that from him alone it is to be obtained.
1 Cor. i. 24, the Holy Ghost tells us that " Christ is the power of God, and the wisdom of God :" not the essential Wisdom of God, as he is the eternal Son of the Father (upon which account he is called "Wisdom" in the Proverbs, chap. viii. 22, 23); but as he is cruci- fied, verse 23. As he is crucified, so he is the wisdom of God; that is, all that wisdom which God layeth forth for the discovery and manifestation of himself, and for the saving of sinners, which makes foolish all the msdom of the world, — that is all in Christ crucified; held out in him, by him, and to be obtained only from him. And thereby in him do we see the glory of God, 2 Cor. iii. 18. For he is not only said to be " the wisdom of God," but also to be " made unto us wisdom," 1 Cor. i. 30. He is made, not by creation, but ordination and appointment, wisdom unto us; not only by teaching us wisdom (by a metonymy of the effect for the cause), as he is the
80 OF COMMUNION WITH THE SON JESUS CHRIST.
great prophet of his church, but also because by the knowing of him we become acquainted with the wisdom of God, — which Ls our wisdom ; which is a metonymy of the adjunct. This, however verily promised, is thus only to be had. The sum of what is contended for is asserted in terms. Col. ii. 8, " In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
There are two things that might seem to have some colour in clamiing a title and interest in this business: — 1. Civil wisdom and prudence, for the management of affairs; 2. Ability oi learning and literature ; — but God rejecteth both these, as of no use at all to the end and intent of true wisdom indeed. There is in the world that which is called " understanding;" but it comes to nothing. There is that which is called " wisdom;" but it is turned into foUy, 1 Cor, i. 19, 20, " God brings to nothing the understanding of the prudent, and makes foolish this wisdom of the world." And if there be neither wisdom nor knowledge (as doubtless there is not), without the knowledge of God, Jer. viii. 9, it is all shut up in the Lord Jesus Christ: " No man hath seen God at any time ; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath revealed him." He is not seen at another time, John i. 18, nor known uj)on any other account, but only the revelation of the Son. He hath manifested him from his own bosom ; and therefore, verse 9, it is said that lie is " the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world," — the true Light, which hath it in himself: and none hath any but from him ; and all have it who come unto him. He who doth not so, is in darkness.
The sum of all true wisdom and knowledge may be reduced to these three heads: — I. The knowledge of God, his nature and his properties. II. The knoivledge of ourselves in reference to the will of God concerning us. III. Skill to Avalk in communion with God : —
I. The knowledge of the works of God, and the chief end of all, doth necessarily attend these. 1. In these three is summed up all true wisdom and knowledge ; and, 2, — Not any of them is to any purpose to be obtained, or is manifested, but oidy in and by the Lord Christ : —
1. God, by the work of the creation, by the creation itself, did re- veal himself in many of his properties unto his creatures capable of his knowledge; — his power, his goodness, his wisdom, his all-sufficiency, are thereby known. This the apostle asserts, Rom. i. 19-21. Verse 19, he calls it to '/vustov rou Qiou, — verse 20, that is, his eternal power and Godhead; and verse 21, a knowing of God: and ^all this by the creation. But yet there are some properties of God whicli all tlie works of creation cannot in any measure reveal or make