Infinite riches also are manifested in this our adora- ble Redeemer. How glorious, how unsearchable were the riches of the Father's love, which rather than we should perish, bestowed, not an angel or archangel, but his only-begotten Son, yea, gave him up for rebels, to the most bitter, ignominious, and accursed death of the cross ! How rich was the Son's compas- sion, to obey that law which we had broken, to hum- ble himself that we might be exalted, to endure the penalties which we had incurred, and to die that we might live for ever ! What unbounded mercy ! Inas- much then as this knowledge of God is not subject to the defects that are in wisdom, power, and riches, but transcends their excellencies, and comprehends them all in the highest degree ; we may, we ought to glory in it : we cannot value it too highly, we cannot seek it too earnestly, we cannot contem- plate it with too exalted joy, or trust in it with too confident assurance : this was evidently the sentiment of the Apostle when he said, " I am determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified." And again, " God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Here it will be proper to observe the manner in which the inspired writer prefaces his exhortation in the text ; " Thus saith the Lord." The voice of the world is quite different ; even they who are esteemed the wisest in the world hold up wisdom, power, and riches as the grand, if not the only, objects worthy of our pursuit : the whole multitude are following these with unabated ardour : all their affections are set upon them : their hopes and fears, their joys and sorrows, are excited alternately by these, as the loss or acquisition of them shall give occasion : these are the things most envied and admired : and, when obtained, are ever made the ground of glorying. Rut the knowledge of God and of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ is deemed scarce worthy our attention. If it were at our option to be the wisest, greatest, and richest person upon earth, but at the same time destitute of this knowledge ; or to be endued