The great object of our attention should be, to gain the knowledge of Christ —
[Many see no occasion at all for diligence in the pursuit of heavenly things. Others, who confess the need of constant exertion on our part, yet propose to themselves a wrong end in their labours; having no higher view than to establish a righteousness of their own. But to know Christ and him crucified, is the one mean of eternal life, in comparison of which every thing else is as dung and dross a. It is not how- ever a mere speculative knowledge of him that is thus excellent, (for we may possess that, and have the heart as unsanctified as ever) but an experimental knowledge of him, that brings the soul into a close union and abiding fellowship with him, and a transforming knowledge, that changes us into his blessed image in righteousness and true holiness b.]
This should be sought with unremitting diligence —
[It cannot be attained without frequent and serious medi- tation. It does not indeed, like other studies, require intense- ness of application, scope of thought, and strength of intellect : it requires only that we enter into our own bosom, that we consult the records of conscience, that we apply to our souls the threatenings and promises of the Scripture, and that we live in the daily exercise of faith and prayer. This is easily compatible with any lawful pursuit ; and so far from distracting the mind, and incapacitating it for action, it will give direction and energy to all our faculties. We must not however ima- gine that it is the work of a day, a month, or a year ; it is the work of our whole lives. If at any time we think we have attained, and are already perfect, we may be Well assured that we have hitherto studied to little purpose. St. Paul, after preaching the Gospel above twenty years, still desired to know Christ more fully0 : and so infinitely does that of which we are ignorant, exceed that which any man can know in this life, that he says, " If any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to knowd." We must there- fore "follow on" in the use of God's appointed means, nor ever relax our diligence, till we see him as we are seen, and know him as we are known.]
Nor shall such means be used in vain —
[It will be invariably found, that, while " the idle soul suffers hunger, the diligent soul shall be made fat." No person shall be disappointed for want of talents ; for men shall make a proficiency, not in proportion to their abilities, but in
a Compare John xvii. 3. 1 Cor. ii. 2. Phil. hi. 8.
b 2 Cor. iii. 18. c phil. Hi. 10, 12. d 1 Cor. viii. 2.