gospell is plainely declared as come unto and beleive on him If ye know that he is righteous ye know as included in the knowledge of him that every one that doth righteousness is borne of him 1 Joh. 2. 29. To Christ coming the living stone disallowed indeed of men yea of the builders land leaders of the people but chosen of God and precious ye also as lively stones are built up a spirituall house Ye are an elect and chosen generation a royall priesthood though not owned by men as Gods clergy aen holy nation a peculiar people c. Which in tim past were not a people but now are the people of God which had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy 1 Petr. 2. 4 5 9 10. And here we may also see who are rejected and reprobated of God not any man in a personall consideration or before he was borne but those that disallow and reject Christ Jesus and persist in refusing and rejecting him till the day of grace and patience be ended 1 Petr. 2. 6 7 8. Whosoever shall fall on this stone though they be builders shall be broken but on whomsoever it shall fall it will grinde him to powder Matth. 21. 42 44. God so infinitely loveth his son the son of his love that whosoever kisseth him not but refuseth him and will not have him to reigne over them his wrath will be kindled against them and they shall be destroyed with an everlasting destruction Psal 2. 10 12. Joh. 3. 36. In knowing Christ the Wisdome of God we may come to have an usefull understanding and knowledge of all the scriptures of truth otherwise not he is the interpreter and opener of them to us in his cross and testimony hence our saviour intimately instructs the Jewes in searching the scriptures to come unto him and faults and reproves them for not coming unto him in them that they might have life even the light of live Joh. 5. 39 40. our saviour in shewing unto his disciples in the scriptures the things Concerning himselfe thereby opened the scriptures to their understandings and their understandings into the schriptures and unless we come unto and know Christ Jesus we shall remaine ignorant of the scriptures though we read them and heare the voices of the Prophets and Apostles read to us if we come not to Christ as the rest we shall have the word of the Lord to our selves precept upon precept line upon line here a little and there a little and not see the harmony and agreement of the scriptures nor receive the use fullness of them Luk. 24. 25 27 32 44 46. Isay 28. 12 13. Yea in a word they that seeke the Lord to know him win him and be found in him understand all things Prov. 28. 5. the knowledge of this one this excellent object of Wisdome is that which will make us wise to salvation hence the Apostle determined to know nothing else save Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Corint 2. 2. and to the end Timothy might have an understanding in all things he exhorts him to remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to his gospell 2 Tim. 2. 7 8. and the way whereby the Ho Ghost teacheth all things and leadeth into all truth is to glorify Christ and take of his things and shew unto us Joh. 14. 26. and 16. 13 14. oh that this were seriously and heartily considered by us that our hearts may be fixedly set to know Christ in and unto all things Philip. 3. 8 10. 4. And he is called Wisdome because he is the giver and dispenser of it the Lord giveth Wisdome Prov. 2. 6. hence tho Apostle prayeth for Timothy that the Lord would give him an understanding in all things even the Lord Jesus 2 Tim. 2. 7. this is his gift God hath given him power over all flesh that he might give eternall life to as many as the father hath given him and this is life eternall that they know thee the onely true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Joh. 17. 2 3. And himselfe saith to his disciples I will give you a mouth and wisdome which all your adversaries shall not be abele to gainsay nor resist Luk. 21. 15. Ephes 4. 7. 2. By Wisdome and understanding is meant also the gospel of Christ which holy men of God have declared as they were moved by the Ho Ghost even the gospell as testified by the Prophets in whom the spirit of Christ did signify before hand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow 1 Petr. 1. 11. and as the same gospell is now reported to us by the Apostles with the Ho Ghost sent downe from heaven vs 12. Which is recorded and preserved to us in the records of it in the scriptures of truth thorow the greatness of God goodness and wonderfulness of his working the summe and first things whereof are that Christ died for our sins even for the sins of Jews and Gentiles according to the scriptures and was buried and rose againe the third day according to the scriptures 1 Corint 15. 1 4. Rom. 1. 1 4. this is called the word of Wisdome 1 Corint 12. 8. and the gospell or preaching of the cross is said to be the Wisdome of God 1 Corint 1. 17 18 23 24. Prov. 5. 1. and 7. 1 4 5. and this is called Wisdome and understanding 1. Because Christ who is Wisdome and understanding is herein evidently set forth unto us before our eyes even the eyes of our understanding Galat. 3. 1. here though now we see him not as the first trusters in Christ did yet we may see him in the evidence and demonstration of the spirit and so in this word of faith which is the evidence of things not seen As Moses by faith saw him that was invsible Hebr. 11. 1 13 27. in which gospell we may looke upon things that are not seen 2 Corint 4. 18. So here we may see the great sufferings and Wonderfull a basement of Christ and for whom he tasted death and was raised againe even for all mankind Hebr. 2. 9. and here in this glass we may with open face behold the glory of the Lord 2 Corint 3. 18. and therefore because this gospell testifieth of Christ and discovers him to us who is Wisdome and understanding therefore his name is named upon it 2. Because here in especially as now preached according to the revelation of the mystery God hath a bounded in all wisdome and prudence unto the first trusters in Christ and by them to us having made knowne to us the mystery of his will c. Ephes 1. 8. 9. herein the manifold Wisdome of God is made knowne that all men may see it in this gracious and blessed meanes which he hath devised that his banished be not utterly expelled from him Which is discovered to us in this Wisome Ephes 3. 9. 10. here in God hath wrltten to us excellent things in
their faces may not be ashamed Isay 42. 1 6 7. He is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world the light of the world Joh. 1. 9. and 8. 12. and 12. 46. and God in and by him giveth to all men liberally that whereby they may be made partakers of Wisdome Jam. 1. 5. And God in Christ by his spirit doth both discover unto men and give unto them Wisdome even the object of Wisdome and gives unto them some sight and opening of the eye to behold it in and thorow his testimonies in the holy scriptures the Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple namely both rendring Christ precious unto them and opening the eye of their soules that they might know Christ and win him Psal 19. 7 8. the entrance of Gods words giveth light to discover that in knowing whereof we may be wise indeed and it giveth understanding unto the simple Psal 119. 129 130. My Father saith our saviour giveth you the true bread from heaven in receiving and eating where of they should be made wise but how should they receive this heavenly bread they as all men are were dead and without life in themselves and had no will to it nor strength to receive it to remove this discouragement our saviour addes the bread of God is he that cometh downe from heaven and giveth life to he world which hath none naturally this bread of Wisdome is the most excellent bread it is the bread of God living quickening bread it prevents them with life that have none aswell as preserveth them in life even unto eternall life that eat it but how doth this bread of God give live our saviour tells us in the word in which it is declared and commended to us the words saith he that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life Joh 6. 27 32 33 35 51 63. the spirit of Wisdome and revelation is given in the knowledge and gospell of Christ Ephes 1. 17. Christ was anointed with the holy spirit to preach the gospell or glad tidings of and concerning himselfe and therewith to preach recovery of sight to the blind to preach their eyes open and to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death Luk. 4. 18. and as he thus prevents men with the discovery of the excellency of himselfe and inlighteneth their eyes Prov. 29. 31. he then calls unto and upon them to looke unto and behold him and to come unto him to receive this instruction and Wisdome which he is giving unto them for no man can receive any thing except it be given him from above Ioh. 3. 27. and not silver and knowledge rather then choice gold Prov. 8. 6 10 11. to get Wisdome get understanding and not forget it neither decline from the words of his mouth in which Wisdome is brought and given to us Prov. 4. 4 8. and not onely doth Wisdome call and cry unto us but also she stretcheth for t her hand to help and strengthen us to receive it where the word of this king of kings is there is power Eccles 8. 4. he is not onely opening mens eyes in and by his gospell but also turning them from darkness to light and from the power of satan to God that men might come unto him Prov. 1. 20 24. Act. 26. 18. 22 23. he is in and by his law and doctrine converting the soule wither men be converted or no and yet to the end they might be converted and therefore calls upon them be ye converted not convert your selves be ye saved be ye reconciled to God be ye wise be ye of an understanding heart to signify to us that God is not wanting to men but is in and with his calls and by his gospell converting saving reconciling and making men wise and of an understanding hearth and therefore if they perish their destruction is of themselves Psal 19. 7. Act. 3. 19 Isay 45. 22. 2 Corint 5. 19 20 Prov. 8. 5. by all which it evidently appeareth that men may in due time finde Wisdome and get understanding 3. It also appeareth that men may finde and get Wisdome and understanding because he not onely hath prepared it for men in Christ and is giving it unto them in and with him but also he hath made and confirmed great and precious promises that in our seeking and searching for it as thus prevented we shall finde it and get it from this motive and argument our saviour exhorteth aske and ye shall receive seek and ye shall finde knock and it shall be opened unto you for every one that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened Matth. 7. 7 8 11. To the same purpose the Wisdome of God speaketh if thou criest after Wisdome and liftest up thy voice for understanding if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures then shalt thou understand the feare of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God For the Lord giveth Wisdome out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding Prov. 2. 1 6. the same incouragement also the Apostle James sets before the beleivers Ifany of you lack Wisdome let him aske of God that giveth liberally to all men and upbraideth not and it shall begiven him Jam. 1. 5. see also Joh. 4. 10. and 6. 27. Prov. 8. 14 17. many promises of this nature are proposed to us to the end we might seek and get Wisdome and faithfull is he that hath promised who also will doe what he hath promised according to the tenour thereof and these promises are now confirmed to us by the precious and incorruptible blood of Christ for in him all the promises of God are yea and Amen 2 Corint 1. 20. and he also who by his blood hath ratified and sealed them is alive and lives for evermore as the mediatour of the New Testament to take away our iniquities and give unto us in his fathers way all things that pertaine to life and godliness so as none that seek Wisdome or any other good thing shall be ashamed Hebr. 9. 14 15. Psal 69. 6. And this consideration that men may while called to day finde and get Wisdome and understanding as is in part thus evidenced may be usefull to us and usefully considered by us 1. To help us to cease to heare those instructions that cause to erre from the words of knowledge Prov. 19. 27. namely such instructions as whereby sinners intice us to cast in our lot amongst them and to walk in the way with them to run with them to the same excess of riot in lasciviousness lusts excess of wine revellings banquettings c. Prov. 1. 10 20. 1 Petr. 4. 1 4. to have fellow ship with them in their unfruitfull workes of darkness Aswel as also to goe from the presence of such foolish and false teachers as have not in them the lip of knowledge Prov. 14. 7. both
the Man c. and that men any man that is come to yeares of capacity may finde and get it in Gods opportunity appeareth 1. Because all the treasures of Wisdome and knowledge are hid in Christ for men Colos 2. 3. all things are delivered to him of the father and on this ground he inviteth and calls all that labour and are heavy laden and are seeking Wisdome were it is not to be found to come unto him Matth. 11. 27 28. Jesus Christ who is the Wisdome of God as is declared to us in the words which the Holy Ghost hath thought took upon him the nature of mankind and therefore when he was borne the Angell saith Behold I bring unto you good tidings of great joy which shall be unto all people Luk. 2. 10 11. and he had the trespasses of the world imputed to him even tho guilt of mankinds first sin and sinfullnes and he bare the sin of the world in his owne body 2 Corinth 5. 19 21. Joh. 1. 29. And was delivered for their offences he died for all even for all that were dead and by the grace of God tasted dead for every man and is raised againe for their justification Rom. 4. 25. 2 Corinth 5. 14 15. Hebr. 2. 9. and hath redeemed all mankind in himselfe from the curse of the law and delivered them from the necessary slavery of satan he is ascended up on high who descended first into the lower parts of the earth and hath led captivity captive and hath received gifts of forgiveness Wisdome and understanding for men yea for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them Galat. 3. 13. and 4. 4 5. with Rom. 3. 19. Psal 68. 18. God hath prepared Wisdome for us he hath prepared his dinner even a feast of fat things for all people his oxen and fatlings are killed and all things are ready and prepared for Jewes and Gentiles even for all men Matth. 22. 2 4 8. Isay 25. 6. Job 28. 27. this is the record that God hath given of his son that he hath given to us mankind eternall life and this life is in his son 1 Joh. 5. 10 11. He is the second man the last Adam of whom the first was a figure Rom. 5. 14. and as God did in blessing the first man bless us all in him and there create us in his owne image after his owne likeness even in knowledge and understanding so now there is blessing in this seed of the woman who hath broke the head of the serpent for all the families of the earth in him we are againe created after the image of God in a more glorious manner then ever we were in the first publick man he hath by his blood obtained eternall redemption for us even a recovery of what we lost and forfeited by our sinning against and departure from God in him there is perfection and compleatness for every man and he is in our nature and for us become Wisdome and counsell is his and sound Wisdome he hath understanding and strength 1 Corinth 15. 45. Hebr. 9. 12. Jam. 3. 9. Coloss 1. 28. Prov. 8. 10 14. Wisdome hath builded her house she hath hewne out her seven pillars she hath killed her killing she hath mingled her wine she hath also furnished her table she hath made a rich and large provision and prepared for all even for all that are simple and want understanding before she sends forth her maidens and servants and invites them to come into the house and to eat of her bread Prov. 9. 1 2 3 5. there are waters wine and milke bread good fatness and whatsoever will give satisfaction prepared for every thirster not onely for gracious thirsters such as thirst out of a former taste of the sweetness and excellency of this provision but also for such as have no money such as have no worth or worthiness in them such as labour for that which is not bread and spend their money for that which will not satisfy and this is certainly prepared for them before proclamation is made and invitation given unto them and he that is athirst may come and whosoever will may take of the water of life freely Isay 55. 1 2 3 4 7. Revel 22. 17. this is a first and fundamentall Demonstration that any man may find and get Wisdome and understanding because it is prepared in Christ Jesus who gave himselfe a ransome for all men for every sinfull soule of mankind without which it were altogither impossible for them to have this rich and inriching commodity But. 2. Not onely hath he thus provided of his goodness for poore mankind but also he giveth Wisdome to men and brings it nigh unto them in due time especially to us upon whom the name of Christ is called and unto and amongst whom the scriptures in the plaine records of them are vouch safed and preserved thorow the wonderfullness of Gods goodness God by his spirit calls and cries to men and tells them where Wisdome is to be had and gives unto them both some discovery of this excellent object of Wisdome in knowing when they might be made wise and some opening of the eye of the understanding that they might behold Christ Jesus as discovered and live Christ Jesus is found of them that sought him not and made manifest to them that asked not after him and saith behold me behold me unto a nation that was not called by his name Isay 65. 1. with Rom 10. 20. and he who is a just God and a saviour and there is none besides him saith look unto me all the ends of the earth and be ye saved and he who thus speaks and calls is mighty to save for he is God and there is none else Isay 45. 21 22. Now he calls not to men to look unto him or heare what he saith untill he first manifests himselfe unto them and speakes of excellent things according to that all ye inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth se ye when and not before he lifts up an ensigne on the mountaines even Christ Jesus in the glorious gospell and testimonies of his goodness and when he bloweth a trumpet to proclaime and preach good newes to you heare ye Isay 18. 3. with Chap. 11. 10. and 40. 9. He that hath searched Wisdome out and prepared it doth also declare it to us and shewes forth its excellency that we might be allured there with to get and obtaine Wisdome Job 28. 27. God hath glorified and doth in mens proper ages glorify Christ Jesus by his spirit especially in the gospell as declared in the scriptures of truth and in the plaine and faithfull declaration thereof that men might run unto him from all other things for all Wisdome understanding righteousness and strength Isay 55. 5 6 7. And also in due time Christ is opening the blind eyes of men thath they might look unto him and be inlightned and made wise by him and that