understanding because he is become the treasury fountaine and store-house of it he is the beginning the first borne from the dead that in all things he might have the preeminence for it hath pleased the father that in him should all fullness dwell in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily Colos 1. 18 19. and 2. 9. In him are hid all the treasures of Wisdome and knowledge Colos 2. 3. so he who calleth himselfe Wisdome saith counsell is mine and sound Wisdome I am or have understanding c. Prov. 8. 12 14. Salomon who set in order these Proverbs was a wise man yea in his time Wiser then all men God gave him wisdome and understanding exceeding much and largeness or wideness of heart even as the sand that is on the sea shore 1 King 4. 29 31. but behold a greater then Salomon is here Matth. 12. 42. for he was taught and directed to seek out and set in order these Proverbs by Christ Jesus that one shepherd Eccles 12. 9 11. God hath not given unto him the spirit by measure but hath given all things and so all Wisdome into his hand Joh. 3. 34 35. On him resteth the spirit of the Lord the spirit of Wisdome and understanding the spirit of counsell and might the spirit of knowledge and of the feare of the Lord and he is quicke of understanding Isay 11. 1 2 3. and 42. 1. and 61. 1. He knoweth the father and the mind and counsells of the father as is signified in that when John wept much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the booke of Gods counsells and purposes one of the elders said unto him weep not behold the lion of the tribe of Judah the root of David even the lamb who was slaine and who hath seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God hath prevailed to open the booke and to loose the seven seales thereof and the foure beasts and twenty and foure elders in the new song they sang confess that the lamb which was slaine was worthy to take the book and to open the seales thereof jea and an innumerable company of Angells confirme it and say worthy is the lamb that was slaine to receive Wisdome Revel 5. 1. 5. 9 12 and he is quick of understanding and knowes us and what our needs and wants are and how to supply them he knowes how to teach us sinners to make wise us simple ones to speake a word in due season to the weary to open the eyes of the blind to bring forth the prisoners out of the pit to heale the broken hearted to forgive the guilty wash the polluted and perfect what soever concerneth us And he knowes the plots and designes of our enemies and adversaries and how to disappoint and defeat them that their hands may not performe their enterprizes yea he knowes all things all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to doe Joh. 21. 17. Hebr. 4. 13 14. and this unsearchable Wisdome and understandidg he hath to improve for our good as the saviour of all men especially of them that beleive and to dispense to us according to our needs and capacities and his willingness to improve it for us and communicate it to us is abundantly evidenced in the great abasement where to he so willingly humbled himselfe for mankind that he might obtaine all things pertaining to life and godliness into himselfe for us Oh! let us rejoice in him and not glory in our owne Wisdome for he is made of God for us Wisdome that according as it is written he that glorieth may glory in the Lord 1 Corinth 1. 29 31. 3. He also in the Object of Wisdome and understanding in knowing whom we may be made truly wise and furnished with sound Wisdome and see and know things for our good so Wisdome many times signifieth the Object of Wisdome or that which is to be knowne and in the understanding where of we shall be rendred wise indeed Prov. 1. 2. and 5. 1. In coming unto and knowing Jesus Christ we may know the father so as to beleive and hope in and love him no man knoweth the father but the son and he to whomsoever the son will reveale him come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy loden ye that run to the wise and prudent and read many bookes and tire your selves herewith and yet meet not with what you seeke for I will give you rest saith our saviour Matth. 11. 25 28. He is the image of the invisible God in seing whom we may see the father also and whosoever cometh unto and followeth him shall not abide in darkness but shall have the light of life he will shew them the father and give them the knowledge of him and this is life eternall that they know him the onely true God Joh. 8. 12. and 12. 44 46. and 14. 6 10. and 17. 3. Colos 1. 15. God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ even the glory of his Wisdome power truth holiness and justice 2 Corinth 4. 4 6. yea and he gives such a gracious and amiable discovery of the father to us that there thorow we might be incouraged to come unto and beleive in him and put our trust under the shadow of his Wings For here in we may see that he is the God of love the God of all grace we may in the cross of Christ see Gods secret will even what his will towards man was when secret this Christ hath revealed God is love charity it selfe he is so essentially and was so towards mankind when they had sinned against and departed from him And in this he hath manifested himselfe to be love and manifested his love to us which was hid in himselfe because he sent his onely begotten son into the World to be the saviour of it 1 Joh. 4. 8 9 10 14 16. Joh. 3. 16. in Christ our saviour appeareth that his will which was secret was good will and not evill will toward mankind Luc. 2. 10 14. Christ hath revealed the father who was hidden from us and reavealed his thoughts and heart and in him we may see that God is light and in him is no darkness at all that God will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. And in him we may know our selves so as to be humbled and abased in fight of our owne vileness and wretchedness and to loath our selves and have pride hidden from us for saith the Apostle we thus judge that if one died for all then were all dead and he died for all 2 Corint 5. 14 15. In that Christ died for all by the grace of God herein it appeareth that we were all dead condemned to die and deserved to have died that death which he tasted for every man and
counsells and knowledge and in this gospell are hid all the treasures of Wisdome and knowledge Prov. 22. 17 20. Colos 2. 3. 3. And this may be called Wisdome and understanding because here by God makes wise the simple and still and further giveth Wisdome to the Wise and knowledge to them that know understanding Psal 19. 7. and 119. 129 130. and verses 98 99 100. the God of our Lord Jesus Christ doth give the spirit of Wisdome and revelation in the knowledge or gospell of Christ and hereby openeth the eyes of the understanding Ephes 1. 17 18. with this gospell Paul was sent to open the eyes of Jewes and Gentiles and to turne them from darkness to light Act. 26. 18. And in preaching this gospell Christ preacheth recovery of sight to the blind and opens their eyes Isay 42. 1 6 7. and 61. 1. Luk. 4. 18. Oh that therefore we may bowe downe our eares and heare these words of the wise in which Christ is discovered to us and the manifold Wisdome of God made knowne and by which he giveth Wisdome and may apply our hearts unto his knowledge for it is a pleasant thing if we keep them with in us Prov. 22. 17 18. In receiving these words and hiding these commandements the old and new commandment with us we shall be helped so to behold the excellency and comeliness of Christ the Wisdome of God as to incline our eares unto Wisdome and apply our heart unto understanding and to cry after knowledge and lift up our voice for understanding c. Prov. 2. 1 2 3 4. 3. By Wisdome and understanding may be also meant that gracious gift of Christ and God in him which he giveth to men preventingly and gives and makes them partakers of who turne at his reproofes in the light and strength of his grace even the opening of the mind or eye of the soule to know Jesus Christ and God in him and all things in such manner and to such end as the spirit maketh discovery of them in the words not of mans Wisdome but which the Holy Ghost hath taught and teacheth Comparing spirituall things with spirituall Ephes 1. 17 18. 1 Joh. 5. 20. even Wisdome in the knowledge of Christ and such knowledge and understanding as that there by we are led to feare God and depart from evill unto man he said the feare of the Lord that is Wisdome and to depart from evil is understanding Job 28. 28. the feare of the Lord is the beginning or principall part of Wisdome A good understanding have all they that doe Psal 111. 10. Prov. 1. 7. and 9 10. the feare of the Lord is the instruction of Wisdome that which wisdome instructs us unto even to worship God in the spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus to serve God with reverence and godly feare and to depart from iniquity Prov. 15. 33. and the feare of the Lord is to hate evill even pride and arrogancy and the evill way and the froward mouth Which things Wisdome hateth Prov. 8. 12 13. and therefore where as in the text it is said happy is the man that findeth Wisdome the same happiness is assured unto and affirmed of him that confesseth and forsaketh his sins Prov. 28. 13 14. He is a foole that sporteth with and makes a mock at sin Whatever Notionall understanding he may have he is destitute of blessed Wisdome but a man of understanding hath wisdome he feareth and departeth from evill Prov. 10. 23. and 14. 9 15 16. This then is the Wisdome and understanding commended to us Jesus Christ and the word of his grace and that Wisdome which he giveth and knowledge and understanding which cometh out of his mouth even such Wisdome and understanding of him as thereby we are led highly to prize come unto beleive in and love him and the father in him and to hate disrespect and reject whatsoever is hated rejected and disesteemed by him 2. We have in the next place to consider what is this finding and getting or drawing out here spoken of and what supposed herein and needfull hereto In Generall by finding Wisdome may be meant a knowing and understanding what this sound wisdome is and where it is and is to be had by us as it is here distinguished from getting indeed where either of the expressions are mentioned alone there it may meane what is here contained in both but here they being both used distinctly there maybe and is to be a distinct consideration of them and so by finding is signified as is said a knowing it and knowing the place of it where it is to be had by us and then by getting or drawing out may be meant a futher business to wit a being made partaker of this excellent commodity an obtaining it or getting it into our possession and hearts an imbracement retaining keeping and holding it fast as presently afterwards is said happy is every one that retaineth her even this Wisdome and understanding It is a laying hold of it taking fast hold of it and not letting it goe a keeping it as our life Prov. 3. 18. and 4. 13. there may be a price in the hand of a foole to get wisdome and he have no heart to it no love or affection to or courage for it and thereby he deprives himselfe of the happiness here assured Prov. 17. 16. but this exercise of finding and gettig is the same with that commended in the Wise merchant by our saviour in his parable Matth. 13. 45 46. The kingdome of heaven is like unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearles who when he had found one pearle of great price he went and sold all that he had and bought it he first found it and saw and knew where it was and was to be had and then he did not content himselfe that he had found Wisdome simply but he got it and parted with all sor it Now then more particularly here may be supposed in the exercise here commended to us 1. That this Wisdome and understanding is not ours or in us naturally it is to be found and gotten to which afterwards 2. And that this excellent pearle is hid in him are hid all the treasures of Wisdome and knowledge Colos 2. 3. it is a treasure hid in a field Malach. 13. 44. and to be searched for as hid treasure Prov. 2 4. And to our finding of it is requisite 1. An hearing where it is an hearing the words of wisdome a diligent hearing or hearing in hearing as Wisdome is lifting up her voice and preventing us with an hearing capacity which she is doing in due time for naturally we are deafe and untill prevented by Christ we cannot heare but the son of God in due time is causing us when dead to heare his voice that we might heare in hearing and live Joh. 5. 25. and when he is thus speaking to us and opening our eares then he requires us in the capacity afforded from him to heare Prov. 20.
therefore Peter said unto him They money perish with thee because thou hast thought the gift of God may be purchased with mony c. Act. 8. 18 21 22 23. But now this is the promise that Wisdome hath promised the simple ones who love their simplicity and scorners that delight in scorning and fooles that hate knowledge that in turning at her reproofs she will poure out her Spirit unto them and saith Behold consider and mark this for this is a wonderfull inriching gift of God Prov. 1. 20 23. This Spirit is given by Wisdome it is upon and resteth upon Christ Jesus even the spirit of wisdome and understanding and it is given as a spirit of Wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of Christ Isay 11. 2 3. with Ephes 1. 17 18. and by this spirit wisdome doth make knowne her words Prov. 1. 23. and therethorow glorify herselfe for it is the work of his spirit to beare witness of Christ to glorify him and take of his things and shew unto us that we might run unto him and that our hearts might be enamoured on him and united unto him and reioyce in him Joh. 15. 26. and 16. 14. and thorow his glorifying Christ and shewing unto men the excellency and preciousness of the flesh and blood of Christ Jesus this holy spirit doth quicken them to a lively hope by the resurrection of Christ from the dead who by the grace of God tasted death for every man it is the spirit that quickneth 1 Petr. 1. 3. with Joh. 6. 35 63. and this hope in Christ makes not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy spirit for while we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungoodly Rom. 5. 5 6. But thereby we are saved from being weary and fainting in our mindes by reason of any afflictions or adversity we meet withall and from our sins and idolls Rom. 8. 24 25. 1 Joh. 3. 3. and this hope is an anckor of the soule both sure that which will not break and stedfast standing fast in Christ the rock and therefore will not slip or deceive us and which entreth into that within the vail whither the fore-runner is for us entred Jesus made an highpriest after the order of Melchisedec Hebr. 6. 18 20. this spirit of Wisdome is an excellent gift of God it is the spirit of truth to guide into all truth it is the comforter to comfort us in all our tribulations it is the spirit of life to inliven and quicken us it is the spirit of Wisdome to open our blind eyes and still and continually to give Wisdome to the wise It is the spirit of adoption and freedome whereby we cry Abba Father it is the spirit of the feare of the Lord to teach and help us to reverence and stand in awe of God and to depart from iniquity It is the spirit where by we may abound in hope of the mercy of Christ and God in him unto eternall life and therefore it is set downe as that in which all good things are contained compare Matt. 7. 11. with Luk. 11. 13. And it is so excellent in its gifts influences and operations in bearing witness of the blood of Christ and what he is become therethorow and of the water or free love of God commended everlastingly therein 1 Joh. 5. 6. Well may it be said the gain of Wisdome is better then fine gold 3. It gives unto us the favour of God in which is life Psal 30. 5. Yea whose loving kindness is better then life Psal 63. 3. They are loved with peculiar manner of love that love Wisdome Prov. 8. 17. Christs Father will love them and Christ will love them and will manifest himselfe unto them Joh. 14. 21. 23. Prov. 3. 1 4. This is a motive set downe by Wisdome to ingage us to seeke her and an evidence of the blessedness of him that findes her Whoso findeth her Shall obtain favour of the Lord. Prov. 8. 32 35. The Kings favour is toward a wise servant but his wrath is upon him that causeth shame that despiseth Wisdome and is a foole Prov. 14. 35. The favour of God is a wonderfully gainfull profitable and desirable thing and therefore the servants of God have prayed that they might be favoured with the favour he beares unto his people because of the blessed advantage thereof Psalm 106. 4 5. And have intreated that with their whole heart Psal 119. 58. this is infinitely better and more to be desired then the favour of great men and princes for that is deceitfull and it is better and rather to be chosen then silver and gold Prov. 22. 1. In the light of the Kings countenance is life and his favour is as a cloud of the latter raine to refresh and revive and fructify the soule and to make it like a watered garden But how may we be made partakers of it Money will not procure or give it If a man would give all the substance of his house for love it would utterly be contemned Cant. 8. 7. But this good understanding giveth favour Prov. 13. 15 and it may be had in getting Wisdome and hereby the Holy Ghost evidenceth intimately that the gaine of Wisdome is better then fine gold when he saith How much better is it to get Wisdome then gold and to get understanding rather to be chosen then silver Prov. 16 15 16. O! blessed are the people that know the joyfull sound They shall walk O Lord in the light of thy countenance In thy name shall they rejoyce all the day and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted For thou art the glory of their strength and in thy favour our horne shall be exalted Psal 89. 15 17. Many there are that intreat the favour of the prince and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts But he that getteth Wisdome loveth his owne soule he that keepeth understanding shall finde good he shall finde the favour of and fellow ship with God which is as farre above the favour and friendship of the kings and princes of the earth as himselfe is above them unto whom none of the princes or kings of the earth may be likened or compared and before whom all nations are as nothing and they are counted to him less then nothing and vanity Prov. 19. 6 8. and 3. 3 4. Isay 40 15 18. 2. The gaine of Wisdome is better then fine gold because as it gives all things that pertain to life so also it gives all things that pertain to godliness 2 Petr. 1. 3. it is profitable to direct us thereto that we may worship God in the spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh Eccles 10. 10. and that we may be imitators and followers of God as deare children The feare of the Lord is the instruction of Wisdome that which Wisdome instructs us to Prov. 15. 33. it teacheth us to reverence him to
admonisheth us elsewhere to cease from our owne Wisdome Prov. 23. 4. and not to leane to our owne understanding Prov. 3. 5. and to beware of Philosophy and vaine deceit c. Colos 2. 8. and telleth some that their Wisdome and knowledge had perverted them Isay 47. 10. and it is his purpose to destroy the Wisdome of the wise and to bring to nought the understanding of the prudent and them that leane to and rely on it 1 Corinth 1. 19 21. and 2. 6. and those led of God came not with excellency of speech or of Wisdome declaring the testimony of God for the Wisdome of words maketh the cross of Christ of none effect 1 Corinth 2. 1. and 1. 17. this Wisdome is foolishness with God and it is so farre from helping us to understand and know Gods name or his sons name as that it is an hindrance thereto and therefore that we may be wise it is needfull that we become fools and lay aside and cease from our Wisdome and understanding But the Wisdome and understanding here commended to us and that which will render us happy in the injoyment of it is the Wisdome that is from a bove which is first pure then peace able c. Jam. 3. 17. even the Wisdome of God and not that of our owne according to that my son attend unto my Wisdome and bow thine eare unto my understanding Prov. 5. 1. and so hereby is meant and signified to us 1. Jesus Christ the Son of God in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily in whom dwelleth the father and on whom rests the holy Spirit And he is so called 1. As he is the Son of God by divine and eternall generation so where as in one place it is said the Lord by Wisdome founded the earth by understanding hath he establisht the heavens in another it is said he created all things by Jesus Christ Compare Prov. 3. 19. with Ephes 3. 11. Hebr. 1. 2. and of this Wisdome even of Christ in this consideration of him it is said by himselfe the Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way before his workes of old I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was when there were no depths I was brought forth when there were no fontaines abounding with water c. Prov. 8. 23 32. 2. And he is so called and may be comfortably viewed by us as Wisdome as he was abased for us and tooke our nature upon him when we had sinned and departed from God and as he was crucified for us and by the grace of God tasted death for every man and is raised againe according to the scriptures so Christ is the Wisdome of God and power of God 1 Corinth 1. 22 24. so when the Apostle saith that he came not with excellency of speech or of Wisdome declaring the testimony of God that the beleivers faith might not stand in the Wisdome of men but in the power of God He addeth howbeit we speak Wisdome among them that are perfect yet not the Wisdome of this world nor of the princes of this world that come to nought But we speak the Wisdome of God in a mystery even the hidden Wisdome which God ordained before the world unto our glory which none of the princes of this world knew for had they knowne they would not have crucified the Lord of glory Where it appeareth that Jesus Christ the Lord of glory is the Wisdome which they preached 1 Corinth 2. 1 8. with 2 Corinth 4. 5. and so this excellent one calls himselfe Wisdome and understanding Prov. 8. 12 14. compare Matth. 23. 34. with Luc. 11. 49. and he is called Wisdome and understanding 1. Because he is the great cleare and comfortable evidence and manifestation of the Wisdome of God here it is brightly discovered and may chearfully be viewed in the cross of Christ Jesus He did by Wisdome make the heavens and give a being to all things and in his workes of creation it may be seen by us but this invention of his is a greater and clearer discovery of his infinite Wisdome and unsearchable understanding For in his first creating us there was nothing contrary to his worke But unto his shewing mercy to us where we were fallen there was somwhat in the way stood cross and contrary his justice which was provoked by us must be satisfied his truth fulfilled his law which we had transgressed must be answered and his wrath appeased our sin must be purged away our death died overcome and abolished and all creatures were insufficient for these things no man could redeeme his brother by any meanes nor give to God a ransome for his owne soule Psal 49. 6 7. righteousness could not come by the law Galat. 2. 21. not could any creature in heaven or earth divise a meanes for the helpfullness of us this Wisdome was hid from the eyes of all living Job 28. 12 22. this passed the understanding of men and Angells Philip. 4. 7. but herein appeared the manifold and unsearchable Wisdome of God who in the exercise thereof hath devised a meanes that his banished should not be utterly expelled from him 2 Sam. 14. 14. Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness God was manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit 1 Timot. 3. 16. there is hidden and wonderfull Wisdome contained therein that the creatour should become a creature that the word that was God should be made flesh that the everlasting father should thus become a son and the mighty God a child yea that he who was the holy one of God yea holiness it selfe should be made sin for us that God should lay downe his life for us and all this to so gracions an end not to condemne the world but that thorow him the world might besaved here in was admirable and unsearchable Wisdome and here in we may clearely and comfortably see that the creatour of the ends of the earth fainteth not nor is weary there is no searching of his understanding that so when we walk in darkness and see no light we might trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon our God Isay 40. 27 29. hence he as our saviour is said to be the onely wise God Jude 25. hence also the Apostle when he had said this is a faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners persently addes Now unto the king eternall immortall invisible the onely wise God be honour c. 1 Tim. 1. 15 17. Hee hath herein evidenced himselfe to be the alone and onely wise God in finding out such a way for the delivering us from so great a death and curse and from the hand of all our enemies and for the treasuring up all the fullness of forgiveness grace and spirit in Christ that we sinfull creatures of mankind might be brought back to God 2. Christ Jesus is also said to be Wisdome and
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
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
And it might be powerfull also to awaken us to seek the Lord to seek Wisdome and righteousness while he is exercising patience and forbearance to us and crying to us to turne at his reproofes and to stirre us up hereto the next branch of the instruction is good to be considered by us viz. 2. The present time is the opportunity in which it is good and needfull for us to seek and get Wisdome and understanding Wherefore as the Ho Ghost saith to day if ye will heare his voice harden not your hearts Hebr. 3. 7 8 14 15. and 4. 7. strive now to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you saith our saviour shall seek to enter in and shall not be able When once the master of the house is risen up and hath shut too the doore and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the doore saying Lord Lord open unto us Then all pleadings and arguments will be in vaine he shall say I tell you I know you not whence you are Luk. 13. 24 27. gather your selves therefore together yea gather together before the decree bring forth before the day pass as the chaff before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you before the day of the Lords anger come upon you Zephan 2. 1 2. Objection If any one should say I am young and strong and the evill day will not yet prevent nor overtake me I may now rejoyce in my youth and let my heart cheere me I may now seek after the world and love the lust of the flesh mine ease and pleasure Or the lust of the eye in labouring to be rich and laying up for my selfe and mine Or the pride of life I may hereafter apply my heart to Wisdome I know not yet how to be so serious it will be time enough for that when old age cometh Answer 1. To this I may say this Objection savours of great ignorance and folly and want of consideration of the worth and invaluable price of Wisdome did we seriously consider that Wisdome is the principall thing and that all the things we may or can desire are not to be compared to her as God is discovering the excellency of it and opening our eyes to behold it and that it is prepared for us and may be found and gotten by us it would be powerfull with us to seek it early to seek first the kingdome of God and the righteousness thereof to cry after it and be restless in our spirits for it and with all our gettings and in all opportunities to seek after this one thing that is so profitable unto all things Prov. 3. 15 16 17. and 4. 1 8. and 8. 1. 6. 10 11 17. And therefore also 2. It is safe good and needfull to seek it in the present opportunity and dangerous to neglect that For. 1. If thou shouldest live to old age it may be more difficult then to finde Wisdome then now because 1. When old age cometh then our naturally capacities and powers will be much weakned and impaired and afflictions and weaknesses are ordinarily so many and so flowing in upon us like the waves of the sea one in the neck of another the clouds returning after the raine that then we shall be more out of capacity to seek and get Wisdome hence when the preacher had by way of severe reproofe to such an Objector said rejoyce ô young man in they youth and let thy heart cheere the in the dayes of thy youth and walk in the wayes of thine owne heart and in the sight of thine eyes but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment c. He addes Remember now thy creator in the dayes of thy youth while the evill dayes come not nor the yeares draw nigh when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them While the sun or the light or the Moone or the Star be not darkned nor the clouds returne after the raine c. Eccles 11. 9 10. and 12. 1 7. it will then be more hard to heare and seeke after Wisdome when we are prest downe and burdened with manifold paines sicknesses weaknesses and when also our naturall strength is weakned As is signified in what is said of the Israëlites when God sent them word by the hand of Moses that he would bring them out from Under the burdens of the Egyptians and rid them out of their bondage c. yet they hearkned not unto Moses for anguish of spirit Exod. 6. 2 9. 2. Then also it will â—e more hard and difficult to get understanding because they have been accustomed to doe evill When it hath been mens manner from their youth to neglect Wisdome and despise instruction and to seek after and set their hearts upon the world and the things thereof this renders it more difficult with them to leave their old wayes and practices and cause their hearts to come to Wisdome according to that Can the Ethiopian change his skin Or the Leopard his spots then may ye also doe good that are accustomed to doe evill Jerem. 13. 23. Indeed with God all things are possible nor doe I speak this to discourage them that are old but to awaken the young and others before they are older to break of their sins and forsake their unrighteous wayes and thoughts and turne unto him who delighteth in mercy and who will multiply to pardon Nor doth the Holy Ghost use that saying fore mentioned Jerem. 13. 23. to signify that it is impossible for them to learne to doe well as he is giving grace unto them for he vers 27. thus still expostulates with them wilt thou not be made cleane When shall it once be As intimating that God was yet waiting upon them and cleansing them from the evill they had been accustoming themselves unto but he speakes it to the end he might ingage them to consider their waies and turne unto him but continuance in evill makes it more difficult with us to depart there from and to forsake our old lovers and companions and to incline our hearts to Gods understanding which we have so long despised and set light by What one is wont to doe becomes at last after a sort necessary for him to doe As whereas in Matth. 27. 15. it is said Pilate was wont to release unto the people a prisoner it is thus rendred Luk. 23. 17. of necessity he must release unto them one at the feast As on the one hand the holy spirit saith traine up a child in the way in which he should goe and when he is old he will not depart there from Prov. 22. 6. so on the other hand we may say when we have been training up our selves in the days of our youth and strength in the ways in which we should not goe it becomes more hard with us to depart therefrom when we are old 2 Petr. 2. 14. let this be considered by us 3. Yea God may put an end to
a greater degree of glory afterwards men that delay the applying their hearts to understanding till the evill dayes come they cannot have such opportunity for exalting Wisdome to others and so doing them good as those that heartily imbrace it in their more youthfull dayes and therefore not so much fruit will abound to their account in the day of the Lord. They that are wise will shine as the firmament and they that turne many to righteousness as the starres for ever andever Dan. 12. 3. But. 3. It is needfull for us to seek and get Wisdome and understanding in the present time and dangerous to neglect it because our times are not in our owne hands but in the Lords and we cannot boast our selves of the morrow for we know not what a day may bring forth Prov. 27. 1. In Gods hand is the soule of every living thing and the breath of all manking Job 12. 10. and how many doth he cut off in their full strength being wholy at ease and quiet whose brests are full of milk and their bones moistened with Marrow Job 21. 22 24. and if he cut of or shut up or gather together then who can hinder him Job 9. 12. 13 and 11. 10. and 12. 14. There is no man hath power over the Spirit to retaine the Spirit neither hath he power in the day of death and there is no discharge in that warre neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it Eccles 8. 8. And in the grave there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor Wisdome Eccles 9. 10. no hoping for Gods truth Isay 38. 18. None to preach the Gospell or to Commemorate Gods praises Psal 6. 5. and 88. 11 12. and 115 17 18. And besides all this the state of man is then fixt for ever when theydye there is then a great gulfe fixed so that there is no passing from one place or state to another no not forever But as the tree falls so it lies whither toward the south or toward the north In the place where the tree falleth there it shall bee Luk. 16. 26. Eccles 11. 3. Let us consider this according to what the Apostle James saith Go to now ye that say to day or to morrow we will goe into such a city and continue there a yeare and buy and sell and get gaine Whereas you know not what will be on the morrow for what is your life It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away Therefore because our lives are so uncertaine and brittle to him that knoweth to doe good and doth it not in the present season to him it is sin Jam. 4. 13. 17. All that hath been said doth in some measure shew that it is good and needfull for us to search diligently for Wisdome and understanding in the present opportunity And it may be of usefullness to us 1. To shew unto us who are fooles indeed even such as procrastinate and delay their seeking Wisdome such as know not or take no notice of their time Eccles 8. 5 7. They are more bruitish herein then many creatures that have no understanding The stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times and the swallow and the turtle and the crane observe the time of their oming but my people saith the Lord know not the judgement of the Lord how doe ye say we are Wise Jerem. 8. 7 9. such are instructed to goe to the Ant and consider her wayes though she be without the understanding that men have yet she provideth her meat in the summer in the proper season Whereas sluggards Whom God teacheth more then the beasts of the earth and maketh wiser then the foules of heaven observe not the proper time Job 35. 11. Nay herein also men are preferred before or have greater advantages then the ants that weak people they have no ruler overseer arguide whereas generally we have some parent or yoke fellow or relation or faitfull friend to Counsell and provoke us to doe whatever our hand findeth to doe with our might Prov. 6. 6 10. Eccles 9. 10. 2. It may exhort us all not to have fellowship with men in their unfruitfull workes of darkness but to redeeme the time especially when the dayes are evill that we may understand what the will of the Lord is Ephes 5. 11 17. and with David to thinke on our wayes and turne our feet to Gods testimonies to make haste and not delay to keep Gods commandements Psal 119. 59 60. And to ingage us hereto consider the last instruction noted in this Affirmation Viz. 4. He is and shall be an happy man that findeth Wisdome and getteth understanding The translatours have put in is and read happy is the man but it is more full left out and read Happy the man that findeth Wisdome c. namely happy now and for ever Happiness is a deliverance from evill and an injoyment of all good according to that Psal 84. 11 12. the Lord God is a sun and sheild and will give grace and glory no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly Blessed happy as is evident in the former verse is the man that is in such a case so here He that is and shall be thus happy is such an one as findeth Wisdome c. Not that hath found simply but to him that by patient continuance in welldoing seekes for glory c. Rom. 2. 7. to such as alwayes abide in this exercise and are not weary of welldoing he that indureth to the end the same shall be saved Gal. 6. 9. Matth. 10. 22. Otherwise all will be in vaine Men may have run well in former times and yet by some meanes be hindred from Obeying the truth They may draw back after they have begun well and then during such neglect of or departure from this exercise Gods soule shall have no pleasure in them Gal. 3. 1 3. and 5. 7. Hebr. 10. 38. When the righteous man turnes away from his righteousness and commits iniquity and doth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doth shall he live Shall he be happy All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned in his trespass that he hath trespassed and in his sin that he hath sinned in them shall he dye Ezek. 18. 24. But she is a tree of life to all that lay hold on her and happy is every one that retaineth her He that getteth Wisdome loveth his owne soule he that keepeth understanding shall finde good Prov. 3. 18. and 19. 8. Happy is such an one and it shall be well with him for ever Psal 128. 1 2. like to those sayings of our Saviour He that beleiveth on him shall not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 3. 15 16 18 36. He that cometh to me shall never hunger he that abideth in me shall bring forth fruit but if a man abide not in him he is cast forth as a branch and whitereth and
Wisdome and understanding is better then the merchandise of silver because it is a more sure and certaine way of finding none shall faile of it who seek it as men seek silver and search for it as for hid treasure men may seek for the treasures and riches of this World and not finde them they are uncertaine riches there is an uncertainty in getting aswell as in keeping 1 Tim. 6. 17. though many times the diligent hand maketh rich and they meet with profit and increase who are industrious and diligent in their business and however if they be skilfull therein also yet this is not allwayes so I returned saith the preacher and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift nor the battell to the strong neither yet bread to the Wise nor yet riches to men of understanding nor yet favour to men of skill but time and chance happeneth to them all Eccles 9. 11. men may in vaine and to no profit rise up early and sit up late and eat the bread of carefullness Psal 127. 2. there is a great uncertainty in getting and retaining this unrighteous Mammon especially by merchandise the merchants ships may be broken in going for commodities or sinke and be cast away when they are full and returning 2 Chron. 20. 36 37. Or trading may faile and decay Or those to whom they sell and adventure their commodities may breake or cheat and deceive them or moth and rust may corrupt and theeves break thorow and steale and however God hath not ingaged his word that those that seek silver and gold Shall certainely finde what they aime at and seek after But in seeking Wisdome with the whole heart we shall be sure to finde it for God who cannot lye hath so promised as hath been said and these promises are confirmed with the precious blood of Jesus who in the vertue thereof is raised againe and is the Mediator of the New Testament that the called may receive the promise of the eternall inheritance Hebr. 9 15. 2 Corint 1. 20. Matth. 26. 28. hence our savior exhorteth aske and it shall be given you seeke and ye shall finde knock and it shall be opened to you for every one that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh is shall be opened If earthly fathers who are evill give good gifts to their children how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy spirit the spirit of Wisdome and revelation to them that aske him Luk 11. 9-13 Ephes 1. 17. Prov. 2. 1-6 Jam. 1. 5 6. the Lord is good unto them that wait for him to the soule that seeketh him even herein he is good he will give himselfe unto them to be their Wisdome and inheritance and with himselfe all things that pertaine to life and godliness according to that ye shall call upon me and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you and ye shall seek me and finde me when jou search for me with all your heart and I will be found of you saith the Lord Lament 3. 25. with Jer. 29. 12-14 and in dispersing this heavenly Wisdome it shall certainly tend to the inriching of them according to that be stedfast unmovable alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as your labour shall not be in vaine in the Lord in due time we shall reap if we faint not 1 Cor. 15. 58. Galat. 6. 9 10. What an incouragement is this for us to seeke Wisdome to get up and be doing when there is a certainty of finding and what a shame will it be for us to neglect the opportunities put into our hands are the merchants of the earth so diligent in seeking perishing substance when also there is so great an uncertainty of finding and shall we be so bruitich and foolish as to have no heart to seek durable riches and righteousness when there is a certainty of finding in seeking in the due opportunity those that seek Wisdome early shall finde her Prov. 8. 17. O! let us not be slothfull but diligent followers of them who thorow faith and patience inherit the promises 5 The merchandise of Wisdome and understanding is the most excellent merchandise because it is most safe and secure from dangers and feares those that occupy themselves in the earthly merchandise are exposed to manifold feares lest they should lose their commodities yea and if they adventure upon the seas they are in danger of losing their lives For many times God commandeth and raiseth up the stormy winde which lifteth up the waves thereof they mount up to heaven they goe downe againe to the dephts their soule is melted because of trouble they reele to fro and stagger like a drunken man and all their Wisdome is swallo wed up Psal 107. 25-27 yea and many times they lose their lives also by stormes or robbers c. And if they grow rich they are in daily danger and feare lest theeves should break in upon them and spoile thein or kill them and this feare hath torment and occasions much disquietment to them But whoso hearkneth to Wisdome shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from the feare of evill Prov. 1. 20-33 This is a motive laid downe by Wisdome to ingage us to trade in this excellent commodity to keep sound wisdome and discretion Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely and thy foot shall not stumble When thou liest downe thou shalt not be afraid Yea thou shalt lye downe and thy sleep shall be sweet Be not afraid of sudden feare for the Lord shall be thy confidence and shall keepe thy foot from being taken Prov. 3. 21-26 Indeed the wise merchants as men and sons of Adam are subject to like passions and infirmities as others and so to seare and be afraid of danger but this wisdome strengthneth the wise against the feare of evill more then ten mighty men which are in the city A wise man is strong yea a man of knowledge increaseth strength Eccles 7. 19. and 9. 16-18 Prov. 24. 5. the love of God knowne and heartly beleeved casteth out continually that feare which hath torment and makes men bold as a lion 1 Joh. 4. 18. Prov. 28. 1. these wise merchants know that that good part and portion they trade in and make choice of shall never be taken away Luk. 10. 42. and that he that seeth the son and beleiveth in him shall never perish but have everlasting life God preserveth their soules and none can pluck them out of his hand who is greater then all and though in this Merchandise and for Christ sake they hate and may lose their lives in this World they shall keep them unto life eternall He that beleiveth in Christ though he were dead yet shall he live and be that liveth and beleiveth shall never dye Joh. 12. 25 26. and 11. 25 26. the name of the Lord is astrong tower and they run thereinto and are safe and set on high from evill
and from the feare of evill So that they can glorify God in the fires and not feare any evill though they walk in the valley of the shadow of death Wisdome loves those that love her and the beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety the Lord shall cover them all the day long Prov. 8. 17. with Deuter. 33. 12. 6. The trading for heavenly Wisdome is the best Merchandise because it is the most easy way easier then the Merchandise of silver and gold this is the Motive and argumens Christ the Wisdome of God useth to prevaile with us to come unto him and learne of him that his yoke is easy and his burden light Matth. 11. 28-30 It may not so appeare to our Wisdome but may seeme very difficult Yea it is a great mystery in it selfe but it is made easy and is declared so to be by him who is truth it selfe and if our right eye cause us to offend let us pluck it out and become fooles that we may beleive him Amongst men every one cannot be a Merchant of the earth Some whatever Masters and instructers they have yet they want capacity to learne this mystery of Merchandise and others because of the difficulty of the imployment though they may doe well while they are before the Masters eye and under his care and instruction yet when they trade for them selves they may be to seek and thorow their unskilfullness be un fit for it because there are so many intricacies in it thorow the rising and falling of commodities and by reason of deceitfull men they may meet with c. And others though they have capacity enough yet may be so poore as that they cannoth carry an end their trade or such heavy customes and impositions may be laid upon their goods that they know not how to pay them and subsist But any man may thorow the grace of Christ be a wise Merchant to trade for and in heavenly Wisdome as before is shewne There is a wise and gracious Master to teach them even Christ Jesus the Wisdome of God and he calleth o ye simple understand Wisdome and ye fooles be ye of an understanding heart Heare for I will speak of excellent things Good and upright is the Lord therefore will he teach sinners in the way And though they have no capacity naturally but are all fooles yet the Spirit is put upon him and he will bring forth and give judgement capacity and discretion to them that have none which no eartly Merchant can doe to his apprentice God hath given him for a light of the Gentiles to open the blind eyes and unstop the deafe eares Psal 25. 8. Isay 42. 1-7 He is even eyes in his testimony to the blind and though they are dull of hearing and learning though they are unteachable and untractable yet he is meek and lowly in heart and will not strive nor cry nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets A bruised reed will he not break and the dimly burning week will he not quench Matth. 11. 29. Isay 42. 2 3. Hence he calleth heare ye deafe and look ye blind that you may see and not be discouraged because of your naturall incapacity Who is blind as my servant Or deafe as my messenger that I sent Who is blind thorow charity as he that is perfect And blind as the Lords servant Seeing many things that might provoke him to cast us off and forbeare to instruct us but he observeth them not opening the eares but he heareth not Isay 42. 18-20 with vers 1. And then he that cometh to him he will never cast out from under his care and instruction but will still guide them with his counsell and eye untill he receive them to glory The time of their apprenticeship to him is all their life time they are still the Lords servants though free from all men And the way of Wisdome is made easy and plaine as declared in the testimony of Jesus the rules orders and statutes not changeable as Merchants here may be but abide the same at all times The way of the righteous is made plaine and raised up as a causey so as way faring men though fooles shall not erre therein Prov. 15. 19. Isay 35. 8. Nor is this heavenly commodity so deare as that they may not get and obtaine it but they may have it without money and without price even freely Isay 55. 1. And though it must be bought yet every man hath that to buy it withall and in parting with all he hath shall be made a partaker of it Luk. 14. 33. Nor will he lay such burdens and impositions upon any as to discourage them his commandments are not greivons 1 Joh. 5. 3. this Merchandise is made easy by their gracious and wise Lord who is the head Master and orderer of the seekers and who is also the commodity to be soughtafter and injoyed by them Though there are excellent things containd in Wisdome yet they are all plaine to him that understandeth and right to them that finde knowledge thorow Wisdomes instruction Prov. 8. 4-10 Hence when our hevenly Father calls upon us and provokes us to get Wisdome to get understanding c. that we might not say this trade is so hard I cannot attaine it he signifieth that he makes it easy by his words and therefore saith instead of murmuring and questioning heare o my son and receive my sayings I have taught theé in the way of Wisdome I have ledd thee in the right pathes in the way of Wisdome are right pathes there are no turnings in it either to the right hand or to the left no thornes snares or stumbling blocks in it when thou goest therein thy steps shall not be straitned there is roome enough and when thou runnest thou shalt not stumble c. Prov. 4. 5-11 27. with Jerem. 31. 9. and they that walk herein shall finde it an easy way their soule shall dwell at ease whatever troubles they have in the outward man Psal 25. 13. Whereas those that exercise themselves in the earthly merchandise meet with not onely much weariness to the flesh but also much vexation of spirit Eccles 2. 17 18 22 23 26. a scorner that hates instruction and reproofe seekes Wisdome and findes it not but knowledge is easy to him that understands Prov. 14. 6. with chap 15. 12. and 9. 7 8. 7. This spirituall merchandise is better then that of silver because it is more cleane and free from pollution there is much pollution and corruption cleaving to the earthly merchandise thorow our lust to the riches of this World 2 Peter 1. 4. the thing they trade in and for is called unrighteous Mammon because too often unrighteousness is used and exercised in trading for it Luk. 16. 11. and the merchants of the earth doe very frequently pollute and defile themselves in their trade and traffique according to that He is a merchant the ballances of deceit are in his hand be
increase their earthly substance and meane time when a price is put into their hands for getting Wisdome they have no heart thereto they can neglect opportunities for getting this spirituall commodity and then cry there is a lion in the way I shall be slain in the streets they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth Jerem. 9. 3. but are fearfull and afraid of sufferings shame and reproach for Christs sake ashamed of him and his words in an evill and adulterous generation What will become of such in the end Christ will be ashamed of such when he cometh in his owne glory and in the glory of his father and in the glory of his holy Angells Luk. 9. 23 16. with Mark 8. 34 38. this is that whiâ—h is greatly provoking to God he was wroth with those who when they were invited to come into Wisdoms house and eat of her provision made light of the invitation and went one to his farme another to his merchandise Yea protests that none of them shall taste of his supper Matth. 22. 4-7 with Luk. 14. 16-24 oh that we may so consider it that we may walke circumspectly not as fooles but as wise redeeming the time for-getting Wisdome because the dayes are evill Ephes 5. 15 17. 2. And let us all be exhorted seeing Wisdome is the principall thing to get it and with all our gettings to get understanding And to move hereto consider further The gaine of Wisdome and understanding is better then that of fine gold of the choicest and most refined gold and so better then the gaine of all earthly riches though the gaine of gold if it be honestly gotten and to a good end laboured for that we may honour the Lord with our substance and with the first fruits of our increase and live to him that died for us and rose againe is good Yet the gaine of spirituall Wisdome is better and more to be desired then gold yea then much fine gold and better then all the gainfull things here below and so have wise men accounted it Philip. 3. 7 8 9. It is admirably and inexpressibly better Prov. 16. 16. it is profitable unto all things having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come as is said of godliness And indeed this Wisdome and Godliness are the same The root and foundation of Godliness is God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit the meanes and medium for making it knowne and manifesting it and giving and dispensing it is the gospell especially as preached by the Apostles The exercising our selves to godliness is beleiving with the heart on Christ as delivered to death for our offences and raised againe for our justification and glorified as this t s declared to us in the gospell 1 Tim. 4. 8. with Chapt. 3. 16. 1. The gaine of it is better now by it there is profit to them that see the sun Eccles 7. 11. For 1. It gives all things that pertaine to life and gives life to them that get it even spirituall and eternal life now by faith and a first fruits of the Spirit and all contained therein which silver and gold cannot doe Wisdome is a defence money is a defence but the excellency of knowledge is that Wisdome giveth life to them that have it Eccles 7. 12. hereby the Holy Ghost doth evidence that the gaine of Wisdome is better then fine gold and therefore proposeth it as a motive to move and prevaile with us to seek and get it She is a tree of life to all that lay hold on her Prov. 3. 17. And this is contained in the blessedness they meet with and partake of that seek and finde her Whoso findeth her findeth life Prov. 8. 32. 35. As 1. It giveth unto those that finde Wisdome the forgiveness of sins by Christ all that beleive are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses Act. 13. 39. And this forgiveness of sins is included in eternall life and therefore eternall life is opposed to condemnation and in having that a man passeth from death to life Joh. 5. 25. and being justified from their sins by the blood of Christ much more shall they be saved from wrath even from the wrath of God thorow him Rom. 5. 9. Hereinits gaine is greatly preferred before fine gold and all the riches of this World riches profit not in a day of wrath but righteousness delivereth from death Prov. 10. 2. and 11. 4. Neither mens silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lords wrath Zephan 1. 18. their riches will not procure them a pardon from God though they may from the Man of sin nor deliver them from his anger and the dreadfull and direfull effects thereof their money will not obtain the remission of their sins when they come to dye nor give them peace with God nor will this deliver in the day of wrath But men shall then cast their idolls of silver and gold to which they have given their loves and worship to the moles and to the bats to goe into the clefts of the rocks and into the tops of the ragged rocks for feare of the Lord they shall then cast their silver into the streets and their gold shall be removed or shall be as uncleaness their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the Lords wrath Isay 2. 19 21. Ezeck 7. 19. But this is the gain of Wisdome In finding and winning Christ a man also receives remission of sins and deliverance from Gods wrath and the feares thereof So as being justified by faith he hath peace with God thorow our Lord Jesus Rom. 4. 25 and 5. 1. To him give all the Prophets witness that thorow his name whosoever beleiveth in him shall receive the remission of sins Act. 10. 43. 1 Joh. 5. 11 12. And oh what a blessed priviledge is this It is even the summe of all blessedness Even as David describeth the blessedness of the man to whom the Lord imputes righteousness without works saying blessed in the Man whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sin is eovered Psal 32. 1 2. with Rom. 4. 5 7. And it is also the inlett unto all Salvation He giveth the knowledge and injoyment of salvation thorow the forgiveness of sins Luk. 1. 77. Psal 103. 1 3. Herethorow they receive salvation and deliverance from his anger the power whereof who knoweth Psal 90. 11 12. The wrath of this King of Kings is as messengers of death but a wise man will pacify it How not by fine gold but to this end how much better is it to get Wisdome then gold Prov. 16. 14-16 2. It gives to men the Spirit of life even that living quickning Spirit which is Wisdoms Spirit this money wil not get or give It was an heinous provoking iniquity in Simon Magus to offer money for the Holy Spirit and