1. For our understanding, 1we desire knowledge of God: that (as the Apostle prayeth) God would give to us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 2This we may the more confidently pray for,3 because it is absolutely promised; and we ought the more earnestly to desire it, because it is the groundwork of all other graces. Before the understanding be well enlightened, neither can the will be made subject to God, nor the heart set upon God, nor any other power of soul or part of body be serviceable to him.4 The light of the body is the eye: that is, the understanding in man, the little world, is as that great light the Sun in the great world. If therefore thine eye be single thy whole body shall be full of light. If the understanding be well illuminated and do clearly discern the truth, the whole man throughout will be well ordered. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If the understanding be blind, the whole man must needs be out of order. The knowledge here desired,5 ought to be a particular and distinct understanding of all the things whereby God is made known unto us: as of his Nature, Persons, Titles, and Attributes: yea also of his Word whereby all these, together with his whole will are plainly revealed: and of his ordinances, wherein and whereby he is worshipped: and finally of his works, whereby his wisdom, power, justice and mercy, are evidently made known.6 Yea further we ought to desire that knowing God to be the only true Jehovah, we may acknowledge him to be worthy of all honour, as the celestial spirits do.
1. For our vnderstanding, 1we desire knowledge of God: that (as the Apostle prayeth) God would giue to vs the Spirit of wisedome and reuelation in the knowledge of him. 2This wee may the more confidently pray for,3 because it is absolutely promised; and we ought the more earnestly to desire it, because it is the groundworke of all other graces. Before the vnderstanding be well enlightned, neither can the will be made subiect to God, nor the heart set vpon God, nor any other power of soule or part of body be seruiceable to him.4 The light of the bodie is the eye: that is, the vnderstanding in man, the little world, is as that great light the Sunne in the great world. If therefore thine eye be single thy whole bodie shall be full of light. If the vnderstanding be well illuminated and do clearely discerne the truth, the whole man throughout will be well ordered. But if thine eye be euill, thy wholebody shall be full of darknesse. If the vnderstanding be blind, the whole man must needs be out of order. The knowledge here desired,5 ought to be a particular and distinct vnderstanding of all the things whereby God is made knowne vnto vs: as of his Nature, Persons, Titles, and Attributes: yea also of his Word whereby all these, together with his whole will are plainly reuealed: and of his ordinances, wherein and whereby he is worshipped: and finally of his workes, whereby his wisedome, power, iustice and mercie, are euidently made knowne.6 Yea further we ought to desire that knowing God to be the onely true Iehouah, we may acknowledge him to bee worthie of all honour, as the celestiall spirits do.
- 11. Knowledge of God.
- 2Ephes. 1. 17.
- 3Jer. 31. 34.Ier. 31. 34.
- 4Mat. 6. 22, 23. expounded.
- 5How God is to be known.How God is to be knowne.
- 62. Acknowledgement of God. Reu. 4. 11.2. Acknowledgment of God. Reu. 4. 11.
