A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

1. Pray earnestly for knowledge. We are to cry after wisdom, and lift up our voice for understanding, Prov. 2.3. Ask it of God, Jam. 1.5. Especially address we our selves to the Lord Jesus Christ as the Apostle of our profession, Heb. 3.1. The great Prophet and Doctor of the Church, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Col. 2.3. Who of God is made unto us Wisdom, 1 Cor. 1.30. Who liveth in the bosom of the Father and declares ⟨p. 123⟩him to us, John 1.18. He that was his Father's Counsellor in making his Laws, and his Messenger in publishing them, is best able to make us understand them. As it is our duty to Hear him, so it is his business to instruct us: Only beside the use of all other means, we must look to him for his teaching. He only can make all means effectual, and none learn as they should, but they that learn of him. There is no learning like that we get upon our knees; that is the only saving knowledge, which we fetch from Heaven. If you put your Children to a Trade, you will have them learn it of such as are most skilful in it. If you would your selves understand any art well, you seek for the best Artist you can to instruct you. Who can teach you all things like him that knows all things? who can enlighten you like him who is the true light? John 1.9. Men when they teach their Scholars oftentimes complain of their dullness, they can but propound their notions to them, not beget an understanding in them. And Ministers complain of their hearers, as the Apostle did of the Hebrews ch. 5.11., that they are dull of hearing. ¹They spend their strength upon them, but cannot work the truth into them. But the Lord Jesus Christ is such a Teacher, as is beyond all Teachers: He can give the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation, as it is called,