The Fountain of Life Opened

First, It's fundamental to all graces: they all begin in knowledge, Col. 3.10. the new man is renewed in knowledge; as the old, so the new Creation begins in light; the opening of the eyes, is the first work of the spirit: and as the beginnings of grace, so all the after improvements thereof depend upon this increasing knowledge, 2 Pet. 3.18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour: see how these two, grace and knowledge keep equal pace in the soul of a Christian, in what degree the one increases, the other increases answerably.

Secondly, the knowledge of Christ is fundamental to all duties: the duties, as well as graces of Christians are all founded in the knowledge of Christ: must a Christian believe; That he can never do without the knowledge of Christ; Faith is so much dependent upon his knowledge, that it is denominated by it, Isa. 53.11. by his knowledge shall my righteous servant Justify many: and hence Joh. 6.40. Seeing, and believing are made the same thing: would a man exercise hope in God; That he can never do without the knowledge of Christ, for he is the author of that hope, 1 Pet. 1.3. he is also its object, Heb. 6.19. its ground-work and support, Col. 1.27. and as you cannot believe or hope, so neither can you pray acceptably, without a competent degree of this knowledge: the very Heathen could say, non loquendum de deo sine lumine, (i. e.) men must not speak of God without light: the true way of conversing with, and enjoying God in Prayer; is by acting faith on him through a Mediator; so much of faith, and Christ as is in a Duty, so