Consid. 3. That Though this Knowledge be Excellent and rare, yet it is attainable; that is to say such a measure thereof as is necessary in order to Salvation. Indeed a comprehensive Knowledge of this Mystery concerning the Sonship of Christ is not to be attained by any man or Creature. There are many external works of God which we are not able to comprehend. If we look into the works of Creation we soon see more than we can comprehend. Job. 37. 16. Dost thou know the Balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of Him that is perfect in knowledge? So concerning the works of Providence, Rom. 11. 33. O the depth of the Riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements and his ways past finding out! Much less can we comprehend the immanent and eternal works of God: such as Election and Reprobation, and such as that which is implied in the Text, respecting the Eternal Generation of the SON of GOD. The most knowing in the world must needs confess his own ignorance when such Myst•ryes are spoken of. As Zophar said to Job, O that God ⟨p. 41⟩would show thee the secrets of Wisdom, they are double to that which is, canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the ALMIGHTY unto perfection? what canst th•• […] &c. Chapt. 11. 6, 7, 8. And David confe••eth with Respect unto a Knowledge far less mysterious than what we are speaking of, Psal 139. 6. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, it is high I cannot attain unto it. Yet such a knowledge of Christ as is necessary unto salvation may be had, especially in these Gospel-Times, when that promise is eminently fulfilled Jer. 31. 34.—they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. Such a Knowledge of Christ as is essential to salvation, every true Believer hath. The Gospel doth reveal Christ much more clearly than ever the Law did Hence it is said, that He that is least in the Kingdom of heaven (h. e. the least Minister of the Gospel) is greater than John Baptist. not in respect of degrees of grace, but as to a more clear and abundant discovery of Christ. There is no Minister of the Gospel, but knows more of Christ than John Baptist did, that is to say, he knoweth more concerning His Passion, Resurrection, Ascension, Sitting at the right hand of God, Coming to judge the world, than John ⟨p. 42⟩was acquainted with. Matth. 11. 11.
Consid. 3. That Though this Knowledge be Excellent and rare, yet it is attainable; that is to say such a measure thereof as is necessary in order to Salvation. Indeed a comprehensive Knowledge of this Mystery concerning the Sonship of Christ is not to be attained by any man or Creature. There are many external works of God which we are not able to compre•end. If wee look into the works of Creation we soon see more than wee can compre•end. Job. 37. 16. Dost thou know the Ballancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of Him that is perfect in knowledge? So concerning the works of Providence, Rom. 11. 33. O the depth of the Riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledg of God! how unsearchable are his judgements and his wayes past finding out! Much less can we comprehend the immanent and eternal works of God: such as Election and Reprobation, and such as that which is implyed in the Text, respecting the Eternal Generation of the SON of GOD. The most knowing in the world must needs confess his own ignorance when such Myst•ryes are spok•n of. As Zophar said to Job, O that God ⟨p. 41⟩would shew thee the secrets of Wisdom, they are double to that which is, canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the ALMIGHTY unto perfection? what canst th•• 〈…〉 &c. Chapt. 11. 6, 7, 8. And David confe••eth with Respect unto a Knowledge farr less mysterious than what we are speaking of, Psal 139. 6. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, it is high I cannot attain unto it. Yet such a knowledge of Christ as is necessary unto salvation may be had, especially in these Gospel-Times, when that promise is eminently fulfilled Jer. 31. 34.—they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. Such a Knowledge of Christ as is essential to salvation, every true Believer hath. The Gospel doth reveal Christ much more clearly than ever the Law did Hence it is said, that He that is least in the Kingdom of heaven (h. e. the least Minister of the Gospel) is greater than John Baptist. not in respect of degrees of grace, but as to a more clear and abundant discovery of Christ. There is no Minister of the Gospel, but knows more of Christ than John Baptist did, that is to say, he knoweth more concerning His Passion, Resurrection, Ascention, Sitting at the right hand of God, Coming to judge the world, than John
