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A54657 Happy merchandise or Wisdoms excellency darkly discovered or rather greatly obscured by words without knowledge By Charles Phelps. Phelpes, Charles. 1670 (1670) Wing P1978; ESTC R218239 66,695 104

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gospell is plainely declared as come unto and beleive on him If ye know that he is righteous ye know as included in the knowledge of him that every one that doth righteousness is borne of him 1 Joh. 2. 29. To Christ coming the living stone disallowed indeed of men yea of the builders land leaders of the people but chosen of God and precious ye also as lively stones are built up a spirituall house Ye are an elect and chosen generation a royall priesthood though not owned by men as Gods clergy aen holy nation a peculiar people c. Which in tim past were not a people but now are the people of God which had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy 1 Petr. 2. 4 5 9 10. And here we may also see who are rejected and reprobated of God not any man in a personall consideration or before he was borne but those that disallow and reject Christ Jesus and persist in refusing and rejecting him till the day of grace and patience be ended 1 Petr. 2. 6 7 8. Whosoever shall fall on this stone though they be builders shall be broken but on whomsoever it shall fall it will grinde him to powder Matth. 21. 42 44. God so infinitely loveth his son the son of his love that whosoever kisseth him not but refuseth him and will not have him to reigne over them his wrath will be kindled against them and they shall be destroyed with an everlasting destruction Psal 2. 10 12. Joh. 3. 36. In knowing Christ the Wisdome of God we may come to have an usefull understanding and knowledge of all the scriptures of truth otherwise not he is the interpreter and opener of them to us in his cross and testimony hence our saviour intimately instructs the Jewes in searching the scriptures to come unto him and faults and reproves them for not coming unto him in them that they might have life even the light of live Joh. 5. 39 40. our saviour in shewing unto his disciples in the scriptures the things Concerning himselfe thereby opened the scriptures to their understandings and their understandings into the schriptures and unless we come unto and know Christ Jesus we shall remaine ignorant of the scriptures though we read them and heare the voices of the Prophets and Apostles read to us if we come not to Christ as the rest we shall have the word of the Lord to our selves precept upon precept line upon line here a little and there a little and not see the harmony and agreement of the scriptures nor receive the use fullness of them Luk. 24. 25 27 32 44 46. Isay 28. 12 13. Yea in a word they that seeke the Lord to know him win him and be found in him understand all things Prov. 28. 5. the knowledge of this one this excellent object of Wisdome is that which will make us wise to salvation hence the Apostle determined to know nothing else save Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Corint 2. 2. and to the end Timothy might have an understanding in all things he exhorts him to remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to his gospell 2 Tim. 2. 7 8. and the way whereby the Ho Ghost teacheth all things and leadeth into all truth is to glorify Christ and take of his things and shew unto us Joh. 14. 26. and 16. 13 14. oh that this were seriously and heartily considered by us that our hearts may be fixedly set to know Christ in and unto all things Philip. 3. 8 10. 4. And he is called Wisdome because he is the giver and dispenser of it the Lord giveth Wisdome Prov. 2. 6. hence tho Apostle prayeth for Timothy that the Lord would give him an understanding in all things even the Lord Jesus 2 Tim. 2. 7. this is his gift God hath given him power over all flesh that he might give eternall life to as many as the father hath given him and this is life eternall that they know thee the onely true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Joh. 17. 2 3. And himselfe saith to his disciples I will give you a mouth and wisdome which all your adversaries shall not be abele to gainsay nor resist Luk. 21. 15. Ephes 4. 7. 2. By Wisdome and understanding is meant also the gospel of Christ which holy men of God have declared as they were moved by the Ho Ghost even the gospell as testified by the Prophets in whom the spirit of Christ did signify before hand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow 1 Petr. 1. 11. and as the same gospell is now reported to us by the Apostles with the Ho Ghost sent downe from heaven vs 12. Which is recorded and preserved to us in the records of it in the scriptures of truth thorow the greatness of God goodness and wonderfulness of his working the summe and first things whereof are that Christ died for our sins even for the sins of Jews and Gentiles according to the scriptures and was buried and rose againe the third day according to the scriptures 1 Corint 15. 1 4. Rom. 1. 1 4. this is called the word of Wisdome 1 Corint 12. 8. and the gospell or preaching of the cross is said to be the Wisdome of God 1 Corint 1. 17 18 23 24. Prov. 5. 1. and 7. 1 4 5. and this is called Wisdome and understanding 1. Because Christ who is Wisdome and understanding is herein evidently set forth unto us before our eyes even the eyes of our understanding Galat. 3. 1. here though now we see him not as the first trusters in Christ did yet we may see him in the evidence and demonstration of the spirit and so in this word of faith which is the evidence of things not seen As Moses by faith saw him that was invsible Hebr. 11. 1 13 27. in which gospell we may looke upon things that are not seen 2 Corint 4. 18. So here we may see the great sufferings and Wonderfull a basement of Christ and for whom he tasted death and was raised againe even for all mankind Hebr. 2. 9. and here in this glass we may with open face behold the glory of the Lord 2 Corint 3. 18. and therefore because this gospell testifieth of Christ and discovers him to us who is Wisdome and understanding therefore his name is named upon it 2. Because here in especially as now preached according to the revelation of the mystery God hath a bounded in all wisdome and prudence unto the first trusters in Christ and by them to us having made knowne to us the mystery of his will c. Ephes 1. 8. 9. herein the manifold Wisdome of God is made knowne that all men may see it in this gracious and blessed meanes which he hath devised that his banished be not utterly expelled from him Which is discovered to us in this Wisome Ephes 3. 9. 10. here in God hath wrltten to us excellent things in
12. So Wisdome and understanding saith heare for I will speake of excellent things and hearken unto me ô ye children heare instruction and be wise Prov. 8. 6 32 34. this is the one and first thing needfull unto our finding and getting wisdome to heare the word of Christ Luc. 10. 39 42. Not to heare any thing or any word we are exhorted to cease to here the instructions that cause to erre from the words of knowledge Prov. 19. 27. and to take heed what we heare Mark 4. 24. but we are to heare Jesus and God in him as speaking to us by the holy Prophets and Apostles in the scriptures of truth and to this oftentimes are we called upon even to heare the words of the wise fastened by the masters of assemblies which are given from one shepherd Eccles 12. 10 11. Prov. 19. 20. and 22 17. Isay 55. 1 3. Act. 3. 22 23. Aswell as also 2. It is requisite as we heare to seek for this excellent commodity and search after it with our hearts yea with our whole hearts as we have the excellency and amiableness of it discovered to us such an applying or causing our heart to come unto this Wisdome as commended and the commendation heard is requisite as that we cry after Wisdome and lift up our voice for understanding that we seek her as silver and search for her as for hid treasures even with greatest desire and diligence and as those that judge happiness doth onely consist in having this treasure and without which we are undone and miserable for ever Prov. 2. 1 4. and so searching for it in all the scriptures of truth which are the veines as it were where this inriching and happy treasure may be had Joh. 5. 39. and in all ordinances and in the assemblies of Gods people Prov. 8. 34. and in so doing we shall finde it 3. And to our getting is requisite a selling all that we have when we have found it and buying or getting it into our hearts and possession according to that buy the truth and sell it not Wisdome instruction and understanding Prov. 23. 23. Matth. 13. 44 46. here lieth the stick with many persons and too much with us all we would have wisdome if we might part with nothing for it but keep our owne things still but this connot be if any man come unto me saith our saviour and hate not father and mother wife and children brethren and sisters yea and his owne life also he cannot be my disciple and whosoever he be of you speaking to his disciples and the multitudes that forsaketh not all that he hath he cannot be my disciple Luk. 14. 26 27 33. We are all too much like the young man who would faine have in herited eternall life when our saviour told him and said unto him One thing thou lackest goe thy way sell whatsoever thou hast and give to the poore and thou shalt have treasure in heaven and come and take up thy cross and follow me he was sad at that saing and went away grieved for he had great possessions Mark 10. 17 22. So it is too much with us if we might keep our owne things and have wisdome too if we could carry on these two designes to serve God and Mammon and could have Christ and love the world also then we could be content and this would please us but this cannot be we must deny our selves our bruitish lusts and desires aswell as also our wisdome righteousness love of the world and the things thereof the honour praise esteeme friendship and fellowship thereof and take up our cross and follow him yea the that loveth father or mother more then him is not worthy of him and he that loveth son or daughter more then him is not worthy of him and he that taketh not his cross and followeth after him is not worthy of him Matth. 10. 37 39. and 16. 24. we must sell all that we have all must be parted with that we may win Christ and be found in him not as if our things were so worthy as that we might deserve there by this heavenly wisdome nor are we to part with them as a valuable consideration for all the things we can desire are not to be compared to this pearle but our things will hinder us from having and obtaining Wisdome if we let them not goe therefore though we have no Worth nor wortiness yet we must buy wisdome though without money and price for no man can serve two masters we must part with our sins and idolls or otherwise we cannot get this Wisdome and understanding And if we take in the reading in the Margin happy is the man that draweth our understanding hereby may be meant 1. A drawing it out for our owne use and benefit and so diligence and labour of the inward man especially is to be used and exercised and hereby the Ho Ghost may have reference to the drawing out water out of a well or deep place and it is like that Isay 12. 3. therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation namely out of the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles false teachers are said to be wells without water there is nothing in them or in their doctrine to refresh and satisfy 2 Petr. 2. 17. but these teachers sent of God and who are even Gods mouth to us have water in their word doctrine and we are therefore to search thereinto for Wisdome and understanding and draw it out when we finde it Act. 17. 11. Or to draw it out as out of a vessell Joh. 2 8. 2 Corinth 4. 7. and so secondarily out of their words wo have beleived on Christ thorow the Prophets and Apostles words and have the word of reconciliation put into their hearts and mouthes Prov. 20. 5. And. 2. We are to draw out understanding for the good of others also and to the end we may be instruments for communicating it to others as the like Phrase is used Isay 58. 10. John 2. 8. Thus have we spoken to the finding and getting Wisdome and understanding what it is what supposed herein and needfull hereto according to my weakness 2. We come in the next place to note some instructions contained in this affirmation of the happiness of the man that findeth Wisdome and getteth or draweth out understanding As. 1. That men are naturally without this Wisdome and understanding 2. That yet men may finde this Wisdome and get or draw out this understanding 3. That the present time is the apportunity of finding and getting 4. He is and shall be an happy man that findeth and getting this Wisdome and understanding 1. That men are naturally without this Wisdome and understanding even destitute of Wisdome in the knowledge of Christ they are without Christ and all spirituall understanding Ephes 2. 12. A Wisdome indeed they have but such as is foolishness with God they are wise to doe evill and to pursue their drunken
HAPPY MERCHANDISE OR WISDOMS Excellency darkly discovered OR Rather greatly obscured by Words without knowledge By CHARLES PHELPES WISDOME is better then Rubies and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it Proverb 8. 11. At AMSTERDAM Printed by Steven Swart Bookseller at the Crowned Bible neere the Exchange THe great designe of men generally is to exercise themselves unto that which may be gainfull and profitable unto them and to that end many men take a great deale of paines and weary themselves and adventure themselves into many dangers that they may increase to themselves and because their Wisdome is folishness and their knowledge bruitishness therefore they labour for such riches as will not truly in rich them nor make them happy in the account of God if they finde the life of their hands and for such also as are uncertaine both as to the getting and keeping Prov. 23. 4. 5. Now then that the Ho Ghost may take us off from labouring for that which will not satisfy he here commends to us a better and induring substance Which is of infinite and eternall worth and value that we might not for lying vanities forsake our owne mercies And commendeth to us the excellency of the Merchandise it selfe or way of getting it That we might labour not for that meat which perished but for this which indureth unto everlasting life which the son of man will give unto us O that we may all so considerer it that ceasing from our owne Wisdome we may get Wisdome this Wisdome of God which is the principall thing and with all our gettings get understanding that we may at last inherit glory when shame shall be the promotion of fooles Proverb 3. 13 14. Happy is the man that findeth Wisdome and the man that getteth or draweth out understanding For the Merchandise of it is better then the Merchandise of silver and the gaine thereof then fine gold THis Booke of the Proverbs of Salomon though in many places thereof it seemeth not to have such dependance and connexion as other places of the scripture of truth yet is fitly disposed and the Proverbs therein are orderly placed for because the preacher was wise He gave good heed and sought out and set in order many Proverbs Eccles 12. 9. yea indeed these words of the wise though spoken by Salomon yet came not by his will but he spoke as he was moved by the Ho Ghost 2 Petr. 1. 20 21. and they are all given from one shepherd even from Jesus Christ the great shepherd of the sheep and God in him Eccles 12. 9. 11. Who is the God of order and not of confusion And therefore if we see not that wise order and disposing of them its meet for us to take shame to our selves and judge our selves and to cry to him who putteth Wisdome into the inward parts and giveth understanding to the heart to teach us what we see not and to open our eyes to behold wondrous thing out of his law Job 38. 36. and 34. 31 32. And the Principall end of writing the Proverbs was to know Wisdome to make it knowne and that we might know it and know that it is the principall thing Prov. 1. 1 2. and 4. 7. and there sore in the nine first chapters of it there is a large commendation of Wisdome and declaration and discovery of its excellency with manifold intimations that we may be made partakers of it and directions how we may finde and get it and there fore many invitations to get it and affirmations and demonstrations of the blessedness of him that hath and retaineth it and of the misery and wretchedness of him that refuseth it with many warnings and cautions to take heed of the evill man and woman even of all evill persons and spirits who would hinder us or call us off from seeking it that we might have fellowship with them in eating of their bread of deceit and in their unfruitfull workes of darkness all which words of the wise are pleasant and profitable For this holy man as directed by that one shopherd sought to finde out acceptable words words of delight and that which was Written was upright even words of truth And these words of the wise are as goads to pricke and provoke us that whe may not be slothfull but diligent followers after Wisdome and as nailes fastened by the masters of assemblies in a sure place which are given from one shepherd upon which we may leane and depend and have our trust in the Lord according to them that our faith may not stand in the Wisdome of men but in the power of God Eccles 12. 10 11. And these words we have proposed to considerer and speak unto are added to that instruction set downe vs 11. 12. My son despise not the chastening of the Lord neither be weary of his correction or saint not when thou art rebuked of him Hebr. 12. 5. for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth c. To signify to us either 1. That the end of God in all his chastenings and corrections of us while it is the day of his grace and patience is to drive out of us that foolishness that is bound up in our hearts Prov. 22. 15. and to awaken us and ingage us to apply our hearts to Wisdome Psal 90. 7 12. for the rod and reproofe give Wisdome Prov. 29. 15. he doth not correct and chasten us for his pleasure simply but for our profit that we might be partakers of his holiness even of Christ who is made Wisdome and righteousness and holiness c. Hebr. 12. 5 10. Lament 3. 33. and therefore it is unseemly for us to despise and set light by Gods chastenings or faint when rebuked of him because he hath such a gracious end therein that we might seek and finde Wisdome and apply our hearts to Gods understanding Or. 2. He doth hereby direct us unto and commend unto us that excellent meanes and thing where by we may be helped and strengthned neither to despise Gods chastenings nor faint when he rebuketh us namely this sound Wisdome and understanding which is profitable in and under all afflictions and unto all things to direct us Eccles 10. 10. and so it is as if he should say that you may behave your selves comely and laudably under Gods afflicting hand so as not to erre on the one hand or on the other needfull it is to get Wisdome and an happy man he is that getteth understanding For this will shew unto us that he never correcteth but when our need requires it and to seale our instruction that we might not set light by his chastenings and this acquaints us with his grace in Christ and gracious end and intention in all his debatings with us that we might not be weary or faint in our mindes for it is out of love and for our good that he taketh this paines with us and is now judging of us and this considered
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
unclean covetous ambitious revengefull lusts but to doe good they have no understanding Jerem. 4 22. every man is bruitish by his knowledge Ierem 10. 14. God did indeed make man righteous at first in his owne image after his likeness and put Wisdome into his inward parts he was created in knowledge as the Apostle signifieth when he saith ye have put on the new man Which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him renewing is a restoring a Person or thing that is deformed to its first and primitive estate there in then is intimated that at first man was created in knowledge Aswell as also it so appeares in that it is said that the renewing in knowledge is after the image of him that created him and so at first man being created in or after his image he was created in knowledge and understanding Colos 3. 10. But man not abiding in that honour in which he was made but aspiring to an equality with God and desiring some higher wisdome and knowledge thorow his listening to the Lye of the tempter Genes 3. 5 6. Mist what he aspired unto and lost what he had and so man in honour not abiding therein understandeth not but is like the beasts that perish Psal 49. 12. 20. they are destiture of all true and sound Wisdome that which they have leades them to labour to be rich Prov. 23. 4. Ezek 28. 4 5. and to trust in their riches and worship their gold and silver Hose 13. 2. and to seek after greatness and glory in this world Isay 10. 13 14. and fills them with enoyings and strifes against all that stands cross to their designe Jam. 3. 14 16. but as with respect to his Wisdome that is from above they are like wilde asses colts Job 11. 12. In this consideration they are all untill and further then in lightned of God simple and foolish ones And this is true of them all even of those also that have the highest esteeme of themselves As young persons they are usually highly conceited of themselves but they are simple as is signified in that the end of the Proverbs in making knowne Wisdome is said to be to give subtilly to the simple to the young man who is simple also knowledge and discretion Prov. 1. 4. and 7. 7 8. and this is true also of those that have much of the Wisdome of this World who are great schollars and rich in that knowledge which is science falsly so called their wisdome is foolishness with God and the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise that they are vaine 1 Corinth 3. 18 20. and it is also true of those that are of the professed church they are simple and without understanding naturally Prov. 1. 21 22. Rom. 3. 1 2 9 10 11. Yea of all men Job 32. 7 9. hence Wisdome saith to men and the sons of Man o ye simple understand Wisdome and ye fooles be ye of an understanding heart Prov. 8. 4 5. and 30. 2 3 4. The naturall man receveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 14. Out of the heart of men proceed evill thoughts of God as if he had a secret pleasure in the destruction of the greatest part of man kind Ezech. 33. 10 11. and though he speaketh faire and commands the gospell to be preached to all yet he hath a secret will contrary to his revealed We need not be taught and strengthned in such blasphemous thoughts for they naturally proceed out of our hearts And thence also proceed evill thoughts of our selves high esteemes and conceits of our selves from whence we are filled with pride And evill thoughts of the world as if the injoyment of that would render us truly happy and hence proceedeth covetousness Yea and evill thoughts of all things thinking evilly and calling light darkness and darkness light every imagination of mans heart is onely evill continually Genes 6. 5. And hence we are chusing loving and affecting vaine things that cannot profit nor helpe us because they are vaine even any thing besides this excellent Wisdome to wit Christ and God in him Mark 7. 21 22. Use 1. This consideration might be of usefullness to us to hide pride from us for we are all naturally fooles And to cause us not to glory in Gods presence but be willing to become fooles that we may be wise in receiving this heavenly Wisdome here commended to us 1 Cor. 1. 29 31. and 3. 18 19. 2. To admonisch us cease from man for wherein is he to be accounted of Isay 2. 22. and not to have our faith standing in their Wisdome we are such simple and foolish ones as that if men use good words and faire speeches to us and have much of the Wisdome of this world especially if also therewith they have a forme of godliness upon them to depend upon and admire them and receive what they say though they come in their owne name and to imbrace their interpretations of the scripture though therein they consent not to wholesome words but cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine of the Apostles Rom. 16. 17 18. and to glory in the Wisdome of man whereas their wisdome is foolishness with God And were this considered by us as discovered to us in the light and instructions of the gospell it would take us off from that idolatrous esteeme we have of them and their Wisdome Matth. 11. 25 26. 1 Corinth 2. 1 5. and 3. 18 21. 3. To shew unto us the great grace and love of God to us in taking notice of such simple foolish ones as we are with him and in his account who judgeth righteously and in making a way for us that we might become wise He hath not despised us in this sad condition into which we brought our selves but hath of his goodness prepared for us and is giving good counsell to us in hearing which we may be made wise to such he calls be ye of an understanding heart heare for I will speak of excellent things Prov. 8. 4 6 7. Behold God is mighty and despised not any he is mighty in strengh and Wisdome and yet despiseth not us who are weak and simple Job 36. 5. learn we of him 4. To come to Christ in the testimony that we may be made wise Matth. 11. 27 28. and to move here to consider the next instruction viz. 2. That though men are naturally simple and fooles yet thorow the grace of our Lord Jesus they may finde this excellent Wisdome and get or draw out this understanding here commended to us while it is called to day and this is intimated to us in that the holy Ghost here affirmeth and presently evidenceth the blessedness and happiness of the man that finds it of the man indefinitely he had spoken before to the sons of Wisdome more directly vs 11 12. but here happy is
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
of such as say there is no resurrection of the dead and so by consequence that Christ is not raised againe As those that say that Christ is in every man and that the light in every man is Christ and deny that Christ is raised againe in that very personall body in which he was crucified and died for our sins according to the scriptures and was buried these ungodly doctrines render it altogither unprofitable for us to seek Wisdome and impossible to get understanding for if Christ be not raised againe in that body of his flesh in which he was delivered for our offences we are yet in our sins and the faith of beleivers is vaine and the preaching of the Apostles is also vaine then they are found false witnesses of God then is the hope of the gospel vaine then let us eat and drinke for to morrow we dye but those are ungodly and anti christian sayings for Christ is raised againe his soule was not left in hell neither did his flesh see corruption 1 Corint 15. 12 20. take we heed of such false witnesses as bring such profane and vaine bablings And also it may cause us to beware of those false teachers who consent not to wholesome words even the words of our Lord Jesus such as say Christ did not taste death by the grace of God for every man nor is raised againe for their justification and so by consequence there is no Wisdome or understanding prepared for the greatest part of mankind these are false witnesses also who render it doubtfull whither Wisdome may be gotten or no yea who say in their doctrines that it is vaine for the greatest part of mankind to seek it 2 Petr. 2. 1. Jude 3. Contrary to what these ungodly ones say Wisdome may be gotten and he that getteth Wisdome loveth his owne soule he that keepeth understanding shall finde good And a false witness shall not be unpunished and he that speaketh lies shall perish Prov. 19. 5 8 9. 1 Tim. 6. 3 5. 2. To shew unto us the folly and madness of those that seek not Wisdome and get not understanding the greatness of their sin and folly and severity of their judgement is manifested in what hath been said of Wisdome were not prepared for them or if they could not possibly be made partakers of it they would have some cloke and excuse but now their sin is inexcusable and it greatly provokes the king of glory to anger that when he hath prepared his dinner his oxen and fatlings are killed and all things are ready and they invited they then make light of it and goe their wayes one to his farme and another to his Merchandise Matth. 22. 4 8. this is mens great folly and that which highly provokes God that they hate knowledge and will not chuse the feare of the Lord when he is calling upon them and stretching forth his hand unto them Prov. 1. 20 29. Oh! that we may not be such fooles and so unwise but may understand what the will of the Lord is Ephes 5. 17. Prov. 1. 7. 3. To incourage and move us all to finde Wisdome and draw out understanding it is prepared for us and declared and given to us that we might seeke it and assurance given to us in his great and precious promises that in seeking it early we shall finde it oh let us therefore get Wisdome and with all our gettings get understanding Prov. 4. 6. seek we the Lord while he may be found and call upon him while he is neare Isay 55. 6. and to provoke us hereto consider the next instruction viz. 3. That the present time is Gods opportunity for finding Wisdome and getting understanding Whence the Wisdome of God saith Now therefore hearken unto me o ye children Prov. 8. 32. we might branch this instruction into these two parts and shew 1. That the present time is the opportunity in which it is possible for us to get Wisdome 2. It is the opportunity in which it is good and needfull for us to get it 1. The present time is the opportunity in which it is possible for us to get Wisdome therefore it is said happy is the man that findeth and getteth as signifying to us that now while God is waiting upon us that he may be gracious to us and vouchsafing meanes we may seeke success fully and that is all the day long while he is calling unto us To him that in joyned to all the living there is hope Eccles 9. 4. While God heares Christ in his meditation for us and that is all the time he makes intercession he vouchsafeth some meanes to us and while he vouchsafeth meanes God succours Christ in his ministration and sends forth his spirit and behold now is the accepted time behold now is the day of salvation now we may receive his grace so as to be saved thereby 2 Corint 6. 1 2. While God is exercising longsuffering to us it is to a gracious end and out of love to us because he is not willing that any man should perish but that all should come to repentance and hence the beleivers are instructed to account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation not destruction 2 Petr. 3. 9 15. Wisdome is crying and calling unto simple ones that love their simplicity and to scorners that delight in scorning and to fooles that hate knowledge and have done so for a long time to turne at her reproofes with assurance in so doing she will poure forth her spirith and make knowne her words unto them and while she calleth she stretcheth forth her hand to help them to turne Prov. 1. 20 24. yea though men have forgotten him dayes without number and so provoked him as that he hath put them away and they have sold themselves for their iniquities yet while Christ calls unto them by his gospell or any meanes his hand is not shortned that he cannot redeeme but he hath power still to deliver and is stretching it forth to that end and purpose Isay 50. 1 2. and 65. 1 2. and though we have long despised Wisdome yet to day while it is called to day we may seek and finde Wisdome the end of Christs dying for all was that they which live and are still joyned to all the living might not hence forth live to themselves but to him who died for them and rose againe 2 Corint 5. 15. Eccles 9. 10. and this consideration may comfort us and cause us to lift up the hands that hang downe and to strengthen the feeble knees for though we have been such fooles as hitherto to despise Wisdome and hate knowledge yet while God is calling us and continuing meanes to us and especially his servants to preach the gospell it is still a time of finding and getting Wisdome and he that so heares and learnes of the father as to come to Christ he will in no wise cast out but will receive him graciously pardoning his iniquities Joh. 6. 37.
but one thing is needfull for us to be fervently sought after by us even this sound Wisdome and excellent understanding Luk. 10. 39-42 4. Seing silver and gold will not make us happy and that Wisdome will onely doe so even this heavenly Wisdome it may ingage us to get Wisdome and with all our gettings to get understanding 2. In this Demonstration and Commendation is also in generall signified to us that the way of the Ho Ghost for taking us of from those things that are uncertaine and unprofitable is to set better things before us He doth noth simply forbid us to love the World and things that are in and of the World But to redeeme us from them and from our vain conversation he proposeth to and sets before us the precious blood of Christ and what thereby he hath effected and obtained and is become that he might out bid all other things 1 Petr. 1. 18 19. Wisdome had before admonished us not to leane to our owne understanding Vers 5. Now that she might prevaile with us to receive that admonition and cease from our owne Wisdome she here proposeth to us a Wisdome and understanding that is infinitely better more rich and inriching So when the Apostle had been crying downe the Wisdome of the wise and understanding of the prudent that no flesh might glory in Gods presence but be willing to become fooles he saith Christ is made of God Wisdome And saith he how be it though we come not with excellency of speech or of Wisdome but have shewne that God hath made foolishness the Wisdome of this World Yet we preach Wisdome c. 1 Cor. 1. 17 31. and 2. 1 8. to the end that we might in beholding and considering that better and more precious and profitable Wisdome part with and cease from our owne which is bruitish and not onely unprofitable but hurtfull In like manner that we might be broken off from our covetousness from affecting and lusting after the riches of this World and from seeking after the honour of this World the Wisdome of God assures us that riches and honour are with her yea durable riches and righteousness that her fruit is better then gold yea then fine gold and her revenue then choice silver That in her left hand are riches and honour that we might hearken unto her and be crucified to the World and come unto her to be inriched by her and in a patient continuance in Weldoing seek for glory honour and immortality That honour which hath immortality joyned with it which the honor we may receive from men hath not Prov. 8. 10 18 20. and 3. 16. Rom. 2. 7. so to take us off from rejoycing or trusting in our owne workes of righteousness Christ Jesus by his spirite sets before us the righteousness of God without the law or without the works or sacrifices thereof even that righteousness which is manifested by the faith of Christ to be for and unto all and upon all them that beleive that we might count all our owne righteousnesses as filthy raggs and as loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ that we might win him and be found in him Rom. 3. 20 22. Gal. 2. 15 16 21. Philip. 3. 7 9. Hebr. 10. 32 34. Prov. 16. 16. and 8. 18. 1. This consideration then shewes unto us the willingness and cordiallness of Christ that we might be partakers of him and of that excellent provision treasured up in him for all mankind 2. It shewes the bruitishness of those men who spend their money for that which is not bread and labour for that which satisfieth not seing God hath prepared for us and sets before us that which is good and fatness and which will give to us reall satisfaction and render us truly happy Isay 55. 1 3. O that we may none of us by following lying vanities forsake our owne mercies Jonah 2. 8. More particularly in this Demonstration and evidence of the happiness of the man that findeth Wisdome and getteth understanding and commendation of the exercise therabout is signified to us 1. That to the end we may finde and get Wisdome as referring to the former verse and have the gaine of it as referring to the latter end of this verse We must first use Merchandise 2. That the Merchandise of Wisdome is better then the Merchandise of silver and the gaine thereof then fine gold 1. That to the end we may find and get Wisdome and have the gaine of it we must first use Merchandise This excellent and beneficiall treasure is prepared for us and declared to us without and before any thing be required of us as is before shewne But that we may partake of it and its benefit somewhat is required of us as God is enabling us There is first good prepared for men and shewed to them before any thing be required of them Mica 6. 8. But then there are commandments given to us by the Lord Jesus The husbandman must first labour saith the Apostle before he be partaker of the fruit Consider what I say and the Lord give thee an understanding in all things 2 Tim. 2. 5 7. Hence our Saviour saith Labour not for the meat that perisheth but for that which indureth unto everlasting life which the Son of Man will give unto you in thus exercising your selves Joh. 6. 27 29. It is in this also and most certainely true The diligent hand maketh rich and the soule of the diligent shall be made fat but the soule of the sluggard desiretb and hath nothing the idle soule shall suffer hunger Prov. 10. 4 5. and 13. 4. and 19. 15. and 20. 4. Hence such precepts are given to us Prov. 4. 5 7 and 6. 6 11. In this instruction then we shall briefly inquire and consider 1. What is this Merchandise here commended to us 2. Why it is called and compared to Merchandise 1. What is this Merchandise here commended to us and what is needfull hereto to this we have spoken already and shall therefore breifly say 1. There is contained in it and needfull to it an hearing and learning of the father that we may know where it is and is to be had by us and the excellency of it that we may seek it and in the right place how shall we beleive on him of whom we have not heard Rom. 10. 14 17 18. that the soule be without knowledge it is not good and we canoot know unless we heare and learne of God naturally we are ignorant and know not Gods name or his Sons name but every word of God is pure Prov. 30. 4 5. let every man therefore be swift to heare the word of truth and to heare in hearing to learne of Christ to know him who is made knowne to us in the holy scriptures and in his ordinances and in the assemblies of his people let us then bow downe our eares and heare the words of the wise Jam. 1. 18 19. Prov. 22. 19.
and 8. 33. and 19. 2. 2. There is diligence and industry especially of the soule to be used and exercised that we may get and be made partakers of it to wit an exercising our selves in the law of the Lord day and night as is said of the vertuous and wise Woman she girdeth her loines with strength and strengthneth her armes when she perceiveth her Merchandise is good her candle goeth not out by night Prov. 31. 17 18. so there is requisite hereto and contained herein a diligent seeking and serious searching for and earnest drawing out this sound Wisdome and a safe laying it up and keeping it when we have found it and thereto reading and searching the Scriptures of truth meditating therein praying unto God to open our eyes and give us Wisdome and as we finde his words to eat them that they may be the joy and reioycing of our hearts Matth. 13. 45. Joh. 6. 27. Matth. 6. 33. Prov. 8. 17 18. 2. Now this spirituall exercise may be called and compared to Merchandise 1. To signify to us that this excellent commodity of Wisdome and understanding is not in our selves as is before noted we must seeke it elsewhere even without us in Christ Jesus as declared to us in the gospell As those things that merchants seek after they have them not of their owne but the merchants ships bring their commodites from a farre Prov. 31. 14. so this Wisdome is above and farre of from us and the tidings of it is good newes from a farre countrey Prov. 25. 25. in us that is in our flesh dwelleth no good thing we have no sound wisdome or understanding in us there is none that understandeth Rom. 3. 10 11. and 7. 18. but these treasures are hid in Christ and yet they are brought nigh to us in the word of faith and in the preaching of it they are in our mouthes and in our hearts that we might receive them they are brought to us in the Scriptures and in the opportunities we have to heare the gospell as commodities are brought nigh to men in a mart or market But we are without this Wisdome naturally and from our first by th Those are ungodly and antichristian spirits who say the true light Christ is in every man for Christ is in heaven and no otherwise had but in receiving him even in beleiving on his name Joh. 1. 12. and he that heareth and learneth of the Father cometh unto him and therefore he is naturally at a distance from him John 6. 45. 2. It is called and compared to Merchandise to instruct us that we must part with somewhat that we may have this excellent pearle as also before is said Commodities are sold to and therefore must be bought by the Merchants before they have them or somewhat must be parted with by the Merchant for them Prov. 31. 24. The Kingdome of Heaven is like unto a Merchant man seeking goodly pearles a good heart good frames and qualifications who when he had found one pearle of great price Christ in the gospell in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and in whom is all good he went and sold all that he had all his former riches righteousness confidences hopes for Heaven markes signes c. and bought it Matth. 13. 45 46. Indeed herein also is a difference between the earthly and heavenly Merchandise The Merchants of this World part with somewhat usually that is in some measure worthy or judged worthy of the commodity But we have no worth nor worthiness and therefore can parth with nothing which may in the least be of like value with Wisdome And therefore he that hath no mony is invited to buy and to buy without money and price Isay 55. 1. Yet we must buy Wisdome and understanding Prov. 23. 23 and to that end we must forsake all that we have Luk. 14. 33. 3. This spirituall exercise is likened to Merchandise also because as in the earthly Merchandise a man meets with many troubles and stormes Their trading being much upon the sea and they being placed neare the sea Ezek. 27. 3. They meet with many boisterous windes and troublesome seas which many times doe affright them and threaten danger to them So also in seeking after this sound Wisdome Many are the afflictions of the righteous Psal 34. 17 19. They have many contrary windes of evill doctrines annoying them and hindering them in this pursuit and indeavouring to corrupt them and draw them off from listening to Wisdome and seeking and getting understanding Prov. 9. 1 6. 13 17. They are indeavouring to toss them to and fro Ephes 4. 14. that they might drive them back or cause them to come into their pretended harbour which will not indeed secure them Gal. 5. 7. Prov. 7. 1 18. and many stormes they meet with from violent dealars and profane ones many frownes and flatteries many scoffs reproaches and derisions many threats and actuall troubles and bodily persecutions also imprisonments spoilings of their goods loss of liberty name yea and life also when their enemies have permissive commission given to them Matth. 10. 38 39. So that as it is needfull for us in coming unto and following Christ Jesus to deny our selves and sell all that we have So also it is needfull to take up our cross daily and follow him Luk. 14. 26 27. Matth. 16. 24. Such as use this Merchandise must exspect to meet with manifold stormes and tempests The flouds of the ungodly lift up they lift up their voice they lift up their Waves Psal 18. 4 5. and 93. 3 4. They shall be hated of all men and suffer Persecution who will live godly in Christ Jesus Matth. 10. 22. 2 Tim. 3. 12 13. Yea and their Lord and Master will be more abundantly trying correcting and chastening them not to discourage them in their way but to purify them and try them and make them white to the time of the end The raine will descend upon them and the floods beat and the windes blow and it is good and needfull for them to know this who resolve to exercise themselves in this Merchandise that when persecutions afflictions arise for the gospell sake they may not be offended or count it strange concerning the fiery triall as if some stronge thing happened unto them Luk. 14. 25 26-33 1 Peter 4. 12. Matth. 7. 24 25. 4. This is Merchandise because gaine is aimed at and may lawfully be proposed by us Those that use Merchandise in this World doe it to this end that they may inrich themselves by their traffique and trading Ezek. 27. 12. and 28. 5. in all labour there is profit aimed at and sought after Prov. 14. 23. and indeed this is the great thing the Merchants of the earth propose to themselves that they may inrich themselves and therefore they willingly adventure and indure many stormes and goe thorow much foule weather Revelat. 18. 11 17. 23. So also those that trade for and