If wee desire to attaine salvation , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . In Gen. hom. 13. and escape hell ( saith Chrysostome ) we must bee adorned both with the knowledge of the orthodox faith , and the integrity of a holy life . Happy is hee that findeth wisedome (f) (f) Prov. 3.13 . saith Solomon , and (g) (g) Job 28.2 S. Iob describeth that wisedome : The feare of the Lord that is wisedome , and to depart from evill , is understanding . Blessed are your eyes , for they see , (h) (h) Mat. 13.16 . saith our Saviour Christ , and yet not unlesse yee see to do . (i) (i) Joh. 13.17 . If yee know these things , happy are yee if yee do them .

These graces must be joyned together , because severed they bee not graces . The grace of knowledge consists not in the naked and perfunctorie theorie and apprehension of divine truths , but in conformity to them . A man knowes no more truly , then hee puts in practise . (k) (k) 1 Joh. 2.4 . Cognoscere non in solâ , & perfunctoriâ scientiâ est , sed in eorum operatione quae oporteat fieri . Amb. de Parad . c 6. Non est vera scientia boni , nisi ad hoc comprehendatur ut agatur . Prosp. Nihil estaliud scientia nostra quam culpa , qui ad hoc tantum modo leg emnovimus , ut majore offensione peccemus . Salv. Hee that saith , I know God , and keepeth not his commandements , is a lyer , and the truth is not in him ; if a man know God , and disobey him , his knowledge is his fault . Obedience without knowledge , is not obedience , but will-worship and superstition ; as faith without workes is a dead faith : so workes without faith , are dead workes ; the prayers of ignorant persons , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Chrysost. in Gen. hom. 2. in their owne conceits good prayers , are not good , because the sacrifice of (l) (l) Eceles . 5. fools ; their meanings , which they call good , are not good (m) (m) Pro. 19. without knowledge the heart is not good , &c Light is in the second ( as in the first creation ) the first worke . (n) (n) 2 Pet. 1.3 . All things that appertain to life and godlinesse , are given us through knowledge : therefore without knowledge there cannot bee either life or godlinesse , or any thing that belongs to them .

The image of God ( in which wee were at first created , unto which we must bee renewed ) consists chiefly in knowledge and holinesse , not in one of these , but in both . The glorious Angels ( who are proposed to us as patternes ) are understandingly obedient ; (o) (o) Psal. 103.20 they do his commandements , hearkening to the voice of his word : If wee know God and serve him we are like the Angels , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Ignat. ad Ephes. like our patternes , perfect pleasing to God : if either of these bee wanting , the danger is great , the blinde and the lame equally an abhomination .

God hath given to man an understanding and a will , an eye to see , and a band to execute ; and having given both , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Chrysost. in Mat. hom. 2. he requires both , one of these parts will not serve his turne : Hee hath given us a minde to know him , (p) (p) 1 Joh. 5.20 . saith the Apostle : Hee hath made us to understand more then the beasts , saith Elthu in (q) (q) Job . 35.11 . Iob , that wee might know him , which the beasts cannot doe ; It is an injury to God , Non sufficit Deo intellectus nisi fiat in amore ejus voluntas , imo nec haec duo sufficiunt nisi & memoria , &c. Amb. de dign. hum . c. 2. and a debasing of our understanding , to lay out those intellectuals which God hath bestowed on us for himselfe , on earthly and other things , and to yeeld him a bruitish ( because a blinde ) obedience : He hath given us will and affections , and a body to love him , to feare him , to delight in him , to serve him , &c. It is no lesse injury and unthankefulnesse to God , to withdraw these from him , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . In Joh. hom. 6. and bestow them on our lusts , on sinne , on Satan , on the world , on the creatures , on vaine things , by which , for which they were not made . I conclude , with Chrysostome , Let us give all diligence that wee may obtaine a cleare understanding of the true faith , and adde unto that a holy life , and a shining conversation .

Amongst all those poynts which are objected to our knowledge , there is none more generally necessary and usefull , then this of God and Christ , of God in Christ : This is the first principle and foundation of faith and obedience : (r) (r) Heb. 11.6 . Hee that commeth unto God , must beleeve that he is , and that hee is a rewarder of them that diligently seeke him , saith the Apostle : without this knowledge no grace can bee obtained , no salvation can be hoped for : upon this depends faith : ( for (s) (s) Psal. 9.10 . they onely that know his Name will trust in him : that which ignorant persons mistakingly call faith , is mere presumption ) and patience ( for (t) (t) Heb. 10.32 . they only that are illuminated , can endure the fight of great afflictions , others may be senselesse , bruitish , stupid , these only truly patient : ) and all obedience ( for (u) (u) Psal. 119.34 . they onely can keep the commandements , to whom he hath given understanding , others as they desire not the knowledge of his wayes , so they say in their hearts (w) (w) Job . 21.14.15 . What is the Almighty that we should serve him ? And what profit should we have if we pray unto him ? or as (x) (x) Exod. 5.3 . Pharaoh , who is the Lord that I should obey his voyce ? ) upon the knowledge of God in Christ dependeth interest in mercy , and salvation ; (y) (y) Psal. 36.10 . God will draw forth his loving kindnesse to them that know him ; they that know him not , are as farre (z) (z) Ose 27.11 . from finding favour as from knowledge , God hath bound it with an oath , (a) (a) Psal. 95.10.11 . That the people that have not knowne his wayes , shall not enter into his rest . Notable is that speech of holy Ignatius : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Ep. ad Smyrnen . If a man believe not that Christ is incarnate , if hee confesse not his crosse , his passion , his bloud which he powred forth for the salvation of the world , ( and this be cannot doe without knowledge ) he cannot obtaine everlasting life ; though a King , though a Priest , though a Ruler , though a private person , though a Master , though a servant , though a man , though a woman ; let him that receiveth , receive it , let him that heareth , heare it . The ground of this speech is that of our Saviour Christ . (b) (b) 1 Joh. 17.3 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Chrys. in Joh. This is life eternall , to know thee the onely true God , and him whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ : because this knowledge of God is thus usefull , and of this absolute necessity to salvation . It ought to be the businesse and maine study of every one that desires grace , or glory , to search after him , and that he may finde him , to search after him first , where he may bee found , and secondly , as he will be sought .

First , God may be found in his word , there is no point in which nature is more blinde , from which it is more averse , then this of God , and Christ ; God is great , and we know him not saith Elihu , this Well is deep , and we have nothing of our owne to draw with . There are manifest impressions of God stamped upon the creature : The invisible thinges of him from the creation of the world are clearely seene , being understood by the thinges that are made , even his eternall power , and Godhead ; Not onely the Heavens , and the firmament , his glorious , and magnificent workemanship , declare his glory , but the beasts , the foules , the earth , the fishes , the least , the most contemptible of his creatures , shew forth his handy worke , yet the wisest of men by these know not God , by these ( which is worse ) were taken off from God , from seekeing him , from serving him , from seeking him while they imployed their understandings wholly in the search of the secrets of nature , and spared no time to enquire after the God of nature , from serving him , whilest they doted upon , and deified the creature , worshipping the Sunne , the Moone , the Hoast of heaven ; nay , foure footed beasts , & creeping things , and plants , and hearbs in stead of God But after that in the wisedome of God the world by wisedome knew not God , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Athan. cont . Gentes , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Clem. Alex. ad gentes adm. Quae Deus occulta eum voluit non sunt scrutanda , quae autem manifesta fecit non sunt neganda ne in illis illicitè curiosi in istis damnabiliter inveniamur ingrati . Prosp. de vocat . gentes . it pleased God by the foolishnesse of preaching , to save them that beleeve ; It hath pleased God to discover himselfe ( so far forth as we are able , and it is needfull to salvation to know him ) in his holy word : in this God may be found , in this God must be sought . This is that light in which , & by which we may behold & gaze upon God ; within this we must contain our inquiry after him , that we wax not vaine in our empty speculations , and bee precipitated into errours : as farre as this we must extend our inquiry after him , lest wee bee found guilty of wilfull ignorance , and convict of Atheisme . He that desires to finde God , must to the Law and to the Testimonies , must search the Scriptures , they testifie of him ; As the sunne discovers himselfe by his owne beames , and the fire by his owne light ; so God reveales himselfe by his owne word ; a light more bright then the sunne in his glory , discovering God , and opening our blinde eies that we may see him .

Secondly , he must seeke him as he will bee sought , and that in these particulers ; First , with diligence of endeavour , consisting in the dailinesse and serious earnestnesse of inquiry ; this mystery is great , mans capacity is slow , it is constant labour that must raise up slow capacities , to great mysteries : Ioshua had a charge to meditate in the booke of the law day , and night ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Chrys. in Joh. hom. 53. the Bereans had a commendation for doing it , and the Eunuch a reward , and we a promise if we doe it . If thou incline thine eare to wisedome , and apply thy heart to understanding , if thou criest after knowledge , 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 find the knowledge of God . This is that which our Saviour requires in his command . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Athan. hom. 2. Search the Scriptures ; for what is it to search but carefully and diligently to inquire out something that is hidden , the daily , and serious reading , and meditation of the word , make the language of the holy Ghost familiar to us , and the eye of the soule quicke sighted .

Secondly , Qui vindemiam colligit vasa prius mundare consuevit quibus vinum . infunditur — Emunda oculos mentis — ne qua festuca peccati ac em tui perstringat ingenii , Ambr. Hex. lib. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Clem. Alex. Chrys. in Joh hom. 1. with a washed and a pure conscience ; this is the Apostle Saint Iames his councell . Lay aside all filthinesse and superfluity of naughtinesse ; with him agrees S. Peter . Lay aside all malice , and all guile , &c. as new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the Word : No man will powre pretious liquors into uncleane vessels , nor new wine into old bottles : God will not infuse saving knowledge into sensuall hearts , but the secret of the Lord is with them that feare him , and he will teach them his covenant ; they that desire to see God , and know him as he is , must prepare themselves with preparations befitting God , for an unsanctified eye cannot see him as hee should be seen , nor know him as he should be knowne .

Thirdly , with a teachable , and a tractable heart , ready to entertaine that light which shineth into it , and imbrace and submit unto that truth which God reveales concerning himselfe , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Basil in Psal. 115. without consulting with flesh and blood : This is a necessary condition ; foolish man that cannot perfectly comprehend the nature of the smallest , of the basest creature , is too ready to measure God by his bruitish understanding : there is a generation that make reason ( which they tear me right ) the judge of faith , and boggle at , Concedamus cognitionē sui Deo , dictisque ejus p●â veneratione famulemur : Idoneus enim sibi testis est , qui nisi per se cognitus non est . Hil. de Trin. lib. 1. or plainely deny those mysteries which reason cannot reach to , and others that professe not so much to the world , secretly harbour the same principle in their hearts , & manifest it in their disputes : they that wil know God , must lay aside carnall reasonings , and bring with them faith to beleeve what God hath revealed concerning himself , though they apprehend it not . God knowes himself best , and is a sufficient witnesse to himself , no words can describe him , Hoc mirabilis magis Dei virtus est quod intelligi ab homine magnitudo justitiae non potest ut quantum ad imbecillitatem humanam pertinet pene injustitie especiem magnitudo justitiae habere videatur . no minde can conceive him as be is , if they could he should not be infinite , & so not God . In this ( saith Salvian ) is the excellencie of God more admirable , because man cannot understand his justice , ( say the same of all his attributes , man cannot understand his wisedome , power , mercy , &c. ) but the greatnesse of his justice seemes to man to be in a manner injustice ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Chrys. in Heb. hom. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Just. Martyr cum Tryphone . It should bee sufficient to perswade us to beleeve , that God hath said it : it is one part of that glory which we must yeeld to God , and comfort that we must affoord to our selves , to acknowledge that wee serve such a God as infinitely exceeds all that wee can speak or thinke .

Fourthly , with prayerfull hearts ; The same spirit by whom the Scriptures were inspired , is the expositer of the Scriptures : There is a veile over every mans heart naturally , when hee reads the word ; where this Spirit is , the veile is done away , no man can see the things of God , but hee to whom God reveales them , and bee reveales them to them that ask him . But of this in the Treatise .

Lastly , he must make use of the Ministers of God , of their lippes and labour : The Priests lippes should preserve knowledge , and they should enquire the Law at his mouth . The Eunuch read the word , but understood it not , God sent Philip to instruct him : Cornelius fasted and prayed , but understood not ; the Angell warnes him to send for Peter , and heare words of him . This was done for our instruction , to teach us to make use of those Pastors which God raiseth up according to his owne heart , to teach us in wisedome and understanding .

Madam , it is the scope of this Treatise to reveal God , and shew what use should be made of this knowledge . It was pēned by an able minister of the Gospel , in his time a burning & shining light , eminent above others for his learning and for his labours . Divers other books of this subject have out run this into the world ( as Ahimaz did Cushi ) I doubt not but this that comes after them , will deliver the message as fully as any that went before it : the Author in it hath clearly opened dark points , hath brought downe high points to low capacities , hath unfolded intricate questions , cut in sunder the sinewes of many heresies made profitable applications of all points herein discussed : I confesse it comes not forth so gorgeously attired as some others ; it is an orphane , the wombe that bred it had not strength to bring it forth : it wants the enticing words of mans wisedome , the Apostle wated them , & gloried in it , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . In Joh. hom. 1. he was rude in speech but not in knowledge , he did discover ( as Chrysostome said of Saint Iohn ) the naked truth with a naked head , he was a preacher and not an Orator , Devita contemplat . lib. 1 cap. 23.24 . he perswaded God , and not man , and therefore did ( what Prosper counsels all Preachers to do ) lay aside Rhetoricall paintings much fitter to obscure plaine matters , then illustrate dark ones ; Non tam otiosorum auribus pl●ceant , quam aegrotorum mentibus prosunt . Salvi . it is their duty not to rub itching ears with froathy eloquence , but to cure sicke hearts with sound doctrine . This was the purpose of the Author in this treatise , which how farre bee hath attained , I leave it to others to judge : the nurse is many times as fond of the infant she suckles , as is the mother that brought it into the world : my judgement therefore may be partiall .

Madam , this booke as it is , I present to your Ladiship , it is not any personall ingagement hath inforced me to it , ( though Iowe you my selfe ) but your goodnesse which I acknowledge and desire to helpe . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Just. Martyr cum Triphone . Madam , it is a certain truth , that God hath bestowed on women as well as men , a reasonable soule , and hath given to them a capacity of performing all workes commendable and vertuous : hee implanted in them his own image ; this they have lost ( the woman was first in the transgression ) & are in as a wofull a condition naturally as man , and must be saved out of it by the same means , and in the same method a man is saved , by repentance towards God , and faith towards Christ , the joyning of knowledge and obedience concernes them . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Chrys. in Joh. Madam , I have heard your Ladiship plead for these things , and know in part your pains and your progresse in them : I know a book of this subject will not be unacceptable , will not bee neglected by your Ladiship . Ministers ( like husbandmen ) sow their seed with most readinesse where they expect the greatest increase . Madam , your growth and increase in those graces which are already eminent in your Ladiship , is the thing I desire , and this book , with Gods blessing on it , may procure . The prayer of the Apostle for the Colossians , shall bee mine for your Ladiship , that you may bee filled with the knowledge of Gods will in all wisedome and spirituall understanding , that you might walke worthy of the Lord unto all well-pleasing , being fruitfull in every good work , and increasing in the knowledge of God .