1. The purchase or thing valued , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. The excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord .

2. The price that he rated it at , and was willing to come up to , and that was to the loss of all things , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Yea doubtless , and I count all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord .

'T is pitty these two should be parted , that so rich a Pearl should want such a wise Merchant rightly to value it . And therefore , as I find them together in the Text , so I shall put them together in the observation that I shall handle out of it , and it is this .

That there is a surpassing worth and excellency in the knowledge Doct. of Christ Jesus our Lord , for which all things are to be accounted loss for a Believer .

The first branch whereof contains the Doctrinal part , and the latter may serve for the Application .

To begin with the first . There is a surpassing worth and excellency in the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord .

For the subject of which Proposition , by the knowledge of Christ 1. Subj . Jesus , we are to understand the knowledge of whole Christ , his Person , God , Man , in Himself and Offices , the Prophet , Priest , and King of his Church . In all which , Faith finds transcendent Soul-ravishing excellencies and mysteries .

Nor this barely speculative and notional , though even herein it Neg. hath an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above all other learning whatsoever . So that Porphyrie needed not to have pittied Paul's rare parts , as cast away upon the foolishness of preaching . If I would be a Scholar , I would be a Christian , I would read the Scripture , though I were so graceless as to do it only for the excellency of the matter , the strength of the argument , the variety of choicest stile and story , all in it met together , which I so over-prize in other Authors , though asunder . If it were but only for bare learnings sake , I would learn Christ and his Gospel . For what are all your fine-spun abstractions , extractions , subtilties , demonstrations to this great mystery , God manifested in the flesh , justified in the spirit , seen of Angels , 1 Tim. 3. 16. &c. Here is work for a Doctor Angelicus : study for an Angel . If they , who always behold the face of God in Heaven , have yet their Matth. 18. 10. face towards the mercy-seat , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as S. Peter Exod. 25. 20. expresseth it , 1 Pet. 1. 12. even stoop down earnestly , desiring to have a look ; what an advancement of learning is it to us ( whose Eyes you know what the Philosopher compared to ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metaphys . l. 1. c. 1. 2 Cor. 3. 18. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , with an unvailed face to behold the glory of the Lord in the glass of the Gospel ; The bare Theory whereof is so noble and transcendent . But this knowledge ( I said ) is not barely speculative and ●●tional , but

1. Fiducial . And so in Scripture we have knowledge put for faith . Affirm . Fiducial . Isa. 53. 11. John 17. 3. the knowledge of Faith whereby we apply Christ to our selves , and know him to be ours , as Paul here did , when he saith , the knowledge of Christ Jesus ; but he adds my Lord . And so For Christ , v. 7. and For the knowledge of Christ here Cum ait propter excellentiam cognitionis ejus , intellige excellenti am justitiae ejus quae nobis donatur & imputatur . Zanchy . in the Text are put for the same . It 's a knowledge whereby I gain Christ , v. 8. and have him , and am found in him , v. 9. and not only an ability to conceive and discourse of what is in him , and comes by him ; for so the Devilish Renegado may be enlightned . Hebr. 6. 4. The Devil himself could say , I know who thou art , the holy one of God , Luke 4. 34. The greatest Scholars have not always been Christs best Friends . Time was when the greatest Rabbies were his worst Enemies . Lucian and Porphyrie acute men , but sharpned against him . He was one of the wits of the World that said , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; that took cognisance of the cause but only to condemn the innocent . Unless thou lookest at Christ with Faith's Eye , the more quick thine is , and the more earnestly thou lookest on him , thou wilst either more despise him , or despair , or Isa. 53. 2 , 3. prove more desperate against him ;

Either more desperately mad , as the man set against the Sun with his Eye-lids cut off . Balaam a damned Witch with his Eyes open , Numb . 24. 3 , 15 , 16. None spit more venom on Christ , than they that do it on his face , who look and loath together .

Or more deeply sunk in despair , when thou hast so much of an eye as to see a wrinkle on thine angry Judges brow . In that Case the more good that I know is to be had , and I have it not , the more is my misery , as the famished man 's to see food , which he must not tast of , or the condemned man 's to behold goodly builddings , and pleasant Fields and Gardens , which he passeth by , as he is led out to execution . This knowledge therefore is first fiducial , as appears from v. 7 , 8 , 9. 2. Experimental , as Interpreters bring Experimental . that v. 10 , 11 , &c. That I may know him , &c. which is explained in those following words , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the power of his resurrection , and the fellowship of his sufferings , such as that woman had that was healed of her bloudy issue , Mark 5. It is said v. 33. that she knew what was done in her when ( as it is v. 30. ) virtue had gone out of Christ to her . And so , Then we know Christ indeed , when we feel virtue coming from him , and find that we have fellowship with him ; when whatsoever was in him , was done or suffered by him , is really proved , yea and exemplified by something in us , or done by us , as the fruit or stamp of something that was first in him . As then , in this kind , we know 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the power , virtue , and energy of Christs Resurrection , as Pauls Phrase is , when

In point of Justification ( as the effect of it , Rom. 4. 25. ) by this evidence of his Victory our Consciences are assured that he hath satisfied for our Debts , and overcome all the Enemies of our Salvation .

And in point of sanctification ( as the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of it , Col. 3. 1. ) our dead hearts are raised up to a life of grace , and to seek those things which are above .

This , This was the lesson which the Doctor of the Gentiles was yet a learning . This fiducial experimental knowledge of Jesus Christ was that , which he who was caught up to the third Heaven , was all his whole life still further aspiring to , because when he was at the highest , yet it was still above him : which may be one part of the meaning of this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , of the Divine Excellency of it .

Which is here predicated of it , an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à supereminentia , 2. Predicate . as Interpreters render it , an admirable , superlative , incomparable Excellency . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , whether an H●braism , or Atticism , I dispute not : but put substantively to express its substantial excellency , as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Salutare Tuum , Luke 2. 30. to signifie such a saving thing as we want a word to English it . Such is this , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or as Photius renders it , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , such an hyperbolical transcendent excellency is there in this knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord .

But ( more particularly ) this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( I conceive ) may be Distinctivum speciei , vel Gradûs , signifying the surpassing worth of it in comparison either of other things , or of some lower degrees of it self .

Zanchy thinks this latter , and by this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , this excellency of the knowledge of Christ understands some further and more eminent degree of it , which every Believer had not attained unto , nor Paul himself perfectly . For whereas there is a threefold knowledge of Christ , Ex Lege , Ex Evangelio , Ex visione , from the shadows of the Law , the light of the Gospel , and the full Vision in Glory , the second of them is more excellent than the first , and the third than the second . The first he had past , and attained some measure of the second ; but the further degrees of it here , and the perfection of it in Heaven he makes account is this , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the top branch of this Tree of knowledge , or life rather , which therefore as he aspired to v. 10 , 11 , 12. so here in the Text he accounts all as loss and dung in comparison of . I may not quarrel so grave an Author : but yet crave leave to express mine own thoughts , viz. that its meant of the whole Gospel-fiducial-experimental saving knowledge of Christ , reaching even to the lowest and least degree of it , and especially in reference to justification , in which sense only some of these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Text are to be accounted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : and yet in that sense truly there is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a matchless excellency in the least degree and measure of the saving knowledge of Christ .

And so taking it as distinctivum speciei , in worth and excellency it far surpasseth . 1. All other things . 2. All other knowledge whatsoever .

First , All other things , though otherwise and in themselves of Excels all other things . greatest worth and price . Job goeth over all the Lapidaries most precious Jewels , and cannot find its match . Cap. 28. 15. to 20. And should you ( without ground ) call in question his skill , yet you cannot doubt of Solomon's ; whose incomparable ability joined with his long-studied and dear-bought experience rendred him the ablest Priser of whatever was to be found in the worlds Inventory , and yet he brings in the same account , Prov. 3. 13 , 14 , 15. and 20. 15. where you find that Silver , Gold , Rubies , a multitude of them , nay all that you can desire are not once to be compared with it . And yet this avouched by these two great men , who by reason of their experience and enjoyment could best tell on the one side what the worth of the best things in this World came to . To which if you will add a third ( that in the mouth of two or three Witnesses , this truth may be more fully established ) let it be our Blessed Apostle , who had on the other side as deep an insight into the unsearchable riches of Christ , as any . And he , if he would

Either wish for others , it 's ( not that of Austins , that they might have a sight of Christ in the flesh , but ) that they might have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him . Ephes. 1. 17.

Or vote for himself . So , as the Beatifical Vision is the top stone of his happiness in Heaven : to be with Christ is his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there ( Chap. 1. of this Epistle v. 23. ) so , savingly to know him is his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here , that in worth and price infinitely surpasseth all other things . This should have been further pressed and insisted on , if I had now spoken to them , whose trade lieth in such inferiour Commodities . But seeing that I am especially dealing with you ( Reverend and Beloved ) whose more noble and honourable negotiation lies in richer Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge , Give me leave to apply my self to you , and tell you .

2. That this saving knowledge of Christ is signanter said to be All other knowledge . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not only of all other things , but of all learning and knowledge the most excellent .

Some knowledge and wisdom being Earthly , Sensual , Devilish . James 3. 15. to which it is as light to darkness , which it not only exceeds , but expells and scatters , as the Morning-Sun doth the Night-fogs . So of old , when the Word became Flesh ; the Devils Oracles , even of their wisest Apollo , became dumb . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 — As , before that , Moses his rod and serpent ate up those of the Egyptian Sorcerers . Exod. 7. 12. Such wisdom of Egyyt . The wisdom of the Father unlearns us . To touch or tast of such a tree of knowledge is a forbidden fruit .

Other knowledge and learning indeed there is , which in these Schools of the Prophets hath long flourished , and long and long yet may and ( God grant ) more than ever , which we hope Authority will yet countenance and advance , that our Wars may not end in Barbarism , and our Sun be turned into darkness whilst our Moon is Act. 2. 20. into bloud , notwithstanding the mad rage of divers brutish men that decry learning because themselves have none , like the Ape in the Fable , would not that others should have what they want , that themselves might cease to be ridiculous . This is but the Dogs barking at the Moon , which he cannot reach ; or like their cursing the rising Suns light , because it discovers their nakedness . The Apostle calls such Brute-Beasts , that speak evil of the things they understand not . 2 Pet. 2. 12.

But , to return to my purpose , though such kind of learning is of admirable use in its kind , and next to the saving knowledge of Christ the highest perfection under Heaven ; yet at this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it strikes top-sail ( as Hugo Cardinalis noteth upon the Text ) knows its place , as an Handmaid to be subject and subservient unto Faith : which , as it illuminates all other learning , and raiseth it up to an higher pitch , so it withal regulates and subordinateth ; it self ever retaining the Soveraignty of being Scientia Scientiarum .

For this reason , Prov. 1. 20. called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the plural number sapientiae , or omnimoda sapientia , all wisdom and knowledge being contained and more than summed up in the saving knowledge of one Christ , that as it pleased the Father 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Ephes. 1. 10. in him to sum up all things , so in him also to lay up all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge , Col. 2. 3. so that it would prove no hard task to demonstrate that whatever was choice and eminent in the learning of all Philosophers , and their several Sects may be found spiritualized and sublimated and infinitely exceeded in the knowledge of Christ . In Comparison of it Aristotles intellectual vertues are but meer fooleries . Platoes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is here overmatched , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Philip. 4. 7. Take notice there of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Text. It passeth all understanding , though spoken but of one parcel of what we know and have by Christ ; He being the learned Grecians Alpha and Omega . Revel. 1. 8. Containing more knowledge than all the Letters of their Alphabet put together can express ; And His Fear ( even to that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. 4. 6. that wise and understanding people ) both * * Pro 9. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and * * Pro. 1. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not only the first imperfect beginning , but also the chief head , and highest apex and pinacle of wisdom . Here we meet with that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that substantial knowledge . Prov. 8. 14. and that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that variegata sapientia . Ephes. 3. 10. both the best ground , and the most curious embroidery ; that layeth the substantial ground-work of all our happiness and peace , in the hid but holy and unchangeable Counsel of the eternal God ; and discovers and displays all the various and glorious manifestations of Gods Wisdom and love in His Son , and to us His Servants , from election to redemption , justification , adoption , sanctification ; till it riseth up at last to glorification . And doth this then fall lower than this , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Text. Doth not the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord ( as our 2 Cor. 3. 9. Apostle said in another respect ) exceed in glory .

More particularly . The surpassing excellency of this knowledge above all other may be considered in respect of

1. The Author of it , who is God and Christ himself , both objectum Author . and principium intelligendi . Both Word , and Prophet , as well as Sacrifice and Priest . The Adamant polished with its own dust , and Heaven seen only by its own light . Christ by the illumination of his own spirit , being a spirit both of revelation to unbate the object , and of wisdom to enlighten the eye . Eph. 1. 17.

You may know from whence this knowledge comes .

1. By whither it goes , in tantum ascendit quantum descendit , it rests not ( as the River to the Sea ) till it get to Heaven at last , and therefore from thence it came at first .