RIGHT HAND, or JEHOVAH. 269 telligence of divine and fpiritual Things, and our Con- cern in them, are wonderfully fele&ted for that Purpofe throughout the Bible. Nor is this Knowledge founded upon occult Qpalities in the natural Objeas; but upon fuch, as are obvious to common Difcernment, and within the Comprehenfion of the meaneft Capacity. The fa- cred Tomes were not compiled for the Study and In- veftigation only of the Learned, but equally, if not prin- cipally, for the Ufe and Benefit of the Unlearned and Simple; that every Heir of Grace, in both thefe Claífes, might, without any Diftinftion, be made wife unto Salva- tion. Lactantius truly obferved, That when GOD re- vealed his Word to Man, he only communicated that Sort ofKnowledge, which was neceffary for the Attainment of eternal Life : And as to thefe Things, the Comprehen= Eon of which is either curious or prophane, He threw (as it were) a Veil over them, that they might behidden. * Indeed; 'tis not the Greatnefs or Variety of human Knowledge, which can induce the fmalleft Ray of this fuperior Wifdom, or bring to its Poffeffors a fubítantial Peace at the lift. GoodSenfe, Genius, and the Acquire ments of Literature, are undoubtedly defirable Advan- tages for worldly Ends, andmay be ranked among the molt valuable Gifts of Providence. But they all perifh in the Oblivion of the Grave, and meet no higher Di- ftin&ion from .Death, than the uncultivated Simplicity of the Clown. Grotius, in his dying Moments, would have gladly parted with all his Learning, great as it confeffedly was, for a Grain of that Grace, which dwelt in his poor ignorant good Neighbour, yohn Urich. Our areát Solden likewife, upon his Death-bed, made the lame Confcffion with Grotius his famous Opponent, and profeffed to Abp. Ufher, who vifited him ; " That, notwithstanding his vast Treafure of Books and Manu- fcripts, he could find Comfort in none, and reft his Soul upon none, but the holy Scriptures." His very fenfible and learned Friend Whitelocke, -J- upon the cooleít Re- flection; made the fame Acknowledgement. The fame a De Origine Errori,, 1. ii. c. 8. f See his SwediAEmb l . likewife
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