262 FAITH BUILT ON KNOWLEDGE. DISC. x. knowledge as is absolutely necessary for conversion, or so much as is sufficient to make a profession of his name, and thereby obtain a right to the fellowship of the saints. Let us not be content to be always babes, feeble and fearful because unknowing : We should think no pains too much to acquire divine knowledge, and to improve it : And to this end let the holy scriptures be our daily study, for these are the writings that testify of Christ. Let us not censure the preachers that feed us with a word of knowledge, nor complain of dry dis- courses, when in any particular sermon, the doctrines of religion are chiefly insisted on; for these are the founda- tion of our wisest faith, and the pillars of solid and exalted joy. It was knowledge that carried the great apostle into that extacy of pleasure, and divine mortifi- cation to every thing besides Christ ; Phil. iii. 8, 9. Yea, doubtless, I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge, of Christ Jesus my Lord,,for whom I have s2.t ffered the loss of all things, and count them but dung that I might befound in him, &c. Seek after experimental acquaintance With Christ. Follow the advice of St. Peter, 2 Epistle iii. 18. Grow in grace, and in the knowledge ofour Lord Jesus. This is attained by much converse with him, in meditationand prayer ; by secret and hourly addresses to him ; by fre- quentl>reathings of soul towards our heavenly Friend, in whose hands lie all our immortal concerns. Make daily observations of the work and power of his grace upon your hearts, in your performance of duties, and suc- cess against temptations : and have a care that you lose not the things which he had wrought : Take heed lest you decline in your acquaintance with Christ ; that your faith and hope being built upon a regular knowledge, you may have a blessed treasure.ofchristian experiences to establish and exalt it. Illcl Remark. How unkind and unnatural is it for 'parents to let the souls of their children perish for want of knowledge ! How necessary to acquaint them be- times with the gospel of Christ that they may trust in , him betimes, and that their souls may be safe in the great day ! If I should ask every mother in the assembly this question, do you not desire all your children should be young believers ? But how can they believe in him whom they have not known v Hqw can you expect they
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