Wisdom, Knowledge, and the Fear of God

S. PHIPS. Copy examin'd, per THO. CLARKE, Dep.Secr.

p. 1AN ELECTION SERMON.

ISAIAH XXXIII.6.

AND Wisdom and Knowledge shall be the Stability of thy Times, and Strength of Salvation: The Fear of the Lord is his Treasure.

IN our Context we have an Account of the great Distress and Danger Judah and Jerusalem should be brought into for their Impiety and Injustice, Behold their valiant Ones shall cry without; thro' Grief and Fear because of their invading Enemies;—and the Embassadors of Peace shall weep bitterly; probably, because of their great Degeneracy and Backslidings from the holy Truths and Ways of God.

p. 2The holy Prophet also speaks of the great Consternation the Sinners of Zion should be bro't into, and how the Saints and Servants of the Lord should pray to God for them, in such a Day of Distress, in that Language, v. 2. O Lord be gracious to us, we have waited for thee, be thou their Arm every Morning, our Salvation also in the Time of Trouble.

And then we have an Account of the holy Security, they should enjoy in the midst of this Trouble, v. 15th and 16th. He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly, he that despiseth the Gain of Oppressions, that shaketh his Hand from holding of Bribes, that stoppeth his Ears from hearing of Blood, and shutteth his Eyes from seeing Evil, he shall dwell on high, his Place of Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks.

The Prophet further speaks of the Destruction of their Enemies, and God's appearing on the Behalf of his People, in which he would be greatly glorified, v. 5th. The Lord is exalted, for he dwelleth on high; he hath filled Zion with Judgment and Righteousness; and v. 10th. Now will I rise, saith the Lord, now will I be exalted; and then speaks of the happy Settlement of Jerusalem, and the Jewish State upon this. Religion should revive, and their civil State flourish.

This is evidently intimated in the Words of my Text, together with the following Context.

Their pious King Hezekiah and his People were hereby encouraged with an Assurance, that the blessed God should be their Saviour and Refuge, in every Day of Trouble.

p. 3Here's

1st. A gracious Promise of God for them to stay themselves upon; Wisdom and Knowledge shall be the Stability of thy Times, and Strength of Salvation.

Here's a desireable End propos'd, says an Expositor [Mr. Henry.] on this Place, and that is the Stability of the Times; that Things be not disturb'd and unhing'd at Home; and the Strength of Salvation; Deliverance and Success against Enemies abroad.

And here's the Way and Means for obtaining this End; Wisdom and Knowledge; not only Piety, but Prudence.

And this it is which by the Blessing of God will be the Stability of our Times, and the Strength of Salvation; that Wisdom which is first pure, then peaceable, and which sacrificeth private Interest to the public Good. Such Prudence as this will establish Truth and Peace, and fortify the Bulwarks in Defence of them.

Here's

2dly. A pious Maxim of State, for the King and his People to govern themselves by, The Fear of the Lord is his Treasure—God's Treasure in the World, from which he receives his Tribute, or rather, it is the Prince's Treasure. A good Prince accounts it so, that Wisdom is better than Gold, and he shall find it so.

And then observes, that true Religion is the best Treasure of any Prince, or People; it denominates them rich.

p. 4Be sure, those Places that have wise and good Rulers, able and faithful Ministers, serious and pious People, encreasing among them, are really rich, and it contributes to that which makes a Nation rich in this World. It is therefore most certainly the Interest of a People to encourage and support Religion among them, and to take heed of every Thing that threatens to hinder it.

The Words I have read may be look'd upon as a remarkable gracious Prophecy, concerning the Peace and Prosperity of the Church and People of God, not only under the happy Reign and Government of this excellent King, but in future succeeding Ages, with respect both to their civil and religious Interest: And if it might be fulfilled in the Age and Day in which we live, we shall certainly see better Times than we have done in the Times and Years wherein we have seen so much Evil, for which the Embassadors of Peace, and many faithful Servants of the Lord, have had cause to weep bitterly.

p. 4In speaking to these Words, I shall enquire,

I. What may be more particularly meant by the several Phrases, or Expressions, in the Text?

And then,

II. Shew of what Advantage it would be to the Church and People of God, to have these Words fulfilled in our Times.

And then make some Application of the Subject.

p. 5I am,

1. To shew what may be more particularly meant or imply'd in the several Phrases or Expressions in the Text.

And,

First, What by Wisdom and Knowledge?

It may mean Knowledge and Wisdom both humane and divine; and that comes from above, from the Father of Lights, the inexhaustible Fountain of Wisdom and Understanding, in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge. That Wisdom that dwells with Prudence, and that shall be profitable to direct in all Matters of Importance, with respect to outward and temporal, civil or ecclesiastical Affairs, in which the publick Welfare is concern'd; and more especially with respect to that Knowledge and Wisdom that is divine and heavenly, which makes Men of all Orders, and in every Station, Wise for their spiritual and eternal Interests; so that they know God and Jesus Christ, whom to know is Life eternal.

Án infinitely wise and gracious God is pleas'd to accompany with his Blessing the Means of a religious and learned Education, for the qualifying and accomplishing Men for the Service of God, and their Generation, in various Offices and Stations, in which they may be instrumental of promoting the publick Good, in a greater or lesser Sphere, as God in his Providence shall call, incline, and dispose them to it.