5. That he hath a love to his scholars, and a desire to have them all thriving, and making progress in knowledge; this being his glory who is their master and teacher. 6. That he laid down ways and means, and a constant course for instructing of his people: for, (1.) He hath given his word, and settled and established ordinances for this end. (2.) He hath established a ministry for instructing his people, Eph. iv. 8-13. (3.) He hath gifted persons for this work of the ministry, 1 Cor. xii. 4-11. (4.) He maketh these officers, in the faithful administration of their function, and through his blessing and Spirit, maketh their work prosperous and effectual in his own, as he seeth fit. _Fifthly._ There should be an eyeing of the promises of the covenant of grace made for this end, whether general or particular, or both; such as those which we have, Isa. ii. 9. Hab. ii. 14, "The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord," or of "the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea;" and that, Isa. xxxii. 4, "the heart of the rash shall understand knowledge," &c.; and Jer. xxxi, 34, "They shall all know me." _Sixthly._ There should be a constant, diligent, serious, and single using of the means of knowledge, with a faithful dependence on Christ by faith, gripping to him in his relations, offices, engagements, and promises, and waiting upon his breathing in hope and patience, Psal. xxv. 5. _Seventhly._ There should be a guarding against every thing that may obstruct this work, and grieve him in it; and therefore we would beware, 1. To undervalue and have a little esteem of knowledge; for this will grieve him; and (to speak so) put him from work. 2. To misimprove any measure of knowledge he giveth. 3. To weary of the means and ordinances whereby he useth to convey knowledge into the soul. 4. To limit the holy One of Israel to this or that mean, to this or that time, or to this or that measure, who should have a latitude as to all these. 5. To despise the day of small things, because we get not more. 6. To be too curious in seeking after the knowledge of hidden mysteries, the knowledge whereof is not so necessary. 7. To lean too much unto, and to depend too much upon the ordinances, or instruments, as if all, or any thing, could come from them. _Eighthly._ There should be a right improving of any measure of knowledge we get to his glory, and to the edification of others, with humility and thankfulness, and so a putting of that talent in use, to gain more to his glory. Whatever measure of knowledge we get, we should in all haste, put it into practice, and set it to work; so shall it increase, and engage him to give more. _Ninthly._ There should be a lying open to Christ's instructions, and to the shinings of the Spirit of light and of truth, and a ready receiving of what measure he is pleased to grant or infuse. Which includeth those duties, 1. A serious and earnest hungering and thirsting after more spiritual knowledge.