enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling"1." To him, then, must every man look for wisdom : and from him shall every man receive it, who seeks it in a becoming waye. As Bezaleel and Aholiab were instructed at once how to per- form all manner of work ; and as the disciples of Christ, poor uneducated fishermen, were enabled at once to speak different kinds of tongues; so shall the Spirit impart to us also, accord- ing to our respective necessities, that we may both know and do all that God has required of us.]
In the works to which this consummate wisdom was to be applied, we may see,
II. Its most appropriate use —
For the formation of the tabernacle was this wisdom given —
[For that work it was indispensably necessaiy : for the things which were to be formed had never been seen before ; no, nor any thing like them : and for such sacred vessels the most exquisite skill was required. Had even angels been em- ployed in the formation of this structure, their utmost abilities would have been well employed.]
And have not we a similar use for the wisdom bestowed on us ?
[Behold " the tabernacle of David which is broken down !" does not that need to be reared again f? Are not the whole race of mankind to be formed as " vessels of honour meet for their Master's use ?" But who can discharge this office ? If St. Paul, with all his endowments, was constrained to ask, " Who is sufficient for these things g?" how much more must we ? For, who amongst us has such an insight into the deep mysteries of the Gospel, as to be fully assured that he shall in no respect deviate from "the pattern shewn" to Prophets and Apostles " in the mount ?" Or who shall undertake to fashion the rude materials of the human heart after the perfect image of our God ? Who that knows any thing of Jewish prejudice or Gentile superstition, shall attempt to cope with them in his own strength, or hope to reduce them to the obedience of faith ? Verily the Preacher of the Gospel needs to be endued with wisdom from above, with wisdom too of no ordinary mea- sure, for the work to which he is called : and all the talents that the most distinguished philosopher can possess, will find ample scope for exercise in this great work. In comparison of rearing a tabernacle for the Lord, what is there under
d Eph. i. 17, 18. e Prov. ii. 1—6.
f Amos ix. 11, 12. with Acts xv. 16, 17. e 2 Cor. ii. 16.