lean to their own understanding, he derides p, and will communi- cate to " babes the things which he conceals from the wise and prudent ''." True it is, that God uses both the written and preached word as the means of conveying instruction : but the due reception of that instruction he ascribes to the operation of his own almighty power''. Even the Disciples whom Jesus him- self had instructed for three or four years, were not able rightly to apprehend his word, till " he opened their understandings to understand the Scriptures^:" and, when Peter confessed his Lord to be the Christ, he was expressly told, that " flesh and blood had not revealed it " to him, but God himself. Be it known then to all, that every Child of man, whether learned or un- learned, must " hear and learn of the Father," who is " the *' Father of lights, and from whom cometh every good and per- fect gift"."]
This is the way pursued by the saints in all ages — [Who more instructed than David ? yet he was not ashamed to seek from God a spiritual illumination. The saints at Ephe- sus were inferior to no Church whatever in a comprehension of Divine truth : yet did St. Paul pray for them, that they might yet further " be enlightened by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation," through whose gracious influences alone they could grow either in knowledge or in grace''. If we look to those of later times, we find this truth acknowledged by all, excepting those infidels who~ " deny the Lord that bought them." The Reformers of our Church have most unequivocally sanctioned the use of these means, and encouraged us to look up to God for *' the inspiration of his Spirit," " that we may both perceive and know what things we ought to do, and also have grace and pov/er faithfully to fulfil the same^." Let us not be contented with any efforts of our own, or any instructions from man ; but let us " cry after knowledge, and lift up our voice for under- standing, knowing that it is the Lord alone who giveth wisdom, and that out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understand- ing"-"] Address,
1. To those who are studying the Holy Scrip- tures—
[It is surprij^ing what pains many take to acquire a critical knowledge of the Bible, whilst yet they remain contentedly ig- norant of those deep things which none but God can teach. But
let
^ 1 Cor. i, 19, 20. "^ Matt, xi, 25. ■■ 1 Cor. iii. 5 — /.
» Luke xxiv. 45. ' Matt. xvi. 17. " Jam. i. 1~.
'^ Eph. i. 17, 18.
^ See Collects for Fiibt Sunday afler Epiphany ; -nid for Whit- sunday. '• Prov. ii. l-T-6.