let me intreat you to seek above all things to behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, even that glory which He only who commanded light to shine out of darkness can make known
unto you^ ]
2. To those who, though incapable of entering cri- tically into the letter of the Scriptures, have yet, through grace, a knowledge of the spiritual truths contained in them —
[Blessed be God, there are some amongst us, of whom, though unskilled in human knowledge, it may be said, '* To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of hea- ven." " They were once blind ; but now they see :" " They were once darkness; but are now light in the Lord." Be thankful to him who has so highly favoured and distinguished you ^ ; and endeavour to walk worthy of him who has vouchsafed unto you this invaluable blessing ''. If ye be " light in the Lord, then walk as children of the light" and of the day*^.]
» 2 Cor. Iv. 6. * 1 Cor. i. 27, 28. '' 1 Pet. ii. Q. ' Eph. v. 8.
ccccxx.
Ps. cxix. 34. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law ; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
A SPIRITUAL discernment essentially differs from the mere exercise of our intellectual powers. A man may have the richest stores of human know- ledge, and the most discriminating faculty in various branches of science, and yet be under the dominion, the allowed dominion, of his own lusts and passions. But spiritual knowledge is always accompanied with gracious dispositions: and for the sake of its prac- tical effects alone is it to be desired. This appears from what St. Paul says respecting the intercessions which he continually offered before God in the be- half of his Colossian Converts : ** We do not cease," says he, *' to pray for you, and to desire that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding ; that ye may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing ^.'' In a fore- going part of this psalm it might seem, as if know- ledge » Col. i. 9, 10.