2. Those who profess to be endued with true wisdom —
[If " God have given us an understanding," then we must evidence it by the purity of our hearts and lives. But many there are, who can talk very fluently and speciously about religion, who yet are very far from being wise in the sight of God. Hear the judgment of God himself on this subject: *' Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you ? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts (and these are no uncommon inmates with the professors of religion,) glory not, and lie not against the truth." (Let proud, conceited, and contentious professors hear this ; They are " liars against the truth.") This wisdom descendeth not from above; but is earthly, sensual, devilish. " But the wisdom that is from above, is first
pure,
' Ps. xlix. 18. s Jer. viii. Q. ^ Matt. vii. 24—27. Deut. iv. 6,
pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy'." Here is the test of true wisdom ; here is the evidence of a sound understanding. The man that is destitute of these gracious tempers, is in darkness even until now : but the man who from love to Christ is enabled to live in the habitual exercise of them, has surely an understanding heart, and is made wise unto t,i.Iva- tion.j
'Jam, iii. 13 — 17.