to their real character ^ These are the wise, the only wise in the sight of God. And they are truly wise, even though they should be the most illiterate upon earth. We do not hesitate to say that the fishermen of Galilee possessed more true wis- dom than all the heathen philosophers that ever existed.]
Their superiority to others will soon appear, if we inquire,
II. What are those subjects of which they are so well able to speak ?
Their spiritual views do not at all qualify them to speak on matters of science and philosophy. But there are many things relating to Christian doctrine and experience, of which they can speak more truly, and more accurately, than any other people upon earth :
1 . On the deceitfulness and depravity of the heart —
[This is a subject with which they are well acquainted ; nor are they afraid of declaring it in its full extent. They have found on ten thousand occasions how fatally their heart has deceived them, what false glosses it puts upon any thing which it is desirous to I'etain, and what specious pretexts it will suggest for rejecting any thing that is distasteful to flesh and blood. They have seen the deep-rooted enmity of their hearts against God, their aversion to all holy exercises, and their proneness to do every thing that was evil. In speaking on these points, they speak not by hearsay, or according to a received system, but according to the word of God, confirmed as it has been by their own experience s.]
2. On the suitableness and excellency of the salva- tion provided for us —
[They no more doubt that they need a Saviour, or that the Saviour provided for them is exactly such a one as they want, than they doubt their own existence. They know full well that they could not fulfil the law ; they know also that Christ has satisfied all its demands by his obedience unto death ; and that by believing in him they shall be interested in all that he has done and suffered. They perceive that in this way of sal- vation God gives all, and we receive all : and though the pride of their hearts formerly revolted at this, they are now disposed, not only to acquiesce in it, but to thank and adore God for so gracious a dispensation — ]
3. On the way in which sinners are brought to the knowledge of Christ —
<■ Eph. i. 17, 8. g Jer. xvii. 9.