[Others cannot comprehend any one of the foregoing truths. If they should attempt to speak of them, they would only expose their own ignorance. Yea, though they may write well on the theory of religion, they are totally in the dark with respect to the nature of Christian experience. The poorest and meanest of God's people have incomparably greater penetration in these things than the wisest philosopher. This is plainly declared by the Apostle, " He that is spiritual judgetli all things; yet he himself is judged of no man'". It is confirmed also by that expression of Solomon, " The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor man that hath understanding searcheth him out ^ ; " that is, discovers his ignorance, and is able to rectify his errors. As a man who has experienced any great pleasure or pain has a juster idea of what he has felt, than another has who only speaks of such things by hearsay ; so, in a far higher degree, has the experienced Christian a clearer insight than others into divine truths, because he has the archetype and image of them in his own heart.]
Application —
1. Let none attempt to excuse their ignorance by
saying that they are no scholars —
[Nothing is more cominon among the lower classes of mankind than to offer this as an excuse for their ignorance. But such excuses are vain : God has told us that he has chosen them in preference to the rich and learned \ and that he has revealed to them what he has hid from the wise and prudent". Let the blind then pray that they may receive their sight ; so shall they " understand all things "," and be made " wise unto salvation °."]
2. Let us improve our conversation with each other for the purpose of spiritual edification —
[Too apt are we to trifle away our precious hours. But the tongue of the wise is justly compared to choice silver that enriches, and to a tree of life that nourishes us with its pre- cious fruits P. Our words, if rightly ordered, might " administer grace " to each other. Let us then endeavour to obtain " the tongue of the learned, that can speak a word in season unto him that is weary 1." Thus, we may " speak profitably out of the abundance of our hearts," and approve ourselves truly "wise by winning souls " to God ^]
i 1 Cor. ii. 15. k Pj-ov. xxviii. 11. ^ 1 Cor. i. 26—28.
ni Matt. xi. 25. " Prov. xxviii. 5. ° 2 Tim. iii. 15.
P Prov. X. 20. 1 Isai. 1. 4. ^ Prov. xi. 30.