of sin and Satan, he will never be undeceived, till he shall open his eyes in the eternal woi'ld.]
The fool then, I say, is in a more hopeful state
than he —
[The fool, notwithstanding his ignorance, may leavn: and if he will only submit himself to divine teaching, he shall learn ; nor shall his weakness be any bar to his instruction : for GoH has said, that " What he has hid from the wise and prudent, he has, of his own good pleasure, revealed unto babes'^:" and so plain shall his ways be made to them, that " a wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err therein*^." Of him, then, we may have a hope, because he will use the appointed means of in- struction, and will embrace truth as far as he discerns it ; whilst the conceited man will not condescend to be " taught of God," and therefore must continue ignorant even to the end, and *' perish at last for lack of knowledge."]
On this subject I would found a general ex- hortation—
[Conceit, when strongly manifested in relation to earthly things, generally excites pity and contempt ; but when exer- cised in reference to spiritual things, is deemed oracular and wise. But I entreat all to be on their guard against it. It is most dangerous, and fatal to the soul. Humility is at the very root of divine knowledge ; nor can any saving acquaintance with the Gospel spring up without it. This, then, I say to all:
Be sensible, that, instead of being " rich and increased with goods, and in need of nothing," as too many suppose them- selves to be, you are in yourselves wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked^"
Bear in mind, that the Scriptures alone are the fountain and standard of truth. Every thing must be brought " to the Law and to the testimony :" and " whoever speaks not according to the written word, he has no light in him^"
Remember, too, that it is by divine teaching only that we can understand the Scriptures. If the eyes of our vmderstand- ing be not enlightened by the Spirit of God, notwithstanding the light that shines around us, we shall go on still in darkness, even as Paul did, in his unconverted state; and as the twelve Apostles did, in the midst of all their Master's instructions, till after the resurrection of their Lord ^
And forget not, that this instruction must be sought by ear- nest prayer. God alone can give it ; and it is only in answer to prayer that he will impart it to us'
Moreover, after you have been guided into truth, you must
^ Matt, xi.25,26. *= Isai. xxxv. 8. ^ Bev. iii. 17.
8 Isai. viii. 'JO. '» Eph. i. 18. Lukexxiv.45. * Prov, ii. 1— G.
811.] AGAINST DEPENDING UPON FUTUPvE TIME. 247
still be on your guard against the same propensity which acts so powerfully in the unconverted mind. Many, after all their partial illumination, are drawn aside after " philosophy and vain deceit''." If you would be preserved in the right wa}^, you must not only " be converted, and become as little children," but retain a childlike simplicity even to the end. To your latest hour you need to be reminded of that counsel given to the Christians at Rome, "Be not wise in your own conceits V You need to be guarded against " thinking that you know any thing" perfectly ; for, whilst you are under such an impression, "you know nothing yet as you ought to know*"." " If you will be truly wise, it is by becoming fools in your own estimation, that
you are to be made wise"." If you will not follow this
counsel, " God will take you in your own craftiness °"
I must then, as God's ambassador to you, call your attention to the warning which he has given you by the prophet Isaiah : " Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sights* !" And to all I must recommend those petitions of God's most favoured saints, " Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law^:" and, "What I see not. Teach thou me''."]