bereavements. Far different from these, however, are the senti- ments of a godly man. The whole inspired volume, whether it promise or threaten, prohibit or enjoin, is in his eyes a fountain
of good, springing up to everlasting life And all the
diversified afflictions which arise, are regarded by him as blessings in disguise ; as messengers sent to " humble us, and to do us good at our latter end," by weaning us from things visible and temporal, and stimulating us to lay hold on those which are invisible and eternal.
An ignorant novice may dread a cross wind, as calculated only to retard the vessel in which he is embarked : but the experienced mariner will welcome it, as filling all his sails better than a wind that is the most direct ; and thus, whilst the ungodly man views afflictions only as calamities which he would most avoid, the godly man welcomes them from God's hands, in the assured hope that " his light and momentary afflictions will work out for him a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory "^."J
Thus, to go no further, it sufficiently appears how much clearer insight the godly man has into God's word and works, than the ungodly man can pretend to. And now let us,
II. Account for the fact —
I readily concede, that, in point of natural talent or acquired learning, the godly man may be inferior to others ; but in spiritual discernment he is superior to the wisest philosopher on earth. Does any one inquire how this should be ? I answer,
1. He has God himself for his teacher —
[All God's people " are taught of him ;" and it is in conse- quence of their " having heard and learned of the Father," that they attain to a knowledge which no other person can possess''. Were I to say that " the Spirit of God opens the eyes of their understanding," and " brings them out of darkness into mar- vellous light," I should say enough to justify all the assertions which I have made : nor would any one have a right to ask from me an explanation of the process by which this mysterious work is accomplished. Yet I think that the mode of divine teaching may be in some little measure comprehended by means of a suitable and familiar illustration. There are different ways in which an object which is obscure may be rendered visible : one way is, by bringing it nearer to us ; another is, by removing intervening obstacles ; another, by reflecting stronger light upon
'^ 2 Cor. iv. 1". ^ John vi. 45.