understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord, which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and right- eousness in the earth ^." Here is a spiritual wisdom spoken of, which infinitely exceeds all that the wisest or richest of unenlightened men can possess. To make this clear, let it be remembered,
1. A man may possess all the wisdom and all the riches of the world, and yet be dead: but the smallest measure of spiritual wisdom '^ giveth life to them that have it" —
[The manna which God gave by Moses to the Israelites in the wildevness supjwr ted life, but could not give it: whereas our Lord and Saviour, whom that manna typified, gives life to all who believe on him •=. Now spiritual wisdom consists in the knowledge of Christ ; as Christ himself has said, " This is life eternal, to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent ^." And if we be but " babes in Christ," still " have we passed from death unto life," and " are become new creatures in Christ Jesus ®."]
2. Wisdom and riches too frequently lead men to self-confidence and creature-dependence ; whereas spiritual wisdom invariably humbles the soul, and leads it to seek its all in Christ —
[A life of faith upon the Son of God is the very essence of all spiritual wisdom ^ ]
3. By carnal wisdom, and by wealth, men are often betrayed into a contempt of all religion ; whereas spiri- tual wisdom brings with it such a love to religion as gradually transforms the soul into the divine image —
[Yes, in truth, faith, if genuine, will "purify the heart^;" and " he that hath a hope in Christ will purify himself, even as he is pure ^ " ]
4. A man possessing wisdom and riches in their utmost extent, may perish ; but a man that is wise towards God, is made " wise unto salvation'" —
[Hence it was that St. Paul, who in his unconverted state possessed a very abundant measure of these earthly talents, " considered them all but as dross and dung, in comparison of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ*^." And hence
^ Jer. ix. 23, 24. <= John vi. 47 — 51. ^ John xvii. 3.
e 2 Cor. v. 17. ^ Gal. ii. 20. s Acts xv. 9.
^ 1 John ill. 3. i 2 Thn. ill. 15. ^ Phil. iii. 7, 8.