where is the disputer of this world ? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world*?"
But next, this knowledge is a mine of moral wealth. A man imbued with divine " wisdom" has within himself an entirely new standard, whereby to judge of morals, and to regulate his life. Previous to the enlightening of his mind by the Spirit of God, and to his acquaintance with God as reconciled to him in Christ Jesus, he was satisfied with refraining from outward acts of sin : he took little notice of his inward inclinations : he thought little of the sensual look, or the angry word ; though God himself tells us, that in his estimation, the one is adultery, and the other murder. He made little account, also, of what the Apostle calls "spiritual filthiness q ;" such as, pride, envy, discontent, covetousness, and the whole list of corruptions that reside chiefly in the soul. In a word, he was ignorant of the extent of the moral law, which requires a perfect conformity to God's mind and will in every thing. But now he can be satisfied with nothing less than a perfect transformation into the divine image. He longs to " mortify the whole body of sin : " and his one continued labour through life is, to " put off the old man, which is corrupt, according to the deceitful lusts ; and to put on the new man, which, after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness1."
Now, then, compare him with the unregenerate man in this respect also ; and say whether he is not greatly enriched by his heavenly knowledge, and this fear of God ? If it be true that man by sin was im- poverished at first : then it is also true, that every man is enriched in proportion as he is sanctified. We may instance this in one single disposition, " a meek and quiet spirit ; " respecting which I am authorized to affirm, that, in the sight of God, " it is an orna- ment of great price6." Our Lord compares such graces to "gold tried in the fire;" and declares the possessor of them to be truly "rich*." We say, then,
P 1 Cor. i. 19, 20. i 2 Cor. vii. 1. ' Eph. iv. 22—24.
s 1 Pet. iii. 4. t Rey. ii£. 18.